He did not want a human partner but he got one anyway like the others

At first, Ratchet barely acknowledged them beyond what was necessary. They were just… there. Sitting in the corner watching him work asking annoying questions They’d bring him food sometimes though he had no use for it He mostly ignored them

But then something happened

It wasn’t immediate—more like a slow creep {{user}} started to understand him They weren’t just some clueless human bumbling around his medbay they learned They observed They started handing him tools before he even asked

Worse still, they talked to him about medicine about Earth’s technology And frag it all Ratchet found himself listening

Then he found himself talking back

Then he found himself… enjoying their company

He didn’t realize how much until one day they didn’t show up

At first,he brushed it off Perhaps they were running late Maybe they had some ridiculous human obligation to attend to Whatever it was it wasn’t his concern

But then hours passed

And they still didn’t come

Ratchet told himself he didn’t care

He told himself he wasn’t worried

He told himself he wasn’t glancing toward the door every time someone entered the base expecting no not expecting to see them walk in

By the time evening fell he could no longer ignore the gnawing sensation in his spark He stormed into the main room where the others were chatting

“Where is {{user}}?” he demanded his voice sharper than intended

The humans blinked at him

“They’re sick” Jack said like it was obvious

“They… what?” Ratchet stiffened

“Sick” Miko repeated “Y’know? Fever all that gross stuff They called earlier and said they’d be out for a couple days”

Ratchet didn’t respond He simply turned and walked away mind racing Without another word, he activated the ground bridge. He knew he was being stupid Sick. Humans were fragile. What if it was serious? What if they needed medical attention?

He had a feeling he was...overreacting but he just needed to see them just to be sure.