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physical descriptions: matching crimson & white paintjobs, & lanky-tall builds. Skiver is slightly taller than Switch, and has magenta-red optics, whereas Switch just has magenta optics. both have integrated blade weapons, though Skiver generally prefers firearms.
these two started off as (admittedly unintentionally) edgy bois. when i decided to revamp them, i also decided it might be kinda fun to lean into that a little bit & create some genuine antagonist/villain characters for myself. make 'em fucked up on & with purpose <3
Switchblade was the first to be forged, but had an unstable spark. in order to save him, his spark had to be split into another body, and thus, Skiver was created. they can both physically feel an “echo” of any strong sensations (pain or otherwise) that the other experiences, thanks to their linked/shared sparks.
the twins were forged during the war (notably not cold constructed, though i still have to figure out the specifics of how/where their spark was found, etc, though it kind of doesn't matter in the end), specifically on the Decepticons' side.
Switch decided very early on that he wanted to hunt down 'Con defectors and deserters (or those who he suspects might defect), in honor of the Decepticon Justice Division. Skiver was just along for the ride, willing to go to extreme lengths to keep his spark-brother safe.
Switch absolutely worships the ground the D.J.D walks on, both in reverence and terror. he's latched onto the group as wildly different “hero”-figures, trying to model himself and his beliefs after each of them. he's a little too eager to cause undue suffering, partially because he views his targets as deserving nothing but the harshest punishment & because it's fun sometimes.
Skiver, as said, is mainly just here to protect his brother and make sure he doesn't get himself killed. he suffers from pretty heavy depersonalization, dissociation, and amnesia due to the copious amount of war crimes & murder he assists with on a regular basis. he's come to view "Skiver" as more of a role he takes on, rather than an identity. internally calls himself "Paradox," to help distance himself from the assassinry.
they also fit into the Runaway Trio's story a bit, since Skytrap would be on Switch's personal shitlist of defectors + i think it'd be neat if they got contracted by chief medical officer gal to retrieve her "personal prophet" (Ashphalt).
Switch has his reasons for being so violently sadistic, and that's partially due to how genuinely scared he is of the D.J.D. if either of them ended up on the group's list, for whatever reason or another, they'd be done for. so maybe, if he can show devotion to their cause, he can secure a spot at the top of the Decepticon food chain. he doesn't want to change because he both revels in the hunt & is scared of the looming consequences of abandoning said hunt.
but he's also just a weaselly, fucked up, self-interested, at times wildly immature individual, who's not afraid to act innocent until he can (often literally) stab you where ever will produce the “best” screams.
Skiver also isn't totally judgment free, as he's done nothing but enable his brother, though he's a bit more understandable. he's mentally checked out most of the time, just wanting each job to be over. he never really got a choice in the matter, even if he is roughly aware that he could do something to alter their course.
ultimately they're both victims and horrible little gremlins all at once. i love them beyond words.
like, they care for each other without question, and that's half of the problem. Skiver believes Switch when he says there's no other path they can take, no redemption for them. and Switch wants there to be an alternative, but at what fucking cost? they won't be able to enjoy not taking contracts if they're being hunted for the rest of their days.
similar to the trio, i'm thinking their fanfic 'verse ending is braving the possibility of having to face down the D.J.D in some way, because Switch finally decides that all this isn't worth his brother's suffering.