3. Family (A TFP Fanfiction)

Chapter 12

I never wanted to let him go.

My spark sang with relief and happiness as I clung to him, my fingers clutching his white doctors coat tightly. My face was buried into his shoulder, and despite that this wasn't his real form, there was a tiny, almost nonexistent scent wafting off of him, one that sent comforting chills through my body. His strong arms held me close, pressing me into his chest while he rested his head on mine. His hands were firm but gentle as he hugged me. Both of us could feel our sparks dancing with joy at each other's grip.

Sadly, that comfort had to come to a stop at some point. Ratchet gently pulled himself away, his hands sliding over to my shoulders so that he still was holding me a little. I backed away from him a little as he let go, though I grasped his coat again as I looked up at him with teary eyes. My face was flushed pink, but because my heart was fluttering with joy, I found myself giving him a genuine smile of gratefulness. His expression was soft as his hands rubbed up and down my shoulders, his eyes twinkling. His lips were smiling gently as well. His expression was completely different from when he had first arrived. I know mine was, too.

I leaned forward and hugged him again, quicker this time, before pulling away and leaning on his side. I sighed softly as I rested my head on his shoulder this time, closing my eyes and letting the calmness he gave me wash me over completely. His body didn't tense up; in fact, he seemed relieved as I did. I felt something brush my palm and opened my eyes, looking down at me hand. I gasped slightly as I watched his fingers intertwine with mine, feeling his firm grip in my hand. I squeezed back and smiled, still staring at our now interlocked hands. 

I couldn't feel more loved right now.

The two of us hadn't said a single word yet. Tearing my eyes upwards, I stared straight into Ratchet's bright teal ones with a gentle expression, though my neck felt as if it was on fire. To my surprise, his own face blushed a little before he cleared his throat, gripping my hand a little tighter. 

"You came back," I said quietly, feeling tears in the corners of my eyes again. I tried to will them back, because I would probably look silly if I cried while being so happy. I couldn't stop the smile on my face at all.

He scoffed a little, rolling his eyes despite the fact he was still smiling a little. "Of course I did. I told you I would, didn't I?"

I chuckled a little, resting my head on his shoulder again. "Yeah, you did." I closed my eyes again, and the thought of last night unwillingly sent flashbacks of the nightmare back into my head. I flinched, feeling my heart rate jump a little, and he undoubtedly felt that as well. "It's just... last night was terrible," I said bluntly, holding back a groan.

He sighed, and I felt his chin rest on the top of my head. "I know. I'm sorry. I would have come sooner-"

"In the middle of the night?!" I said, a little louder than I had meant to.  "My grandmother would have had a heart attack!"

He chuckled, his thumb rubbing the top of my hand comfortingly. All over again, I felt a flood of relief and cuddled closer, unable to stop these expressions of feelings. Someone suddenly cleared their throat and we both jumped, snapping back to attention. We had totally missed my grandmother approaching us, and now she was only a few feet away. My cheeks went hot with red, and his did as well as his shoulders tensed. He looked rather adorable when he was embarrassed, but that wasn't the main thing on my mind right now.

"Care to explain to me what exactly is going on here?" she said, crossing her arms and tapping her foot. The gesture made me angry all of the sudden and my body stiffened. Ratchet took it much more calmly, staring her down with a neutral yet intimidating expression.