Soundwave slowly came out of recharge, his frame rebooting slowly. A simple self-disagnosis informed him everything was still fine, he just felt strutless. Some soft white noise reached his audials and he reset them, onlining his optics to look around.

His optics landed on Cascade, who was looking up at him worriedly. She nudged at the side of his dock, repeating his name.

He sat up some, gently gripping her servo. "What is wrong?"

She squeezed his servo, shifting slightly and visibly wincing. "Something stings, in my valve."

He nodded and sat up, closing his interface panel and gently sliding his arms under her legs and between her wings. "Washracks first? Or immediately to the clinic?"

She gripped his shoulder, squeezing as he shifted her in his arms. "I can tolerate a shower first if you help me. Frag, it really hurts."

He frowned slightly and turned on the solvent, stepping under it. "Bolt; possibly moved?"

She nodded slightly, relaxing some as he held her close. "I think I may have made a mistake. I'll be alright, I promise."

He nodded slowly, shifting to help her rinse off more. "Apologies."

She shook her head, squeezing his shoulder. "Ah, none of that. I'm the one who thought it was a good idea to just plunge myself on you. Okay, serious question, do you wanna have a sparkling? Seriously, I know you said I'd be a good parent, but I need to know your thoughts."

He nodded, leaning down to lightly kiss the top of her head. "Cascade; wants to carry?"

She lightly traced along the still-open edge of his dock, slowly relaxing. "I'd like that. What about you?"

He smiled softly, turning off the solvent to dry off. "Yes."

Her wings lightly fluttered and she smiled widely. "That sounds great. I hope that clinic is still open."

He checked his chronometer and stepped out before walking back to the berth. It was much later than he realized, but the clinic was open all cycle. He gently set her on the berth and grabbed the glass door, carefully hooking it back into place. She lightly winced when he picked her back up and bit her lip, hugging his neck.

Sliding his mask and visor back into place, he swiftly walked out, careful not to jostle her. She gripped his shoulder and softly whined, pressing her face against his shoulder. He gently pressed his mask against the side of her head, sending a message to the public link the clinic had.

Thankfully it was a short walk and the doctor was already waiting for them, the lobby almost entirely empty. Soundwave followed the doctor back to a room and set Cascade on the berth, stepping back before she grabbed his wrist. "Nope, you're staying put."

He nodded and the doctor fiddled with the table a bit, pulling out two stirrups to prop her pedes up in. She let out a soft whimper and moved to the edge of the table, sliding her interface panel aside. He held onto her servo as the doctor removed the bolt, a simple and quick procedure.

Soundwave carried her back home, despite her arguing against him. He wasn't stubborn, but he wasn't going to let her strain herself. She hadn't even been numbed, but he could see the lingering ache in her field. "Stubborn Seeker."

She softly sighed, resting her head on his shoulder. "You're way more stubborn. Soooo, wanna interface again?"

He faltered and looked down at her. "Cascade; still aches."

She lightly pouted. "Only a little. If we're gentle, it won't hurt any."

He softly sighed, nodding. "Only gently."

She hummed happily and smiled widely, hugging his neck and leaning up to kiss his mask. He smiled slightly and continued back to the apartment. A small part of him really wanted to interface with her more.