Wrenches and Romance

Chapter 1: Sparks in the Shadows

Ratchet toiled tirelessly in the repair bay. His focus, however, was repeatedly shattered by the persistent and, frankly, exasperating interruptions from none other than Wheeljack.

"Hey, doc!" Wheeljack's cheerful voice cut through the clatter of tools. Ratchet glanced up, irritation evident in his optics. "Got a minute?"

Ratchet sighed, inwardly hoping that Wheeljack's latest invention wasn't about to explode. "What is it, Wheeljack?"

Wheeljack sauntered in with a mischievous grin, tossing his head in a casual manner that only seemed to irk Ratchet further. "Just wanted to check in on my favorite medic. How's it going, sunshine?"

Ratchet scowled at the nickname, attempting to focus on his work. "Stop calling me that. And I don't have time for your nonsense, Wheeljack. I'm trying to keep our fellow Autobots in one piece."

Undeterred, Wheeljack leaned against a nearby worktable, optics gleaming with playful defiance. "You're always so serious, doc. You need to loosen up a bit."

Ratchet grunted in response, refusing to acknowledge the slight twitch at the corner of his mouth. It was absurd, really - a wrecker like Wheeljack with his reckless antics, and yet, he managed to get under Ratchet's armor.

As days turned into weeks, the routine continued. Wheeljack's relentless use of nicknames persisted, each one chipping away at Ratchet's defenses. Behind the façade of annoyance, a subtle warmth began to kindle in Ratchet's spark, a sensation he struggled to comprehend.

One cycle after another, Wheeljack's relentless charm chipped away at Ratchet's stoic exterior. The incessant nicknames became a routine, and against his better judgment, Ratchet found himself responding with a begrudging smirk rather than a stern reprimand.

One orn, as Ratchet worked diligently on a particularly intricate repair, Wheeljack strolled into the repair bay with a small device in hand. "Hey, doc, check this out! I've been working on a little something."

Ratchet glanced up, prepared for another of Wheeljack's eccentric inventions. However, this time, the wrecker's optics held a glint of excitement that piqued Ratchet's curiosity.

Wheeljack handed over the device, a holographic projector. "I thought it'd be a nice distraction for our comrades. A bit of entertainment to lighten the mood, you know?"

As Ratchet inspected the gadget, a flicker of appreciation crossed his optics. "Well, I suppose even wreckers can have moments of usefulness."

Wheeljack chuckled, pleased with the acknowledgment. "Maybe I'll start calling you 'Softy' instead of 'Sunshine.'"

Ratchet rolled his optics but couldn't suppress a quiet chuckle. The banter continued, the air filled with an unspoken camaraderie that transcended the boundaries of duty.

In the quiet moments of reflection, Ratchet couldn't deny the growing affection he felt for the wrecker who had a knack for dismantling not just machinery but also the walls around Ratchet's spark.

The repair bay became a haven where Ratchet and Wheeljack's interactions continued to evolve. Amidst the whirring machinery and occasional bursts of laughter, a bond, unspoken yet undeniable, began to weave itself between the medic and the wrecker.

One day, as Ratchet meticulously repaired a damaged servo, Wheeljack approached, his usual swagger replaced by a rare vulnerability. "Hey, doc, I was thinking... we've been through a lot together."

Ratchet looked up, optics narrowing in suspicion. "What's your point, Wheeljack?"

The wrecker scratched the back of his helm, optics flickering with a sincerity that caught Ratchet off guard. "I just wanted to say... thanks. For being there, you know? You've got my back, and I appreciate it."

Ratchet grunted, a subtle warmth settling in his spark. "Don't get sentimental on me, Wheeljack. It's just part of the job."

But Wheeljack wasn't easily deterred. "No, seriously. You're more than just a medic to me, Ratchet. You're a friend."

The word echoed in the quiet space between them, carrying a weight that neither had acknowledged before. As the realization dawned, Ratchet found himself at a crossroads, torn between the boundaries of duty and the uncharted territory of something deeper.