"I do not know where he got the idea from," Optimus says, glancing away. It unsettled him, and still does, because he has no perspective on how true that is. And how angry he feels at Megatron makes him feel more vulnerable to that sway than he'd like. He still has memories of loving him too close to his spark.

"Perhaps...given the feelings I had still possessed without my memories..."

Maybe it had given Rodimus reason to believe that he no longer warranted his full respect, based on his past affections.