I'm going to be going on a short trip for a couple days as of tomorrow. Dependent upon typically unreliable hotel Wi-Fi, there may or may not be updates. Heads up. Thanks again for the awesome comments! Enjoy!
The next solar cycle dawned bright and clear, or so the scans of the nearby landscape revealed. Switchshade rolled easily from his berth, surprised at the lack of stiffness in his joints and seams after a good night's recharge on a comfortable surface. It was later in the earth day than the black mech had realized, for when he emerged from his new chambers, the humans were in their learning facilities, and Bulkhead and Bumblebee had left for a patrol in earth's Arctic regions (a signal of possible Cybertronian origins had come up), as Ratchet informed him the moment he stepped into the common area. The CMO also graciously offered the whereabouts of Lord Prime (conversing long-distance with Agent Fowler regarding earth relations and damage control), and Cliffjumper and Arcee (standard proximity patrol).
The medic turned back to his computers after explaining all of this briefly, clearly having anticipated questions, and then waved a servo at the nearby energon storage unit without Switchshade having ever said a word. "Ratchet, are you-" Frowning, the medic turned to face the ex-'Con with one of his famous glares, making the dark mech retreat instinctively. "Primus help me, but if you ask me one more time if I am certain that I don't want you starving yourself then I will force feed you energon until your levels pass 100%. Are we clear?" Not daring to speak, though any fear he might have felt was instantly negated by the clear affection and concern in the medic's field, and his reticence was now born merely of good judgment, Switchshade simply nodded rapidly. He quickly moved to the energon storage unit and retrieved a cube of basic midgrade, the only variety that the Autobots appeared to be in possession of. Although, I suppose, if I had any high-grade to safeguard, I certainly would not leave it anywhere near the vicinity of others who could access it…
Shrugging it off, grateful simply to be given the good-quality energon despite his uncertain status, Switchshade quickly drained the cube under Ratchet's watchful optics, the medic nodding shortly in approval before turning back to his calculations, ever-grumbling under his breath. The younger mech grinned before moving to stand beside and just slightly behind the medic, careful to stay out of his way and quiet. Watching with curious optics nonetheless as millennia of sharply-honed skills were put to work, Switchshade found himself grateful for the chance to observe a mech as old and clever as Ratchet working, even if in a field that was not his primary skill-set. For his part, the Hatchet made no protests, seemingly glad that, for once, if someone had to be nearby as he worked, at least they were capable of not making half the racket that perhaps Miko might make.
The remainder of the solar cycle was remarkably quiet, the two younger humans remaining away from the base as their guardians were several thousand earth miles away, and Jack busy at his part-time job. Cliffjumper and Arcee came back after a long patrol, both with a curious flush of energon in their faceplates and very carefully not looking at each other. They stood around for an awkward moment of silence before shockingly, the femme offered Switchshade the opportunity to join them in a race on the nearby terrain. "It beats sitting around the base all day, and there is little else we can do until 'Bee and 'Bulk get back with the intel on that signal. What do you say?" Arcee's voice was much warmer and friendlier than it had ever been of yet while directed at Switchshade, and though the medic glanced at him in clear permission, the black mech was still too nervous to dare accept. "I am very grateful for the offer, Arcee, but I fear I do not feel up to a race just now. However, I have little doubt that you can easily outpace Cliffjumper-"
"Hey!"
"-and should, therefore, have an enjoyable race on your servos nonetheless." An often-suppressed glint of mischief rose within his spark then, and before he could think better of it the young mech added, "Besides, I'd hate to intrude. 'Three's a crowd', or so the humans claim…" The intentionally suggestive glyphs he attached to the words left little doubt as to his meaning, and the flush of energon that had only just been starting to fade suddenly came back with a vengeance. "Of… course. We'll just… let you know who wins then, eh?" Switchshade turned his helm away to hide his grin at Cliffjumper almost stuttering, before the two almost instantly transformed again and took off once more.
Switchshade was more than content to settle in once more and continue to watch Ratchet work, but instead, the moment the two 'Bots had left once more, the medic turned from the computer to face Switchshade with concern and curiosity in his optics. "You could have gone with them, you know. She really is trying to… well. Actions on both sides were justified and understandable, given the circumstances, but I believe Arcee might feel slightly guilty for how harshly she treated you these past several cycles."
The black mech stared at the medic, aghast, wondering if he was being mocked. "Harshly? Arcee has never laid a servo on me. Pit, she never even raised her vocalizer for more than a klik or two. What do you…?" Ratchet stared right back at his response, before his faceplates tightened as if in pain, and two strong, blunt fingers came up to pinch the top of his nasal bridge. "Primus give me strength" the medic muttered, though there was clearly no reverence in his tone. "She just- by Autobot standards, Arcee has behaved… acceptably, but still rather hostilely toward you. She did not harm you physically, because that is not how Autobots handle conflicts amongst ourselves, but the way in which she has spoken to and interacted with you has been, by her standards, 'harsh'. Her offer just now was, perhaps, an attempt to make amends."
"Oh… I- I understand…" I don't understand… "But, even if her offer was genuine, I still- I'd still like to stay here. I enjoy watching you work. If, that is… If I'm not bothering you? I apologize if this is so, I never meant to impede your work, I simply… It is clear, that you have wisdom and experience befitting your age, and to be given the chance to observe first-hand such talents at work, it is… well. I am grateful, but more than willing to move if I am obstructing you in any way."
Ratchet, instead of appearing displeased or in any way inclined to tell the younger mech to get lost, simply appeared flattered and rather pleased, muttering, "Hmm… Nice to know when one's talents are appreciated, after all. I don't mind, if you'd really rather be cooped up in here with a rickety old medic like me rather than racing outside with those sparklings." And then, quieter and under his breath, (and Switchshade rather doubted he was meant to overhear), the medic mumbled, "Can't say as I blame you, though. Those two are enough to drive anyone mad with their… what is it the humans call it? UST? Hmph…"
A quick and risky human internet search later, and Switchshade's whole frame shook with silent laughter, optics welling as he struggled to contain his mirth. Ratchet noticed, realized he had not only been heard but understood, and turned away again. His self-control was impeccable enough to keep him from outright losing it as the younger mech was, but there was no way for the medic to contain a wicked half-grin from crossing his faceplates in shared amusement.
It seemed as if no time at all had passed when Bulkhead called in the request for a groundbridge, declaring that Bumblebee had located the source of the signal. Instantly after 'bridging them back, Ratchet demanded that they set down the large pod they had unearthed and submit to a medical exam immediately. Both 'Bots yielded easily enough, although Bulkhead was not above complaining, but Switchshade found himself distracted from their banter as he eyed the oddly familiar-looking pod. Now where in the Pit have I seen something like that before?