#messywrites

Mechs, when first meeting Knock Out and Breakdown, would often say that Breakdown was the fearless one while Knock Out was more cowardly. Maybe it was because Breakdown seemed like a brick wall when compared to Knock Out, maybe it was because of Knock Outs more… flighty tendencies. Whatever the reason, Breakdown could understand why they would think such things, but at the same time, the large blue mech knew how very, very wrong they were! While Breakdown may have been a former Wreaker, there was a big difference between fearlessly whacking someone with a 20-ton hammer in battle, and practically everything else. Breakdown, sometimes, wondered if he just lacked self-preservation instincts and wasn’t actually fearless. However, the current situation made him think the opposite.

They were watching a human horror film, their shared hab completely dark except for the almost-blinding light coming from the console screen. The two grounders where cuddling on the berth, opposite the screen, and Breakdown was clinging to the smaller red racer for dear life.

‘I’m pretty sure Knock Out’s the one that’s fearless!’ Breakdown thought, clinging to his conjux a little tighter. He was absolutely **terrified **right now.

Knock Out, meanwhile, was having a great time. He was munching on rust bunnies and watching the movie intently. He was, well, on the edge of his seat. Or on the edge of the berth. He found these slasher films, especially the ones that were considered “older” by human standards, to be quite cheesy. Not at all scary. He had certainly seen and experienced far more horrifying things during his time as the Decepticon CMO. He let out a little silent, breathy chuckle as Breakdown started hugging him tighter, patting one of his arms gently. It was one of those scenes where it was all quiet, yet you could tell the character wasn’t alone in the building. There were tense, yet quiet, strings playing, a low droning sound for added suspense and anxiety, thrill and fear. Knock Out had to admit it wasn’t that bad of a scene.

When the character heard a strange noise down the hall, and started walking towards it, Breakdown hugged Knock Out a bit too hard. “Ohhhhhhh no, you aft! Don’t be stupid! Don’t go in there! Oh Primus, they’re fragging dead!” He exclaimed, as Knock Out wheezed and pushed a little bit on the bigger bot’s chest.

“Breakie- ow- You’re kind of crushing me here!” Knock Out complained gently with a tense smile. Breakdown relaxed his hold a little bit, allowing Knock Out to not be in pain.

“Sorry…” Breakdown replied sheepishly. Knock Out just gave him another pat on the arm.

“I’m just surprised that you’re so scared of this. I mean- come on! It’s a cheesy human horror film! Nothing about this is scary!”

“How- Knock Out, this is terrifying!”

Knock Out actually snorted at that. “We’ve been at war for millions of years, seen so many things, and you’re scared of a human in a weird looking mask with a knife?” He ribbed with a smile.

“I- Glowworm, that human is a convicted murderer that escaped from a MENTAL HOSPITAL! Of course I’m scared!”

Knock Out had to hold back a snort. “This… This isn’t real Breakdown! It’s just fictional!”

“Still doesn’t mean I can’t be scared! What happens if this was real? I could still be hurt, even if it just a human!”

Knock Out let out a gentle laugh. “Like I would let anyone hurt you.” He purred, moving to sit in Breakdown’s lap, leaning against him as he munched on another rust bunny.

Breakdown smiled, opening his mouth to retort, when suddenly the murderer popped onto the screen with a awful noise. Knock Out shrieked loudly, dropping the bucket of rust bunnies as he latched onto Breakdown. His claws were latched onto Breakdown’s plating like his life depended on his ability to hold on. They sat in silence for a while, Knock Outs panicky invents beginning to slow down, before looking at each other. Their faceplates twisted in a very poor (and very futile) attempt to not smile, before one of them snorted. Then they started giggling. Then it turned into full-blown laughter. Breakdown didn’t know why they were laughing, they just both found it funny.

Knock Out wheezed. “Oh… oh man… that was… that was pretty dumb of me!” He smiled, wiping some coolant from his eyes, “I was poking… poking fun at you… for being scared…” it took him a while to continue because of how hard he was laughing, “and then I get scared from a fragging… a fragging JUMPSCARE!”

Breakdown could barely invent enough to talk. “Yeah… yeah… that was.. That was pretty… pretty dumb!” He grinned.

After a few more minutes of laughing, both mechs calmed down. Soon, they were cuddled up with each other, the bucket of rust bunnies (which was now all over the floor) forgotten. Knock Out was resting his head against Breakdown’s chest, listening to his spark beat.

“Hey, Breakie?”

“Yeah?”

“I just want you to know… if something like this did ever happen… I would protect you. I wouldn’t let… let the crazed psychopath,” he couldn’t help but smile at that, as the mental image was a bit funny, “ hurt you in any way…”