These events take place two weeks after the fight at the Great Clock, in Ratchet & Clank: A Crack In Time. The story contains spoilers for the ending.
"Entering cruise mode."
"Phew, thanks, Aphelion! Time to kick back and relax, then! How long have we got until touchdown?"
"Three hours and thirty-six minutes."
"Perfect! I assume you don't want a drink, Clank?"
"Ratchet, this is the third time you have made this joke since I came back."
"Aw, come on, it's not that awful!"
Clank sighs, extends his arm to the floor and picks up his current book of interest, "A first course in string theory." While he didn't know much about physics, his interests for the stars pushed him to learn more about the universe, and what a better way to do that than read up on the founding theory his world's technology is built upon.
Imitating Clank, who was nearly entranced by the new concepts to process, the Lombax plunges in his thoughts – though it was no mystery what they were about.
Alister's passing was only two weeks earlier, after all. It didn't take a telepath's skills to see how Ratchet was doing, but in reality, neither went well. Indeed, even the Zoni's thought block-list feature couldn't dismiss all the emotions he felt on that same day, but he would do better soon. At least, that's what he assured his best friend.
Halfway through the ride, Ratchet takes on a serious look, something rarely seen for someone who any would call the most happy-go-lucky Lombax in the universe.
"Clank, can I ask you something?"
He sets down the book on his chest. "Of course."
"Sorry, it's a bit awkward, but I haven't felt the greatest in the past two weeks, and.." He pauses, as Clank felt his core go a little heavier. "I wanted to know if you wouldn't mind if I got a bit closer to you, just for time needed for... this, to pass."
The robot's face switches to a more surprised emotion. "What do you imply by closer, exactly?"
"W-well, I mean, staying with you a bit more, giving you a hug sometimes..."
"So, you want me to act as emotional support to you, correct?"
Ratchet takes on his why-did-you-have-to-put-it-that-way look. "Pretty much."
"Then that's all good with me, Ratch-"
The robot did not have the time to finish his sentence as his best friend removed his safety belt and scooped him up for a hug.
"Thanks so much for sticking with me, Clank."
With a smile on his face, he opens his arms and returns the hug. "It's my pleasure, Ratchet."
Aphelion, while finding the scene adorable, did not see the Lombax's blatant disregard to security with the same eye, ordering him to return to his seat in case some asteroids needed avoidance.
Over the following week, Ratchet did exactly as he said – he nearly never left Clank, and the bot often rested a hand on his furry friend's shoulders when sitting down, as if to signify his presence and affection.
However, while his pal-from-always didn't have to know that, he grew considerably sadder. Clank didn't have the will to forgive himself for what happened, and the attention Ratchet paid to him seemed to worsen that wound – how could he stay this close to the person he let down the worst way possible?
"Wasn't it for the clock's powers, he would have been gone for good." Those words repeated endlessly in the machine's mind as he tried not to show his pain, one that would've caused any biological creature a breakdown. "Robot perks," he thought, until he remembered that meant he didn't have a way to evacuate those feelings.
However, it didn't take more than a couple of days for Ratchet to notice something was wrong. For a while, he tried putting it on stress and fatigue, but he realized he was getting worse for no apparent reason. A mere 24 hours after, the robot would start to avoid looking at him, something that had never happened before.
After a long day of work on a rusty ship in the workshop, Ratchet sat down on the used couch, with Clank eventually deciding to join him, noticing he was at the centre of the Lombax's vision.
Ratchet exhales loudly, sounding decidedly both annoyed and concerned. "Clank, please, tell me. I'm making you uncomfortable, it's obvious. What's wrong? You want me to stop?"
With optics avoiding his friend's look, he replies: "No, of course not, Ratchet. Though, I do think it is best for us both if you stay unaware."
"After all of this? Do you not trust me? ... Clank. Did something there happen to you?"
Silence for a few seconds.
C, looking away: "Nothing happened to me, Ratchet."
"Then what?"
"Your question should be 'what happened to you', Ratchet. What did happen that day is that I failed to protect you."
"But, I'm fine!" He jumps up and does a full turn. "You see, I'm totally okay, dude!"
"That is due to sheer luck." He pauses. "Ratchet, on that day, I saw you fall to your death. I had to use the clock's powers to allow myself to move time back, leading to Alister..."
...
Trying his best to maintain his composure, the Lombax stumbles to sit back down.
Clank does his best not to look at the other side of the couch. "I couldn't, and still can't afford to lose you once more, Ratchet. I'm sorry."
"Cl-Clank... I forgive you, man, of course I do! You saved me, you have nothing to blame yourself for!"
Clank seemed to take a breath in, and for the first time in years, sounded like he was genuinely angry. "I cannot allow myself to act like nothing happened, let alone forget about it. In a way, I did lose you once, Ratchet."
Ratchet, surprised at his friend's sudden burst out, opens his mouth to talk, but after a few seconds decides against it. His face shifts to a slight smile. "So then, I guess we're both in need of emotional support!"
Clank seemed to be such taken aback that his core took a second to process the situation, during which his face went from sadness, to surprise, to amusement, and finally to a pained look of content as he wrapped his arms around his forever friend.
Seven more days later, Ratchet seemed to have fully regained his mental strength, going from a sluggish start of the day back to jumping straight out of bed.
Clank, on the other hand, even with the care Ratchet paid to him, didn't.
Not only he still felt guilt over what happened at the Great Clock, but he couldn't help but notice something odd in his behaviour around the furred animal he shared his life with.
Anytime he does something for the Lombax, whether it's only passing him his omniwrench or helping him find bolts for the latest state-of-the-art weaponry (which he still disliked doing, thinking it was a huge waste of money), he can't help but smile.
Of course, even before, he was happy helping his friend, yet, now, there was a difference. His gratitude for Ratchet's forgiveness gave him a new, warm, yet blurry feeling going through his core - he wishes to be able to express his thankfulness multiple times a day, yet knows he's not able to. Ratchet would notice something was off instantly.
Hence, he decided to keep his smile and usual uptight behaviour when he was around people, but as soon as he's alone, the tired robot would allow his mind to drift away.
Unaware of the tell-tale signs any other species in the universe would pick up, Zonis didn't understand what platonic attraction felt like.
Clank did know about romantic love – and he knows that isn't what is happening to him. He wanted to be around Ratchet, not smooch him like in the third-rate holovision films Ratchet sometimes watched. Yet, inside, he still wished to be "closer" to him like Ratchet had asked him earlier, but in a more permanent fashion. He wanted to give him hugs, to snuggle with him at night, but these thoughts by themselves made the robot uncomfortable. On what basis could he imagine such a thing?
No matter how many scenarios his multithreading abilities allowed him to simulate, he didn't have the one key information to know for sure: how Ratchet felt about him.
He knows the Lombax likes him as a friend, as last week showed him, but couldn't tell whether Ratchet appreciates him that way.
So, soon enough, he realizes he is stuck. After all, what could he do? He couldn't tell Ratchet about his feelings, fearing he would take those bad or that they were not reciprocal. So, he let time pass. A day, a week, then two.
During that time, the Lombax noticed that, yet again, something was wrong. As it seemed to him that it was not as bad as before, he figured it could have only been remnants of the talk they held earlier. Though, to be certain it wasn't due to any failing parts, he made sure to look after his small metal pal, taking care of any servicing that would have usually been due months later.
Of course, Clank noticed, making him feel all the more worse. Now, Ratchet was being extra kind to him. He thought that if had he been given the ability to blush, he would have been red 24/7.
A month passed since the accident at the Clock. The special date, along with a feeling of being crushed by his emotions, made Clank finally decide it was enough.
As the duo enters the motel room the feline rented from a shady guy near the Veldin Ship & Vehicle Repair Centre, Clank clears his throat. Or at least made such a sound. While doing his best to ignore his internal fan ramping up, he tries to get the preoccupied Lombax's attention.
"Ratchet, do you have a moment to spare?"
"Yeah, uh, I gotta go do some parts shopping before the end of the day though, you mind doing this later?"
"You are aware it is well past 7, right?"
"Wha- you sure?! We saw them still open back there! Are they not following the Galactic Standard Time anymore?"
Clank, ashamed of having his lie get caught so easily, scowls: "I believe this area specifically refuses to do so, as it causes inconvenience to the shopkeepers." He finds his calmness again. "Now then, do you mind sitting down?"
"Uh, sure. Anything wrong?"
"Ratchet... I have been experiencing something for about three weeks, now. It is quite difficult to describe in simple terms, so I will ask you to please let me finish before telling me your thoughts."
Ratchet's face starts to fill with worry. "Oookay, go ahead?"
Clank proceeds, looking away from his friend's face, in the most emotionless tone he can manage.
"Every time I am around you, I get a weird feeling, Ratchet." That sentence made the Lombax freeze. "It is as if my senses got disturbed, and above all, my emotions. It's as if I wanted to feel, as you told me back then, closer to you." Ratchet stays motionless. "I am happy whenever I get to help you, no matter what it is, but it's not how the same feeling of content I've experienced before when working with you. No, I am happy to be with you on a much more personal level." Ratchet's heart, pounding with worry, can be heard across the motel bed. "Every time, I wish to..." He pauses, as he notices his friend's vitals go over the levels he seen during intense combat. "I wish to put my arms around you and express just how much I am grateful to know you."
Ratchet audibly breathes out.
A minute passes.
As his heartrate lowers, the Lombax draws his friend's attention, as he has been looking down the floor. "Clank..."
Clank lowers his head, as if a level of shame he had never experienced before was a weight placed on it.
The sole thing that can be heard in the room for the next five minutes is the holovision show a motel client in one of the adjacent rooms put on at what seemed to be max volume. "At least no one could hear and blackmail us," Ratchet joked to himself.
Clank decides to break such a "silence". "Please don't believe such... appreciation is in any way romantic, Ratchet."
"I guessed, Clank. Still, I'm sorry, I... I never expected you..."
Looking at Ratchet with his optics half-open, he replies: "Because I'm a robot?"
The Lombax silently nods. Clank doesn't seem to notice the slight smile he has on his face, or his ears perking up. "Yet, I think I know exactly what you're talking about, Clank." He pauses. "It's not only enjoying your friend's presence anymore; it's... as if there was a void when they're not here, and you wanted to be around them at all times."
Clank suddenly looks at his best friend with open eyes. "You don't mean-"
Ratchet, proud of what must have been from his friend's point of view the worst joke he did, looks back without hiding his smile anymore.
Once more, they held each other in their arms – though this time, neither chose to let go for numerous minutes. And for the first time, with many more to come, Clank allowed himself to say: "I love you, Ratchet."
As a quick note, this is the first text of fiction I've ever written (in French, my native language, or in English), but I did have it re-read by a friend. Please let me know your thoughts!