A very big thank you to PrancingTiger86 for such a quik review~ C:

PrancingTiger86: Hehehe, you have to give them creative credit, no? :P And Jazz? Shutting up? Unless some sort of smexy reward is involved, I dun think it will be happening. xD

Very fast update~! :D Deadline is still today but I only have two more to go! I CAN MAKE IT I CAN MAKE ITTT! xD

This one is a sequel to 'Costumes' and was suggested by LittleMeanPepperShaker – thanks, hun~ Hope you like what I made of your suggestion C:

I hope you enjoy~

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Disclaimer: I own the plot, not the mechs.

Universe: G1
Warnings: Implied slash…or just slash…crack/ridicilousness…inappropriate use of famous movie themesongs, I guess. XD

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8. Trick

"Are you done yet?"

Repressing a twitch in his optic ridge, Starscream bit back the frustrated screech building up in the back of his throat (along with a few small cables) and shot a glare over his shoulder.

"If I was done, do you think I would still be standing here so damned fragging close to the Autobot base, in clear sight, when we could all be back at our base, where we are, oh, I don't know, not likely to get shot?!"

"There's no telling what you would do when this mood takes you, Screamer." Skywarp replied easily, smirking as his trine leader made an indignant noise, voice rising an octave – and gracefully ducked the boulder hurled his way. "Ah, yes. I forgot your aim with solid objects becomes worse then usu-OOMF!"

Unfortunately for Skywarp's helm, his observations soured in the next moment (and with the use of a slightly larger boulder).

This, of course, did not stop him from 'engaging in direct and first-hand observation' with his…subject…to 'collect realistic information' (phrases stolen from the former scientist and subsequently slagged-off Aerial Commander, who was no eager to provide Skywarp with 'data' on how an annoyed specimen of Starscream reacts to more 'stimulus').

Rather. Noisily.

So much for subtlety and sabotage…

Sighing and shaking his head in a manner that was both exasperated and fond, Thundercracker shifted from his post of keeping watch to tug his wingmate out of the way as wrench came flying his way with rather lethal precision.

"Knock it off, you two. What part of 'quick and stealthy and quiet' do you guys not get?" he sighed, giving the grumbling Skywarp's upper arm a comforting squeeze and his aching, abused helm a quick nuzzle, much to the purple jet's delight. "Although, I gotta say, Starscream, your aim with the wrench is improving."

"…I didn't bring a wrench…"

"And I'd like to have mine back!" a horribly familiar (and cranky) voice behind them grumbled, making the three Seekers stiffen and spin around – to come face to face with what looked like half of the Ark's occupants – with Ratchet in the front, tapping his foot impatiently, hand outstretched expectantly.

The trio blinked for a few minutes, uncomprehending, before Ratchet's impatient cough snapped them out of trance.

"It's a really nice wrench?" Skywarp offered, rubbing his helm again and hastily picking it off the ground.. "Hurts like the Pit."

"Thank you. It's meant to, little glitchead." The medic grumbled, snatching it back, ignoring Ironhide's amused chuckles and close, protective proximity.

"What is your purpose here, Decepticons?" Prowl interrupted, cocking the safety catch on his rifle, looking no less intimidating with a dark cape draped over his shoulders (courtesy of a certain saboteur, no doubt), eyes narrowed as he sized the Seekers and the device they've been attempting to fix on top of the Ark up.

"Yeah, would it have killed ya guys t'give us peace for this one night only?" Jazz chuckled, peeking over Prowl's shoulder before leaning against the tactician's side, hand on his hip.

"Perhaps. It's wise not to risk it." Starscream replied coldly, crossing his arms.

"Nice costume, Jazz." Skywarp piped from beside him, making Starscream glare at him and Thundercracker sigh, lowering his face in his palms.

"Why thank ya. T'was hard to find somethin' original this year. Y'guys going to scare people this year?"

"Yesssssss-ow!"

"Shut it, you slagheap!"

Skywarp opened his mouth to spit back a retort when his eyes caught a gleam of familiar purple paint – on the…unfamiliar side of the faction. Ignoring Starscream, he switched his optics to night-vision – and blanched.

"What in the Pit-is that supposed to be-what?!"

Eyes and neck swivelled to the trio standing a few lines back – a trio now altered to look startlingly similar to the trio of Seekers, body shape and faces excluded.

Even Thundercracker raised his head, gaze meeting with a very embarrassed Bluestreak before the sniper made a quiet noise of distress and the mechs started chuckling.

"Seeker trine: Autobot repaint edition." Sideswipe supplied with a small laugh, digging his scowling brother in the ribs gently. "Would be a pretty cool thing on the market, don't'cha think?"

"…Primus, Screamer, are you really this fat?" Skywarp hummed thoughtfully as he continued to inspect Sunstreaker, not noticing the hush that fell over the two factions, or the warning flail of hands from the blue jet beside him. "Cuz his costume seems to be, y'know…pretty accurate."

Silence.

The crickets chirped happily, blissfully unaware.

And with a weary sigh and safe behind the doorwings of his bondmate, Jazz switched on his music player to the infamous theme of 'Psycho'.

The next scene was one the Autobots forever chose to remember when things got bad and one needed something funny to distract themselves with (several high-quality copies were made and stored for the entertainment of the generations to come).

Sighing, Thundercracker edged to the outside of the battle zone, taking his seat next to the embarrassed Bluestreak and the thoroughly amused Jazz.

"Is there any particular trail of thought behind this decision?" he ventured to ask.

"They said they wanted t'take advantage of yer lack o'shame."

"…in that case, they should have painted themselves black and white." The Decepticon smirked slightly, glancing sideways.

Prowl, who had been observing the impromptu punch-up with remote interest and attention, now looked to the side, expression blank and unreadable.

"I believe Jazz didn't phrase it correctly. The intentions must have been to replicate lack of shame, without the slyness and ability to remain undetected when engaging in acts that display their lack of shame."

Thundercracker tipped his head back with a laugh.

"Touché."

Comments/Prompts are still loved. C:

Up Next: (Muses…probably can't have a say by now…) Spider Webs, as we continue with the crack and Autobot sitcom dramas.

Too much fun.