Never an Easy Road
Chapter 7
Disclaimer: I don't own the Transformers. They officially belong to Hasbro and Takara. I'm taking them for a short spin.
Arcee enters the quarters she shares with Springer. It's been a long night on patrol, and she only wants to recharge. Perhaps she'll get a few moments with her fated before it's his turn to head out and begin his day of transporting supplies for reparing the city.
Except she finds Springer not alone in their berth. He's spooned up against Rodimus Prime, and they're both in recharge.
The exhausted femme allows herself a tired smile at the sight. It's not the first time her mate and friend have shared sleeping space, and certainly won't be the last. She's even recharged with both of them over the course of their relationship, considering some of the places they've found themselves. But Springer is going to be late for his shift, although Arcee doubts Jazz will be too angry with him if he is tardy. The specops commander has his own personal worries. So the femme gently shakes Springer awake.
The triple changer rouses slowly, and sits up, optics locking on the femme he's lucky to have as his fated.
"Have a good night out on patrol?" Springer said.
"Long an uneventful, but I'm still tired," Arcee replied. "Sunstreaker was in an unusually foul mood."
"Can't blame him," Springer said. "I don't think he and Sideswipe enjoy being away from Blurr anymore than I like being separated from you for long periods of time."
He stood, hugging his femme, giving her a quick kiss. Arcee melted against him, but only for a moment before pulling away.
"Rodimus finally decided to hide here?" she asked.
"Ratchet threatened him, and it's kinda my fault," Springer said. "Rodi hasn't had a decent recharge in days. He's been resting pretty good since I dragged him here. Would you mind keeping an optic on him for me?"
"If by that you mean recharging, then yes," Arcee said, reaching up to caress Springer's face. "You better go, or you'll be late."
"Eh, who cares?" Springer said. "Rodi's off duty until tomorrow morning. Ratchet was pretty clear on that."
"I'll try to keep him out of trouble," Arcee said.
Springer snorted. "Sure. Just don't end up in the brig, OK, 'Cee? Love you both, and see you later," he said.
"I love you too, Springer, and when are you going to give me an answer to that question I asked? Or have you forgotten?"
"No," Springer said. "Do you think now is really the time to discuss it? Especially not with in front of Rodi, considering. . ."
"You're an aft," Arcee said. "Go."
Springer kissed her again, flashing a crooked grin, watching as the femme sat down on the edge of the berth. Sensing movement behind her, she turned.
"Thanks for waking me up," Rodimus said, sitting up. "I've got stuff to do."
"No you don't," Springer said. "Not until tomorrow. Medic's orders. Comm Ratchet yourself if you don't believe me."
"No thanks," Rodimus said.
"Recharge with Arcee," Springer said. "Ratchet said Jazz is in charge for now. I think he can handle it."
"He shouldn't have to," Rodimus said.
"Stow it, Rodi," Springer said.
"You need rest. I don't mind," Arcee said. "Springer, you're going to be late."
The green mech blew a kiss at the femme, ignoring the glare from Rodimus.
"Like I said, I love you both. Don't get into too much trouble today," Springer said before bolting for the door.
"He is going to be late," Arcee said.
Rodimus shrugged. "He has a good reason to be late," he said. "You two are lucky to have each other."
"And we're lucky you're our friend," Arcee said. "That will never change. Not even with the new name and the fact you bear the Matrix. You're still our Rodi."
"Thanks, 'Cee," Rodimus said.
"Lay down. As much as I'd like to talk, I think we could both use some recharge," she said, waiting until he did as she said to slide into the berth next to him, curling up against him, kissing his cheek.
"We're both worried about you, and we just want you to be all right. I know it won't happen overnight, but you know you can count on us," Arcee said.
"I'm fine. Really," Rodimus said.
"No, you're not," Arcee said. "Rest first. Argument later."
88888
Ratchet has everyone and everything sorted, as much as he can. His patients are doing as expected and he's not surprised when First Aid throws him out of his own med bay. Their new Prime is following medical advice, and there's nothing left for the CMO to do. Except check on his own mate.
The medic's spirits lift as he enters the lab, seeing Perceptor's optics light up when he sees him. The love and warmth the scientist sends over their bond makes Ratchet care for him even more. He walks over, wrapping an arm around the red mech, kissing his cheek.
"Have a good day, love?" Ratchet asked. "As well as can be expected, considering."
"Satisfactory," Perceptor said. "Kup helped me keep the Dinobots occupied, and I was able to work on my caluclations about the amount of energy we'll need to restore Cybertron. Ultra Magnus was not impressed when he received my report via data burst."
"Percy, he can get slagged," Ratchet said. "Was it just preliminary data you sent?"
"Yes," Perceptor said.
"Then don't worry about it now," Ratchet said. "Rodimus said our immediate concern is getting the city repaired, and then we'll worry about Cybertron. Besides, Elita One is in charge there, not Magnus."
"Should I be sending my findings to her instead?"
"Ask Rodimus. In the morning," Ratchet said, dragging the scientist from the lab and to their quarters.
The scientist was unusually quiet, but Ratchet respected Perceptor's silence. He knew the other mech had much he needed to share, and he would in his own time. But once inside, what came out of his mate's mouth was a surprise.
"Perhaps we should consider trying for an offspring now the war is over," Perceptor said. "You do recall the promise you made me, don't you?"
"Of course," Ratchet said, taken aback. "But don't you think it's something we should think about first? The city's half destroyed, the Ark isn't much better, and while resources aren't scarce, they're needed for other matters."
"I know our operational status. I don't need a reminder of what's happend these past few weeks," Perceptor said. "I'm merely reminding you of a promise you made. You're not thinking of breaking it, are you?"
"No. Never, Perceptor," Ratchet said. "I would love to kindle a new spark with you. Just not now."
Perceptor exvented, and Ratchet closed the space between them, pulling his bond mate into a hug.
"What brought this on?" Ratchet asked.
"When will Wheeljack be released?" Perceptor said, evading the question.
"A few more days," Ratchet replied. "Just to be safe."
"I look forward to seeing him, and helping him with his recovery," Perceptor said. "He will need our support, after. . .after recent events."
"I know," Ratchet said. "I've already got plans for Smokescreen to start counseling sessions for everyone, myself included."
"Have you informed him of this yet?" Perceptor said.
"No," Ratchet said.
"Enough," Percetptor said, twining his fingers with the medic's, pulling him toward their berth, shoving him backward.
"Perce, wait," Ratchet said.
"Why? What's wrong?" Perceptor said.
"Don't you think we should wait?" Ratchet said, cupping Perceptor's face.
"We've waited too long," Perceptor answered. "
"This isn't just about getting sparked, is it?"
"No," Perceptor said. "I need your spark, to show you. . ."
He kissed Ratchet, and the medic needed no further encouragement, cracking his chest plates open, revealing his spark. The scientist did the same, and Perceptor took hold of the merge, his will iron as he showed Ratchet everything. Optimus' death, their flight to Cybertron, watching Ultra Magnus' death and resurrection, and Unicron.
Ratchet shared the battle in the shuttle, and the crash, the frantic race to save his patients.
After, Ratchet lay tangled with his mate.
"Now do you understand?" Perceptor said.
"Yes," Ratchet said, holding Perceptor until he fell into a sated recharge beside him, arms wrapped around him, their bond reaffirmed.
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