Soundwave carefully welded a new perching limb onto the metal tree in the corner of the living room as Cascade gently played with Ratbat. She was showing him some games she'd gotten from Earth, just simple ones with minimal rules. Ratbat had easily taken to her, clinging to her, and insisting he sleep with her.
Ratbat was chattier than Soundwave anticipated. Lazerbeak, Buzzsaw, and Ravage were near silent and he expected Ratbat to be the same, but no. Ratbat loved talking to Cascade, asking endless questions, and hooking his little fingers in the edges of her plating when she got up.
Soundwave wiped off the new base and gave it an experimental tug before putting his tools away. Lazerbeak swiftly returned to her top perch, dull claws curling around it. He lightly patted the top of her head, making a mental note to give her and Buzzsaw both a talon check.
Cascade giggled softly, carefully putting together the standing game. "Okay, this one's really easy. All you have to do is line up four of your pieces. They can be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal, but they have to be in order."
Ratbat nodded, carefully gathering up the red pieces. "I want red!"
She smiled and nodded, glancing up at Soundwave as he passed by her to put his tools away. "Sounds good. Do you want to go first?"
He shook his head. "No, you go first."
She slid her black pieces closer and picked one up to slide it into a slot. "Alright, your turn. Put one piece anywhere."
Soundwave refilled his cube and sat beside her on the couch, sliding his arm around her waist. "Cascade; is predictable."
She lightly pouted at him, poking his arm. "You just think five steps ahead. I live in the moment."
He kissed her cheek, squeezing her hip gently. Ratbat chittered softly, dropping a piece in. "Cascade's turn!"
She focused back on him and smiled, snagging a piece to slide in. "I'm paying attention, I promise."
Soundwave gently rubbed her hip with his digits, drinking his energon and watching them play. He could faintly hear Rumble and Frenzy in their room, teasing Ravage as he hid in a vent out of their reach. As long as Ravage wasn't sneaking into others' apartment, there was no concern to be had. Buzzsaw and Lazerbeak were on their perch, relaxing and watching with sharp optics.
He could get used to this.