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It was still early into the morning when Drift received a comm from Rodimus. The mech sounded exhausted and worried, but about what Drift wasn’t entirely sure what, so he offered to meet Rodimus at his hab to get to the bottom of it and see what he could possibly do to help.
When he arrived, standing outside of the door and giving a gentle knock, the sound of excited little chirps hit his audials and all but immediately the speedster smiled.
He had only been around his amica's small bitlet a few times due to their differing schedules on the bridge, but every time he found himself in the small one's presence he found his spark brightened considerably. There was an ache there as well but it was overshadowed by everything else he felt and so he had decided that since he knew not what was causing it, he would ignore it. That was becoming harder every klick he spent near the bright little creature though.
“Rodimus?” Drift called, knocking on the door once more. Starfire’s chirps of excitement only grew louder and louder but he heard nothing from his amica, causing his own worry to grow.
“Rodimus? Is everything alright?” Knocking for a third time, and what he decided was the final attempt, Drift entered in the code to the hab manually before walking into the hab.
It was typically normal for one of the co-captains or a medic on duty to override a code to enter a hab like this if there was a known issue or to ensure everything was alright but this wasn't one of those times. Drift was just worried about his amica and that’s where the second reason would come into play.
Drift and Rodimus never really had a problem letting themselves into the other's hab. However, that was before either of them took a conjunx. Now that the spaces were shared with another, the two were more respective of the other's hab and typically only dropped by when they knew it was okay. Usually stated prior by the others comm, ‘my hab in fifteen klicks.’
These visits were once again picked up more commonly when Rodimus was carrying his and Megatron’s sparkling, especially towards the end of the kindling. Ratchet had confined the poor speedster to the berth until the newsparks emergence, due to various reasons. Lack of recharge, over exerting and exhausting himself, the inability to keep much fuel in his tanks - not that Rodimus wasn't trying, at least when he had an appetite anyways and Drift would of course still check to make sure it was alright but on times Megatron was on bridge duty and he knew Rodimus was in the hab alone, he generally just went over if he wasn't busy himself. Though, Rodimus usually called him complaining that he was bored and lonely which was more than enough of an invitation for his dear amica.
This berth rest order however, was excruciating for Drift, Megatron and Ratchet. They were all ready for it to be over, both because they wanted Rodimus to feel well again but also because the speedster wasn’t really listening to anyone . Drift was the only one that was seemingly able to get through to his amica most of the time, it wasn't easy though.
Then there was Magnus. He still wanted Rodimus to look over data pads and sign off on orders, all of which everyone else thought could wait but Magnus wasn’t convinced. Even the smallest ones were far too important in Magnus’ mind to be left unattended to for too long. Drift and Megatron had tried to sign off on a few but Magnus was dead set on Rodimus doing so, not them. This had led to quite a few arguments during the three’s time together. All of which Rodimus would hear nothing about.
As the door to the hab closed behind Drift and he walked into the hab, his helm immediately swiveled to where the sparkling’s small and happy chirps were coming from.
Rodimus was laying down on the berth, flat on his back. His spoilers were lowered and though many would think it was just the most comfortable position for the speedster to be in, Drift knew differently. Starfire was sitting atop Rodimus’ abdomen. Her carrier's arm was latched tightly around her waist, making it so she couldn't move away from him; however, her arms were free and so they were in the air swaying as her tiny servos grabbed the air in Drift’s direction. His smile widened.
Carefully, Drift’s foredigit tapped against Rodimus’ arm signaling that the mech could loosen his grip and ultimately allow Drift to scoop the small femme into his arms. He shifted her, placing her rump into the bend of his arm before cradling her against his chassis. She curled against him, cooing happily as she finally settled down.
“She really likes you, ya know,” came his amica’s voice. Saying Rodimus sounded exhausted was an understatement and when the mech’s optics lazily opened to look at him, Drift could see just how heavy the bags were beneath them.
“Does she? I couldn’t tell.” Drift laughed as he sat down on the edge of the berth next to his amica. He felt the other speedsters' soft touch against his leg, signaling him to look down and smile at the red mech. “You need me to take her for the cycle for you?”
“How’d you know?” Rodimus’ smile was weak but it was still there, even if only barely.
“I know you and you’re not normally this run down. Even when you’re at your lowest.” Drift pressed a bit harder into his amica’s touch, his field pulsing softly with reassurance.
“You sure you’d be okay to take her? She’s high spirited and I know you haven't had the chance to be around her much lately, let alone without myself or Megs.”
High spirited was an understatement. She was just like Rodimus, but at least a thousand times more so. It was that young energy.
“Yeah, I’m sure. You could use it and like you said, she likes me.” Looking down at the small femme in his arms, Drift’s spark spun happily. She was curled up in his hold, helm pressed against his chassis and optics closed with tiny servos balled into fists just beneath her chin as she vented softly in recharge. “It’ll give me a chance to get to spend some more time with her and worst comes to worst, Ratty will be home from his shift in the medibay soon. I’m sure he’ll help me if I need it.”
Rodimus laughed again, this one was however followed immediately by a deep yawn. “I’d like to see that. Ratchet probably wouldn’t know what to do with her anymore than you.”
“I’m sure you’d be surprised, Roddy.” Feeling his amicas field leveling out, Drift held Starfire close to him and stood up. Giving one last smile his amicas way, Drift quietly left the hab and made his way towards his own.
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The hab was dark when he walked inside and though he’d normally turn them on immediately he made no move to turn the lights on this time. He didn’t want to wake the small one in his arms yet and so he simply allowed his system to heighten his senses, making it easier for him to see in the dark. It was an upgrade he’d had implemented a long time ago, when he’d first joined the Decepticon ranks all those millennia ago, and was still very happy he’d had it done. It came in handy for situations like this, or for fun nights with his conjunx.
Making his way towards the couch, Drift sat carefully down and nestled himself against the plush cushions. He was perfectly seated in the corner, leaning halfway between the back of the couch and the arm rest.
When he was fully settled, he carefully shifted and raised Starfire up so she could better rest against his chassis. The small femme whimpered and squirmed slightly until she found her face pressed beneath Drift’s chin, against his neck cables and that’s when she let out a happy chirp and settled back down.
Letting himself relax against the couch he closed his optics and opened a comm to Ratchet.
<<Roddy needed a break so I took Starfire. She’s taking a nap right now so just in case she’s still recharging when you come home, try to be quiet. Love you Ratty and I can’t wait to see you when you get here.>>
Of all the things Drift knew Ratchet might expect upon walking inside the hab, having a sparkling whether awake or recharging was not going to be on that list.
He wasn't tired himself, it was still early and he had rested well last night but Starfire seemingly had some kind of effect on him because just as he heard his mate’s voice over the comms, Drift felt himself slip into a light recharge of his own.
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Exhausted didn’t even begin to describe just how tired Ratchet felt after his shift finally ended, and to boot now he had to go home to a sparkling of all things.
Now, that didn’t mean that he disliked little Starfire. No, it was quite the opposite.
When Rodimus first came into his medibay, due to both Drift and Megatron’s worry, Ratchet had truthfully thought the speedster was just trying to play, *really well* Ratchet might add, into being sick so he didn’t have to go on their latest mission at the time, which involved a lot of diplomacy speeches…Something Rodimus thought Megatron and Ultra Magnus would have been able to handle just fine on their own. However, as Ratchet connected the diagnostic cables to the speedster and began to collect all of the data flowing through, well he was in disbelief but a spark of hope had ignited within him upon finding out that it wasn't just a glitch in the data. According to it, Rodimus was sparked. Rodimus truly carried one of, if not the very first of the future generation of their species.
As a medic who wished for nothing more than the flourishing of their species and as a mech who had seen so much death over the millennia that the war took place, he was far more than just a little happy.
Then there was Drift. His conjunx absolutely beamed whenever he was around his amicas little sparkling and it made Ratchet happy to know Drift’s spark was so full in those moments.
However, if Drift had to take Starfire for Rodimus then the brightly colored speedster was likely far more exhausted than even Ratchet. Which was certainly saying something.
Walking into the hab, Ratchet made a motion to turn on the lights. He stopped just short of his digits touching the switch, realizing that if they were off then Starfire was likely still recharging as Drift had mentioned in his earlier comm.
With a soft exvent, Ratchet lowered his servo and turned around. He was fully expecting to see Starfire either on the berth recharging or slag, even on the couch. What he didn’t expect however, was the actual sight that laid before him.
A large, dopey, warm smile spread across his lips as he found himself automatically walking their way.
Drift was wedged into the back corner of the couch. It perfectly cradled him there, holding him in what actually looked to be a quite comfortable position. His helm was resting against the back of the couch, chin resting at a downward angle. Starfire had taken full advantage of this and pressed her own helm beneath his. She was still curled against him but now her chassis was flush against his own, small digits curling tightly around whatever kibble they found, at least the best they could anyways. There was a sweet purring sound coming from Drift, the one he loved to hear but when he adjusted his audials a bit he could hear a much smaller, softer purr beneath that of Drift’s. Starfire was purring as well and it made the old medic absolutely melt .
Carefully, Ratchet lowered himself to take a seat next to the pair but try as he might, Drift still stirred. Slagging light sleeper that he was.
Ratchet vented softly but did not cease until his aft was aptly against the cushion and his frame was gently touching Drift’s own.
<<What happened to having a good night's rest? Did you fib just so I wouldn't be worried?>>
A tired smile grazed Drift’s lips as he leaned closer to Ratchet. Now, his helm rested against Ratchet’s shoulder and as he did so, he moved forward just enough that Ratchet could snake his arm behind the speedsters back and wrap around him. The three were perfectly cuddled together now.
<<No. Not completely anyways.>> A yawn interrupted Drift before he continued. <<I know how hard those all nighters are for you. You had enough on your plate, Ratty but….Well, I did recharge just fine. This little one just…She has an effect on you, I swear. You can hold her if you don't believe me.>>
<<Oh no, I don't think so.>> Ratchet laughed softly, tightening his hold on Drift ever so. <<You’re the one that offered to take her for Rodimus, you’re the one that will hold her. Besides, it’s hard not to believe you because you have that same effect on me.>> Gently, Ratchet rested his own helm against Drifts and closed his optics. Drift purred louder.
<<You shouldn't fall into recharge here Ratty. It’s not good for your struts.>> And yet, the medic made absolutely no attempt to move.
<<Shoulda thought about that before you picked this spot, kid. You’ll just have to draw me a bath and give me a massage when I wake up.>>
Ratchet could feel just how tired he was now. He was no longer fighting it like he had been while on his shift and just as he’d said, Drift had that effect on him. Some cycles were more so than others.
<<You know I’d love to. I bet Starfire would enjoy a bath before we give her back to Roddy too.>>
Amusement prickled in his field and he swore he could feel Drift’s smile widening.
<<You just want me to hold her, don’t you?>> The bath would be the prime opportunity too, especially if Drift was busy washing Ratchet. Drift may have thought he was being sneaky, but Ratchet knew better.
<<Maybe I’d like a turn seeing how good my conjunx looks with a sparkling in his arms. See for myself why you got such a dopey grin on your face when you walked in.>>
<<I thought you were recharging?>> Ratchet had moved to pull away, to give Drift the look but his mate whimpered and pressed closer, making it difficult so Ratchet stayed where he was.
<<I was until I heard you open the door. I wanted to get up and greet you like I normally do, but I was comfortable so waiting for you to join us on the couch was the better option.>>
<<Of course. Well, we’ll worry about a bath and who holds her for it once I wake up. Right now, I want to cuddle with my partner and get some rest.>>
It wasn’t likely that he would get much as things stood. Starfire would probably wake up far too soon and need some fuel. If she started crying, he’d likely be woken up by the sound even if only due to his medical protocols but that was something he could worry about when it came. Who knows, maybe Drift would be able to handle it before it got to that point.
<<Love you, Drift.>> Ratchet yawned again, unable to hide the tiredness that had seeped into his voice.
<< I love you too, Ratty. Rest well.>>
As Ratchet began to succumb to the darkness, he couldn’t help but let his thoughts wander, and wander they did.
Drift was so good with Starfire from what he had seen while Rodimus was around, and so far he’d seen no difference in what was going on now. If the little femme was awake and screaming her helm off, Drift unable to calm her, then perhaps that would change his view but he highly doubted that would happen. Drift and Starfire were close . Ratchet never would have thought a bond like that could grow between a sparkling and someone other than their creators but here they were and Ratchet couldn't be more proud that such a bond was made with his conjunx.
Ratchet knew this wouldn't be the last time that Drift offered to take the small femme in order to give Megatron and Rodimus a moment's reprieve either and he’d be lying if he said he hoped it was. Ratchet wanted more chances to see just how his conjunx interacted with Starfire and how he cared for her. He wanted to see just how their bond grew and changed over time and maybe even what role he himself would have to play with all of it.
Ratchet desperately wanted to know but all of that only served to bring another question to his processor. One he couldn't help but smile at as he finally fell into recharge.
Would Drift want a sparkling? Pit for that matter, did he want a sparkling?