All that glitters isn't gold -Inanimate Insanity AU-

-Clouddrop-

"Can.. we speak sir?" A small voice rang out, its sound carrying across the cold sterile room of Cobs' office. The aforementioned sighed, leaning back in his plump chair, his gaze raised off from his work momentarily.. Brows heavy, lips pulled back, arms crossed. 3GS tensed, his joints locked in place as the currents within his robotic body sped up.. Fans whirring to life.. That gaze shouldn't scare him this much.. But as he met distant unamused eyes, 3GS felt his thoughts slip away. Betraying his initial motives for speaking with his enigmatic creator..

"Is it important? I have a very heavy workload, I don't need to be gas-bagging with my creations," Cobs yawned, as he pushed his glasses up. 3GS found his body betray him again, hesitation riddled his systems like a plague, keeping his feet firm onto the tiled floor.

"I-" 3GS gulped, "I would consider it so..."

His creator shouldn't make him feel such primal fear.. Cobs is to be trusted. He has kept 3GS safe, he built 3GS and all he wants to do is assist 3GS in success..

"Oh? And I suppose I should take your word on that," Cobs rolled his eyes, sighing once again.. He gestured a weak hand towards 3GS. "Explain yourself before I get bored."

"Its- 1G," 3GS started hurriedly, his panicked voice gained an edge that couldn't quite be described.. As though the processing unit that constructed his vocal module, glitched out under intense pressure.. Resulting in a frayed tone of voice.. "He's- I don't know- but- somethings wrong! He froze up yesterday- and- he- 2G got him right.. But- I'm worried for him.."

"Worried?" Interest piqued in Cobs, "interesting... Why are you worried?"

The way Cobs hissed that word sent shocks down 3GS circuits. There was something off about the corn's tone, his mannerism and gaze; eyes that now bore down heavy, an unwanted weight. "I-I'm worried- because- he 's in pain- and- he needs help.. So I was wondering if.. You could?" 3GS couldn't help the hand that crept to his opposite arm.. The blunt metal fingers that grazed across another metal surface.. "After all.. You did build us- and- he's important for the team. So-"

Cobs raised a hand, instantly shutting the poor robot up. "I get the gist 3GS, stop the rambles," Cobs leaned back again in his seat, rubbing at his temples.. A groan escaped his lips. "Bring the lot here. Can you do that?"

"..as in-"

"1G, 2G, 3G- y'know? Honestly," Cobs pursed his lips as he waved his hand off, pointing at the door. "Go."

3GS understood the message, he moved quickly to slip out of the doorway he once used as cover. Loud footsteps stomping through the fluorescent halls, as 3GS returned to the common room shared with his.. Family.. That's what they called it.. Right? The word sounded weird upon his digital tongue, but not the unwanted kind, the appreciated brilliant kind that felt warm to acknowledge. 3GS prayed that what he was doing was the right thing, that 1G could get the help he rightfully deserved. Then they all could go back to the same routines.. The days passing by in blissful unison, never straying from- well- maybe some light could appear in his life. The door gave way for him as he stepped into the room, it was early that morning so everyone hadn't left for their respective duties yet. "I-"

"You're up early," 2G remarked, glancing up casually before returning to fiddling with 1G's arm.. Something happened again.. 1G looked so worn-out.

"Where did you go?" 3G asked pointedly, before she flinched back, shaking her head. "Sorry- Uh- but still.. Where were you?" Her voice much softer, less accusatory this time around.

"I went to speak with Cobs-"

"You didn't!" 2G shot up, now it was his turn. His face twisted up, his grip tightening on 1G's arm. Luckily- 1G didn't have any pain receptors, so he remained sitting there unflinching.