Raindrops

I

(A user on Ao3 left a comment on "Under the Stars" and it made me realize that I haven't written Ratchet and Clank friend fluff since... last August? I figured I'd do something about that, but I couldn't write out a longer fic because I had to take a writing break over Spring Break [and also school takes up a lot of my time so I can't really work on longer stories like I would like to].

I got inspiration for this fic from Cimar of Turalis Wildehopps' "The Fluff Files". For those that don't know, it's a Zootopia collaboration fanfic centered around fluffy drabbles about a page in length. I've sent in two submissions for the collection so far, and I've liked the format so much it's inspired me to continue writing page-long drabbles for other fandoms. I figured I'd mimic the same kind of format for here: a collection of page-long fics that are fluffy and center around the main heroes just being friends.)

Disclaimer: I do not own Ratchet and Clank or any of its characters. Song Inspo for this fic: the sounds of my own coughing since I got sick over Spring Break (though I am better now so thankfully I'm not behind in any schoolwork).

Raindrops

I

The little metal arm, a full teacup clutched tightly in the hand, extended out.

The Lombax hand gently grabbed the handle, shaking as Ratchet tried to stop himself from shivering. He sniffed as he tried to breathe in the warm steam from the cup.

"Thanks, pal."

Clank lifted himself onto the edge of the bed, just beside Ratchet's hip, moving the wads of tissues to the other side of the Lombax. The little robot smiled as he worked. "It is no problem of mine Ratchet. You know I like to make you tea when you fall ill."

The happy sigh morphed into a hacking cough, and Clank laid a hand on Ratchet as the Lombax struggled to breathe. A few gurgles, and Ratchet slowly drew in air between his lips. The back of his throat was cold, dry, and hoarse, and Ratchet took a slow sip of his tea to soothe it.

He nodded to Clank, unable to say what the robot already knew.

Clank's face changed from its smile to one of concern, and the little robot opened his chest compartment to fish out a small bag of cough drops. "Ratchet," he murmured, "when you are done with your tea, would you like a cough drop? I was sure to add extra honey to the tea, however a cough drop may also help your sore throat."

Ratchet nodded again, wrestling down the next cough that threatened to overtake him.

The robot pinched out a cherry cough drop as Ratchet turned to look out the window of their room.

Raindrops decorated the windowpane, and Meridian City shone softly under the night sky. Usually the city was bustling and busy, though today... today had been a slow one, almost as if the city had fallen under one of the Time Bombs Clank had possessed during their whole adventure with the Clock.

The Lombax hummed as he reached for another tissue, only to have his hand meet an empty box. He turned, face falling at the empty cardboard.

Before he could even say a word, a brand-new tissue box appeared in front of him, a softly smiling robot behind it.

Ratchet gave the smallest laugh his throat would allow. "Is there anything you don't plan for?"

Clank giggled back, cracking open the top of the box and pulling out a tissue to hand to his friend. "Oh, only a few things... though I prefer to be prepared for situations such as these."

Ratchet buried his nose in the tissue, wet sounds coming from it as the Lombax tried to open up another way to breathe. Clank patted his friend's leg and absentmindedly handed him another tissue as Ratchet finished the one he had.

The Lombax smiled as he took the tissue from his friend's hand. "I think I better say this before my throat stops me," he said, his throat warm enough to talk for a moment. "Thank you Clank. For everything."

As he blew his nose and more snot rushed out before the next cough, the robot hooked an arm around the Lombax's legs and hugged them to his side.

"It is no problem at all, Ratchet."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Again, this fic was inspired by "The Fluff Files," so if you like Zootopia and are interested in light, fluffy reading, do check it out and send some love. As of right now the stories I've sent in haven't been posted but are in the queue, and there are some really great stories there already. :)

Also to note: I'm not the first person in this Archive to do short drabbles. There have been other wonderful authors out there that have been indirect inspirations for this kind of fic, and I thank them for making such nice collections to read when I feel down. (Figured you guys should get a little credit too since this isn't really a new concept, and y'all have made some awesome stories that have inspired me to try this)

I don't know how often I'll update this thing, but it is something for whenever the inspiration hits. And it's something to at least act as a cool-down between schoolwork and other stories. Nonetheless, I hope you guys like this, and I'll see you all in the next story! :)

XD