Decepticon Island (TF Aligned continuity AU)

ONE WILL LISTEN

"SCRAP! WHY WON'T THIS STUPID THING WORK?" The agitated red mech yelled, slamming the still loading data pad on his desk.

"KNOCKOUT, WE NEED THAT!" Another mech – white with red/orange detailing – snapped from the other end of the room. "Calm down! Do you have any idea how expensive it is to replace anything here?"

"I KNOW!"

Knockout vented to cool off before he really made a mess of things.

"I know. Sorry, Ratchet. I'm just..."

Knockout bent over and lowered his faceplate into the open palms of his servos, letting an exasperated sigh escape him. He soon felt a heavy servo rest atop his shoulder plate.

"Others are still giving you a hard time," Ratchet stated grimly.

"You don't say," Knockout chuckled, voice lacking any sense of good humor.

Even after the Great War ended, Knockout knew things wouldn't magically become perfect. He was correct in his assumptions, for post-war life was far from the peace and tranquility he had hoped for. First, he served probation, then the False Council stepped in, and even after that was all taken care of and a new yet temporary Council was established...

"Knockout?"

The red mech snapped out of the past and back to the present.

"Huh?"

"I was asking if you were alright to continue working," Ratchet said, sounding slightly irritated, which was nothing new. Knockout was getting quite used to the older medic's grumpiness.

"Yes, of course. Why wouldn't I?" Knockout questioned, sounding unconvincing.

"Right... but I know how you get before visiting your patient, and if I'm not mistaken, your next scheduled visit is... tomorrow."

"Err... scrap," Knockout moaned, slamming his helm onto his desk. A ping followed, and the red mech turned his helm to get a better look.

The data pad he beat out of frustration for failing to load quickly was online and functioning properly.

"Oh, sure, now you decide to work!"

Ratchet laughed. He removed his servo from Knockout's shoulder plate and walked away.

"Get some rest, Knockout. Something tells me you're going to need it."

"Yeah," Knockout replied half-heartedly. He pushed himself up and away from his desk, grabbed a few personal items, and left.

He checked out of the clinic and exited the building, walking home in root mode instead of transforming and driving. Even if everyone else didn't like having to share the streets with him, Knockout didn't really care. Nowadays, he's just happy to have company, even if said company is cold comfort.

At least on the Nemesis I didn't have to worry about anyone killing me, being the only medic on the ship and all. However, if there was someone else, like there is now...

Knockout shook his helm, knowing that kind of thinking wouldn't lead to anything good, but he couldn't help admitting that a small part of him missed the Decepticons. Sure, most of the time they were terrible, but they had their moments, and Knockout was at the very least needed by them. He wasn't needed by the Autobots, and it has become undeniably clear that the majority don't want him, either. He wants to help, but doesn't know how.

"HEY!"

Metal clanged against metal as a distracted Knockout walked right into another bot, causing both to stumble backwards.