Ratchet didn't know how to begin. How was he supposed to put this? How did anyone confess? The fluttery feeling he had in his chest alone was enough to try and offline him. What if she rejected him? What if she ran away from him? Could he handle it? Yes. But that didn't mean it wouldn't hurt like a bitch.
All the while as he thought this over, nervous and nearly panicked, Bobbi simply stared up at him with those damned brown eyes. Big, chocolate, deep eyes. Primus, did they pierce through him, warming his spark and making it sputter. Something within him heated up, drawing forth an uncomfortable feeling. Why was she just staring at him like that? It was unnerving. He was already fidgety enough!
Frag it, what did he have to lose? The thought was a vain attempt to cheer himself up, but a darker part of Ratchet's mind was quick to respond. Only her. But with the way your spark is in such a fit, it looks like its going to happen either way. The whisper was painful, piercing deeply into him. The truth behind it, however, was impossible to deny.
He could very well lose everything in the process of doing this.
For a moment, his spark faltered. Was it worth it, to risk it all? To put it all on the line? Ratchet took another few minutes to think, his mind in a whirlwind. All the while, Bobbi watch him, an understanding yet curious glimmer in her eyes. As if she knew that he needed time to think this over before speaking, and respected his wishes.
That was the straw that broke the camel's back. Ratchet, through all his years of knowledge and experience, had none when it came to this sort of thing. While he had had one or two relationships on Cybertron, they had been nothing serious. And so, he had nothing to draw upon to help him with this. But dammit he wanted to try. He wanted to throw caution to the wind and see where this went.
The medic wanted to give this a chance to grow into something.
All he had to do, was take a leap of faith.
To do that, he need to do things his way. Not by some book, or advice, or even command. But by his own way. What was his way though? Narrowing his eyes a little and pursing his lips, Ratchet thought over how to go about this. Bobbi became concerned as his silence lapsed into close to five minutes time. It grew further when the doctor closed his eyes and shook his head, as if berating himself for something.
Ratchet knew he was overthinking things.
Bobbi opened her mouth to 'speak' in her own silent way, to question if everything was alright. But she didn't even get a chance to. In the next moment, there was a soft woosh of air, and then she was directly eye level with the medic. Something about his closeness sent the field medic's face ablaze and her heart racing.
The clean, warm air from his vents washed over her. Bobbi was so close to him, there was no personal bubble anymore. And… was he drawing closer? Maybe it was just her. Swallowing thickly and hoping he didn't notice- though he probably did- the mute tried to slow her heart and banish the red staining her cheeks.
It didn't work.
A large thumb and pointer finger gently trapped either side of her jaw between them. Gently, her face was tilted up so that she was looking at Ratchet directly. The medic, for his part, was hesitating, searching her face for signs of fear or any other negative emotion. But there was none. Rather, there was only curiosity, trust, concern and confusion.
So he threw caution to the wind. Leaped from his wall of safety and trust, and fell with only the hope that she would catch him. Ratchet closed the remaining distance between them- and they connected. For those few, brief moments; time was frozen. There were no seconds. No minutes. No hours. Not even days, weeks, months or years. Just each other and what was happening between them at that very point in time.
The kiss was cumbersome. But through its awkwardness, it felt right.
Bobbi, personally, was fixed in place, startled and wide eyed. Ratchet held still, his face clumsily pressed to her's. And while it took her a moment, the brunette did eventually relax and close her eyes, leaning into the strange caress.
Because it felt more like that then a kiss. And yet there was no doubt that that was what the medic was attempting. Strangely enough… Bobbi found that she liked it.
Reaching up and skimming one small hand along his jaw until she couldn't reach any higher, the field medic held onto his face, her other hand bracing herself against the bed so that she didn't tumble over. That would, after all, be very embarrassing.
After several moments of this still, hesitant, very innocent contact, Ratchet pulled away. And yet he stayed near. Dazedly, Bobbi noted that his head was leaned against her like a dog did against its master's leg. And… was he purring? Blinking, the mute reached up and rubbed a hand over his face affectionately.
Oh yes, he was definitely purring. How adorable! The sound made her smile widely.
Ratchet slowly raised a hand and began running a finger up and down her back tenderly, continuing with the purring noise. And while Bobbi would have loved to just sit there and… was this considered cuddling? Well, in any case, she would love to continue this all day; but her leg was killing her at this point and she needed some things answered. Like, soon. Because fuck was her head thrown through a loop!
Bobbi pulled her arm back a little, and pushed on Ratchet's face with that thought in mind. He moved where she wanted him to without complaint. Once he was where they could see one another, the mute took a deep breath and began to untangle what the hell that was. 'What does this mean? Ratchet?' Bobbi may have been dense. But she was far from stupid. Having a faint idea, she only needed him to confirm it.
The Autobot medic breathed out heavily through his nose and leaned his head to the side. The field medic was slightly startled to find that she had been subconsciously stroking his cheek. Licking her dry lips and swallowing, Bobbi chose to continue the action. It wasn't hurting anything, right? Besides, the smooth metal beneath her fingertips felt warm and wonderful. It was rather addicting.
Not that she would admit that to anyone.
"Wasn't it obvious…?" The medic murmured, sounding a bit confused,
'I would like to hear it.' Brown orbs met blue. She needed him to confirm this. Needed to be told it was exactly what she thought it was. Otherwise, doubt would set in, and she knew it. Knew it well. But above all…
Bobbi needed to know that he meant it.
"I…" Ratchet took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Alright, now how to put this? Slag it if he knew, but he had to try, yeah? "I worry for you." The words were slow and hesitant as he began, "I care if you're in danger, if you're scared or hurt. And I fear when your life is in danger or if you are injured." With every word, he grew a little more confident, a little more assured.
"Bobbi." She never looked away from him, and when Ratchet spoke her name in such a firm, sincere tone; her heart began to race again, faster this time. Lifting her head slightly, Bobbi continued to watch him. His expression, his eyes; soaking up every detail of this moment. "I believe that I care for you." Utter seriousness overtook his features, "Far more than what I do for my friends and comrades."
For a moment there was silence. Ratchet began to falter slightly, here he had laid all that he felt, bare. But what if she didn't return the feelings? If she didn't want anything to do with him after this? The fear was nearly palpable. But he needn't have worried. In the next moment, Bobbi had lifted her other hand and placed it on his other cheek. Now he was trapped between her touch. Yet he didn't mind in the slightest.
'Ratchet?' His name was slow and hesitant as it formed on Bobbi's lips. Thinking back to it, now all the pieces began to fit into place. Dots connected together, and answers came to questions that had lingered since close to her first meeting with him. And as the holes were filled in, a realization came to her, and with it, the sincerity of Ratchet's confession. This realization grew, and warmed her to the core.
"Yes?" Blue light from Ratchet's eyes fell down over Bobbi's body. It was comforting, though unnerving. But now she would give voice to her realization. Now she would tell him. And before Bobbi could lose her confidence, she let the words form on her lips for him to read. All of her sincerity packed behind them.
'I feel the same way. I like you, more than I do anyone else.'
The silly grin that stretched across Ratchet's face could have lit up a thousand human city's with its brightness.
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"Jazz! Stop shoving me!" The hissed voice was quiet yet agitated,
"Don't scratch my pain you fragger!" Another joined in,
"Don' get in mah way than." A cool voice shot back in a laid back yet excited tone. At the door of the med bay, a certain pair of lambos and silver saboteur were fighting for a spot to see in to what was going on.
"What are you all doing?" Three helms turned around, two with wide optics, the third with a wide grin and a mischievous glint in the visor upon his face. Behind them, Prowl and Optimus frowned at them in confusion, brows furrowed. "Oh! Prowler! Boss bot!" Jazz's voice took on a sly undertone, "Th' juicy part is jus' beginnin'."
"Are you… spying on them?" Prowl slanted his optics at the silver Autobot, catching on quickly to the third in command's tone. He knew Jazz far too well, and he wasn't about to fall for such a trick.
"..."
"Jazz." The stern command drew a guilty grin from the smaller bot,
"Maybeh? But they jus' confessed! Don' tell meh ya' haven' been wonderin' when it was gonna happen!"
"Jazz. It is immoral to spy on your comrades." Optimus quietly berated him, frowning with displeasure,
"Aw, come on Optimus!" Sideswipe chimed in, "Don't you want to know what's happening? Aren't you the least bit curious?" he grinned just as slyly as Jazz.
Complete and utter silence. "..."
"Prowl! Stop stepping on my pedes!"
"Than move over."
"Shhhhhh! I wanna see what happens next!"
"Quiet, all of you." The rumble of Optimus's voice silenced the entire group as they all crowded once more around the door with two more added to their cluster.
Unaware of the eyes on them, Ratchet cupped his hands around Bobbi's tiny body, shielding her from the outside world. The soft crooning of his voice drifted out of the med bay and to them, soft and affectionate.
"Well its about damn time." Sunstreaker grumbled quietly,
"Maybe he won't act like he's got an energon rod shoved up his aft all the time now." Sides chimed in, only to get smacked upside the head from Prowl. While the red lambo whined about abuse, Sunny only grumbled about how he was stuck with a stupid half-brain as his twin. So wrapped up in one another, they didn't notice Optimus slip away.
Only Jazz was aware of the big bot's movements. But he said nothing in response to them.
The leader of the Autobots walked away, a smile pulling at his lips. Ratchet deserved this bit of happiness after everything they had been through. He was truly happy for his friend. And if anyone gave the new couple trouble?
…
They'd have to deal with Optimus Prime directly.
(AN: FINALLY! MY GODS THIS TOOK, WHAT, 24 CHAPTERS?! GOOD GOD RATCHET!
Sorry this is a bit... late? Its been a shitty month for me thus far. And I didn't get much sleep last night. Some asshole decided to try and steal from us.
I woke up at about 1:20 in the morning to the outside dogs howling at the top of their lungs. So I ripped on my pants and boots and walked outside. Some fucker was trying to get into the female's cage. So I ran at him, screaming and waving my big mag light like a mace, ready to bash his head in. He looked back at me, startled, and then took off down the road like Satan himself was on his ass ready to torch him.
I chased him to the edge of the yard before stopping. Then I retreated inside and called my mother, who works nights. Thankfully, nothing was taken, but I'm more then a little pissed off that he tried to take anything.
I'm lucky he ran off. If he had stood his ground, I would have gotten my ass kicked. He was taller then me, and while he was chunky, he was a full grown man. And I? I am a little girl at a mere 120 pounds of fury. I really don't like those odds. He'd probably throw me around like a basketball.
In any case, enjoy this chapter, kay? :D I gotta go work on this Saturday's installation of 'Hear Me' ^^)