When the doctor becomes the patient

[Deleted]

Characters: Ratchet First Aid
Location: Medbay
Content Warnings: Doctor-y stuff
Plot Summary: Ratchet is in need of care.

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First Aid's face settled in a grim line of worry behind his mask. His mentor, Ratchet, was in need of help. In a major way. True, a lot of the repairs that were needed were superficial. But it still didn't make him cringe any less.

One thing that First Aid was sure that Ratchet needed was energon. Preferably a transfusion, but hopefully it wouldn't need to come to that.

"Hey," First Aid said softly. "Drink this, you need to refuel."

[Ratchet]

While Ratchet was extremely happy to be home, he was still wracked with nerves.  Worried sick on top of how weak he felt, he was an emotional wreck.  He was happy that Wheeljack was able to get him out of that hell, but to lose Pharma in the process..

Pharma..

Thinking about it only sent Ratchet into a panic.  Who knew what Pharma was going through right now, stuck at the 'mercy' of the Decepticon Justice Division.  Without his sacrifice, who knew if he and Wheeljack would have successfully escaped the Nemesis, but Ratchet would never have asked his mentor, his father figure.. to give himself up for them both.

The medic rested on one of the berths in the medical bay, optics closed but only to open as First Aid called out to him, a cube of Energon at hand.

"Thank you.."  Ratchet shifted into a more comfortable position so that he could drink the Energon.  It took all self control possible to not chug it down.  He knew if he did, he would find himself purging it right back up.  He took a small sip, giving himself a moment to rest before taking another.

"I.. imagine you must have been worried about me."  Five months of being stuck on the Nemesis had been far too long, after all.

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Ratchet

Of course First Aid worried. How could he not have? These past five months, thinking his mentor was dead... Primus. That had been terrifying, especially knowing he couldn't do anything to help. At least now he was able to do something.

"Yes, of course I did," First Aid murmured, making sure Ratchet would drink "We all worried about you."

But now they could breathe, if just for now. Ratchet was home and there was peace... if just for now. 

[Ratchet]

First Aid

Ratchet glanced down for a moment as First Aid spoke of their worries.  He felt horrible knowing that they had worried about him, but at the same time he knew that he couldn't help that.  He couldn't help the fact that Jazz had betrayed them all and kidnapped him, nor could he help the fact that Pharma was now in danger because of him.

Pharma..

No!  It was best to stay focused.  There was no point in worrying First Aid any further.  "I'm.. so sorry."

Ratchet lifted the cube once more, taking another sip of it.  He continued to do so, taking small breaks in between sips before setting the cube by his side.  He then looked up to First Aid, concern plain as day in his own optics.  "Are.. you alright, First Aid?  Have you been taking care of yourself?"  Was he alright?  Without Ratchet, who knew how much his pupil had to take on by himself.  Pharma must've been a wreck hi-...  No.  Think of First Aid.  First Aid.

"Come here for a moment."  Ratchet extended his arms, silently beckoning the young medic to come closer and hug him.

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Ratchet

First Aid watched Ratchet and frowned. Why was he apologizing? Ratchet hadn't done anything wrong. It wasn't his fault he got kidnapped, that they had been betrayed.

"I have to be okay. If I'm not, who's gonna take care of everyone here?"

Ratchet had been gone. Pharma had been gone. Thankfully its not a large base with tons of mecha, but it was definitely a new experience to be the one in charge.

First Aid came forward, gentle, careful. He wrapped his arms around his mentor, breathing out a sigh he hadn't realized he had been holding in.

"I'm so glad you're home."

[Ratchet]

First Aid

Ratchet couldn't resist the urge to smile sadly at First Aid's answer.  Of course he had to take care of himself, but was he really?  The elder medic in the room was the guiltiest of them all when it came to that.  He would put everyone else first, and only then would worry about his own needs.  But now with Wheeljack?  And their little sprocket on the way?  He couldn't afford that anymore.  He had people who depended on him in order to grow.

As the younger mech wrapped his arms around Ratchet, Ratchet in turn held his pupil close.  Letting his optics close, he gently rubbed First Aid's back.

"I am, too, First Aid..  I am, too."

His smile only grew as he held the young mech in his arms.  He wanted to find some way to make it all up to him for having to handle things on his own for who knew how long.  While Pharma was there.. would he have.. 'Stop.  You need to stop thinking about Pharma.  Focusing on him is only going to cause another panic attack, and that's the last thing First Aid needs.'  Ratchet scolded himself with his thoughts, rocking a little with the younger medic in his arms.

"I.. never told you this, but.. I think of you as my own.  Just like Strongarm.. and of course the sparkling Wheeljack's carrying.  I want to teach you everything I know.. to pass it on to you for when you're ready.  I.. suppose what I'm saying is.. I want to train you to be Chief Medical Officer one day.  If that's what you want, of course.  I won't place that on you if you aren't comfortable with the idea."

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Ratchet

Wow, that was a lot to take in. First Aid never thought he'd hear his mentor saying that. Yes, he had been on base and around everyone for a little over a year now, but still that took his metaphorical breath away to hear Ratchet actually say that.

"I… Really? Me?" First Aid's eloquent response was little more than a squeak. "I want to learn everything I can from you. I've always looked up to you, even before I even met you…"

Was First Aid ready for that kind of responsibility, though? To be CMO of the entire base? It's one thing to be a field medic-- or a nurse on base-- but it's another to be in charge of everyone's well-being.

"I would like that… in the future. I don't know if I'm ready for that now, though…" First Aid felt guilty, like he was turning Ratchet down. And he wasn't. He just needed time to learn more and feel more ready for that.

[Ratchet]

At First Aid's surprise, Ratchet's face only softened as a small chuckle escaped from within.  The younger mech was stunned to say the least, and it made him happy to hear what he had to say as well.

"You really did look up to me, didn't you?  I would be more than happy to teach you what I know, no matter how long it takes.  You're studious and enjoy learning, just like I did when I studied on Messatine and even when I had studied on Cybertron before that.  I sort of wanted to become a medical teacher, although wars tend to change things.  You're truly the first I've ever taught.. so it makes me happy to hear I'm doing well if you're still around."

Ratchet understood perfectly that First Aid hadn't felt ready for that sort of undertaking when it came to training him to become the next Chief Medical Officer.  It was a massive responsibility, and the younger medic would have so much thrown at him.

"That's quite alright.  We can work towards that goal one day if you decide you do want to pursue that position.  For now we can just focus on your training in the medical bay."

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First Aid nodded, a beaming expression hidden behind his mask. But it was also fairly palpable, even if his face was covered.

"I really am glad that you've been teaching me, I'm honored to be your first student of many you will teach in the future. You are a really good teacher. And hopefully once the war is over, there will be more prospective medics seeking teachers."

Perhaps if he was good enough, First Aid would be one of those teachers too.

"I would like that someday, I really would. And it means a lot to me that you think I can do it."

[Ratchet]

First Aid

"You really think so?  I'm glad to hear it, and especially from you.  I don't hear compliments like that enough, so I take what I can get.  That means a lot to me that you think I'm a good teacher."  Maybe he really could have made it as a teacher had the war not come into fruition.  Iacon or Messatine, it hadn't really mattered to him where he taught.  Just as long as he could train others to become top-notch medics, passing onto them what he himself had learned.

Ratchet sighed to himself, thinking more on First Aid's training.

"How long do you think I'm going to be off the floor for?  If it were up to me.. I'd be back on my feet the moment I got back, but.. since you're technically still in charge, I'll try and follow whatever guidelines you feel are best."

Try being the key word.  His body could heal easily, but it would take so very long to conquer the horrors he experienced on the Nemesis.