Chapter Text
The sun peeked over the horizon, hues of pink and purple collided with one another, coloring the clouds and the surrounding landscape in a beautiful, warming light. Cherry blossom petals blew in the wind, falling around them with the gentle breeze as it slowly picked up and once in a while, one brushed softly against their frames as they walked along the long, stone path before falling to the ground unnoticed.
Drift vented softly, somewhat unevenly but even still, a smile still crept upon his face when he felt Ratchet's servo brush against his own, gripping it and giving a gentle squeeze.
"You've been awfully quiet this morning. Is everything alright?"
"Yeah," Drift replied softly. "I'm just still tired from the other cycle.”
Even with Ratchet there with him, he'd continually woken up after nightmares of losing Ryuu. Each time he awoke, the dreams shifted ever so slightly until it was Ratchet he lost and he'd become terrified to go back to sleep. It had become hard to tell which moment was the nightmare and which was when he was awake, crying and being cradled close to Ratchet's frame.
Every night, the nightmares became worse and even with Ratchet by his side, they didn't stop. All Ratchet could do was hold him, wrap his field around the swordsmech and try to calm him back into what they both hoped was a more peaceful sleep. He could tell it was wearing on Ratchet too. How could it not? The mech was not only taking care of him but keeping up with his own duties as a Kami. Circles were starting to show up beneath the healers optics and he slowed in his walking most times. At least, when he'd forgotten to hide the slowed pace to Drift.
"We both know that's not completely true."
Drift sighed, squeezing Ratchet's servo a bit tighter.
"I know.....I'm just scared. Every night it's another nightmare. Every night its harder for me to differentiate my dreams from reality...It's been awhile since I've been on the battlefield but what if the next time I'm there, something happens and I lose myself and become Deadlock again?"
There was a tug on his servo, causing him to stop and look back. Ratchet had stopped walking, only looking at him as the mech squeezed his servo and tugged a bit harder. Drift took that as a sign and walked towards Ratchet, the mech's free arm immediately wrapped around Drift and pulled him closer.
"We both know that wont happen."
"But what if it does?" Fear crept into his field, already evident in his voice as he trembled against Ratchet. With each dream he had, he swore he could feel himself losing himself more and more to Deadlock. How long would it be before Drift was no more and Deadlock reigned superior once more?
"It wont. I won't let it. You're going to become the Kami you want to be, Drift."
Drift nuzzled his face into the crook of Ratchet's neck, servo squeezing tightly against the others.
"I want to be the Kami you believe I can be. I...want to make you proud, Ratty."
"You already make me proud, kid. You've come so far in such a short amount of time and you'll only get better as each cycle passes." It was hard to believe that, especially with each setback he had but, if Ratchet believed in him, he could do it. After all, it was because of Ratchet that he had even begun to change, leaving Deadlock in the past.
Klicks passed before Drift finally pulled away from Ratchet, both mechs smiling at one another and after another klick, Ratchet started walking again, tugging Drifts servo and beckoning the mech to follow him.
"Let's get to town before the shops close. I recall there's a certain merchant making an appearance today with a coveted sweet that a certain Kami likes and who knows when we'll be able to get it again."
"Are you sure it's not you who likes it?" Drift asked with a laugh, his finials twitching ever so slightly as the smile finally returned to his face, happier than it had been in awhile.
"Hmm, perhaps. Though, I'm not really one for sweets. You should know that. Getting to watch how your face lights up when you eat yours? Now that I can do all cycle long."
The way Ratchet smiled at him, so warm and full of love, it made his spark flutter and his face to become flush. For a moment, it was almost enough to make Drift forget what he was worried about. Almost . He supposed he could put those worries to the side for now though.
It didn't take them long to reach town and once they made it to the market, the merchant who owned the stall they were after gave them a smile, gathering the colored crystals into a container and handed it off to Ratchet once they neared. To the side, there was a seating area and they made their way to one of the benches, sitting next to each other. They hardly allowed any space between their frames and this moment was no exception. Ratchet draped an arm around Drift after handing the mech the sweets. Lowering them into his lap, the other servo picked out the first piece, a light blue crystalized stick with a sweetened white powder sprinkled over the top. He didn't hesitate and quickly brought it to his mouth, engine giving an audible rev as it touched his glossa in an explosion of flavor, a moan pressing past his lips. This one was his favorite.
"If it's that good, then I have to try it." Drift shuddered his optics then as he felt Ratchet's digits take hold of his chin and turn his helm. The next thing he knew, Ratchet's lips were pressing against his, biting off the other end of the sweet. Drift's engine hiccupped, his servo squeezing the box of other crystals still uneaten as his blush only deepened.
After a few klicks, Ratchet pulled back and licked his lips, optics never leaving Drifts.
"Actually, I think I like sweets more than I thought. Mind if I try another?" He asked slyly as a smile crept up on his lips once more.
Drift's servo shook slightly as he picked up another one, this one pink and slightly shorter than the last as he offered it to Ratchet. It didn't shake because he was scared, no, this was the first time Ratchet had ever kissed him and honestly, he didn't know why but he found he wanted it to happen again.
"No, not like that." Ratchet shook his helm, taking hold of Drift's wrist and bringing the sweet to the other mech's mouth.
"It tastes far better against your lips." He opened his mouth slowly, fangs slightly showing behind them as Ratchet's free servo cupped the side of his face, thumb brushing against his cheek and he bit down on the sweet, just not enough to break it in half, yet .
This time it was Ratchet's engine that gave a loud growl but before Drift could ask why, as the mechs engine was usually more on the quiet side, Ratchet had pressed his lips against Drifts and instantly broke off his half of the sweet. He didn't pull back this quiet as fast this time though, instead, he pressed harder against Drift, glossa swiping across his lips and just as he opened his mouth for Ratchet, that's when the mech pulled back.
Drift whimpered and Ratchet laughed. "This mood looks much better on you than the one from earlier. Come on then and let me try another one."
He didn't hesitate this time, quickly grabbing treat after treat and popping it into his mouth in hopes for another kiss.