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Swerve’s was packed wall to wall that night, mechs crowding the room and chatter filling the air. People rushed between tables and booths, excitement in everyone’s voices. Hell, for the occasion they’d set up a temporary dance floor in the bar. The entire room was dead-set on getting absolutely hammered.
They were celebrating something. Ambulon couldn’t exactly remember what, though he knew it had to do with one of Brainstorm’s experiment, considering the mech had received a long lecture from Ultra Magnus earlier. He couldn’t tell you the details, though, as he made an effort to steer far from the regular shenanigans on the ship.
Usually, Ambulon didn’t bother attending these ‘post-incident’ parties. He wasn’t fond of crowds and, with this crew, these kinds of gatherings attracted trouble. The medic honestly would’ve preferred to spend his awarded free-time somewhere quiet, but First aid had insisted and he’d caved. Partly because he’d had a long week and mostly because he was starting to get a little annoyed with some of First aids comments. He wasn’t tetchy, nor was he allergic to taking time off, thank you.
Now, Ambulon sat at the bar, more than a little tipsy, while First aid had left to socialise. He swirled the last dregs of his drink in its cup. He didn’t hold it against the mech, of course. First aid had spotted some friends and had gone to chat, and must’ve been swept up into whatever game they’d been playing, from what Ambulon could see. If anything, he was glad. First aid deserved a break as much as anyone else.
Placing his glass down, Ambulon was about to flag Swerve down for another drink, when someone sat down next to him and beat him to the punch.
“Hey, Swerve! Pass us another one over here, yeah?” Trailbreaker yelled out to the bartender, sitting down next to the other bot.
Ambulon was only aware of Trailbreaker through word of mouth- from what he knew, the mech spent most of his time here, at Swerve’s, so that checked out. The medic found himself oddly glad for that, mostly because it meant the other mech wasn’t out getting injured constantly, like the rest of the ships crew. Either way, their paths rarely crossed, so Ambulon wasn’t quite sure why he felt his attention drawn to the mech. Likely just curiosity, he reasoned.
“Haha! ‘course, you got it Trails,” Swerve had walked over, jovial as ever, waving at the mech as he came over. Once he’d crossed the bar, however, he finally noticed Ambulon and his half raised servo. “Hey, Ambulon! You need a refill there?”
The medic shrank under the attention, withdrawing his hand, and sinking in his seat. Trailbreaker turned to him, too, like he’d only just spotted him.
“Er, yes- please,” he mumbled, nodding his head minutely.
“You got it! I’ll have those ready for you two in a sec!”
“Hey, we’re- uhm- We’re not-!” Ambulons attempt to correct Swerve fell on deaf ears as the mech had already left, rushing off to fix their drinks.
The mech beside him let out an amused huff, startling Ambulon by suddenly clamping a servo on his shoulder. The medic turned to him, bewildered.
“Ha! Didn’t see you there!” he shook Ambulon’s shoulder as he spoke. “Looks like we’re both in need of a drinking partner, eh?”
Ambulon stared at him confused for a second, before the mech’s words registered. “Oh, no no, you don’t need to-”
“Nonsense! Its Ambulon, right? Haven’t seen you around here before,” Trailbreaker grinned, wide enough Ambulon felt obligated to reciprocate- even if his face strained awkwardly to do so.
“Yeah, not really, you know, one for parties,” He shifted under the other mechs gaze.
“Really? Pfft- I can’t get enough!” Trailbreaker laughed, then leaned down to Ambulon’s height, like he was going to tell the mech a huge secret. “Usually means Swerves more lenient with how much he lets me drink.” He ended his joke with a clap on Ambulon’s shoulder and a motion that suggested a wink, his grin growing prouder.
Before Ambulon could reply, the bot in question returned with their drinks, placing them down with a flourish. The two mechs thanked Swerve, and he left to deal with someone else who’d started waving him down.
Trailbreaker’s optics were back on him, seemingly scrutinising his drink. The apparent interest confused Ambulon, making him examine his glass to try and find whatever had stuck out to the other mech.
“Plain engex? You sure you don’t wanna try something a little… stronger?” If it had been anyone else asking, Ambulon might’ve taken offence. But Trailbreaker seemed genuinely intrigued- and maybe a little too drunk to properly insult him- so Ambulon responded genuinely in kind.
“I have work early tomorrow, can’t really drink too much,”
“Aww, really? That sucks! You medics don’t really get much rest around here, huh?” Trailbreaker actually seemed sorry for him, like it was the worst news he’d ever received, which made Ambulon laugh.
“Ha! No, not around here, definitely not.” Ambulon smiled earnestly now, still chuckling at the mechs reaction.
The two of them sat there chatting for a while longer, joking and drinking. Ambulon found himself finally relaxing, as Trailbreaker made for a great conversation partner. The mech was enthused by whatever he said, like even his complaints about his coworkers were some of the most interesting things the mech had ever heard. And Ambulon found himself just as intrigued by Trailbreaker, even getting invested when he started rambling on about his time on Earth- though Ambulon couldn’t remember how their conversation got there, having lost himself in whatever the other mech was saying. He’d even ordered himself another drink or two, relaxing his self imposed rule, if even just by a little.
Slowly, as the night went on, the crowd behind them thinned, mechs teetering out the door. Swerve himself was becoming more preoccupied with cleaning the bar than serving, and the noise of the party dying down, finally allowing the music that’d been playing all night to be heard.
Usually the bar had music playing from a jukebox situated next to the bar, but today, for the sake of the party, some of the mechs had set up a temporary dance floor in one corner of the room. It was small, with makeshift lighting, and the speakers were old- the music coming out a little muffled- but no one complained. It was all in the name of fun, after all.
Ambulon was about to excuse himself, ready to finally retire for the night, when a new song came on. He shot a look over to where the temporary speakers were set up, immediately distracted from his attempt to stand.
“Ambulon? You okay there, bud?” Trailbreaker had turned in his seat too, looking around for whatever had caught the medics attention.
“Sorry, its just…” Ambulon trailed off, scratching his cheek bashfully. “They’re playing my favourite song, that’s all.” He gave a forced laugh, looking away embarrassed.
“Whaaat, seriously?! Come on, then!” Trailbreaker stood clumsily, pulling on Ambulons arm and trying to goad the mech into getting up.
“Huh? What are you doing?” Despite his confusion, Ambulon slunk off of the barstool.
“What do you mean, we gotta go dance of course!” Trailbreaker stated, like it was the most obvious thing in the world as started pulling the other mech over to the vacant dance floor.
The medic resisted, digging his heels into the ground, as useless as his efforts were against the stronger mech. “What?! No, no I can’t- I can’t even dance!” He waved his other servo in front of him, trying to dismiss the others suggestion.
“I can’t either!” Trailbreaker laughed, still dragging the doctor across the room.
As he was pulled onto the dance floor, the music swelled, and Ambulon relented. At least there’s less people, he rationalised. Less mortifying if everyone’s too drunk to remember. It was an awful coincidence that the song was perfect for dancing to.
Trailbreaker swayed with the song, unable to follow its rhythm too closely with how drunk he was, but he hardly cared. He was having fun, irregardless of anyone else in the room. Ambulon envied him.
“Hey! You gonna keep standing there, or what?” He grinned wide, reaching for the medics servo again, trying to pull Ambulon into his messy dance.
Ambulon shifted on his pedes, loosely following the other mechs pace, though still refusing to join in proper. “Are you sure this is a good idea?” The medic asked, dubious.
“Come on, you said it was your favourite song, yeah? Don’t let me be the only one embarrassing myself!” Trailbreaker grasped Ambulon’s other servo, swaying the mechs arms in tandem.
“Seriously, we should- haha!- sit back down,” Ambulon couldn’t stifle his laugh at their current state, stumbling more than dancing, tripping over each others pedes. Despite his previous reservations, he didn’t pull away from the larger mech, instead slowly joining in with Trailbreakers clumsy movements.
The two of them tumbled about the dance floor, continuing even as the song changed. Their moves were sloppy, inhibited by their prior drinking, but neither put much thought into it. The both of them were too engrossed with their dance to care.
Ambulon was suddenly startled out of his reverie when he felt Trailbreaker start to lace their fingers together, his spark stuttered, and he tripped. The medics pede hooked around his own ankle, and he stumbled forward, scrambling to get his feet back under himself. He panicked, awaiting the inevitable pain and humiliation, when sturdy arms arms wrapped around his waist and pulled him to an equally sturdy chassis.
He looked up, meeting Trailbreaker’s worried face- and of course, how did he forget? Both due to his panic and inebriation, he’d managed to forget that the other mech had been in front of him. He realised, belatedly, that he was now leaning his weight against the mech, his hands bracing himself on Trailbreaker’s chassis and the other mechs arms encircling him. His processor seemed to get caught on that last bit specifically- Trailbreaker’s arms were long enough to trap the medic completely and still have arm span to spare. Ambulon’s face flushed, whether out of embarrassment or thanks to their proximity he couldn’t quite tell.
“You should be more careful, Ambs, I almost didn’t catch you in time,” Despite the visible concern on the mechs face, Trailbreaker’s words were light and warm. The use of a nickname- something he’d never heard before- made Ambulon’s head swim.
“Y-Yeah, sorry, just- wasn’t- just drank more than I thought, I guess,” He medic pushed against the mechs chassis, righting himself on the floor in anticipation of the other mech letting him go.
“No worries, just glad you’re okay,” Trailbreaker spoke lower, his expression becoming unreadable. He pulled the other mech flush against his frame, seemingly unconsciously. A new, much slower, song starts playing, and Trailbreaker swayed the both of them in time.
A warm, fluttering feeling wormed its way into Ambulon’s spark as they swished around the dance floor. He couldn’t tear his optics away from Trailbreaker’s face- the bot’s lob-sided, lazy smile making the medic light headed. Ambulon hesitantly lowered his helm, turning to the side and resting it above Trailbreaker’s spark. The medic’s optics flickered off as he felt the other mech’s servo trail up his spine, resting on his upper back.
The two of them stayed like that, entangled for the entirety of the song, and through the next too. Then, slowly, Trailbreaker slowed their pace, pulling back ever so slightly. Ambulon craned his neck to look up at the other, about to question why he’d moved- but the words died on his lips when he felt the servo on his back lift up, coming to cradle his cheek instead. He felt the air being sucked out of his vents as he caught the downright fond look on Trailbreaker’s face; the smile the mech had been wearing all night had grown warm, and the look in his visor was syrupy sweet.
The sight alone made Ambulon flush, and he had to bite his lip to fight back the burning on his cheeks. If he’d already found Trailbreaker endearing, just that look alone was enough to make Ambulon to fall head-over-heels.
He steeled his nerves, unable to stop himself once he’d gotten the idea in his processor.
“Can I kiss you?” Ambulon whispered, just barely above the awfully romantic music.
Trailbreaker stammered, stepping back in shock- though, with his arms wound so tightly around Ambulon, he pulled the mech back with him anyway- his own cheeks warming to match the medic’s. He seemed to take a few minutes to truly process the question, blinking down at the other bot in clear surprise.
Before Ambulon even had time to register what was happening, he was being pulled up towards the larger mech. He shuttered his optics as he felt warm lips meet his own- so softly, so gently, like the other mech was worried Ambulon might shatter under too much force. It felt comforting and perfect and right. The medic trailed one servo up to cup Trailbreaker’s nape, pulling him in further, pressing their frames impossibly closer.
Their kiss barely lasted a few seconds, but it felt like an eternality to Ambulon, as the world around them seemed to pause. When the two finally parted, they didn’t stray far, resting their forehelms against each other. Ambulon onlined his optics to see Trailbreaker looking down at him, his fond smile back, and visor half shuttered.
Ambulon opened his mouth to speak- what he was planning on saying, he hadn’t even decided yet- but was interrupted by the other mech leaning down and peppering small pecks all across his face.
“T-Trailbreaker! Stop!” Despite his protest, the medic broke out into a grin, barely holding back his laugh.
Trailbreaker ended his attack with a kiss on the medics lips, causing Ambulon to fluster again. He pulled back again, grin as wide as ever. “You have no idea how long I was waiting to do that,” he spoke, sounding breathless.
“Wh-what?” Ambulon felt like his spark was lodged in his throat. He stared up at Trailbreaker, not quite believing what he heard.
In lieu of an answer, the larger bot brought Ambulon back in for another kiss- one which Ambulon found himself leaning up to meet. Kissing Trailbreaker, as it turned out, was easy, and the medic enjoyed it quite a lot.
They stayed like that for a while, huddled close, leaning towards each other every few seconds, giggling and whispering the whole time. That was, until Trailbreaker pulled back abruptly.
“Trailbreaker? What is it?” Ambulon asked, suddenly missing the feeling of the other mechs forehead against his own.
“You hear that, Ambs? The song?” Trailbreaker looked over to the speakers, his excitement blatantly obvious. “They’re playing my favourite song now,”
Ambulon chuckled, already knowing what Trailbreaker was about to say. “Oh?” He stepped back, still holding the other mechs servos, leading Trailbreaker towards the centre of the dance floor. “Well then, how about one last dance?”
“If you insist…” Trailbreaker barely got his words out inbetween stifled giggles, letting himself be pulled along by the shorter bot. He smiled brightly and unashamed, as Ambulon used their joined servos to sway Trailbreaker’s arms, just as the bot in question had done earlier.
As the music hit a crescendo, so too did the beating of Ambulon’s spark, that nervous fluttering feeling growing into a warm hum. Watching Trailbreaker’s clumsily enthusiastic dance, and looking into his warm, adoring gaze, the medic decided he’d have to thank First aid in the morning.