heavyweaponsbot | 45th Transmission

[Ratchet doesn't bother verbally answering the summons - It was faster to simply make his way to the top deck, the tiny Hummer rolling across the top deck until he caught sight of the broad black shadow.

Transforming back to his root form, he wandered up behind him, making no effort to disguise his presence.]

Are you alright?

[Ironhide doesn't turn around. His shoulders draw up, instantly tensing at the other's presence.

Can he do this? Should he? He's fiddling with the object in his hands--whatever it is, it's small, and looks ridiculous in his big palms.]

... Yeah. Just... had something to say.

[He tilts his head slightly, patiently waiting for the other to continue.

He was acting... unusual. Ratchet half-expected him to confess to having broken something, lost one of the various creatures living in their quarters... But he wouldn't have called him away for that.]

Hm?

[This is more difficult than he thought it would be. Quite frankly, he's tempted to call the whole thing off and bolt, make up some excuse. This is all King's fault--if he hadn't brought the subject up.

He continues to fidget, shifting away from the other. His gaze is firmly fixed upward, at the sky.]

... Spoke with King. Friend of mine. He... wanted to know about... about our... How we...

[The next words come out in kind of a rush, before he can stop himself.]

... if we have a similar custom to their "marriage."

[He blinks, not quite understanding.]

Ironhide, if you required me to explain the basics of bonding, I could have done so from our quarters.

[No, that wasn't what he meant. He growls, frustrated with himself. Why can't he just... say it? It should be so simple.]

I know how it works!

[He makes a disgruntled sound, passing his free hand over his face.]

I... We... talked of it. Sort of. His... explanation... of it--he said... their custom is... a promise. Stay with the other. Throughout everything. You want no other, you do not want them to have another... you... love... them.

Thought it... sounded similar... enough.

[This isn't going where he wanted it to go. He's rambling. He makes a face, and swears a few times.]

I have read a few books that mentioned their marriage vows, but I have never studied them in depth. It is fascinating that we should have so many parallels, considering the differences in our races...

[He ponders it for a moment, temporarily distracted from Ironhide's unsual behaviour. It had never been a topic he had thought to pursue for some reason.

Sorry Ironhide, you'll have to wait a minute while he sciencetalks to himself.]

Admittedly, it does seem an unusual topic for you to take an interest in. Is King considering undertaking a marriage?

[The sciencetalk is a good distraction too. He may... actually pay attention this time. If only to keep himself from thinking about what he's trying to do.]

I... Maybe. It... that was... You--can you... see where I... He... said we acted... as if we were already 'married'.

[His vents force out a rush of air. And then in again.]

It... I was... Hmnf!

[The last bit is more of a snarl of syllables than his usual displeased sound. He suddenly turns his head, looking hard at his friend.]

... Would you ever consider it? With... the war on?

[Ratchet actually just... stared at Ironhide for a moment, dumbstruck. He had never seen him in such a state, so... flustered before. He was stumbling over words left and right, barely making a coherent sentence...

But then, it all made sense. Everything clicked, Ratchet finally being able to see and understand the whole picture. Relationships were one of the only things that phased the weapons master, after all, and he had just asked...

...]

Ironhide, are you... asking me to take part in a human marriage ritual?

[It's a relief when Ratchet speaks. An immense relief. He doesn't have to try and stumble over what he wants to say. He can just let his friend take care of that. He shrugs, stepping closer.

It's... now or never. If he runs now, he won't ever have the spinal struts to do this again.]

Not... exactly... A little of it.

[He reaches over to roughly grab the other's hand, and dumps something into it. It makes a metallic clink.]

... Mostly... Ours.

[There's a long silence as Ratchet stares at Ironhide, still having difficulty believing that this was happening at all.

He was perfectly content with their relationship as it had been, not thinking to expect more. It had been difficult enough for Ironhide to make that step - and it meant a lot to him that he even would.

But he certainly hadn't expected this.

Lowering his gaze to his hand, he inspected what Ironhide had given him.]

... What is this?

[He knew he should be addressing Ironhide's other questions, but his processor was blank. Of course he would. It was a horrible idea from a medic's perspective, but from Ratchet's perspective... there was no other answer.]

[The silence... worries him. Was this wrong? Was he not supposed to... ask for this? He takes a step back, crossing his arms.]

Nothing. Just... forget it.

[It is, in fact, something. He wasn't able to find a ring like King had mentioned--not one that would fit his friend. He'd found a fork instead, and bent it into a rough circle.

Stupid, he supposed.]

Ratchet... forget--forget I brought this up. It... foolish idea. Stupid.

[There's a war. They're too important to their team. Should they go through with this, and something happen... they shouldn't risk it. He steps back again, intending to brush by him, and leave.]

No.

[Closing his hand around the ring, Ratchet makes a grab for the other's shoulder, trying to haul him back.]

There is nothing foolish about it.

I just... I suppose I assumed you would already know my answer.

[He manages a half-smile at that, still worried that he had somehow ruined this opportunity.]

I doubt there is any other who would put up with you - or me, for that matter.

...

[No?

At first, he thinks it's a refusal. His spark drops several inches in his chest. He really should have thought this through--

--and then there's a hand on his shoulder, pulling him backward. He staggers a few strides, before he can actually look Ratchet in the face.

And frankly, Ironhide looks like someone hit him over the head with a brick.]

... What? You... No. I don't... know.

[He just stares, as if by looking at him, he'll know what he's supposed to say.]

Even if- when we return to our own world, I would not regret what we have done here.

[Opening his hand, he glances down at the ring - While he was no expert at that particularly human custom, he had a vague idea he knew what it was meant to be. Looking at Ironhide's attempt made the smile widen, tightening his hold on the other's shoulder.]

You asked if I would consider - And my answer is yes.

[Again, the pole-axed expression. He can't quite seem to wipe it from his face. He fully expected this to end... badly.

But what part of this had been as he expected?

His vocal processor refuses to function as well. Never, in any brief, squashed little fantasy had he ever thought of... anything like this. Never wanted it--it had never been important. And then this place had happened... and all he wanted was to never leave his friend's side.

He doesn't try to say anything--speech has never been his strong suit. Instead, he steps forward again, resting his forehead against the other's.]

You... sure you can deal with me? Until... the end?

I doubt I would have had a choice - You practically lived in my medbay anyway.

[He chuckles quietly, resting his weight easily against his partner. It was more comfortable than it should have been, but... they deserved some reprieve after so many centuries of war, didn't they?]

Though, I imagine this will make the need for secrecy all the more important.

[If anyone so much as attempted to use him against Ironhide, he would saw their face off - As simple as that.]

[His confused expression is slowly slipping into a grin. He can't control it. And, suddenly, he doesn't care. His arms are around him. He couldn't let him go right now anymore than he could fly.

How did it get to this point? How?

...

Oh. Right. He owed King and the green-haired boy a debt.]

No one has to know. Keep it quiet. Just as before.

[One hand moves up to rest against the other's face.]

Going to have to... remind me how this works. Think it ran out of my processor just now.

45th Transmission

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject