Chapter Text
Timeline: Between 'Plus One' and 'Thirst'
Rafael was waiting for a pickup near his school. The laptop was open and on his lap, he was surfing the internet a bit. It had been days when Optimus had told his feelings answer Ratchet’s, yet only the kids knew about it. And Ratchet and Optimus knew that they knew, it didn't last as a secret for them for too long. Ratchet was so strict about things, he wasn’t ready yet to tell everyone else about their situation. And the whole Predacon fossil race has stressed the whole team. A few days ago Knock Out was able to snatch a fossil, and it made everyone feel a bit down.
Rafael lifted his eyes from the laptop as he heard a honk. He was surprised to see Ratchet as his pickup, but a smile on his face he put his laptop to his bag and ran to the bot.
“Hey, Ratchet! I was waiting for Bee”, Rafael spoke as he stepped in and fastened his seatbelt. Ratchet gave a ‘tch’.
“Sorry to disappoint you”, he said as he started driving. Rafael quickly fixed: “I mean- it’s nice you came, but- usually Bee does.” He held a smile, Ratchet knowing the boy wasn’t unpleased.
“Bumblebee is currently fighting off some Decepticons with Wheeljack and Ultra Magnus”, the Medic answered him.
“Optimus found a new trail of a possible fossil, while Bulkhead, Arcee and Smokescreen are waiting at the base”, Ratchet continued as he stopped by the lights.
“Why did you decide to leave the base? You always stick around there”, asked Raf as he pulled the laptop bag on his lap.
“I think I needed to drive a little bit”, the Medic answered and started driving once the lights turned green for him.
“..And I was thinking I could visit the Harbinger, there could be some tools we could use. And I thought you would like to tag along”, Ratchet continued, Rafael smiling widely.
“It isn’t too dangerous, right?” the boy asked, just to be sure. Ratchet gave a small chuckle.
“No, I am sure it is safe. The Decepticons didn’t find us there earlier, so I am sure they won’t find us now.”
“Thanks, Ratchet”, Rafael said his smile soft and Ratchet asked him: “For what?”
“For taking me along.” Ratchet was quiet, but he would be smiling if he wasn’t in his car-mode right now.
The same time Ratchet was contacted by Smokescreen.
“Hey Ratch! Where you at?” asked the young bot.
“I just picked up Rafael. We won't be back in a while; we’ll visit Harbinger on our way”, said Ratchet.
“Hey, ain’t it dangerous to go alone?” Bulkhead asked via the radio.
“Should I tag along?” Arcee continued.
“Negatory. I am sure we will be safe”, Ratchet said, Rafael just sitting silently and smiling.
“Mm, ’kay, call us if somethin' comes up”, Smokescreen said, Ratchet giving an understanding hum.
“WHAT!? Raf gets to go to an old Decepticon ship alone with Ratchet!?” was heard Miko’s voice from over the radio, Rafael giving a small chuckle. Rest of her speaking was unclear as she started speaking, or maybe arguing with Bulkhead.
“Ratchet, keep in touch. Alarm us immediately if something happens”, the fembot stated, Ratchet answering: “Yes, of course. Over and out.”
Back at the base, Miko asked pouting: “Why does he get to go?” Bulkhead faced her.
“Maybe Ratchet thought he wanted to go along? Rafael is most interested in technology of you three, right?” he told his point of view.
“And maybe he wants to get to know you all better, finally”, he added with a small chuckle.
“Tch, he trusts us, he already told us about his attraction-“ Miko started, Jack startling and poking her side with an elbow. But it was already too late; Bulk, Smokescreen and Arcee all looked at her with confused expressions.
“…Attraction? He is attracted to someone?” Arcee questioned, Jack frowning at Miko. The girl gave an uneasy chuckle.
“Did I say ‘his attraction’? I meant- the chain reaction- about, how energon works… with different- materials!” Miko tried to fix the situation, but the bots didn’t buy it so easily. Miko chuckled again turning to look at Jack, who had the frown on his face. Miko, look what you have done, he thought.
“So. Are you and Optimus kind of, soul mates now? In a relationship?” Rafael asked holding his crossed hands on his lap. Ratchet was quiet for a moment.
“I don’t understand that word. Relationship?” he replied with a question.
“Well, when two people like each other very much and they decide to be together, it is called a relationship”, Rafael told him what he had been told. He was just 12 (and a quarter); he didn’t know every smallest detail. Ratchet thought for a moment.
“I- wouldn’t call us that, yet at least… We have more important things to think about for now”, Ratchet answered, Rafael huffed lightly.
“Yeah, the Predacon and the fossils…” he sighed.
For a moment they didn’t talk.
“Are you spark mates then? It’s like soul mates, but ‘spark mates’ sounds more like Cybertronian!” Rafael asked with a cheerful voice tone. Ratchet was quiet again for a small moment.
“Well, that does sound somehow- charming, I guess”, the Medic said, giving a smallish happy hum. Raf smiled widely. Little did the pair know about their surroundings... Up above them was flying Laserbeak, transferring their every word to Nemesis for Megatron.
The leader of the Decepticons laughed.
“’Spark mates’? The Medic and Optimus? This shall be good”, he laughed. Even the Predacon outside heard him laugh.
“My liege, let me take care of the Medic and the small human. I would be honoured to do it myself”, Star Scream said as he came next to Megatron, giving a small bow gesture.
“Do so, Star Scream. But take the Predacon along, I want to see what kind of trash it can make out of an Autobot scum”, the leader said an evil smirk on his face. Star Scream frowned giving a disappointed and annoyed sigh.
“Yes, my lord, as you wish”, he mumbled as he walked away. Soundwave watched after him, as silent as always. He would make sure Laserbeak had his eyes on the Jet the whole time.