i wonder what makes her so interested. no offense to kitt, but he’s kinda… y’know. { passive to a certain point. that’s what he’s observed so far, anyway. }

gettin’ ladies. think he’s gonna stay the night?

see. he’s like a kid… { THEIR kid. waving the car off. don’t speed, kitt. }

it’s no problem, buddy. we’re happy to help, it’s kinda nice doin’ all that, too. but maybe because you’re a special case. { grinning away. } you look great! you’ll knock ‘em dead.

{ snickering… } he’s like our kid.

yeah? it should beeee… { grabbing the bottle to put back in his little collection, clicking his glossa as he surveys the options. funnily enough, the next bottle is a seductive red bottle. passing it over! } you talking about this one?

dress casual? uhhh… { squints at the bottles of cologne… picking out perhaps an even worse option. they smell great, just not kitt’s style… AT ALL. } this one.

isn’t it just right for him? first date and all. { hardly. }

{ he’s very happy with his selection, passing the bottle into hot shot’s offered palm. snrk. }

and that’s what we’re gonna give you right now. don’t fret. let’s see, with your sleek paint job, we gotta go for something that accentuates just that… { skimming through the bottles… picking up one in particular. } oh yeah, definitely this one. ( 😏 )

i know what’s missin’. cologne. that’s what you need for your little date. { out comes the conman to collect kitt by the shoulder. come into the dark room. }

{ peeking out from the bedroom. }

ah! easy, hot stuff… i’m sensitive. ( 🥺 ) { hardly, you con artist. stop playing up the big puppy dog optics. }

kinda. i think he gets it from you. { snrk. }

{ whew. now this is where the good stuff is, slightly leaning into hot shot’s touch. } good, we don’t need him crying any more than he already does.

alright, let’s give it a try… { what works with hot shot may not work with swindle, reaching his servo out to brush along the bird’s side, discreetly turning him around in a fluid motion. }

how do i do that without hurting his fffff— { THAT TICKLES!! shivers, gently nudging the bird away from his audial. } … feelings.

yeah, i didn’t think biting me would make him so happy. but, i was messing with him earlier, i guess fair is fair. { huff. }

{ WHO’S TAKING PICTURES?! whipping his helm around to look, instantly eased when seeing his lovely wrecker nearby. } hey, hot shot. ( 😏 )

{ sitting there deadpanned, yet taking this preening like a champ. where’s hot shot to observe and appreciate this… }

… alright, i guess that’s fine since i messed with ya. { he’s not the happiest about it, but he’s letting it happen. go ham, ruben! }

{ THAT WAS IT? easy peasy… giving the bird a little pet before wrapping an arm around him in a makeshift hug. }

{ kisses his little head. snrk. }

{ welcome to the real world, ruben. kindly nudging the bird into his lap so he can pet and calm the little guy down. }

hey, hey, heyyyuhhh… no biting, or you won’t get blueberries for a whole day. { now the conman is pouting, tactfully evading ruben’s bites. ENOUGH! }

{ why is this so funny to you, cube. he’s screaming. wiggling his little feetsies… }

{ grabbing ruben’s foot. }

love you more. try and get some sleep… { leaning in for a SMOOCH! }

yeah. i told him it’d be best, so he doesn’t get cold in the garage. i got everythiiing under control, hot stuff. you send me a message if you need anything.

well, he’s just gonna keep on crying while you got a helmache. that’s no good. i think maybe we can drown out the noise if i turn up the tv. { GRABBING the peacock to fit him under his arm like a suitcase. }

{ sliding the meds into hot shot’s palm once it’s discreetly felt for, a cube then being offered out. } ruben, off the bed. you know better.

{ HUBBY IS COMING! waving to kitt while he ventures back upstairs, coming into the room to immediately search for the bird. } rube, pipe down. you’re in the house, relax. i got you your medicine, baby.

{ HE’S DOWNSTAIRS!! getting some more medicine for his wrecker, chatting it up with kitt in the process. GET up there, cube. }

he wouldn’t betray us like that. … would he?

yeah. just like he said, he didn’t want us in the line of fire, right? i am so asking him what happened when he gets home… { acting like he’s the parent or something. }

talking her up, right beside her. i guess he has more game than we gave him credit for… { than YOU gave him credit for, cube. } i zoomed home as fast as i could.

{ kiss, kiss. } okay, i think i saw the dude kitt was talking about. and guess what, megaempress was there, holding him with her weird tail. he looked PISSED.

oh! sorry, were you sleeping…? { what do you think, cube. slowly making his way over to plop onto the couch, right by the frightened wrecker’s side. }

{ BUSTING in through the door. } hot shot, you will not believe what i just saw.

{ WHAT THE HELLLLLL!!! the twins and megaempress? speeding on past the train wreck over there to get back home and FAST. }

eh… worth a shot. { giving a subtle shrug of his shoulders, sending a wave to the trio before he’s taking his leave. go, jeep, go! }

rainy? damn, i just polished off. oh well. see you soon— { SMONCH, finally pulling off of hot shot to come to a full stand! } kitt! need anything from the store? maybe alcohol?

oh yeah? maybe later. but not in front of the bird… { clicking his glossa while his own hands travel up to capture each side of hot shot’s face, leaning in for a few more kisses. } okay— i’ll be back soon… don’t go anywhere.

{ kissing in return, slyly slipping his grasp from ruben’s leg, sneakily grabbing on hot shot’s hips. better. } but! i gotta run to the store. need anything?

yeah, he said sometime next week, though. that’s the only free time he’s got. but, hey, better than not having anything for your buddy. { reaching out to snatch ruben’s leg. wiggle… }

{ the conman descends from the staircase, happily moving along to wind up by hot shot, greeting ruben as he leans down. hi birdie. } morning, baby. i may have gotten a great contact to help put together that laser. well, material wise.

{ SCOOP! wiggling to shift over on his side, nestling ruben into the safety of his chassis. there there. }

{ it is too early for this, bird. he’s going to roll over and take you with him in one arm. }

i don’t think i got a choice in the matter… you’re making me all jittery. ( 🥴 ) { slowlyyy making his way to take a seat upon the berth, since hot shot is latched on completely. }

you don’t even know the guy— everyone lies. { squinting his optics, tensing up as soon as his cabling is fiddled with. STOPPP! }