Steeljaw and Ramulus have yet to speak, instead savoring the relative peace and quiet between them in the near-empty med-bay. Steeljaw's leg is fixed, but just as Dead End said, that's about all he could do. His self-repair system is working on his minor injuries, while the more sensitive points and cosmetics would have to be overseen by Moonracer and Knockout later. He didn't mind, though, as Dead End promised to make sure everyone stayed away for a while. Which turned out perfectly, as he didn't want anyone barging in on him and Ramulus. Speaking of…
Ramulus had dragged a chair over and sat beside the berth. He reached out and laid his servo atop Steeljaw's, digits curling around and giving a gentle, comforting squeeze.
"So, how ya feeling?" Ramulus asked. Steeljaw laughed and briefly looked away from his mate.
His unofficial mate, he had to keep reminding himself.
"A lot of things, honestly," Steeljaw answered. He vented and turned back to Ramulus. "I don't know where to begin, or how."
"Too bad ya can't do what you normally do to express yourself," Ramulus lamented. "Not while you're berth ridden, anyway."
"Thanks for the reminder."
Ramulus chuckled.
"Glad to know you haven't lost your spark after all this time, Steel. Too stubborn for your own good, I swear."
"Look who's talking! Says the mech who'll pick a fight with almost anyone over literally any little thing that sets him off!"
"Eh, I've gotten better!"
Steeljaw laughed, prompting Ramulus to punch him lightly.
"Hey, watch it! I'm in med-bay for a reason, you know!"
"Yeah… I know."
Ramulus' smile turned grim. Steeljaw instantly regretted upsetting him.
"Sorry," Steeljaw apologized, tightening his grip on Ramulus' servo. He turned onto his side so that he was fully facing the Predacon.
Granted, at an angle, but at least this way his neck didn't hurt as much.
"I didn't think about how you might've felt… well…"
Steeljaw looked up into darkened optics. Seeing Ramulus' expression, it suddenly occurred to him.
"How long were you there?"
No response.
"Ramulus, how much did you see before you could do anything?" Steeljaw demanded. With some strain, he managed a sitting position and placed his free servo on the other's shoulder plate.
"I…"
Ramulus vented and raised his free servo to meet with Steeljaw's.
"Enough. I saw enough."
Suddenly, Ramulus holds Steeljaw at arm's length and presses an accusing digit against his chassis, expression having turned serious in point-two seconds.
"Don't you dare think that makes you any less of a mech! You didn't have control of the situation, but you still hung-on and fought! And that mother-fragger had what was coming to him, and I delivered! He messed with the wrong mechs, and that's all on him!"
Ramulus relaxed.
"At least, it would be, if I didn't disintegrate him into non-existence. I doubt anything's on him now."
Regardless of the macabre nature of the words, Steeljaw couldn't help laughing. Ramulus, no matter how far he went, always knew how to make him feel better. Not necessarily happy; more like to provide him stress relief.
Relief…
Companionship…
Familiarity…
Safety…
Love…
All of these thoughts, feelings, emotions, and more, all culminating to form a special bond between the two.
One that is unbreakable.
One that will soon be shared between their very sparks.
"Steel?"
"Hm?"
Steeljaw didn't realize he had drifted off into space until Ramulus brought him back to reality.
"Is something the matter?"
"No! No, everything is fine! It's just…"
"Thinking of me?"
"I… uh… well…"
Ramulus couldn't hold it in any longer and burst out laughing.
"Who would've thought! The infamous revolutionary leader, struck speechless by his own second-in-command!"
"Shut up!"
Ignoring doctor's orders to stay in the berth, resting, Steeljaw pounced on Ramulus, sending both to the floor, the latter pinned beneath the former.
"What's the matter, Steel-y?" Ramulus teased. "You appear to be quite flustered. Can't be because of me, can it?"
"You are insufferable!" Steeljaw growled. Yet, his tone was far from aggressive.
Ramulus scoffed and rolled his optics. Steeljaw smiled and lowered his helm. He gave his mate a loving lick to his temple.
"Steel, what are you doing?"
"Something I've been waiting a very long time for."
Steeljaw wrapped his arms around Ramulus and pulled him to his chassis. As he rose to his pedes, the Predacon wrapped his arms around his mate's neck, careful not to touch any bruised spots. The pair found themselves back on Steeljaw's berth, chassis-to-chassis, as the only way both could fit is if they were lying on their sides.
"Okay, you've got my attention," Ramulus admitted. "What's up?"
"I… need to confess something, and I need you to be quiet and listen to me throughout the whole thing," Steeljaw answered, more nervous than he's ever been in his entire life. Ramulus, in turn, nodded, letting his mate know he understood and was ready to take it all in.
Steeljaw circulated his vents before he officially began.
"Ever since I first saw you, I knew there was something special about you. I had to know more about you, so one day, I approached you. Of course your first instinct was to try and hurt me, but after a while, we started to get along. Maybe not friends per-se, but we were cordial with each other.
Then one day you came to me, of all mechs, for advice, and a proposition to join a rebellion. I can't remember exactly how you convinced me, but I digress. We seemingly made a big mistake, considering we were stuck following Lio Convoy, but we gradually rose through the ranks. I became the leader of the Pack, and chose you as my second-in-command. My most trusted.
During those times, we grew even closer. More than friends. More than brothers-in-arms.
I believed that it would be you and me, unrivaled by any other, for all of our functions…
But then, everything fell apart.
I was gravely injured, unsure of whether I would live… to finish our work… to see you again. I don't know whether it was coincidence or good fortune, and I don't care. You found me, and carried me away. You wanted to protect me, not just from the enemy, but Lio Convoy as well.
I remember when you told me that you had to leave… to protect me… I almost forced you to stay, but I knew you. Once you make a decision, nothing anybody can say or do will change a damn thing.
You always know what you want.
You always have an answer, even if it isn't the best.
You are strong, and loyal to those who treat you as an equal, with unrivaled respect, even if that respect is for brutality of any kind on any level.
You are clever, bold, and ambitious.
You have always been by my side, no matter what, and even though we haven't seen each other since we separated, my feelings for you have not been swayed."
Steeljaw vented. He felt tears pricking his optics, and lifted a claw to clear them.
"Ramulus…"
The blue/gray Lupicon carefully grabbed one of his mate's servos and guided it to rest atop a part of his plating. Right above where the spark chamber is located. Ramulus caught on almost immediately and did the same thing. Soon, one servo each was placed upon the other's chassis, above the spark, with their own servos holding them in place.
"I love you. Will you do me the honor of becoming my conjunx-endura?"
Ramulus knew all along what his answer would be…
Now if only he could get his vocalizer to work.
Noticing his mate needed a quick restart, Steeljaw gave him another lick, this time slow and rough.
"GAH! STEEL!" Ramulus spluttered, jerking his helm away from the touch.
Steeljaw chuckled and looked at his mate fondly.
"Apologies, but you were a little tongue-tied, so I thought I might help."
Ramulus raised an optical ridge.
"Oh… right, you wouldn't know," Steeljaw trailed, realization having dawned on him. "It's one of the many sayings from an organic planet called Earth. Spent some time there. I actually kind of like it. More than Cybertron, anyway. I can show you it…"
"Yes."
Steeljaw stopped and had to do a double-take.
"Yes? For the Earth trip, or…"
Ramulus chuckled and gingerly nuzzled Steeljaw's neck.
"Both, but primarily for becoming your conjunx."
Steeljaw's spark skipped a beat. He couldn't believe this was happening. It's been so long, he was afraid Ramulus wouldn't reciprocate his feelings, but he did.
"Eh, Steel, why'd you…" Ramulus never got to finish his question as Steeljaw pulled him up and into a kiss.
Deep, loving, passionate, and full of care. Arms wrapped around his frame, holding him, comforting him, protecting him. The mechs melted into the sensation, becoming lost in their own desires, their individual worlds crashing into each other and forming a new one. The intensity of the moment causes sparks to fly, literally. Their frames continue to rise in temperature until they reach a simultaneous, systemic climax. They collapsed on the berth, falling silent as they allowed their systems time to cool down.
"I love ya, Steel," Ramulus rasped, barely online as he slipped into recharge.
"I love you, too, Ram," Steeljaw reciprocated, curling protectively around his conjunx-endura. "Forever and always."