Sigmund's P.O.V

Sitting next to the general figuratively speaking as I had a floating platform for legs I could tell he was losing the bitter look and getting a much more gentle one. There was a renewed kindness to his eyes that showed he genuinely cared for Ratchet and would likely fight to the very end if anyone dared hurt him. On top of that it seems the general had gained a soft spot.

The day the two had fell asleep on the couch I had just been going to check on them as they fell asleep. I had gone to get them a blanket as the clock was pretty cold during the night and that was when I heard very quiet purring so I had went over out of curiosity and didn't miss alister allowing Ratchet to nuzzle his chin. I don't know if Ratchet had been aware at the time however. He seemed to primarily act on wanting comfort just as much as Alister himself had needed it.

Alister hadn't moved away though I could tell he was unsure what to do and settled for petting Ratchet's back. As I let the two lombaxes rest a few zoni had glanced over Ratchet and before long they somehow synthesized an armor piece for his exact built with parts of the scrap around and added some of their power to it. They carefully put the armor piece on a nearby chair and then they left the room to let the two rest without any interruptions.

Seeing the zoni create an armor piece for Ratchet was not what I was expecting but, seeing the care they put into it made me think it was a sort of thank you gift for Ratchet and I could tell they had added some kind of features though they wouldn't be visible until Ratchet tried it on. For now I left the room again and went to fix a couple time anomalies that had came up before going to my own chamber to charge up and hoped Ratchet accepted the zoni's gift when he spotted it tomorrow.

It was well into the evening when the sound of harsh breathing woke me from sleep mode as I could hear it coming from where Alister and Ratchet were. As I made my way into the living room I could tell Alister was tossing and turning in his sleep which in turn woke Ratchet as well.

As we both tried waking up Alister, Ratchet had missed that Alister had his claws out and got scratched though Ratchet didn't care as he could disinfect the cut later. It had taken only a few minutes before we both managed to wake the general who had stared dazed for what felt like an hour but, had only been a few minutes. After that Alister had looked around to get his bearings while Ratchet kept the scratch out of sight not wanting to upset Alister more though a very quiet sound of pain was heard when he lightly touched it. I had quietly prompted Ratchet to head to the washroom that had been installed and told him about the first aid kit in the cabinet. While Ratchet left I had helped Alister with reasurnce that he was safe and that Ratchet was safe. After that the general nodded before telling Me "Thank you" before he went to his room in the clock to have some time to himself.

Timeskip to morning*

Alister's P.O.V

Morning had arrived in the clock and do to the nightmare I was unable to go back to sleep so I had returned to the living room where I was surprised to see that Ratchet had once again been in the living room as well though he was watching the show clank had starred in which peaked my interest and then I heard Clank moving about from his metallic clinks and could hear him coming to check in on me and Ratchet and offered to make some food for us both. I had honestly expect the question as I didn't even know he knew how to cook though after thinking about it if it hadn't been for Clank, Ratchet likely wouldn't of survived as long as he had.

From what little I've seen he doesn't eat as much as his body needs to run properly and during Clank's absence Talwyn had taken his role which ensured Ratchet didn't get too skinny and helped him put on a bit of weight. Ratchet was admittedly very small for a lombax even compared to his dad but, with his situation that I had indirectly caused with my mistakes I wasn't going to judge and would countinue helping Ratchet put on a healthy weight for our species.

When I relized I had yet to answer Clank's question I looked embarrassed before giving him a nod in confirmation that it would be nice and went to put Ratchet gently back on the couch only to be told to stay with Ratchet by clank. This surprised me considering Clank's mistrust of me till I relized that Ratchet literally had a grip on me making it near impossible to put him down without waking him. I never took Ratchet as clingy but, the main thing that bugs me is that I had literally almost killed him out of rage and yet he seemed to have forgiven and forgot. He was willingly keeping in my hold despite all the wrongs I did towards him.

I've heard of second chances but, at the time I didn't actually think it would be possible and here I was with a clingy kit by lombax standards as we actually live fairly long lives. I may be called elder but, I got a good sixty or so years before I pass on if I don't get killed unexpectedly by sickness, injury or an enemy. In lombax terms your a kit until at least twenty five after that your considered an adult while in other species they are considered adults at either eighteen or twenty one years of age.

Thinking back however I could vaguely remember the look Kaden had when Ratchet was first born. His tail waved around in happiness though he had this slight look of fear sense he had just became a dad. Kaden and his mate were elated to finally see their kit in person and out of respect I had left the room to give them some time to their selves.

I had stayed in the hall as I myself experienced a burst of happiness for my best friend and the fact I was an uncle upon Kaden and his mate coming to an agreement. I had been so happy that day but, only a few weeks after that happiness had switched to something more desperate as I had known it was my fault that everything went south.

Back in the current time I could feel Ratchet start to stir and let him down on the couch so he didn't freak out or think I was strange. I admit my behavior lately has been a bit odd for me but, I simply assumed it was because I was finally letting go of the past but, i have a feeling its also because of Ratchet's short time in death's embrace had woke me up to the reality that I could of lost the only other person besides the vullards and jarvis that knew the real me and not this emotionless rebel that went out to attack random areas.

As I let Ratchet wake up I could hear Clank return asking which breakfast meat sounded good for today which I answered with

"sausage would be nice though I'm not picky and you know ratchet better then I do so whichever he prefers I'm fine with. To be honest Clank, I didn't get to eat much meat as I was living on what the vullards could spare for bolts and had anomounously donated bolts that enemies like the pirate crew and Nefarious had kept for themselves by stealing and yet only used it towards more weapons. I had known that I didn't want kids or even teens on the streets when shelters got full or struggled to live day to day because of places not having enough money to get supplies they desperately needed."

As I talked both Ratchet and clank as well as Sigmund actually started to listen to what I was talking about and at the back of my mind I was hoping Clank hadn't started making the food yet which when I asked he confirmed that he hadn't yet started making breakfast as he had wanted to know which meat I preferred so he didn't make something I didn't like.

It still surprises me that he was being forgiving but, I would make sure he didn't regret it as I planned to protect Ratchet and the occupance of the clock from further threats and maybe be the uncle Ratchet deserved all those years. With that it was time to start the day with the offered breakfast from Clank.