Decepticon Island (TF Aligned continuity AU)

CONFESSION

Refusing to let each other go, Ramulus had to carry Steeljaw to med-bay, growling a warning to anyone who got too close. Only Slipstream possessed the wherewithal to convince Ramulus to calm down and allow their medics to handle Steeljaw. He had no problem with it, so long as he's in the room. He isn't planning on leaving his mate alone, again, anytime soon.

Just before the procedure, Ramulus takes a seat on a stool next to Steeljaw's slab. He reaches out and lays his servo atop a set of claws, digits curling and giving a gentle, comforting squeeze.

---

Unbeknownst to a rising Steeljaw, most of the day has passed. He slowly awakens to the sounds and smell of the med-bay and at least one bot besides himself. Visuals online and Steeljaw shifts his helm from side-to-side. Eventually, he notices a pair of pinkish/red optics staring at him.

"How ya feeling?" Ramulus asked.

"A lot of things, honestly. I don't know where to begin," Steeljaw answered wistfully.

"Too bad ya can't do what you normally do to express yourself. 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. Ramulus punched his arm.

"Hey, watch it! I'm in med-bay for a reason, you know!"

"Yeah, I know," Ramulus said, smile turning grim.

"Sorry," Steeljaw apologized, regretting upsetting Ramulus. He tightened his grip on their servo and turned to lay on his side.

"I didn't think about how you might've felt when..."

Steeljaw looked up into darkened optics, and it suddenly occurred to him.

"How long were you there?"

No response.

"Ramulus, how much did you see before you could do anything?"

"I... Enough. I saw enough," Ramulus admitted. He instantly turned serious, grabbed Steeljaw by his shoulder plates, and held him at arm's length.

"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!"

No matter how far Ramulus went, he always knew how to make Steeljaw feel better. How to make him happy, among other thoughts, feelings, and emotions, all culminating to form a special bond between the two. A bond that is unbreakable, one that is 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 somethin' the matter?"

"No! No, everything is fine! It's just..."

"Thinking of me?"

"I... I, uh..."

Ramulus forfeited to another bout of laughter.

"Who would've thought? The infamous revolutionary, struck speechless by his own Second-In-Command!"

"Shut up!"

Ignoring doctor's orders to stay put and rest, Steeljaw pounced on Ramulus, sending both to the floor, the latter pinned beneath the former.

"What's the matter, Steel?" Ramulus teased. "You appear to be quite flustered. Can't be because of me, can it?"

"You are insufferable!" Steeljaw huffed, smiling.

Ramulus scoffed and rolled his optics. Steeljaw lowered his helm and bestowed upon his mate slow, tender, loving licks.

"Steel, what are you doing?"

"Something I've been waiting a very long time for."

With utmost care, Steeljaw grabbed Ramulus and pulled him close. The pair returned to the slab and soon found themselves lying chassis-to-chassis.

"Okay, you've got my attention. What's up?" Ramulus asked.

"I need to confess something, and I need you to be quiet and listen to me throughout the whole thing," Steeljaw explained, feeling extremely nervous. Ramulus nodded in understanding.

"From the moment I first saw you, I knew there was something special about you. I had to know more about you. Of course, your first instinct was to try and kill me, but after a while, we grew to be cordial around one another. Then one day you came to me, of all mechs, for advice, and a proposition. I can't remember exactly how you convinced me. At first, I thought we made a mistake, joining the rebellion, but we gradually rose through the ranks. I became Leader of the Pack, and you became my most trusted advisor. During those times, we grew close. 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, uncertain 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 from everyone, enemies and allies alike. I remember when you told me that you had to leave to protect me. I almost forced you to stay, but I know 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 gently grabbed his mate's servo and guided it to rest atop his spark chamber.

"Ramulus, I love you. Will you do me the honor of becoming my conjunx-endura?"

The Predacon knew all along what his answer would be. Now if only he could get his vocalizer to work. For the moment, he nuzzled Steeljaw's neck, careful of his wounds.

"Is that a yes?" Steeljaw asked.

"Course it is, ya idiot!" Ramulus chuckled, his vocalizer successfully resetting after the third try.

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 as Steeljaw caught him in a kiss.

Deep, passionate, and full of love. Arms wrapped around adjoining frames, holding each other, comforting each other, protecting each other. The pair 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 rise in temperature until they reach a united, systemic climax. They collapse, panting.

"I love you, Steel," Ramulus confessed, keeping his conjunx close.

"I love you, too, Ram," Steeljaw reciprocated. "Forever and always."