Love all the support!
Units of time as I use them:
Astrosecond= .273 seconds
Klik= 1 minute
Joor= 3 hours
Cycle= 1 day
Breem= 1 week
Groon= 1 month
Stellar cycle= year
Meta cycle= 5 years
Deca cycle= 10 years
Orn= century
Vorn= 5 centuries
:underline:- spark twins talking
:bold:- bonded mechs talking
:italics:- comm link
Don't own Transformers!
Chapter 9
Smokescreen was in the middle of arranging a game of poker between himself, Jazz, Sideswipe, Epps, and another human soldier.
"Sure you don't want to play, Starlight? We all know that you have the money to do so." Jazz said, turning to grin at his mate's grand-carrier.
"I can assure you, Jazz, that playing poker is not something that I wish to do. I see no point in it. Besides, wouldn't Prowl lecture you if he found out that you were playing poker?" Starlight then shifted her optics to look at Smokescreen. "And won't he lecture you for starting the game?"
"Nah. Prowler won't do much of anything to either of us right now. Not with us both sparked. He fears sparked mechs far too much." Jazz replied.
"I see. So, you're using being sparked to get away with things." Starlight stated.
"Only time you can with Prowl. He's such a stick-in-the-mud." Sideswipe muttered.
"My sire is not a stick-in-the-mud, Sideswipe!" Bluestreak's sudden shout had the red twin jumping before he spun around to look at his mate.
Bluestreak was glaring harshly at Sideswipe.
"Uh, Blue, I, uh-" Sideswipe stuttered, starting toward Bluestreak.
"Don't." Nemesis stated.
Sideswipe didn't listen as he continued to make his way to the grey Praxian. "Come on, Blue. You know that I don't mean it."
"Oh, yes you did! You always do!" Bluestreak retorted.
Sunstreaker had slowly moved so that he was cowering behind Smokescreen, rather certain that Bluestreak wouldn't attempt to hurt his sparked uncle.
"Scared, I see." Smokescreen murmured.
"You haven't seen his outbursts. Been scarier than Ratchet." Sunstreaker replied.
"You should see Ratchet when he's sparked then." Starlight stated.
Sunstreaker felt a chill go through him at just the thought of how bad Ratchet could be when he was sparked. If regular pissed off Ratchet was bad, then sparked pissed off Ratchet would be absolutely terrifying.
"Come on, Blue. You know I don't mind Prowl at all." Sideswipe told him, edging closer to his currently pissed off mate.
Bluestreak glared at Sideswipe and then did something that was very reminiscent of Ratchet and proved that he truly was Ratchet's grand-creation. He grabbed the closest object to him, which happened to be a tool Ironhide had left behind when he had been calibrating his cannons, and threw it at Sideswipe.
The front liner hadn't expected something like that, so he ended up being hit square in the faceplates before falling back onto the ground with a groan of pain.
Bluestreak turned and stomped out of the rec room.
Smokescreen burst out laughing. "He's certainly part of carrier's family."
"Throwing objects?" Lennox asked.
"Shouting?" Sarah guessed.
"Death glares?" Epps piped in.
"Nope. Takes his anger out on others." Smokescreen replied. He snickered before adding, "Although all of your answers would work, too."
Jazz grinned. "But you've got to admit Sideswipe deserved that. And he was asking for it. Nemesis told him not to do it, for Primus' sake!"
"That would be because I remember what it was like when Alpha Trion was sparked. Not an easy time for him, and he always took his anger out on me." Nemesis stated.
"Because you were the one who put me in that position in the first place." Alpha Trion muttered, glancing up briefly from the datapad he was reading.
Sideswipe sat up and rubbed his faceplates in pain. "So, don't say anything that might upset Blue."
"That, and take it when he does get pissed at you. Saying something to him about his behavior will only make it worse." Nemesis stated.
Alpha Trion glared at his mate.
"I'm not referring to you!" Nemesis quickly assured him. "I just know that Praxians tend to react in complete anger toward their mate when they are sparked and upset. I'm looking at it from the way Praxians are when they carry."
"That's true." Smokescreen added. He waved Sideswipe back over. "Come on and join the game. You'll want to give Blue some time to calm down."
Sideswipe walked back over to rejoin the game while Sunstreaker came out of his hiding place.
"Praxians do react in anger and rage while carrying. We usually take out anger out on our mates, too." Smokescreen added.
"At least one of you paid attention when I explained those things."
Smokescreen turned and smiled at seeing his carrier back in the rec room. "Hi, Carrier! What's the good news?"
Ratchet sighed. "If you must know, I am sparked."
A sudden, audio splitting squeal erupted from Starlight.
Every mech, femme, male, and female cringed at the sudden sound. It was loud and painful, especially to Ratchet since medic's audios were finely tuned and probably the sharpest.
Optimus now understood why Ratchet dreaded telling Starlight that he was sparked. That noise had really hurt. He was glad that neither of his creators had acted like that.
To everyone's shock, Starlight immediately bounded over to Ratchet and pulled her son into a hug.
Everyone half-expected Ratchet to do what he did to everyone who dared to hug him and knock Starlight in the helm with a wrench. Then again, this was his carrier, so most of the mechs and femmes had a feeling that Ratchet wouldn't dare do anything to bring any kind of harm to his carrier.
"Oh, I'm so happy! I'm going to be a grand-creator!" Starlight's excitement was very obvious.
Ratchet mentally groaned. "Carrier, you've already got two grand-creations, plus one great-grand creation. On top of that, you now have four great grand-creations on the way along with two great-great grand-creations on the way."
"I know that, but that doesn't change a thing. I'm still excited about this." Starlight replied. She then let go of Ratchet and looked at him. "Now what did First Aid say?"
"Everything is fine, Carrier. Just a few breem along." Ratchet replied.
"That's wonderful!" Once more, Starlight's squeal was audio-wrenching.
Ratchet glanced at Optimus as if to say "this is why I dreaded telling her".
Optimus understood now why Ratchet was hesitant to tell his carrier. The Prime was certain that he had never heard such an audio-splitting sound outside of battle in his entire function. And that had been a long time.
Smokescreen looked over at his carrier. "Welcome to the ranks of the sparked, Carrier."
Ratchet sighed. "Smokescreen. Can it." With that, Ratchet turned and walked off. He figured that he's go and see his brother.
Optimus watched Ratchet go for a moment before deciding that the medic did not need him hanging around all the time. Besides, he needed to get caught up on everything that he had missed in the last few groon.
Nemesis glanced over at his son and grinned at Optimus the moment that he had his creation's attention. "I will wish you luck now, Orion. If Ratchet's normal temperament is anything to go on, then I would say that you're in for quite a bit of hell in the groons to come."
Optimus hadn't even considered that yet and now realized the downside to Ratchet being sparked, although that wasn't going to phase the Prime that much. He had too much to be happy about. Regardless, he needed to get caught up on everything that had happened. "Where is Prowl?"
"Prowler's in his office." Jazz answered.
Optimus turned and headed out. He stopped and glanced back. "And don't think I've forgotten how you all acted while I was being chased." He then left.
"Uh, you think he plans on doing something to all of us?" Sideswipe asked, a little wary.
"Not entirely sure." Hot Shot mused.
"Ah, what are all of you worrying about? This is Prime we're talking about. He's not going to do anything to us for all that. At best, he'll give us all a lecture." Smokescreen stated.
Nemesis wasn't quite so certain. He had seen how upset all the betting and taunts had gotten to Optimus, which meant that they were all in trouble.
:How upset do you believe our son really is?: Alpha Trion asked.
:Very. I have a feeling that there will be more than a lecture to take place. Orion truly was upset at how we all reacted.: Nemesis glanced over at Alpha Trion. :And he'll be more than a little upset when he finds out that you were one of the ones who won the bet.:
Alpha Trion sent calming waves to his mate. :Well, I'm rather certain that Orion will calm down once he learns what I plan to do with the winnings. As it was done with the Earthlings' currency, I decided to let Colonel Lennox give my winnings to a charity organization. I felt that that was the best way to use mine. Those organizations need it more than I do.:
:Hmm. That will help you. I can't say much for the rest of them, though.: Nemesis stated.
Alpha Trion nodded in agreement.
Ratchet approached where he knew his brother's lab was now. He figured that Wheeljack wasn't back to work yet, if his sire hadn't finished repairing him. If they weren't there, he'd know that they were in the infirmary. As he neared the lab, he could hear voices, meaning Wheeljack was still there.
"I don't know why I let you talk me into this, Wheeljack. I really should have taken you back to the infirmary to check you over thoroughly." Swiftwind stated.
"Come on, Sire. There's nothing seriously wrong with me." Wheeljack protested.
Ratchet entered the lab to find that Wheeljack was on the floor with his sire reattaching his arm. "The only thing seriously wrong with you is your processors. Which are insane."
Wheeljack turned to find Ratchet standing there. "Hey, Ratch! I see that you're no longer chasing Prime! Suppose that means you're sparked now!" Wheeljack's headfins lit up in delight as he spoke, glad to see his brother back in his right processors.
"Yes. I am. And I've heard that you're driving First Aid insane. I'm glad to see that you're getting better about your explosions, though. First Aid said you've only had 10,287 explosions since you've been here. That's the lowest number in so few groon that I can remember." Ratchet remarked.
"Yeah. I've gotten better. Not having near as many explosions. Though Prowl's already threatened to ban me from my lab forever if I have as bad of an explosion as the one back in Iacon." Wheeljack said.
Ratchet snorted, leaning against the wall. "I don't blame him."
"Dare I ask." Swiftwind wasn't sure if he wanted to know why Prowl had said that.
"You remember how big the base back at Iacon was?" Ratchet asked.
"Of course." Swiftwind knew that it was an expansive base as it was the Autobots' headquarters.
"One of Wheeljack's first explosions there ended up demolishing half of the base. Wheeljack was suspected to be a Decepticon saboteur for a while." Ratchet stated. He shook his helm. "Most thought I was crazy when I tried to reassure them he wasn't."
"When they found out you were spark twins, did that affect the way some of them viewed you?" Swiftwind asked.
"The ones who didn't know me. Optimus and Ironhide had known me for a long time, and I had been a part of Optimus's personal team since the war started. They knew I wasn't a spy. Prowl had lived around Wheeljack so long that he knew that this was just how Wheeljack was." Ratchet replied.
"Didn't stop Prowl from throwing me in the brig." Wheeljack muttered.
"Do you blame him?" Ratchet shook his helm. "In any case, there were a few who wanted to do a thorough background on him. Once that proved he was truly an Autobot, Prowl ordered his lab be quadruple reinforced. He also isolated the lab."
Swiftwind laughed. "Sounds like a smart plan."
Wheeljack groaned.
"So, what did First Aid say?" Swiftwind asked.
"Other than the fact that I am actually sparked, nothing. It's too early for the sparkling's spark to have even emerged from my own, though I'm certainly sparked." Ratchet replied.
"Uh, just out of curiosity, what does that mean for you and Optimus?" Wheeljack asked, genuinely wanting to know.
Ratchet glanced at his brother. He had never kept his feelings for Optimus a secret from his brother. His creators obviously knew now as well. He supposed there was no harm in telling them. "If you really must know, Wheeljack, Optimus and I have decided to start a relationship as we share the same feelings."
"Glad to hear it! That sparkling needs to have its creators together!" Wheeljack seemed genuinely happy for his brothers.
Swiftwind chuckled. "When you were a sparkling, if somebot had told me that you would end up in a relationship with my best friend's son, I wouldn't have believed it."
"Well, you can look at it this way. You and your best friend are going to be sharing a grand-creation." Ratchet told him.
Swiftwind smiled. "Yes. I know. Alpha Trion and Nemesis are rather excited since this is their first one. I'm certain that Optimus is nervous, too. This will be his first time being a creator."
"Well, I'm more than certain that he's going to be all right. He has several on this base to go to for advice, and I have raised two myself. If I can raise two sparklings on my own, then I'm certain we can do it together." Ratchet stated.
Swiftwind still got upset at the reason why Ratchet had ended up raising Prowl and Smokescreen alone, though he made sure not to let his creation know that. He was grateful that he wouldn't have to worry about that in this case. Optimus wasn't going anywhere.
"Prowl, give me one slagging good reason as to why I shouldn't make you go on patrol with the twins and work with them for the next five Earth years!"
Prowl jumped at the threat of being forced to work with the two pit-spawned glitched that drove him to near madness. He whirled around to find himself facing Optimus. He had never seen the Prime look this angry before. "Uh, what are you, um, talking about, sir?" It was rare for Prowl to stutter, but seeing the look of anger on the Prime's face had done that to him.
"What am I talking about?" The Prime's tone was a bit dangerous. He made his way into the office, and the door slid shut behind him. "I'm talking about the fact that you gave me the wrong details in regard to Praxian mating cycles!"
Prowl jumped at that. He was certain that he had never had the Prime's anger thrown at him before. "I, uh, what?"
Optimus growled. "For Primus' sake, Prowl! You told me that an un-bonded Praxian in a mating cycle will want a sire that they trust to spark them! I thought that the only reason that Ratchet was chasing me was because he trusted me, and I didn't want to create a sparkling with a mech who didn't love me!"
"So, why did you?" Prowl asked, becoming a bit more confident.
Optimus growled. "Because Swiftwind told me that a Praxian in a mating cycle will want a sire that they are in love with to spark them! Ratchet wasn't chasing me just because he trusted me! He was chasing me because he was in love with me!"
Prowl was easily able to put two and two together. "So, I'm assuming that you were in love with him all along."
"Yes! If I had known that at the start of the mating cycle, I wouldn't have spent all this time running! And neither of us would feel humiliated by how we were acting!" Optimus snapped.
Prowl winced. "Sorry, Prime. The honest truth is that I don't know as much about mating cycles as other Praxians. I'm not a Praxian carrier, so I don't feel the need to know about them. And Jazz is Polyhexian, and they don't have mating cycles. So I didn't see why I needed to know about them." He sighed. "I'm sorry, Optimus. If I would have thought, I could have had you ask Swiftwind when they first arrived."
"Yes, you could have. That would have made things a lot better." Optimus retorted. He was still pretty pissed at Prowl for not thinking to at least get him to ask Swiftwind.
Prowl glanced at Optimus uneasily. "So, just out of curiosity, is my carrier sparked?"
"Yes, he is." Optimus figured that Prowl needed to know the rest. "And we've talked a bit and decided that we're going to start a relationship. Between having the same feelings and having a sparkling together, we decided that that was for the best."
Prowl nodded. He thought a moment before coming to a decision. "Just don't hurt him."
Optimus glanced up at the tactician, a little shocked.
Prowl sighed. "He's been hurt several times, Optimus. I've seen him get hurt, and I don't like it when he does. Despite his temperament, my carrier is a good mech. He's loyal and faithful."
"I know all that, Prowl, and I wouldn't do anything to hurt him. I know the type of mech that Ratchet is, and I know all that." Optimus stated.
"I just worry about him at times. He's not easy to live with. Trust me on that." Prowl remarked.
"I can imagine that, Prowl. I spent several vorn traveling through space with him in search of the AllSpark. I have lived with him. And I'm certain that I can handle it." Optimus stated. He was silent for a moment. "And I already know that some of Ratchet's temper and wrench-throwing are a defense mechanism for him. He doesn't let many get close as a means of protecting himself."
"Exactly. You'll find that there's a lot more to Ratchet than you have seen before." Prowl stated.
"I think that goes for everyone. But as far as Ratchet goes, you don't have to worry about anything. I don't plan on hurting him in any way." Optimus assured him.
Prowl nodded his helm. He did worry about his carrier a lot, but at least he knew that his carrier's spark was in good hands. After all, there were no safer hands for his carrier's spark than the Prime's.
"And don't think I've forgiven you for that, Prowl. I may be in a relationship with your carrier, but that doesn't change a thing." Optimus stated.
"Didn't expect it to. Smokescreen and I are not exempt from Ratchet and his wrenches. I will admit that we were adolescents before he started hitting us." Prowl shook his helm. "And Smokescreen was the first one of us to get hit."
"That I can see." Optimus decided he'd find out how to get back at Prowl later on. "In any case, I think you'd better catch me up on everything that has happened since this stated."
"Of course. I don't think I need to brief you on the Decepticon activity given the only battle you were present at." Prowl stated.
"Yes. I remember that quite clearly." Optimus was rather certain that he was going to remember that battle as long as he functioned. He'd never forget the sight of Ratchet kicking Soundwave's aft and then Megatron's.
Prowl then started to catch Optimus up on everything else that had happened while Optimus had been otherwise occupied.
Swiftwind and Starlight knew that Optimus was now in his office trying to get himself caught up on his work as well as take some of the work off of Prowl. The two figured that they needed to give Optimus a few warnings about Ratchet while he was carrying.
Optimus glanced up when he heard the door to his office opened and was a bit surprised to find Ratchet's creators entering. "Is everything all right?"
"Yes. We just thought we needed to give you a little advice about Ratchet while he carries." Starlight answered.
Optimus had a foreboding feeling at those words and had a feeling that he wasn't going to be too thrilled about what he was about to be told. "And what would that be?"
Starlight sat down across from Optimus. "You already know that Ratchet has both Polyhexian and Praxian coding."
"Yes. I'm aware. It's why he has the mating cycle." Optimus replied.
"Well, Praxians and Polyhexians have two very different reactions to carrying." Swiftwind stated.
Optimus sighed. "I have a feeling I'm screwed regardless of what you say, so just say it."
"All right. You are screwed." Swiftwind stated.
"Swiftwind!" Starlight's voice was warning.
Optimus sighed. "Just tell me."
"All right. Both tend to react to even small things emotionally. It could be something as simple as something not right in a room. Polyhexians tend to have emotional fits of crying and insecurity. Praxians tend to react with anger and violence. Normally at their mate." Starlight stated.
"Or in this case, the sire." Swiftwind put in.
"So, Ratchet will act normally at times." Optimus surmised.
"Consider it like Ratchet at the worst you have ever seen him multiplied by about a trillion." Swiftwind replied.
Optimus grimaced. "I'm screwed regardless."
"Pretty much." Swiftwind agreed.
"We just thought we should forewarn you. It wasn't easy on any of us when Ratchet carried Prowl and Smokescreen, Wheeljack especially. Ratchet's anger always seemed to be targeted at Wheeljack." Starlight stated.
Optimus didn't understand that one. He was fairly certain that Wheeljack wasn't Prowl and Smokescreen's sire. Then again, he knew that Prowl and Smokescreen's sire had never been a part of their lives. "Thank you for telling me. I suppose I'll need to prepare myself."
"That would be a good idea. And if you do make Ratchet upset, just know that you won't know if he'll react in anger or break down crying." Swiftwind stated.
"That will be a new one for me." Optimus remarked.
"It was for us, too." Starlight assured him.
"You'll be fine. Trust me." Swiftwind chose not to tell Optimus that he had survived it twice. After all, he did want to live long enough to see his grand-creations born.
"I hope so." Optimus was very nervous about becoming a creator since this would be the first time that he had a sparkling. He just didn't know how well he would do in raising one.
Ratchet had returned to his quarters and immediately got himself a cube of energon from the dispenser in his quarters. He was glad that his brother had managed to find a way to make energon from what was found on the planet. It meant that they didn't have to rely on solar energy, which wasn't as efficient as energon, and they weren't going to have to ration out energon any longer, either.
Ratchet sat down in one of the chairs in the room as he started to sip at the energon and think. He had to admit that he had acted rather foolish while under the influence of the mating cycle, but that was to be expected. All Praxians acted in such a way while under the influence of the mating cycle. He also would admit that he was stunned at what he had managed to do to Soundwave and Megatron. He had never thought that he would end up doing something like that in his entire life.
Of course, the greatest surprise for the medic was that Optimus actually returned his feelings. He hadn't thought that the Prime would ever feel the same way about him that he felt about the Prime. That was why he had never told Optimus how he felt. He had feared being rejected, and he hadn't wanted to ruin their friendship.
Ratchet sighed as he set the cube of energon down. He needed to talk to Optimus some more about all of this.
:Grand-carrier, are you in your quarters?:
Ratchet was a little surprised at the sudden question from Bluestreak. He normally had to accept transmissions. Then again, he answered transmissions from his family so much that it was second-nature to just let them in. :Yes, I am, Bluestreak.:
:Can I come and see you?: Bluestreak asked.
:Of course, Bluestreak.: Ratchet had never turned his grand-creation away when he needed to talk, and he didn't plan to do so now.
It wasn't long before Bluestreak entered his quarters.
"What is it, Bluestreak?" Ratchet could easily tell that the young mech was distressed about something.
"Primus, Grand-Carrier! I'm scared!" Bluestreak sounded more upset than he looked.
Ratchet had a feeling he knew where this was going. "Come here."
Bluestreak immediately launched himself into his grand-carrier's arms and buried his face into Ratchet's chest as he started crying.
Ratchet wasn't unused to this reaction. In fact, he had had to deal with the exact same reaction from Jazz when he had found out that he was carrying Bluestreak. "It's okay, Bluestreak. It's going to be fine." The chartreuse mech patted his grand-creation's back.
"No, it's not. I don't think that I can do this. There's no way that I can be a good creator. I know Carrier and Sire have both assured me that I will be a good creator, but I know I won't." Bluestreak held on tightly to his grand-carrier.
Ratchet pulled Bluestreak tighter against him. "They are right, Bluestreak. You are going to be fine. No one expects you to know everything there is about raising a sparkling. That's why when you're unsure you can come to any of us who have raised sparklings before for advice."
"But what if I do something wrong? What if I raise them wrong? What if they end up hating me?" Bluestreak would have continued babbling on with the what ifs.
Ratchet smiled. "Bluestreak, everyone has their doubts the first time that they are having a sparkling."
Bluestreak looked up at Ratchet, tears in his optics. "Even you?"
Ratchet laughed. "My case was a bit different, as you well know. But yes, I was scared the first time around. I didn't know anything about raising sparklings. I was in my final stellar cycle of my medical training and hadn't planned things out. I was terrified. My carrier and creator reassured me everything would be fine. And they were right. Prowl and Smokescreen turned out all right."
"But that doesn't mean I will do as well." Bluestreak protested.
Ratchet chuckled. "You remind me of your carrier right now."
Bluestreak looked startled.
"Blue, Jazz and Prowl were also terrified when they first learned that Jazz was carrying you. In fact, Jazz was more of a wreck than you are. He came up with a thousand different reasons as to why he would be a horrible creator. Prowl did as well. And I'll tell you the exact same thing I'm telling you. There's no real right or wrong way to raise sparklings. Everyone has their own way. The way Jazz and Prowl raised you is vastly different from how I raised Prowl and Smokescreen. But it worked for them. And when they were uncertain, they would come to me or my creators or Jazz's creators. It never hurts to ask advice." Ratchet assured him.
"Do you think I'll manage it?" Bluestreak asked.
"Yes, I do. You'll be fine, Blue. And you're going to have Sideswipe and Sunstreaker there to help you." Ratchet added.
"Do you think they're ready?" Bluestreak asked.
"I think they're more ready than they let on. They act like complete idiots at times, and you know I say that with the deepest affection." Ratchet said.
Bluestreak laughed, knowing his grand-carrier truly did care about his mates, even if the twins drove him to near insanity.
"But Sideswipe and Sunstreaker are much more mature than they lead others to believe. They'll rise to the challenge, Bluestreak. You three will be fine." Ratchet gave his grand-creation a squeeze. "And you have several that you can come to for advice."
"Thanks. Carrier and Sire told me I'd be fine, but I'm just scared." Bluestreak told him.
"I know. Most new creators are scared, and I think that helps. It makes them ready for anything." Ratchet smiled. "Trust me, Blue. Everything is going to be fine."
Bluestreak nodded before glancing at Ratchet. "Are you scared now, though?"
"In a way. I suppose most are worried when they first learn that they are sparked regardless of whether they've been sparked before or not. I know what to expect, so I'm not as worried." Ratchet answered.
Bluestreak smiled. "Is it twins again? I know you have that more likelihood of having twins."
"It's too early to tell, Blue. The sparklings spark hasn't emerged from my own yet. We'll know in a few breem." Ratchet answered.
"And you and Optimus?" Bluestreak asked.
Ratchet glanced at him. "You're nosy today."
"I've always been nosy!" Bluestreak retorted. He then realized just how that sounded.
Ratchet laughed. "Glad to hear you finally admit it."
Bluestreak huffed. "That was cruel."
"No. That was me finally getting you to admit a truth about yourself that you have denied for too long." Ratchet replied. He chuckled again. "But in answer to your inquiry, I have spoken to Optimus, and we have discovered that we share the same feelings for each other. We have decided that we will start a relationship."
Bluestreak smiled brightly. "That's great, Grand-Carrier! You've been alone for far too long! I know Sire and Carrier have talked about it before, and they always were worried about you being alone! They wanted you to find someone for so long and now you actually have! It's so great! I just can't believe that it's the Prime! I mean, you can't find better than him! We all know that Optimus is loyal and kind and gentle and compassionate and-"
Ratchet was rather certain that Bluestreak would have rambled on had he not put his hand over Bluestreak's mouth. "I get the point, Bluestreak."
"It is great, though." Bluestreak said.
Ratchet smiled. "Yes. I suppose it is."
Optimus had wanted to talk to Ratchet, so the Prime decided to go to Ratchet's quarters. He arrived at the medic's quarters and was about to comm him when the door automatically opened. Taking that as an invitation to come in, Optimus entered the quarters. He found Ratchet sitting in a chair with a datapad in his hand. "Can't get away from work can you?"
Ratchet glanced up. "This coming from the mech who has to have an order from the CMO just to take a cycle off so that he doesn't burn out his systems?"
"This coming from the master of overworking?" Optimus teased back.
Ratchet smiled. "Touché."
Optimus walked over. "So, are you working or what?"
"I suppose I am. I was just reading over Jazz, Bluestreak, and Smokescreen's medical files so I can be up to date on everything that is going on with them. Bluestreak and Smokescreen became sparked around the same time, so they'll be going into labor around the same time." Ratchet replied.
Optimus sat down by Ratchet on the couch. "Just hope that they don't go into labor at the same time."
"That will be my luck. Lucky for us I am almost a full stage behind them, so that'll be good. Jazz will be a few groon later, which will give the medical staff about three groon between Jazz and myself." Ratchet replied.
"And three mechs before you so that they'll know what to do when you're in labor." Optimus added.
"True. They know the fundamentals of what to do, but they say there's nothing like hands-on experience. And I agree." Ratchet stated.
"So do I." Optimus agreed before he leaned in and kissed Ratchet.
Ratchet was a little surprised by the sudden kiss, but accepted it anyway as he started to kiss the Prime back. Who was he to question his Prime when he wanted a kiss? Especially since the medic found that he loved being kissed by the red and blue mech.
Optimus then broke the kiss. "Sorry. After being in love with you for so long, it's nice to know that I can kiss you without the fear of having my helm bashed in."
"I wouldn't have done that." Ratchet retorted.
"Yeah, but I didn't know that." Optimus replied.
"Hmm." Ratchet glanced at the Prime. "And was there a particular reason you came here, or was it solely to seduce me?"
"Look who's talking about seducing." Optimus shot back.
Ratchet had the decency to look a bit embarrassed. "You're the only one that's going to get away with teasing me about the mating cycle. Mainly because you are probably just as humiliated at how you act to act as I am."
"That's true." Optimus agreed. He shook his helm. "I could really mangle Prowl for telling me the wrong thing. If I didn't know Prowl as well as I do, I would think that he did it just for his own personal amusement."
"Prowl wouldn't do that." Ratchet stated.
"Because of regulations?" Optimus asked.
"No. Because he knows I would kill him." Ratchet answered.
"True enough." Optimus glances over. "I had several members of your family come talk to me today. Prowl was simply asking me not to hurt you, and your creators were warning me of how you may act while carrying."
Ratchet sighed. "Prowl has always worried about me. I admit I had a few bad relationships while they were young." At Optimus's concerned look, he continued quickly. "Nothing abusive or anything. Just relationships that went wrong."
"Well, I can see why he asked me that." Optimus murmured.
"What exactly did my creators say?" Ratchet asked.
"Mainly they explained to me that Praxians and Polyhexians had two very different reactions to carrying. They just told me you could react either way." Optimus answered.
"That is true. I could react either way." Ratchet sighed. "The first time I broke down crying as a reaction to something I think they all nearly had spark attacks. You'd think they'd never seen a mech cry before."
"Well, it was pretty odd to see you cry, Ratchet. It's rare that you allow yourself to do so in front of others." Optimus pointed out.
"True." Ratchet agreed. He set the datapads aside. "Was there anything else you needed?"
"Well, I just thought that we could talk. We are in a relationship now, and I thought that we could discuss what we both expect." Optimus said.
Ratchet could agree more.
The two talked for quite some time about what they both wanted out of the relationship, which turned out to be mostly the same things.
And the two eventually ended the night in Ratchet's berth room.
"Seems like this is what we spent the last few breem doing this." Ratchet murmured in between kisses.
"True, but it is fun." Optimus smirked. "And I did say I agreed with your notion that the hands-on approach is the best."
"Pervert." Ratchet muttered.
Optimus chuckled. "You're going to find out a lot about me that you didn't know before."
"Right back at you." Ratchet replied.
Words were lost as the two ended up interfacing throughout the night.
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