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Characters: Ratchet Location: Medbay Content Warnings: n/a Plot Summary: At the end of his carrying period Prowl goes to have a check up to make sure his newspark is still growing properly.
This carrying nonsense was grating on his nerves. He'd finally managed to escape his fitful anxiety and restlessness, only to have it replaced with a steadily increasing pressure inside his chassis and paranoia that was often times out of control. His doorwings were in constant motion, seeking out all available data in order to better protect himself from the hostile world around him. Optimus Prime was to be avoided at all costs, even though logically he knew the other mech was his leader and he should report to him. Carrier protocols vetoed that notion quickly. And he'd tried it. That incident ended up with him frantically inching away from the large mech without ever actually speaking to him. It was embarrassing. So he'd finally accepted that he wasn't going to be able to function normally and removed himself from duty. After all, being constantly paranoid and stressed wasn't a good thing for himself or his newspark.
Today, however, he had an appointment to keep. Doorwings fanned out slowly behind himself as he went down the hall he made his way to medical. He always kept these appointments. They were important to the continued well being of his newspark. Regardless of how it came to be, he wanted to keep it. That meant making all medical appointments, refueling frequently, and keeping his stress levels down as much as possible. A difficult task with Jazz gone and unavailable. He had no one to trust. At least until recently.
It had taken four visits during his carrying to finally feel like he could trust Ratchet not to hurt him. Or hurt his newspark. He still had to sometimes rationalize with himself that Ratchet wouldn't hurt him, that the medic was seeing to his care while he was expectant. Ratchet knew the truth about things and had kept his confidence to his better knowledge. The newspark didn't have a known sire, and the drama surrounding that revelation. But trust had built, and until Jazz came back, if he came back, the medic was the only one he could trust.
The painful tightness in his chassis worried him, and he'd bring it up to Ratchet. Surely, their CMO would know what it meant.
The black and white finally entered the medbay, taking a slow intake to settle his nerves again before addressing the bay at large. "Ratchet? I've arrived for my appointment."
Ratchet hadn't been back in the medical bay for very long now that he was fully recovered from his ordeal. It had taken time for him to recover from the physical effects of being held captive on the Nemesis for a few months, and it would take longer for him to recover from the mental effects. He was finally at a state where he could actually get his work done, but then he needed that little extra time when their sparkling was ready to be separated from Wheeljack's spark just a tad earlier than they'd planned.
The Wrecker was able to take care of Nightshade for the day, which could allow for the CMO to stay focused on his work. He loved that little Sprocket of theirs, but Nightshade could easily get him distracted from what he needed to get done.
It was something he was going to have to learn how to balance. He'd done it before with Strongarm, and he would have to do it again for Nightshade.
He looked to see his list of appointments for the day, and nearly grimaced when he saw who was first in line:
Prowl.
Oh Primus help him on this day.. It wasn't so much Prowl that he was worried about, but more so the questioning that would likely come about with Jazz. Ratchet steeled himself as best he could, but then noticed what Prowl had made the appointment for to begin with. Tightness and pain in the chassis, especially this late in a carry, almost for certain meant one thing. The little newspark was almost ready.
Soon enough Ratchet heard the voice of Prowl as he entered the room. Turning, he looked to Prowl while motioning to a berth. "Have a seat, Prowl. My notes say your having tightness and pain?"
Prowl tended to keep a routine, it made things easier for him and his overactive processors. Also, he didn't like any of the other medics. At all. It did bother him that Ratchet was recently returned to duty, that the other was recovering still. But he had to trust that the other mech knew his own limits and move on. He trusted no one else with the health of his newspark. Not without Jazz there to mediate for him.
He immediately sat himself down, doorwings fanning down into a careful downward angle. He tried his best not to appear as anxious as he felt, but it was a fight. He had to take a moment to level out his intakes before he could answer the question. "Yes." A hand laid across his chassis, rubbing it as he winced at the very physical sensation of being squashed inside his own chassis. "I feel as though I'm being used as a punching bag." Though newsparks didn't kick like human newsparks did inside their carriers, they did squirm on top of and under their carrier's spark, which stretched and pulled at the lines that fed them.
"Something just feels off." He was aware he was close to separation, and did not look forward to it. He wanted to meet his sparkling for certain, but having to go through separation and the loss of total control of his frame while it was happening did not appeal to him. He had no one to protect him while he was vulnerable and unable to do so for himself. The thought terrified him. He refrained, for now at least, from mentioning Jazz. He wanted to get the check-up over with first. "I have moments where it seems the stinging sensation comes from two places at once, which worries me that maybe the newspark hasn't formed fully into a sparkling spark for some reason.
He gripped the edge of the medical berth, feeling his anxiety start to war with terror inside him. "Is something wrong with my newspark?"
As soon as Prowl sat down on the berth, Ratchet immediately turned on some relaxing Earth music. He remembered that it had helped keep Prowl calm even a little bit the first time he came into the medical bay, discovering that he was carrying. If his notes were anything to go by, he was going to need it now, too.
He listened carefully as Prowl listed off his symptoms, all sounding quite normal to him in terms of carrying, but one specific key phrase had stood out to the CMO. Stinging from two places at once.. This wasn't something that typically happened during the carrying process. One spot, yes, but never two. Unless this newspark had managed to hit Prowl in all the right places all at once..
..there was a chance that this wasn't just a single carry.
This was something.. rare.
"I'm not certain, but I can take a look. Why don't you go ahead and open up your chassis for me so I can take a peek. If nothing else, I'll be able to tell how the newspark's growing and see how close they are to the separation process. When you say stinging in multiple places.. it almost sounds like.. a split spark. That you're carrying two sparks now and not just one. However, I won't know until I can take a look."
He was glad Ratchet remembered the music, because it did help him. He had to force down the reaction to having to lie down and open his chassis, reminding his paranoia that Ratchet was his chosen medic, and that he could trust him. With Jazz gone Ratchet was the only one he could trust. At least until carrying stopped doing a number on his systems and protocols.
So he pulled his legs onto the berth and laid back, folding his doorwings down against his back so that they wouldn't be damaged and gripping the sides of the berth to keep himself firmly rooted in the present. No need to fall into his paranoia and anxiety. He had to keep calm. It was easier for him to open his chassis this way, so that he could busy his hands and focus on the music.
Prowl offlined his optics and vented. "I should be as ready as I can be." He told Ratchet before opening his chassis so that the medic could have a look. The news that his newspark could have split did not bode well. "I'd rather a set of twins than my little one being sick." He prayed very quietly that it was the case of a split spark. The alternative was unbearable.
Within his chassis, nestled one to either side of his spark, were now two tiny sparks. They were both fully formed and linked to their carrier's spark, as well as to each other through a tiny thread as their sparks also finished separating into two individuals. They couldn't perceive the world around them, but they did know temperature difference. So when Prowl's chassis was opened they started making little tonal noises at two slightly different pitches. Sparkling chatter.
They each shifted around within Prowl's chassis, making the tactician wince several times as the lines pulled. They were full term, ready to separate. So it wasn't going to be much longer at all. The only thing holding them back was the final shift from one spark to two.
Ratchet would give Prowl all the time that he needed to get relaxed before checking his spark chamber. The mech had all but freaked out on him the first time he'd needed to check the newspark, and he'd since learned that Prowl needed time.
"I'll make it as quick as I can. I promise."
Once his optics had powered down and the chassis was open, the CMO took a look at the spark chamber, and found exactly what he was looking for instantaneously. He awed at the sight newspark that had split into two tiny sparks, having never actually seen such an occurrence before. Split sparks were rare, and while many had seen the end result of one, it was rare to actually catch the spark splitting in progress.
Smiling at the two sparks, he backed away in order to give Prowl some space for when he was ready to get back up. "I've got some good news for you, Prowl. The newspark's not sick. In fact, it's exactly as I had suspected. The newspark has split into two sparks. The split isn't complete just yet, but it's almost there." Ratchet chuckled softly, just happy to witness such a rare event.
"I assure you that while spark twins aren't common, it's a completely normal process. I imagine that once they have completely separated, they'll be ready to separate from your spark and go into their protoforms."
He didn't respond at first to the medic's words, concentrating on the music and the feel of the berth under his hard grip. Staying rooted so he didn't make a swipe at Ratchet again. There was only so long the medic would tolerate him attacking him before he retaliated. And he did not want to get put through a wall, or blown up should Wheeljack find out what he'd done. So he hyper focused on just controlling himself, and when it was over it took him no time at all to snap his chassis shut and bolt upright.
He kept a hard grip on the edges of the berth for a long few minutes, letting his intakes idle his systems down from the brink of terror from having put himself in such a vulnerable position. "I will be much happier once this is over." He complained softly. Then Ratchet's words hit him and he reared back to stare at the other mech with a look of horror on his features. Doorwings shot straight up and his optics brightened as it all sunk in. "It split?" That wasn't as bad as it being sick, but still. He felt a massive processor crash coming on, and fought it off. He didn't need to do that right now.
Prowl was fighting his own processes when he felt the odd sensation of it all stopping mid-process, of his too fast thoughts filtering into a more manageable rate. He still didn't know what that was about, but right now he was thankful for it as it pushed his systems away from a possibly fatal crash. Fatal for his newsparks at least.
He vented, finally gathering his wits. "So there's two." He nodded once, concentrating on remaining calm. News that they were close to separation also didn't sit well with him. At least inside his chassis he knew they were safe. Beyond it...well that didn't go over well. "But they are healthy otherwise?"
Did they have the necessary materials for two new protoforms? "Is there anything different I should be doing?"
Thank Primus Prowl was taking this as well as he had..
A double carry was always stressful, and there had been the concern that this particular carry was only going to worsen the mech's paranoia.. especially given the fact he was so close to separation as it was. They didn't have much time to work with, so Prowl thankfully wouldn't have to worry about these pains for too much longer.
"Sparks are strange. Sometimes they stay as one whole spark, sometimes they split in the process of development into two.. sometimes three sparks. You don't have to worry. Three newsparks is mostly common with seekers, although I have heard tales of larger carries. Rumors. Either way, a split spark isn't unheard of and completely normal. They'll both grow to be healthy sparklings."
Ratchet smiled, listening to all of Prowl's questions. Considering how close he was to separation he was when they found the second newspark, there was a definite concern. "In terms of your energon consumption, what you're taking in now is an acceptable amount, although a little extra wouldn't hurt in their development. We'll have to create a protoform for the new newspark, two if you haven't made one yet for the first."
He hummed to himself, thinking out loud. "Have you thought of any names for the little ones?"
He had to hold off on answering as his processor threatened to crash on him again. This was the last thing he needed. A twin carry, split spark sparklings. He was already going to be caring for them alone, with Jazz beyond his reach, and now there were two? He felt panic at the edge of his processes, and pushed at it viciously. He was the Autobot second in command, he could handle this!
Prowl sat quiet for a moment longer, simply cycling air. "I had Blizzard help me make one, I'll ask her to help me with another." Because he hadn't the faintest idea what was acceptable for a sparkling's protoform. He put an arm across his chassis and held it there, protectively.
The question on names earned Ratchet a bewildered look before he ducked his head. "Solaris. I'd at least gotten that part settled. With two...I don't know. When I found out I was counting on Jazz to help me." He rubbed at the back of his helm, feeling the beginning of a processor ache coming on. "I apologize for mentioning him in front of you, but he was my best friend." And would probably remain so, despite every betrayal. Jazz was more than his friend, but he wasn't about to mention that.
Then, as though from beyond himself, a second name came to him. "Requiem." Because he had to give a nod to his friend. Jazz was a type of music on this planet, and so was a requiem. "I am outside my area of expertise here, so I hope these are acceptable names for my sparklings."
That was good that Blizzard had assisted in creating a protoform for the little newspark, although they would have to rush to make the second one for the surprise splitting of the sparks. Sometimes he swore that the little ones did these sorts of things on purpose, but who was he to make such a claim? Thankfully they had caught it with some time to spare, so there was time to prepare.
Ratchet smiled as Prowl told him the name that he had come up for the first newspark, but immediately flinched at the mention of Jazz. "I know.. I can't stop you from talking about him, especially when you and he were so close." He attempted to shake off that feeling of discomfort, just trying to focus on Prowl and his two little newsparks.
"Both of those names are wonderful. I honestly can't wait to meet Solaris and Requiem. I'm sure Nightshade would love to play with them as well. She didn't really have anyone to socialize with until Sagitta came about, so your two will have plenty of social interaction." He chuckled softly, thinking about the future.
"Maybe we could set up a play date when they're ready."
"I would appreciate that." He was a little bit sore again for some reason, though rather that had to do with the close timing of the newsparks due to separate or his own stress he wasn't sure. "Someone will have to teach them to socialize in an acceptable, healthy manner. Primus knows I am not the best equipped to do something like that." He was, at best socially inept. He understood and even knew the various social norms, he just didn't use them properly even when he tried. He was such a workaholic socializing was of little use to him. He'd have to make it of use, the little ones would need their creator. Being a single parent did not appeal to him, but he was going to have to do it anyway. Pharma was managing it, and he could do so as well.
"I need to sparkling proof my office." Without going in there to actually work on anything, as he was on medical leave until he'd recovered from the separation. Carrying was not a good state for him, and he prayed he never had to go through this again.
"It will be good for them to learn how to deal with all kinds, and femme sparklings are a good starting point." Because a mech that didn't know how to properly deal with a femme could underestimate them. Femmes were evil.
Nightshade had been extremely happy when Sagitta came along, and even before when she had made the discovery that Pharma had been carrying in the first place. Ratchet could only imagine that she would react the same way when it came to Prowl's twins. Just seeing how much she loved her aunt Sagitta enthralled the medic, so he wasn't concerned in the least about the four of them getting along.
"If you need any help sparkling proofing your office, I wouldn't mind assisting when I'm off. I know that mechs can sometimes be a bit more rambunctious than femmes, but not always. Just depends on the little one's personality. I myself have a small playpen for Nightshade for when I need to work and can't find anyone to watch her in the meantime. She's really well behaved, actually. Just sits in the pen and plays with her toys; Sometimes she takes a nap on the makeshift berth that's in the pen. Really, you just need to make sure they can't access anything that could be harmful and keep anything small out of their reach that you don't want them getting into."
The CMO was glad to see that Prowl was up for the play date idea. It would allow their sparklings to not only get to know each other and maybe burn off some excess energy, but also to help develop those social skills they might not have with anyone else until they're older.
"Is there anything else you might need assistance with before it's time for them to go into their protoforms?"
He was numb at this point. So much to process, so much to prepare for. And all alone. His systems could decide if they wanted to crash on him or not, even as he fought the subroutine that would send him to the floor with a systems crash. He had far too much to lose to let that happen again.
Prowl vented, offlining his optics for a moment to concentrate on idling down before onlining them again. "I have to ask you a favor, Ratchet."
He did not feel comfortable asking anyone for anything, wanted very much to remain self sufficient, but in this instance there was no getting around it. "I know separation is hard and it can be rough on both the carrier and the sparklings. I will be completely incapable of protecting myself and that realization, frankly, terrifies me. I trust that you will do everything in your power to make sure it all goes smoothly, I believe in your skills. I just have to ask you to, please, protect myself and my little ones until I can do so for myself again. I'm alone in this, something I didn't think I'd be at this point."
Though he hadn't thought he'd be the one carrying, or that he'd have offspring of his own. Ever. So there was that.
Ratchet honestly didn't mind helping Prowl with anything that he needed before the separation.. and even afterwards if he was still able to do so. He honestly felt bad for the mech that he had to do this all on his own, especially with split sparks of all things. It wouldn't be easy, and he was certain that Prowl could use any amount of help that anyone could give him. Right now it just boiled down to the ones that he trusted without a doubt, but the medic hoped that that trust would extend itself once more after the carrying process was said and done.
He looked to Prowl curiously as the mech began to ask his question, asking for Ratchet to do what he could to protect the sparklings as well as the second in command while he was getting back on his pedes. Ratchet, in turn, could only smile at that request.
"I will do everything that I can do for both you and your little ones, Prowl. I can't promise that I'll be able to assist at all times, especially when Wheeljack and I already have Nightshade, but I'll do what I can. And even still, I know that the others wouldn't mind helping to watch them as well." Ratchet wanted to tell Prowl more than anything that the sparklings were safe from any and all dangers at the base. He desperately wanted to, but he could only think about Jazz..
He didn't want that to happen to Prowl or his sparklings either..