"If he does..." he mutters, firmly, just loud enough for only Ratchet to hear. "Then we're gonna beat him harder. 'Till he gets it through his stupid mask no one messes with this place."

He doesn't raise his voice. Doesn't make a sudden move or anything. He just keeps trailing his fingers along the other's plating. Reassuring. Promising. It's okay, he's going to stay here. This won't happen again.

"Hey, I'm impressed," he says, with a little smirk. "Wouldn't say it was fun, you're not that kind of bot. But..." And his voice lowers even further, all but whispering. "You are pretty impressive."