Frostbite wearily opened his tired optics and holding a hand to his sore helm. So many memories...fragmented and broken, unable to make sense of them. The femme he had met appeared often. Had he fought her many times before? But then why had she same him from the freakish spider femme Airachnid? He couldn't remember. He felt like he should know her, that he knew her from before.
And then there was the other mech he couldn't recall ever seeing, over twice his height, red and blue, a sense of familiarity and protection coming from the large Autobot. He was...Prime? Frostbite placed a hand to his forehead, tidbits of pain coursing through his abused mind.
Frostbite was drawn from his thoughts as he heard Knockout yelling at a lowly vehicon, struggling to make sense of it through the haze of sleep. Then he heard the soldier utter something that brought horror to his spark.
"Breakdown is dead."
Silence reigned, both Knockout and Frostbite shell shocked as revelation dawned on them. Breakdown...was gone? No, no it couldn't be true. It was impossible for Breakdown to die...Wasn't it?
"How?!" Knockout shouted, grabbing the vehicon harshly and shaking him almost desperately, forming painful dents, as if to convince himself it wasn't true.
"Ai-airachnid! Dreadwing and Breakdown were sent on a mission to destroy her!" The fearful mech replied as he was thrown from the doorway, where it shut with a deafening clang. Knockout was set on raging until he saw Frostbite up and awake, looking at him with sad, fearful optics.
"F-frostbite. I thought you were recharging." Knockout said with a false smile.
"I...I heard. Is Breakdown...Is he really gone..?" Asked Frostbite, head down and energon leaking from minor lines that fed his eyes from the stress of losing one of his guardians.
Knockout didn't know what to say. Breakdown was gone, Dreadwing having found no trace of his body. He couldn't believe it...his partner, his friend, was gone. They had been together for vorns, been through so much that it seemed like it would never end. Yet here it was, the ending chapter of the life of a mech he had come to know, even love, on this puny dirtball of a planet by the hands of one of their own. It was so unreal.
"Yes Frostbite," Knockout finally answered, keeping his voice as neutral as possible so he didn't crack. "Breakdown has deactivated."
Knockout fell silent once more, sitting next to Frostbite, who leaned on his crimson hide with a sad whine, Knockout petting the helm lightly as he murmured sweet nothings to his young charge as Frostbite sniffled and hugged him close. Frostbite may not have known Breakdown long -to his amnesic knowledge- but he had grown fond of the mech. He had been sweet, if a little perverted at times, helping him when he needed it most and even repaired Frostbite when he had no need to.
Frostbite cried silently, not wanting to burden Knockout with is own sadness when his guardian knew him far longer than he ever had. Nevertheless, Breakdown would be sorely missed by the both of them.
Knockout grumbled in frustration as he polished himself, unable to reach his back or behind his arms. Slag it! Why did Breakdown have to chose now of all days to up and die on him?!
A quiet chuckle caused Knockout too look behind himself, scowling at the mech who disturbed him, only to find it was Frostbite, smiling softly and laughing as Knockout continued to attempt polishing, a favorite pastime of Knockouts that was quickly turning into an annoying task, unable to get his arms to stretch far enough, mumbling indistinct curses as he utterly failed. Frostbite smile widened to a smirk as he went up to Knockout, prying the device from his frustrated hands.
"Let me help." Frostbite said as Knockout turned indignantly, crossing his arms as his charge went to work on his plating, polishing at a leisure pace as Knockout sighed in content, enjoying the attention and buffing. Frostbite could see his reflection in the shiny red finish by the time he was done, admiring his work. He felt a sense of pride at how good a job he did.
Knockout turned upon his completion, smiling down at Frostbite. "I appreciate the help." He placed a hand on Frostbites small hip, gently massaging the joint.
"Anytime." Frosbite responded, hugging the mechs middle. Knockout faked a cough as he drew himself away.
"Let's go shall we? I have a mission to attend to and Megatron is not the most patient. I would hate for him to be upset." Smirked Knockout as he took hold of Frostbites arm, leading the way to Megatron. As expected the warlord wasn't happy about being kept. Frostbite stayed at his side, not looking up into the frightening red optics of his leader as Knockout spoke up, a casual gait to his words.
"Lord Megatron, I have assembled the mining detail you requested for the first set of coordinates." Knockout informed as they continued walking forward. "Breakdown and I enjoyed previous success retrieving Iacon relics. In memory of my former comrade, I intend to do the same again with Frostbite by my side." He stated proudly, sparing a quick glance to the small mech.
Megatron walked forward, annoyance in his tone and a threat in his voice. "This is a mission, not one of your racing excursions. Stop your preening!" Megatron shouted, moving in uncomfortably close. "Move quickly and operate with a surgeons skill! Do you understand me Knockout?!"
Knockout chuckled nervously, backing away. "Explicitly, Lord Megatron." Frostbite looked over to Knockout, fear in his optics as he moved forward slightly.
"Now, since the unfortunate loss of Breakdown has left you rather, vulnerable," He emphasized, jerking forward. "You will require appropriate support, as I do not think your feeble patient can handle watching you on his own."
There was movement behind Knockout, Frostbite scowling at the scathing words Megatron ushered onto him, then jumped as a large insecticon came up from behind, growling as Knockout looked up at it. It made him feel even smaller. Knockout turned around, a nervous look in his optics, a small nervous laugh escaping him.
"How very... repellent." Was the medics only response as Megatron turned around, their cue to leave. Knockout then took Frostbite, ushering him to move quickly as they left. Frostbite looked nervously at the bug like decepticon.
"Try not looking it in the optic. It can probably smell fear." He said with a slightly sarcastic tone. I brought a small laugh from Frostbite.
"So where're we goin'?" He asked as a bridge was brought up.
"Manhattan, New York, a densely populated human city. Try not to get lost will you?" He joked.
"I'll be right beside you the entire time. Glued at the hip even!" Frostbite promised, bumping his hip with Knockouts in demonstration. The bug growled in annoyance. They both laughed, moving through the bridge. At least with Frostbite around it would make the insecticons presence more bearable, Knockout thought absently, holding the little mech close as entered the subways.
Been a few months hasn't it? Sorry for the wait! And for those who are oblivious to the obvious, this is taking place in Tunnel Vision. Sorry if it's a little short, but I hopes I managed to makes it sweet and fluffy.