Sprx laid there on Chiro's lap as his tail swung.

He looked so relaxed, so happy right there. Chiro could only smile at him. It was one of the things he loved seeing on nights like this. Peace and quiet for them as well, which just added to a good evening. There wasn't much else he could ask for at the moment. He'd have to leave soon to be with Jinmay and Slingshot, but he didn't have to worry about it now. Chiro wasn't too sure if he'd be able to, though.

"Don't get too comfortable, okay?" Chiro softly told him. "I'll have to go soon."

He chuckled. "I know, Kid, I know, but I don't want ya to go just yet."

Sprx held onto him tighter. It was quiet, but Chiro could've sworn he heard him say something along the lines of 'I don't wanna hand you over to anyone else yet'. His eyebrows fell, feeling worried now.

"Do you wanna repeat that?" He gently asked.

Sprx looked at him with surprise. It was like Chiro was never supposed to hear that at all. He quickly changed his expression to a delighted one, complete with a smile, albeit it was all quite fake.

"Oh, it's nothin' to worry about. If you need to go, go ahead, I won't stop ya. Don't let me keep you here." Sprx answered.

Chiro sighed, he was afraid he was gonna do that. He grabbed Sprx and gently sat him. He looked him in the eyes.

"Sprx, is there something you wanna talk about?" Chiro asked. "If you don't wanna talk about it, that's fine, but don't lie to me."

Sprx looked away. Every bit of his facade faded like something no longer emitting electricity. Chiro saw him be vulnerable before, but this was a whole new level of emotional nakedness. He didn't have to say a single word for it to show either.

"'I don't wanna hand you over to anyone else yet'." He repeated, his voice not even trying to hide it anymore. "That's what I said. I know, it's a bit selfish of me to say that."

"I thought that's what you said, but you said it so quietly that I wasn't sure."

"Well… You heard right."

Sprx deeply sighed. He grabbed Chiro's arm with his tail. He still didn't look at him. Chiro sat there and waited patiently for him to continue.

"…Would you believe me if I said that I feel like you love them more than me? Any of you loving anyone more than you love me, really." Sprx looked at him.

Chiro raised an eyebrow. "Why do you think that? We love you a lot."

"Hard to keep yourself convinced of that when you don't think you're as good or amazing as everyone else." He forced some laughter. "Hell, I don't feel like I even deserve ya. You got some people better than me, why keep me around?"

Chiro blinked a few times. His mouth dropped slightly agape. So many things ran through his mind at that moment. He raised his trembling hand, slowly inching it closer to his face.

"Do- Do you really feel that way?" He asked, now full of concern in his voice.

"Yeah…" Sprx looked at him and faked a smile, though this time it was a lot more convincing. "Sorry, not tryin' to worry ya. I usually talk about this stuff with Otto. Tryna not get reassurance every time, somethin' 'bout how it doesn't really help in the long run or whatever Gibson said."

Chiro lowered his hand and closed it. All he could do was stare at him. Not a single word could escape his lips even if he knew what to say, but he didn't.

What was he supposed to say?

Sprx frowned. "...I- I know, it's not every day ya get to see this insecure side of me. It's weird, I'm sure-"

"Am I the only one that didn't know about this?"

Sprx's eyes slightly widened. He released a confused hum. It caught him by surprise, it was clear as day. Once it processed, he then shook his head in response.

"Nah, Nova doesn't know, at least she ain't telling me if she does. Gibson and Antauri know, but I don't think they know the full extent of it." Sprx replied.

Chiro pulled him into a hug. Sprx jumped from the sudden hug. Chiro didn't mean for it to be so sudden like that, but he couldn't help it. He needed him to be this close.

"Well, we love you and you're just as good as anyone else." He told him. "If you need someone, then I'll stay. I don't mind."

"But what about the others? I ain't wantin' to keep ya and take up more of your time than needed." Sprx declined.

"They can wait or join us. I don't wanna leave you like this."

Chiro lightly rocked his body. Sprx held on and simply chuckled a few seconds later. He meant it too that he'd stay and the others could join if they wanted. Sprx wrapped his tail around Chiro's body.

"I swear, Kid, you're too good to me. I don't deserve ya." He chuckled again, more lighthearted now.

"You do. Keep that up and I'll have to do the same thing as Otto would do." Chiro smirked.

"Ya wouldn't."

"I would, especially if it means getting that mind of yours to shut up for at least a moment."

"Alright, alright! Ya win, but if you need to go, then go."

"Okay."

Chiro kept holding onto him. Sprx looked at him multiple times, each time he wanted to say something. Nothing came out, however, even if Chiro knew he wanted to protest about him staying like he did. He knew part of it was wanting reassurance too. Sprx buried his face into his chest instead. Chiro lightly chuckled and caressed the top of his head, even if it was only his helmet and not his bare body.

It took what felt like a few minutes for him to fall asleep. Sprx was deep in his sleep. He was happy to see him like this after all that. Chiro tapped his communicator, reaching Jinmay.

"Hey," Chiro quietly started, "I might be a little late and I'm sorry for that."

"Everything okay?"

"Yeah, everything's good. I'm with Sprx, he fell asleep on me and I can't leave him alone. I think it's best if I stay with him for now, if that's okay with you."

"Yeah, absolutely. We can come over instead."

"Only if you two wanna." Chiro responded.

A moment of silence between him and Jinmay.

"Of course, we'll be there in a bit."

"Okay, love you. See you both soon."