Poor Ratchet has been under a lot of stress lately.. Well Honestly, they all have, But its Ratchets turn to get overwhelmed and need time to himself to cool off.
He finds a place where he thought no one would find him and just tries to calm down. He doesn’t really want to be alone, actually he’s pretty sick of feeling alone, but he doesn’t want to burden anyone else with his own troubles.
Besides, he’s the medic. He can help himself.
Surprised and embarrassed would be an understatement when he was found by Raf. But Rafael didn’t react to him crying in the way he thought he would’ve. Raf was instantly concerned and was gentle with Ratchet. He asked him if he wanted him to go get Optimus, and he wanted to listen and know what was going on.
Not that the others wouldn’t ask the same thing.. he just didn’t expect a human child to understand the situation. He tells Raf that he’s just.. very tired.. tired of the war, tired of feeling like a burden.. and tired of feeling useless.. Well, he only said he was tired, but Raf could hear those unspoken words in his tone.
He told Raf that he didn’t want to talk about it, and he didn’t want anyone else to know he was crying.. but he also didn’t want Raf to leave. He just wants someone to be there to keep him company.
So Raf stays, and holds Ratchet’s hand as best he can. Ratchet’s hand is hot to the touch, and coolant keeps leaking out of Ratchet’s optics. It hurts. Everything hurts. His body is burning up and his optics sting.. but at least he isn’t enduring this pain alone anymore.
