It's been a few days, and Thundercracker hasn't returned. Starscream had, but it was just for more demands and insults. Ratchet never told him a word, most of the time he just sat by the back wall, knees brought up to his chest and his head buried in his arms. Thundercracker was right though, no food was ever brought to his cell. The medic didn't care, other than the fact that he was starving, but he had more honor than to blab and reveal his crew's location just for some scraps.
So, it was another lonely night, at least Ratchet assumed it was night and he felt drowsy and weak. The only up side to this situation was that he lost quite a bit of weight due to being deprived of any food. With a heavy sigh, Ratchet thought of First Aid, hoping he was faring better. He also wondered if Rodimus's crew returned to the Lost Light and discovered two of their medics were gone. Slag, they could have kidnapped the few bots that remained on the ship for all he knew.
Once again, the clicking of the door's locks was heard. Ratchet didn't even bother to look up to see who his visitor was; he given up caring. He listened as the sound of footsteps that led to in front of his cell and a thunk of something dropping to the ground. He could tell it wasn't a 'Con like Hook or another large framed bot. It wasn't until the other spoke did he realize who it was.
"Hey," Thundercracker's deep voice broke the silence. "How you holding up?"
Ratchet looked up. "How's First Aid?"
"OK," Thundercracker said. "You don't look so good."
Ratchet shrugged his shoulders. "What do you expect?"
"True," Thundercracker replied.
"What do you want?" Ratchet grumpily asked.
"Figured you might be hungry," Thundercracker replied. "Am I right?"
"You know damn well that they are following threw with their plan," Ratchet mumbled.
"Yeah," The flier replied. "Sorry I took so long to return. Was sent out on a mission."
"I could tell," Ratchet said as he eyed the seeker's battered frame and a bent wingtip. "Won't someone tend to you damaged wing?"
"Other's are hurt worse, and I had better things to do," Thundercracker replied as he opened the box by his feet. He pulled out a freshly baked pie. "Fresh out of the oven. Want to try a slice?" He held the pie out like it was some sort of highly coveted prize, and Ratchet just laughed at how ridiculous the situation was. "Why are you laughing?"
The medic just shook his head as he lowered his legs and used his hands to get up. He plodded slowly to the bars and leaned against them. "Alright. I'll try a piece." He was a little upset with himself, it didn't take any bribes for him to want to eat what the seeker brought for him. He was so hungry and figured he had nothing left to loose. Well, perhaps his dignity that is.
Thundercracker's face beamed and he retrieved a utensil from his subspace. He didn't even bother cutting the pie into slices, he just stabbed it with the fork and brought the warm, gooey forkful through the bars and to the other mech's mouth.
"You know, I am quite capable of feeding myself," Ratchet grumbled and tried to take the fork from the 'Con.
"But that takes the fun out of it," Thundercracker whined. Ratchet just gave him a stern look. With a disappointed sigh, Thundercracker handed over the fork to the medic and settled for just watching the red and white mech place the heaping forkful of pie into his mouth.
"Mmmmm," Ratchet moaned as he closed his optics; clearly enjoying the rich taste of the fresh pie.
"Good?" Thundercracker said as if he really wanted to squeal with delight. Ratchet nodded as he swallowed, then licked his lips clean. "Want some more?" The blue seeker moved down some and carefully titled the pie to get it between the cell's bars. He held it out for Ratchet, who just eyed him leerily. "Go on. Enjoy it."
No longer giving it more thought, Ratchet took the pie and began to eat it. The warm gooey filling tasted so sweet and delicious! The treat hit the spot, and his mood lightened with each bite of the pie. Thundercracker just stood there with his hands resting between the bars as the prisoner gobbled up the food. Once finished, Ratchet frowned at the now empty dish.
"You finished that in no time," Thundercracker chuckled as he reached his hand out and wiped at the other's face. Ratchet pulled his head back. "You got some on your face, silly." Ratchet wiped at his face and tried to hide his blushing cheeks. "I got plenty more if you're still hungry."
With a feeling of shame, Ratchet nodded his head yes and Thundercracker gave a cheeky smile. Reaching for his box again, he brought out a bag and opened it. He pulled out a small green coated candy and held it out for the other to take. Ratchet took it from Thundercracker's hand and popped it in his mouth. When he bit down on it, the sweet liquid insides exploded in his mouth. The candy energon coated treat was scrumptious!
"I knew you'd like them!" Thundercracker said with glee and reached for another one. "Here." When Ratchet tried to take it, Thundercracker pulled his hand away and tsk'ed. "Let me do it," He said as he brought the green candy to the other's lips.
'Why the hell do mechs like to feed me?' Ratchet asked himself. He opened his mouth and allowed the blue flier to place the little ball of goodness in his mouth. As he chewed the treat, Ratchet couldn't help but notice how happy Thundercracker was. His wings flicked as he wore a smile on his face. Ratchet just didn't get it, but the food was irresistible, so he just let the seeker feed him.
On some occasions, Thundercracker would tease him. He'd hold the candy out for Ratchet, but would make him lean forward to take it, and then the blue mech would pull it away. The only way Ratchet would get the sweet candy was if he quickly snatched it with his mouth since his hands where not allowed. Eventually, Thundercracker's finger ended up getting bit.
"Ouch," Thundercracker playfully stated as he sucked on his finger. "You're not supposed to eat me."
"Well, you should know better than to tease a fatty like that," Ratchet grumbled and quickly snatched the bag from the other. To his disappointment, it was empty. "Damn."
"Don't worry, I got more," Thundercracker said as he brought up yet another box. "This one is going to be very sweet, but its also messy." He opened the container and inside were several tarts loaded with custard and energon berries. Before the seeker knew it, Ratchet had stuck his arm out and dipped his finger in the toppings, scooped some out, and licked it off. "Hey!" The seeker shouted and pulled the box out of the other's reach. "No sneaking. Do you want them?"
"Yes," Ratchet answered as he leaned against the bars to allow the other one to easily feed him.
"Hmmmm," Thundercracker muttered. "This won't do. If you make a mess on the bars, Screamer will know someone was giving you food..."
"I won't make a mess," Ratcheted begged. He really wanted the tarts!
"How about this," Thundercracker said. "I'll feed them to you, but I'll have to come inside the cell."
Ratchet furrowed his brows. The bars were like a security blanket, he knew Thundercracker couldn't really hurt him through them. But once inside, who knows that the 'Con had planned.
"There is no escape," Thundercracker said. "While there aren't guards stationed outside, you got a gestalt's quarters at the end of the hall. So, even if you manage to somehow unlock the cell's door, you won't get far." This didn't change Ratchets concern. "I'm not going to hurt you. I'd hope you'd have seen that by now. All I want is for you to enjoy the food I spent all orn cooking for you." He held up the tarts once again, and upon seeing the treats, how could Ratchet resist?
The medic nodded yes and stepped back to allow Thundercracker room. His nerves shot sky high and he realized stupidly that it was his hunger talking that made him agree. Letting out a sigh, he watched the seeker dragged a chair inside, then went back out for the box of food. Once back inside, Thundercracker pushed the chair to the center of the cell and beckoned Ratchet to take a seat, but instead, the medic just stood there.
"Come on, think about it," Thundercracker said. "If I wanted to hurt you, I would have done so by now, right? How many opportunities have I had? The first batch of pastries could very well have been poisoned, right? Or I can nock you out with my sonic booms, huh? Don't you want to taste what else I made for you?"
Ratchet didn't answer at first. To be honest, he was scared out of his mind- true, partly because a Decepticon stood right in front of him, but also because he only agreed because he wanted more food- not because it was a smart choice.
"Why don't you want to sit down?" Thundercracker asked. "Is it because I am scaring you?"
Ratchet nodded. "In the end, you're a 'Con. One of the foulest, ruthless, deceiving wretches ever to exist."
"Ouch, such harsh words," Thundercracker said. "Do you not have some Autobots that can fit that bill?" Ratchet made a repulsed look if disbelief. " I remember when Skywarp was held captive by yous. Didn't the twins do some foul things to him?" Ratchet didn't answer. "He's my Trine-mate, and we're bonded. I know what happened."
Ratchet looked down in shame. He was right. When it was Ratchet's turn to do guard duty, he walked into the cell room and found the twins trying to force information out by the use of the port hook ups. Skywarp was terrified of that kind of information exchange, but that didn't stop Sideswipe from jacking himself in and Sunstreaker holding him down. By the amount of damage done to the seeker's frame, they were rather forceful about it and Skywarp put up one hell of a fight. "They... They didn't know..." Ratchet muttered out. "That was wrong of them, Optimus didn't want that."
Thundercracker held up his hand for him to stop. "I don't expect you to completely trust me. But just understand, not all 'Cons are exactly like you imagine. I have the code to get into your cell, obviously, why would I wait to cause you harm if that is what I wanted? But for tonight, just forget about being on opposite sides of the war. I have a bit more honor than to try and kill you now- there's no point to fight a defenseless mech."
He did have a point. Not once could Ratchet remember Thundercracker using excessive force on such a defenseless being; the encounters with the humans on Earth proved that point. Ratchet still felt a bit uneasy as he walked to the chair and sat down. At least he'd have some tasty snacks to eat. He gave his body a good stretch, and shyly looked to Thundercracker, who, of course was smiling.
"There's a good mech," Thundercracker cooed. "Now, I can give you your reward." Thundercracker picked up the container of tarts and and held them for Ratchet to see. "Which one shall we start with?"
"That red one," Ratchet answered.
"Good choice," Thundercracker said as he grabbed the desired tart. "Open wide!"
Once the medic did so, Thundercracker shoved half the tart in. Ratchet tried to protest, but it was rather hard with your mouth full. Another question arose in his mind; why did they always insist on shoving large portions in his mouth? Aid did the same thing and it frustrated him. He simply worked at chewing the sweet tasting tart, swallowed, and as soon as his mouth opened again, the rest of the tart was shoved in.
"Such a good bot," Thundercracker cooed. "Look at the mess you made!" Ratchet did his best hurumph and the seeker laughed. "It's OK, I'll clean you up!" He used a finger to wipe some of the custard from Ratchet's mouth, then brough it to his own and licked it off. When the grounder swallowed, Thundercracker spoke. "Let me pick the next one?"
"Sure," Ratchet replied.
"I'll give you..." Thundercracker thought out loud as he looked over the tarts. "AH! This one." In his hand was a green filled tart that round little balls of something decorating the top. "You'll love this." The food was brought up to the other's lips once again and Ratchet bit into it. Turns out, those round little balls where delicious jelled energon that just hit the spot. "Like it?"
Ratchet nodded yes and swallowed. Immediately opening his mouth, he demanded the rest of the tart. Thundercracker gladly complied, shoved the last half in, and flicked his wings in joy as he watched the other eat.
"Want to try something else?" Thundercracker asked, and Ratchet held up his hand. "Full already?" The seeker actually pouted.
"No," Ratchet said. "Just thirsty."
"Ahhh, OK. Got just the thing for you," Thundercracker stated and dug a little bottle filled with liquid. "This'll hit the spot." He pulled off the stopper and handed the bottle to the other. Bringing it to his mouth, Ratchet took a small sip at first. Wow! The liquid wasn't too sweet, but definitely went with the meal. He took several more swigs and almost polished it all off. Before he could stop himself, he belched.
"Excuse me," Ratchet mumbled and covered his mouth in embarrassment.
"Better out than in," Thundercracker said as he slid himself onto the medic's lap. Ratchet gave a startled little jump, but that didn't stop the blue seeker from rubbing his hands all over the chubby belly. "You can't tease me, you know." A look of confusion appeared on the medic's face. "Seeing you gobble up those threats and filling your belly up...it's hard work. Haven't I fed you good?"
"Yes."
"Does my treats I baked taste good?" Thundercracker asked as he patted the rounding out belly.
"Yes."
"Do you want me to feed you more?" The 'Con reached and moved the box of baked goods closer.
"Yes!"
"Then let me touch your big belly," Thundercracker said as he pinched and fondled the squishy belly. "Sounds fair to me. Now, what would you like next?"
"Surprise me," Ratchet answered as he dropped his hands loosely over the chair. He didn't now where to really put them since the seeker took up all of his lap.
Thundercracker selected a deep box and opened the lid. He didn't let the other see what was inside, instead he kept it a surprise. "Close your optics," Thundercracker said as he resumed petting the belly with one hand. "Let's see if you can guess what it is."
Ratchet closed his optics and opened his mouth. As the mystery food was placed in the open mouth, Ratchet used his tongue to taste at it. Sweet- but not as sweet as the previous treats. The texture was different as well. He began to chew it, and immediately recognized it. He swallowed a few times, then opened his optics.
"Fudge," Ratchet said.
"You got it," Thundercracker nodded and piece by piece fed him more.
Ratchet eagerly gobbled up the fudge, which was a good thing because the other didn't give him too much of a choice. As soon as the piece was swallowed, Thundercracker was shoving another between his lips. When they ran out of the fudge cubes, Thundercracker selected another treat out of his box and fed it to the Medic.
Eventually, Ratchet began to slow down; he was getting stuffed! Thundercracker didn't let up, he kept shoving the pastries and candies into Ratchet's mouth. With the treats tasting so delicious, Ratchet didn't really care to object, except his belly became bloated once again and he felt full. The medic huffed out a breath and turned his head to the side.
"No more," Ratchet panted and Thundercracker whined. "I'm full!"
"There's just a few more pieces," Thundercracker said. "I know a big mech like you could handle it."
Ratchet knocked Thundercracker's hand of his belly so he could rub it himself. His midsection was squishy, ample and soft as he kneaded his fingers over it. He felt good; no longer hungry and he felt satisfied.
The situation became a little awkward when he realized the 'Con's body temperature was warming up. Ratchet couldn't help but notice how the seeker's cheeks looked a little flushed, and his wings fanned back and forth.
"That's a lovely sight..." Thundercracker said huskily.
Ratchet looked up questioningly at him.
"I like watching you rub your belly," Thundercracker said and caused Ratchet to blush and drop his jaw. Naturally, the seeker used this opportunity to shove in another mouthful of food. Ratchet had no choice but to chew at it, then swallow.
"I can't eat no more!" Ratchet whined. "Please..."
"Just one more..."
"Fine," Ratchet reluctantly agreed, and the last chunk of the tart was pushed in. He closed his eyes as he savored the last mouthful.
"I didn't have to twist your arm so bad," Thundercracker joked as his hand rubbed at him a bit more seductively at his belly- instead of sticking to the front, his hand wondered to the flabby sides, then rubbed down lower where his belly now hung over his waist. This tickled Ratchet a little and he suppressed a giggle.
When he swallowed and opened his optics, he gave a startled jump at how close Thundercracker's face was. No option of escape was possible and soon, Ratchet felt the seeker's lips press and suck hard against his own. The medic didn't know what shocked him more: being kissed by a Decepticon, or the fact that he was kissing him back.