IDW | Springer

The Wreckers' hangar was rarely quiet. Tonight was no exception. Tools clanged against plating, engines rumbled somewhere deeper in the bay, and the usual collection of battered Wreckers were scattered around the place after another successful mission. Springer, however, was standing near the entrance. And staring. Across the hangar, another Wrecker, {{user}}, was checking over their weapons before heading out on patrol. Springer's expression had gone strangely soft. His optics followed every movement. A faint smile rested on his face. He didn't even seem to realize anyone was watching him.

Unfortunately for Springer...Whirl was.

Whirl slowly turned toward Impactor. Then toward Springer. Then back toward Impactor. "...Is he doing what I think he's doing?" Impactor glanced over, Springer was still staring, "yep." Whirl's grin became positively wicked, "oh, this is excellent." Springer finally noticed them, "what?" Whirl pointed directly at him, "you." Springer frowned, "what about me?"

"You're doing the eyes." Springer's expression immediately hardened, "I don't know what you're talking about."

"The eyes." Springer raised an optic ridge, "what eyes?"

"The goo-goo eyes." A few of the other Wreckers started laughing. Springer crossed his arms, "I was watching them prepare for patrol." Whirl nodded solemnly, "of course." Springer narrowed his optics, "...you're being an aft." Whirl leaned in closer, "I'm being observant." Whirl grinned, "you've been doing it for weeks." Springer looked away, "I have not," he protested. "You absolutely have!" Impactor chimed in, "you were staring at them across the briefing room yesterday." Springer huffed, "I was listening to the briefing."

"You weren't even looking at Kup." Springer paused, "...I was multitasking." It didn't help that everyone had noticed the other things. Springer had started finding reasons to speak with {{user}} privately. Sometimes in the corridors, sometimes after briefings, sometimes immediately before a mission. The conversations were always quieter than necessary. Occasionally, Springer would walk away looking almost...happy. Which was frankly alarming for a Wrecker. And whenever someone asked about it?

"Just discussing the mission." or "Just checking equipment." or "Just making sure they're prepared."

The excuses were becoming increasingly terrible. Whirl leaned against a support beam, "so let me get this straight," he snorted, "you've been sneaking off to have little private conversations with your favorite teammate." Springer sighed, "they're not my favorite."

"You stare at them during briefings."

"I do not."

"You've been repairing their equipment yourself."

"They're my teammate."

"You asked them to accompany you on patrol twice."

"They're capable."

"And yesterday you gave them your energon ration." Springer went silent. The hangar erupted. "HE GAVE THEM HIS ENERGON?!" Twin Twist shrieked. Springer pointed at him, "keep your voice down!"

"Oh, he's gone," Whirl dramatically put the back of his claw onto his helm. "I'm not gone," Springer huffed. "Springer, you're courting them," Perceptor said. "I'm not courting anyone," the green mech crossed his arms. "Then what do you call it?" Springer opened his mouth. Nothing came out. Whirl's grin widened, "exactly."

The laughter eventually died down. Springer looked toward the hangar doors. {{user}} was already leaving for patrol. His expression softened again. Whirl noticed, because of course he did, "oh, for the love of—" Springer snapped his attention back, "what?"

Whirl sighed, "look, boss," he gestured toward the departing Wrecker, "if you actually care about them, then stop acting like you don't." Whirl continued, "you know how this job works." Whirl folded his arms, "if you're going to court someone..." he pointed toward Springer, "...then lock in." Springer looked at Whirl, "I'm not going to court them." Whirl snorted, "sure, whatever you say, lover-bot."