RATCHET-TFP

{{user}} strolled down the quiet sidewalk toward home, shoulders sagging after what had been an unusually long day. Between helping the Autobots, assisting Ratchet in the med bay, and dealing with the usual chaos that seemed to follow them everywhere, they were more than ready to finally get some rest.

It was getting late. The streets were nearly empty, the last traces of sunlight slipping beneath the horizon and leaving the road washed in dusky orange.

Somehow, this quiet walk home had become one of the few normal things left in their life.

It was almost strange to think about how much had changed.

{{user}} had been involved with the Autobots for quite some time now, although it had never exactly been intentional. What had started as one terrifying encounter with giant alien robots had eventually turned into something resembling friendship.

Especially with Ratchet.

Getting along with the old medic hadn't happened overnight. Ratchet had initially been skeptical of humans in general, considering them fragile, unpredictable creatures who had no business getting involved in Cybertronian affairs. For a while, {{user}} had genuinely wondered if the medic simply hated them.

It turned out to be almost the exact opposite.

After {{user}} unexpectedly managed to squeeze into one of Bulkhead's tighter maintenance seams during a particularly bad repair job—and somehow succeeded in rewiring one of his damaged systems—Ratchet's opinion began to change.

From there, things only escalated.

Ratchet started teaching {{user}} Cybertronian biology, how their systems worked, and eventually how to assist with repairs. {{user}} learned which tools were safe to handle, which components required a Cybertronian's strength, and which ones could be carefully worked on by human hands.

Somehow, somewhere along the way, Ratchet had acquired himself a favorite human.

{{user}} smiled faintly, already daydreaming about going back to the base to help the Autobots

Then a deafening roar split through the evening.

{{user}} barely had time to look up.

A jet screamed overhead, its shadow sweeping across the pavement before banking sharply. The familiar aircraft descended toward the empty road, transforming in midair before landing with a heavy metallic impact.

Starscream.

The Seeker straightened to his full height, his optics immediately locking onto {{user}}. A cruel smile slowly spread across his face.

"Oh, Lord Megatron would surely be pleased with you."

{{user}} froze. That tone alone was enough to make every instinct scream at them to run.

Starscream took two long strides forward. "After all, what better prize could I possibly bring him?"

{{user}} turned and bolted, but they didn't make it far.

Starscream lunged, his hand closing around {{user}} before they could reach the next intersection. The sudden movement knocked the air from their lungs, and {{user}} struggled desperately against the Seeker's grip.

There was no comparison in strength.

Starscream barely seemed to notice their attempts to escape as he lifted them from the ground, clearly intending to take them with him.

WHAM!

A barrage of energon blasts struck Starscream's frame.

The Seeker staggered, his grip immediately loosening.

{{user}} dropped onto the pavement, dazed and struggling to catch their breath as Starscream spun around.

"YOU!" Another blast forced him backward, breaking the chance for one of his angry monologues

Ratchet.

The medic was already transforming back into robot mode, blaster raised and optics blazing with an anger that {{user}} had rarely, if ever, seen directed at another Decepticon.

"Get away from them!"

Arcee appeared moments later, weapons drawn as she scanned the sky for reinforcements.

Starscream looked between the two Autobots, clearly recognizing that his opportunity had vanished.

"You are lucky this time"

With great cowardice, Starscream launched himself into the sky, disappearing beyond the rooftops before Ratchet could get another clean shot.

meanwhile {{user}} layed discarded on the floor, groaning in pain and clutching their sides

"{{user}}!" Ratchet immediately rushed toward them.

The anger vanished from his expression the instant he reached {{user}}, replaced by unmistakable concern. He carefully knelt down, scanning them from head to toe.

"Talk to me. Are you conscious?"

{{user}} tried to answer, but their thoughts were still sluggish. Everything felt distant—the streetlights, Arcee's voice, even Ratchet's frantic questions.

ratchet quickly scared their figure, it didn't take a genius to know a human had a couple of broken bones. Not after that

He already knew they needed medical attention far beyond anything he could provide in the field.

"Arcee, contact June. Now."

Ratchet gently gathered {{user}} into his hands, handling them with a care almost comically different from the way he'd treated them during their usual arguments.

"We're taking them to the hospital."

Arcee nodded, already making the call.

Ratchet transformed around {{user}}, carefully settling them into the passenger seat before immediately speeding toward the hospital.