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Drift grabs his grumpy conjunx’s hand and pulls him along, looking for the perfect spot in the field before them. Drift had insisted they take a break for once and relax in the field together. Ratchet was a grump about it, of course, but they both know he doesn’t have the heart to say no to Drift. That doesn’t mean he won’t complain, though.
“You better not make me meditate or some slag like that. I’m not trying that.”
Ratchet grumbles as he’s tugged along.
“fine, fine, we can just lay there and watch the clouds together.”
Ratchet sighs, probably thinking about all the work he could be getting done right now, but Drift couldn’t care less.
Drift finds a satisfactory spot soon enough, sitting down and waiting for ratchet to plop himself down next to him.
“See? It’s beautiful, Ratty.”
Drift says, looking out at the field, grass and flowers of all kinds of colors swaying gently in the pleasant breeze.
Ratchets gaze is locked on Drift.
“Sure is.”
Drift smiles, hearing Ratchet break out his soft voice.
He looks over at Ratchet, seeing his expression softer than he’s seen in a while, and lightly elbows him.
“See? You’re relaxed already. Told you this was a good idea.”
He leans in for a kiss and Ratchet gladly accepts.
They part lips after a moment, and take a moment to just look at each other, both smiling softly.
Ratchet notices Drifts expression changing, furrowing his eyebrows as he sees that telltale look on Drifts face that means he just got an idea. Before he has a chance to say anything, Drift pulls him down into the grass, laughing as Ratchet yelps. He rolls himself on top of a startled Ratchet and grins at him, leaning in to kiss him again.
After a few kisses, Ratchet huffs.
“Startled me with that move. Couldn’t you have just…told me to lay down?”
Drift pouts.
“That’s no fun.”
Ratchet rolls his eyes, but is unable to stop a small smile from showing.
Drift rolls off of ratchet, laying next to him and looking up at the sky.
After a few moments of pleasant silence, Ratchet points up at a cloud.
“That one looks like a banana.”
“…A banana?”
“Human thing.”
Drift hums.
“What is it?”
“A food. Its skin is yellow, but the part they actually eat is white.”
“What’s it taste like?”
Ratchet turns and gives drift a confused expression.
“How should I know?? I can’t eat human food.”
“…Fair point.”
They lay there under the sky for a while, occasionally pointing out a cloud or launching into some story. They both noticeably relax more, and Ratchet eventually stops grumbling about how this is silly and reaches for Drifts hand, interlocking their fingers. They look at each other and smile, eyes half-lidded and relaxed. They look up and close their eyes, enjoying the warmth of the sun on their frames.
A butterfly lands on the front of Drifts forehelm, and they both open their eyes and look at it as it flies off, before looking back at each other and sharing a fond smile.
Ratchet looks back up at the sky, letting out a soft sigh and closing his eyes again, but Drift keeps his eyes on Ratchet.
It’s been months, maybe years since he’s seen ratchet so relaxed. Even when he sleeps, Ratchet still has a slight tenseness to his expression, but now, he looks so relaxed and truly happy. Drift wasn’t expecting such a sight to move him as much as it did. He feels a knot building in his throat, but doesn’t hold it back. The hand holding Ratchets tightens, and the other comes up to cover his mouth, muffling his sob.
Ratchet immediately knows something is wrong. His eyes shoot open and he looks over at Drift, eyes widening in surprise when he sees his eyes welling with tears.
“Hey, hey, what’s wrong?”
Ratchet props himself up on one elbow, the hand not holding Drifts moving to cup his cheek, a worried expression on his face.
“Nothing I’m- I’m okay I… I just haven’t seen you so relaxed in-in a long time… I’m just happy I can finally h-help you relax… sometimes i feel like i don’t do enough...”
Ratchet gets an almost guilty look on his face and sighs.
“…I’m sorry.”
Drift sniffles, his tears slowly coming to a halt, and looks at ratchet, confused.
“For what?”
Ratchet lays back, squeezing Drifts hand in his.
“I’m sure my grumping hasn’t helped. You do help me relax, a lot, I just… I just have a hard time being vulnerable like that. So I cover it up by acting grumpy. But… I didn’t realize you were feeling like this. So, I’m sorry. I’ll… I’ll work on not being so grumpy when you’re just trying to help.”
Drift smiles and wipes his tears away, moving to lay his top half on top of Ratchet, nuzzling his neck.
“Thank you, Ratty. I love you.”
“I love you too, Drift.”
“…don’t stop being grumpy all together though. You’re cute when you’re grumpy.”
Ratchet scoffs.