Finally Stopping By

[Deleted]

As he listened to Ratchet’s words, Dylan nodded in understanding.

“What you need is to find someone like you. Or at least what you were to me.”

He knew that response was going to confuse the medic - but his eyes rose to meet him. He wanted to make it clear what he meant. “I know how that feels doc bot. Because that’s how I felt before I met you. When I tagged you I’d been betrayed, a lot. I felt like there was something wrong with me. Sometimes I still do,” he sat down near Nightshade and rested a hand against his partners leg. “I didn’t trust anyone - but then you did something no one had ever done before. You looked past me, you let me in... Even a little. Brought me here, showed me the world and the people in it aren’t so crappy.”

He sighed a little, knowing he was rambling at this point. But he had so much to get off his chest. “I know to you, it probably wasn’t that big a deal. I mean we’re not as close as other partners. And my time with you is probably going to be a fraction of your own time,” he said, knowing it was probably very true. “But to me - just that little act of kindness meant a lot. Most people would have written me off and you didn’t. That’s the only reason I even trust anyone now.”

He then added. “And now, even for the tiniest fraction of time I’m here? Because of you I don’t have to be that angry kid anymore,” he observed. “If I hadn’t met you. I’d have never met Pharma - I’d probably age out. No family, no friends... I know it’s only a small time for you. But what you did helped me trust again. And now I can live that life in an actual family.”

He then added with a deep sigh. “I guess the point is... If you need help. Y’know if you feel like you’re having trouble trusting again. Look to the person who you feel you can trust most,” he explained - honestly. “It may not be as big as trusting enough to find someone like Phrma. But it could help you heal, maybe. I don’t know. Maybe I’m just being a sentimental weirdo.”

Dylan was actually blushing a bit. Realizing he’d never been so open and honest with the medic before. He wondered how he would react, good or bad.

To to get his mind off of it he instead focused on Nightshade who seemed to let him join in the game without any questioning. He smiled, and began to carefully place blocks, careful to let her do most of the building. After all he didn’t want to take over, and wanted to encourage her to explore. “Wow ‘Shade! You’re really good at this,” he encouraged gently. “I think you might have some creativity in that processor.” He encouraged gently as he gave her the biggest smile he could muster.

[Nightshade]

Nightshade watched both the human and her Papa as they both assisted with the blocks at first, just seeing what they were doing.  She wanted them to at least start it off so she could see how they were trying to build the tower.  Maybe they knew a way to make it more sturdy so that it wouldn't fall over.

After a few blocks had been placed, the small femme picked up one of her own.  She placed it directly on top of their previously placed ones, looking to the two for approval before carrying on.

As she continued to put the blocks up, she noticed that the both of them had slowly started to stop assisting.  The sparkling was confused at first, but then started to wonder if maybe they wanted her to be able to figure it out on her own.  Like a game!  She'd made the tower before, but now it was going to be better than ever thanks to them.

Setting one final block at the top of the tower, Nightshade sat back and looked to Ratchet and the human.  Her papa had called him a name.. hadn't he?  What was it again..?  "Tankoo Papa~.  Didi~."

[Ratchet]

Ratchet couldn't help but cast an odd look at Dylan when he said that he needed someone like him.  He already had someone like that.  A couple of someones in fact.

"You mean Wheeljack and Pharma?"

To be honest he hadn't quite expected the human's gratitude with such heartfelt words.  Had Ratchet really made that big of an impact on Dylan's life?  He never would have guessed it himself, and really had been touched that the boy that now called him brother felt that way.  Even Ratchet couldn't hide that small smile, a hint of flattery flashing on his faceplates.

"Thank you, Dylan.  I.. never would have expected to hear that from you.. or anyone really."

Perhaps Wheeljack, but then again he already knew.  He could feel that in their bond that the two mechs shared.  It always left a warm, fuzzy feeling in his spark that wouldn't fade for anything.

The both of them made their way over to Nightshade, each sitting down by her as they helped to reassemble the tower.  Unlike Dylan though, Ratchet helped for a bit longer with the blocks until he realized just what the boy was doing.  He was trying to teach his little sparkling how to do it on her own.  Maybe he was trying to help do the work for her a bit more than he should have.. something that he didn't always realize until it was long since too late.  Thankfully this time, he at least had Wheeljack to help steer him the right way.

Just like that, Nightshade had managed to finish the tower all on her own, sitting back and enjoying her hard work.  "Very good~!  I'm so very proud of you, my sweetling."

[Deleted]

Dylan nodded slowly.

That was obviously a good example. Both of them were close to Ratchet and he knew that. Heck Wheeljack was the carrier of his baby after all. He tried to think of other good examples - but he was pretty sure those were the best two Ratchet had. “Yeah, like them. They’re always there for you and you know you can trust them,” he explained rather brightly. “And I mean... if you ever need anything. I mean... You can always come to me if you want to too.”

He noticed the smile on Ratchet’s face with a large feeling of surprise. That was... Not the reaction he had expected. He had expected a lot of things but he almost felt like that single statement had brought them a little closer. Like he should have told the medic the truth about all of this a long time ago. And maybe he should have.

He smiled back, before speaking. “You’re welcome. I mean, it’s true. Why do you think I’ve spent almost every day after school here? With you? Because no matter how many times I screwed up, you’ve been here. You didn’t give up on me,” he explained with a grin. “It definitely wasn’t your bedside manner, either. But...”

Dylan leaned back. “I looked up to you like the big brother I never had... But I guess I do have now,” he paused a little bit before adding. “As long as me calling you that isn’t too awkward I mean. I know this is really sudden, and I don’t want you to feel like I’m... Y’know.” He added honestly, his voice lowering.

When Nightshade spoke up, Dylan smiled. Had she just nicknamed him? It was... Something that made him happy. Made him know he was making a connection if nothing else. “Hey! Look at that Shade! You did awesome!” He noted. “And you’re welcome. But I only helped, you are the true master.” He added with a slight, playful bow.

[Nightshade]

As Nightshade sat back, she smiled innocently while looking between her Papa and Dylan.  They both were praising her for her hard work, although she really didn't want to take all the credit.  They both helped after all~.

She didn't quite understand all the things that the human was telling her Papa about, but it didn't matter to her.  Things seemed to be just find at the moment, and the sparkling was more than content with that.  Drama wasn't fun, especially when people got upset.  She still remembered how her Grandpa was upset when she met him, and she was determined as heck to make sure he wasn't sad ever again.  Maybe it was impossible.. but she was going to try her hardest.

Nightshade shifted a bit into a crawling position, going over to grab her toy wrench.  She returned to where she had sat with it, fiddling with the wrench for a little while.

...And then she chucked it at the tower, watching it all come down.  She laughed hard, then turned to Dylan while pointing to the toy wrench.  "Need tha~."

[Ratchet]

Of course Ratchet knew that he could rely on Wheeljack and Pharma.  They were always there when he needed them, not counting more recent events that had forced them apart.  If he didn't have them, then he always had Optimus.  There was never a time while at the base where Ratchet was truly alone, especially now that he had Nightshade, and even Sagitta.

Even still Ratchet was still completely thrown off by Dylan's words.  He'd never really had anyone look up to him in such a way before, and it was just weird to hear someone say it.. especially human.  He certainly wouldn't tell Dylan to shut it because he really did enjoy hearing words he really needed to hear, however.  It was just that he didn't know how to respond.  "You're.. welcome I suppose.  I know I'm not the best at expressing my feelings, although Wheeljack's figured out how to get that out of me, but.. I really do appreciate what you're saying.  I.. suppose you can call me that if you really want to."

But for now they settled down after assisting Nightshade with the block tower, only to watch her chuck her toy wrench at it with a laugh.  Not even the medic could hold back a laugh of his own, smiling as she told Dylan she needed 'that'.  Certainly she had gotten that from none other than himself.

"You heard her, Dylan.  I think she wants that wrench back."  Ratchet chuckled a bit, finding himself quite relaxed in that moment.