Ratchet and Wheeljack + female character
G1 designs (but in live-action style)
••Feeling shitty so I decided to write my two favorite characters comforting me. Obviously I'm using a character to stand in as me.

Today was not a good day.

I was stuck in my thoughts, slowly spiraling down into a pit of despair. All I could think about was how much of a loser I was.

I had no friends—they left a long time ago. I had no partner, either. No one ever texted me or wanted to make plans. No one ever pursued me romantically. I almost feel unlovable. I constantly see all of these people around me having fun with their friends or their partners while I sit and rot.

Today, the thoughts became unbearable. I needed to hide so no one saw me like this. I didn't want my burden to be someone else's as well.

I chose one of the old warehouses near the edge of the clearing. I was hoping they wouldn't find me there, but I suppose I should've expected it.

"Riley?"

Wheeljack's voice echoed off the walls and I cursed under my breath, frantically rubbing at my eyes to clear them of tears. He appeared from behind a stack of storage crates before I could finish. His optics were filled with concern.

"Hey, what's wrong, kiddo? Why are you in here all by yourself?" He asked gently, his audial fins glowing a soft blue. I heard the whir of his pistons as he knelt down beside me.

I couldn't find my voice. Every response I thought of caused me to choke up when I imagined myself saying it. How was I supposed to explain to him that I was here because I hated myself and didn't want to bother anyone else with my pain?

Wheeljack's brows furrowed together. "Did something happen? Did something break?" He inquired, leaning closer as if he was trying to search my body language for answers. "Listen, if you broke something, all you have to do is tell me. You know I can fix it!"

"You can't..." The words died mid-sentence in my throat and I swallowed thickly, fresh tears gathering in my eyes. "You can't fix it, Wheeljack.."

"Why not? Lots of people have told me that I can't fix somethi—"

"You can't fix it because I'm the thing that's broken!" I suddenly screamed, unable to contain myself any longer. Hot tears spilled down my cheeks as I slowly looked up at him. The look in his optics absolutely crushed me. "My brain is the only brain I've got. That means I have to live with it even if it's making me hate myself, and living with it is exhausting!"

Wheeljack helplessly sat there as I broke down into quiet sobs, his hands hovering over me in indecision as he tried to figure out what he could do to help. He'd never experienced such a thing with humans before and quite frankly, it scared him to death.

Luckily he wasn't alone for much longer, as Ratchet soon arrived to see what he was doing.

"What happened?" Ratchet asked, frowning as he knelt down beside Wheeljack.

"I think she's having a breakdown." Wheeljack said. "And I think I made it worse..."

Ratchet released a soft sigh and shifted his attention to me. While he wasn't an expert in dealing with emotions, he was going to try his best to help.

"Riley." He said, his voice even and soft. He reached forward with one finger and carefully brushed some hair out of my face. "Please look at me."

I rubbed my eyes with my palms before slowly lifting my head. Seeing both of them look at me with such concern made me want to cry again.

Ratchet smiled a little once he saw my face, but it soon disappeared. "Do you want to tell me what's causing you so much pain?"

I shook my head. "It's... a lot of things. Too many to talk about.." I murmured.

"Alright." His joints creaked as he shifted his position. "Would you like to just talk and have us listen?"

I wrung my hands together in my lap. Ratchet and Wheeljack were my friends, yet I was terrified of exposing my vulnerabilities to them. I was afraid they might judge me or perhaps scold me for even feeling that way despite knowing that they would never do that.

"Actually... a hug would be just fine." I murmured. I didn't want to talk about it anymore, let alone think about it. I just needed to be held and comforted. "B-But not with your holoforms! ...Please."

Ratchet smiled again, his optics glimmering a bit. "We can do that." He said as he glanced at Wheeljack.

"Sure thing." Wheeljack said. I could tell he was smiling based on the way his optics lifted up slightly.

My heart fluttered as Ratchet carefully tucked me into his palm and brought me close to his chest. He opened his hand so that Wheeljack could hold me as well. Both of them leaned in close, their helms almost touching. It was the best they could do and that's all I wanted. I smiled a little bit as I leaned forward to be close to them and feel the energy vibrating beneath their plating.

In that moment, I knew I would be okay.

I wasn't alone in this fight.