⠀ ( his appreciation has been said & shown. time to resume laying down on his back. visor dimming, arm around the smaller. ) ⠀ goodnight. ⠀

⠀ yes. thank you. ⠀ ( he rolls over & welcomes the shuttle closer, mask snapped away & kisses paved along his shoulder. ) ⠀

⠀ ( he didn’t want to disrupt his work!! sliding in. that’s nice.. ) ⠀

⠀ ( onslaught doesn’t expect anything less from his designated SIC. he looks cute all cozied up. ) ⠀

⠀ lucky you.. ⠀ ( he calls out from behind, digits toggling the light switches off in passing. refrain from knocking your helm into any doorframes, combaticon. ) ⠀

⠀ i’m ready right now. ⠀ ( a quick reply from him on the subject is unusual, but there’s no telling how long he’s been at it. & blast off * is right. the city hasn’t changed in the time elapsed. rising up. ) ⠀

⠀ no. i’m not upset. i have nothing to be upset about right now. maybe i really was just looking this time. ⠀ ( masks a yawn, stretching. ) ⠀

⠀ are you suggesting i should give it up without saying that outright? ⠀ ( a discreet side eye & once over. ) ⠀

⠀ ( of course. he enjoys observing the cityscape while he does so. classic onslaught. ) ⠀

⠀ ( sat in his usual broody corner. ) ⠀

⠀ understood and appreciated, blast off. ⠀

⠀ supply issues. he asked for my knowledge.. or lack thereof. ⠀

⠀ ( doesn’t the predacon have a job & steady income now? ) ⠀ is the risk really worth the hassle to you. ⠀ ( side eyes the shuttle, swallowing. ) ⠀ hello. ⠀

⠀ i can’t name any other place that would be as easily accessible right off the top of my head. ⠀ ( ex-vent. ) ⠀ trust me. ⠀

⠀ what happened to the place i recommended prior. ⠀ ( a long drag taken from the end of his lit smoke, ashes discarded with a tap. ) ⠀

⠀ ( can he HELPPPPP you? ⠀ * 🤨 ) ⠀

⠀ good idea. ⠀ ( his confidence is sharp having been in the sip prior, a trait onslaught wishes to see more of on average days. the grasp he’s got on the shuttle tenses when pulling him in, lips forcibly clashed. a passionate smooch for him! ) ⠀

⠀ i’m listening. ⠀ ( you’ve got his full attention after his glass is sat aside, digits giving testy pulls here & there. ) ⠀

⠀ ( sorry mr. PERFECT. he forgot that you’ve never made any mistakes. this a touching contest? he’ll TOUCH. attention pivoted on looping a digit around neck cabling, thumb caressing as he sips the remainder of the wine. ) ⠀

⠀ don’t worry about it. ⠀ ( plants his servo on his helm & rubs.. rather playfully. ) ⠀ i’m not in any rush right now. we get better every time anyways, and everyone is off doing their own thing. ⠀

⠀ ( snrk—! lightly jostled, yet failing to spill a drop. ) ⠀ and i’m supposed to feel eager to do so after a response like that. i’ll think on it a touch longer. ⠀

⠀ ( yes. he’s awfully handsy. casually sips from his wine glass, watching him. ) ⠀ wasn’t sure if you were down for it. ⠀

⠀ ( 3 out of 5 of them for sure have expensive taste. brawl will drink anything that isn’t nailed down. vortex— he’s not sure of. ) ⠀ fairly similar i’d say. how much have you had so far. ⠀ ( rests his cheek on his helm. ) ⠀

⠀ ( there’s no rhyme or reason as to why onslaught hadn’t expected the maneuver from his SIC, nearly choking on his drink. so sudden.. ahem. ) ⠀ very good.. ⠀ ( reaches out & pats his thigh. ) ⠀

⠀ you remembered? ⠀ ( onslaught sounds a quieted ‘humph’ of sorts, the glass held up at optic level & turned; critiqued. he remembers it well, tilting the drink until it connects with the surface of his lips. ) ⠀

⠀ that sounds good. ⠀ ( nods, traveling over & assuming his dedicated spot in the living room. ) ⠀

⠀ ( shuts the door with his heel, thin wisps of smoke escaping his exposed nostrils. a small sign of impatience. he’s just gonna fan that outta here real fast & clear his vocals. ) ⠀

⠀ ( positively. another drag, curtly waving using the same servo. a subtle grin currently sits masked behind the butt of his cig. he’ll be inside in a SECOND. ) ⠀

⠀ ( HELLO…!? ) ⠀

⠀ ( he’s not got the slightest clue of said ‘evening glow,’ only that it’s the perfect condition outside at this hour. the added dreariness is a bonus! people watching. unblinking. ) ⠀

⠀ ( outside smoking. he lives. ) ⠀

⠀ are you expecting something in return. ⠀ ( he’s gotta ask before anything is accepted. onslaught is well versed in trapping tactics. he can’t be fooled easily. ) ⠀

⠀ . . .and it is? ⠀ ( so he’s extra wary & superstitious. sue him. ) ⠀

⠀ ( blink. optics narrowed & helm tilted. ) ⠀ what exactly? ⠀

⠀ i’m not sure. ⠀ ( out he goes! ) ⠀

⠀ ( hello…? ) ⠀

⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗧𝗔 ⠀ 𝗠𝗬 ⠀ 𝘞𝘈𝘠, ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ 𝗠𝗬 ⠀ A͟U͟D͟I͟E͟N͟C͟E͟ ⠀ 𝘼𝙒𝘼𝙄𝙏𝙎.ᐟ ⠀ ⠀

⠀ ( snoring from down the hall. meds worked!!! ) ⠀

⠀ hrrmmmmmm.. ⠀ ( drowsily scratches on his helm. ) ⠀

⠀ ( phew. now to wait for this medicine to kick in & work its magic. ) ⠀

⠀ ( servo planted on his back. STEADY. ) ⠀

⠀ ( stop all that. he’s here now. fixing the covers. ) ⠀

⠀ mrhmmm.. ⠀ ( slinks by & disappears into his room. let us return before the wife finds out. ) ⠀

⠀ ( AUHHHHH. getting up.. begrudgingly & meandering into the kitchen. rattling pill bottle sfx. ) ⠀

⠀ ( longest most drawn out sigh EVER. ) ⠀ i will. ⠀

⠀ i’ll turn in before he realizes i was up. ⠀ ( no. no he didn’t. ) ⠀

⠀ i’m not ready to sleep yet. ⠀

⠀ goodnight, vortex. ⠀ ( returned back to his brooding. ) ⠀

⠀ arguing? ⠀

⠀ you * and him. where’s the triple changer. ⠀