(Warning. This chapter is ever so slightly inappropriate and contains spoilers. The following chapter(s?) may do so as well. Either way; enjoy!)

• ~ (Y/n)'s Perspective ~ •

The blaring of my alarm clock startled me awake. I flinched, but I didn't shoot up like I'd usually do when startled. However, when I tried once more, I realized how heavy my head was. Coming to this conclusion made me grunt in pain. It hurt.

'Why did I drink so much? What was going through my head that approved this?' My body slumped once it was upright. I was completely tense and it felt hard to move. I could sleep in. Technically, I get up two hours earlier than I need to.

'Yes... sleep. But I need to at least grab a water.' My minds inner conscious mumbled throughout my heavy head. 'Some medicine wouldn't kill me either.'

The next few minutes were spent quietly creeping down the hall, trying not to wake up Ratchet: who left his door wide open. 'Maybe he meant to close it? Or he was just waiting for Freckles to join him and fell asleep?'

Either way, I eventually made it down the stairs. Surprisingly enough, I made it without falling. Usually, I'm fairly clumsy during a hangover.

Arriving in the kitchen, I grab a plastic cup, not trusting myself with glass in my current state. I then filled the cup with some ice and water. Then, I placed the cup momentarily down on the counter while I got myself some medicine for my headache. I popped two pills into my mouth and drank them down.

My next stop was back upstairs in my room. The dreadful physics of gravity were already killing my unevenly weighted head. Going back up the stairs is only going to make it worse. So slowly, one by one, I'll make it up those dreadful steps. And only one more.

"Gah!" I yell as I trip and fall. After landing, I quickly shot up and covered my mouth, which only resulted in another headache. A groan left my lips and I squinted my eyes to now see water everywhere. "Ugh... I move away from home to get back on my feet and now I'm sitting on my ass feeling pathetic!"

A soft tap was heard, followed by more, as Freckles exited Ratchet's room— No..... the.... guest.. room. Freckles went over and nudged me with her head before turning and lapping up all the water I had spilt.

"Nice to see you too..." I muttered. My hands covered my face as I started to cry. I didn't want to, but that's what was happening. Everything I do seems to slap back at me. My mind told me I had every right to be upset. That I should've called in sick or something.

My body then tensed as I heard heavier footsteps that stopped once they were beside me. I felt a hand gently placed on my shoulder and a soft sigh escape the persons lips. "Come on, (Y/n). Get up."

Taking a deep shaky breath, I nod in compliance and get on my feet. The hand let go temporarily, but was quick to be placed on my shoulder again. The sound of a cup being set on one of the side tables explained why his hand disappeared.

"Move your hands from your face." Ratchet said, sounding calm and, surprisingly, not annoyed. I hesitated, before slowly moving my hands away and looking at him.

"S-sorr—"

"Yip yip yip! I don't want to hear it. Now go back to bed."

"But—"

"Uh! Uh! Bed. Now."

"Ratchet."

"Now."

"I— fine." Finally complying, he walks me back to my room. I sit down on the bed and look up at him. He motions at me, clearly expecting me to lay down. "Can you listen now?"

"We shouldn't be having a conversation, you should be sleeping." Ratchet replied, his arms crossed, giving me a stern look. Sighing once more I look at my phone. "Don't go on your phone. Go to sleep."

"I need to make sure no one's messaged me. Including my boss. Who just so happens to have messaged me. At like 11:45 yesterday." I reply, silently pouting as I looked at the text. He was... offering me a day off. My lips turn into a frown. Not used to that kind of kindness, especially from an employer.

"What is it?" Ratchet asked, walking over and sitting beside me.

"He offered me a day off and told me the coach is getting in trouble."

"You should take the day off."

"No... I shouldn't."

"You should. Come to base with me later, after you've rested, of course, then you can help me with something." Ratchet suggested. My lips raised a little as I smiled softly and look at him. He looked at me for a moment before smiling back at me.

'Oooooooh boy...' I think as my cheeks flush darkly. I looked back to my phone, hoping the turn of my head would hide my blush. Squinting my eyes, my heart seems to skip a beat as I hesitantly accept the offer of a day off. To my surprise, he responded back quickly.

"Great! I'll see you tomorrow then." Was his response. I read it once more before the screen went black. My eyes trailed to Ratchet, who was still sitting next to me.

"You get some rest. I'm going to get going. Just tell me when you're ready for me to get you. Though I might end up sending a groundbridge depending on if anything happens." Ratchet explained. I give him a gentle smile and nod. He smiled slightly back and his holoform disappeared.

In that split second... a part of me begged myself to ask him to stay. But he's just my guardian... acquaintance? Friend? 'Well whatever he is to me... I can't exactly deny this feeling that's starting to boil inside of me.'

Another headache erupts in my brain and I lay down once more, pulling the blankets over my frame. My mind went right to him. I disappeared into a dream world. One that was too nice to ever come true. One that was too comforting that made me never want to wake up again. One that will disappoint me when I open my eyes and find that I haven't accomplished what I have in my dream.

~ • ~

Dreams always have to come to an end... don't they? Worst of all, you can't even remember what they were about. All I know now is that it's over. And now there's a different kind of ache, but I just try to ignore it.

My eyes flutter open. As expected, there was nothing but the white of my ceiling. How boring, how lonely and empty. Oh how it sends a feeling of disappointment through me.

Using what strength I have, my body is raised by my arms, my hands a secure platform against my wrinkled sheets. Then there, lying at the edge of my bed, is none other than Freckles. A smile slips onto my lips and my eyelids hung half lidded. Now that's a more appealing sight to wake up to.

A yawn escaped my lips and I escape the warmth of my blankets. Walking down my hallway, I find the water and the cup gone. Ratchet must've put it away for me. Another smile came to me, one of appreciation. With a shake of my head, I remove that smile.

'I'm just being ridiculous...' I scoffed, rubbing my head. Brushing away that thought, I make my way down the stairs and into the kitchen. I feed Freckles and make myself a coffee. I searched the medicine cabinet for something to help with my headache. I eventually find something and take it.

Breakfast was next on my list. When I looked at the time I saw it was 10, which is surprising, considering the latest I've ever slept is 8, so new record, I guess. My food ended up being leftovers and some bacon. I didn't feel like making eggs, so whatever.

Sitting at the table, I begin to eat. I scrolled through my phone and looked through emails and such. Usually I'd do it on my computer, but that was in my bag and hadn't been charged. My first thought was to eat then call Ratchet. But my second thought just ended up being 'hey, what's Ratchet doing right now?'

'That's not even something I need to think about right now... and that's just straight up weird. Ugh...' My body slouched and a frown grew on my lips once more. 'Maybe I should just hang out with him. I probably can't go back to bed...'

After some debate, I picked up my phone and scrolled through my contacts. Ratchet soon came into view and I called. After three seconds of ringing, the call picked up.

"Hello?"

"Hi Ratchet. I'm ready to be picked up if you're able to."

"Of course, I'll be there momentarily."

"Alright, see you soon."

I hung up the phone before I could say anything stupid. June's comment has gotten me thinking a lot. Maybe she's not wrong.

'Maybe I do like him.'

...

......

.........

'That's so weird though... he's an alien and I'm a human... could we even— OH MY GOSH BRAIN NO!' My head started to ache once more as my cheeks flushed a bright red. 'I hate you brain.'

Soon I find an email from my friend. Just some venting. Maybe I should call them. It's been a while since I had even spoke to them.

'It's about their ex husband...' I hum to myself and read through it. Something about him making stuff up and such. 'That poor dog.'

My friend and her ex never had kids, but they did have a dog. They split custody with the dog. Apparently he was blaming her for abuse. 'It's all weird.'

Getting my butt off my chair, I pack my things to head over. Who knows, I might get some work down if Ratchet gets busy. You know, busy saving the world and stuff.

'Hah. Oh my goodness, don't tell me this is going to end up being like one of those superhero love story things!' I roll my eyes and laugh. As if I even had a chance. He's probably not interested. 'Could they even do certain things...? I might ask one of these days, but definitely not now.'

'That would be really weird...'

'There might be a chance he'd bring it up though, I do want to learn more about them.'

Another headache hits me and I let out a groan. Why now? These headaches used to happen all the time in my more depressed years, and now they're back.

'Maybe I'm spiraling again. I'll get back on my feet though. I can do it!' I confidently smile to myself as I finish up getting ready.

I hear a honk and a quick short siren, then I get a call.

"I'm here."

"Hm. Really? I guess I couldn't tell when you honked and then blared the horn. Are you sure you're here?" I ask sarcastically. I heard him chuckle on the other end of the phone.

My. Heart. NO!!!!!

My face was red once more. I heard two more honks and a siren for a second longer. I rolled my eyes.

"Oh now I think that's you! Thanks!" I quickly hang up and laugh to myself. I give Freckles a kiss goodbye and leave. Of course, locking the door behind me.

I head to the ambulance and find no holoform this time. Not that I minded, I like his normal look way better. I'd like to do more of a thorough look though. 'That also sounds weird...'

"Are you feeling better?" Ratchet asked as he started driving out of my neighborhood. I give a sigh and brush my hair back.

"Besides some headaches every now and again, I feel great." I give a soft sigh, then smile. "Uh, thanks for cleaning up after me. You didn't have to."

"It's alright. I didn't want you slipping on it while you were leaving." Ratchet excused.

"What's going on today?" I ask, just wondering. Plus his voice was nice to listen to.

"Nothing yet. But our surveillance has been up since the incidents that happened; which includes the one you were involved in." Ratchet explained, leaving out some details. Buuuuut, I want to know, so push further.

"Really? What happened?" I ask, thinking back to the things Jack told me. My first thoughts were the scraplets, but that was a while ago.

(Spoiler)

"Optimus saved your planet from unicron. He lost his memories for a short while and gave Megatron some very important information that we don't even have. He decoded coordinates, so we need to keep an eye out for the Decepticons. Surprisingly the first incident after was with your kidnapping." Ratchet rambled. Some things were said weirdly, but I think I understood.

(Spoiler over)

"Surprised me too. I mean you guys are much more advanced than we are. What would you want with a human? Buuuut I guess his whole pet thing was fair argument." I shrug and take a glance out the window.

"You... want to be an alien pet?" Ratchet asked sounding weirded out.

"Eh-?! I didn't say that. I meant I understood why he wouldn't treat the human race as equals and throw us down to the non-intelligent pet level. I like what rights I have thank you very much." I say with a huff, blushing from embarrassment.

"Oh. Well if that's what you meant, I agree that that is what his thought process is." Ratchet replied, now clearly sounding awkward and embarrassed for making such a bold assumption.

"Geez... that was just... blunt..." I sigh with a small laugh. My hands over my face momentarily.

"I'm sorry..." he grumbled.

"No it's fine, that just caught me waaaay off guard. Usually I only get those questions from guys on the street." I admit with an eye roll.

"Really?"

"It's called catcalling. It's the worst. And it's scary. Just getting yelled at from across the street 'hey would you like to come home with me? Show me what type of woman you are.' Haha. Kidnapping related question and objectifying me. No thanks."

"That's... terrible. I've witnessed a few 'catcallings' on Cybertron. Things like 'look at the chassis on that one' (that's from Transformer: Animated) and 'nice aft'."

"Hm. Chassis is body right? And aft is... I think I know what that one is."

"Chassis is what we call our chests."

"Oh, alright. I can see that." I hum to myself, downloading that information in my mind. "Wow this conversation took a weird turn. Though I would like to know more about your culture and biology and such."

"I'd be happy to explain it to you." Ratchet said, his voice pleasant. "Whether or not I'd let you do anything is a different story."

"Yeah, of course, I understand there's limits."

The next thirty minutes to base included some basic information about their culture. He said we'd get to biology when we arrived at base. That way there could be some images to help.

When we did arrive, I saw Optimus on the computer. He didn't even turn when he greeted me. Maybe he was upset? He was a little difficult to read.

"Have you found anything?" Ratchet asked, stepping over to his side. I decided I'd just go up onto the platform while I waited to hangout.

"There are a few areas I've sent the others to look around at." Optimus spoke, stepping aside to allow Ratchet access to the computer. Ratchet took over and did another sweep. He tracked the others coordinates and kept a watchful optic for decepticon activity.

I hold back a sigh and sit on the couch and take out my computer. My head started to ache again, as well as my chest as an overwhelming feeling of sadness and disappointment wash over me. I had no right to feel that way and yet I did.

The feeling was horrible, it cursed me with a plague of guilt for being so selfish. He's protecting our world; they all are. At the end of the day, as long as he keeps doing what he's doing, our relationship is nothing.

A soft ringing sound could be heard as a red pinpoint marks the screen. Glancing up, I see a side box pop up. I could only assume the box held coordinates.

"I'm picking up a frequency." Ratchet said, Optimus now back by his side.

"An ancient Autobot relic?"

"One can only hope."

"We must go quickly, before the Decepticons can find it." Optimus said, in his usual leader voice. Ratchet nodded and pulled up a groundbridge. Optimus took lead and Ratchet left right after.

I finally release a long held sigh. My eyes watered and I brush my clenched fist against my right eye. 'And maybe it'll forever be that way...'