Chapter Text
Starscream didn’t remember much of what happened. One moment he and Airachnid were fighting two of the Autobots, Arcee and Optimus Prime.
And the next was nothing but blinding, unbearable pain.
He wasn’t really sure how it happened. Maybe he got caught in the crossfire of Airachnid and the two-wheeler’s fight while he was focused on the Prime and his wings got skewered by their blades by mistake. However it happened, he felt his wings get torn to shreds and the next thing he knew he was writhing on the ground, the panicked voices of the bots around him blending together with his cries of agony and making him unable to hear anything.
The last thing he felt before he lost consciousness was someone lifting him into their arms.
…
Everything hurt.
So much.
He opened his optics as best he could, unsurprised when he couldn’t see anything. Even with his blurry surroundings, he didn’t know where he was. This place wasn’t the Nemesis, that was for sure. It was too bright.
He tried to say something, but all that came out was a pathetic, half-hearted whimper. He did hear a response, though he couldn’t make out what was said. It didn’t sound like Knockout’s voice.
Oh Primus, was he in the Autobot base?
Though his vision was still hazy, he recognized the figure kneeling down in front of him as the Prime and weakly hissed at him, trying to convey something along the lines of “frag off” or “come any closer and I’ll rip your faceplates off”. Luckily, Optimus got the hint and inched back a bit. The large mech was clearly trying to ask him something, probably if he was feeling alright, but Starscream still couldn’t make out the words. He decided he didn’t want to chat and just turned away from him, smiling smugly when he heard Optimus say something in an exasperated tone. It was only fair he got to mess with the Autobots a bit after they were responsible for destroying his wings.
Well, it was really mostly Airachnid’s fault, but still.
“Starscream…”
Oh great, he could actually hear now.
“I understand if you are upset at us. It was partially our fault you lost your wings.” Optimus spoke. “But the least you could do is allow us to help you recover.”
“You could start by leaving me alone. I’m already in enough physical pain, I don’t need a worse headache from your presence.” Starscream muttered, using what little strength he still had to speak.
Optimus sighed. “Very well then. I shall leave you to rest.”
Starscream heard Optimus’s pedfalls getting quieter as he left. Though he didn’t say it out loud, he was grateful the Autobots had taken him in and helped him rather than just leave him to perish there on the battlefield. Airachnid certainly wouldn’t have commed for help, and even if she did, Megatron wouldn’t have any use for a flightless seeker. It was either having to be stuck with the Autobots or dying, either from blood loss or Megatron finally finishing him off once and for all.
He much rather preferred being alive, he decided. Even if it was without his wings.
“You know, the least you could do is say ‘thank you’.” Ratchet grumbled. “It took the better part of one day to get you stabilized, and three more to keep you stable while you were out.”
Starscream turned to him, rolling his optics. “To steal from you, ‘oh puh-lease.’ Put yourself in my peds for a klik would you? I lose the most important and sensitive parts of myself, sending me into a coma, and then when I wake up four days later I’m in the custody of the enemy, who is partially responsible for the loss of my wings. I deserve to be at least a little upset, don’t you think?”
Ratchet sighed frustratedly, unable to argue against that point.
“…I do appreciate that you kept me from dying though.” Starscream quietly added.
“…whatever.”
The room became silent once again, save for Ratchet working at his computer.