A/N: I originally wrote this chapter as a mini comic, so this part will be structured a little differently than the rest of the story. Shouldn't be too confusing, if at all. Enjoy!
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The darkness fades away as Knockout comes-to. He is lying on a berth in the med-bay, recuperating from his time with Airachnid and the Insecticons. His slowly optics flicker open, an audible groan escaping him.
?: "Knockout, you're awake! Thank the Allspark! I was so worried!"
Knockout awakens and props himself up on his elbow joints. Just in front of him is Moonracer, a data pad in-servo and faceplates alight with relief.
KNOCKOUT: "Moonracer? What happened?"
Instead of becoming angry and yelling at him, Moonracer instead became crestfallen and averted her gaze.
MOONRACER: "Despite your injuries, you jumped right into battle…"
?: "Where you rightfully passed out after getting in the way."
Knockout and Moonracer turned towards the voice. It was Starscream, leaning against a table in the corner, and he did not look happy. Despite this, Knockout was relieved.
KNOCKOUT: "Starscream? You're okay?"
He didn't remember much from the battle, the battle he wasn't supposed to be a part of, but did know why he ended up where he wasn't supposed to be: Starscream. The Seeker was in trouble, and Knockout felt that it was up to him to save his old friend.
Knockout wanted to tell Starscream what he was thinking, what he was feeling, but the Seeker didn't look like he was in the listening mood.
STARSCREAM: "Doctor, would you mind giving us the room?"
But, as always, he was in a talking mood. Although, most would consider it something else, like ranting or venting, or complaining or preening. With Starscream, the possibilities are endless.
MOONRACER: "Of course not. I should report Knockout's status to the others, anyway."
Hesitant to leave, Moonracer forced herself to exit the med-bay and leave the two mechs alone. Once she was gone, Knockout heard Starscream approaching him from his corner. He shifted slightly, attempting to focus on something other than his pain and anxiety, as the Seeker walked into his line of sight.
Possibly to calm his nerves, for old time's sake, Knockout decided to play dumb.
KNOCKOUT: "Uh, Starscream, I don't…"
Suddenly, Starscream spun around with such power, such ferocity, he could have ripped a hole out of the ship with just his pedes.
STARSCREAM: "WHAT? DON'T WHAT?"
Knockout immediately pressed himself against his berth, attempting to make himself look as small and harmless as possible. He was terrified; optics wide, frame shaking. He was completely distracted from all his other problems, too focused on the rage blazing in Starscream's optics.
STARSCREAM: "Understand? Understand that you could've been killed trying to save me? Save the one you betrayed in the first place? I don't understand you, Knockout, I really don't! We spent all that time together, and yet, when the opportunity presented itself for something better, you threw me away like I was a pile of rusted scrap! Now all of a sudden you're trying to get close to me, like nothing ever happened? Why? Why are you such an idiot?"
The resulting silence was… tense… to say the least.
Knockout heard Starscream's grievances straight from his mouth before, not to mention multiple times, but this…
It felt different.
Knockout couldn't explain it, but this time, it felt more meaningful, more personal. As if this time, as the humans would say, Starscream put all his heart and soul into his expression.
A pair of servos grabbed Knockout and pulled him against a warm chassis. The embrace was tight yet comforting, as if the one holding him cared about his well-being, and didn't want to let him go.
Right at that moment, there was only one bot that it could be.
STARSCREAM: "Never. Ever. Do that. Again."
At first, Knockout was surprised, – very surprised – but when his shock wavered and disappeared, he allowed himself to relax into the embrace. He wrapped his arms around the Seeker's frame as well, not wanting to let go of or be apart from his friend.
KNOCKOUT: "I don't plan on it."
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I hope you liked some KOxSS fluff, and are liking the story in general! Questions, comments, concerns; all are accepted on one level or another! Thank you and love you!