Title: Dense Scientist Chapter 3

Universe: G1

Characters/Pairing: Skyfire/Perceptor

Rating: T

Warnings: slash, mech kissing, sexual innuendo, bad grammar

Note: I'm sorry that its late and short. Been sick after the exams and just few days ago had a fight (not resolved yet) with someone I know. Anyways, Thank you for reading!

Kliks passed by and there was heavy silence between the two scientists. Perceptor stared at Skyfire with unbelieving optics, wondering visually if he just heard what he thought he heard.

"What?"

"I love you, Perceptor…"

Skyfire leaned towards Perceptor, so that his mouth was beside Perceptor's audio receptor, and repeated his words slowly and truthfully.

"I love you… I'm sorry that I was such a coward to say it… I love you."

Skyfire was barely touching Perceptor, just ghosting his breath and words over Perceptor, but Perceptor felt the sounds and the senses caressing over him like a real physical touch. His internal temperature began to rise and he did not know what to reply or how, as he just could not open his mouth to say anything. So he waited for Skyfire to continue.

"Perce'… I… I always loved you and I will love you until my spark fades out."

Normally, Skyfire would be so embarrassed to say words like these, but under some unknown magic of bravery called love, the feeling he harboured for Perceptor flowed so smoothly out of his vocal processor as if he long time of holding back was never there at all. However that magic faltered slightly as it was not reciprocated. Oh, if Perceptor would just say something, anything…

"You…"

Finally Perceptor took his word out, but he did not, no could not, say anything more. He dropped his head, staring at the floor as if the words he should say were written on the floor. He was never good at social interaction, and he did not expect Skyfire to take the direct, get-to-the-point, no-room-for-misunderstanding confession right now! The words were amazing to his spark, but it was also embarrassing to his processors. However, the heat radiating from Perceptor's frame spoke the words for him. Skyfire smiled in happy satisfaction.

"I love you."

Skyfire repeated and carefully wrapped his arms around Perceptor. The touch of bodies was so light that it was almost non-existent, but they both felt as if the touching surfaces were tingling with electricity. Perceptor made a wheezing sound even though he was not squished at all, and buried himself in Skyfire's large chassis. Skyfire welcomed him of course, and his face was pure glee with a huge smile.

"You are an idiot."

"I'm sorry for being an idiot so far, but I'm happy that I'm a fool in love."

"… Idiot…"

And they stayed in a hug for some time until Skyfire escorted Perceptor to his quarters.

"That's so playing dirty Ratchet!"

"There was no rule about it! And I did not tell him anything directly at all! I only suggested."

"And to be truthful Sideswipe, nearly everyone tried suggestions for ages. So I don't think Ratchet's should be counted as 'dirty'. And also from all I know, you tried to make some… suggestions multiple times too."

When the new couple walked in to the rec room next day, Sideswipe was arguing with Ratchet about his winning and several other mechs were watching them argue. Skyfire mentally groaned as the knowledge about the betting pool came back to him, and in a corner of his mind wondered if Perceptor knew about the bet too.

"So it was Ratchet?"

Those who were arguing turned to face Perceptor, and to his question, they all nodded. Skyfire made a silent sigh seeing Perceptor's reaction to others' conversation. So he knew about the betting pool then.

"Although I did not specify a time period, I did bet on that Ratchet will be the trigger. I win too."

Okay, Skyfire did not need to know, and did not wish to know that Perceptor was part of the betting pool. Ratchet and Perceptor made a high-five and Sideswipe mumbled about unfair bet, but he seemed pretty happy about the new couple. When the details about the betting pool were settled, the bots came over to congratulate and tease Skyfire and Perceptor. Well, actually, they teased Skyfire as Perceptor was speaking to Ratchet and Wheeljack.

"Congrats on coupling guys!"

"Um… Thanks?"

"So when can we expect little shuttles or microscopes or space telescopes?"

"WHA-"

"Aww… Come on, aren't you two banging?"

"No-"

"Hm. So not yet? Better start another betting pool about it then!"

Skyfire was speechless as the mechs, except Perceptor, Ratchet, and Wheeljack, gathered to set another betting pool about 'when' he and Perceptor would interface. It was embarrassing, invasive to his and Perceptor's personal life, and would be totally humiliating if they do get the knowledge of it. He could feel his processors glitching with so many wrongs about the betting pool.

By the time Skyfire's processors came back, the mechs dissipated to somewhere else, and they were alone in the rec room. Perceptor was staring into Skyfire's optics, waiting him to regain his thoughts. When Skyfire did, Perceptor gave him a heart-warming smile.

"Hello- I wonder what putted you into a shock."

"Uh…"

Skyfire could not answer that. Was Perceptor participating in the new betting pool? He did not know, and did not want to know. Perceptor made a frown seeing Skyfire's dumbness and pulled Skyfire to sit down. Skyfire followed the order without resistance.

"Sit down and have your energon. Why so shocked?"

Before he noticed, Perceptor went to the energon dispenser and brought him a cube of energon. Taking that cube obediently, but not answering to the question, Skyfire silently drank his energon. Perceptor frowned again.

"Are you mad at me as I did not inform you about my participation in the betting pool?"

Since it was partially true, Skyfire nodded. Perceptor sighed.

"I've been waiting for you to make a move for so long! I needed compensation for my frustration and patience. If you want, you can think of it was a dowry of some sort."

"D-dowry?"

"Why not?"

Before Skyfire noticed, Perceptor was perched over Skyfire's lap, leaning towards him. Skyfire gulped as his body heat skyrocketed. Very appealing position, but not in the rec room! But… Very, VERY appealing… Their faces were only an inch apart now.

"No?"

"… Yes…"

Their breaths touched a second before their lips touched. They kept the kiss chaste, not opening their mouths. They just shared the soft warmth of their lips.

"I love you."

I'm probably going to write some other fics with Sky' and Perce', since I can't get the idea of space telescope away. But it will be much later. I have other things to do and other fics to write :)