TF: Fire Inside Of Me
Rating: PG-13
Series: G1
Pairings: Inferno/Ratchet
Summary: Red Alert finds something surprising about Inferno and pushes him to confront his feelings.
Warnings: A little bit of tactile stimulation
Disclaimer: As per usual, the good things in life are not mine to have, but belong to someone else... in this case Hasbro, Takara and IDW and anyone else I’ve forgotten…
Authors Notes: For the tf_rare_pairing prompt - Inferno/Ratchet: light my fire
Feedback makes friends. Flames dealt with by the masters of paranoia and fire, Red Alert and Inferno.
Font used: Ignite Me Ironic, no?
“I can’t believe you.” Red Alert muttered. Inferno gave a little shrug, and Red Alert shook his head. “No, actually, wait, I can.” Inferno ducked his head.
“You really like him?” Red Alert looked at his friend seriously.
“Yeah, I do. An’ I ain’t sure what ta do about it.”
“Aside from actually talking to him?”
“Red, he’s a medic. Only time I get ta see him is when he’s repairing me.”
“Then try seeing him when he’s not having to repair your sorry aft. Which wouldn’t happen if you actually listened to me when I directed you.” Red Alert shot a glare at Inferno, even though he knew that his friend wouldn’t change.
“I do listen… I just don’t always do what ya tell me to.” Inferno gave him a small grin, and Red Alert scoffed fondly. Inferno would always rush into whatever danger was in front of him if there was a lifesign present. He didn’t seem to care about any injuries to his frame, more about saving the lives of others. It was something Red Alert found equal parts admirable and infuriating. His job was to direct the rescue operations and keep everymech safe. Something that Inferno seemed determined to not let him do.
“I’m serious Inferno. Go see him, invite him out for energon or something. See if he’s as interested as you are.” Red Alert smiled and patted Inferno’s arm as the large mech groaned.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
“Hey Ratchet.” Inferno gave the medic a small wave as he ducked through the door into the large repair bay.
“What have you done?” Ratchet turned, automatically scanning Inferno as the large red mech approached.
“Nothing, promise.” He perched on the edge of a berth near Ratchet, who eyed him uncertainly, used to Inferno coming in injured.
“Hmmm…” Ratchet didn’t look convinced. Inferno vented a sigh and confessed.
“See, thing is, I’d kinda like ta get ta know ya better. Somewhere away from all this.” He waved his arm around to indicate the medical center.
“What about Red Alert?” Ratchet crossed his arms over his chestplating and stared at Inferno. It was certainly easier with the large mech sitting on a berth. Not that he minded large mechs, quite the opposite infact. But this mech, as far as he knew, was in a relationship, and he didn’t want to be the one to break it up.
“What about Red?” Inferno looked confused.
“The two of you are together, aren’t you?” He stared as Inferno laughed.
“Me an Red? No offence ta the mech, but he’s like mah best friend.”
“Best friend…” Ratchet repeated, wondering how he’d missed that. He’d automatically assumed they were a couple. And never thought to enquire otherwise.
“Yeah, we’ve known each other fer years.” Inferno gave a theatrical shudder. “That’s just weird thinkin’ a him like that.”
“Well don’t think about him like that then.” Ratchet retorted, beginning to get his equilibrium back, now he knew Inferno wasn’t in a relationship.
“Yeah, much rather be thinking about you like that.” And there went Ratchet’s equilibrium again.
“Wha?” Was his eloquent response.
“I’m serious, Ratchet. I do wanna get ta know ya better. I like ya, and I’m kinda hoping wit’ that reaction that you’d like the same?” Ratchet nodded, too shocked to say anything. He’d liked Inferno from the minute he’d met the mech. It was hard not to. Inferno always had a smile on his face and a friendly greeting. Even if sometimes it was buried beneath layers of soot. Or waved with a detached arm. That had actually made him smile… internally at least, reminding him so much of the mech he’d met at the academy. Wheeljack had done that on more than one occasion. The engineering students had a certain reputation after all.
“I’d like that.” Ratchet nodded again, giving Inferno a small smile. Inferno practically beamed back at him.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
“Primus, do that again.” Inferno urged Ratchet on, moaning shamelessly as the medic wriggled his fingers. Hands deep in Inferno’s wiring, Ratchet took the opportunity to simply look at the mech laid out beneath him. Inferno was flushed, hands clamped to the side of the berth as Ratchet had made him promise not to touch. He wriggled his fingers and generated a little electric charge that shot through Inferno’s systems. The red mech arched as his systems tripped into overload, crying out Ratchet’s name.
When Inferno rebooted, Ratchet was curled up against him, one arm and leg slung over his plating. He shifted as he realised Inferno was back online.
“Primus…”
“Mmmm… not quite.” Ratchet pressed a kiss to Inferno’s lips. “Have I ever told you how glad I am you came into the repair bay that day?”
“You might have said it once or twice.” Inferno grinned, moving his arm and helping Ratchet roll on top of him.
“Well I am. You… you lit a fire in me that day.” Ratchet ducked his head. A large hand on his back pushed him closer, and Inferno tipped his head up with the other.
“An’ that’s a fire I don’t ever wanna put out.” He murmured, pulling Ratchet down for a heated kiss.