Chapter 1: Early Birds Catch the Fist in the Face
Plot: So, the war between the Autobots and Decepticons is over because they had to band together when out of nowhere the Quintessons attacked. All is well, and the Cybertronians are working to rebuild their planet. This is basically the "Happy End" at the end of a visual novel or something, and it centers on Knock Out and Ratchet's relationship. No one understands it at all and everyone thinks they're miserable, but in reality they've never been happier. This whole thing is basically just senseless fluff.
This chapter basically just gives us a glimpse at their day to day life, just setting the scene. Typical first chapter stuff.
Ships: Knock Out/Ratchet is the main one, and I haven't solidly decided on any others. Which means suggestions are dope as butt.
Author's Notes: So uh this is actually really old, okay, and I edited this fairly recently but I still don't know how good it is. But I think this ship is really underappreciated and great so I had to do something. I also have a really bad track record with actually completing a series, so review and critiques would honestly be really great (not trying to pull any weird peer pressure bs, I'm just trying to be honest I guess?) But uh other than that enjoy yourselves, or at least try to? (Also, I have the next chapter written out, but don't expect the third one to show up so soon uweh)
Warnings/Disclaimers: do I really need to tell you people I don't own any rights to this show or anything like you should know this right
"Oh Ratchet..." a voice purred, far too happy considering how early it was, "Ratchet, dearie, wake up..."
The medbot groaned. He was not keen on being woken up, no matter how pretty the face greeting him was. He rolled over onto his front, covering his audio receptors in annoyance. Primus, why did his bondmate have to be such an early riser?
"Oh, come on, precious, I don't want to lay here to rust all day just so you can catch your beauty sleep! That'd ruin my finish! If you don't get up then I'm going to run off and race with my - what was it that you called them? My 'loser friends'? Come on, please? I'll get you a fresh cup of energon..."
The old medbot glared up at the dainty white and red mech, a highly unamused expression broadcasted clearly through the look in his optics. Both he and his bondmate knew very well that Knock Out wasn't going to move an inch, no matter how hard he threatened otherwise.
However, it was clear to him that Knock Out was planning on talking him to death, and Ratchet felt that there were definitely better ways to go. He raised one of his servos and pressed it flat against his bondmate's face, effectively shoving him off their berth with a loud yelp.
"Hey, careful, you wretched piece of rust!" he snapped in response to Ratchet's act of aggression, "You could've scratched my paint job! I really don't want anything to ruin my sunny mood on this lovely morning, and neither do you," he threatened. The more diabolical of the two huffed, folding his arms in a pout.
"Knock Out, the only thing I care about right now is the fact your vocalizer is currently active," Ratchet growled, forcing himself to sit up, "I'll get up, but only if you promise to keep your trap shut," the medbot ordered sluggishly, rubbing the recharge out of his optic sensors.
"Ratchet, sweetheart, why on Cybertron wouldn't I chit-chat with my bondmate?" the sports car inquired, placing the tip of his index talon on his pale lip components. His red eyes spoke only of mischief, meaning he was in one of his moods again. Ratchet groaned inwardly; he just knew he was going to end up punching the pretty little mech later today.
The ambulance regarded Knock Out with an eye roll and stood up, ignoring the graceful white and red figure on the floor. He strode to the door, stopping only when he heard the rather loud sound of a clearing vocalizer, effectively grabbing his attention. Knock Out sat on the floor with his hand raised, silently asking to be helped up. Ratchet wanted to frown at the smug little grin on his white faceplate, but he found himself returning it in full. With a defeated sigh, he helped up his bondmate, rolling his eyes when a delicate kiss was placed on the side of his face.
"I win!" the former 'Con chuckled, moving his way out into the living room with a triumphant sway of his hips. Ratchet tailed after him, heaving out a large intake as he flopped into his favorite chair. Knock Out pranced over to where the older medic sat with two cups of energon in his talons, carefully putting himself in his bondmate's lap.
They sat in comfortable silence for a while, sipping at their energon and enjoying the morning. Knock Out's free servo found Ratchet's, and with a gentle squeeze their fingers stayed intertwined. Ratchet couldn't help feeling a tad amused at their predicament. Due to Knock Out's penchant for teasing, not to mention his own grouchy demeanor (or "grumpy" as Miko had called it), they fought quite often, and yet they were the happiest together. In the end, they were still there for one another, and they'd give the world for each other.
Plus, the bickering could be pretty fun.
"So, my darling Ratchet, are you ready for work?" the ex-'Con asked after a while, settling his faceplate into the crook of his bonded's neck cables, "Do you want to examine the Prime? Or can I do it without you getting your jealous gears in a bunch?"
"I wasn't jealous, Knock Out, how many times do I have to say it!?" he snapped, "You were just...doing it wrong is all," Ratchet argued defensively, tightening the grip on his cup in annoyance.
"Funny how I started 'messing up' the moment I commented on how nice of a protoform Optimus has. And his positively marvelous paint finish. Oh, and there was that matter regarding his legs, how did I describe them?" Knock Out teased. He loved playing these games with his Ratchet.
"If I recall, you called them 'delicious hunks of metal with an alluring aroma'. ...or something along those lines," Ratchet growled, averting his gaze.
A sly smirk spread across white faceplates. "The fact you remember exactly what I said just proves your jealousy, darling. You found it so upsetting it was seared into your memory core," he stated matter-of-factly, his enjoyment apparent, "Oh, but don't be embarrassed, Ratchet," Knock Out purred, not providing any time for Ratchet to respond and raising his lover's face with a well-manicured talon, "I find it to be all too flattering. You can examine the Prime, and I promise to keep compliments to Megatron at a minimum. Not like there's much of anything to compliment, anyways. He's much too battle-scarred for my tastes..."
Ratchet turned his face away, finishing off his energon to hide his inner delight (and relief) before mumbling a, "Whatever you say, 'Con." Not without his own little smirk, though. The aforementioned mech followed his mate in taking his last sip of energon, savoring every last drop.
"Well then, dearly beloved...shall we go and meet our patients?"
"Oh, would you stop fussing already!" Knock Out demanded angrily, "You may be the fearsome co-emperor of Cybertron, but Primus slaggit; now that the war is over, you have to actually listen to your medics, Megatron!"
"Bah!" the former warlord spat, "You act as if it's my fault you are none too gentle with your razor sharp talons!"
Some laughter was heard on the other side of the examination room, mainly coming from Optimus Prime himself, though a few chuckles did escape Ratchet's lip plates. However, the two ex-'Cons looked anything but amused.
"Oh, would you two mute your vocalizers," the polished little medbot hissed, "Or I swear to you both I will tear out your spinal struts with my bare servos!"
That shut just about everybody up; including Megatron, shockingly, though he did exchange a few humorous glances with the last of the Primes. Knock Out preoccupied himself with a rather large scar on Megatron's right pauldron, carefully tracing over it with his servo.
"Let me guess, your Lordship," he hissed, "You still want to parade this wound around like it somehow proves your 'courage' and 'power'? You do realize it's proof that you have been INJURED before, don't you?"
"I take great pride in this wound, you fool! It marks the end of two wars, and the beginning of eternal...friendships..." the warlord hissed in his usual sinister enjoyment before turning to Optimus and cracking their fists together.
"Well, at least Optimus keeps himself well maintained, Lord Megatron," the medic retorted, "His figure is taken care of, still showing traces of his younger, prettier years. His armor is scratched in that perfect balance between experience and energy, his optics are still clear and blue-"
"Enough describing!" Ratchet hissed, his faceplates heated in frustration. Optimus flinched as he applied just a bit too much pressure on his forearm, and delicately pat his old friend's hand, if anything, to get him to loosen his grip.
Knock Out looked shocked for but a moment, before his expression waned into that of pure malicious amusement. It was time for Knock Out to play a bit with his bondmate...just some harmless fun.
"Well, well, well, honey bunch, that was a bit excessive, don't you think?" he teased, sauntering over to his beloved, "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were just a tad envious...but surely that can't be the case, am I right?"
Ratchet's rage induced expression tightened, obviously displeased for their private matters being brought up before his two planet's leaders. He pointedly ignored dear, obnoxious Knock Out to return to Optimus' examination. Knock Out mumbled something about Ratchet "being no fun" and continued with his own, though he tried to make a show of checking Optimus out.
"Ratchet..." the Prime spoke to his medic quietly, not wanting to start anything, "I would be perfectly alright with rescheduling until your, er...marital troubles were settled."
Ratchet shut the larger mech's arm casing with a smirk, shaking his head and wordlessly continuing. Marital troubles. Other mechs and femmes still believed they had marital troubles. Then again, he couldn't blame them, because in essence, most of their bonded life was composed of competing, arguing, teasing, fighting...but in all fairness, well...
He wouldn't have it any other way.
"Oh, sweetie pie...!" Knock Out called in a sing song voice, a victorious expression enveloping his entire frame, "Are you done yet? You're keeping Lord Megatron waiting, you know...your old age must be getting to you!"
Though, Ratchet did have to admit, sometimes their unusual relationship could be quite a bother.
Ratchet grit his teeth, mumbling something about idiotic young mechs with no respect or patience. He quickly finished welding an old scar on Optimus' side, much to the larger mech's thanks, and concluded the checkup. By the time he had finished, Knock Out was making a show of leaning against the wall and playing with his talons. He looked up with a bored expression, folding his arms with a sigh.
"Finally, Ratch, you take forever. Next time, just let me examine the both of them, it'll be much faster."
And then he smirked. And then Ratchet lost it.
"Optimus," Ratchet barked, causing the blue and red mech's eyes to widen in surprise, "Your examination has been finished, and you're free to go. I would advise you leave with utmost speed."
Optimus, torn between offering wisdom or allowing them to sort it out on their own, decided to go and rejoin his friend (who was waiting for him), and get as far away from that room as possible. He felt guilty, but he knew that if he had stayed he would be caught in the middle of something he didn't quite understand.
He never really knew why they got bonded in the first place.