you know you are as small as the things you let annoy you {backdated before robot prom}

[asafepairofhands]

It's a little while after Sixshot has dug all of the medics up from whatever underground art bunker they had been briefly trapped in, miraculously without anyone killing each other, and Ratchet is back in the medibay at work. He is still half-legless and especially foul-tempered, especially considering the upcoming festivities, which he plans to avoid as completely as possible.

COME BOTHER HIM



[CLOSED TO RODIMUS]
It's not long after the medics are back that Ratchet sends a message to Rodimus privately, apropos of what seems like nothing.

Come to the medibay. I need to check something.

Comments

[optout]

"It's good that you found something, though. It means that there's probably more out there, and thus, more information." He mulls this over as he walks in, thumb pressed against his faceplate in thought. "We should consider scouting teams every once in awhile to get a lay of the land, find out what we're dealing with."

...

"This planet has a history, and we should study it to try not to make it's mistakes."

A hand goes out to the medic's shoulder though, eyes sparkling. "Next time, let Megatron know when your medical team goes out. I think you gave him a scare."

[asafepairofhands]

"We were only supposed to be gone for ten minutes," Ratchet huffs. "And, they're not my medical team, not here. Red Alert set up this clinic, not me."

Ratchet eases under Optimus' broad, steady palm, though, watching what little is visible of his face.

"Looking out for him, are you?" Ratchet asks, one corner of his mouth quirking up. "Conscientious of you."

[optout]

"They are as much hers as they are yours, and as you are First Aid's," you can almost hear the smirk behind that faceplate. "But know you were all missed."

Although Ratchet's comment makes his ears flick slightly, eyes widening..almost...bashfully.

"I only want to guide him. What you're doing for him is what he should have gotten millions of years ago."

[asafepairofhands]

"...mmm," Ratchet says, looking away, his expression thoughtful. "I agree. That he should have had it earlier. Nothing we can do about it now--not besides this, I guess. Just."

He shrugs, not sure how to disguise just how much he does like his youngest recruit, how surprised he is by that fondness, how odd he feels about concealing at all. He huffs a gust of air from his vents and shakes his head.

"He's good at his job, and he asked. Stupid to turn down help when we need it so badly."

[optout]

If there's one thing that Optimus can read about Ratchet, it's when he genuinely likes someone. Thankfully, though, it's not something Optimus will say outright. But it's nice to see him taking to Megatron. He'd be lying if he didn't feel the same about the miner. Something he'd always liked about him, even back then.

Not all things change.

"Watch over him for me, Ratchet. I know you will do so yourself, but...extra from me."

...

"I want the best for him."

[asafepairofhands]

"...yeah," Ratchet says, a sort of grudging warmth filtering into his voice. "He's a good kid. And somebody has to. Guess I'm it."

He doesn't sound terribly upset by this.