Chapter 10

"No, I don't want to fight." Pouted Ratchet.

"Ratch ya gotta understand, they k-"

"They could use a young and brilliant Medic like you." Kup quickly over lapped Ironhide.

"Even if, I don't want to kill."

"Well, you don't have to! You could do what you do best, help other bots."

Ratchet looked down and thought for a moment. He did like to help others but, what if he couldn't? How would he deal with that? Ratchet's chest started to hurt again. Now that Ironhide knew that when Ratchet curls up over his chest or wraps his arms around it tight it means his thinking of his Creators. So Ratchet had gotten smart about when and where he can kneel over like that. But he chose not to right now.

"Don't you think you should see your creators first?"

"Yeah were going to. But we needed to know if you'd be up for walking a few miles."

"I, I can try."

"Well, don't push yerself. Ok?" Ironhide said.

Ratchet looked up at Ironhide and thankfully for him the shade was casted over him so they couldn't see Ratchet blush.

"We'll leave once were all fully charged and tanks full, ok?" Ironhide said.

"Sure."

"Ok."

After they ate Ironhide and Kup fell asleep. Ratchet was the only one up. He pulled his knees into his chest and thought, about his Creators, about the war, about if it's a good idea to join the Autobots. But mostly about Ironhide.

Why had he been noticing Ironhide… differently. He would see Ironhide do something as small as bring in a huge pile of stack 'wood' and admire the way his 'muscles' would bulk up. Or when Ironhide helped him his tank would feel like there was cyber butterflies flying around. Or when Ironhide would be concerned his spark would light as a feather and do a flip.

No, I cant falling for my best friend… can I? Ratchet looked over and saw Ironhide splayed out with one arm across his abdomen and the other over his optics. One leg resting out ward and the other propped up by a rock, as he drooled. Ratchet shook his head and smiled. No, maybe not.

With that he slowly fell asleep.

"Alright, lets go." Kup said as he got most of the supplies.

"Ready Ratch?"

"Yeah." Ratchet stood up a little bit wobbly, but with Ironhide there he felt better, even if he refused to think that he was falling for his best friend.

And so they set off. Ironhide was in front leading them since he had the map, Ratchet was behind him and Kup was a little to the side/be hind of Ratchet.

Ratchet wasn't use to walking after being on his aft for a while, but it felt good to move again. After about a mile and a half of walking Ratchet was getting tired.

"Ratchet you ok?" asked Kup as he scouted close to rest his hand on Ratchet's shoulder.

"Ye-yeah, just a lil' tired is all."

"You wanna rest?"

"No, I'll be fine."

"Ok, but tell us if you need to rest." Kup said as he removed his hand.

Ironhide heard and slowed up a bit, thankfully Ratchet didn't notice other wise Ironhide would have gotten a speech about how he treats him like a youngling. About another half a mile Ratchet was really starting to slow down. Kup had Ratchet stop,

"Ironhide!" Kup called.

'Hide turned around and his optics widen when he saw Ratchet sitting down.

He quickly ran over and said, "Do you wanna rest?"

"No, I'm fin-"

"No your not." Kup said sternly. "'Hide, I'll take the lead you can carry Ratchet."

Ironhide's optics widened again and he blushed.

"Yeah ok." Ironhide said handing Kup the map.

"No, I said I'm fine!" Ratchet exclaimed. Ironhide bent down to pick Ratchet up bridal style.

"Listen Doc-bot, yer not fine and you know it. Ya took a pretty big hit to the spark and it's fine if ya cant walk for now, but ya need to take it easy for now." Ironhide scolded/lectured as they started to walk again

"But, but that means you have to carry more weight." Ratchet whispered, slightly blushing.

"So?"

"So! That means you carrying my weight and that means that I'm a bu-"

"Ratchet if ya say yer a burden I'm gonna drop you right here then sling ya over mah shoulder." Ironhide said sternly and no hints of joking, teasing or lying.

"Ratch you are not a burned, your our friend and that's, what, friends do."

"…..thank you." Ratchet whispered. Ironhide smiled and nodded.

Kup heard the whole thing and smiled.

yay! finally got this one done. So right now their like... 15-16 years old. and yes, Kup is pushing them together.

Anyway I think at some point you will see Wheeljack come into the group, not sure when though. Reviews help give me ideas, so thanks!