Sideswipe tried his best to stand firm, arms crossed as he looked down at you. You hadn’t been awful today—just unusually stubborn, ignoring simple commands, pushing boundaries just a bit too far. So, when bedtime rolled around, he made a decision.

“No, buddy. You were bad,” he said, his voice firm but not unkind.

You blinked up at him, ears twitching as his words sank in. Your posture stiffened, but your eyes—your big, soft, pleading eyes—glimmered with unspoken regret. A tiny whimper slipped from your throat, and Sideswipe visibly flinched.

“No… have to be stern… no.” He reinforced, though the hesitation in his voice was obvious.

You tried again, inching closer, tail lowering as you gazed up at him with the most pitiful expression you could muster. Your wide, shimmering eyes locked onto his, and for a moment, he faltered.

“No…” He tried again, but the certainty was fading.

Then, slowly, you stopped trying. Shoulders slumping, you let out a defeated sigh and curled up on the cold floor, head resting on your paws. The sheer sadness in your frame, the way you completely gave up, shattered his last ounce of resistance.

Sideswipe groaned, rubbing his face as guilt washed over him. “Oh, Primus… okay, fine, come here—”

But before he could finish, you were already scrambling into his arms, nuzzling into his chest as he sighed in exasperation, wrapping his arms around you.

“Yeah, yeah… I’m a softie. Don’t let the others find out.”