Work Text:
It was the middle of august, and it was an especially hot day in Brooklyn. Noah had gone about his morning doing various chores and tasks he'd put off during the week, accompanied by his brothers symphony of complaints about the heat. He couldn't blame the kid though, they only had one AC unit and it seemed to be on its last legs, as it only kept one half of the living room cool.
God, he couldn't wait for central AC. It had been nearly 9 months since peru, and thanks to the GI-Joes he'd nearly saved up enough to move his little family over to a better neighborhood. They initially used most of the money to pay off bills and debts, but Noah knew the next thing he wanted to do was buy his mother a proper home, one that could be closer to the hospital and farther away from the chaos that these streets had offered throughout the years. Its quite literally the least he could do. He'd have to remember to find one that has a nice big garage too, for Mirage.
He'd worked tirelessly for months in order to bring the mech back, bothering the autobots constantly with questions about their biology and comparing their hard wiring to the scrap that the battle had left his best friend. A good chunk of money was spent on spare parts and tools he didn't even know he would need, but it was worth it. Seeing Mirage transform and stretch out for the first time lifted a heavy weight he'd been carrying and it finally felt like he was able to breathe again.
Optimus made sure to thank him for working so hard in order to bring the porshe back. Prime had seemed to make peace with working with humans, if not for the promise to return home, but as a thanks for resurrecting a fallen soldier he had admittedly grown to care for. He allowed Mirage to stay with Noah as long as he gave daily reports, made it to monthly meetings, and actively tried to stay hidden. Noah would be forever grateful.
"Okay, okay," Noah finally relents, putting the rest of the dishes in the dishwasher while his brother bounces on the balls of his feet just outside the kitchen. "Lets go to the garage. Reek's there today washing a few things. A good spray with the hose will cool you off, and think I still have some of those water balloons left over form your birthday. Plus, I'm sure Mirage would be happy to see you." He imagined the loud whirring of the large industrial fans, wishing he'd thought of this sooner.
"i'll go get dressed!" Kris practically threw himself down the hallway. "Careful!" Noah called after him instinctively, though he couldn't help but smile. He dried his hands and turned around to go into his own room to change.
--
The garage was only two blocks away but it was the longest walk of his life. By the time they had actually made it there Kris was threating to throw up on his shoes and Noahs eyes had started to sting from the sweat dripping down his face. There was no wind to help cool them down, unless they wanted to start running, and he sure as hell wasn't about to do that. Thankfully, like he'd thought, Reek was outside rinsing down some large scraps of metal.
"Hey man!" Reek had called out once they got a little closer "I thought you finally decided to take a day off?"
"I'm not here to work, just to cool off." Noah laughed as Kris stuck his face into the stream of water coming from the hose. Reek laughed too and adjusted his grip to spray him better.
It didn't take long for the kid to get curious and start asking Reek about the job he was doing, now standing there dripping water and much happier. Noah decided to go inside to grab the water balloons, and to go say hi to Mirage, while the two caught up. He forgot how good with kids reek was.
It had been two months since he'd brought Mirage back, and in that time he'd become very...confused. Noah could feel the desire to be near him grow stronger than before, a feeling that at first made him nervous but eventually he lost the will to fight it. The joyrides they would take turned into late night drives out to the beach where they'd talk for hours, playful teasing became more akin to flirting, and silence shifted from weightless to charged. Before, Mirage or Noah would offer a fist bump before leaving but now it was more natural just to give gentle strokes and fond smiles. Neither had dared bring up this change to each other, they just knew that they were both happy and left it at that.
As soon as Noah had closed the squeaky metal door behind him Mirage curled out of his car mode and into his full size "My boy! How's it going man?" his mouth curled up into a grin, kneeling on the ground so he could talk to his human better. He was a patchwork of silver, yellow, red, and blue, a reminder of Noah's determination to bring back his friend.
"It too hot" He groaned dramatically, gently sliding his fingers over mirages knee as he passed by before looking in the drawer that hopefully contained the bag of water balloons. The garage was dim and the industrial fans were on high. He wasn't sure if Reek or Mirage had turned them on, but either way it made the garage only slightly less hot than it was outside. At least the air wasn't stagnant in here.
He didn't see the water balloons but he did find some water guns. One of them was definitely broken but with a little duct tape Noah figures he could make it work, now he just needed to remember where he'd put it last.
Mirage watched Noah problem solve in his head curiously, trying to decode the human. Once the man had started to look around on his many shelves the mech put two and two together. He turned around and picked up the duct tape off the work bench from the other side of the room and held it over Noahs head. "is this what your lookin for?" he teased.
"Ha ha, very funny." he said dryly, though his smile was genuine. He reached up to grab it and Mirage only pulled it higher. Noah was too warm for this, so instead he just sighed and with a sly smile, climbed up onto the mechs legs. Once he got his footing, they were nearly eye to eye. Mirage who wasn't expecting this advance lets the man grab the tape from his servo, staring into the humans face, his optics spinning.
Noah had used his other hand to brace himself against the robots chassis, feeling the cool metal underneath. He instinctively leaned in closer, suddenly wishing he could press his whole body to the cool material, nearly flushing hotter at the thought. Mirage, who had been watching him closely, responded by bringing his servo up behind Noah's upper back and pressing him onto his metal in a hug, other servo stretched out behind him on the concrete to keep upright. He kicked his fans on to blow some cool air on the human "you win." he whispered and Noah melted into him. Somehow Mirage always knew what he needed. Maybe there was more to their "fusion" during their fight against Scourge than he thought.
Noah meant to ask Mirage what that was in peru, making himself a mech suit for Noah to wear. Mirage was already so damaged, and clearly in pain, yet he still encased Noah in his pieces; to help protect him, and to help him defend earth. Thinking back to it, Noah remembered a low hum, warm and energizing, that flowed through his veins while in the suit. With his cheek pressed against the junction of Mirages’ shoulder and neck, he realized he could faintly hear that now familiar hum coming from what must be mirages spark.
Noah brings his arms up and around the Cybertornians neck without a second thought, all his anxiety and reservations slipping away. Mirage shifted too, his other servo finally coming up and circling around his hips. It felt, and looked, intimate but also gentle and full of care. They didn't hug very often, but after this Noah knew he wanted to do it more often.
Unfortunately right now was not that time, as a bright light nearly blinds them and Noah instinctively squeezes his eyes shut in response. "Yo sonic, did you find the water-" Kris had walked into the garage, giggling and dripping wet, though his expression quickly turned to complete shock at the sight of his older brother being very clearly cradled by his 12ft 'best friend'.
Noah's head shot up at his brothers voice and he nearly threw himself off the robot. Thanks to the large hands - still holding onto him by the way - he didn't go very far as he would've definitely hurt himself on the concrete in his haste. He wanted to shout at his brother for not knocking but then again, why would he even have to? It's not like he knew private moments were bring exchanged with an alien car, and in a garage no less
The horror of someone else seeing this unspoken relationship between him and Mirage dawned on him and suddenly Noah was questioning everything. He knew he'd have to explain himself, especially to Kris! He was especially nosey when it came to his brother… But Noah didn't even know how to begin to explain it to himself.
He pushed his way out of the mechs hands, much to Mirages confusion and disappointment. "Mirage is made of metal! He feels super cold! You should try it." he tried to justify, laughing to cover up his anxiety and turning away from his brother to use the duct tape that was still in his hands. He was hoping Kris wouldn't notice how red he had just turned. shit. shit.
"Come here little man!" Mirage opened his arms to Kris and leaned down "Try it out!" Mirage was a goof, but not an idiot. Noah was thankful he caught on so quickly instead of throwing a mock-tantrum and dragging out the awkward scene. He didn't even know what Mirage thought of their relationship, or how strange it would look to anyone here on earth. If not for the fact that Mirage is an alien that's twice his size, but also... a guy.
Noah had never felt true attraction to anyone he'd been with, though he'd slept with a few women here and there. Men never even crossed his mind as being an option to him, though somehow that still didn't sound like something he'd want either. He was just happy with Mirage, he didn't know why. But now he had to find out why so he could explain himself. That was a can of worms he had to open and unfortunately he'd left his can opener at home.
Thankfully, Kris was feeling merciful today. After a beat of silence and some quick looks between the two the kid decided to abandon his shock for excitement. He hadn't had a chance to see Mirage in a couple of days after all. "Hopefully my water wont rust you!" He jokes, running up to the mech, ready to use him as a jungle gym. He shakes out his hair and Mirage puts out his servos in a dramatic way. "Nooooo. My beautiful finish!" he said sarcastically. It was very clearly a playful jab at his half done paint job, so Noah just rolls his eyes and takes a deep breath. Play it cool Diaz, he thinks to himself.
After a minute or two of fiddling with the tape, he finally feels confident the busted water gun would work now. "So" he starts "I didn't find water balloons but I did find these!" He turns around to show his handy work. Kris who was catching up with mirage turns around to look. He squeals in excitement and slides off him, rushing up and grabbing the one without duct tape.
"Hey!" Noah has to chase after his brother who's making a b-line to the hose that's right outside the door. Mirage just laughs after the two of them.
--
Eventually Kris tires himself out and Reek leaves to get dinner with his new girlfriend. The sun was just starting to set, giving the sky an orange and blue sunset that reminded Noah of summer time as a teenager, skateboarding home before it got too dark. He walked Kris home on his back and deposited him into his bed, already feeling a bit of a sunburn forming on his exposed shoulders. The kid can just shower in the morning, he deserved some rest. After making sure Kris was comfortable and his light was off Noah was back in his room.
Despite the day being genuinely fun, the smile he had been wearing was heavy. His mind still raced with questions. He was thankful the only time he and Kris had a moment to themselves, the younger was too tired to interrogate him about what had happened in the garage. Trying to think about it made him even feel a little sick. Maybe if he talked to Mirage it would be easier to say it out loud. Noah was confident in the fact that he and Mirage had made a bond that would take more than an awkward conversation to break, but he was still nervous to bring it up anyways. Trading one pit in his stomach for the other, he decided it was time to rip off the band aid.
His clothes weren't exactly dirty, but he decided to change anyways, figuring some sweats were better than jeans, and a clean shirt never hurt. He knew his mother wouldn't be home for another few hours, but just in case she was home before him, he put a "Working at the garage" note on the fridge. His mom didn't know about Mirage or the Joes yet, for all she knew her son found a new passion and job in repairing things. He always was a workaholic.
This time the walk to the garage was much more bearable, fewer people were out and the crickets that come out during these warm summer nights had begun their song. He had butterflies forming in his stomach by the time he reached the door but he ignored them, pushing it open and letting what was left of the sunset illuminate the garage. His eyes locked on Mirage in his porshe form before he decided to switch on the light. With the room now much brighter, Mirage responded by switching on his headlights "Did you miss me already?" he teased.
"Something like that." Noah replied, walking forward and placing his hands on Mirages hood. There was still some paint for him to sand away before he could give mirage the look he properly deserved. He sighed and hung his head, finding comfort in touching him.
"What's wrong Noah?" Mirage sounded worried, and that made Noah feel warm. "Nothings wrong, just-" Noah looks for the words, pulling his hands from Mirage and putting them on his temples. Mirage takes this opportunity to quietly shift into his robot form, listening intently. Noah looks up at him, the feeling of being dwarfed by his friend when he stood up had made his chest swell. Mirage was always so gentle with him no matter the form he took and it made Noah both feel loved and... excited? He'll circle back to that one another time. "I really missed you man." He almost gets choked up, turning away.
Mirage is quick to crouch down, getting a better view of the humans expression. He'd watched lots of movies during his time on earth, so he sort of knew what to look for when it came to human facial expressions. He was always so fascinated with how much the flesh could move in order to express, and the details that humans had that cybertronians didn't, like freckles and eyelashes and facial hair. Maybe that was why he was so drawn to Noah. Mirage used two fingers to lift his chin so he could look him in the eyes. Noah was small next to him but he took up all of Mirages vision. "What's really goin' on?" He tried again and this time, Noah relented, dropping his shoulders.
"What is this? Between us. Don't get me wrong, I'm having fun, a lot of fun, but I don't know what this means in your culture. I could be gettin the wrong ideas and I don't-" He basically blurts, and his Brooklyn accent thickens the more he word vomits.
"Dude" Mirage chassis emits a low rumbling laugh that stops him. "My culture?" He laughs a little louder, causing Noah to throw up his hands in defense. "I don't know man! How am I suppose to know what ‘courtship’ looks like on your planet!"
The word courtship puts a name to their relationship for the first time and it shocks them; for a few seconds they just quietly stare at each other. But Mirage is quick to go back to laughing "Oh you were courting me were you?" Mirage, always the tease. He leans down even more, now fully on his knees, like he was earlier today. Noah's face is bright red and a string of excuses come streaming out of his mouth but nothing sticks. He'd tortured his poor beautiful human enough.
"This doesn't have anything to do with Kris seeing us does it?" Mirage offers, and it looks like that was the winner because Noah just shrugs.
"I like being around you, Mirage." Noah says and it makes the mechs spark hum, a sensation that shocks him a little. "But explaining whatever... this is... is going to be weird, even to the people that know you. Because, well..." Noah almost feels bad for bringing it up.
"Because I'm and alien?"
"Because you're a guy!" Noah buried his face in his hands. Mirage knew what the majority of this planet thought of two men being together, but the fact that this was what Noah was hung up on, told Mirage that he himself was still struggling a bit with that fact too. Gender was much more fluid on cybertron and there were less feminine presenting bots over all, so of course what humans would call "homosexuality" was seen as normal there. Though since cybertronians didn't reproduce sexually it also wasn't something that was necessarily common either. It was just accepted, like the moon phases or the seasons here on earth.
Mirage doesn't know what to think "Are you not okay with that?" he asks, but its not accusatory or defensive, just curious. Noah looks up at him, eyes flashing with confusion before it shifted to sadness, then realization. "Nah, I don't care what you are." He admits after a second, suddenly deciding. He looks Mirage in the eyes "I just have never felt like this before." Noah almost looks defeated.
This time the mech invites him up onto his lap, pulling him up gently by offering a hand to the human. Noah laughs lightly, a little embarrassed as he stumbles up, but he's quiet the moment Mirage has his servos cradling his back and his head respectively. Mirage is bad with ‘serious’ talks so he just stares, offering a crooked smile and the softest gaze he could muster.
Noah's hands reached up to grab hold of Mirages face, hesitating for a few seconds before he's pulling himself up to gently place a kiss on his lips. As soon as Noah goes to pull back, the hand behind his head pulls him forward again. Mirage's mouth is surprisingly pliable and warm against his, and he tastes a little bit like aluminum. Mirage could easily over power him, but was letting Noah take the lead, encouraging him by pulling his body closer. Noah sighed happily as he leaned into it, and despite their size difference, their lips slot together perfectly. Noah had begun to drool and Mirage took the opportunity to lick it up. oh Noah's body flushes. His tongue was wet and very warm. This was definitely something they needed to do again.
He let himself get lost in the kiss, unknowingly arching backwards in the robots arms as the bigger of the two hovered over him. When Noah did have to pull away for air, he looked surprised, like someone had told him 2+2 was actually 3. "I should've done that sooner" The human said, breathing heavy. Mirage just grins and moves his mouth to Noah's neck. He gets a gasp and a shiver in response but Noah doesn't say anything else. He licks around experimentally, running his denta gently under his ear. Noah moans quietly, too quietly, so Mirage tries again and gently bites down on the lobe this time. "Mirage." He properly moans the autobots name. Noah doesn't recognize the voice that just came out of him but the mech nearly reboots right there. He knows if this goes on any longer Noah's not gonna be able to walk home tonight.
"Life is good when your bro is your hoe." He jokes, hoping to pull Noah out of his blissed out state for a second. He didn't want to overwhelm the poor guy by going too fast, plus he wanted to savor this. Noah however just looks up at Mirage and bats at him gently for his joke before pulling him in for another hug. "Were not just bros. Were partners." He says before yawning.
"Partners" Mirage agrees, holding his human close again.
--
Noah wakes up the next morning inside of the porshe, laid back on one of the mismatched seats. There's a static noise coming from Mirage's dash that seemed to have woken both of them up, as parts of Mirages interior started to glow blue. "Sonic. Come in sonic." It was Kris, whispering over the walkie talkie. Noah doesn't know if he should respond. After what Kris saw he almost feels like being caught around Mirage is scandalous.
No. We're past that. He remembers and reaches for the walkie, but Kris says something again "If you're not with Mirage I'm gonna be shocked honestly." Noah lets out a laugh, and so does Mirage. "What's goin on tails" Noah sounds groggy so he clears his throat. "Mom's worried you didn't come home last night." Noah sighs and sits up. He used to stay the night here when he was fixing mirage, but didn't take very good care of himself back then and it made his mother worry. "Tell her I'm okay, I fell asleep here on accident. I'll be home soon." He started to stretch.
"Copy" Kris replied and Noah was thankful he'd just left it at that.
"Leaving so soon?" Mirage hummed. Noah reached his hands out and stroked the steering wheel. "I'll be back, I have some stuff to do here today anyways, plus we'll have more to talk about I'm sure." He sighs.
"You gonna tell Kris?"
"Yeah. I feel like he, of all people, would be happy for us." Noah still feels like he's dreaming. Who would've though his first attempt at committing a crime would make his life turn out like this. He gets out and leans his forehead on the roof of the car and he feels it hum beneath him in what must be an attempt at retuning the gesture.
"Thank you noah." Mirage says with sincerity. It almost doesn't sound like him, but it makes the human smile anyways. He lets his forehead linger on the car before he turns to head back home, wishing he didn't have to go.
--
He passed by a jogger or two and waves at an old neighbor his mother knows before he makes it to the apartment. When he finally walks inside his mom was in the dining room, ready to give him a lecture about taking care of yourself before she decided to just give him a hug and leave for work. He stared at the door for a few seconds after her, his brain suddenly reminding him it was way too early. After he commits himself to going back to bed, he turns around and find Kris standing right behind him. He was still in his clothes from yesterday.
If Kris didn't already suspect something yesterday, he sure did now. Noah very clearly had just stayed the night with Mirage, and the faint red marks under Noah's left ear weren't helping.
They stared at each other for a few seconds. Noah didn't know if he should let him ask, or if he should just bring it up, but thankfully Kris chose for him. "Are you guys, like, a thing?"
Noah's whole speech he had been slowly preparing for him all morning turned to mush in his brain, but the older man steeled himself and took a deep breath. He was military after all. "Yes." Might as well start simple. "I-We, just kind of happened. Mirage died because of me Kris. He protected me and all I could think about after Peru was having him back. I never realized how empty I felt when he wasn't around." Noah didn't mean to sound so cheesy but it was the truth.
Kris just nodded, quiet for a few seconds, thinking. "Okay." He finally says, meeting Noah's gaze with a smile.
"Okay? That's your response to me telling you I'm seeing a robot, alien dude, thing!" Noah gets a little light headed at how simple this seemed to be in his brothers mind. Kris just starts laughing though, holding his stomach as he throws his head back. Once he regains his composure he walks forward to hug his brother, which Noah happily returns.
"While it's not something I'd thought you'd go for, I'm happy for you. Plus now I definitely know Mirage wont let anything bad happen to you. " Noah scoffs and pushes his brother away playfully, rolling his eyes. He'd be forever grateful to have a younger brother like Kris. He smiles down at the kid, though there was something on his face that was still unreadable.
"How does that work? He's MUCH bigger than you." By the tone of his voice he's insinuating something quite inappropriate. They really need to pay better attention to what played on his hospital screens. "Kris!" Noah goes bright red and whips around to retreat to his room while his brother laughs after him. Noah hates to admit it but he'd definitely thought the same thing.