i wish i could read your mind. ( 😏 ) { that’s enough out of you, square. following the wrecker along, even with a pep in his step! }

alright— i will. i promise. { that much is true, with how serious hot shot is over things like this. once the other rises off of him, the conman follows suit in coming to a stand. } ready for bed then?

i was kept awake * once. that’s not unusual, and i’m sure it’s really nothing. the more you think about it, the more you’ll start to overthink it. i’m good. { states so simply, even shrugging his shoulders to prove the point further. }

actually… we’re not so different. i recall this same exact thing happened to you, and you didn’t tell me for days either. { snrk. clearly, swindle isn’t taking this seriously— but it’s really more of an act. } i’ve just been havin’ some bad dreams. big deal. i’m fine.

{ squints. he should’ve expected hot shot to outsmart him, really. } that’s a broad scale, if we’re bein’ honest. i don’t think it’s worth the hassle.

nothin’ that’s important, yes.

what— i told you i’m fine, but you’re thinkin’ there’s more to it than there is. i don’t know what you’d like me to say, hot stuff. don’t get all mad. { everybody snores. squeeeeeze! }

i’m not being funny— you really were snoring, haha… { he’s trying SO hard not to laugh in these circumstances. covering his mouth with his free hand, squeezing hot shot’s hips with the other. }

pfft— right, i remember. you were snoring, so i woke up. might as well take care of ruben while i was up, then went downstairs to refuel. { he explains so casually, leaning fully back against the couch. so blasé, despite having nightmares for the past couple days. }

what? { HE’S ONTO YOU!! just play it cool, conman, like you usually do. } yeah. why do you ask?

i’m not judging you, hot shot. you care a lot about ‘im, and you like to be thorough. i respect it. { relaxxxx, hot head. pressing a kiss to the side of his helm. } what matters is, he’s all better now. just about.

well, yeah, he probably is going to be. his body is gotta keep fighting to get the infection out completely. it’s all normal. { patting hot shot’s thigh. } i know how worried you were.

{ not anymore, but he could be. attention immediately shifted, wrapping an arm around the wrecker now making himself comfortable. } hey, baby. did you give ruben the last of his medicine?

{ good lord. back to coddling the bird. }

{ he’s thinking the same! puuurrrr. }

{ SMONCH! he likes this arrangement much better, servos sliding up to reside on the other’s sides. }

yeah, just like you. { he whispers, nibbling on his audial. meow. }

n’aw, you feelin’ threatened? i wouldn’t give you up for nothing, if it makes you feel better. { purrrrr, kissing up on his cheek. }

{ he’s got some fresh medicine water ready for you, ruben! pouring the contents in his dish once he makes it back into their bedroom, petting the little peacock. }

{ oops. he almost forgot about that. get that dosage ready and find your way upstairs, swindle! }

{ at least he’s eating properly. now cleaning up the bird’s mess, as per usual— where’s he going?! }

okay, okay. here ya go. { setting the bird down FIRST before lowering the food dish. go ham, sicky. }

ah, there it is. { snatching up the container, opening it up to put a few in ruben’s dish! } you got an appetite today, rube?

i’m gettin’ you something to eat, don’t worry. { scrounging around in the fridge for some blueberries. it’s difficult one handed. }

pffft. good morning to you too. { smonches his little head, moving into the kitchen. }

( ❓ ) { up on his pedes, meeting the bird by the end of the stairs to pick him up. } what’s wrong, rube? feeling okay?

{ he can hear you from all the way down here, noisy. }

{ nightmare in the early morning, so he’s busying himself with some energon. maybe it was the excessive amount of alcohol that brought it back on. }

you both are dorks, y’know that?

perchance? ( 🤨 )

{ good lord, he’s back. } hey, rotorstorm. everything okay with your lady?

{ oh my GAAAAAH! watching him strut his way back into the kitchen like a hawk, enjoying the rest of his beverage while it lasts. }

yeah, i do. one of my favorites. { and it’s going to BURN. taking a swig! }

{ snrk. this is the best service ever. it’s just missing one thing… } thanks, baby. what’d you make this time? { swirling the contents of his glass first before taking a test sip! }

{ refill pleassseee. }

{ don’t look at him. shrugging. }

{ okaaaay? maybe she’s just not a drinker. finishing off his glass while waving her off. the burn is good. * 😌 }

just give it a swig, sunny. it’ll loosen you up like rotorboy in there. { taking a BIG gulp of his drink. sheesh! } i’m guessing you’re not one for shots or anything strong, huh?

{ kisses the top of his helm. }

{ no. cuddling closer… squeeze! }

{ and swindle is going to hide it as best he can. hot shot doesn’t need to deal with the conman’s nightmares and his bird being sick at the same time. sighing as he quietly shuts the washroom door, slithering back into bed. all is well. mostly. }

{ he won’t be, hopefully. he just needs to sort himself out, and wash his face. ice cold water! }

{ thankfully the two ended back up in their own room for tonight, but the conman suddenly waking wasn’t apart of the deal. his optics flicker online as if in a sudden panic, nervously scanning around the room. he’s fine, he’s at home. as it should be. sneaking out of bed as to not wake hot shot… }

well, considering we’re on the same wave length right about now… i’m doing us both a favor. { tugging him into one of the vacant guest rooms, shutting the door and LOCKING it. since rotorstorm has a tendency to open every door in the vicinity. }

mmmm… alright, let’s see what i can do about that. { servos latched onto the other’s hips, lightly pulling him out of their room. time to swap rooms! }

don’t get any funny ideas in here, baby… { that wasn’t a no, but he’s gesturing towards the sickly bird in his own bed. }

alright— fair enough. i dunno where he would’ve gotten that from though. i mean, he’s in the air. ‘copter stuff and all. { raising his hands in mock surrender, only moving them to fold over his chassis. }

hmmm. being broke. is that a phobia? i’d say that a genuine fear to have, considering my background. { he answers that way too fast to have even thought of lying about it— that’s his biggest fear! }

heh… he’s— he’s claustrophobic? { that’s hilarious. don’t LAUGH, cube. }

what, is he scared of the snow now? i mean, that’ll do it, but what if he wants to go back home tonight? { rubbing at his chin, as if in deep thought. } we gotta get him drunk.