CHAPTER 31
Check-Ups and Warnings

"Are you using your inhaler properly?"

Jeff nearly face palmed as Ratchet asked him the question, but settled for a quiet nod. The mech looked concerned, though the teen wasn't so sure why, as it was little more than his asthma acting up. "Well, your asthma just seems to be acting up a little. Nothing too alarming, but something that should be monitored." He paused "This could be early signs of a major attack, although I cannot be fully certain." He added.

Prowl stared at Ratchet with concern, though his old friend simply stared up at him with a light frown. Ratchet knew why it concerned Prowl, especially after the attack earlier on, but he also knew that Jeff could handle it. "How often should I have my optics on him?" Prowl questioned quietly "Is it overly dangerous, or...?" He questioned.

"He's fine, Prowl. Just keep your systems on a higher alert." Ratchet shook his head a bit, taking a deep breath "You, young man, can pick up a pass to get you out of physical education until this calms down however in the morning." He paused a bit "And before you whine about the fact you undoubtedly need the points, your physical health is much more important." He then added "Now get off the berth, I have Sideswipe coming in for a check-up in thirty and I'll no doubt have dents to put out." He added.

Jeff was mentally grateful to get out of PE, the vain of existence. Hopping down from the berth and onto Prowl's hand, he allowed the mech to settle him onto his usual perch on his shoulder. Ratchet's optics moved towards Jeff silently, scanning him over again. "Your ribs and arm are also healing nicely." Ratchet noted "Though I can easily tell that you're using your left arm too much." He grabbed his wrench on the nearest table "What have I told you about that, youngling!?" He questioned.

"I've forgotten the multitude of orders you've barked at me."

Jeff had to duck to avoid the wrench as it hit the wall directly behind him. Ratchet looked angry beyond words, a grimace on his face. Jeff was beginning to see what Prowl was saying about caring about his well-being. He seemed to go berserk whenever one of his patients was hurt, which included him. "Quit trying to use your sprained arm, Jeffrey Devlin!" Ratchet shouted "Or you'll be nursing a concussion as well!" He shouted.

"Which just would mean more long hours with you." Jeff teased, giving a two-finger salute "Sounds like a plan Hatchet."

The second wrench actually would have hit him if Prowl hadn't deflected it. Prowl quickly shot Jeff a look that shouted "shut up" on many levels and Jeff immediately went silent. "And when that does happen!" Ratchet shouted as the two began to leave "I'll be sure your stay in my med bay is a living pit for you!" He snarled "Now out, OUT!"

Prowl shook his head, crossing his arms in utter irritation. "Jeff, why do you do that?" He questioned.

"Why do you?"

Prowl nearly flicked Jeff a little, though he knew the young human was only teasing him. "I was very different than that at your age, I was honest." He then nudged him gently "You were just being a little smart alleck back there, Jeff. What have I told you about that?" He questioned "He really will hit you in the head with a wrench you know."

Jeff sighed, knowing that Prowl had been over his smart alleck tendencies more than a few times. But Jeff could only do so much to change his nature, something he was most definitely working on. "I know, I know. Use my "powers" for good and not evil." Jeff shook his head a little bit "But Prowl, I can only change so much over a couple of months." He added.

Prowl inwardly took a deep breath, knowing it was best not to lose his patience with Jeff. Even though he did many things that irked him, the boy's attitude still did require patience if he had any hope of keeping him around. "Just try and tone it down a little, Jeff." Prowl stated quietly, a gentle, but firm smile on his face "Primus forbid I do get called into the med bay because you had a concussion." He added.

"I get it." Jeff commented, leaning back "I'd rather not be thrown in your infamous brig for a few hours of punishment."

Prowl smirked, though he never would throw a child of his in the brig, it was good incentive. "Oh, no, you do not want that at all." Prowl snorted, putting his hands on his hips "I might even put you in the brig for a few extra hours, just because I can." He noted with a playful finger wave.

"Liar."

...

Jeff was sound asleep by the time Prowl had free time that night. It wasn't entirely free time as most of his free time was spent in the shooting range or in the simulation room, running through his own training regiments. That night, he'd brought himself to the shooting range, managing to shoot his way through forty different "Decepticons" per simulation. The stress reliever, which needless to say was quite welcome, was something that Prowl was more than thankful for that night.

"I swear, your charge gets more snarky each passing day."

Prowl turned his head to see Ratchet making his way towards him on the shooting range. He carefully reloaded his blaster, peering over at Ratchet with a gentle smirk. "I'm working on getting him to act a little more personable." He chuckled a bit "Tell me, Ratchet, could you at least try not to threaten him every time he comes in?" He questioned "You genuinely tend to scare him." He added.

Ratchet snorted, as if the idea of that was completely alien to the medic. In hindsight, Prowl supposed it was, as Ratchet wasn't entirely best known for his bedside manner. "I like the boy, but I won't give him special treatment." Ratchet replied, amused "That would be like asking me to give you special treatment." He patted the mech on the shoulder gently "How are things going in general, anyway?"

"I admitted I love him, and he admitted likewise." Prowl shrugged innocently "It's not the biggest step quite yet. But in general, I believe it is a better start than I would have expected." He explained

Ratchet smiled a bit, nodding his head in agreement. He carefully removed a large gun from the rack beside him, and stared at Prowl quietly. "I remember, when my own adoptive son, First Aid was young... And he first said so..." He paused a bit "It brought me great joy as well." He then noted "But you do realize this means your "honeymoon period" is over, correct?" He questioned.

"Excuse me?" Prowl questioned.

Ratchet looked at Prowl a moment, then turned, and blasted at a "Decepticon" target. "Once they know you love them, once you've admitted it... The child will do anything to test that love." Ratchet shook his head a bit "It'll be subtle at first, but believe me, the more time that passes? The less patient you'll want to be." He then noted "I just believed you may want to be warned of that beforehand."

Prowl chuckled nervously, wondering what kind of tests he might be put through. He sighed a bit, resting his blaster at his side, shaking his head a little. "He's been pretty good with me since I said that actually." He spoke up, looking Ratchet in the optics "I believe it has brought a new level to our relationship in ways I was not quite anticipating." He explained.

Ratchet nodded his head, resting his own blaster, and turning towards Prowl slowly. He knew the younger mech was enjoying it, but also knew that it would not be quite as easy as it was now. "While I am happy to hear that, you still need to be prepared." He explained, shaking his head a little bit "Least you be caught off-guard the night he sneaks out all night to some party, for example."

"Jeff wouldn't do that." Prowl replied.

"Give it a few more months, he will." Ratchet snorted again.

Prowl studied the seriousness in Ratchet's features, and felt himself silently growing concerned. He didn't enjoy the idea of Jeff testing his love, not when he had grown to feel it so much in his spark. "Yes, well... We shall see on this fact, I suppose." Prowl commented "I should be getting to recharge in the meantime, I have to take Jeff to school in the morning." He looked questionably at his friend "While I'm still apparently on his "good side"." He noted.

"You always will be on that side, tests don't change love, after all." Ratchet nodded his head "But have a good night, regardless."

Prowl exited the shooting range quietly, taking a deep breath. In truth, he probably could have expected everything Ratchet was warning him about. After all, Jeff had been hurt more than one or two times before. Yet at the same time, he could quietly hope that Jeff would see he did love him, and at least go as easy upon his guardian as he could. He entered his apartment quietly, taking a stop in Jeff's room. The boy was sound asleep underneath the covers of his bed, the top moving up and down lightly as he breathed.

Watching his charge sleep was easily the most relaxing part of Prowl's nights. It reminded him of the good things it was bringing him, as he remembered Sideswipe commenting upon how early on, Jeff hardly slept. Gently, he reached forward, stroking his back ever-so-gently with a finger. The boy leaned into the touch, though seemingly subconsciously. He snuggled deeper and more comfortably into the covers a moment as Prowl slowly headed for the door, making sure the alarms in his room were all armed.

He could be ready for any test, and deal with any of his own "snarkiness" as Ratchet had called it. Because at the end of the day, being Jeff's guardian had its own rewards.