There's a soft sigh at Rung's confirmation. He's told this story to Barricade, then Vector Prime, and now him. Hopefully, this time some clarity would come to him. What's another telling of the same tale?

"Protect him. That's...a nice way to put it." He looks at his hand, rubbing two gold-tipped fingers together. "He's so perfect, as he is."

Annoying, brash, prideful. Those would be usual words to describe him. But Mirage had other words.

"He's not broken, as I am. I've witnessed death. Some twice over. The badlands have taken almost all the Autobots from my world, but have left the Decepticons. And now...with Sideswipe and Bumblebee...I can't let them break."

His hands go to his chest, avoiding Rung's gaze.

"It is driving me to insanity. I cannot sleep any longer."