[They should have done this before, instead of that halting, clumsy conversation they'd kept trying. ]

[He lets himself get pulled closer, feeling the smooth planes of Perceptor's chassis against his, his mouth stretching into a smile under the kiss. This is not pity, not at all, and the way his hands--unlike Perceptor's, unencumbered--wrap around Perceptor's waist hopefully deliver that message.]