Author: Floor
Timeline: Post Episode 25

Stupid machine.

That's what it was; just an unintelligent accumulation of metal parts. It did not have thoughts and emotions like he did, and it was just meant to do its job. One job.

"Come on!" Gunmax tried starting Gun Bike again, to no avail. The bike's engine coughed at him and he narrowed his optics at it. For a soulless vehicle, it sure had some nerve cutting out on him like this - and in the middle of his patrol, too.

The Motorcycle Detective dismounted his bike and stepped onto the damp morning grass. The roads were quieter this time of day, with only the occasional car passing his roadside pit stop. A white hatchback sped past him with a young face pressed against the window in the backseat. What are you gawking at?

Gunmax flicked his visored optics over Gun Bike and didn't know exactly what he was looking for. Nothing looked broken. Despite it being a 'stupid machine,' the biker always made sure his transport was in good shape. After all, he had to be seen riding it. He checked the connections to see if anything was loose, and then checked that the gauge was correct by inspecting the fuel level of the tank.

Everything appeared to be in order.

That only made Gunmax even more frustrated. He kicked Gun Bike's tyre angrily.

"Doesn't that count as domestic violence?"

Gunmax twisted sharply at the sound of another's voice behind him. Right when he recognised Shadowmaru's familiar face, Gun Bike fell against the back of his legs and slammed him ungracefully to the ground. With his bike now on top of him, Gunmax found himself staring at a very small weed growing in the grass.

He heard a chuckle. "Looks like Gun Bike can hold her own."

The biker spat a mouthful of dirt. "'It' is being a pain in the ass." Quite literally.

"My apologies." An outstretched hand appeared in Gunmax's limited field of vision. "I didn't realise you two were on those kind of terms." The green brave reached for the hand and was pulled from beneath the fallen bike. Once brought to his feet, he quickly brushed at his body to make himself more presentable for... uh... his current company. He wiped the dirt from his face and straightened his visor. Shadowmaru just... waited.

Gunmax heard himself snort with laughter despite everything. "At least boyscout didn't see that. I wouldn't be allowed out unescorted for a week!"

Shadowmaru's lips quirked into a smirk. "I won't tell him anything."

"Good."

Gunmax... realised he was standing really close to Shadowmaru. The taller mech had angled his face down and Gunmax found himself staring into emerald optics. He stepped back a couple of times but came to a halt when the back of his foot hit his bike. Dammit. He was still close. Too close. Gunmax folded his arms over his chest in order to maintain what self-confidence he had left. "Why are you here, anyway?" He tried grinning, but stopped when he felt the texture of dirt on his teeth. He opted for a smirk instead. "Do your secret missions involve spying on handsome bikers?"

"Hmm." Shadowmaru made an amused noise and stepped further back into the ditch and away from Gunmax. "Unfortunately, no. I was just in the neighbourhood. You looked like you needed help."

Gunmax snorted. "I would have been just fine."

Shadowmaru gave him a quick glance over (Gunmax tried not to feel embarrassed.) "Looks that way."

Ignoring him (because that seemed like the best way to not notice how alluring he was), Gunmax turned and began to lift Gun Bike upright. The vehicle was roughly twice his weight so this was no easy task. When he lifted higher, the pressure lessened and Gunmax glanced aside to find Shadowmaru was helping him. "I don't need your hel-"

"I know."

"... Thanks."

"You're welcome."

The bike stood on its tyres once more. Gunmax balanced the heavy machine on its stand and noticed Shadowmaru was looking over it.

"It just cut out on me," he explained to the ninja brave who was currently leaned over the bike in a totally-not-attractive way.

"Did you check the fuel tank?" Shadowmaru asked him.

"Of course." I'm not always this idiotic. Only when you're around...

The violet brave rocked the bike lightly in his grip before opening the fuel tank to peer inside. "Just as I suspected."

"It's full?" Gunmax answered, sarcastic.

"Sand."

"Huh?" Gunmax moved around Gun Bike to stand next to him.

"Who looked over Gun Bike after..." Shadowmaru's voice faltered.

Realisation dawned on the Motorcycle Detective. The chieftain incident... "Tsunekawa," was his reply.

"There's sand in the tank," Shadowmaru explained while replacing the cap. "It causes the engine to stall."

Gunmax straightened and looked at nothing in particular. "How did you know?"

Shadowmaru's form was unmoving; a dark shape in the corner of Gunmax's vision. He then said the one word Gunmax had hoped he wouldn't:

"Experience."