The Lights We Burn (tfp Knockout/Breakdown X mech!reader)[DISCONTINUED]

7: All the Things He Said

"Hey carrier." I said once again to the night sky, this time with a smile on my face rather than a frown. "I know it's been a while since I talked to you, I've been in the med bay due to some injuries. I'm okay now, and so is sire. I don't know exactly how it happened, but... I don't care. I'm just glad I'm not alone."

I then sat on the flight deck with my legs crossed and took out a small paper lantern painted with an incredible array of colors and patterns.

"I um, found this human thing called a paper lantern, and if you light a fire in this little section, it allows it to fly using heat. They are fascinating beings these humans. They are very small and fairly weak, yet at the same time, they seem to have a courage and intellect that is similar to our own. I figured you would like to see one of their creations. I... I hope you like it."

I lit the candle with a tiny match I had found, the candle lighting and causing the lantern to drift upwards as I released it into the sky. I watched it float away into the dark night, eventually completely disappearing among the stars.

"Why do you do that?" I heard Knockout ask from behind me, my helm turning to look and see him and Breakdown standing not far from me.

"Do what?" I asked in feign ignorance.

"Talk to the sky like that."

"I... I suppose it's my way to cope with grief." I admitted, although I don't know why I did.

"You and your carrier were close?" Breakdown asked as he and Knockout both joined me on either side.

"Tried to be, but I always was a sire's mechling." I chuckled a little. "But... I'd do anything to have her back."

"What happened to her?" Knockout asked.

"She... she was killed in an Autobot siege." I said as I pulled my legs to my chassis with a saddening expression. "They were looking for Trypticon and apparently thought Axelias was where it was hidden and attacked it with everything they had. I... I often blame myself for her death."

"You can't keep blaming yourself for things wildly out of your control." Breakdown said.

"Logically, I know this." I said. "But emotionally? I can't seem to let it go. Not until I found which Autobot was responsible for that siege."

"You're a smart bot, Y/D." Knockout said. "I'm sure you'll find them."

"But what if I do and... and I'm not strong enough?" I asked with a hint of anxiety in my voice.

"We'll have your back." Breakdown said to which my optics lit up in surprise and confusion.

"Wait, really?" I asked shyly.

"Why not?" Knockout said. "With the amount of times you end up in my med bay -"

"Hey!" I said with a genuine and hearty laugh.

"Someone's gotta watch your short aft." Breakdown teased, earning a playful punch from me.

"Alright, alright, fine." I snorted. After a quiet pause, I looked up at the pair with a soft expression.

"What's that look for?" Knockout asked.

"Thank you." I said in a hushed voice.

"For what?" Breakdown asked.

"Just... just talking to me without malicious intent. It's been a long time since I had anyone, really... listen, ya know."

"Hey, if you need an audial Breakdown and I will always be there to listen."

----
Since that conversation with the two bots, I've grown more and more comfortable around them. In fact, although I would never admit it to anyone, I've grown... attatched.

And attachment was something that could easily be used against you.

"Prince Y/D." Starscream said, catching my attention from my office work station I sometimes did research on.

"Yes, Starscream, what is it?" I asked curiously. The entire time, I was analyzing the seeker for anything malicious.

"I... wanted to discuss my... recent mishap in attempting to terminate you."

'What is he playing at?' I thought suspiciously. At this point, Breakdown and Knockout had entered to no doubt report something only to stop to watch the scene.

"If you are asking for forgiveness from me," I said, manipulating the vibrations of my voice to ensnare the seeker in my spell. "You must be honest in your reasoning for trying to kill me." Starscream stiffened as he tried to fight off my charm, but not even a stubborn aft like his could resist.

"I... was jealous." He admitted. "I wanted to be... respected by the Decepticons instead of mocked and... I hated that you were kind to me and thought you were mocking me like the others."

"So you lashed out at me as a result of envy and misconception." I concluded as I walked up to Starscream to get a better analysis of his expression.

"Yes, prince Y/D."

"Do you regret your actions?" I asked, my digits gently touching the side of his helm.

"I regret what I've done to you." He said truthfully, and that was all I needed to hear.

"Then you are forgiven, and we shall speak of this no more. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Prince Y/D."

"Good." I said, releasing him from my charm and pulling my servo away. Starscream had a slightly glazed over look in his optics before blinking a little to clear them. "You are dismissed." Starscream nodded and silently left almost like he was in a drunken daze, Breakdown and Knockout looking at each other before looking back at me.

"What was that?" Knockout asked.

"My gift." I said. "I needed to ensure that Starscream wasn't deceiving me or trying anything."

"Still can't believe he tried to kill you." Breakdown grumbled.

"Envy and humiliation can make one do some irrational things." I said. "The fact that he was honest with his regret has told me all I needed to know."

"How do you know he wasn't just lying?" Knockout asked.

"Seekers are surprisingly easy to read once you understand their non-verbal communication patterns." I explained. "Plus with him under my influence, he couldn't lie if he wanted to."

"Will he be alright?" Breakdown asked. "He seemed out of it."

"Oh, he will be just fine. It's a side effect of my ability. Give him around an hour, and he will be back to his grouchy scheming self without any conscious memory of the incident. But I digress." I said with a curious expression. "Did you have something to report to me?"

"Yes, actually." Knockout said. "Lord Megatron wanted to speak to you."

"Why didn't he use the comlink?" I asked curiously.

"Eh, one of the vehicons tripped the system." Breakdown said. "So the comlinks are down for the moment."

"Was it 5t3v3?"

"It was 5t3v3."

----
A/n I FINALLY DREW THIS VERSION OF Y/D WHY DID IT TAKE ME SO LONG AHHHHH