Chapter 8

Kisses of Love and Warning

Rivet and Ratchet stumbled through the streets, laughing their heads off. It started to rain as dry lightning cracked across the sky. Air as cold as ice shot through the buildings, but this didn't faze the interdimensional heroes much.

"Ya sure we s—shouldn't go back… to Sargasso?" Ratchet asked as they leaned against the other to hold them up.

"N—no, Kit would… k—kill me for drunk… fly-ing…" she grabbed Ratchet's ear, yanked his head to her mouth to whisper a secret. "I have… t—too many strikes… on my… r—record… hehe, drunk flying… wou-ld'nt be… go-od!" Rivet laughed while releasing the male lombax.

Ratchet normally would've raised his eyebrow but keeping in mind this was a long-time rebel in his arms, this stuff didn't surprise him. "Welllll…." He started to get her attention, "we can't f—fly back… n—need to sleep… somewhere…" The male lombax looked around, completely oblivious to all the hotels nearby.

"Oh!" Rivet shoved his face against her cheek and pointed a metal finger to a nearby motel. "Know t—that place!" she hiccuped and gave Ratchet a firm tug to go in that direction. "Haveee a frie-nd there… can stay free for… a.. uh…" she hiccuped, finger to chin, trying to think of the correct word. "Stay for a night!"

"Sounds good!" Ratchet laughed as he was drug by the female lombax into the motel's main entrance.

It was nothing fancy, at least in comparison to the other places. Earthy-colored furniture with a renaissance-themed decorum. A little gothic in nature if Ratchet had to guess, given the depressing look to the whole place. Old and a bit worn out, he wondered who Rivet knew ran this place.

"Hey Alloy!" the white lombax yelled, waving her hand like a mad drunk. Despite the fact, she was buzzed out of her mind. "M—me and my f—friend need… a place to… catch some Zs tonight…"

A giant four-armed creature with a metal eye came out, almost primate-looking in appearance. He adorned a bright red outfit and a small matching hat. His brutish exterior startled Ratchet as he got Rivet's shoulder, protective instincts kicking in. But the female lombax poked his nose, reassuring him to calm down.

"Rivet, nice to see ya again." He spoke in a menacingly deep voice. In one of his massive hands sat a silver key he tossed to Rivet. Motioning to a nearby door with his head, "Room 28894… enjoy your night."

"Thanks!" she laughed while grabbing Ratchet by his collar and gesturing him with a finger to follow. "C—come on… need to… t—talk."

They stumbled through the door as Rivet shut and locked it. Ratchet got out a small device and quickly sent Clank a typed message. Letting their robot pals know of their whereabouts and that they wouldn't be back till morning. Once he finished it, Rivet snatched the device away from him, her eyes taking on a curious look.

"R—Ratchet, I um…" she shifted on her feet nervously. Confusing the male lombax a bit. Before Ratchet could ask her what's wrong, the rebel slammed her lips into his. His tail puffed up in total fright as he was roughly manhandled into the bedsheets.

"R—rivet!?" he croaked under her lips, getting her shoulders to gently tug her off. "W-hat's going… on?" hiccupped out in fright, taken completely off guard by this gesture.

She sat into his lap, tail swishing back and forth. His handsome eyes to shiny fur and nice white smile. Normally Rivet had more self-reservation, but with the alcohol numbing her hesitance, she barely could contain the explosive urges boiling up in her mind. The male lombax held securely in her grip had a unique scent, that every time it hit her nostrils, it seemed to stir up her curiosity. Ratchet had always smelt good, but rarely had she got up this close. With that aroma becoming even more delicious, her fangs flashed a drunk sheepish smile.

"S—sorry, you just… smell good!" she gently guided his hands to her waist while she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. Giving her head enough room as she made out with his neck. Her tail swaying in sheer excitement as her hands gripped him tighter.

Completely thrown off by this, even with his drunken state slurring his responses, the fear returned full force. But not having the strength to resist, he caved into the rough touches that excited him. Her fangs nipping his neck made him purr, even his ears flicked side to side. Then he paused, was this just another allusion?

When he touched her shoulder, Rivet didn't even notice his pawing as she deepened her make-out session. Seeing as how she didn't fade from sight or stop, this confirmed to Ratchet his brain was not messing with him. But this brought on a new wave of confusion, making him halt his enjoyment of her pets. Rivet never liked him like that, so… how was this real?

Rivet, getting even more excited, got his collar and started to peel the shirt away. Her lips trailing from his neck to his collar bone. Lower and lower she went till his shirt was practically unbuttoned to his stomach. Ratchet's eyes suddenly shot open in realization as he grabbed Rivet's hands. Gently he slid the female off and scampered away from her.

Eyes widened at the sudden abandonment; Rivet started at Ratchet. "W—what are you… d—doing?" She reached her metal hand out, caught Ratchet by the shoulder, and wheeled him around. "Ra-ratch… why are you…?" Her words paused as she saw bandages wrapped around his torso.

Ratchet quickly buttoned his shirt up, panicked sweat dripping from his forehead. "S—sorry… i.. just…" he rambled, completely stuck and confused. Tripping over his words even more then a minute ago.

"Ratch…" Rivet put her artificial hand over his chest. "B—bandages? W… why are you…" she hiccupped again. "Wearing… bandages?"

Staring deep into those blue eyes that were glazed over from the liquor, Ratchet felt his mind slow down. Instead of panicking, he placed his hand over her robotic hand. There was no need to panic, he thought to himself. She had more to drink than he did, she wouldn't remember half of this stuff by morning. The hero smiled gently down to his concerned companion, pressing her robotic hand to his chest.

"We're more… alike now… then… y—you think," gently taking his free hand, he propped it to her face. His green eyes beginning to water a bit as he massaged her soft cheek. Leaning in, he planted a gentler kiss. He couldn't lay with her, not like this, when both were so buzzed neither could even walk a straight line. For all he knew, this was just her being brave from the drinks, with impaired judgment.

"I—I'm sorry… b-but I can't…" he parted his lips from her.

"W—why not?"

Ratchet shook his head as Rivet brought her other hand to his chest. This made Ratchet shoot his eyes open as he quickly pushed away from her organic hand. Knowing that if she felt his chest, the mark would be detected. Just her bionic hand would be enough.

"I can't ex-explain…" he gently leaned against her, hugging her tight. "Forgive… me," Ratchet got Rivet and leaned her back against the pillow. Handshaking as he stroked her cheek before pulling himself away. Till her hand grabbed his shoulder.

"P—please… don't g—go," she whispered, ears flat against her head again. "I—I don't… w-want to be a-a-a-al-one again."

This comment slapped Ratchet in the face, eyes wide in total shock to hear this loner admit such things. He held her hand tightly, lying down next to her.

"I… won't go any-where. Promise."

Seeing her eyes shift hesitantly, Rivet slowly allowed herself to drift off. Hanging onto Ratchet tightly, refusing to let go. They lingered in this position for a good hour or so till Rivet's soft breaths blew Ratchet's fur back. Signaling the female was finally asleep. He tightened his teeth together with the longer he looked at her innocent face. Damn, he cursed to himself, wishing with all his might this didn't happen.

"I'm so… so.. sorry…" he whispered in her ear, wishing he could fix all that had been done. Gripping her artificial arm, he placed it against his chest. Detecting his metallic heart buzz when in proximity with the other metal.

A soft knock came to the door. Knock knock knock.

Ratchet titled his head and released Rivet. Approaching the door, he straightened out his shirt from where Rivet had nearly peeled him out of it. Getting the cold doorknob in his tight grip, he cracked the door and peaked out.

A large hand shot through, knocking the door open from the force, and caught his neck. The male lombax gasped in total shock as the powerful limb yanked him out of the room. It slammed him onto the concrete, knocking the wind out of him as a blindfold was wrapped over his eyes. He could hear the stranger quietly shut the door and begin dragging his body down the motel steps and into the shipyard. The grip on his neck tightened, he coughed out for a desperate breath.

"L—let go!" he growled, weakly grabbing the hand cutting off his windpipes. Not able to see a thing as he was left to the stranger's complete mercy.

"That… wouldn't be ethical." Came a deep electronic voice as Ratchet felt his hands get tied behind his back.

"You…" Ratchet breathed in, heart racing a million miles per hour. No, not this voice. It couldn't be, how could this be happening now? The hero fought very hard, slamming his foot forward, feeling a loud CLACK. He made an educated guess his foot connected into the intruder's jaw. But the attacker didn't seem to be bothered as he dropped Ratchet roughly against the ground.

"Fighting is pointless," the whispers floated to his ears. Claws rubbing his jaw, Ratchet felt his skin crawl at the oddly gentle touch. "Not here to hurt you… but to offer simply warn you."

"Of what?" Ratchet growled, baring his fangs.

"Even drunk… you remember clearly." The stranger was a good deal bigger than Ratchet; he could tell by how this individual loomed over him. This making Ratchet tense up as he tried to skootch away, only to have a clawed hand yank him back. "I need time, you cannot escape… so… felt it only kind… to give you a fighting chance."

"W—what do you mean?"

"Either you… or her." The deep electronic voice whispered, scratching his chin gently. "This'll be… up to you. Push it, and I might… need another arm."

"Don't you dare!" He snapped, squirming even harder, ramming his foot against the stranger again. "D—damn i-t! W—why? Who are you? H—how did you… even do this?" Ratchet snarled in sheer rage, muscles flexing so much, he could feel the artificial heartburn beneath his rib cage. "S—she lost her arm to… h-her friend…. It was an… a—accident!"

"Hm… how do you think your little girlfriend FOUND… the secret entrance?" The voice chuckled and shoved Ratchet against his back. "Know, I am coming soon. Enjoy the little time you have left."

"I—I swear…" Ratchet huffed angrily, feeling his veins break out of his forehead. "If you… even touch her… i-I will find you…!"

The stranger chuckled softly, putting a large hand over Ratchet's entire face. The male lombax felt the steel-cased gloves caress his chest. Feeling a groove in the glove, Ratchet paused, almost feeling fur poking out of its metal seams. What was going on? He winced as the stranger's fur strands tickled his chest. His own fur furrowing up at the unwanted touch.

"You're limited now, in everything you do. But I am not… if not a fair person." The stranger yanked Ratchet up into a sitting position. "Blindfolded, you cannot find me. However, I'll… give you a hint."

Suddenly Ratchet felt something smash against his lips. Massive fangs sank into his snout as the stranger planted a wet kiss on him. A rough organic tongue caressed his tiny teeth as the huge creature almost suffocated him. Disgust shot through him as he tried to pull his head away, but this creature's strength was just too much, even for him. After ten long dreadful seconds, the creature released Ratchet. He spits the nasty saliva from his mouth, using his shoulder to wipe the intrusive juices from his lips.

"W—why you!" The wind got knocked out of him as the creature smashed a fist into his chest. "Oof!"

He felt his attacker pick him by his throat and begin walking. The air whished past him as he lost more and more energy. Fear melted into his anger as his muscles sagged. The blindfold still blinding him, his eyes tried to peek through the fabric. But it was no use, the bindings cutting into his skin were too strong. He felt himself get carried for a few minutes till a door opened.

Ratchet was roughly pulled up and dropped onto a bed. A familiar scent whisked past his nose, a more pleasant one. Soft breaths blew past him as his ears shot open, it was Rivet. She must've still been asleep as he felt the stranger's hand roughly shove him against the pillow.

"What are you d—doing?" he whispered out, fear paralyzing him. His tail stretched out to touch the stranger's body, praying this individual was not near Rivet. Oddly, the bandage around his hands loosened. As his hands became completely free, he raced to tug off the blindfold.

Just as Ratchet's eyes saw light, the stranger took their metallic gloved fist and socked him right in the face. Everything went black as Ratchet fell like a rag doll against the sheets. Everything now completely lost to him as the stranger glared down at him. Goldeyes pulsing beneath their black visor as they turned away and quietly left the room.