A/N: Thanks to my awesome beta, TFPKOFANGIRL, for her awesome work on this chapter!

Alright, so this is the chapter we've all been dreading. So prepare yourself mentally, the whole story comes in here, and you should mentally prepare yourself. This will detail Dylan's abuse more than before, you have been warned.

...

CHAPTER 17
Opening Up

"I'm ready to talk."

Ratchet almost dropped the data pad he was holding when Dylan came to him one night a month later. It was sudden, unexpected, and caught him off-guard. He took a long look at the boy, his optics staring long and hard at his foster son as he seated himself on a chair. "Ready... To talk?" Ratchet questioned, taking a deep breath. "Dylan, you don't have to..."

Dylan held up a hand, and shook his head in a way that mirrored his guardian before seating himself down as well. They sat there for a long moment, and clenched his teeth. "The longer I'm here. The more I realize this is going to be a long placement if nothing else. It's already been five months. One of the longest amounts of time that I've been in a home," Dylan replied. "I questioned if I should talk about it... After you lifted my shirt. But you... You've earned some of my trust," He explained. "You deserve to know what you're dealing with. But I'm telling you, and only you. I don't even want a word said to First Aid."

Ratchet knew this day would come, normally it came for most younglings. When they felt enough trust to share their experience with, someone they knew they could come to. Someone they knew would keep their secret, and help them recover in ways that they couldn't before. "Alright then, if you're sure," Ratchet replied, his voice tight. "You should share this with your therapist first, thou-."

"I don't trust him like I trust you," Dylan replied. "He hasn't earned it, you have. Please Ratchet, I've... I've been quiet too long and I need this off my chest."

Ratchet paused a moment, and then mentally prepared himself for what he was about to hear. Though he knew that no one could prepare themselves totally to hear about it, he still nodded. Sitting there silent as he waited for Dylan to speak up, the boy gripped the side of his chair, already, the medic saw tears forcing their way out. "I already told you about the attic. But what I didn't tell you is I didn't see the outside of that place until I was three," He began. "That was where I lived. I didn't know at the time but we were out in the middle of nowhere. My dad inherited the place, I think. His parents were rich, so on top of being chief of police, he was loaded," He explained. "He said it was my fault it happened... Since my mom died giving birth to me... I killed her he said. And I needed to take her place, and fulfill his needs."

Ratchet paused a long moment. "And no one knew he was treating his son that way?" Ratchet asked as calmly as he could, his spark tightening. "No one who could speak up, say something?"

Dylan tried to control himself as he trembled, shaking his head. He tried to control himself, but at the same time, he knew that the mech wasn't going to judge. He had to trust Ratchet, he wanted to. "People knew, Ratchet. People used to come over and watch me... He used to... He used to let some of them," Dylan paused mid-sentence, unable to say it, Ratchet growled quietly, his father let other men do this to him? "The rest were too afraid of him to say anything. My dad was a powerful guy, he would pay them off, or threaten them until they shut up. It was only when he made the wrong person mad that he even got caught," He explained. "I couldn't do anything anyway. He used to shackle me up in the attic, it was always locked, and the windows were boarded up. Or he'd keep me in his room."

Ratchet looked at Dylan, and then asked Dylan the hard question. "Other men... Abused you?" Ratchet asked.

Dylan looked down, tears falling more freely now, he didn't know how to reply. "Only twice. They promised they would be quiet if they got some "action", he said I was making him proud. Even said he might start letting me out," He explained with a choked voice. "I didn't know any better, Ratchet. I was so small, I thought it was normal. I used to think the only time my dad would let me out of that place was to sleep in his bed was something normal for kids."

Ratchet contained his anger as best he could, knowing it was best to only reassure and comfort in a situation like this. Anger would only do harm, according to studies, and he knew he had to keep calm. Even if the thought of what happened with those men made it hard. His father had gotten away with this, but there was no way in pit they should. They could still take these men to court, get them arrested, make them pay for not only keeping quiet, but for using Dylan the way they had. "What were the other men's names?" Ratchet asked. "Primus Dylan, they shouldn't get away with that. Frankly none of the people who kept quiet should, but most of all they should be doing time!"

"Ratchet, I can't-."

"You can," Ratchet told him as he appeared behind him, putting his hands on Dylan's shoulders. "Those men can still be tried, Dylan. They could go to jail," He explained. "I won't force you to come forward, but at least think about it," He explained. "Think about the five years of hell they allowed you to be subjected to. And that they even contributed to," He then added. "Surely they deserve all that time they stole from you and more."

Dylan looked thoughtful, but clearly wasn't going to give an answer right away. He looked down, his eyes overwhelmed with tears. "You know they weren't even the worst. HE was. I wasn't just abused a little bit then left alone for a while. It was almost every day, Ratch," He stated quietly. "Every day, and I didn't have the guts to say anything in that court room. They let him off like it was one time. All because he had a "room" set up in the house that looked like it belonged to me. Just in case he was ever caught. They couldn't prove he kept me in the attic, and I was too scared to say anything... He used to beat me and threaten me if I even thought about it."

"You were five," Ratchet told him gently. "And terrified. No sparkling should have to go and be on the stand in a trial like that," He told him through the choked sobs that Dylan had begun to break out into. "It's okay, Dylan. You're safe now, I've said it before, I'll say it again. I'll do everything in my power to protect you."

"You can't promise me though," Dylan told him quietly. "You can't promise-."

"I do promise because I love you," Ratchet told him. "I'm even more sure I will now."

Dylan nodded, brushing the tears away from his eyes as he looked at Ratchet. The mech looked sad, and like he was fighting tears of his own. He wasn't wrong, given Ratchet felt horrible for the boy, after all he'd went through, he couldn't help but be disgusted. "You don't think I'm disgusting now?" Dylan asked. "Like I'm some sort of monster?"

"Never," Ratchet told him gently. "When I look at you. I see, more than ever. A child that needs to heal," He took the boy's hand quietly. "And now that you've finally spoken up, I believe the healing can finally begin."

Dylan chewed his lip, and nodded his head, standing up, and let Ratchet's holoform collect him in his arms. Arms that felt safe, warm, and reminded him that he would be okay. "Could they really go to jail too?" Dylan asked quietly. "Can we really still get them?"

"All I need is the names, and to make a call to Prowl," Ratchet replied. "You'll need to testify. But you can finally give yourself some peace of mind. And possibly save other children," Dylan buried his face into Ratchet's chest. "If you can find it within yourself to do it."

The boy stood there quietly, thinking over his options. Ratchet knew that Dylan had a big heart underneath the tough exterior he put up, but he also knew he was scared. He wouldn't blame him if he might be too scared to talk. But sure enough, he finally spoke up again. "Brian and Lucas," Dylan told him shakily. "I don't remember their last names. But they worked for my dad, they were cops."

Ratchet nodded, though it wasn't much to go by, he knew Prowl would be able to find them. Do a little digging into cops that used to work under Gene, and they'd surely be able to break it down. All they needed was to get in touch with the police department in Oregon. "Alright then, sit tight," Ratchet stated as he let go. "I have a call to make."

He'd see to it, with every fiber of his being, that these men paid for what they, and Dylan's father did.

...

The men were found, and they were called out to Oregon via-ground bridge within the next forty-eight hours. It was quick to get the men (who fought tooth and nail, and feigned innocence) arrested. And under the pressure of it all, they did crack, though, to Ratchet's disappointment, they never paid Dylan's father (Dylan confirmed this) so they couldn't get his father on prostitution charges. But frankly, it was all worth it to see the look of relief in Dylan's eyes. The look that said that for the first time, the boy felt like he was at peace.

What surprised Dylan most was that the fact that any cop that had been on the force for his case came to Dylan. They all treated him gently, and shaked his hand, commending him for his bravery. In fact, when one of the men being arrested screamed how long he'd been on the force, one, who had kids and was doubly angry as a result, nearly throttled him and said "You should have never been ON it.". Ratchet smiled, seeing that the police force did take this seriously, and knowing Dylan's case was one of a kind.

When they returned home, Dylan's anxiety seemed to leave him a little. Given he now knew that everyone that had ever done horrible things to him was now going to pay. Even though Gene was getting out in a month, he could rest assured that hopefully, Ratchet would do everything he could to keep him safe. About three hours after returning home however, Ratchet called Dylan into the den where he was waiting to have an important talk with him. One that would be life-altering for both him and the boy in ways they could only imagine.

Not wanting to beat around the bush, Ratchet got straight to the point. "Dylan, what do you think of being adopted?"

There was a stark silence that followed the rather innocent question. Dylan looked at him for a long moment, his voice catching in his throat. "Wha-a-a-a?" He asked. "What did you just say? I think I'm losing my mind," He added. "Can you repeat that?"

Ratchet made a few steps forward, crouched low, and looked Dylan right in the eyes. There was a deep, soft nature to his optics at the moment. One that on one hand made Dylan uncomfortable, and on the other confused him. "The question I've presented you with," Ratchet began calmly. "Was what you think about being adopted?"

Dylan felt like the whole world around him had stopped. Was Ratchet actually serious? They'd known each other five months, and while he enjoyed his company and liked him... Was he really offering this? He'd be lying if he said that he hadn't thought of the idea of course. Especially given how close they'd been growing more and more lately, but this... He felt his knees grow weak as he looked up at him.

No one had ever asked to adopt him to his face.

"After all of this? Ratchet, you know about me more than anyone else now," Dylan replied, shaking his head. "You don't want me or my baggage. No matter what you've got going through that processor of yours," He tapped the side of his head, looking away. "Don't waste your time on me."

Ratchet stopped him with a hand before Dylan could walk away. The mech looked at Dylan for a moment, and carefully turned him around. "Alright, I will take an actual reason of your own for saying no. But you do not decide what I want," Ratchet explained. "Because I've spent the last two nights since you told me the full story losing recharge, going over it all in my head," He explained bluntly. "Dylan, I wouldn't be talking about this if I didn't want you."

"You want me? Me and all my pain... All my baggage?" Dylan asked. "Foster care was perfect for us. You needed someone to keep you company. I needed someone to open up to," He explained. "We helped each other, but if you adopt me it'll ruin everything. You'd be in it forever and no one wants someone who's broken, disgusting, and traumatized forever," He explained.

Ratchet paused a moment, was this really what Dylan thought about it? Dylan knew it wasn't totally how he felt, he sometimes found himself wishing that Ratchet would adopt him. But he also thought, any time he really thought about it, exactly what he said. Everyone else had left him, so what would possibly make Ratchet any different? What would stop him from ultimately changing his mind even if his heart was in the right place?

"Do you really think so little of yourself?" Ratchet asked quietly. "Dylan, what happened wasn't your fault. Your father was the disgusting, vile one. You're nothing of the sort," He explained, trying to keep him calm. "After all I heard, I know you deserve a family. One that will love you, care for you, look after you," He added. "I consulted First Aid, and even Primus himself on the subject. And I know that, whether you believe it or not. You belong with me, you always have. And I also know that I want you as my son more than anything I've wanted in some time."

That, as much as he found it hard to believe, brought tears to his eyes. Ratchet had given it that much thought? It wasn't just a spur of the moment thing? It wasn't pity? He turned to look at his guardian, trying to find the hint of a lie, but unable to see anything. "You mean it?" Dylan said, trying not to choke out his words. "Ratchet, you don't have to do this. I'm okay with being my own-."

"Dylan, I love you, and I do," Ratchet affirmed. "I wanted a family, and sure once upon a time... I thought of a sparkmate, and a sparkling of my own. But then the thought of adoption at my older age," He paused a moment. "And you... Came into my life. I know it wasn't the best way to meet. Slag, I thought you were just a load of trouble the first week in my program really..."

"I kinda was before I moved in."

"The point is," Ratchet continued, heaving in a breath. "The more time we spend together. The more I come to see that you were put in my path for a reason. You never belonged with that piece of scrap. You belonged here, safe, and sound," He explained. "You're MY sparkling, paper or not. But I really, truly want to make it official Dylan. To keep that man away from you and give you the family you deserve."

A family? A real family... The thought made Dylan's tears worsen, his body trembling as quiet cries escaped, and erupted into sobs. Ratchet was confused for a minute, until it became increasingly clear that Dylan's cries were of joy, especially as he slowly dropped to his knees in front of the mech. "You mean it, don't you?" Dylan asked him hoarsely. "You'd really adopt me? You'd really make me your son?"

He felt Ratchet put a hand around him, nodding his head slowly. "I wouldn't just do it. I WANT to," Ratchet told him calmly. "I want to be your father, and I want you to be my son. I mean frag, how could I not want a gifted, kind individual like you?" He asked, gently moving Dylan's head up with a finger. "I know I made my mistakes along the way, Dylan. And I can't promise I'll be perfect. But I can promise I'll love, protect, and guide you as best I can."

Dylan chewed his lip. "What about...?"

"Gene?" Ratchet asked, Dylan nodded his head slowly. "If he ever came for you, I'd let him have it. The best part about this adoption would be once it's done. He can NEVER get you back. No court in the world would disrupt an adoption for someone like him," The boy shook, leaning into Ratchet's chestplate. "I promise, Dylan, I mean every word."

After a long moment, Dylan looked back up at Ratchet. His eyes warming a bit, and finally he nodded, relaxing, but continuing to cry. "Alright..." Dylan whispered. "Alright, if you really want me. Then you have me," He replied. "I can't lie and say I didn't want it. Because I do," He admitted. "I just... I can't believe you did too."

Ratchet gently stroked his back slowly, shaking his head. "I don't know how I wouldn't want you," he told him with a small smile. "I will be honored to sign on the dotted line, and call you mine," He told him with every ounce of honesty in the world. "I'm glad you said yes, son..."

For the first time, Dylan couldn't hide the wide smile that came over his face, no matter how hard he tried.

...

"Wooooohooo! I'm gonna be an uncle officially then?" First Aid stated as they sat down at dinner the next day. "Dylan Chet, or something?" Dylan shrugged, not totally sure, but Ratchet was fairly certain that would be the case. "It has a really nice ring to it."

Dylan felt his cheeks flush red at the thought of becoming anything but Dylan Logan. Yet he knew he had to get used to it, this was happening, and it both excited and scared him. "Well, I guess I'm just... Tired of moving around and not having a family," Dylan told him. "And Ratchet's the first person to ever ask me if they could adopt me."

Ratchet still couldn't believe that, honestly. Dylan was such a good kid, but then again, he supposed he'd never gotten close to anyone either. But it was okay, because frankly, he didn't know what his life would have been like if he never found Dylan. The boy had opened his eyes to many things, and helped him learn more patience in his life, and for that he was very thankful.

He carefully rested his hand against his son's back, and looked at him. "Well Primus knows it was a bigger decision for you," He pointed out. "I already knew that I wanted you in my family. But I was not going to force it on you," He explained. "You have the right to choose the life you want to live."

Dylan looked at Ratchet, a small smile tugging at his lips. It felt good to hear someone say that, honestly. The idea that someone thought of him as worth listening to. The thought that that person, given time, would become his father. "I guess that you're okay with having me in your family," Dylan brought up, looking at First Aid. "Even though you now know that I'm an abomination?"

First Aid stared at him for a long moment, stunned by the comment. But Ratchet wasn't so much, he knew that thought would always be there. That worry that he would never be just what his new family had desired out of someone. "You're not an abomination," First Aid told him bluntly, not even beating around the bush. "If you were, Ratchet wouldn't have gone near you. So, trust me when I say I care about you."

Dylan smiled up at him, crossing his arms and leaning back. For once he didn't care if the entirety of the restaurant saw his wide smile. He supposed maybe it was true, and he finally had found that thing that a family was supposed to be. Or maybe it was only another false hope... But at least for now he could sit there, and believe for the moment that this was his family. Especially as Ratchet had already sent out the adoption request paperwork that would be needed if they were going to get the process started.

And until then, it could be months, or a few years before it happened. Especially if Gene had anything to say about it, and came after them. But he also remembered what Ratchet had said, that he would not let the man come for him at all. He knew that Ratchet had more of a reason to fight for him than ever, and that, on its own, was comforting. "I just hope you guys aren't expecting "dad" or "Uncle First Aid" yet. I'm not sure I'm ready to make that jump," He admitted. "I still need time to absorb the fact you're even adopting me," He looked at Ratchet as he looked at him.

Ratchet of course knew that chances were, the way things were going, it wouldn't be long. But at the same time, he still wanted to make sure that Dylan did so on his own time. Though he very much looked forward to the day he would hear the word "dad" slip through Dylan's lips. "Everything takes time," Ratchet told him honestly. "When the time is right for you, I'll be ready," He told him honestly. "So, what are you thinking of having? The whole menu's open tonight since we're celebrating."

Dylan looked surprised, usually they budgeted their meals out. So the thought of being able to choose whatever he wanted did get him giddy as he looked it over. He licked his lips slightly. "I hear this thing called prime rib is good," Dylan brought up. "Maybe I'll try that."

Ratchet simply hummed, only partially listening as Dylan continued to comment on it. Now that things were more out in the open between the two of them, and Dylan was on the road to adoption he felt a warmth in his spark. That family he had been thinking about for some time now was coming together, and he could feel it. So long as no one in Gene's corner interfered, Dylan would be his in no time.

And, especially now that he knew the full extent of what happened in that house? Primus knew even more than he once had that if and when that man came back, he would fight him with everything he had.

...

A/N: Ugh, such a hard chapter to write, but I'm glad to have finally gotten through it! Hope that talk went the way you guys were hoping. :)