A/N: This is a one-shot, which means it will stay as it is. This is not to be taken as RatchetXClank. All it depicts is the strong friendship between the two. Oh, and Insomniac Games owns Ratchet and Clank and all things related to it, not me!


Cold. Bitter. Biting.

Words that could describe the weather were wrapping themselves around Clank's memory banks. Even though he was a robot, he could still feel the chill of Winters wrath as it slowly cocooned him in a icy vortex. Being a robot was good, on the other hand, as he could withstand the temperatures.

His pal wasn't faring so well.

Tucked up by the fire that lit the cave was Ratchet, shivering and looking deeply concerned. He was trying to think warm thoughts and get his stiff body to move, but it seemed hopeless. All those memories of him and Clank flooded his brain.

Unless he could seriously warm up fast, he was going to fall into a deep sleep - one that he would never wake up from. Edging slightly closer, Ratchet tried to position himself so that he could get toasty, but he needed something warmer than a fire. That was it. He wouldn't make it back to the station.

A strange feeling washed over Ratchet as he felt something snuggle up to him. Clank had joined his pal and was hugging his waist. The Lombax gasped quietly when he felt the action, and then smiled and hugged back.

He could feel himself getting warmer. His heart was thumping with a stronger beat. His fur returned to its fluffy condition. His cheeks turned bright red.

Love. A brotherly bond was what he needed.

The two kept cuddling until Ratchet was able to move his body. That hug had really done the trick. Clank was Ratchet's inner fire - without him, the Lombax wouldn't have been able to do all those things he had done in the past. They were destined to be with each other.

Clank smiled and got up when he realised that Ratchet was warm enough to move. He was about to head out to find some more firewood when he was suddenly picked up and pressed against his friend's chest. It was a sudden action, and not one he expected from Ratchet, but he enjoyed it.

Ratchet finally let go and allowed Clank to find some firewood. Clank was just happy to be allowed to go this time, although he didn't forget the feeling of that strong embrace with his one and only true friend. As the young robot disappeared into the swirling snow, the Lombax whispered one sentence.

"Clank, you are my guardian."