What a quick update! Also appreciate the chapter length, because I was able to settle in for a wonderful long read.
I think the best thing Scrapper did for Hook was not just hiring him, but making him part of a crew. If it was just the two of them, Hook would never really have left his comfort zone, and he might have developed an unhealthy view of his relationship with Scrapper, in a “you and me against the world” way. But this way, he ended up with five very close friends, and he learned to be responsible for others. And I love the detail about how he’s like this because any mistake or vulnerability would result in his colleagues taking ruthless advantage. It would make anyone a “lifetime loner”. Hook could probably adapt to that better because he’s naturally a reserved introvert, but I think he’s far happier with friends who know when he needs them and when he’d prefer to be alone.
Long Haul does make a very credible (unofficial) number three for the team. That’s how I think of him as well. Plus, someone responsible for procurement and logistics would have to be good at organization and schedules, so it’s natural for him to slip into this role when it comes to planning team activities. Though Hook does him one better by booking a second ticker for Scrapper to use anonymously, like a celebrity slipping through a crowd with head down and sunglasses on.
And it’s almost tooth-rottingly sweet how Hook takes so much time to clean Scrapper, so thank you for undercutting that with the hilarious line “a mechanoinch deeper would turn it into vivisection”. 10/10. Scrapper really isn’t the type to care a lot about how he looks, so it’s nice to see him enjoying the spa session and beauty treatment. “Also, it tickles” made me grin again.
Hmm. Hook as Scrapper’s muse. I can see Scrapper studying a pile of limbs and other body parts and putting them together to make a sculpture that resembles Hook (to some extent). And it would be called “imperfection”. With a small “i”.
Hook is also just the kind who wouldn’t bother remembering names unless there’s some practical purpose for this. Which is exactly why Scrapper is the leader—they’d go bankrupt if Hook was responsible for getting clients. “Like Hook in public relations” is Constructiconese for someone in a role for which they are grotesquely ill-suited.
Another thing I love about the Constructicons is how unabashedly down-to-earth working-class they are. They build these wonderful, prestigious structures, but they show no real interest in inhabiting those, much less becoming wealthy enough to live there. “Wealthy people travelling with their costly scrap to do wealthy-people things” is exactly how they’d see it. As the fic says, in a hundred vorn, the inhabitants of Crystal City won’t even remember them. But the Constructicons find their greatest satisfaction and fulfilment in their accomplishments, rather than the praise they get for these. That’s why they willingly move on to the next project, rather than resting on their laurels.
Also fun to see the team in Scrapper’s absence. They’ve got their own plans, and those should be very entertaining, especially since Hook and Mixmaster’s talk about indulging their most troublesome habits leads to that dreadful “legless” pun. Great end to the chapter, and am looking forward to the next one!
Thank you for a lovely comment, I'm so happy that you liked this chapter! :) I'd like to keep it on a weekly schedule, but we'll see how it goes... And, yes, even with Scrapper's trip to Altihex moved to the next chapter it still came out way lengthier than the previous one. I can't be concise when it comes to these green guys, it seems...
I think the best thing Scrapper did for Hook was not just hiring him, but making him part of a crew. If it was just the two of them, Hook would never really have left his comfort zone, and he might have developed an unhealthy view of his relationship with Scrapper, in a “you and me against the world” way.
Oh-my-god, yes! Between his difficult past and introverted personality, he would be unhealthily possessive of Scrapper, with lots of unrealistic expectations and pressure put on the poor foremech. Surely, Scrapper couldn't add him to his crew without making sure that the rest would be able to put up with his difficult character, but without their mitigating presence Scrapper wouldn't even consider working with Hook - no matter how much he would like to - and would just keep their relationship private. And it had taken gestalt bonding to fully convince Hook that he, indeed, can be a part of the crew.
Long Haul does make a very credible (unofficial) number three for the team. That’s how I think of him as well.
Yes! I kept thinking of additional functions for him - the on-site health and safety specialist, the logistician, the MR (mecha resources) guy, the Constructicons' first line of contact, until I gave up: "He's just the Constructicon TiC. There's six of them, they can afford it." Pretty much like Soundwave, he does all the mundane work the higher-ups are unaware of or don't care about doing. No wonder he's always irritated when on the job, poor mech's seriously overworked and underappreciated...
It was all probably as domestic as can get, but seeing how practical and no-nonsense these guys are any Constructi-fluff is bound to have some moments of brutal honesty. Even with Scavenger alone, who's undoubtedly the fluffiest of them all, things would inevitably turn dark at some point ;)
Hmm. Hook as Scrapper’s muse. I can see Scrapper studying a pile of limbs and other body parts and putting them together to make a sculpture that resembles Hook (to some extent). And it would be called “imperfection”. With a small “i”.
And then Hook would grab it and beat him with it! Poor Scrapper - other artists seem to have their muses, but his most likely candidate is dreadfully uncooperative and refuses to act inspiring...
“Like Hook in public relations” is Constructiconese for someone in a role for which they are grotesquely ill-suited.
Oh, I love it! How true... In another fic I have a scene planned where he ends up dealing with someone who turns out to be exactly someone you DON'T want to cross. After a short exchange boiling down to "I don't want to talk to you", Hook smirks haughtily and says: "Good day to you, sir. Don't let the door hit you on the way out."
Another thing I love about the Constructicons is how unabashedly down-to-earth working-class they are.
Absolutely! Knowing who they are and being comfortable with it while refusing for it to be the limiting factor in their lives is probably their greatest strength as a team, Scrapper's foremechship probably being pivotal for achieving this. And Devastator, indeed, is going to be legless. I hope that the next chapter won't disappoint! :)
Between his difficult past and introverted personality, he would be unhealthily possessive of Scrapper, with lots of unrealistic expectations and pressure put on the poor foremech. Surely, Scrapper couldn't add him to his crew without making sure that the rest would be able to put up with his difficult character, but without their mitigating presence Scrapper wouldn't even consider working with Hook - no matter how much he would like to - and would just keep their relationship private.
Hardly fair to Scrapper, either, to be in a position where he and he alone has to meet all of Hook's emotional needs. Even in my headcanon, although Hook gets recruited first, Scrapper makes it clear from the start that this will eventually be a crew. And I can see that being a big obstacle for Hook, if the only way he can be in a permanent partnership with Scrapper is to gradually let other mechs, complete strangers to him, inside the walls. Man, I really have to write this some day!
Even with Scavenger alone, who's undoubtedly the fluffiest of them all, things would inevitably turn dark at some point ;)
LOL, funny you should say that. Because the fic I'm going to post on Halloween is a Scavenger fic and the darkest thing I have ever written. Afterwards, I felt so bad for Scavenger that I immediately sat down and wrote something light-hearted and fluffy to make up for it.
In another fic I have a scene planned where he ends up dealing with someone who turns out to be exactly someone you DON'T want to cross. After a short exchange boiling down to "I don't want to talk to you", Hook smirks haughtily and says: "Good day to you, sir. Don't let the door hit you on the way out."
Ooh, which fic is this? I wish I could read the scene right now. :)
Hardly fair to Scrapper, either, to be in a position where he and he alone has to meet all of Hook's emotional needs.
Oh, yes. Not to spoil the later chapters, but yes. Hook can be A LOT (and through no fault of his) and Scrapper is really lucky that at some point he isn't the only one to deal with it, because otherwise he wouldn't be able to do it - and not for the lack of trying...
Even in my headcanon, although Hook gets recruited first, Scrapper makes it clear from the start that this will eventually be a crew. And I can see that being a big obstacle for Hook, if the only way he can be in a permanent partnership with Scrapper is to gradually let other mechs, complete strangers to him, inside the walls.
It sounds like a fascinating character study in the making, I really would love to read it! For some reason, I either have Hook starting with a romantic relationship with Scrapper with no initial plans of changing careers and working with him, and/or getting recruited later. In my mind, he probably wouldn't allow Scrapper to recruit anyone else or would hijack the recruitment process...
the fic I'm going to post on Halloween is a Scavenger fic and the darkest thing I have ever written. Afterwards, I felt so bad for Scavenger that I immediately sat down and wrote something light-hearted and fluffy to make up for it.
Oh! Yes. I feel you... I have some things planned for Scavenger and Breakdown which make perfect sense character-wise, but make me feel like I'm the worst for torturing them like that. I can't wait to read your Halloween fic and get terrified and feel sorry for the poor Constructicon!
Ooh, which fic is this? I wish I could read the scene right now. :)
Thank you! I wish I would finally write it but, again, Cthulhu knows when I'll finally do it... The scene makes more sense later because it's going to be my take on their origin story which I consider very dark since there is NO Robosmasher there. Needless to say, Hook is made to eat his words - tenfold ;) For now, I only have Hook getting in hot water with Soundwave here. Definitely, I should work more on his accountability...
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