The Sound of Silence extras

Snuggle bug

Events from during "chapter" 5 :)

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I was being hunted right now. 

I could tell, being stalked, like a weak animal.

Yet unlike one, I was grinning like an idiot under my mask. 

Sitting sideways on the floor of Swerves bar, leaning back against a booth with my legs pulled up so I could balance my sketchbook on them and draw, a glass of low-grade energon on the floor next to me. Skids was in the seat above me and Chromedome and Rewind were across from him. A brief silence had come over us but it was just enough time for us to hear it.

The sound of chittering and the occasional scuttling of multiple little claws on metal. It made me look up and around. The bar was moderately full right now with only a few of the tables and booths occupied right now.

But my optics were drawn to a specific mech across the bar, sitting with his friends in a booth. I could see Sunstreaker glancing over here every now and again. Having no mask, he couldn't hide the smile on his face. My gaze wandered down to his pedes where I saw a leash handing down though there was nothing attached to the end.

I immediately understood what going on and grinned, quickly turning back down to my book and drawing. There were more clicks off to my side and more shuffling.

I couldn't help but turn my helm again and look, and boy was I glad I did. I watched as from the empty booth next to us, a small red rubber ball went rolling out from behind the seat. There was some more shuffling before a very small servo reached out and made grabby hands at it but they were too short to reach. So they retreated and soon, a much bigger crab-like claw came out and quickly rolled the ball back to behind the chair, and after, there came what sounded like a few scolding clicks before it went silent.

I looked back at Sunstreaker and pointed silently. He nodded and grinned before patting his servo in the air. I nodded in agreement and turned to my page, glad for my visor making my expressions.

There was a small click next to me and out of the corner of my optic, I saw something glowing peek out from behind the corner. There was another quiet click before the soft scuttles continued to get ever closer to me.

When I saw he was halfway to me, I turned in his direction and looked around. 'You guys hear that?' I asked back to the mechs behind me. I already knew Rewind had started recording this and I hoped they'd play along as well.

'Hear what?' Chrome asked casually, making me grin. I shrugged and turned back after having one last look, 'Thought I heard walking.' I said.

Of course, I already knew who it was, after all, it was hard to miss the mini purple, gray, and yellow bug covered in spikes that was pressing himself flat against the floor like he was camouflaged. Bob the insecticon stayed absolutely still, his four yellow optics looking at me as the little mouthguard he had moved slightly as he chittered. I couldn't help but grin when I saw the red ball clutched tightly in between his smaller set of servos.

But I humored the little guy and decided to play along with his hunting game.

As I turned away, he stayed still for a few more seconds. It then took all I had not to break character and burst out laughing when I heard the triumphant little giggle that came from him. He started coming forward again, this time pausing every now and then to flatten on the floor and wait before continuing.

By now, most of the bar had stopped and gone silent to watch this small interaction.

I waited until he had shuffled within arm's reach of me, and I could see his little abdomen starting to wag as he crouched down, ready to pounce like a cat. In less than a second I broke my oblivious state and threw my book up, Skids's servo shooting out and catching it while I lunged at the bug.

'Gotcha Bobby!' I laughed, holding him in my arms while he wiggled and tried to get free. No! He was the predator! This wasn't how it worked!

Determined to win, he pounced out my arms and latched onto my chassis, his weight enough to make me fall back onto the floor. He then quickly clambered up and jammed his face into my neck, nuzzling it and making me laugh as it tickled like hell.

After a while, I lay down flat in defeat, my limbs spread out on the ground. He turned in circles on my stomach and raised his two large claws in victory, everyone in the bar laughing and applauding the small bug.

I suddenly got an idea and went completely limp, staying as still as I could and offlining my visor before waiting for him to notice. It didn't take long before there was a click, followed by another and I felt him scuttle back up to my chassis.

A small servo poked at my mask, soon getting desperate. 'Bob!' Sunstreaker called, 'Don't tell me you killed her!' There was a flurry of desperate clicks and chirps as the insecticon tried to protest.

 I then shot up, 'YEAH!' I yelled.

If he could have had a spark attack, he did, jumping clear off me right onto the floor with a CLICK! and landing on his back, his small chassis heaving while his little ball dropped from his servos.

'I win,' I laughed and crawled over to Bob, picking him up and cradling him in my arms. He chittered and tried to fight me off.

He was Bob! He was the mighty Hunter! He would not be deterred by this! He was-! He was-!

Soon a small puddle as I started stroking him, running my servo down his helm to his back. He started churring and then turned slightly so I could get a better angle. He snuggled down in the most adorable way and started purring as I started tickling the right spot behind his helm.

'Aaaaw, who's a cute bug?' I cooed, feeling my spark melt for him, 'Is it Bob? Is it you? Yes, it is! You're the cutest!' He hummed and then flipped himself over so he was on his back, looking up at me with big optics and clicking as he playfully reached up with his small servos, the bigger claws tucked against him like a kitten does.

'Does the widdle bug wanna play? Does he? Does he?' I asked, not even caring how big of a fool I was making with the baby talk. 

I would die for this little guy.

Bob clicked happily and squealed as I nuzzled his stomach, his legs kicking happily and I could hear his little motor purring.

I then turned him over and set him down, watching him shake himself off and run away, picking up his ball before hurrying back to me and presenting it up for throwing. I grinned and took it, holding it in the air and moving my servo to the side, watching his helm follow.

'You what this?' I asked playfully, 'Does Bob want the ball?'

He chirped and jumped in the air, claws clicking before I gently threw it away from me. He gave the single happiest click I'd ever heard before speeding off after it, making me laugh again as I watched him pounce on it and roll onto his back, playing with it in his two front legs before turning over and running back to me.

We repeated this a few times before he put it in his mouth and scurried into my lap, spinning around in a circle three times before collapsing and instantly falling asleep. I started stroking him and smiled when he purred, leaning into me.

'Good boy,' I whispered, gently rubbing the side of his face. Bob let out a small sigh and cuddled close to my stomach, his small but warm frame heating mine. I let out a quiet, 'Aaaw,' and hugged him the best I could.

Primus, how could anything be so damn adorable?

I realized I left out Bob in the book. HOW COULD I LEAVE OUT BOB?!