#i think same applies to kobd

[virovirokun-has-adhd]

i massively feel this, having only just joined the TF fandom

just finished watching tfp + the tfp bh: pr movie tho so that's super kool lol

Joining a fandom late/during a dry spell is a double-edged sword.

On the one hand, things are pretty chill and there isn’t much of a hurry to consume the newest show or comic.

On the other hand, the chance of establishing oneself as the expert on certain characters is slim to none.

[noodleblade]

for a prompt!! can we have some h/c kobd??

A little light on the hurt, but they've been through enough ;__; set directly after Operation Breakdown. Hope you like it anon:) Feel free to read it on AO3-Link. Enjoy!

“I got you a gift.”

Breakdown blinked- winked -as he watched Knock Out slink through the barracks, like a predator hunting for prey. 

The vehicons by now had grown used to the medic’s constant presence and knew to make themselves scarce whenever Knock Out showed up. Currently, Breakdown had the barracks to himself, busy with mulling over work shifts for the next few cycles at each of the mining locations. Barely a cycle had passed since Breakdown’s “rescue” from the humans and Starscream had already dumped a hefty stack of datapads that needed his “urgent” attention. 

Not that Knock Out seemed to care as he shoved them off the table and seated himself on the corner, leaning over Breakdown and waiting expectantly. 

“A gift?” Breakdown raised an optic ridge but grimaced immediately in knowing the effect was greatly diminished with only one functioning optic. “You don’t give gifts.”

“What are you talking about?” Knock Out mock-pouted, optics aglimmer with mirth. “I give you gifts all the time.”

“Yeah?” Breakdown tilted his helm to the side. “So the buffer was really for me and you are just borrowing it.”

“Sharing is caring, Breakdown. They have a saying here for bonded earthlings: what’s yours is mine and what’s mine is yours. I think the same applies to us,” Knock Out explained breezily. “Besides, we both know my frame is a gift for us both.” That statement ended on a salacious wink.

Breakdown snorted and ducked his helm to look at the pad before him. The datapad was a blur, the glyphs gibberish with Knock Out so close he could feel the warmth coming off his frame. Knock Out was always distracting.

“So, do you want your gift or not?” Knock Out pressed with an insistent tap of his claws. They were edging toward the remaining datapad, offended it dare take any attention away from him.

“‘Suppose I guess it depends what it is.”

When no reply came, Breakdown dared a lookup to see a small bundle resting in Knock Out’s servo. A rather…serious expression was on his partner’s face and suddenly the lightness that had been there before was swallowed up by a much more severe emotion.

“Dim your optic, darling.”

It was stated as a command but the words were soft, hesitant. Breakdown did so without question, his spark churning uncomfortable in his chassis at the sudden change of mood.

Already down an optic and with the other dimmed, Breakdown’s world went dark. He could hear Knock Out move, the quiet shifting of plating coming around his side to bring the speedster behind him. Gentle claws traced over the heavy armor of his shoulders as they trailed up his neck to rest on the sides of his helm.

“I hope you like it,” Knock Out spoke, his voice low and guarded, as if he were worried of being overheard. “I’m not particularly crafty but no one knows you better than me.” Breakdown shivered as the claw tips dragged up the sides of his faceplates. “I don’t want you to shine my aft and lie to me if you think it’s hideous, but…” the sentence trailed off as Knock Out let out a soft exvent. Something was being attached to his helm, covering over his now empty right optic housing. Hesitant claws tapped against his temples as Knock Out pulled away. “I hope you like it.”

Taking that as his cue, Breakdown onlined his optic once more. A small mirror had been placed before him as Breakdown’s gaze immediately snapped to his partner’s weary expression behind him. He was nervous and Knock Out was never nervous. 

“Well, what do you think?” Knock Out asked with lip plates pressed tight together. 

Dropping his gaze onto himself, Breakdown finally noticed what had been applied to his helm.

It was an optic patch of some sort, simplistic black metal magnetized to the housing as a cover. It was tasteful in its simple nature, and just the exact dimensions to cover the empty socket securely. 

Evidentially, he had taken too long as Knock Out let out a sharp huff. “It can be temporary until we find something better. Think of it as a protective measure more than anything else. I know it's not the prettiest-”

“You know me,” Breakdown softly interrupted as he spun his stool around. With himself seated and Knock Out standing, they were nearly at optic level. “Always wanted to be the prettiest out of the two of us.”

Knock Out rolled his optics as he made to cross his arms over his chest. Before he could complete the action, Breakdown grabbed his servos, squeezing them gently.

“I like it.”

“Are you just saying that or…”

“You asked me not to lie,” Breakdown shrugged. A small grin came to his face. “Besides, picturin’ you hunched over the workbench making this for me makes it even better.”

“I didn’t work that hard on it,” Knock Out sneered playfully but he did nothing to stop Breakdown from pulling him in closer until their forehelms pressed against each other.

“Sure.” Breakdown’s grin grew bigger as Knock Out’s lips turned up to match.

“I’m serious!” Knock Out nodded his helm, the action making a half nuzzle against Breakdown. “And even if I did,” Knock Out whispered, his voice dropping to no more than a breath, “I’d only do so for you.”

Breakdown took up the remaining distance between them and pressed their lip plates together in a soft kiss. Knock Out hummed happily, any retort dying on his lips in favor of returning to the kiss. He curled his servos around Breakdown’s neck to lean against him, leaving no space between them.

“And like I said,” Knock Out spoke against his lips after several kliks passed, “It’s a placeholder until I find you something better.”

Breakdown simply pulled him in for another kiss, just happy to have his partner.