Disclaimer: I do not own Ratchet and Clank or any of its characters. The "Flufftober 2021" prompt list is by Flufftober2021 of Tumblr. This is a giftfic for candlezofficial of Instagram; they came up with the rarepair Pierrefarious.
This ship really kinda cute, and I wanted to give some love for this bc candlez puts in a lot of work to create content for this couple. I hope you like this, candlez, and thank you for making such wonderful stuff for Nef and Pierre! :D
Two to Play the Game of Love
(Flufftober 2021 Day 23 – "Hold Me in Your Arms")
The thing about the Dimensionator was that either way, it destroyed the fabric of the multiverse. The best built one tore holes in reality, and a poorly built one punched holes in it. Reality was as fragile as time was, so taking casual trips across dimensions was a good way to shatter the multiverse if you were careless enough. Crossing dimensions, especially after the incident with Emperor Nefarious, was limited to emergencies only, and regulations were implemented to help stabilize the multiverse and prevent any further damage.
The thing about reality was that there were cracks already in it. So, in order to weasel your way across dimensions without harming the fabric of the two or more universes, one would have to slip through the cracks in reality.
Nefarious was good at finding ways around rules.
The portal device, a small blaster that could identify the cracks in his reality, flicked on, scanning the watery surroundings. Sounds reverberated around the Ardolian cave. Shimmering lights reflected off the waters painted the cave walls, immersing the hideaway in waves of blue bioluminescence.
Red optics narrowed in focus. His claws squeezed the soft grip of the portal gun, and the doctor's hearing trained solely on the beeps coming from the gun's radar.
Behind him, two pirates chuckled.
"Ya know, Doc, if I had known you were so desperate to see yer beau, I woulda shown ya this before I dragged ya to happy hour down at the pub!"
Nefarious grumbled something in return.
Rusty Pete barked out a laugh, reaching out to slap Nefarious on the back. Once the hand connected, knocking Nefarious forward, the pirate then nudged his elbow into the former villain's side. "I get it, mate. Can't seem to get enough of me, eh?"
Captain Slag's head, held on a stick in Pete's right hand, pipped up. "Arr, Pete, ya swab, it's the other you he likes, so stop tryin' to steal another pirate's booty!"
"Aye-aye, Capt'n!" Pete looked to his partner and winked. "Just ribbin' on the landlubber, Capt'n. Didn't mean to get ya all salty now. Ya know I only want to spend my life as ya first mate…"
"Aw… Petey…"
"Quiet down, you morons," Nefarious spat out. His hand waved the portal device, and his other hand lifted up in a 'Stop' signal as the number of beeps tripled.
At the back of the cave, an outcropping of crystals grew up from the rocks. Sharp formations spiked into the air. Purples and blues refracted through the rocks, a shining signal to any traveler.
And there, framed between the top points of two crystals growing over each other, was a leaking of purple energy.
A triumphant smile spread across Nefarious' mouth piece. "Got ya," he murmured.
With renewed energy, the former villain darted over to the crystals, optics locked on the trickle of energy. Claws picked and tore at the crystals, eager to get a firmer dimensional access point.
The purple trailed down the outcropping into the watery shallows. As Nefarious' claws widened the small crack ever-so-slightly, more dimensional leakage poured into the dark waters, swirling bright purple with the midnight blue.
"Huh. Oi, Capt'n, this might be why this cave's got so many monsters! The dimensional thing-a-ma-bob's been muckin' up the poor sea life!"
"I can see that, ya mangy bilgerat! It don't take a genius to figur' that out!"
Nefarious ignored them.
The gears in his chest raced, and adrenaline coursed through his limbs. He was so close. It had taken almost a year to build the device and get it to work without causing any damage, and now, he was about to finally do what he had been desperate to do for months.
The reminder of their last meeting, and the invitation Pierre had extended to Nefarious, echoed around his mind.
After a few minutes of careful effort, the crack opened wider, and a small stream of dimensional energy ran into the shallows. The portal gun at Nefarious' side went crazy, beeps loud and numerous.
This was his chance.
Nefarious turned back to the two pirates, picking up the gun from his side. "Thanks," he forced out. "I owe it to you morons for the dimensional crack."
Pete waved his free hand. "Aw, bless yer heart, Doc! Me an the Capt'n are just glad ya could take a look at the Geraltous Shallows. They were causin' a lot of trouble for our hearties."
"Don't listen to a word that worthless swine is sayin'," Slag scoffed. "He's doin' it cause he's a sap for the romance of it."
"Capt'n! How could ya betray ya first mate like that?!"
"I'm going now!" Nefarious called out, turning back to the crack in reality. "I'll be back whenever…" He lifted the portal gun, but right before he squeezed the trigger, he heard Pete's voice.
"Oi, Doc, tell the other me that I say, 'Ahoy!'"
It was painful. The journey squeezed his essence through the cracks of reality, which was excruciating to see on paper, let alone experience it.
But when Nefarious opened his optics, he saw the alternate Ardolis right in front of him, bustling with activity.
Surprise and utter euphoria swept over the robot. A shout of manic cheer boomed through the cave, and the robot took off through the cave's interior. It became a mad dash; sprinting up rock outcroppings and brushing by bewildered green pirates to get to the main hub of activity at the center of the pirate's stronghold.
Just as he reached the platform where 'Bubbles' laid, his run faltered in pace. His feet slowed, and doubt wormed through his chest.
It had been almost a year since he had last seen Pierre, and the same could be said for the pirate seeing Nefarious. Did Pierre want to see him? Did he forget about him over time? Was Pierre going to revoke that invitation he gave him?
The smile fell away, and Nefarious slowed to a full stop. His hands lifted, coming up to clasp together by his collarbone area.
Had it been worth it to even come?
"Doctor?!"
At the sound of a familiar voice, Nefarious looked just beyond Bubbles' platform at the arriving pirate ship. A blue-colored pirate, down to feather in his hat, leaned over the bow of the ship. Before the ship could properly dock, the pirate was on the main platform, sprinting over to the former villain.
All Nefarious could see was the blinding grin on Pierre's face.
The doubt washed away, and within a minute, Pierre's arms were wrapped tight around the scientist's body. Pierre squeezed as hard as he could, and his good eye closed as he nuzzled the top of his head against Nefarious' chest.
"You came, mon chéri!"
Warmth bloomed in the scientist's chest, and a bashful, nervous nature filled the usually-grumpy robot. "You… still remember me?" Nefarious asked, a shy smile on his mouth piece.
"Of course!" Pierre pulled back a bit, still keeping his arms wrapped around the other robot. "I don't give offers of joining the pirates so casually, doctuer!" A flash of charm twinkled in the pirate's good eye. "Ah… you are a sight for sore eyes, mon bijou… I am surprised you made the leap to come here."
Nefarious kept his optics away from Pierre's, shuffling in place. "Yeah, well… Creatures have a hard time keeping me away from the things that I want. Not you're an object or something! Just that I wanted to see you again- But not in that way-"
Pierre's gaze softened and a touch of fondness filled the golden optic. "I'm honored you came, mon bonheur…"
Something clicked inside Nefarious, and the world melted away around the pirate in front of him.
It was a minute before Pierre dropped his optic and cleared his throat. "Yes, well…" He spread out his arm, gesturing to the main hub of Ardolis. "Shall I show you around? This planet is a wonderous spot in our little universe."
"Yeah… I'd like that," Nefarious hummed.
Before Pierre could move however, Nefarious' arm stopped him.
When the pirate looked back, the same bashful expression from earlier decorated Nefarious' face. "Actually," the scientist began, "it's been a while since I last saw you… could we… maybe we…"
Pierre looked to his right arm, still wrapped around the scientist's waist, and beamed back up at the taller robot. "Of course," he chortled, 'winking' with his good eye. "I understand the picture you're painting, docteur."
And with that, Pierre wrapped his other arm around the scientist. As the happy and encouraging cheers of the pirates around them echoed in their audio receptors, Nefarious let the warmth in his chest spread all over, then returned the hug Pierre was giving him.
He was glad he took the leap.
"Doctor?! Why the long face, monsieur? We have won the war against the emperor, have we not?"
"I know we did, you moron! …But…"
"Whatever is the matter?"
"Now that that's all over… I don't… I don't really have a place to go… Not somewhere where I would fit in, at least…"
"…Well, doctor… You've been a wonderful help to us, and you're quite the adventurous fellow. If you ever want to find a place amongst our pirate crew, I have no doubt that our captain would induct you in. I could even show you the ropes!"
"Mm. I can't stay for too long in your dimension, otherwise the difference in realities will affect my body. But there's ways around that…"
"Just think about it, doctor! You and me, sailing the high seas in search of gold and glory! I could teach you everything you needed to know to find a place amidst fellow hearties!"
"…Yeah… I'd like that… Maybe one day… um, what's your name?"
"Pierre Le Fer! First mate to the incredible Captain Quantum!"
"…Dr. Nefarious."
Song Inspos: "Break Your Heart" by Taio Cruz and "The Other Side" by Jason Derulo.
I hope this was a decent read! I had fun writing it, but I'm a bit rusty writing RaC characters. I also urge y'all, if you find yourself liking this ship, to check out candlez's Pierrefarious art on their Instagram. Send a little love to this rarepair; it's got a lot of cute interactions that can be thought up.
Nonetheless, thank you all so much for reading and supporting! :D