Memory

The night clearing out the old Veldin garage had been going smoothly enough, Grim and Ratchet working efficiently together gathering all of Ratchets belongings and putting it all into the cargo ship that he had rented.

Grimm and Ratchet were never the type to discuss heart to heart despite Grimm being the one who had found the Lombax kit 17 years ago on the doorstep to his quiet garage along with a note and a photo of a young Lombax and his son in a bundle of blankets.

Grimm held the photo in a shaky three fingered hand as he glanced towards Ratchet who was sitting by the ship tinkering with something that sat in his lap.

He looked just like his father in the photo.

Grimm still remembered the times where he'd had to go to the local school and pick up a young Ratchet for doing something stupid, usually something along the lines of turning the seats into a wooden amalgamation with rockets.

Tinkering was in his blood and he knew it, he just didn't know it was in his species blood.

Grimm didn't know a whole lot on the history of the Lombax species, leave that to the academics. He just knew they were very intelligent people.

Ratchet may not be the best example of this, more often than not ending up with at least a scratch, bruise or electrical burn every week.

Slowly making his way towards Ratchet Grimm held onto the photo and note as he sat on the bench next to him, the Lombax still focusing on the small cube in his hands, an ancient rubix cube.

"You know, I always could solve those the quickest out of anyone on the plateau in my prime."

Startled by the sudden appearance of his adoptive father/boss/weird friend, Ratchet nearly jumped before letting out a small laugh.

"I'm sure you could Grimm, have you lost your touch in your old age?" A playful tone present in the 17 year olds voice.

"Give it here ya little brat."

Giggling, Ratchet tossed the Rubik's cube to Grimm who caught it one handed and proceeded to solve it in 15 seconds without even glancing at the cube, watching Ratchets face fill with awe at the display.

"What you say about me being old now?"

"You're still old just not slow."

They shared a laugh for a bit before a comfortable silence fell between the two.

"I'm real glad for you kid."

Ratchets ears perked up at the statement and he smiled a genuine smile.

"Thanks Grimm."

"You know I uh"

Breathing a sigh Grimm turned to Ratchet who eyed the note and photo in his hand with a curious look.

"Look Ratchet, you know I'm not too good with words but I just want you to know that I love you like my own son. There's something you should have though."

"It came with you on my doorstep"

Handing over the note yellowed with time, Grimm noticed a look of sadness cross Ratchets eyes as he stared at the photo of his father.

"I would've given it you sooner, I just couldn't bring myself to. After you and Clank dealt with Vox, knew the time was right considering I might not get a chance to give it to you again."

Watching Ratchet read the note with an expression that slowly began to become sadder and sadder, his ears slumped down, breaking Grimm's heart.

Waiting for him to finish the note Grimm placed a hand on his adopted sons shoulder.

"I uh, I'm sorry if you weren't ready for something like that."

Ratchet looked up and made eye contact with Grimm before smiling.

"Thank you Grimm."

Smiling back Grimm coughed before picking up the rubix cube and handing it to Ratchet as he stuffed the note and photo in his pocket.

"You should probably break trails, wouldn't want his Clankiness to start worrying 'bout you."

"Yeah, see you around Grimm."

Walking towards the ship Ratchet waved one last time before taking off, a mix of emotions mostly happy swimming through his mind.

To my only son

I don't know how to start this off properly, so I guess I'll be blunt.

I'm about to drop you off on a planet very far away from where you should be growing up and I hope you can forgive me for this.

I wish things could've been different but the universe has a cruel sense of humour some times.

It's funny in a way, only a month before your naming ceremony was to be and we find ourselves spread through the expanse of space, your grandmother would be throwing a fit right now heh.

For the first year of your life you have been doing everything one would expect a young kit to be doing, chewing on his father's omni wrench, trying to catch frogs with your mouth and making your family very happy.

By the time you read this I hope you're old enough to know just how much I love you and how proud I am of you, If you're anything like me you'll know that all you need in life to be happy is your best friend, family (if you've started one yourself heh) and a decent ship.

I Love you son, with every fibre of my being.

I'm got to go see your Mother now, See you round kiddo.

Love Kaden, your Father.