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

11: Silent Adaptation

-with the Autobots-

"M.E.C.H really tore him apart." Bulkhead said as he and the rest of team Prime returned to the base.

"But why would Y/D give himself up to them like that?" Arcee asked. "Decepticons aren't exactly the self-sacrificing type."

"This is not the first time Y/D has put others before himself." Optimus said. "He's saved many Decepticons during the war and a few Autobots as well."

"Wait, back up." Miko said. "Buckethead's kid saved an Autobot? I thought he hated you guys?"

"His hatred was not as strong as it is today." Ratchet said. "I should know."

"What do you mean?" Arcee asked.

"Y/D... saved my life once." Ratchet said. "I wouldn't be here if it weren't for him."

"What happened?" Jack asked.

"During the war, I ran a medical facility that was unaligned." Ratchet said. "I... didn't want to be part of the war, but I did want to help heal those who needed it. While I was out gathering some supplies, I was ambushed by a few rogue Decepticons. I would have died to them, too."

-flashback-

"Alright, old bot." One of the rogues snarled. "Hand over the energon nice and slow, and ya won't get hurt. Much."

"This is for those who are in dire need!" A rather battered Ratchet protested as the circle of rogues closed in around him

"I said." The rogue snarled as he drew his blaster and aimed it at Ratchet's helm. "Hand it over. Or else me and my boys will send ya sorry paint job to the Allspark!"

Suddenly, a blaster shot struck the threatening rogue leader right in the helm, instantly killing him and sending him to the ground.

"Ambush!" Another rogue shouted. "Scatter!"

"Oh no, you don't!" I yelled as I leaped out of the shadows along with the rest of the DJD, the group of us making quick work of the rogues and binding them together in a comical pile.

"Helex, Vos, take care of these idiots." I said, the pair nodding and getting to work on dragging the rogues off. "Kaon, alert Megatron that we caught the rogues. And let Tesarus know that we are getting company."

"Understood, but what about him?" Kaon asked as he pointed to the rightfully terrified medic. I looked over to him and studied his every move and posture, clearly analyzing him to his core. I approached him, and Ratchet flinched as if I was going to strike, but instead, I offered him a gentle servo.

"Are you alright?" I asked gently, my voice charming the medic.

"I... I'll live." Ratchet said. He hesitantly took my servo and allowed me to help him up much to the rest of the DJD's surprise. "Why... why are you helping me?"

"Eh, you're not an Autobot." I shrugged. "So I see no reason in taking you out."

"What if I was?" Ratchet asked.

"Mmm, probably still wouldn't take you out since you have no weapons." I said with a snort of amusemnt. "Now, I suggest you get out of the open and run."

-end flashback-

"Y/D sounds... really weird." Miko said. "I mean, he let you go, Ratchet."

"His motives have always been contradictory." Optimus said. "It's what makes him extremely dangerous."

"Probably not as dangerous as before." Bulkhead said. "Especially with what M.E.C.H did to him."

-with Y/D-
"Easy does it prince Y/D." Knockout said as I slowly came out of stasis, a strange pressure covering where my optics used to lay. I reached up and gently traced it with my digits, feeling the metal of some sort of visor resting like a blindfold across my face. "We couldn't repair your vision, unfortunately, but we did install a visor to cover up the empty optic sockets and prevent corrosion." I tried to speak, but only a strained warble came out, followed by pain that made me wince.

"Don't try to talk yet." Breakdown said. "We are working on creating a temporary vocalizer for you, but we needed you to be awake first." I made a disappointed whining noise, and I felt a cool, thin servo gently pat my shoulder.

"Don't worry, doll, you'll be able to communicate somewhat here in a moment." Knockout said. "Now hold still, I just need to activate it. You may feel a slight shock." I nodded and relaxed as best as I could, the shock Knockout warned me about startling me a bit. "Try saying something."

"Some... thing." I managed to warble, the sound distorted and somewhat static filled but clear enough to be heard.

"A bit of a delay there, but it's functioning." Knockout said with a smile. "We can calibrate it after we tune your audials."

"T... tune?" I asked.

"To account for your lack of vision." Breakdown explained.

"By increasing the sensitivity, we can help you 'see' the world around you." Knockout said. "We will start slow and work our way up over time."

"Can.... fight?" I asked.

"No, you can't." Breakdown said. "Not yet."

"Unfair." I huffed with an adorable pout.

"You can't exactly go slay Autobots when you don't know how to even locate them." Breakdown chuckled. I smiled a little in response and allowed Knockout to adjust the sensitivity of my audials, the world around me growing slightly louder. I could hear the hum of the monitors clear as day, something I never noticed before. I could hear the slight rattle of air traveling through ventilation shafts, the slight bubbling noise of energon being processed off to the side, and even the vents of both Knockout and Breakdown.

"Weird." I said, my own voice sounding loud and startling me.

"Hang on, I'll need to adjust for voices." Knockout said as quietly as he could so as to not blow out my audials. He made the adjustments and gave him a curious expression, silently asking for him to speak. "How's that?"

"Better." I said as I tried to stand from the berth only to wobble a little and end up stumbling a bit. Thankfully, Knockout caught me before I hit the floor.

"Not so fast." Knockout said as he gently assisted me in slowly standing up. "You were in stasis, remember?" I made a warble sound at him in response, followed by a pouting huff.

"You're going to be stuck with us for a bit shortstop." Breakdown said. "So I'd listen to Knockout, okay?"

"Fiiiine."