Heatwave's platting didn't puff out every time he thought Kade was in trouble. He didn't instinctively try to make himself bigger to threaten anything that could harm his tiny partner. His vocals didn't have more of a growl when death brushed too closely to Kade. He didn't feel the need to scoop up his charge and curl around the human like an overprotective big cat. His processor didn't stall every time he thought of not making it back to his charge and his team. He wasn't a bot with carrier protocols, but that didn't stop his codes apparently.
He ignored the raised brow of the hot headed blond. The smug grin was enough to make his jaw clench and his field rattle. Kade was grating on the best of day, but now there was no dealing with the human. Not bothering to pop onto the screen he barked, "What?"
Leaning back with a loud, and egotistical, groan, Kade stretched. Folding his arms behind his head he looked at the dashboard. "So," he trailed off with a smirk, his head tilting at the loud rev of the fire truck's engine. His smirk widened, "You were worried."
"Shut it," Heatwave snarled at his human. His engine roared and his field fluctuated.
Rolling his head back Kade snorted. Stretching again he -covertly- leaned closer to the steering wheel. Resting his chin on the hard leather he grinned down at the dash. Not changing his tone he rubbed his thumb over the steering wheel and said, "It's not like I haven't been in danger before."
"You've never face a Decepticon before," Heatwave rumbled back harshly, and he wasn't going to let one within a thousand mile radius of the humans. Especially his human, his field expanded to shake the passing trees. The earth itself seemed to tremble under his tires from his ire.
"Geeze," Kade rolled his eyes but didn't stop rubbing his thumb over the steering wheel. Tilting his head he pressed his warm cheek against the cool leather. Chuckling he stated, "Not like they could take us anyways."
Kade had been right, not that Heatwave would ever admit it. He would rather rip off his own plating than prove the arrogant human right. The Cons hadn't shown up and his team didn't have to engage to protect the humans. His sensors didn't stop running on overdrive over every small sound. He didn't hoover outside of Kade's window either, he was just patrolling the base. His third time around he ignored Kade smugly watching him. The human rested an elbow on the windowsill with cheek in hand and just watched him. He just grumbled and stalked on.
"So," Kade finally spoke up after another four rounds around the firehouse. Leaning forward he chuckled, "See any Cons guys yet?"
"No, go to sleep." Heatwave ordered.
"Need a partner," Kade asked with a grin, completely ignoring Heatwave's command.
Grumbling Heatwave let his shoulders drop slightly. "Just this once," Heatwave grumbled and held out his servo for his human to jump onto. He didn't look at the smug human when he moved Kade to his shoulder. His spark stopped spinning and his field stabilized slightly. His sensors were still primed; he tried to ignore how they kept focusing on Kade. He wasn't overprotective.
It would be weeks later after being on edge the threat had officially passed. It had been a miscommunication and an error. There weren't any Decepticons around and his team was safe. He didn't react to Kade's grin or soft touch on his plating, he just growled, "Shut up."