Falling Inside the Black

[Ratchet]

Not one moment was wasted before Ratchet wrapped his arms around Wheeljack, holding onto him loosely, but in a comfortable manner.

"Wheeljack.. the only thing I want right now.. is you.  You and our little one..  It's all I have right now."  Primus knew what Pharma was going through, and Ratchet knew there was nothing he could do to help his adopted sire in any way.  For now, he would nestle closely to his love, listening to the whirring of his spark.. as well as their little one's growing spark.

Soon~.

Even still, the events that had transpired had left the CMO a wreck.  It was hard just being in his quarters.  The small room had reminded him of the cell he'd been trapped in.. but Wheeljack just being there was enough to keep him from wanting to run out of the room.  His Conjunx was the one factor reminding him that he was home.. safe and sound.

Synthetic tears threatened to spill as the Wrecker did his best to comfort the medic.  He knew Wheeljack was doing everything he could, and some of it had honestly surprised Ratchet.  Just where had that stubborn Wrecker gone?  To be honest.. he liked this side of him.  Comforting and caring, not getting angry for how Ratchet had felt.  It meant so very much to him.  "I thought for sure.. Tarn was going to kill me.  I refused to do what Megatron wanted and.. I experienced his outlier ability first hand.  It was as if.. he was trying to crush my spark..  And each time I tried to escape, and I got close a couple of times.. Kaon made sure my punishments were.. electrifying for lack of better word.  There were times I was kept in that cell for what felt like days.. and I know for certain that must have been the case when you and Pharma found me.  Left in that silence and darkness without Energon.. and I can only assume it was an attempt to break my will just enough that I'd do as they said as to not experience that again.."

Ratchet's vents hitched, shaking as he thought back to it all.  "I was so scared I was going to lose you when you came for me.. and Kaon interfered.."

[Deleted]

Wheeljack's spark fluttered with those words. The only thing Ratchet wanted in this moment. He stroked Ratchet's cheek gently. "We'll have your papa back too one day. We will..."

When he heard Ratchet's story, he was quiet, listening to every word without interruption. He knew this was what Ratchet needed. And frankly, their little sprocket had softened the grizzled wrecker just a little. Just a little. Not to say he wasn't stubborn. His stubbornness had paid off.

"Those bastards better pray they don't meet me when I'm at full strength."

He then hugged Ratchet close. "Good thing that Sparky was off his game. I...I pray that Pharma's holding on. I know he's strong. He's survived them before and I know he will again. I bloody well know he's going to survive them again."

[Ratchet]

Ratchet leaned right into the touch as Wheeljack stroked his cheek.  It had always been a comforting feeling for him, and it was something that helped make him feel better during this hard time.  His engines purred softly as the medic relaxed, happy to even be having this moment with his Conjunx.

He didn't quite know how the Wrecker was going to react to his story, but it had been somewhat tamer than expected.  Maybe it been from the carrying, and their little sprocket had made that sort of impact on him.  If there was one thing he knew, it was that Wheeljack wouldn't waste a moment getting revenge for what they had done to Ratchet.  It wasn't a thought he was proud of.. especially when he was already worried about losing him to begin with.

It brought him great comfort when Wheeljack brought up Pharma, promising the older mech would make it out alive.  Ratchet tightened his grip around his Conjunx, holding him as close as he could.  His grip wasn't tight, partially due to how weak he was in that moment, but also to not do accidental harm.

"I hope so..  I really do.  I can't even imagine what he must be going through.. but I know he suffered greatly back at Delphi..  I don't know if he could handle it again.  If you say he's going to survive this.. I believe you.  I just have to believe.. especially when we have more to worry about right now on top of all this."  He shifted his helm, planting a soft kiss on his Conjunx's chest plating.  "I remember what you told me..  You wanted me to be the one to move our little spark from your spark chamber to their frame."

...oh Primus that was right.  "We.. do have a frame built for our Sprocket.. right?"

[Deleted]

Wheeljack only gave pause for a moment. He wanted to pause just to pay attention to the sound. Warm, comforted. Perhaps there was something to the 'gentle' thing after all! He was still a Wrecker, but he had a family to think of too, damn it.

Oh, indeed it was their little sprocket that had made that impact. He wanted to wait for the little one to be in the world in their own frame before he went on his roaring rampage of revenge. Perhaps starting with blowing one of those Decepticon Justice Freaks to smithereens if he managed to.

"Believe me, Sunshine. I saw the look in his optics. That was the look of a mech who KNEW he could handle it because he's survived it before. As...that blue lady said in that cartoon Strongarm showed us. He's 'felt worse'. Only I don't think he'll be dropping a barn on them?" Wheeljack shrugged. "Not because he can't, but because it's not his style."

Wheeljack then vented. "Aw frag! We don't...I wanted to wait until you...until we were together to design the frame together!"

[Ratchet]

It was amazing how one simple gesture, no matter how much stress he was under, was enough to help Ratchet calm down.  While it only eased the pains for a short while, it was a brief moment he could escape from the weakness and the memories that kept flooding back to his processor.

He couldn't even hold back a faint chuckle at his Conjunx's words.  He didn't remember the show at all, but he took Wheeljack's word on it.  He never did quite understand some of the things that Strongarm was into, and he could only blame Smokescreen for about half of it.  "I don't think he would drop anything on them.. aside from the occasional 'f bomb' as the humans call it.."  A soft smile formed, just admiring the mental image.  Surely that wouldn't be how things actually would happen, but it didn't hurt to imagine the things that could be sometimes.

However, Ratchet grew somewhat alarmed when he discovered the frame hadn't been made yet.  He couldn't get angry with Wheeljack, and he hadn't blamed him for wanting to wait until they were reunited.  It was only fair, but that rescue had taken five long months..  "Maybe.. after I rest up a little I can help you build the frame..?  We can brainstorm right now if you'd like to."  Moving one of his servos from around Wheeljack, he placed it upon his love's chest plating before rubbing it gently.  "You hear that little one..?  We have a little more work to do before we'll be ready for you, so.. don't get any bright ideas about separating early~."

[Deleted]

Wheeljack continued to stroke once again. He didn't mind that their little sprocket had softened him up a lot. He leaned his helm against Ratchet's cheek tenderly, a rare act for him.

"I think he dropped one as we were leaving, come to think of it." Wheeljack mused. "But really, I think you'd like this earth cartoon that Strongarm likes, even if it's about ladies who are like the person version of rocks."

Wheeljack gave a soft nod. "I think that's for the best. And...let's brainstorm. Let's brainstorm what we want our little sprocket to look like. So the little sprocket better stay in there." He chuckled.

[Ratchet]

Ratchet let his optics close, a soft smile forming as Wheeljack leaned his helm against his cheek plating.  He hadn't realized how touch starved he had been with the whole ordeal, moving his helm a little to get more comfortable.  He didn't want Wheeljack stop with the comfort touches just yet.  It not only calmed him, but temporarily brought back the smallest feeling of safety.

Something Ratchet hadn't felt in so long..

"We may have to watch that together one day..  I'm sure Strongarm's been worried out of her mind.  I really do want to see her, and.. I know how busy she's been.  Maybe after some rest.  I'll at least message her though, unless.. you already have."  Just how much did the others know about what had happened?  About his weakened condition, both physically and mentally.

He hummed to himself in thought, thinking up ideas for their little one.  "I want them to have.. a little bit of both of us.  Maybe.. your audial fins and my chevron?  Obvious they'll have a ground base alt mode like the both of us."  The medic's smile only grew at the thought.  "Door wings I'm.. not sure about.  I'm not saying yours are bad of course.  I just know they can be quite sensitive to the touch."