Living in an abandoned military bunk together, which may seem large by human standards, wasn't so much for the bots. Yet, they still found ways to give each other the space they need. Each had a favorite spot to go and hide when being around the same bots annoyed them.
That changed when the children came into their lives.
Sure they have grown to care for the human offspring, but they can all say they can be a little much.
Miko was the main contender in the problems. She was loud, energetic, and loves destruction and snooping where she was not allowed. Raf was better at the beginning but now that he has more confidence in the things he can get away with, he takes more chances with helping Rachet. This may not sound bad, but not all the projects end with simply not working. Many times the bots came running when they heard an explosion rock the med bay. The bots would later be told by Rachet what happened while Raf sheepishly hides behind the large bot.
Out of all the humans, Jack was the least of the trouble makers. The only real complaint any of that bots have about the oldest child happens to be for his carrier, June. June was protective like all parents, but her personality is bold and authoritative when she goes mother bear on the bots hides. She will stand her ground against even Optimus if she finds the situation right. Thought they all learn to respect that and have found a happy medium for both parties at the moment.
Thinking back the bots were surprised when they first learned one of the quirks that the children had. Living with each other for so long that they have grown used to each other's strange actions. So much so they don't notice it anymore, but having the kids there caused them to notice more about their behavior.
The first action that was pointed out was from Raf. Bee had just come back from dropping his charge at home when he brought up a question to the bots milling around the main room. "Have you ever notice that Raf seems to downplay how helpful he is to us?" He questioned while looking down at the floor.
This question caused the bots around to stop. Bulkhead looked up from where he sat. Rachets servos halted their work and Smokescreen stops mid-walk.
They all thought the question over carefully. The child was always timid. Even now, he didn't voice his opinion unless he was in his element. But to think the boy would believe to be of no help was ridiculous. Raf was the smartest of the children in the general sense and helped Rachet more than the older bot would like to admit. But, then it dawns on them, Raf was just a boy and the youngest at that 12 almost 13. He needed more attention than the others. He needs to be told he was helpful since he was still young in matters of communication. Even more so when communicating between robots.
After that revelation, the bots made a point of telling the boy how helpful he is. He flourished under the praise and seemed to be gaining confidence in himself little by little.
Miko was surprisingly the second one, and surprisingly enough Arcee noticed. Arcee was reflecting on how they somehow couldn't stop Miko again from following them on another mission. Lucky for them it was Energon scouting and they didn't run into anyone. Miko has always wanted to come along on those trips, but they have been becoming harsh on saying no since she disobeys. This solution wasn't working and Acree thinks she realized why.
Walking over to the Wrecker on the berth before her. She hoped she wasn't crazy for jumping to this conclusion about the loud girl.
"Bulk.." She called.
Turning his head he gave Arcee a curious look. " What going on Cee?" He questioned.
"It's about Miko. She has been hitching rides on missions more than usual. She normally only goes on the 'cool' ones, but now it's practical all the ones with you on it." She points out.
Bulkhead thinks over her words and realized she was right. Ever since he has been getting hurt more she has been not listening. Bulkhead rubbed his helm with his servo. 'How could I have not seen this, it is obvious now that Arcee pointed it out.'
"Thanks for telling me, I think I get what you are saying. I will talk to her." He simply said. The only reply he got was the sound of her walking out of the room.
After that little talk, they learned how helpless Miko feels. She keeps seeing her friend get hurt and she wants to be there just in case she can help. No matter how small she wanted to protect bulk, and knocking out a few cons doesn't hurt.
Between Raf's confidence issues and Mikos's feeling of helplessness, they already realized humans and bots were far too similar in some areas.
It took some time for them to figure out a bad trait that Jack had. It wasn't from the fact he had none but more from the fact, he hides it so well. At that point, all the bots were also actively looking for a trait jack had that they could help with. The result was they were left with nothing. Jack came to the base, quietly did his business, and entertained the other children while he wasn't hanging out with Smokescreen or Acree. He was left to his own devices more than not. That's why it took so long to find his trait or more like a statement.
Jack was tired.
Not the normal I need sleep after staying up the normal time. No, he need rest last week. Rachet was the one who figured it out when the boy passed out from exhaustion.
When everyone in the base was in the med bay firing questions at the old medic. Eventually, they quit when Optimus entered the room, a look of worry crossing his faceplates.
"What has happened, old friend" he asked, eyeing the teen in the large berth.
Sighing, the medic looks at the large bot simple saying, "He is far too much like you used to be."
This caused the room to be quiet and may look confused, human and bot alike.
"You mean when he was Orion Pax?" Questioned Raf.
"Yes, let's just say if he was needed he would work till he would need a medic to check him out, just like Jack here." Rachet pointed to the boy sleeping.
"But why would he need to push himself so much?" Asked Smokescreen to the room. Silence engulfed them as they withdrew to their thoughts.
A gasp was heard and they turned to Miko and Raf who seemed to have figured it out. The bots starred until the kids were ready to share. Surprisingly it was Raf first.
"It's from working, school, and coming here." He said in a soft voice.
"Don't forget taking care of his mom and the house. You saw what he had to do on his day off when we went over once." Miko pointed out and Raf nodded along realizing she was right.
"He also makes sure we are okay and need anything, plus he follows Miko to make sure she and I don't get killed half the time." Raf squeaks as he realized they were part of the problem.
The bots just listen in shocked silence when they started putting the pieces of Jack together. Slowly they all came to the same conclusion as Rachet just looked on knowingly. The boy took more than he should on his shoulders.
After that point, they all pitched in. When the kids were on base the bots made sure to cover all their needs. Thought the stoping Miko when she wants to go is still a working progress.
Optimus took the liberty to ask Agent Fowler if there was any way that the government could help with the Darbys financial burden. He had automatically said yes since the world owed the kid a lot for all the help he has done for the earth.
Jack was soon able to relax more and had free time to be a normal teen, well as normal as you can get when you hang out with alien
