For you it had been hard to get used to Knockout being an autobot. Between past failed relationships and the fact he almost killed most of the other bots you were in relationships with, it was kind of awkward.
And everyone knew it.
So, they decided it would be a swell idea to leave you and the cherry red mech alone in the base for hours. You had a nice team.
You took this as an oppertunity to get some things done; odd jobs and favours for Ratchet around the base. While you were coding something, a loud 'pop' and Knockout's cry of frustration reached your audio receptors. You sigh and decide to check out the mess you'd inevitably have to clean up.
When you got to the spare lab -now inhabited by Knockout- you were somewhat alarmed to find it empty. Your helm whipped around in fear when you heard a high-pitched giggle and scurrying of metal feet. Quickly drawing your weapon, you take up a battle stance.
But nothing prepared you for what came next. A small red blur flashed before your eyes and suddenly a small being was atop your shoulders, laughing madly. You forgot all battle training and started to flail and scream, dropping the weapon you were about to use.
"Hey! Stop, I'm gonna fall!" A squeaky voice said. You froze and turned your optics upward.
Sitting on your shoulders was a small red sparkling. He pouted at you. You slowly bring your servos up and grasped him, moving him to your optic level for a better look. He looked like a tiny Knockout- wait.
"Sweety? What's your name?" You asked nervously.
"I'm Knockout! And I'm NOT a sweetie!" He exclaimed indigantly.
You giggled, then slowly realized the predicament. Knockout was a kid now. Scrap.
It just so happened the Autobots decided to come back to base at that exact moment. Arcee and Smokscreen were chatting about battle tactics... until they saw you and the small red bot you held infront of you.
"What... happened here?" Arcee asked. Smokescreen could hardly contain his laughter.
"Umm..." Was your sheepish response. You were froze, a cold sweat beginning on your helm. Optimus didn't help matters when he strode through the ground bridge.
Stalemate. Optimus stared at you and tiny Knockout and you stared fearfully back at him.
The silence was broken by none other than the sparkling in your arms.
"Hey! I'm bored! Can we do something else?"
"Yes." Optimus answered. "We can ask (y/n) what exactly happened here..."
Knockout was confused, but your optics dilated in fear.
"I-It's not my fault!" You stammered. "I was just minding my own buisness, then I come down here and Knockout jumped on me!"
"Knockout's a sparkling now?" Smokscreen snickered. "Sweeeeet."
Optimus sighed. He was about to say something, but the little red sparkling, still held an arm's length infront of you, interrupted him.
"Where's Breakdown?"
The room fell into a depressed silence. "Knockout... Breakdown's...." Arcee began, searching desperatly for the right words.
"Dead. He is dead. Sorry 'bout that." Bulkhead cut in. Everyone turned to him in horror.
Knockout snapped his small optics to yours, on the verge of tears. "I-is the big green mech r-right?" His voice cracks halfway through.
You were, once again, at a loss for words. You almost wanted to give up and cry too, like Knockout. Instead, you curled your arms around the sparkling, holding him close to your chestplate. "Breakdown has to go for a long, long while, but you will see him again someday, I promise."
Knockout sniffed and cuddled into your arms, finding safety and comfort. Optimus nodded to the team and walked into the base, patting you on the shoulder as he stepped by. You sighed in relief as the Autobots scattered, finding ways to pass the time before the next mission, leaving you and the sparkling Knockout standing before a recently closed groundbridge.
Later, you had decided it was time for the little Knockout to sleep. Between his shenanigans and the constant messes you had to clean, you both needed a break. So, you dragged a squirming, whining Knockout to your living quarters. He unwillingly laid on the bed, but as soon as you rested beside him, the cherry red spark shyly snuggled under your arm. You smiled softly as the little one began to snore. Soon after, you slowly descended into recharge.
When you woke, a full-grown, red ex-con had his chest against your back and an arm slung around your waist. You sighed, to lazy to do anything, besides, Knockout was actually quite comfortable. You roll over, facing him, to find he was half awake.
"Morning sunshine," he drawls. "I take it my invention worked?"
