It’s hard to picture Rodimus saying anything intentionally hurtful to Optimus, but Drift can’t imagine why he’d lie or exaggerate about this. There’s some obvious surprise on his face and he pauses for a moment – not quite sure how to interpret the information or how to respond without knowing what they’d said. And he’s not going to pry into it, especially not now.

That aside, he’s tired…tired of hearing everyone constantly berating his friend’s actions. When he speaks again, there’s no anger or other negativity to his words, only a hopefulness that Optimus will consider what he has to say.

“I don’t know what we must seem like from your point of view after all of this…but Rodimus has always meant well with his intentions, even if they seem rash. He’s a good person. A good friend. I know that better than anyone.”

Maybe going off on his own looked like a selfish option at first glance, but Rodimus had done it because he hadn’t wanted anyone else getting hurt on his account – even refusing Drift’s own offer to join him.