The young human stared up at the grey and white mech. The grey and white mech stared down at the human woman.
"Wheeljack, meet Tess. Tess, this is Wheeljack," Jack introduced.
The blonde gave him a once over. "So… what's your deal?"
"I like to blow things up. You?"
"I like to set things on fire."
Jackie smiled. "I like this one already. We should go light up a Decepticon mining operation some time."
She lifted a brow. "You asking me on a date?"
The wrecker shrugged. "Yeah, why not?"
"Hey!" Smokescreen cut in. "Back it up! She's my human! Get your own!"
Tess glanced up at her suddenly overprotective guardian. "Jealous, Smokey?"
The younger mech looked embarrassed for a split second before righting himself and awkwardly rubbing the back of his helm. "N-no… it's just… I had to wait for my charge! He just shows up and tries to take mine? Seems a bit unfair is all."
Miko smiled like a cheshire cat. "I mean… technically Wheeljack got here before you… so if we're speaking in terms of seniority, Wheeljack should be Tess' guardian."
He looked positively panicked by the notion. He dropped down to their level, voice pleading as he addressed Tess. "C'mon now! I… I can commit arson! We could totally commit arson together!"
She shrugged, "I mean, we could all commit arson together, it doesn't have to be a competition. The more the merrier."
From somewhere near the console Ratchet's stern voice called out, "Quit encouraging Smokescreen to commit arson! He's young and impressionable!"
Tess frowned thoughtfully. "Isn't he like thousands of years-"
"Young and impressionable!" Ratchet reiterated, cutting her off. "As far as I'm concerned you and Wheeljack need to stay as far away from one another as is physically possible. I'm going to pop a fuse just thinking about the havoc you two would wreak together!"
The old wrecker smirked, shooting her a wink.
Smokescreen didn't need any more encouragement. He scooped her up and deposited her on the platform where Miko and Raf were lounging. He shot Wheeljack a look and made an 'I'm watching you' gesture.
The teenager shook her head at the display. Who knew giant, millennia-old aliens could behave so childishly?
Over protective/jealous Smokey is so cute, and I enjoy him.