A/N – Claimed by wilderness on LJ.

x-x-x

Nimble black fingers ghosted over armor, tracing lines in the soap sliding down his back. Inferno shivered at the touch, biting back a moan.

Red Alert made a displeased noise, resting one hand on Inferno's back reaching for the cleaning rag.

"What did you do? Roll in a tar pit?" If he noticed how the armor plate trembled under his hand, he didn't show it.

"Weeeell, not exactly," Inferno said weakly. "One o' the seekers dropped a cluster bomb righ' into the coal plant, an' there were still workers trapped inside... and with the hot tar goin' everywhere, someone had to go get 'em. An' seein' as I'm a bit more heat resistant than most..." he trailed off, twisting slightly to give Red Alert a sheepish look.

"Hmph. Like you would have stayed back anyway." Red Alert looked up from scrubbing with a small smile.

"Pro'ly not," Inferno admitted cheerfully, encouraged by the smile. "Good thing I am, though, ain't it? That stuff is awful stubborn, an' I ended up haven' to douse myself when the place went up as it was."

"I noticed," Red Alert commented dryly. "Seeing as you're covered in foam and ash as well as tar." He wrinkled his nose. "And you stink."

"Then it's a good thing I got you to take care of me, ain't it?" Inferno grinned cheekily.

Red Alert snorted, shoving Inferno's shoulder. "Turn around. I'm trying to clean back here."

Chuckling, Inferno leaned against the washrack wall. "I can't help it. There's this incredibly hot Lamborghini puttin' his hands all over me... In fact, if he don't stop, I'm not gonna be responsible for what happens."

"Oh, hush," Red Alert snorted, swatting him lightly. "Can't you behave yourself for one breem?"

Inferno pretended to think about that for a moment. "Nah, I don't think so," he said with a grin, turning and catching Red Alert around the waist. "This is much more fun."

"Inferno!" Red Alert yelped, suddenly finding himself between Inferno and the wall. "I don't need to be covered in tar!"

"Don't worry," Inferno murmured, running his hands down Red Alert's sides to rest on his hips. "I'll make sure you get properly cleaned up again," he said, nuzzling Red Alert's helm, lips brushing against the sensors as he spoke.

Red Alert shivered, barely holding back a moan. "...You'd better," he managed finally, voice hoarse. "But first," He wrapped his fingers under Inferno's bumper and pulled him closer. "You were saying...?"