Worst Patient Ever

[wheeljackofalltrades]

WHO: Wheeljack and YOU!
WHERE: Solus Quadrant's Medical Bay
WHEN: After the wrestle with Tarn and Kaon
WHAT: Wheeljack being a terrible patient in the med bay after he's done with the mission.
WARNINGS: N/A

[Being unable to move sucks. If the attack on Tarn didn't kill Wheeljack (which it came dangerously close to), being immobile in the medical bay would. Not that he was ignorant to how lucky he was--taking on a Phase Sixer usually meant a deathwish--but it was in his nature to keep going. Not sitting on a slab of metal and wait for his injuries to heal.

But with his entire arm crushed, being functional wasn't exactly in the stars right now. So there he lied. Granted this time was mostly spent sleeping, or asking the medical staff to tell Bulkhead he's okay.

Mostly sleep, though.

Which is what he's doing now. Just coming out of a recharge cycle. One of the many he'd had since Megatron (the good one) had airlifted him here.]

Comments

[sciencetank]

Fair enough.

[That makes him blink, though, and he shakes his head, sharply. He hadn't installed it for that purpose.]

Hardly. I was doing what I told you I would -- nothing more.

[wheeljackofalltrades]

No matter how ya spin it, it saved my tailpipe. I've got the bearings to admit it.

[His gaze deviates again, looking at his arm.]

Hate how I'm gonna be strapped to this bed for awhile.

[sciencetank]

... Then I suppose a "you're welcome" is in order?

[Not that he particularly wants to dwell on it. He'd have preferred the safety measure to have gone... unneeded, as it were.]

[He doesn't look at the damage, however, keeping his optics on where his hand rests, instead.]

I'm sure you'll manage. I've got copious amounts of reading to loan you, for example.

[wheeljackofalltrades]

[And like that, he almost sprang to life, as if fatigue wasn't even a thing. The way his face contorts...his eyes brighten...]

Reading?

[Why don't you just kill him of boredom already.]

[sciencetank]

[It's strange, how good that is to see. And, upon realizing how much he appreciates seeing it, part of his mind all but recoils. Stupid attachments...]

[He merely beams, as if nothing at all were unsettling.]

Yes. Reading.

I'll see what I can salvage from my lab.

[wheeljackofalltrades]

[The way he's acting, you'd never think he was trapped in the medical bay. His eyes cast to the ceiling, giving a huff as he hears that. Seriously, it's like you signed him up for arts and crafts camp.]

I don't read.

Unless it's ship coordinates.

[sciencetank]

That explains so much.

[The dry tone is back. The familiar note of sass in his voice. It's better than the quiet uncertainty. Far better.]

Well, what else is there for you to do?

[wheeljackofalltrades]

[It's more familiar to him as well. That uncertain tone...he didn't know how to react to it. So instead of talking about it like a normal human...

No, just bring back the irritation.]

I'm not gonna be here long.

[sciencetank]

[The corners of his mouth twitch a little. Like a smile that doesn't quite finish forming.]

Good. I need someone to help restore my lab, and... tragically, you seem to be one of the few who still retains their access codes.

[I need your help, in other words.]

[wheeljackofalltrades]

[Don't worry, Wheeljack'll do the smile for you. His eyes are practically full glitter now.]

Still can't believe ya gave me those.

After Driller I didn't think.

[sciencetank]

I happened to see your response on the network, after the fact. Your attempts at locating myself were welcome.

[Which is Perceptor-speak for "thank you".]

Meanwhile... I doubt you could do anything worse to the lab than what Grimlock just did.

[wheeljackofalltrades]

Scrap.

[His eyes immediately divert from the scientist's, finding the ceiling infinitely more interesting now.]

Was hopin' ya wouldn't' find those. I like keepin' my annoying-as-a-scraplet rep.

[See: it's not like I actually cared!]

[sciencetank]

Then you really shouldn't have posted them where anyone could see them.

[He gives that undamaged armor a light pat. Then steps back a pace, offering space, if needed.]

Though, rest assured, your ability to place yourself in medical care is incredibly irritating.

[wheeljackofalltrades]

Lesson learned.

[He almost seems bashful or shy at that. Like it's an embarrassing memory, and it just got brought up.]

..

[And then, wide smile.]

At least I still got that goin' for me, yeah?

[sciencetank]

[And in that case... he'll drop it. No sense in flustering someone. Especially since -- well. No one wants to think about getting kidnapped by a giant worm anyway.]

And now, all you have to do is see to it you continue "going for it", so to speak.

[wheeljackofalltrades]

[He appreciates it.]

That's the plan, Sarge. Have I ever let ya down?

[sciencetank]

Yes. Once.

But we won't discuss that here, seeing as it didn't come to pass this time.

[wheeljackofalltrades]

Hey, we didn't really know each other at the time. Doesn't count.

[He raises his good hand, to poke Perceptor in the chest.]

[sciencetank]

[And, just for a moment, his hand catches the Wrecker's. He squeezes it. Tightly. Fiercely.]

[Then releases it, shaking his head.]

I'll count it if I please.

[wheeljackofalltrades]

[He feels that pressure on his hand, slowly wrapping those fingers around for a tight squeeze back.

Before it's let go.]

...Right.

Whatever you say, Sarge. Whatever you say...

[sciencetank]

[He steps back a pace afterward, folding his arms, as if suddenly uncertain what to do with his hands.]

I'll leave you to your rest, if you wish.

[wheeljackofalltrades]

[That hand falls back to his side, eyes flickering a bit dimmer in fatigue.]

Thanks, Sarge.


Yannow, for everythin'.

[sciencetank]

Mm. Yes.

... Of course.

[But, for all his claims of leaving, he sticks around, lingering in the doorway, while watching the other bot's optics dim.]