Object of Affection

Chapter 4

Laserbeak chirred in curiosity, but Soundwave shook his helm. He didn't feel jealous of the CMO touching Knockout, he was the mech Soundwave trusted Knockout with most. Ratchet would heal the handsome mech, he was sure.

~~~~~~~~

Laserbeak was so relieved when Knockout's legs had healed properly, that meant the medic really was going to be ok. She flew in circles above Knockout's helm as he was leaving the medbay. She went so fast she almost seemed to form some kind of halo over Knockout's helm. Soundwave felt happy at her excitement, but he also had a feeling that something was off. He couldn't really tell what.

Although Knockout was truly happy that he was out of the medbay, he still felt bad. The others had decided to watch the groundbridge controls 24/7, and if Knockout wanted to go somewhere, somebody had to go with him. It was driving him mad. It meant that he couldn't go back to the Nemesis and resume his research, which he had started since a month ago.

That was really taking him down. His mood had considerably dropped since the little incident. He didn't flash a smile, laughed at one of Smokescreen's jokes or looked content at all.

The rookie and the scout noticed first.

They had been watching a movie and invited Knockout. They knew Knockout liked movies. But Knockout said no. He had locked himself inside his quarters, something he did often. So Smokescreen decided to get him, not taking no for an answer. Bumblebee had resumed watching the movie until Smokescreen came back with Knockout thrown over his shoulder. The first thing that Bee noticed, which he found quite disturbing, was that Knockout wasn't screaming. Normally he'd been screaming everybody's audios off, demanding that Smokescreen put him down if he valued his life, yelling to him to watch the paint, growl at him, struggling in his capture's hold.

No. Knockout was quiet.

Smokescreen deposited him on the couch, between him and Bee in. Knockout did not look happy, but stayed silent. As they watched the movie, Smokescreen tried to make some small talk with Knockout, but the medic's answers were short.

At some point Smokescreen gave up. Bee interlaced his talons with Smokescreen's, behind Knockout's backplates, as he saw the sad expression on his faceplates. Smokescreen smiled at him and squeezed Bee's servo. Soon they were watching the movie again.

When it was finished, Knockout stood and left without saying a word. Bumblebee looked from Knockout to Smokescreen, who shrugged. "Don't you think something's odd?" Bee asked. "Yes, but sometimes we all have a foul mood," Smokescreen said. "Smokey... his had been going on for weeks now. It's not just a foul mood," Bee said gravely. "You worry too much," Smokescreen said and smooched Bee's forehelm.

Bumblebee blushed and leaned back into Smokescreen. They cuddled close as another movie started. Knockout still in the back of their processor.

~~~~~~~~

Ratchet was at the groundbridge controls when he got another comm. from the younger medic asking him if he could take over. He send back an affirmative and went on his way to the medbay. The first few times he refused or questioned Knockout why.

He had thought Knockout wanted to sneak off again. He had expected the red mech to be insulted and argue when he said no. But when he received a 'ok...that's ok...' once he had said no, he grew worried.

The following time he said yes and had taken over. Knockout had looked much paler than he normally did and Ratchet had asked him if he recharged well. Knockout had waived him off and ignored the question, telling him that he 'absolutely didn't have to worry about him'.

That had set Ratchet off. Every time Knockout had laid the emphasis on not having to worry about him. The CMO had asked Wheeljack to keep an optic on Knockout and tell him what he did after he had taken over the medbay.

The first few times Wheeljack told him that he was in the recroom and as soon as he thought nobody was around, Knockout looked absolutely miserable. Wheeljack and Ratchet had asked themselves why Knockout put on an act for the others. Didn't he trust them? Was he to vain to let them see that he could feel pain? Was it them who made him feel like that?

Knockout began to ask more and much sooner if Ratchet could take over. Sometimes he still had 3 more hours of his shift before it ended and Ratchet had eventually more work than Knockout.

But knowing the other felt that bad, Ratchet couldn't say no and took over the extra work. He could see the gratefulness peeking through the blank look that was always on Knockout's faceplates and he knew the red mech appreciated it. Ratchet still had Wheeljack keeping tabs on him, but the outcome was always the same; Knockout would exit the medbay then walk to his quarters and locked himself in.

Wheeljack had once knocked on his door and asked if he was up for a race. They both began to realize how bad Knockout must feel when the answer was, and stayed, no. And again, when Ratchet entered the medbay, Knockout stood still looking like the living dead.

Ratchet sighed and walked over to him. "I'll take it," Ratchet said as he took hold of the tool in Knockout's servo, which he had been cleaning," You go and get some rest." Knockout willingly let go of the tool and rag. "I don't need rest," he said softly. His normal snarling, loud talking, etc. was completely gone and nowadays it seemed only this soft and fragile voice came out of Knockout's voicebox.

"Yes, you do," Ratchet insisted. He could clearly see the exhaustion in Knockout's frame. He had a hunch that the red mech didn't recharge well and he only hoped that when Knockout locked himself in his room he also tried to get some rest. Though he doubted that. Knockout said nothing, nodded and left. Ratchet soon after got confirmation from Wheeljack that the cherry red mech had locked himself away again.

He wanted to help Knockout, but he didn't exactly know how and that really bothered him.

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