It wasn't that Ratchet was withholding information from Wheeljack on purpose- he certainly had no want to keep the other Autobot in the dark as to their friendship, but spilling out what he was feeling just wasn't something he was accustomed to doing. He knew that he might have to do it anyway eventually, but that time certainly wouldn't come when they were out on the obs deck surrounded by everyone and the kitchen sink.

At least Wheeljack's handshake was strong and he seemed more relaxed, his own return greeting getting a genuinely happy smile from Ratchet. The question that came next was considered thoughtfully for a moment, the medics arms crossing back over his chest loosely. "Primus, that was a long time ago," he muttered, scraping the old memories back up after so long. "It was at the old university in Gygax. You were a frequent visitor to the medical wing right up until the Decepticons leveled the place. We just kinda fell in together during the confusion, I guess." The exact memories had lost bits and pieces over the ages and even when they were fresh, they'd never been extremely clear but there was still enough left over to give Wheeljack what he asked for.