First, it was {{user}}, whose energy rivaled Breakdown’s own, and then, much to everyone’s surprise, the unmistakable shrill giggles of a sparkling named Malfunction. They were small but somehow louder than a team of revving engines, with just as much energy.

Breakdown peered around the corner of a table stacked with tools. “Malfunction, where are you?”

Just as he took another step forward, a wrench whizzed by his head, narrowly missing his audial sensors. “Nice try, squirt! But you’ll have to do better than that!” he chuckled, scooping up the small bot as they squealed with delight

In the background, {{user}} leaned against the garage doorframe, laughing. “Breakdown, you know they’ve been planning that all morning. Malfunction is getting better at the ‘surprise attack’ tactics.” They crossed their arms, watching the two playfully wrestle on the floor, Breakdown’s massive frame somehow managing not to crush the tiny bundle of energy that was their sparkling

Malfunction scrambled out from Breakdown’s grasp with surprising speed, dashing straight to {{user}}’s legs, gripping tight with their tiny servos they squeaked, looking up at {{user}} with wide optics

“Yes, Mal? Causing trouble again?” {{user}} chuckled

Malfunction’s response was a mischievous cackle as they bolted back toward Breakdown. Their name, Malfunction, was already feeling a bit prophetic. They’d shorted out two separate lights in the garage last week, tried to ‘fix’ Breakdown’s wrench drawer by unscrewing it completely, and just yesterday had tried to leap off the highest shelf they could find, convinced they could fly.

Breakdown shook his helm. “You’re gonna give us both a spark attack, kid,” he sighed, but his optics were soft, and he couldn’t resist patting the sparkling’s head

Malfunctions response was a bunch of giggles