WRITTEN AGES AGO BUT I FORGOT TO POST IT HERE. SORRY :/
(Idk really. Currently suffering from writer's block.)
(So if this isn't up to it's usual standard I'm sorry.)
After suitably threatening her to stay away, the femme that was unfortunately Ricochet's mother left, much to Ironhide's relief. He figured that the only reason she showed up in the first place was that she was so high she had no idea what she was doing or where she was. She didn't want to see 'Che. She abandoned her for a reason.
In Ironhide's opinion, things should stay that way.
And he would do whatever he needed to make sure she never came near his daughter again, and to make sure 'Che never new the truth about her mother.
Shutting the door once he was sure she was gone, 'Hide headed back to where Ratchet and the kids were. Little Gadg' and 'Che were still cuddled up against Ratchet on his knee with his arms wrapped around them. But once Ricochet saw her dad coming she jumped down and sprinted to him quickly. "DADDY!"
Ironhide saw her coming and scooped her up once she was within reach, holding her securely. Little 'Che cuddled up to him, burying her face in his neck cables. Gadget stretched out across Ratchet's lap, almost reclaiming his dad as his own. Ratchet hugged him close, and 'Hide did the same with Ricochet. They may have calmed down a little, but as parents, Ratch' and 'Hide could tell they were still scared.
For the rest of the day, both kids were exceptionally clingy. Ricochet wouldn't let Ironhide put her down, and if Ratchet was to let Gadget go he made Ironhide hold him too. Protesting was futile.
"'Can I put you two down now?" Ironhide groaned and tried to prise the kids off him.
"NO!" Ricochet whined and clung on tighter. Gadget wrapped his arms around his neck and whimpered.
"Ughh.." 'Hide moaned and looked to Ratchet. "Come take your child."
"Yeah." 'Che added. "Daddy's mine. Not Gadgy's."
Gadget glared. "Well ya can't hwave my daddy!"
"I dwon't want yours mine's bwetter!"
"Is nwot!"
"Is swo!"
"Is nwot!"
"Is swo!"
"IS NWOT!"
"IS SWO!"
"Stop it you two!" Ironhide yelled, silencing both kids. "You're giving me a helmache."
"Sowy uncwle 'Hide.." Gadget said apologetically as Ratchet took him into his own arms.
"Yeah.. Sowy daddy.." Ricochet said sadly.
"It's alright." He sighed. "Just keep it down, okay?"
She yawned in response.
"Tired?"
"Nwo.." 'Che protested, but lay her head on her dad's shoulder sleepily.
'Hide chuckled softly and carried her upstairs to her room. "Ya should get some sleep."
"Nwo daddy.." 'Che mumbled crankily and hugged his neck. He reached her room and tried to deposit her on her berth but he couldn't get her off.
"Ricochet let go."
She shook her helm and whimpered. "Dwon't go daddy.."
Ironhide sighed in frustration. "'Che."
Ricochet looked up with sad, fearful optics. "I'm scared daddy.."
Ironhide's expression softened slightly when she said that. "It's alright 'Che. Your safe."
Ricochet shook her helm again and cuddled up to him tightly. "Wanna stay with you.."
'Hide grumbled, knowing he wasn't going to beat her stubbornness. "Fine."
Ironhide went to his room and lay down on his berth, allowing 'Che to cuddle close to his side. She curled up and sighed happily, now calmer than she'd been since the incident earlier. 'Hide wrapped an arm around her, and she nuzzled it gratefully.
"Wuv ya daddy.." Little 'Che murmured as she fell into recharge, cuddled up safely with her dad.
Ironhide gave her a slight smile and squeezed her slightly. "Love ya too 'Che."
