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“It’s pulse is the calmest I’ve seen” Boulder muttered, squinting at the tiny pulse chart “It must like you Heatwave”
He couldn’t ignore the way his spark twinged happily at the thought, “It’s just a machine remember” he said more to himself than the others.
The baby’s little coo’s were wearing through Heatwaves mental defenses alarmingly fast, this little sparkless piece of metal was going to win him over if he looked at it too long. Against his own sparks want to cradle the little baby forever he handed it over to Cody, where the baby promptly started wailing and making grabby hands at heatwave.
They were all exhausted, this thing was crying non-stop, if Cody was tall enough Heatwave was sure he’d have thrown the baby back to him. Not wanting to bear listening to the shrill cries for another klik, Heatwave quickly scooped the baby up again, and instinctually swayed until it had quieted down, not asleep but at least quiet.
Everyone sighed in relief at the quiet, including Heatwave, Primus this thing was so loud! But when he looked down at the little form in his arm that held one of his digits with a servo he couldn’t even be mad. He felt his face soften, this damned thing was so cute it wasn’t fair, he didn’t even stand a chance against the cuteness.
“So I guess you two are going to be together for a while”, Heatwave opened his mouth to retort but seeing just how tired everyone looked he shut it, looking down at the baby, it wouldn’t be so bad to let the others get a break. He was the leader after all, and the baby was quiet with him maybe if he was lucky it would fall asleep.
“Sure” he mumbled, deftly nodding, “you guys should go rest, I can watch it for awhile, especially you Cody I can see your eye bags”
The group mumbled their thanks as they trudged away from the living room, Blades hesitating a second, looking at the baby then to heatwave, faintly smiling with a look heatwave couldn’t quite place. “I could stay with you if you want?” Blades offered, the baby turned to look at him and smiled using one arm to make that grabby motion again. Slag this stupid baby and it’s cute mannerisms, he was going to regret this so much, “okay” he responded.
They settled on the floor, Blades right next to Heatwave due to the baby holding one of his digits as well, it was calm, Blades was being suspiciously quiet. Sneaking a glance over at him Blades was fondly smiling at the baby, watching it let go of heatwaves digit to hold onto blades’ with both hands, smiling with chubby cheeks.
“Awwwww” Blades cooed, “aren’t you so precious”, Heatwave wasn’t even aware of the baby anymore, they were so close to each other their EM fields were meshing, normally he’d hate it but Blades' was so… nice? And calm, so so calm, it reminded him of the ocean, waves of calm and safety washing against him as if he was the sand on a beach.
If Blades was doing this on purpose to try and calm him down he hated how well it was working, but he couldn’t even be frustrated as the baby giggled in his arms, finally happy with its surroundings.
They sat like that for a while, waiting to see if the little tyke would fall asleep, Heatwaves spinal strut was starting to ache a little. He nudged blades, “I’m gonna move to lean against that wall” blades, very obviously barely awake, simply nodded pulling away from the two, Heatwave was so tired he didn’t even care how he looked as he scooted until he was able to lean against the wall, struts cracking in relief.
He looked down at the baby and felt adrenaline rush through him, the baby had started venting rapidly, eyes wide as saucers and filled with tears, upper lip trembling dangerously. It was 3 in the fragging morning! This sparkless machine would wake up the whole house if it started crying! Blades had stood up and was only a step away from them when Heatwave grabbed his arm and yanked him down roughly against his chest, pushing Blades servo into the baby’s waiting arms. Blades didn't even have time to be angry when he realized the reason for the sudden movement, shifting all his attention to the angry little blob in Heatwaves arms.
“I’m sorry baby shhhh it’s okay it’s okay” Blades whispered, the baby’s hyperventilating slowed as small tears fell, the small whimper sending a small wave of guilt through them both. It made grabby hands at Blades, wriggling in Heatwaves hold, who was more than happy to hand the little brat over. He watched as the little one's optics lit up at being in blades arms, feeling that sickly sweet adoration seep into his processor again at the sight.
“Hiiiiiiii” Blades whispered, as if he hadn't been here for the past -he checked his chronometer- 5 hours. The baby settled in Blades arms and yawned, stretching its little arms before curling into Blades chassis and shutting its optics.
They both stilled, slowly looking to each other in shock and smiling, “oh thank the allspark” Heatwave whispered, letting his helm lean against the wall with a soft thump, offlining his optics with a sigh. He was on the cusp of recharge when he felt Blades shift against him, he was honestly too tired to care that Blades was in his lap right now “don- move so much you'll wake it” he whispered
Blades EM pulse of nervousness had him groaning “Blades it's fine if you recharge on my lap i don't care, it's not worth waking the baby”
“It’s not that, my rotors… they're getting crushed like this, it hurts, I can’t recharge unless I’m on my side” Heatwave had to fight the anger he wanted to send through his EM field right now, he took a deep invent. Blades was just as tired as he was, and in pain to boot. “Okay” he said through gritted denta.
Blades didn’t know what he expected but being held tight to Heatwaves chest and slowly lowered to the ground was not it. Blades watched the little sparkling in his arms with as much focus he could muster in his exhausted state waiting for cries that thankfully never came. He sighed in relief and couldn’t help the “Mmmn” that escaped him when his rotors were finally free, allowing them to flutter a little against heatwaves chest.
Heatwave, despite all his exhaustion, definitely reacted to that little sound and was grateful Blades couldn’t see the way his faceplates heated up. All seemed to be well until the baby made a hitched vent through the silence, it was as if a bomb was about to go off the way they both stiffened, “Get over here now.” Blades tensely whispered, Heatwave scrambled up and immediately laid on the other side, now facing blades who promptly yanked him close so that his windshield was lightly against the baby’s back.
The trick worked, and just as suddenly as the baby had fussed it slipped back into peaceful recharge. This was getting to be too much, but they both were just so tired they could only sigh and glance at each other, the absurdity of this whole thing beginning to sink in, Blades smiled, shoulders quivering as he softly laughed. Heatwave smiled back, soaking in his expression, loving the way Blades soft laughs rang against his audials.
Blade's smile was so… perfect, even exhausted blades was so effortlessly beautiful, his golden optics shimmered like stars. Primus, when Blades giggles... it's like none of this was really so bad after all, he’s so lucky that the baby took a liking to him and not boulder or chase.
Blades yawned, closing his optic shudders, “Mn tired, G'Night Heatwave”, his arm rested around the baby. “Night Blades” he whispered back, letting himself fall into recharge.
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In their recharge they shifted unconsciously, Heatwaves arm was curled around Blade's waist protectively, their legs tangled and foreheads resting against each other. With the baby peacefully sleeping, safely nestled between them. Kade will be using the photos for blackmail as long as he lives.