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Nudging the cube of energon with your head, you let out an exasperated meow. One paw after another, you push it towards him. You’ve been here for weeks now, and have rarely seen him eat anything. Why is he so stubborn! Doesn’t he know he’ll die if he doesn’t eat?!
Back on the streets, you’ve lost more than you can count from the lack of food. Being the oldest of your family, you always did your best to hunt down scraps for your siblings. Leftover fish from the trash, stealing meat from the human vendors, even occasionally approaching kind humans for kibbles.
That evening, hiding behind boxes of trash, taking shelter from the light drizzle of the rain. A human boy approached you. Both startled and curious, you poke your head out. The human boy bent down, meeting you at eye level, reaching out. Is he offering his hand to you? You want something warm from this cold and wet nightmare. Stepping out of the box, you make your way to him. A gentle stroke runs under your chin, and you find yourself purring. Not a bad human after all. You could get used to this.
What you did not expect, was that he would not be your guardian. Passed between him, a spunky looking girl, and a young boy. None of them would be able to house you.
Please don’t put me back on the streets. I Don’t want to lose this warmth.
Fortunately for you, you do not need to be back wandering along the streets. Unfortunately for you, you’re in the care of a giant –and I mean giant, metal robot. His frame wasn’t soft like humans, hard and metal. But still warm and gentle. Your butler/guardian, as you've come to realize, is called Ratchet.
Adjusting to your new environment wasn’t difficult at all. Sure, everyone here is huge, but it’s never been more comforting and fun. Even the humans come to visit you sometimes. Finally, you’ve gained the freedom and love you've been longing for.
—---
Excitedly Jack holds up the kitty in Ratchet’s face. “We can’t take it in. Mom won’t let me.” He tells Ratchet. Miko and Raf chime in that they can’t either.
Stunned, Ratchet almost wanted to tell them ‘Why is this my problem?’ But with the little feline in his servos, it rolls around and dances on him. Unconsciously, he finds his spark warming up. This must be why humans love cats. It’s adorable. Paws up with those huge eyes staring right up at him. He doesn’t know what to do with it, but he finds faceplate lightly flushing up as the creature nuzzles on his digits.
This thing is huge. Humans are big enough, but this one? Giant. Does it matter? Hell no! Everything is a free game! Hopping off the human as you lunge into his servos. The metal touching your paw pads as you look at him. He seems surprised, but you don’t feel an inkling of fear. Rolling over onto your back as you nuzzle your body into his palm. It’s hard, yet surprisingly comfortable. You could definitely get used to it. Walking over to his digit as you scratch your chin on it. Cheek and chin scratches are the best! Purring as you take advantage of this opportunity to get as much itches out as you can.
He may not admit it, but he just fell in love. Such a tiny creature. Smaller than even humans, yet so bold and brave. Without a care in the world. Keeping up his grumpy demeanor, he tells the humans he’ll keep it. But under that hard metal exterior, he knows this soft creature has already made it’s way into his spark.
Without a second thought, you leap from his digit to his shoulder. You never get to enjoy being this high up. Occasionally when climbing buildings, but this one moves. Noticing the antenna on his back, you smirk and pounce towards it. Heh. It’s mine. Metal yet bendable, you bat at it. It bounces back every time it slips out of your paws, but that’s the fun of it! Rolling onto your side as you chase for it again.
“Wait!” Ratchet calls out. “What are you doing?! That’s dangerous!” Picking the kitty off his back, bringing it to his faceplace. Such carelessness, doesn’t it know that it could fall and injure itself?! Scolding it as the usual cranky bot he is, but you? You don’t care. Music to your ears as you paw at his digit. Such an exciting situation!
—---
Slowly but surely, Ratchet learns what it means to take care of a cat. A bed (graciously provided by Jack), food provided by Raf, and even treats from Miko.
Such a tiny organism, yet has a huge appetite. Always crying for food, like it’s never eaten before in its life. If it was anyone else, he totally would have snapped and told them to shut up and be quiet. Or even thrown them out. But it’s you. Fluffy and adorable, he can’t say no.
Learning to feed it was an experience. It even consumes different fuel from what the human do. With accurate precision, –thanks to his steady servos. He may be old and his joints may be a little creaky, but he still has excellent dexterity. Using his forceps to scoop up kibbles to feed you, as a surprised and curious expression creeps up his faceplate. A completely new experience to him, and one he knows he’ll latch on to. Who knows? Maybe he’ll be less cranky and more upbeat now.
You integrate really well into the team. A different family definitely, 3 different species under the same roof, –base. You don’t understand their language, but have picked up the sounds of certain things. Your name, Ratchet’s name, the humans, even some of the bots. Oh, and the sound of the groundbridge. A magical swirl of green and white, a portal to somewhere. Ratchet once had to chase you through it as you door-dashed out into it.
Flinging up and down in the air between Wheeljack and Smokescreen, you enjoy the company and thrill of being so high up and off the ground.
Ratchet on the other hand? He’s about to lose it. ‘I needed that!’ almost slipped out. Wrench in hand, as his optics widen so much that it could bend his optic ridges. “WHAT IN PRIMUS’ NAME ARE YOU TWO DOING!” as he smacks them on the helm. Huffing and puffing as he does.
You on the other hand? Have no idea what’s going on. Your game just cut short by your guardian, Wheeljack and Smokescreen are now laying face down on the ground. Hopping between their backs, as you roll around and kneed on them.
He loves you. Over time the team has noticed how much more rested Ratchet has become with you around. Team Prime even dubbing you the name of ‘Prime Kitty’.
And you’ve grown to love him too. Nudging him next to his optics, as you sit on the corner of his helm. Being so small, you can meander in the smallest places of his, finding perfect nesting spots to nap in. The neck cables being particularly warm. His chassis also is a fantastic place to curl up on, though you’ve come to learn he rarely lays down. How can one sleep so little? You’re almost concerned about how little he sleeps. Humans already sleep so little! Everyone should sleep half the day away! Napping is the best!
His devotion only grows stronger as he spends his free time –whatever little he has, building you structures and towers. Made with metal and wood, laced with a soft velvet fabric. Servos on his hips, as he analyzes his work. Never has he been this proud of a creation.
Arcee? She’s judging. The doc bot has definitely gone off the rails. Yet no one will stop him. Not even Optimus. He may be spending too much time showing his love to you, but everyone knows. The cranky medic has finally found peace and love. Even Optimus can’t help but smile at the situation.
You love it. Never having such a luxurious experience before, and now it’s yours permanently. Napping everywhere on it, kneading it, and scratching it. You’ve even got a slide that you can roll off and enjoy.
—---
Working away at his console, he hears a consistently scraping on the ground. Originally ignoring it as it’s probably one of the kids doing something, but the sound creeps closer by the minute. When he finally pulls his optics off the terminal, he finds a cube of energon on the ground. Popping your head out from behind it, as you paw at it. You brought him fuel.
He can’t help but find his faceplate soften into a smile. Picking up the energon as you hop onto his servo. Spark pulsing and glistening to a degree he’s never experienced before. You nuzzle the edge of the cube towards him, before opting to roll around and use his digits to scratch yourself.
Sipping the energon as he feels you roll around on his helm, now used to the fact you enjoy batting at his antennas and audials. The only sounds around you two are the soft humming of his engines, and your rumbling purring.