Chapter Text
Bumblebee set up the ultimate test of skill, which consisted of six steel beams standing, straight with empty energon crates planted atop of each. The two would get three to knockover using the given wreckers’ strat-ball with courtesy(since their blasters were banned because the humans were staying) and would stand a good distance away, in a best of five. Raf was keeping time to see who’s faster, Miko and Jack were cheering for their prospective Bot champion with their phones recording, Arcee and Bulkhead(even Optimus!) were being an audience for this, and Ratchet was… glaring with tools fiddling in his servos.
‘older first!’
“hey!”
Bumblebee threw the ball at the middle target, hitting it, and causing it to topple in 3 seconds according to Raf.
“How are you timing this, again?” Smokescreen asked, picking up the rolling ball.
“when the ball is thrown ‘till the box falls” Raf answered.
‘good luck!’ The yellow bot patted his competitor’s shoulder plate.
“Thanks, But I got it” Though he muttered an I hope so under his vent.
Smokescreen Hurled the ball at the steal beam support, knocking down the other two targets as well.
“Woo!” He started doing a victory dance, switching from heel to heel with his arms bobbing up and down in a rhythm.
‘wicked!’ his competitors joined in the ballad.
“Isn’t that cheating?” Jack asked, holding back a laugh at the sight.
“Maybe, but this is fun!” Miko answered, putting the loudest song she had in her playlist and giggling. Raf tried to announce the time of 3.5 seconds but his voice was too muffled by the noise around him.
The two went at this for the evening, going back and forth fixing the targets and dropping them, though less celebrating due to them starting to focus more. Their audience dwindled, leaving only Raf and Miko watching.
This was their last round since they got bored, however Bee seemed he was already bored two rounds ago. Since they’re left at a tie, it was a match point.
Smokescreen procrastinationed picking up the faraway ball, he pouted “can we just call it there?”
“no! you can throw in the towel with a tie!” Miko shouted, doing her best scary face with furrowing her brows(too bad he didn’t know what a throw in towel was). “She's right, it would be anticlimactic” Raf chimed in.
“Okay, okay” The speedster accepted, walking (purposely) slowly towards the ball. grabbing it with the intention to throw at his brother, knowing he would catch it.
then.
then.
He slipped on a pipe, it was right in front of him! he was just going to walk over it! but he fell on his chin instead! this is embarrassing for him, he shut his optics and prayed no one is making a scene.
But that hope is in vain when he hears “SMOKESCREEN!” echo through the base from Ratchet.
he was lifted up by (assumed) was Bumblebee beeping ‘are you okay!?’ and ‘can you see!?’ while the humans were dead silent.
“I knew this would happen!” Ratchet’s voice was dripping with anger, Smokescreen really doesn’t want to even see his faceplate that’s probably twisted with a scowl. He was carried to medbay, and he sat on the berth.
“Smokescreen! talk to me!” he sounded… scared, The medic lifted his chin to examine the damages while fiddling with something he couldn’t see.
great, now he’ll give him a spark attack! add that to the list of things he inconvenienced Ratchet with!
“I’m fine! I’m fine! I just tripped and fell and it’s all good!” he finally spoke, jerking his helm and looking towards the scattered junk still unkempt.
Just before he could lift himself, the older bot shoved him down with a glare he could feel.
“no! you are banned from leaving here until your recovery! no exceptions!” he snarled.
Smokescreen didn’t bother to protest, he just sat there. defeated. At least Bumblebee is beside him.
“Well. there goes our plans, huh?” he spoke.
‘at least you’re okay’ The yellow bot nudged him with his elbow.
Smokescreen gave him a grin he hoped wouldn't be too forced, and gave him a hug.
But bumblebee’s processor was a bit occupied…
That same grin reminded of the last battle he saw Smokescreen in, with a giant crack spouting bright cyan dripping down his face, all the way to his chin. While still mustering a smile and muttering “I’m fine” was a memory he wanted out of his banks and not be associated with His brother.
hopefully he could forget it, both of them could.