Cipher and Megatronus' relationship had been quite stable and honestly sweet, it had been two cycles since they were together. Everything was going smooth. And Ratchet and Orion? They were loving it after getting them together, the two mechs themselves are also bondmates.

Orion would often be helping Cipher in the archives, sending and searching data piled. Glyphs from each terminal, Cipher was engrossed in the library. Megatronus, at times when stopping by to escort his tiny partner back to their apartment would often than not startle a lot of mecha in the library due to his presence, let alone he doesn't really have a quiet status.

Cipher, despite being with his Gladiator of a partner for a while now, he still gets shy and a bit sheepish with him, probably still about how big he is.

---

Today, everything seemed pretty normal..and yet.

Cipher had noticed something was off with Megatronus for the past few cycles.

At first, it had been subtle—lingering touches, a heavier presence in his personal space, optics that burned just a little too intensely when they locked onto him. But now? Now it was undeniable.

Megatronus was acting different.

And Cipher, very small and very nervous, was currently trapped in their shared quarters, pressed against the wall as Megatronus loomed over him, his massive frame radiating heat.

"Uh—Megatronus?" Cipher’s voice cracked, his servos pressed against the gladiator’s chestplate, trying (and failing) to create some distance. "Y-you’re acting kinda... um... close?"

Megatronus hummed low in his throat, pressing his helm into the crook of Cipher’s neck. Cipher froze as a deep, very pleased rumble vibrated through the larger mech’s frame.

Oh.

Oh no.

This was not normal behavior.

"Megatronus..?" His voice slightly shaky as he gulped when he felt him press harder, "Hey..-"

Oh.

He felt Megatronus' large servo slightly press against his modesty panel almost insistently.

That's what he wanted. And suddenly, Cipher forget mecha didn't need to breathe.