Ch.2: The Loving Pair

In the Science Bay, XR watched as the LGMS examined NOS-4-A2 for any types of damage on his body, slight annoyance in his optics. He knows that this is just an examination, but the little robot doesn't like the way they're touching his Energy Vampire. He's the one who should be returning his touches whenever he hugs him. He felt himself sigh exasperatedly as the LGMs finally stepped away from NOS.

"Robot fiiiiine," they said in unison.

"So NOS has a clean bill of health then?" asked Pam from next to XR as the Energy Vampire sat up from the examination table.

"No damage," an LGM with a clipboard answered.

"That's good to hear," NOS replied as he carefully got off the table. "Thank you." The LGMs then left to take care of their other errands.

"Well, I'm gonna head out myself," Pam said, stretching her arms above her head. "There are a couple of things I wanna take care of a few things myself."

"Alright," NOS replied with a smiling nod. "Just let us know if you need anything." Returning the smile and nod, Pam left the bay, leaving the two robots alone. It was then that NOS noticed something bothering XR.

"XR, what's wrong?" he asked, kneeling down to the little robot's level.

"Huh?" he replied, turning to him. "Oh, sorry, NOS…I guess I'm just feeling…a little obsessive a short while ago." His Energy Vampire got what he was saying.

"Were the LGMs examining me bothering you?" he asked, wrapping his arms around his white waist from behind. XR shuddered slightly with delight from the embrace.

"Yeah. I'll admit I got a little…jealous."

"Aww, my poor baby," NOS cooed, pushing the little button to retract XR's helmet and nuzzled into his cheek softly. "You know you're the only bot for me, don't you?" XR then gave him a small smile.

"Yeah, I know…"

"Then don't you go thinking I'm going to replace you," he replied, "because I'm not." He then pecked him on the cheek, getting a light chuckle from XR.

"How did I ever end up with a sexy bot like you?" he asked the taller robot with a smirk. NOS only turned his head with a claw on his chin as he smirked back at him.

"Trust me when I say that it's more than just mere luck, my Little One." He then pressed his lips into his, and XR returned the kiss with a sigh. Right now, it's just the two of them…

"Hey, little bro, are you in here? I just wanna—OH, YOU GOTTA BE KIDDIN' ME!" The two robot lovers broke the kiss and turned to XL, who's standing before them with his arms over his face while his head's turned to the side and his optics are shut tightly.

"XL!" XR cried, his face now amber orange instead of its usual gold. "What the hey?!"

"Me?!" XL shot back. "You were the one locking lips with that guy!" He then turned an angry glance at NOS. "And you! Who gave you right to make out with my little brother while I'm not around?"

"XL, in case you have forgotten," the Energy Vampire answered flatly, "XR and I are together now. I have every right to kiss him."

"Oh, yeah? Well, get ready to kiss—"

"XL…" XR said in a warning tone. "Don't. Even. Think about it." XL stopped himself from firing his ink cartridges at the Energy Vampire again when he saw the look he's giving him, threatening him that he'll never talk to his older brother for a week if he covers his boyfriend in ink again. With a chagrined sigh, XL backed off.

"Fine." He then rolled off to another part of the lab, and XR sighed with a frown before turning to NOS. As he did, XL hid behind a metal shelf to eavesdrop on them.

"Sorry about that, NOS," XR said to him as he rolled back to his side. "I guess XL's still having a hard time accepting that we're a pair now. Why does he have to be so overprotective of me when it comes to you loving me anyway?"

"Well, that's what older brothers do, my love," NOS answered, wrapping his arm around XR and giving him a loving squeeze. "They wish to protect their younger siblings from anything that would hurt them, especially when it comes to the ones they're dating."

"I guess you're right," XR replied, leaning into his red chest. "Still…I can't help but feel bad for him. You and I have each other, but…well, I don't know if he's found his sweetheart or not." XL frowned at the comment. Even though he annoys his brother with this new relationship with NOS, XR feels bad about him not having a girlfriend of his own.

Great, he thought to himself. Now I feel guilty about not tolerating my little brother's relationship with NOS-4-A2.

"Just give your brother some time," NOS assured XR as he kissed him on the head. "I'm sure he'll find her sooner than we think." XR nodded with a smile before cuddling into his boyfriend's side. Their moment was short-lived however when Commander Nebula came up to them with Buzz, Mira, and Booster behind him. Seeing his "son" cuddling with his boyfriend, the commander cleared his throat, causing the two of them to look up with surprise.

"C-Commander," NOS replied, freeing XR from his embrace and standing up straight. "I-I was…uh, we were—" The commander only held up his hand to quiet him down.

"At ease, NOS-4-A2," he said. "You don't have to explain." The Energy Vampire nodded in answer as he then calmed down.

"Thank you, Commander. Oh, and you can just call me NOS; I like to think of the 4-A2 part as a…surname."

"Uh…right," the peg-legged human replied with an arched eyebrow before clearing his throat. "Anyway, the reason I'm here is because I have a mission that involves you."

"Uh, why does it involve Nos, Dad?" XR asked, a little worried that his boyfriend's in trouble.

"Because we think there's another Energy Vampire besides him out there."

"WHAT?!" the two robots cried with shock.

It can't be, NOS thought to himself. Can it?