come and get your love

[Deleted]

Surprise prickled against his EM field as he settled his arm around the other bot, and Ratchet stiffened against him. For that agonizingly long moment, Wheeljack wondered if he’d made crossed some boundary (despite the fact that they had shared similar close proximity before, of course, and were no strangers to settling close to each other to watch movies together) before surprise melted to contentment, and the medic relaxed against him, catching him in his gaze.

Wheeljack could not help but be transfixed by Ratchet’s cerulean optics then, which glowed a bright and gentle cerulean. The medic looked younger, as if thousands of years of worry and stress had temporarily faded away, and the Wrecker knew from experience that that kind of lowering of the guard did not come easy. He felt like the luckiest mech in the universe knowing that Ratchet trusted him enough to relax... and that he was the intended recipient of such a delighted smile. That feeling only grew exponentially as Ratchet settled in closer, completely devoid of the tension that had been in his frame for so long.

It was just him and Ratchet, and Wheeljack couldn’t be happier.

“You sayin’ I’m prone to things explodin’ in my face?” Wheeljack teased as their poor big screen protagonist ran afoul of chemistry, turning playfully to give Ratchet a look of mock outrage. Still, he couldn’t deny that he identified with Mark Watney: they were both engineers, for one, and they were clever, resourceful, and had a similar sense of humor. “There’s still half a movie left. He wouldn’t die halfway through the movie,” He muttered. He honestly hadn’t expected much from this movie, but considering they both were metaphorically on the edge of their seats waiting to see how the poor squishy would get himself out of each subsequent disaster that struck.

The very thought of Ratchet being stranded and alone made a jolt race through his spark. “Y’won’t ever be stuck on a deserted planet, not if I have anythin’ t’say ‘bout it,” Wheeljack told him, his face dead serious. And yet, were they not stranded now on a planet far from their home just as Mark Watney was, fighting for their lives? Sure, Wheeljack could hop into the Jackhammer and take off at any time, but the other Autobots were stuck here. “And if you were, you wouldn’t be alone,” He vowed.

Each disaster after, Watney came up with a way to keep surviving, but finally he was safely aboard his ship with his crewmates, Earth-bound and free. Wheeljack breathed a sigh of relief. By the time the movie ended, the sun had long since disappeared below the horizon, and the moon and the stars had risen to take its place. The credits rolled, and Wheeljack turned, fully intending to ask what else they should watch next, but he found himself suddenly without words, suddenly blown away by just how- perfect, amazing, wonderful Ratchet was.

Ratchet’s mouth wasn’t so far away, and his lips were right there, and it seemed like such a simple, obvious thing to do, so Wheeljack leaned in and kissed him. And oh, it was bliss!

And then he choked. “F-Frag!” Wheeljack spluttered, leaning back. “I- frag, sorry, sorry, shoulda’ asked first, sorry!”

[Ratchet]

It was strange to feel so relaxed, resting on Wheeljack's shoulder.  Ratchet couldn't even recall a time that he had last felt like this.  He knew realistically the dangers were there, but he felt so safe with Wheeljack's arm wrapped around him.. as if nothing could possibly hurt him.. as if the Decepticons could never touch him.  The medic wanted this feeling to last, but he knew that the Wrecker was going to have to let go eventually.  While he knew he was fully capable of defending himself, the idea of Wheeljack protecting him wasn't quite as bad as it first seemed.

"W-well of course not!  At least.. not in your face.  More the faces of others.. the Decepticons."  Great, now he was stammering.  The Wrecker had certainly been good at getting that reaction out of him, but at least he could get some amusement out of it all.  "I meant.. you're both incredibly smart and brave, and he has the same sense of humor as you do.  You're both fighters, as well.  He's fighting out there, alone.. doing everything possible to stay alive, and I know that you're the same way.  You had to be as a Wrecker, don't you?"  It hadn't even dawned on him that they were halfway through the movie, and that there was no was that Watney could have doomed himself so quickly.  Otherwise there would be no movie!  "I suppose you're right."

However, as Wheeljack spoke to him, vowing that he would never allow Ratchet to be stranded on a planet alone, the medic looked to the younger mech in awe, optics wide.  Not once would he ever have expected to here those words, but it was comforting to know that Wheeljack wouldn't leave him somewhere, especially alone.  "Wheeljack, I," he began, so surprised and touched that he didn't even know what to say.  Just knowing all of this made Ratchet.. feel loved.  Extraordinarily so.

"I'm.. touched that you would go through so much trouble for me.  I promise that if you were in the same situation.. I would come for you.  No matter what it took; No matter how long it would take."

Ratchet continued to lean against Wheeljack for the remainder of the movie, glancing up at the sky at one point towards the end.  When had the night sky been so beautiful on Earth..?  So many stars and planets, and even Earth's poorly named moon.. he had to wonder just which of those blinking lights had been Cybertron.  His attention returned to the movie as they said something about making a bomb for the airlock in the ship that Watney was going back to.  Were they insane?!  Regardless.. somehow it all worked out, and they got Watney on board so they could head back home.

The CMO's optics turned towards Wheeljack, finding himself captivated by his cyan optics.  Primus, they really lit up in the dark.  He'd been so distracted by them, that he never saw the kiss coming.  Letting out a quiet, surprised gasp, his optics widened slightly as a blush crept onto his faceplates.  He could taste the energon goodies that the other mech had been eating during the movie on his lips.. and he wanted more.  As he was about to lean forward, that's when Wheeljack pulled away, profusely apologizing for his sudden actions.

And Ratchet could only smile in a soft and comforting manner.

"Wheeljack.. You don't have to apologize.  I know that some don't necessarily like surprises like that, but.. I.. I admit that I.. liked that."  Without another word, Ratchet leaned forward with closed optics, returning the kiss that Wheeljack had started.  He kept it firm, yet gentle, raising a hand in order to cup Wheeljack's cheek with his digits curling just under his fin.

To the medic, it was the best feeling in the world.

[Deleted]

Contrary to what might be popular belief, Wheeljack did not make it a habit of stealing kisses from the bots he was particularly fond of without their explicit consent. And yet- well. With the way Ratchet had been looking at him, and just how perfectly kissable his lips had been, who could blame him?

’We do not kiss bots without askin’,’ He reminded himself sternly. ‘No matter how kissable they look!’

Still, even if he had made a fantastic mess of things, stammering out apologies like a flustered green rookie wasn’t exactly like him at all… except when it came to Ratchet, apparently. Funny how Ratchet was beginning to end up being his one exception to every rule he’d made for himself! Under normal circumstances, Wheeljack would rather have had his dentae yanked out than come up with an apology. Ratchet, though… Ratchet deserved every apology. ’Gone an’ put your foot in it again, Jackie!’

“I shoulda’ asked,” Wheeljack asserted, not paying attention to what Ratchet was saying, “An’ made sure you were good with it- wait, what?” His processor then promptly stalled at the words ‘I liked that’. And then clever hands cupped his cheekplating, and if he’d thought kissing Ratchet before had been great, Ratchet kissing him was even better. Well, then. Maybe he hadn’t put his foot in it after all!

The Wrecker took Ratchet’s other hand in his own, and gently lead it upwards until it was pressed over the center of his chest. Beneath layers of armor and plating the very essence of his life pulsated and whirled, and the tiniest of vibrations of this lifeforce now thrummed under the medic’s fingers.He broke away from their kiss to murmur, “Feel that? That’s beatin’ fer you. You, and nobody else.”

[Ratchet]

Ratchet understood full well why Wheeljack had felt as bad as he did when it came to that spontaneous kiss.  It was an uncomfortable thing for some, and it was always best to ask first just to be sure.  Lucky for Wheeljack, Ratchet had felt perfectly comfortable with it all.  It wasn't as if he was the only one who had been tempted to kiss the other, but the Wrecker was just the one who acted first on it.

It had felt better than the medic could have ever imagined.

As he kissed the younger mech back, Ratchet gently and slowly stroked Wheeljack's cupped cheekplate with his thumb.  The motion alone had been a comfort to him, and he wondered if the Wrecker would feel the same way about it.  He hummed softly as Wheeljack took his hand into his own, letting him guide it wherever it was he had wanted to go.  There was no resistance at all.

When his digits made contact with the Wrecker's chest, he had been somewhat surprised.  He looked to Wheeljack curiously as the kiss was broken, not once uttering a single word.  Instead, he let his optics move to his hand, feeling what the younger mech wanted him to: his spark under all the plating.  It felt so strange, feeling the pulsating of his own spark as well as Wheeljack's at the tips of his digits.  It wasn't in danger, and it wasn't being moved to another frame.  It was just there, just as lively as his own.. and it was a wonderful feeling.

"Wheeljack..  To feel both our sparks pulsating like this..  It's beautiful."

Ratchet grabbed Wheeljack's hand, pulling it slowly to his own chest.  "This.. this right here."  He rested the Wrecker's hand right on the center of his chest, a smile of adoration forming on his lips.  "You stole this from me, but.. I want you to keep it.  Just as your spark beats for me, mine does also for you.. and I am more than happy to let my life rest in your hands.  I know you'll keep it safe."

Not once did he ever think he would find this level of happiness with someone, but he was glad that it was with Wheeljack.

"I love you."

[Deleted]

“Aww, Sunshine, you stole my lines, I’m the one supposed t’break out the schmoopy ‘you stole my spark’ thing,” He teased, though his voice sounded more reverant than anything else at knowing that the very spark of his beloved thrummed happily beneath his fingertips, just as his did beneath Ratchet’s. One beat, and then two, and then with a sharp breath, he realized that their pulses were already beginning to harmonize. It was the most amazing thing in the universe.

Three simple little words, and yet in those moments WHeeljack found himself suddenly without a voice. It was funny, considering he’d had no problems with saying them before (unlike when he’d first realized things had gotten complicated and hadn’t wanted to admit it), but suddenly it was as if the words themselves did not quite express the love he felt for Ratchet. How could he possibly show his lover how important he was?

The decision was made without even thinking.

Beneath Ratchet’s fingertips, layers of thick, heavy armour plating began to retract. The thinner protoform plating beneath that followed suit, before finally his very spark chamber clicked open, and his very life’s essence was bared. It had been an incredibly long time since he’d let anyone see the pulsing blue mass in his core, even for medical purposes, but he could think of no better way to show Ratchet his love. Tendrils of light edged closer to the digits hovering over his spark, and he was left breathless in the gentle buzz of pleasure it caused.

“It’s yours,” Wheeljack whispered, and swallowed hard. The soft glow of his spark casting a gentle blue glow across his features. “It’s all yours.”

[Ratchet]

For once with Wheeljack's teasings, Ratchet chuckled softly.  Sometimes he worried whether or not the guy was serious or not, but he knew full well that this was all playful banter at this point.  "There's nothing wrong with that.. since we stole each other's sparks.  It's a comforting thought, really.  It's meaningful."  No one could make the medic feel the way that Wheeljack could.

Which had been why he had felt the need to say he loved him.

What he hadn't expected was for Wheeljack to express his love in a different way.  Actions always had been stronger than words, and it hadn't dawned on the CMO until the very moment that Wheeljack opened his chest for him, exposing his spark.  Ratchet nearly drew his hand back, but found the will to keep his hand right where it had been.  Sparks were quite fragile, almost if not more so than the humans.  Keeping his hand directly in front of Wheeljack's life essence had felt like a shield, that he was protecting him from any stray threat that could happen at any given moment.

If his love could trust him that much, love him that much.. then he could too.

Ratchet let plating slide away, allowing the light of his own spark to join Wheeljack's.  He was worried at first, especially as he had never allowed anyone aside from another medic see his spark before.. but he knew the Wrecker wouldn't harm him, let alone allow any harm to come to him.  Once some of that nervousness faded, he smiled softly.

"What do you... think of bonding?  About.. Conjunx Endura?  I.. have never done this before.  I've never felt this strongly about anyone, but with you?  It feels right.  We've been through so much together, and shared so much together.  I.. don't want to be with anyone but you.  Just as I'm your Sunshine, you light up my life.. just as the moon lights the night sky right now."  Ratchet's face screwed up a little, trying to hold back a soft chuckle.  "It's 'corny', I know.. but.. that's truly how I feel about you.  You're the light that came to me when everything was dark.  You gave me hope that we'd see a better life after this war."

[Deleted]

For that long, terrible moment, sitting there with his plating retracted and his spark bared, Wheeljack feared that he’d made a mistake. What if Ratchet didn’t feel quite the same way? What if he was jumping too fast and too far in offering up his spark? He swallowed hard, and the spark in question flittered nervously under the medic’s digit tips. Even if Ratchet didn’t feel the same way, though, it did not change how he felt.

And then- the thick white and red plating beneath his own fingertips began to retract too, revealing the precious ball of light that was his beloved’s very being. Ratchet’s spark was the most beautiful thing he’d ever laid his optics on, and Wheeljack uttered a soft, reverent gasp at the sight of its wondrous light. “... You’re beautiful,” He whispered, a look of awe upon his scarred face.

Conjunx Endura… once, the very idea had repulsed him, and he’d never been able to imagine finding someone that he might ever share such a connection with another to ever desire the thing, but now? “I haven’t done this before, either, Sunshine,” Wheeljack breathed back, “But right now? It sounds… It sounds like a very, very good idea. I don’t want anythin’ else in the universe but this.”

With the brightest, softest of smiles, Wheeljack leaned in again to kiss Ratchet, their open chestplates slowly coming nearer and nearer, until their sparks began to reach for each other with thin, cirrus-like strands of pure energy. As two became one, the Wrecker was surprised to feel a presence not only in his spark but his very being, as if boundaries between Ratchet and himself were beginning to blur.

’Hey, Sunshine,’ he greeted, only it more of a wordless sentiment, pure and happy and bright in ways Wheeljack had not felt in a very long time. ’We okay?’

[Ratchet]

Ratchet returned Wheeljack's look of awe when he heard his murmured statement upon seeing his spark.  He really thought.. he was beautiful?  He'd never had anyone call him that before, and that alone caused a blush to return on his faceplates.  "Wheeljack, you... you're beautiful, too."  He honestly didn't know how to return the comment, but it flattered him greatly.

The medic himself had also not been sure about the entire Conjunx Endura thing.  He'd always hoped that one day he'd find someone, but after so long he had nearly given up on the idea.  But then Wheeljack had come into his life, and everything changed when he was almost killed.  Who would have guessed that spending time together like that would have lead them down this path, but Ratchet never regretted it.  Now he knew that Wheeljack was the one he wanted to be with, and wanted to bond with him.

He leaned forward as his love kissed him again, smiling as he wrapped his arms around the Wrecker.  As their chests closed in on each other, their sparks began to mingle.  It was such a strange feeling, but a wonderful one at the very same time.  Everything began to feel different the longer their two sparks interacted.  It was one thing to read about what bonds were like.  It was something completely different to actually experience it for yourself.

Which was why he was so surprised hear Wheeljack's voice in his head.

'We're fine.  More than fine in fact.  This is going to take some getting used to.. having you in my head, but.. I know we'll get used to it with time.'  Letting go of Wheejack, he took one of his Conjunx's hands into his own, squeezing it gently.  Now they would be closer than ever, and Ratchet couldn't possibly be any happier than he was at this given moment.  It radiated in his field, and he wasn't making a secret of it.

'The others are going to have a field day when they find out.'

[Deleted]

‘Well, I guess I could get used t’this,’ He teased lightly, though he was actually thrilled to bits at the idea of telepathy through a bond with Ratchet. ‘Though this means y’ain’t gonna get rid of me that easy!’

The closer their sparks came together, the more they intermingled, and the stronger the sensation of blurring became. Ratchet took his hand and squeezed, and Wheeljack squeezed back, mirroring his unadulterated joy. Closer and closer, until their sparks merged completely, but for only a split nanosecond. The union was heralded by a magnificent burst of light and a wave of pleasure that was pure and chaste and bright, and Wheeljack had never felt something so powerful and euphoric in his life.

A split nanosecond was all it took to bind their sparks together into perfect synchronization of polarity, and then it was over, but it was not a nanosecond Wheeljack would ever forget. Their sparks continued to coalesce even as they moved apart once more, parted but never parted. He pressed his forehelm against Ratchet’s with the happiest of sighs, and grinned at him.

“Hi, Conjunx,” He whispered, and reveled in the thrill of knowing that that was what they were now.

[Ratchet]

'That's the thing, Wheeljack.  I don't want to be rid of you.  I want to stay with you.. forever.'  It spoke volumes of how much Ratchet loved Wheeljack to want to stay with him.  Never would he have imagined feeling this way about anyone, but somehow the Wrecker had gotten to him in that way.  He knew that he was going to appreciate this private line of theirs, knowing that there was no way anyone would be able to overhear them or hack into their conversations somehow.

This was theirs to enjoy, and theirs alone.

Ratchet smiled brightly as Wheeljack squeezed his hand back, shifting his hand a little so that he could intertwine his digits with his beloved's.. just like their sparks had been doing.  The feeling was so strange as their sparks merged and so new, but it brought immense joy to the medic as well.  It grew the more they merged, and the boundaries between himself and Wheeljack blurred until for the briefest of nanoseconds.. it had felt that they were one whole entity.

The play date between their two sparks had ended with a bang, Ratchet wishing that their merged sparks could only stay together a little longer.  He loved the feeling of it all, and wasn't quite ready for it to end.

He sighed just as contently as his Wrecker pressed his forehelm against his own, smiling all the while.  Conjunx.. The way it sounded coming out of Wheeljack's mouth was simply the best.  "And hello to you, too, my Conjunx."

Ratchet chuckled softly, staring into Wheeljack's cyan optics longingly.  It'd been so very long since he'd felt this much happiness, pure and simple.  Primus he couldn't even remember the last time he'd been this overjoyed.  "I.. want to indulge in some of that ceiling staring.  That is.. if you want to.  You've made this the best night of my life, and.. I don't want it to stop.  I want to keep going with you, and I want to see where the night takes us."  His smile took a more daring approach, keeping his optics locked on his newly crowned Conjunx Endura.

It looked as if this would be Wheeljack's lucky night indeed.

[Deleted]

‘Ceiling staring’? Wheeljack certainly perked up at those words, his surprise quickly turning into a heated half-lidded gaze (and something else certainly perked up in interest as well) that matched Ratchet’s own. Ohoho, his Conjunx certainly didn’t need to ask if he wanted to. “Steamy ceilin’ starin’?” He purred, lifting one of the medic’s hands up to press a slow and sensual kiss against sensitive digits. “Sunshine, I thought you’d never ask.”

In the light of the moon - not to mention the light from the movie screen, which still faithfully projected despite their state of distraction - Ratchet looked so happy, happier than he’d been in a long time. As much as Wheeljack would love to have a tumble right there under the stars, even he knew that going at it out in the open like this was asking for trouble. “Let’s take this somewhere more comfortable, hmm?”

He only stopped to shut off the projector, before tugging his lover-and-Conjunx to his feet and away.Back to the Jackhammer they went, which was conveniently parked closeby (though, he’d parked it close not because he thought he’d be getting lucky tonight, but as a contingency just in case they needed to make a quick getaway). The bunk was still a bit small, but- well. They could make it work.

Oho, they made it work, and they made it work in the best way.

Later, when they were satisfied and content, Wheeljack happily settled into recharge with Ratchet safely in his arms, tangled together upon the berth. They were both blissfully oblivious of the tiny new life they had kindled into being by their merging sparks, unaware of the improbable miracle they had brought into being with their love.