This was something I picked up from Tumblr, i do not take credit for it. I just wanted to share it because it was something I believe fits Ratchet's character and the way he acts.
I don't know if I can include the link in this entry, but the original quotes are by adhesiveandscrap, radio-cybertron, and pleasedontgethurt.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Adhesiveandscrap:
He's constantly hungry. He's always under-fuelling himself so the fighters, the more 'valuable' mechs can stay fully operational and he has the energon to repair them if they come in bleeding out.
He's always grumpy and tired, moves slowly and carefully compared to the others. That's what happens when you're starving yourself. You're sore, tired, everything aches and you CAN'T move fast without serious repercussions. You have no patience because your stomach is screaming at you and your head aches. TFP Ratchet is a grumpy old bastard and you gotta wonder how much of that is natural and how much is from deliberately shorting himself on fuel. He knows just how bad their situation is, knows probably to the second how long their fuel will last given current consumption rates and will starve himself to keep his teammates and patients alive.
Part of the reason the Synth-En episode broke my heart was seeing what Ratchet was like when he was feeling good. He was properly fuelled for what was probably the first time since they got to Earth and he realised just how dire their energon situation is. As well as the drug-like effects of that Synth-En formulation we were seeing Ratchet when he wasn't hungry, wasn't hurting, wasn't suffering the effects of starvation. No wonder he was so damn happy when he started taking it, before the negative side-effects really took hold. He could finally carry out all his duties and have energy left to spare to take time to socialise and look after himself.
So yeah, I headcanon that TFP's Docbot is starving himself on Earth. From my read of his character is seems like something he'd do.
___________________________________________
Radio-cybertronian:
Let's keep in mind he's the only mech there that can do any sort of repair/first aid/medical triage. The others MIGHT have a bare minimum of first aid knowledge, but it's highly doubtful.
Add in to the fact, he IS starving himself and what extra energon he DOES have, he's hoarding back for necessary repairs and surgeries. Because he knows someone's going to get hurt, someone's going to come in injured and they need it more than him. Ratchet isn't just starving himself to feed others, he's starving himself to take care of them. And even when he ISN'T fixing, he's working and occasionally fighting. He is consistently on the move, no matter what.
My headcanon is that he never actually fully recharges. He has a state of constant low-range idle that he stays in. It burns less fuel than dropping off, and coming online and he can be alert for any emergencies. Without a full medical crew, he has to be aware.
Add in to that, it's no wonder he's grumpy all the time.
Ratchet isn't mean on purpose, he doesn't resort to morally grey tactics because he's abusive, he isn't prejudiced about humans simply because he can, and whatever other crap people have said about him over the years.
He is, pure and simple, E X H A U S T E D ; and just wants it all being over with as soon as possible so he can finally go home and rest; and basically wants any obstacle or roadblock preventing him from reaching that or slowing things down G O N E asap.
And, honestly? Can you BLAME him??
This all breaks my heart, but do you know WHAT is the saddest part about this? Aside people not realizing how much he's sacrificed for the well-being of others on the expense of his own?
He is a perfectionist, meaning he expects himself to still excel under the impossible conditions he's under and when he fails, he simply thinks he isn't doing ENOUGH
