Chapter Text
Bumblebee paced the sawdust-packed floor of the Malto’s barn. Occasionally his yellow pedes would kick up dust making Mo screw up her nose and wave her hand in front of her face. Robby stayed in the rafters with Twitch and Nightshade who looked down at the pacing Autobot.
All seven of the Malto children burned with curiosity but didn’t speak to the Bumblebee. In the past week, the Malto children had asked everyone about the identity of this new family member - not even Dad would tell them- but he admitted he didn’t know.
“It can’t be Optimus,” Nightshade said lowly, their optics narrowed, “But I don’t know of anyone else that would make Bumblebee and Megatron this nervous.”
“You asked Megatron?” Robby said, surprised.
Nightshade theatrically mimicked Megatron, “It’s too important to allow others to know.”
“So, the same thing Dad said.” Robby peeked over the rafters at the pacing bot. He could see Mo enthusiastically trying to encourage him, but couldn’t make out the words from this high up.
“But we defeated Dr. Mandroid and G.H.O.S.T.,” Twitch pointed out, “And found out Dr. Mandroid was G.H.O.S.T.? I still get confused sometimes.”
Robby shrugged. A mechanical thumping interrupted further conversation. Megatron’s motor could be heard everywhere as he closed in on the barn.
“Okay, let’s go,” Bumblebee commanded.
The Malto children exchanged various looks before hoisting themselves up. Once Twitch’s pedes touched the ground, Hashtag brushed some dust off her shoulder, and they grinned at each other.
Bumblebee stopped and spun on his heel to face them, holding up his hands like he surrendered.
“Please, can you all at least try to behave normally for five minutes?” Bumblebee pleaded.
“We behave normally all the time,” Thrash countered.
“Then-“
“Bumblebee,” Megatron’s voice rang out interrupting any further lecture.
The six robots walked into the sun towards the massive form of Megatron, the ex-Decepticon leader. Technically an Autobot now, he bore no insignia due to the recent conflict at G.H.O.S.T.
“She’s not with you?” Hashtag asked, scanning the area for any sign of the newcomer.
“Oh, uh.”
Megatron looked down at Dorothy, who looked up to Megatron at the same time. She matched his panicked look with one of quiet acknowledgement.
“She’s arriving with Optimus,” Megatron looked to the side.
Twitch and Hashtag turned to each other and gave a silent squee, shaking their hands together in joy. They wanted the new member to be a girl.
Bumblebee gave Megatron a pitying look, “What did she do?”
Megatron looked at the celebrating children before speaking lowly, “She threatened to list all the times I kidnapped her including the time I wanted her to medically change Starscream’s personality.”
Bumblebee chuckled, “Classic.”
Dorothy watched the roughhousing during their side conversation and spoke up, “Listen, kids. I know you’re really excited to meet our new family member, but I want you to know…” Dorothy trailed off; unsure of how to explain.
“She may not stay,” Megatron finished for her.
“Right,” Dorothy agreed.
‘She’s the kind of bot that received love from afar’ was too complex to explain to kids used to hugs and warm words.
A loud truck horn frightened a clutch of wrens to flight. Optimus arrived ostentatiously with his beefed-up trailer in tow. The trailer unhitched and Optimus transformed and waved.
“Good morning, Malto family,” Optimus said cheerily, servos on his hips.
“He’s blinding,” Hashtag murmured, shielding herself with a servo.
Twitch giggled.
“I see everyone is just as excited as I am!” Optimus swung his arm and winked.
Thrash turned to Jawbreaker and Nightshade, “Why is he so happy and Bumblebee isn’t?”
Nightshade frowned and folded their servos.
“Maybe he’s just nervous,” Jawbreaker offered.
Optimus took the bot’s servo and lifted her from the confinement of the trailer. Hashtag, ever the inventive romantic, would later say he helped her out like a queen.
Hashtag thought she looked a queen because Ratchet carried herself differently than the other Cybertronians. She stood tall- not from rigid military training- but in a way that radiated from her very spark. Even when she stretched outside the trailer, it looked elegant and graceful.
Ratchet stood taller than Bumblebee, but much shorter than Megatron. She had a stocky red and white build with a grey midsection that accentuated her curves.
“Ratchet,” Bumblebee started a half run to her.
“Ratchet?” Mo and Robby chorused.
Mo turned to the fabulous five, “Ratchet was a medic during the war. Everyone thought she went back through the spacebridge before it was destroyed.”
“So, how did she get here?” Nightshade asked as the Malto children turned their attention to the red and white Autobot.
Despite her being slightly taller, Bumblebee lifted her up by her waist in a big hug.
“Hey, ‘Bee,” Ratchet’s voice was low but melodious, “Long time.”
“I missed you,” Bumblebee admitted before his optics widened in embarrassment, “I’m sure we all missed you.”
“I missed you most, Bumblebee.” Ratchet frowned, “You’re low on Energon. Have you refueled yet?”
“Not yet, I want you to meet some people.”
“Dotty!”
“Hey, Ratchet,” Dorothy replied.
Ratchet lifted her up and snuggled her to her helm, “It’s been how many earth years?”
“Almost fifteen.”
“Wow,” Ratchet smiled.
Once Dorothy’s feet were back on the ground, she gestured over to her seven offspring.
“I’d love to introduce you to my family including my Terran children.”
“Children?”
Ratchet shot Megatron a look so dirty he threw up his servos in self-defense and stepped back. He stepped into Optimus, the real recipient of the angry glare. When their optics met, Optimus gave a sheepish smile before moving back out of harm’s way behind the trailer.
Normally Megatron would call out his cowardice, but Optimus did this for him, so he kept quiet.
“Hi, I’m Hashtag,” she spoke in her usual way, “And you are like, hashtag-gorgeous.”
“Thank you, little one,” Ratchet said. “I appreciate the compliment from a bot with such good taste.”
Twitch came forward, “I’m Twitch,”
“I’ve heard much about you from Wheeljack.”
“Wheeljack talks about me?” Twitch’s face lit up.
“I’m Thrash,” Thrash tried to fold his arms and extend a servo for a handshake at the same time.
Ratchet spoke carefully, “Very cool, I love your alt mode.”
Nightshade flourished a bow in his usual theatric manner, dipping low before speaking, “A pleasure to greet you, they call me Nightshade.”
“They call me Ratchet,” Ratchet thought about it, “At least to my face.”
Megatron shifted uncomfortably behind her.
“I use they/them pronouns.” Nightshade pronounced.
“Very nice.”
Nightshade paused, normally he told people about his recent…studies. Megatron and Bumblebee tensed, so he stayed quiet.
Ratchet frowned, “Is there some-?”
Bumblebee cut in, “And this is Jawbreaker, he’s a Dinobot.”
“Oh, uh. Actually-“
But Jawbreaker already transformed into his Dino mode and stomped loudly.
“That’s really something,” Ratchet said. “Optimus, can I talk to you for a second?”
Optimus shook his helm, “No can do. Megatron and I are needed back at headquarters.”
Megatron frowned. He regretted not calling Optimus a coward earlier.
“Very well,” Ratchet conceded.
“Besides,” Alex said as he approached the team, “I have a lot planned to welcome our new guest!”
Ratchet watched the family, excluding Bumblebee, walk to the barn. When they reached the interior, the lights flickered on and a banner read ‘Welcome Ratchet’ in big letters.
Bumblebee snapped her from her thoughts by putting his servo in hers.
“I’m glad you’re here.”
Ratchet smiled and leaned her helm on him, “Of course, BaeBee. I’m happy to be here.”
Bumblebee’s smile faded as he turned away.
“I am,” Ratchet turned his helm back to her with a gentle tone, “I am happy here.”
Bumblebee smiled, “You’ll really like being a part of this family.”