An Apple a Day

[Deleted]

Characters: @skyquake, @knockout
Location: the Nemesis' Medical Bay
Content Warnings: N/A
Plot Summary: After his long time in stasis, Skyquake pays a reluctant visit to the crew doctor in order to get his overdue medical checkup over with.

[Deleted]

It had been a while since Skyquake’s last checkup. Around a few million years or so. Maybe longer. He didn't really remember the exact amount of time, but Dreadwing probably did. He was better than Skyquake at keeping track of things. He was better than Skyquake at most things, in fact. Taking care of himself—and by extension his twin—was a clear example.

Because right now, the only reason Skyquake had an appointment with the resident doctor was that his brother had insisted. A lot. And refused to have him put on the duty roster until he proved to be fully functional. So Skyquake had agreed to see this Knock Out mech and get scanned—or whatever it was doctors did these days.

He walked down the Nemesis’ corridors like he had been in the crew for eons. Vehicons hurried out of his way, some even snapping salutes, and Skyquake was pleased that they recognised and acknowledged his superiority. Even if he did have to ask them for directions two times.

It took a little backtracking and retracing his steps, but he eventually reached the medical bay. The door was open so he let himself in, optics narrowing at all the tools and equipment laid out. Some looked more like torture devices than healing instruments.

The doctor was already in the bay. He was a small model, with a glossy red finish and arcing curves. Quite a pretty thing despite being a groundframe. Now he understood why his brother had told him to behave.

“Skyquake, reporting for medical checkup,” he rumbled.

[Deleted]

Knock Out was known to be very not busy. Why? Because nobody wants to come and see him. Why? Because nobody wants to be treated by him!

He liked to hurt for fun. To make small experiments too. But mostly to scare the others. Why? To be safe. He was probably the smallest robot of the ship. The only way to be respected in the Nemesis is to scare others! He's lucky to be a doctor. If he was such a simple soldier, everyone would laugh at him and his obsession for his paint job. Fortunately his partner Breakdown was still there for many things. But today Break' was not here. He was out for today. No matter. Knock Out can takes care of himself alone, of course… more or left.

He was front of the huge cupboard of the medical bay. His had his hands on her hips and tapped his foot on the floor, seemed annoyed. That's 10 minutes he was trying to catch something on a shelf, but he was too small to do it!

- Breakdown is never there when you need him!

So he went for a chair,... two... three chairs. He stacked and began to climb on it. It was risky and he could get hurt! But he don't care. Totally don't care. So, after 3 minutes, he was on the top, trying to catch what he wanted, but this stupid thing was deep inside the cupboard! He did not even remember having put this so far!

- Stupid bottle of…?!

Then came Skyquake. This voice growling surprised him at the time. He did not know him. He fell from where he was, and a chair fell on him. He sat up holding his head and moaning ... Then he saw the bottle he was looking for... exploded on the ground. He had dropped it when he had to catch it. Suddenly angry, he took the chair violently and sent it away (because it was not heavy), stood up, before dusting himself.

- What is it? … Medical checkup, eh?

He approached. Who was him? He looked at him from head to his foot. Could he be the famous brother Dreadwing? Maybe. He will ask him. However, it is his fault that he fell! So Knock Out will not be very delicate with him.

- Designation? ... This is for your medical record.

He could not afford to be too unpleasant. Skyquake was bigger and stronger. However they normally have a row of the same level.

[Deleted]

Skyquake remained silent and still as Knock Out fell from his stack of chairs and picked himself up. He did raise a brow at him, however, when he flung a chair out of his way. This was the doctor supposed to look him over? The Decepticons were known for having ungentle healers, but Skyquake had assumed that Lord Megatron had kept the ones with the best bedside manners on the Nemesis. It looked like this mech would be just like any other Decepticon field medic though.

“Skyquake,” he repeated.

His neutral expression grew pinched. Had Knock Out not heard him the first time? If the mech was that absent-minded, then Skyquake had no wish to let him play doctor with his frame.

“I, or rather my twin, requested a full medical checkup due to my long time in stasis. It escapes me how long exactly, but Dreadwing said it should be in my profile.”

As he talked, he walked to a table and picked up a small tool. It looked like a laser scalpel, but it was bigger than one and had too many buttons. Skyquake hummed and held the scalpel up to have a better look. He wondered what all those buttons were for, and his curiosity made him click one.

[Deleted]

Knock Out knew how to have manners, and he's probably the only one Decepticon aboard. Maybe too well, making believe he is a flattering near his superiors. Always be impeccable didn't help him to give good image contrast to what he wanted. Others tended to not like him, and rumors about his “preference” you for bots because of the fact that he is always (almost) in the presence of Breakdown was something that was unpleasant to him. He wouldn't contradict anything that is mentioned before, though he didn't like that one speaks in his back.

The doctor noted the information on a datapad that he caught not far from them. Of course he had heard what had been said the other robot, only the fall had devolved him. So, his assumptions were correct. He was the “famous” brother of Dreadwing. Skyquake not seem happy to be here. This was understandable. Nobody likes to pass into the hands of doctors, no matter whether of Knock Out or another. He kept his eyes on what he noted.

- So, Dreadwing is your brother? Interesting. I will base myself on the data I have on him and ... Do not touch that.

He said, pointing with his pen his patient, without watching him. All people coming here to touch everything. It was initially unbearable for red robot, but he got used. The tool holding by the seeker let out a kind of small torch. It was very hot.

- It could be better if you put this down. I don't wants to repair your hand. Not today.

He approached, observing and watching him everywhere. He lifted Skyquake's left arm and dropped him before noting something. It was obvious that his long sleep had to alter different things.

- Hum. An energon cure could be great. Unless, of course, you're slower than your brother in your gestures?

Not realizing that this phrase could be misinterpreted, he was serious. The robot seemed to lack of energy. Only this could be interpreted as an insult, but it wasn't.

[Deleted]

The laser scalpel turned into a torch in Skyquake’s hand, and the small but powerful flame singed a bit of his chest plating. He scowled and turned it off. Then he put it back where he had found it, like the doctor had asked, though maybe with a little too much strength.

Knock Out moved in while he was distracted glaring at the tool, small hands lifting his large arm with unexpected firmness. Skyquake snapped his head in the doctor’s direction, red optics narrowing at the touch. Behave, said Dreadwing’s voice in his mind. Skyquake would try, but if Knock Out didn’t alert a frontliner before getting into his personal space, then Skyquake would have no qualms about slamming him into a wall.

“Do not touch me without permission,” he snapped, then flared his armour in anger. “And I am not slower than my brother. Our reflexes and engines are evenly matched.”

It was just that Dreadwing was better at being nimble, whereas Skyquake was pure brute force. This made people think that despite having frames which had literally been made from the same mould, their specs were not similar. They were, however. He and his brother simply went about using their frames in different ways. Being identical didn’t mean they were exactly the same.

“What is an energon cure anyway?” he asked, optics flitting around the medical bay before settling back on Knock Out. He had never heard that term before; it made him suspicious. Doctors as a principle made him suspicious. “How does it work?”

[Deleted]

It was never easy to observe a patient. Most of the Decepticon really don't like that someone touch them like Knock Out. Strangely, the most calm patient was Megatron. If something goes wrong he say it and that's all… And yeah, Soundwave is the quietest. Skyquake seemed to be the more aggressive for the moment. Breakdown was also in the beginning. They hated each other but… after few missions they finally started to appreciate what they was : The huge brutal bot and the fragile doctor. Together they was able to do incredible things, and they always can. They are partner through battlegrounds, bases, orders and… time. The only time they was separate, they have wished to meet gain, every moment, every days. They have never confessed. Knock out and Breakdown never will say they are close, but they are. Needless to say, when you know. Then it would be intimidating. They are note Autobots! … Right?

He looked up at his patient. Sky' was of those who didn't support the contact. It was evident. He spoke with very cold manner. The doctor raised an eyebrow, puzzled.

- I'm a doctor, Skyquake. Not an aggressor.

He said, firmly. Knock Out will touch him if he wishes. At worst, if the doctor takes a hit, that's Megatron who will debate with Skyquake, and the one that will be wrong is the flying one. What he does is purely medical. Although the red robot likes to have fun during consultations, but he isn't stupid enough to attack someone who could break him in half without problems. Especially if her partner isn't there to save him. If he really wants to be unpleasant, Knock Out will do it when he will find the weak point of the green one, but for now he don't know how to do it and he don't have reason to make “vicious” things.

- It was a question. I just want to know if you are slower than usual. In other words, if you have any discomfort somewhere prevents you to be fully operational. I try to compare with what I've seen your brother, because I don't know you enough to make my medical prognosis about you.

All are big gruff warrior are stupid to the doctor. Even Breakdown. Yet he really likes his friend. He's not always cold like others. That's why he's his partner and not another. KO went to catch a medical scanner. It was slightly bigger than his hand. He then came scan the big robot. At least he didn't touch him.

- My sensors indicate that your reserves are 50% and don't seem to recover. This is why I give you this cure. It contains stronger and assayed energon that will help you to recover. People leaving stasis often have this problem. Nothing serious. You can continue your job during the treatment. Just don't force it… by fighting against Predaking, for example.

He was aware and knew he did not get along. How he knew? It was enough to look at the recent marks on his armor. Only the beast leaves such.

- The beast is dangerous, but Megatron and Shockwave know how to manipulate it. His weakness is his mental thinking.

He said casually. He waved his scanner that seemed to have a problem. He grunted “Stupid equipment!” before throwing it behind him. He will recover it later. Knock' put his hands on my hips, waiting for the reaction of his interlocutor. He would probably get excited again.

[Deleted]

“I did not fight the Predacon.”

The last word was uttered the same way one might an insult. And Skyquake wasn’t lying, technically. No actual trading of blows had taken place. Dreadwing and Moonwing had interfered before things could escalate. If they hadn’t, Skyquake would be sporting more than a few superficial dents and scrapes. He was loath to admit it, but Predaking would have probably offed him with little trouble.

Skyquake wondered how much longer it would take for Knock Out to run his scans. He hadn’t even been five minutes in the medical bay and his patience, which was short to begin with, was already reaching the end of its tether. He could feel his hands begin to itch with the desire to backhand the doctor across his pretty face. The mech was snobbish and condescending in everything he did and said.

He hadn’t even asked Skyquake to sit down for the medical examination! He just had him standing awkwardly in the middle of the room, and he was only standing there because he had let himself in. Else he doubted the doctor would have invited him into the bay at all.

What was worse, he had even dared to give Skyquake chiding looks as he swaggered around the place, talking with a lilting drawl that made Skyquake’s plating crawl. He remembered that tone of voice: it was the same one that mechanisms who had called themselves superior to people like Skyquake and his twin had used before the war. Some still did. Skyquake developed an automatic dislike for anyone who spoke that way.

“And you would do well to keep out of other people’s business,” he growled, jabbing a finger at the doctor. “Just do your job and get me fixed up so I can be off.”

[Deleted]

Knock Out was usually front of frightened soldiers to be here. They knew that if they threatened the doctor, he probably let them die after a battle, or he would take revenge during an operation. Skyquake seemed not to realize that. That's was more or less crazy. The red bot can't let him die, or do terrible thing, because his brother -Dreadwing- was aboard… But the flying one can't really touch him too, because everyone here needs him.

No need to put Sky' on a table. He looks like in great condition, and he probably don't wants to be on one. KO is not stupid. He already seems the brother, who warned him about few things. Skyquake have no patience, is violent, do not like the doctor, and the worst: waste time. The doctor needs time to do a correct diagnostic.
He watched lay a finger on his chest. He threatened! ... And yet the doctor was not afraid. He was protected by his superiors. Without doctors, they could have serious problems ... and Shockwave is not a doctor. Just a scientist who made crazy things. very creepy thinks… Just look at Predaking!

- You asked for information. Remember?

For this explanation! “What is a cure?” and “How does it work?”. Boy, you're worst than Dory the fish with you memory. Knockout even wondered to himself if 'Quake's memory was not somewhat reached. He will keep a look on it, of course. He finished by going to his cupboard, trying to catch different bottles. He will make a mixture that will soon make the robot strong as before! After few weeks, of course.

- At least your aggressive behavior demonstrates that you are in better shape than might believe your brother.

He said, continuing to seek, shrugging at the same time. There were a hundred phials. He looked at the labels one by one. Nothing was organized! Breakdown had probably given a shot to the cupboard, making mixing them, and had put them quickly before being discovered. Only he did that without thinking.

[Deleted]

Right. That did it. The flippant comment about his brother’s concern for his wellbeing sent Skyquake over the edge. Patience spent, he took two massive steps forward and closed a clawed hand around the unassuming Knock Out’s scruff plating.

He dragged the doctor backwards and spun him around as if he weighed nothing, then slammed him back against the wall, the cupboards just above Knock Out’s head rattling with the impact. Skyquake wished the doctor had at least clipped his fin-crest against the underside.

A few of the phials in the cupboard tumbled and rolled to their doom, shattering against the floor. In the back of Skyquake’s mind, Dreadwing’s voice was telling him to behave, but it was superimposed with the memory of his twin ordering him to stand down, do not be a fool. Skyquake decided that if his brother was so very concerned with having him behave, then he should have come with him. The hand around Knock Out’s neck squeezed. Red plating creaked and buckled under Skyquake’s fingers.

“I told you,” he snarled, looming over the smaller mech, “to do your job. I do not believe you need to do all this prattling to to get it done. Get my energon cure, administer it, and sign me off so I can be on my way. Quietly.”

[Deleted]

If there is indeed something Knockout hated more than anything, it was to be touched and the threat. Do this with the only doctor of the ship was stupid and suicidal. Skyquake did not know, but KO's life was really more important that the one of Sky'. He is just a soldier from hundreds. The doctor is the only one. If the huge one kill the little one, the punishment from Megatron will probably be the same. Death. If it is the opposite, Megatron will not bother doc. He don't care about who die in his end. Knock' just have to say that it is an accident. The anger of the Seekers blinded him. A lot. Dreadwing know it, and apparently he do everything he can to fix this but… It does not work.

His back was damaged. “How dare you!” he wanted to say… but it was probably not a good idea. He looked at Skyquake with an air of surprise, misunderstanding, and also fear. He become mad only for that? The seeker have a serious problem. A huge problem. The doctor was struggling. Unlike humans, this does not prevent him from breathing, but it was painful. Very paintful. Why Breakdown is never here when you need him? Why?

It was not easy to speak in this situation. Move was difficult, but it was not the most terrible. Now what to say was also very important. The best thing to do was to be ok with him for now, and have his revenge later. Quietly. The Autobots will surely damage him someday. That day, he will take revenge. He is a doctor. There are thousands of possibilities to make him suffer without knowing. Sky knows nothing about medicine. He just need to tie him, saying that it is because of secondary effects, lying, and would be perfect. Knock Out is a Decepticon. Not one Autobot who will ask for forgiveness. He would never do that. Never.

- …

Groaning slightly, waving his clawed fingers, cuted a little the hands of his new enemy. Inwardly very angry, he was already imagining the day he would seek care by crawling. He finally raised a finger for he should speak. There was at least something truthful to say.

- I… I'm a doc. I don't only take care your body… Megatron asked for a... psychological test for... the new member of the crew...

He did not even need to say that green robot had miserably failed the test. This will be noted by Megatron himself. He likes strong warrior, but only those controllable, as Dreadwing. So, in fact, Knock Out was only doing his job.

- I… I can't do anything... and… shut up if you not... let me go… Skyquake...

And needless to say that the cure does not ultimately have the same content, now.