Title: Sweet as Candy
Authors: vectorsigma3441 as Ratchet, diamondunicorn (LJ) as Mirage
Rating: NC-17
Characters/Pairings: Ratchet/Mirage, implied Ratchet/Ironhide
Summary: It's Mirage's first day with the Autobots when he reunites with a familiar face. His old doctor, Ratchet, who takes the time to appreciate how much Mirage has grown.
Series: G1
Warnings: Slash, explicit sex

With quiet, careful steps, Mirage walked down the Autobot base halls. It was his first day with the Autobots and for now they were letting him get 'settled in'. He wasn't entirely sure how comfortable he wanted to make himself at the moment. He didn't like fighting, he'd joined mostly because he had nowhere else to go, and he loathed the Decepticons for what they'd done. Never had he thought he'd long so much for a familiar or friendly face.

He paused as he came to an open doorway in the long halls. None of the other rooms were open, why was this one? He peered inside, seeing a long row of clean berths. The area smelled sterile, the back of the room lined with a long counter, and in the corner of the room, a single desk. Even in his limited experience, he could recognize it as a medical bay. It would explain why the door was open, to welcome in anyone who was hurt.

There was a mech at the counters, his back to Mirage and wiping them down. Despite the turned back, he was almost positive he recognized the mech. He'd seen that back many times growing up. "Doctor Ratchet?" Mirage said, taking a cautious step inside.

Ratchet kept his medbay clean, perfect, and wouldn't have it any other way. Messes made it un-sterile and unwelcoming, so he did his best to keep it as clean as possible, probably even to the point of paranoia. Though, of course, Ratchet had his reasons for everything, and they were all just.

With blue optics dimmed, he continued to scrub at the counter, though at that voice he turned and looked, slightly startled. There were always certain times when he would be thinking too hard and forget to pay attention. The red and white colored medic straightened up and arched his back, allowing the twisted wires and joints to unravel and pop. Then he looked again, seeing the young mech that wandered into the medbay who looked rather apprehensive. "Mirage," he said with a slight tone of disbelief, and then he smiled, turning fully so he could look upon the other mech's form. "You've grown quite a bit," he noted casually. Of course the mech had... he looked as good as Ratchet remember, lithe and small with beautiful curves and angular hips... "How can I assist you?" he obligatorily said, and his optics hastily roved back upwards when he realized they had been wandering.

Mirage didn't notice the appreciative look, approaching the medic and relaxing in the presence of his old doctor. He even smiled a little. He'd always liked Ratchet, he had been a nice doctor, skilled at easing the worries of his youngling patient's with a friendly smile and energon sweets. "I just joined the Autobots. I've been exploring and trying to get used to this place. It's nice to see someone familiar."

"Ahh, yes, not many of the type you're used to, I'm afraid... Though the second in command, Prowl, is from the Praxus line of nobility... Otherwise I'm afraid you're all there is," Ratchet murmured in reply. "I was hired on as Prime's personal surgeon, but then a whole mess started and was opted for CMO instead..." He smiled endearingly at the younger mech and turned to a nearby sink to wash his servos. "But don't worry, there's a lot of nice 'bots around here."

Mirage nodded. "That is reassuring to know. This situation is hard enough without being around unpleasant characters. I did meet Prowl briefly, he showed me my quarters and told me what was expected of me. He did mention I would eventually have to schedule a maintenance check."

"Oh, yes, all the new soldiers that come in have to get one. Got to make sure there aren't any viruses or problems after all. Can't have a mech going into battle whose damaged..." the medic murmured, and he turned the faucet off and dried his hands on a clean rag. "Why don't I take a look at you right now? There's no one here at the moment, and there are private rooms towards the back." The larger mech motioned with one hand towards the end of the room were a few doors were.

"Alright," Mirage said, following Ratchet into one of the private medical rooms. He took the single berth in it, sitting primly with his arms at his sides and his legs pressed together, one tucked behind the other. "It is good to see you again Ratchet, it has been some time since I last saw you."

"Indeed," Ratchet replied, and he locked the door, making it so no one could sneak inside or bother them. "There's a pair of twins around here that like causing trouble," he said, explaining his need to do it. Then turned and opened a drawer, taking a small tray of tools out, none that were too sharp looking, and he set it upon a rolling stand so he could wheel it to Mirage. The medic pulled out a scanner from his subspace and turned it on, smiling easily to the younger mech. "Why don't you just scoot over and lay on your back? It'll be easier for me to get to parts of your frame," the medic spoke, letting his optics travel the length of the younger mech's frame, though if it was unprofessional, it was hard to tell.

Mirage nodded, obediently laying back. He settled his hands over his chassis, fingers lightly drumming on the white plating. His legs fell open a little as he relaxed against the berth. "How has army life been for you? I imagine treating warriors must be much different from treating younglings."

"Army life is good, I have a cushy commanding position," the mech murmured, "though of course, it has its challenges. The mechs are louder and ruder, but essentially, it's much the same, if perhaps worse... Have mechs whining about the tiniest of cuts," he murmured, then clicked his glossa to accent his words. Of course he didn't miss as Mirage relaxed his position, and Ratchet's blue optics were directed to the shiny and smooth panel between the young mech's legs... Then he shook himself, chuckling softly at his own antics. He wasn't interfacing deprived at all, had more than a few mechs willing to please him, but for some reason Mirage had piqued his interest. A red colored hand moved over the mech's stomach plating, lightly treading, and he poked around at a few spots, making sure that the plating wasn't loose. Leaning closer, he pulled out a small tool, one for separating wires, and he spied one of the sensors nodes on the mech's wiring. Then he prodded lightly at it, allowing the cold metal to linger over it.

Mirage had to suppress the urge to squirm at all the light touches. He'd always been a bit sensitive, perhaps from his easy lifestyle and light plating. He tensed at the cold touch to one of the sensor nodes hidden in his plating. It sent a small jolt of pleasure to his CPU. It felt good, too good for a medical exam. "But they're warriors, shouldn't they be tougher than that?" Mirage asked, trying to ignore the feeling of the node being prodded.

"You would think so," Ratchet murmured back, bent over as he continued to mercilessly stimulate that node, but quit after a few moments before the mech started to grow more uncomfortable. Really, he didn't know what he was trying to achieve, but the thought of Mirage wet and writhing sent a thrill up his backstrut. It hadn't been the first time he'd manipulated a patient for his own ends. Drawing that tool out, he carefully kept his expression aloof, then worked his hands up that chassis displayed for him, making sure that there wasn't any lose plating or similar things, and very coyly slipping that tool in to brush across sensor nodes when he saw them. How long would it take him to realize that Ratchet was playing with him? When Ratchet was up at Mirage's neck he allowed his fingers to rub across that neck tubing, lightly caressing to make sure there weren't any weak spots. "Alright, open your panel, I've got to check your valve and spike, make sure you're healthy."

Mirage struggled to keep his frame's temperature normal, a hard task with Ratchet's hands roving along his body. He didn't remember this being a part of his exams growing up. "Ah-alright," he said softly, keeping his tone even as he tried to hide how Ratchet's touching was affecting him. He spread his legs farther apart, panel clicking open to bear his interface equipment.

He toyed with the thought that Ratchet's touches weren't innocent. But the medic had always been professional with him before. Then again molesting an underage patient, especially a rich one, was practically suicide for anyone. He pushed the musings aside. If the touches were an accident, he could deal with the results later when he was alone. If they weren't... well he wasn't sure what he would do. Although they did feel very good.

Ratchet smiled as the mech was so easy to follow his orders. Just to add a professional touch he allowed his fingers to linger on the mech's neck tubing, lightly tracing them. Though, even if his touches were less than professional, he was doing his job to make sure that everything on the younger mech was working properly. Then he turned to the side and went to a sink, washing his hands again, and came back, his blue optics finally resting on the mech's opened interfacing unit. Both still had seals. A surprised look took him and he stopped as he wiped his hands dry, optics greedily drinking in the sight of the virgin splayed before him. "Oh Mirage, I'm sorry, I suppose I should've asked if you'd interfaced before or not," he finally said, tearing his optics away from the beauty before him to gaze nonchalantly at the wall.

"It's fine. Will this change how you will need to perform the procedure?" It was a little embarrassing displaying his untouched status, but also easier than if he was being checked over by a stranger. At the same time it was almost exciting, he'd never opened his panel for anyone before, never dared try to pleasure himself. He'd always been skittish about losing his seals, wanting it to be with someone he trusted, but never finding the right bot for the job.

Ratchet hesitated, his arms crossing over his chassis. In all actuality, there was no need for him to continue the exam anymore, at least not on Mirage's interfacing components. For several minutes he considered lying, saying some falsehood so he could get at the mech's valve, but he didn't really want to, especially not if he would be dealing with the young mech on a regular basis. "Well, really, I have no need to continue, though I probably should check to make sure everything is working properly for when you do decide to interface... But then again, that's not my business... Sometimes mechs are slow to develop the urge to interface," he spoke quietly, fixing the mech before him with a soft and concerned look. "I guess, really, it's up to you."

Mirage smiled after a moment. "I wouldn't mind continuing, Ratchet." He couldn't help suspecting the mech had been feeling him up, but... it was still Ratchet. He'd known him since he could remember, and every memory of him was one of careful handling and easing away worries and pain. Ratchet had always taken good care of him. Mirage spread his legs a little further apart as invitation. "It doesn't hurt to be thorough, after all."

"Alright then, I'm going to have to remove your seals... is that okay with you?" Ratchet asked. Really, having them removed by a medic was probably the best thing that could happen. It was assured that it was done safely and correctly, and painlessly too.

"Yes, that will be fine," Mirage said with a nod. He softly cycled some air, settling a bit of tension he felt at the idea of losing his seals. It was nothing to how he'd felt the one time he'd come close to having his seals broken. He'd gotten so anxious about the entire thing, he'd left in the middle of foreplay with the mech he'd almost given himself to. Smokestack had never spoken to him after that, upset about Mirage's behavior. Mirage had never bothered with him or with the thought of interface after that. He wasn't giving himself to someone who didn't care about how his first time would be for him.

"Alright, just relax," Ratchet spoke, and he drew closer, pressing a soft hand to rest on Mirage's stomach, lightly kneading at the metal. A free hand drew down and he rubbed his index finger around the outside of that valve, stimulating the noblemech with his fingers. Then he pinched lightly at the edge of the seal and pressed his digit into the tiny gap, peeling it up. Oh, he would probably be in big trouble if caught doing this to his patients... It wasn't professional in the least. Still, he rubbed his fingers, and as that seal started to come up, he could smell the fresh and clean scent of lubricant. Then he quickly peeled the rest of it off, baring Mirage's valve for the first time. Of course Ratchet wasn't unaffected, his optics were darker with arousal, and he could also feel his spike prodding very insistently at the back of his panel, desiring to extend... "There," he finished in a breathy whisper, "one down."

Mirage let out a sigh, relaxing. Aside from the initial sting as Ratchet started to peel the seal away, it hadn't hurt. His valve, now free to the open air, clenched reflexively at the cool temperature. "That was easier than I'd expected," Mirage said.

There was... a large amount of lubricant in Mirage's valve, enough to signify his arousal. So, as much as the noblemech had hidden it, he had been affected by those little administrations earlier. Swallowing down the lump that was forming in his throat, Ratchet allowed his finger to wipe up a small shiny dribble of lubricant, and he gritted his denta at the warm and wet feeling. But, no, it was a foolish thing to even think about. "Alright, since your spike is still sealed, I won't have to take that off, it'll be fine... just your valve to worry about," he murmured quietly. Then he turned and went to a drawer, picking out a few items that he had in there, and sent them back upon that rolling table. "Again, just relax your valve, pretend you're taking a nice warm bath..." the medic spoke, and he picked up a speculum, then held it in his hands, warming it with his palms. Ratchet squeezed it closed, then nudged the tip towards the opening of that wet valve, and very slowly slid it inside, penetrating Mirage with it. "You're still okay?" he murmured as he moved it.

"Mmhm." Mirage nodded, staring at the ceiling, fingers tightly laced. His valve flexed around the speculum. It wasn't painful, but it was new. His valve tingled a little with the small stretch of the penetration. He vented, shuttering his optics. He shifted on the berth, getting more comfortable, and pretending he was in a bath. His body was submerged in warm solvent mixed water, seeping into his joints and tickling the sensors of his body...

Okay, that wasn't helping, if anything it was exciting him more.

"Okay," Ratchet murmured at the mech's vocalization, then made a soft triumphant noise when the speculum was all the way inside. "I'm going to open the speculum a little bit, it'll probably feel pretty pleasurable, but try not to shift too much." Then he squeezed his hand around the ends, spreading Mirage open just enough, and locked it so it didn't move. With the noblemech spread like that he wouldn't be able to flex his valve too much. Then Ratchet pulled up a long metal device, one that was very narrow with a curved tip. "I'm going to insert this and feel around in your tank, make sure everything is safe and sound." Quickly he pressed that little rod inside, pressing up through the rubber opening that allowed lubricant to drain from his tank to his valve. Ratchet's fingers were touching to the top part of Mirage's valve wall, a part where the speculum wasn't touching, mainly because he had no choice, and also because he wanted to.

Mirage suppressed a whimper, legs spreading further apart for Ratchet's ministrations. The sensors running right behind the walls of his valve were being tormented so pleasurably with the stretch from the speculum. The probe shifted around inside him, teasing him as Ratchet's fingertips rested right under one of the circuit clusters of his valve. His thighs trembled at the sensations, he didn't know if he wanted to close them, or spread them wider.

Soon he was finished, but Ratchet kept the probe in there for a little longer than was needed. The small twitches and trembles didn't go unnoticed under his expert hand, and Ratchet suddenly realized that he had taken quite a few virgins in just this way... "Alright, I'm going to pull it out now," he spoke, then eased the rod out of Mirage's valve, discreetly wiping it on a rag as more of it appeared. Soon it was all the way out and he passed a smile to the prone mech on the berth. "You're good and sound, a true towers make." Ratchet eased the speculum back closed, then pulled that out very slowly as well, taking care to make sure he didn't hurt the beautiful young mech on the berth in front of him. That too was wiped off, and he placed it on the tray, where they would be disposed of later. "How do you feel?" Ratchet asked uncertainly.

"...Hot," Mirage said breathlessly. His hands were trembling just a little, frame heating up, pleasure sensors tingling. "Should I be this affected? It didn't seem like you did a lot to me." His face heated, cheeks flushed with arousal and embarrassment, optics darkened with emotion.

Ratchet's optics flared at those words and he gripped tightly to the edge of the berth, facial expression tightly controlled. "You're aroused, Mirage. Your frame is craving overload."

"Oh," Mirage murmured. He looked down, hesitating for a moment for what he was going to ask. "I've... never overloaded myself before, could you help me, Ratchet?" He looked up, biting his lower lip nervously.

Those words sent liquid lust to his circuits, his blue optics darkening in arousal as well. "Sure, I don't mind," Ratchet murmured, and he drew closer, letting his hand fan over the mech's stomach. With one digit he traced the entrance to Mirage's valve, this time with much more devious intent. Then he pressed a finger inside, feeling the hot lubricant coat his fingers, seeping into his joints, and he released a soft groan as his spike prodded to his panel cover again. Another finger was pressed in, and Ratchet tried to smile reassuringly, but was quite sure it failed with the way he looked. Then he started thrusting with his fingers, driving them in and out of Mirage, taking extra care to make sure they touched those valve walls, stimulating them, mocking the motions of a spike.

Mirage moaned, arching up. He spread his legs further, almost obscenely wide. "R-Ratchet..." he whimpered, grinding down on Ratchet's hand. It felt so good, the fingers passing over pleasure nodes and circuits inside him, each pass spiking up the temperature in his frame.

"It's alright Mirage, just feel the pleasure, let it consume you... it's a good thing," Ratchet spoke gently and he gradually increased the speed of his fingers, then quite expertly pressed another digit in, thrusting with all three of them. "First climaxes may be nerve wracking, but you'll know when, ahhh, your overload is approaching, it's nothing scary, and is quite calming... some mechs use self-service if they're having trouble recharging, or just need something to relax them..." the medic whispered, facial plates taut as the noises of suction from vigorously fingering Mirage assaulted his audios.

"I-I think-" Mirage let out a static laced whine. His hands fell to the sides of the berth, gripping them tightly, riding Ratchet's fingers harder. He was panting, little cries escaping his vocalizer. "R-Ratchet I-" he cried out louder as he overloaded, vision going white, valve tightening over Ratchet's fingers. His back arched off the berth, for a moment before falling back, shivering with the intensity of his climax.

The medic shivered as he listened to the mech as he overloaded, feeling lubricant flood Mirage's valve, some of it dripping onto the berth below. Ratchet kept his fingers inside of that valve for a few moments as it sporadically clenched around him, and very slowly he eased them out, knowing it was very sensitive. "There, you should feel better now," he said in a husky whisper, static nearly lacing his words as he spoke.

Mirage slowly lifted himself up, leaning back on his elbows. He did feel better, and a little drained. His optics fell on Ratchet, and it was apparent that the medic himself was charged up. "But you're not." He tilted his helm to the side, smiling shyly. "May I help you feel better, Ratchet?" He wasn't sure he wanted this to end just yet. That overload had been so nice, and now that he thought about it, and studied Ratchet, he was noticing just how handsome the medic was. Sturdy frame, long fingers, clean white paint job with that splash of red.

"Ahh, Mirage, I don't know if you want me for your first partner... wouldn't you rather it be someone you really like?" Ratchet half heartedly offered, his expression rather sheepish. Somehow it didn't feel right to be taking advantage of the mech in such a way, no matter if he had been stimulated to overload just a few moments before. Then he added, "So don't feel that you are... obliged to do anything, for whatever reason..."

"But I do like you. You've always been good to me, and I can trust you to treat me well. I'd like my first time to be with someone I know won't hurt me, and will make sure I enjoy it." He took Ratchet's hand in his, tugging it a little insistently as he smiled up at him. He could feel the slickness of his own lubricants coating it and ignored that for the moment.

"Mirage," Ratchet started in a rather strained sounding voice, and his optics flashed as he made to refuse, but that hand twined in his seemed to be very insistent. "Alright," he conceded, then gently patted the edge of the berth, motioning for the noblemech. "Put your aft here," he murmured quietly, though his optics were still rather dim. Oh yes, he would know best, as a doctor, how to make sure that Mirage enjoyed it and was comfortable... Somehow he felt rather guilty for doing it, but Mirage was right, from a certain aspect.

Mirage slid to the edge of the berth. He sat up, back straight and legs tilted open, unintentionally showing off his lubricant stained thighs.

Ratchet did not speak as Mirage moved, and he pressed close as the other neared, unintentionally rubbing his closed plate against Mirage's bare and wet interface. "You're a lovely mech," the medic spoke, and he drew his clean hand up, rubbing a thumb across Mirage's chin. The red and white mech pressed his face closer and kissed his patient, a hand reaching down to touch the outside of the mech's valve. With a click he allowed his own panel to slide open, revealing his wet valve and his spike, which extended right away. Both of his hands moved to grip to the mech's hips and he pulled the younger mech out more, allowing his arousal to prod at that ready valve. "You're sure...?" he murmured one last time.

"Yes," Mirage said, a shiver of nervous anticipation running down his backstrut. His hands clenched at the berth's edge. He nuzzled Ratchet's face, then gave the medic a chaste kiss. Despite being brought off by the medic just moments before, he still felt sort of shy about the situation. "I'd like you to be my first."

"Don't worry, it won't hurt at all, and will only feel even better than before," the medic spoke quietly, and he drew his arms up and around to rest gently on Mirage's shoulders. He nuzzled against the mech as well, his lips brushing gently over the those petulant and beautifully shaped smaller ones. Ratchet eased himself forward and pressed the tip of his spike into that waiting valve, slowly easing himself up and inside. The berth was just at the right height and angle... The medic stopped at about half the way, then paused to allow the valve to stretch and accommodate him.

Mirage hissed in pleasure as his valve stretched for Ratchet's spike. His hands rose up to Ratchet's shoulders, bracing himself against the medic. He squirmed against Ratchet, hesitant to move further onto the spike. He reflexively clenched around it, gasping softly as the sensors in his valve were stimulated by the thick spike. He felt like he needed to tell Ratchet how good it felt, how much he appreciated him bringing him this kind of pleasure, but his hazy processors couldn't form one elegant word. Instead he opted to lean against the medic, kissing and nuzzling his neck, engine purring appreciatively.

"Mm," Ratchet murmured, though his blue optics were dimmed, and he pressed his hips up the rest of the way, fully seating himself inside of that valve. There was nothing else like penetrating a virgin valve, it was absolutely tight and exquisite, though the emotions and noises from an inexperienced partner seemed to make everything so much better. "There," Ratchet murmured, and his denta trailed a sharp line along the mech's jaw, nipping and sometimes biting, and he then went to flick his glossa over neck tubing, slipping his glossa underneath to taste at the oils. Then he rolled his hips back, sliding his spike out all of the way, then pressed back inside, starting an easy and rolling motion, his hips moving in wide and lazy circles.

Mirage's hips twitched with the slow movements. He whimpered each time Ratchet's slow thrusts seated him fully inside the young mech. "Ah, Ratchet," Mirage rasped, optics getting darker with the slow build of heat and arousal. His head tilted to the side, giving Ratchet's glossa more room to work and tease his neck tubing. He lifted his legs, wrapping them around Ratchet's waist, giving him leverage as he grinded on the berth with his lover's movements.

Ratchet hissed out a breath, his hands traveling down the length of Mirage's legs to grip tightly to them, and he thrust his spike all the way inside that valve and wedged his hands underneath that aft, lifting the smaller mech right off the berth. It was a few short paces to the wall, and he desperately hoped that Ironhide would be able to hear them from where he was recharging in Ratchet's room from right behind the wall. The medic pinned the smaller mech to the wall, his hands holding onto those legs to give Mirage balance and he increased his pace, hearing the noblemech's aft and lower back thump into the wall with every thrust.

Hoarse, desperate cries were wrung from Mirage's vocalizer with each powerful thrust. The position left him with little to do besides hold on for the ride. His arms wrapped around Ratchet's neck hugging him as the spike moved faster inside him, the medic's body pinning him to the wall. He could feel his paint scraping against it, but couldn't find the effort to care as he burned from the inside with pleasure. He buried his face in Ratchet neck, keening happily at this new, wonderful feeling of interfacing.

Oh no, he wanted Mirage to remember this, to remember him, in the least. Because where mechs remembered something appealing and joyful, they usually came back for more... Ratchet continued to thrust, though he wasn't using his full strength because he feared he would hurt the mech he was interfacing with. New and unused valves were sensitive, though they tended to be far more flexible. His lips found the noblemech's and he kissed him, a pleasured hum working up from deep within his vocalizer. Ratchet was by far one of the most experienced mechs on the topic of interfacing in the base, and he didn't even think Ironhide had more experience.

Mirage returned the kiss feverishly, trembling in Ratchet's arms. The spike kept driving into him, warnings flashing as his body temperature rose to dangerous heights with his arousal and pleasure. Finally it became too much as his entire body went stiff, energy coursing through his frame as the sensations overwhelmed him. He moaned into Ratchet's mouth, limbs tightening around the medic, valve clenching with his overload.

Ratchet's HUD went red as well, calm little warnings flashing up that overload was impending, and with a final and deep drive inside of Mirage he allowed his overload to consume him, his spike twitching as he flooded the noblemech's valve with transfluid, his hips giving short spasms as he stiffened as well, his lips still locked to Mirage's. After an appropriate amount of time he drew his lips away the slightest bit and sighed, his frame much more contented now that he had overloaded. Nuzzling his face to the other mech's, he kissed at Mirage's lips, his denta reaching out to grab at the mech's bottom lip, pulling it out, and he then released it, a slight smirk on his face.

Mirage leaned against the medic, resting his chin on Ratchet's shoulder. The shift of his frame sent a small sting of over-stimulation through his valve before he settled, leaning on Ratchet's broader chassis. He laughed at a sudden thought. "I used to love having appointments with you because you always kept energon sweets in your office and offered them to well behaved patients. Now I think I have a whole new reason to look forward to visiting you."

"Hrm," Ratchet murmured at those words, and he slowly retracted his spike right out of the mech's valve, his hands still gripping to his aft. He turned and walked back over to the examination table, where he then set the mech entwined with him back down, his hands petting over his back as he turned away, and allowed his panel to shut... He'd clean himself up later. Striding over, he took out a small jar and dipped his hand inside, then went back to his patient. Pressing close, he brought his hand up and pushed a candy against Mirage's lips. "I still offer energon sweets to good patients," he purred.

Mirage let the candy past his lips, glossa swiping over Ratchet's fingertips as he took it, sucking softly on the sweet. He closed his own panel, inwardly grimacing at the feel of fluids seeping from behind the panel. "Do you also offer them something to clean up with? I don't know where this place's showers are, and I'm not sure I'd want to walk there covered in fluids anyway," he said a little sheepishly.

"Sure," Ratchet murmured, "my complex is in back, I have a shower rack in there, nice and private." Of course Mirage would want privacy to wash the transfluid out of his valve, that and the lubricant. "Follow me," he murmured. Then he strode to the door and unlocked it, casting a smile over his shoulder, and slipped around the corner, where he typed in a code to another door and stepped inside, revealing a personal complex. It was large, but homey, cluttered with datapads and tables filled with bits of spare parts and half disassembled guns and similar things laying around, while a lumbering form was obviously still recharging on one of the couches. "Lazy piece of scrap," Ratchet commented.

Mirage spared a short look to the large red mech on the couch, following quickly after Ratchet and into his private shower rack. At least the mech was in recharge. It would be embarrassing for anyone to see him like this. "Whose that, Ratchet?"

"Ahh," Ratchet murmured as he busied himself with finding the things Mirage would need. A bottle of solvent was found, an expensive one at that, though Ratchet didn't mind, he was able to afford quite a bit as his position of head medic. "He's a piece of scrap that dares to call himself my bondmate," the mech offhandedly replied, then gathered a towel in his arms and turned back to Mirage to press them into the mech's hands, a small smile on his face. "But don't worry, before you get any ill conceived ideas, we're not monogamous, we enjoy interfacing with other mechs, and will occasionally bring them back to the berth for even more sharing," he said with a calm voice, a slight smirk on his face.

"O-oh," Mirage said softly. He glanced back to the shower room's entrance. "I've never heard of bondmates interfacing outside of the bond." Bondmates seeing anyone besides each other would have been inconceivable in the Towers. It wasn't traditional, and the Towers had always had such a strict view on tradition. "He won't mind me washing up here, right? I'd hate to be a disturbance."

"It's a bit different around here, as you can imagine... the army means being in closer contact with other mechs, and sometimes attractions are developed... There's nothing wrong with creating an outside relationship besides the bond, and we treat all of our lovers with the utmost respect," Ratchet replied, offering a little bit of some explanation to assuage Mirage's circuits. "No, he won't mind, neither will I, take all the time you need, we won't bother you." Then he turned to the side and picked up a datapad, muttering quietly to himself about some lost datapad in the mess of their room.

Reassured, Mirage turned to the shower, turning it on. He adjusted it to his ideal temperature, stepping under the spray. For a few klicks, he just stayed under, doing nothing but enjoying the feeling of warm water running down his plating. Finally he reached for the solvent, slowly washing himself up, rubbing it between his legs and massaging the plating a little. He let the water wash away the solvent and the lubricant staining his thighs.

Once it was gone, he opened the panel between his legs. A bit of lubricant seeped from his valve, trailing down his thigh before being washed away by the water. He poured more solvent into one hand, rubbing it and building up a lather. He reached between his legs, cautiously prodding a finger into his valve. His intakes hitched a moment, the walls were still sensitive from the use they'd seen. Slowly and carefully, he cleaned himself out, trying not to stimulate himself too much. With a small sigh, he finished washing himself, turning off the water and replacing the cleaning products, then drying himself off.

He left the shower rack, seeing Ratchet at one of the empty couches of his room. "I'm done, thank you for letting me wash up, Ratchet."

Ratchet flicked his optics up from where he had been reading, Ironhide still sprawled on the couch opposite of him, his face buried into the back of the couch. The red mech made a noise and shifted, otherwise did nothing. "No problem Mirage, though it is kind of late, do you want to stay with me tonight?" the mech offered, setting that datapad neatly upon his lap. Of course he wouldn't mind snuggling up to the noblemech for the duration of the night, as Ironhide was out cold, and even if the weapons specialist wasn't, it was always fun to comfort and curl up with another. For several moments Ratchet considered plucking the datapad up and chucking it at Ironhide, but he resisted, only smiled to the noblemech.

Mirage took a moment to think about the offer. It was late, and after seeing Ratchet again, the idea of going back to his empty quarters wasn't at all appealing. He didn't normally like sleeping in strange places, but considering his room was just as new to him as the rest of the base, it wouldn't make any difference if he slept there or here. Being in friendly company, however, was a comforting thought.

"Yes, that would be quite nice actually. Where should I sleep?" He asked, looking around the room.

"Mm," Ratchet murmured, then pointed a finger, "There's my berth in the back through that door, you can get comfortable there, I'll join you in a little bit," he said. Then he stood up and stretched, giving a light yawn. He'd take a quick shower and clean up before he joined Mirage. "Would you like some energon?" he asked, "I can bring you some in just a minute." As he had said before, he treated all of his lovers with the utmost respect and catered to their needs.

"Yes, thank you," Mirage said, smiling and nodding. With a last glance to Ratchet he turned and headed for the medic's quarters. He settled on the expansive berth inside, noting that it was more than large enough to accommodate Ratchet and Ironhide. It could probably fit at least two more mechs if needed. Considering what Ratchet had told him earlier, that wasn't a surprise.

After a few moments Ratchet set the datapad aside and headed to the wash racks, where he too took a shower, washing all of his interfacing components and plating with a practiced ease. The mech was meticulously clean towards himself as well, though his complex was an entirely different story. Ironhide made it impossible to keep it clean for long. Soon he dried off and tossed the towel in the pile of others and stepped back out, his blue optics fixed upon his bondmate, who at that time was awake and sitting up. He brushed past and flicked his finger against Ironhide's helm. "I've got company," he informed the red mech, and he went to a cooler, where he grabbed two cubes of energon and mixed some additives to help with systems functions, and also to give Mirage a peaceable night's recharge. Ironhide grunted and stretched, then fell back over onto his side, already half back into recharge. Striding back to his room, Ratchet approached the pretty mech on his berth and passed him a cube of energon, then moved up to join the mech, sipping at his cube as he settled back. "You never told me what division you got placed in," he murmured, wondering just that.

Mirage took a sip from his own cube before answering, sidling a little closer to Ratchet. "The special operations commander picked me up. He seemed impressed by my sharp shooting and my electro disruptor."

"Ahh, Jazz, you mean," Ratchet murmured, and he laid on his side, sipping deftly at his cube. "He's a good mech, you'll get along great with him... and we also have a technician who makes and repairs hologram generators, and essentially electro disruptors," the medic added, then took a long draught so he could drink the rest of his cube, where he set it off behind him. A hand flicked out and he rubbed it along Mirage's side in a soothing motion.

Mirage took another klick to finish off his own cube, placing it beside Ratchet's. He settled down beside the other mech, curling up closer against him. "That's good to know. Thank you for inviting me to stay, Ratchet, and, well, for everything else you've done. I thought I was going to be a lot lonelier here." He'd thought he was going to be surrounded by nothing but army grunts and strangers. It seemed the Autobots were comprised of far more than just soldiers.