Just a hungry Hyena

S.oundwave would be the first to admit he didn't think this through. As one of the leaner D.ecepticons aboard the N.emesis, any changes to his frame were glaringly obvious. Nonetheless, he needed a place to hide her when S.tarscream visited the communication officer's workstation unannounced. That place just so happened to be in his mouth. And into his tank. Rin couldn't even open her mouth to react when long, slender fingers wrapped around her and was then faced with S.oundwave's open maw. More eldritch than she would have expected, and needle-like fangs. She didn't get much chance to admire the D.ecepticon's hidden asset before she was unceremoniously shoved inside. His snake-like glossa pushed her back, and the chords of his intake sucked her further down. He shuddered as he felt her small form slip past his chassis and plop into his stomach.

What was more unsettling was that he could see it. Rin created a small bulge in his mesh, the surface shifting and stretching as she readjusted herself. He stamped down the urge to gag in lieu of turning towards the intruder.

"S.oundwave!" S.tarscream's nasally voice grated against the communication officer's audial receptors. If it were his decision, M.egatron's second in command would have been scrapped for spare parts eons ago. Lucky for S.tarscream, it was not his decision. "I've been looking everywhere for you! I need information…on…"

S.oundwave felt his e.nergon run cold as S.tarscream's gaze shifted lower on his frame, and he just knew the seeker noticed his poorly kept secret. He remained silent, hoping that not acknowledging it would make S.tarscream lose interest. Unfortunately for him, S.tarscream was a nosy mech.

"S.oundwave…what is that?" the seeker asked and pointed a sharpened claw at the attack drone's stomach bulge.

He kept quiet, the type purposefully withholding information. He could feel Rin curiously pressing her hands on the walls of his tank, testing her surroundings. If only he could get her to stop without garnering S.tarscream's attention.

"Well?" S.tarscream pressed, arms crossing over his chassis and pede tapping impatiently on the floor. "Do I need to drag you to the med bay to have K.nockout examine you?"

Absolutely not.

S.oundwave flashed a smiling emoticon on his visor, a mocking thing that continued to refuse an explanation. If there was one thing he was good at (among many), it was deflection. And from the way it made the seeker's wing twitch irritably, it was working.

"Don't make me order you to comply, S.oundwave. I won't be tolerating such foolishness!" An empty threat, and both of them knew it. No way in the Pits would S.tarscream challenge a former gladiator, not to mention M.egatron's unspoken favourite bot. He would be scrap metal regardless of the outcome.

At the emoticon on S.oundwave's visor changing to stick its tongue out, S.tarscream bristled and shook his helm. "Fine! Keep your secrets," he growled, turning his back on the attack drone. "Just give me the report detailing the losses from the e.nergon mine the A.utobots blew up a few Earth days ago. Pronto!!" Eager to leave, S.tarscream stomped out of the room muttering a string of curses. Something about respect and authority.

Once the door closed behind him, S.oundwave's frame sagged in relief. He looked down at the squirming shape in his belly and pressed a servo down on it. A soft, muffled squeak reached his audial receptors. More gently, he stroked the small swell where Rin was kept safe behind.

"So uh, that just happened," she began, and S.oundwave could practically hear it from directly inside. "So…why did you feel the need to eat me?"

Despite the fact she couldn't see, the communication officer tilted his helm. He was keeping her safe. Didn't she know that? A little unconventional sure, but what other choice did he have? It's not like there were any conveniently shaped nooks and crannies he could usher her into.

He could feel the soft laugh bubbling in his belly. "You didn't have to swallow, you know that, right? Could've just kept me in your mouth."

Oh. Right.

It was rare for S.oundwave to feel embarrassed, always so sure and confident with what he was doing. Now was an exception that made him want to kick himself in the shin guard. Of course! He never opened his mouth anyway except for fuel. Why did he swallow her?? She would have been perfectly safe nestled on his glossa. Instinct?? No, she wasn't food! He wouldn't treat a friend like the e.nergon he consumed, right?

"Woah! Your lights are pulsing!" Rin marveled, bringing S.oundwave out of his processor. "You have biolights in your stomach, did you know that? They started pulsing just now!"

Did he??? S.oundwave looked down at himself as if he could see it. He could very much feel Rin admiring the inside of his belly, her hands slowly, methodically tracing along the walls. A shiver ran down his spinal strut followed by a shaky rev of his engine. Biolights. In his tank. And they were unfortunately betraying his embarrassment. There was no way he could keep working like this.

He sent S.tarscream the report, closed out his work station, and briskly made a beeline to his habsuite. Maintaining his center of gravity was imperative to keep Rin from jostling around. He kept one servo on his midriff, holding Rin in place

He didn't stop until he was safe and locked up in his hab to let his guard down. Sitting on the edge of the berth, he tapped a light digit on the top of his belly. To his relief, the bulge wiggled in response.

"Yeah, I'm okay!" Rin answered. S.oundwave could feel her soft hands giving him reassuring rubs on his stomach wall. The action made his entire frame shiver and warm. "It was surprising at first, but it's actually kinda cozy in here!"

Cozy?? In the mech's tank? A question mark habitually flashed on his visor with a bleep.

"Yeah! It's warm, soft, and I'm safe inside my best friend!" Rin elaborated. S.oundwave could feel her getting comfortable, rolling over and curling up in a ball. It made his spark skip a beat. "And the ambience isn't too bad either."

Oh Primus she could hear all of his tank noises. The teasing in her voice was unmistakable and certainly not helping to curb his embarrassment. He clasped his servos around his belly, though it only served to make the gurgling louder.

Another giggle from Rin. "Your biolights are pulsing again." He couldn't win. At that point, he gave up trying. "No need to be embarrassed!" she assured him with another pet to his internals. "I actually wouldn't mind staying in here for a while just to relax. What do you think?"

Relax? Inside of him?? S.oundwave was keen to say no. But some part of his processor, perhaps the part that was eager to explore his more…indulgent desires, jumped at the offer.

And he was free for the rest of the day.