Chapter 2

For the rest of the day, it was difficult for Ultra Magnus to work as all he could think about was how scared Eclipse was of him now. And it didn't help that everyone was disappointed in him too. "You really need to loosen up, sir," said Bulkhead in a respectful voice. "Eclipse was just playing."

"She always shuts down if any of us raise our voices like that," said Arcee, looking at Magnus with a stern look, something very few bots could do and actually get away with it.

Even Ratchet growled at him when he walked by the medbay, but was hurt the leader of the Wreckers the most was that Eclipse would go into a panic attack and cry whenever she saw him. He finally set aside the datapad he had been trying to work on, giving up. He wouldn't be able to focus on his work as long as Eclipse was frightened of him.

Bumblebee walked by and saw Ultra Magnus looking like he had been through the wringer and cautiously approached. "Sir? Are you…well?" He asked.

The leader of the Wreckers sighed deeply. "Not exactly," he said before looking at the young scout. "How is Eclipse?"

"She's calmed down and sleeping," Bumblebee answered. "Ratchet had a time getting her to settle down and go to sleep."

"Because of me," Ultra Magnus said with a sigh. "I really feel lower than scum for making her cry. I keep forgetting that sometimes scolding her makes her go into flashbacks and she becomes so afraid."

The yellow scout looked saddened. "All because of that creep who hurt her," he said and suddenly he perked up. "Wait. Maybe you can still help her, Ultra Magnus, sir. You can remind Eclipse that you promised to never hurt her."

The larger bot looked at Bumblebee, intrigued. "How?" He asked, deciding to hear the young bot's idea.

"Well, you know how she has nightmares sometimes, right?" Bumblebee said.

"Yes?" Ultra Magnus asked curiously.

"Maybe…if Eclipse has a nightmare tonight, which I hope she doesn't, but if she does, maybe you can comfort her?"

He had to admit that actually sounded like a good idea and certainly was better than having Ratchet growl at him or Eclipse go into a panic attack and cry when she saw him. He could offer her comfort and remind her that while he was stern, he'd never hurt her. "Tell Ratchet your idea to see if he's alright with it and let me know what his answer is, please," he said to the scout.

"Yes, sir," Bumblebee said and instantly headed out to talk to Ratchet.

When the medic heard the scout's idea, he gave it some thought and after a bit, agreed that it wouldn't hurt to try, especially where Magnus was wanting to make it up to Eclipse. "But, if she doesn't calm down, notify me immediately," Ratchet said to the leader of the Wreckers.

"Will do," he said. "And Ratchet…thank you."

The medic gave him a look. "You're welcome, but you've got a battle ahead of you," he said.

Ultra Magnus nodded solemnly.

It was late into the night and the leader of the Wreckers was still up, unable to sleep but also keeping his audios open in case he heard Eclipse start crying. He set aside a finished datapad and had just gotten up to stretch when he heard a scream that sounded all too familiar.

Running out of his office, Ultra Magnus made it to the medbay and turned on the lights, seeing Eclipse kicking and waving her paws in the air, her claws nearly shredding the blanket as her cries grew louder.

The large mech went over to her. "Eclipse," he called softly, gently shaking her shoulder. "Wake up, little one. It's only a bad dream."

The small femme jumped up, her eyes wide and wildly looking around as her tail puffed out in fear. She whimpered and hunkered down, not seeing Ultra Magnus right away as he began stroking her back. "Easy, little one. It was just a bad dream. You're okay," he said softly.

Tears fell down from Eclipse's eyes as she looked to see the leader of the Wreckers beside her and he was trying to comfort her. She stopped whimpering, but was still upset and looking ready to burst into more tears. As he continued rubbing her back, Ultra Magnus remembered how Ratchet said that Eclipse liked belly rubs. "Eclipse," he said quietly, getting her attention. "Would you like me to rub your belly, little one?"

That seemed to catch her attention and she looked up at him with hopeful eyes now. "Cuddle?" She asked softly.

He nodded and was relieved when she immediately jumped into his arms, cuddling in his arms and purring as he began rubbing her belly, making him smile as he rubbed her belly for a bit before stopping.

Eclipse suddenly growled at him, giving him what she deemed as her scary face, but it was actually too cute to be scary and made him smile. "What?" He asked, curious.

"More belly rubs," she said, trying to sound commanding, but it came out too cutely to be serious.

Chuckling, Ultra Magnus began rubbing her belly once again and she began purring happily, which made him chuckle before he got another idea and stopped rubbing her belly.

She again growled playfully, but before she could demand more, ten fingers wiggled playfully into her belly, making her giggle before her giggles turned to laughter as Ultra Magnus tickled her, making her squirm and squeak cutely.

Finally, she caught one of his hands in her paws and used her tail to catch his other hand and he chuckled in amusement. "Alright, how about one more belly rub to help you fall asleep again?" He offered.

She nodded and snuggled into his arms and purred again as he rubbed her belly, smiling as she was finally calmed down and looking very sleepy now. The leader of the Wreckers chuckled in amusement. "I might be stern, but even I have a soft spark when it comes to sparklings," he said. "Especially cute ones like you, Eclipse."

The small femme giggled softly before yawning and blinking her eyes sleepily. "Love you, Uncle Magnus," she said softly.

That told him that she forgave him for earlier. "I love you too, my little niece," he said quietly and saw her fall asleep in his arms. Setting her back down on the berth, he covered her with her blanket, stroking her head a final time before quietly leaving the med bay, sending a message to Ratchet that Eclipse was doing better and receiving a thank you message in response.

Now that Eclipse was doing better, Ultra Magnus went to his quarters and crashed onto his berth, no longer burdened with the feeling of Eclipse fearing him.

After all, under that stern demeanor, he did have a soft spark, especially when it came to sparklings like his niece.

Please leave a review, but no flames!

GoldGuardian2418