Street Racer Darling |:| Knockout X reader

Search Party of Two

~(Y/N)'s POV~

         |: (Y/N) to Bumblebee. Come in Bumblebee. :|

Silence. Nothing but unnerving silence through the communication device made by Soundwave. The line was masked over, so no other Decepticon or Autobot could trace it, or listen in, just the one you're messaging.

         "Maybe we should try Nebraska," Roman suggested, driving the Impala, his jet black hair whipping in the wind as he stared at the road through his window.

         "No... They're here, I'm sure of it."

We had been looking for several days now, but there was no sign of any of the Autobots. No activity, no messages, not even a sign from Optimus... That really worried me...

         "Chin up (Y/N)," I looked to my brother, "There were no casualties in the wreckage, which means that they're most likely somewhere in this wide world, hiding in plain sight."

         "I just wish the world wasn't as wide as it is." I sighed, tucking some hair behind my ear as it blew into my face.

     We traveled for a good few hours, me repeating my call on the small earpiece that was given to me. Roman had to stop for gas at one point, but I stayed in the car, not wanting to be seen if anyone recognized me as Knockout. A low possibility all the way out here in the boonies, but still a chance. Watching out the window, I counted the cars as they rolled by. Red one, black one... red and white one... Purple one... Yellow and black, but it was a VW Beetle.

         "Where are you Bee?"

     If only I had kept looking out of the window, if only I hadn't looked down at my data pad. I might have seen the black and yellow camaro race by. I might have seen the tuft of brown hair taking a look out of the front window. I might have seen the hesitance as it slowed down to turn, only to continue on, away, and into the far fields.

         "I hate gas prices," I heard Roman mumble as he stepped back into his car, "Can't wait to convert her to Energon."

         "Just don't use the dark energon," I said solemnly, "It's been nothing but trouble."

He said something along the lines of 'roger' or 'can-do', it might have been 'no worries', but I was to busy focusing on my datapad, looking for any sign from the Autobot records of where the team was sent. There were only four locations entered before the missile silo was destroyed, and I planned on searching every single one.

         "How about we head back?" Roman suggested, though I barely heard, and made no response.

         "Knockout will be worried, and you still have a wedding to plan."

         "We've planned most of it already," I answered, "We need the Autobots... I want Raf to be the ring barer."

         "Where do you put your ring when you're Wildstryke anyway?" he asked me, of which I wasn't surprised.

         "In my subspace, Soundwave and... and Breakdown provided one."

Looking at the clear ring, I watched as the energy zipped this way and that, it's glow pulsing all the way around my ring finger. It calmed me, and I felt just a bit more confident in finding the team. But I also felt the slight twinge to Breakdown's name. Knockout knew... He heard, some how.

         "You really miss him don't you?" My brother asked, and I nodded, "I can tell you for sure he's living the high life." I saw that confident smirk on his face. By now his hair was being whipped around again by the wind, his green eyes sparkling.

         "Yeah, I'm still mad at you for not telling me sooner that he sent a message."

Roman shrugged.

         "He said not to tell you until both of you were present. Trust me I was really worried you wouldn't EVER want to see him again after telling me how he lied to you."

         "Trust me, I didn't even want to hear his name." I huffed.

         "Exactly," Roman laughed, then he became serious, but still with that friendly, brother like air, "Breakdown talked about you guys a lot," he admitted, "He misses you guys, and I'm sure he knows you miss him too."

Sighing, I looked back to my data pad. Only four exits through the Groundbridge... Someone must have stayed behind to close that last bridge... Primus protect him if it was Optimus...

         "ROMAN LOOK OUT!"

I made him swerve into the ditch before he collided with the fast paced car, it's bright orange finish apparently not enough to warn the automaton.

         "What the PIT!" I screamed at him, "Where were you?!"

         "He was challenging me!" He hollered back, gaining his control of the car, "And you just made me have to back down!"

         "Life isn't all about the adrenaline rush you know!" I fought over the roar of his engine. Feeling a short zap, my glare turned to the ring, seeing it's panic-like speed inside the clear material. Taking a deep breathe, I held it close, and the speeds of both the ring and my heart decreased, "Now isn't the time for racing, Roman... We need to focus on the more important things."

     Silence, and a befuddled teenage boy was what my statement was met with. He huffed a couple times, obviously trying to figure out what to say, but words failed him as he kept his eyes on the road, looking to the rear view mirror every so often.

         "You've changed."

         "Well, yeah," I scoffed, "I'm not a kid anymore. Roman I'm 30, and Knockout... he allowed me to realize that an adrenaline rush won't help me anymore, and that it endangers more people than I realized..." Putting a hand to his shoulder, I smiled softly, "Racing was our escape once upon a time ago, we don't have to hide, or run from our mother anymore."

He looked to me at the corner of his eye, switching back to the road every so often.

         "It's not as easy as it sounds..."

         "I know, but I'll be here every step of the way." Sliding my hand off his shoulder, I looked to my data pad once more, "I might have Knockout to help me out as well, but I wouldn't worry about not having a significant other." I felt the ring hum, a soothing feeling. I rubbed it with the opposite finger.

         "Why is that?" He asked.

         "Because whatever girl starts to hit on you will be shot."

         "Oh come on!"

         "I gotta watch out for my little brother!" I smirked.

         "I. Am. Older than you!"

We both laughed, and he jabbed me in my side.

     If only we weren't so distracted. If only I had kept it serious. If only I had looked out the window just as we were passing a singular lone tree on the long expanse of highway. I might have seen the familiar, yet foreign paint job of black and yellow. The adorable tromping of familiar sneakers on the grass to get back into the camaro. If only I had been paying attention to my surroundings, my worry would have subsided, my anxieties blown away. But no. Instead, I converted back to my original worried state, looking for any sign of the mech that trusted me, even though I had already run him off the road many times in the past, and the boy that always wanted to make me smile, the boy I wished I could call my own... 

(Next chapter is the 80th chapter guys!  Crazy right?! Thanks for reading! Love ya'll!)