With the gentle pull of the handle, the groundbridge portal behind the Medic had closed. Like routine, Optimus and his selected bots, consisting of Arcee and Bulkhead this time, had gone off on patrol for possible Decepticon activity. Bumblebee, along with his charge Raf and the other two human children, Miko and Jack, had left base to entertain themselves. That left Ratchet alone, like usual.

Although not entirely alone this time. And Primus, did he wish he was.

The medic was quick to busy himself with work on his terminal station, attempting to ignore the fact that you, his charge, had been actually present in base today. Unlike the other humans, the Decepticons weren't entirely aware of your affiliation with the Autobots, allowing you to come and go as you pleased relatively safely. You also weren't a child, but still needed to be kept under his watch as you went about your adult responsibilities.

Ratchet didn't dislike you. Okay, he did at first, but he also disliked mostly all humans in the beginning so it wasn't personal. And it wasn't personal to be annoyed with being appointed as your guardian by Optimus himself. He had other things to do than babysit! But he begrudgingly had to admit that over time had he softened his opinion on the humans on team Prime. And unfortunately, he happened to soften a little too much for you than what would be considered normal.

His spark had decided to thrum, a kindled sense of magnetism he could no longer deny blooming in his chassis towards you.

Why did he have to feel this way? He shouldn't feel this way. You were a human. A fleshy, tiny, squishy alien compared to him. But his spark could care less. He craved for your presence. Cared for you. Loved-no. By the AllSpark, Ratchet couldn't believe that he found himself falling for a human. "Primus..." he grumbled under his breath, his optics narrowing towards the screens in frustration.