Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“I'll always be your friend B, whenever you need me I'll be there faster than you can even say my name.” He had to look down at B, even while sitting. He wasn't the tallest cogged cybertronian, but then, B was especially short; more so than the other coggless miners.

“I know, you're always there for me. But I want to be there for you too. you're so cool and fast, I wish I was like you.” He just feels so inferior to him. It's not fair. He wanted to have fun with him like all the normal Cybertronians. Breakdown softens beside him. “Cogged or not, you're still my friend.”

B leaned his head to the side and rested it on his best friend's arm. “I knowww, but it's just not fair, I wanna do all the cool things you do too, and I wanna do them with you, if I actually had a cog, I could keep up with you”

“B.”

Mining was the only thing B-127 knew how to do, all that he COULD do. But he wanted to do much more than that. SO much more. He wanted to try racing, it looked like so much fun, especially when he watched Breakdown do it. He wanted to actually enjoy life, been given at least a choice to what he wanted. But he knew it wouldn't happen. His options were limited to none.

“I will always slow down for you to catch up. No matter what.” He wrapped his arms around B in a tight embrace, his spark ached for the miner. He couldn't imagine what kind of dangerous life he had to suffer through.

“B!”

B-127 was snapped out of his thoughts by one of his best friends and new leader, quickly looking up at him as he was startled.
“you ok there buddy?” Optimus rested his hand on B’s shoulder.

“yeah sorry, I think I was just reallyyyyy deep in thought there.” He laughed quietly, looking back down as he kept talking.
“I was just thinking about stuff, or someone, Someone I used to know. Before I got sent to sub level 50 I had a friend, almost like a brother. But it doesn't really matter now, I wouldn't know where to find him after everything that's happened. I'm not even sure if he's…. still alive. I haven't seen him at all. I hope he is. I really do.”

Optimus sat down next to B as he listened to his friend rant. Being with and talking to B or Elita always helped with his stress.

“Buuuuut that's in the past, what's new with you?” B seemed to cheer up pretty fast, he's used to shoving his emotions down so he didn't drown in them. He also didn't want to not give Optimus any room to talk if he wanted to.

“I'm doing ok. Being a leader is just.. new to me. I have to get used to it, and I still have a lot to learn. But thankfully, I have the matrix to help guide me.” Optimus lifted his hand to rest it on his chassis, the Matrix just behind it.

“It also gave you cool superpowers!”

Optimus chuckles; soft, and fond.

“I will admit, the axe is pretty cool.”

“You can cut people up just like me with my knife hands!” B stood up and hurried to the middle of the room. He crossed his arms in a X shape over his chassis, summoning his knife hands just to show them off. “See? aren't they awesome?!”

Optimus chuckled at his friend's enthusiasm, he remembers when he had that same spark and joy.
“I have a mission for you if you're up for it, but if not I can see if anyone else wou-”

B practically beamed at the chance to help, letting his energon knives deactivate. “Are you kidding?! I'd love to! What's my mission boss bot?”

“I need you to scout sub level 13 of the mines. If we can find our old mining equipment then we may be able to salvage the parts and turn them into weapons. We're at a big disadvantage; the high guard being trained warriors, while most autobots were just miners." Optimus said, casually instead of commanding.

“Yes Sir! I won’t let you down!” B said as he lifted his hand to do a salute. His first real scouting mission, no way!
“You don’t have to call me Sir, I'm still your friend B.”
“I know, I just think it makes you sound cool” B chuckled to himself, he felt proud of himself when he got Optimus to quietly chuckle too. his friend is now a prime. isn't that great? He's like, super duper powerful now. B likes to think he’s powerful too, I mean, he’s got knife hands!

That’s awesome.

Chapter Text

After the two have been friends for quite some time, Breakdown introduced B-127 to his siblings, the other stunticons.

"Awww he's so-”

“Tiny and cute!”

“He's fun sized.”

"Guys stop-”

Breakdown hushed his three brothers before they could embarrass B further. They kept going on about B’s small size, until they heard their larger brother's deep voice.

“A coggless miner?” The 3 words made everyone stop dead in their tracks, the air in the room now tense.

Breakdown looked over at his brother to see the disgust on his face.

“I just thought you had much higher standards.” He sneered, and is words hung heavy on the air as he just simply left the room. Motermaster hadn't said much, but even the smallest sentence can hurt.

The remaining stunticons shared mixed expressions of worry as Breakdown looked over at B to see if he was ok. To his surprise, B’s expression was… blank? He neither had a smile nor a frown. Breakdown thought he probably just wasn't offended, or just used to it and just didn't react anymore, or if it was something more. 

“So what's it like mining?”

The other stunticons looked more offended than B was. What a way to start a conversation.

“Dragstrip!” Deadend momentarily stopped and looked up from B’s arm that he was buffing scratches out off.

“What?! It's just a question!”

B laughed it off and just started explaining. “Well, for starters, it's really dangerous,” That much was known already, but B continued. “We use special tools to hold the mines open while we mine for the energon. If we hit an unstable nerve, the entire cavern will collapse.”

“Some of us end up hurt or even killed.” That made Breakdown cringe.

“But, sometimes it's fun!.”

Breakdown doesn't know how B does it. He doesn't know how he stays so happy when his life is constantly on the line. By the looks on the other stunticons he can tell they agree.

“Another accident..?” He looked at the scratched up and dirty miner, B had a slight limp in his leg as well. B had just finished a shift and he always stopped by at his best friend's house (along with his brothers) to hang out.

“Another mine closed up, It almost had me too.”

Breakdown's spark hurt. He can't take this much longer. How many times does he have to worry about B? About the chance of one of the bots he cares about most losing his life?

“My brother can help with the scratches and the dirt. Why hasn't a medic looked at your leg yet?”

“Ratchet had enough on his plate already, I didn't want to bother him.”

“B…” He couldn't help the sigh that escaped his mouth. He didn't want to make B feel that he was upsetting him. But Breakdown was upset, just not at B. Upset that B was hurt and that Breakdown, yet again, couldn't do anything about it. 

“It really isn't that bad, it doesn't hurt that much either”

Breakdown wrapped his arms around the miner, picking him up by the waist and started carrying him to the washracks.

“Heyyy, I can walk by myself, y'know?” He started playfully flailing his legs but suddenly stopped once he felt the pain in his slightly injured leg and winced.

“Not on my watch.”

Breakdown hadn't realized he was crying until he felt the teardrops fall to his knees. 

Why are all these memories suddenly bombarding his mind?

He covered his eyes and closed them tight to try and make them go away. It hurt. It hurts thinking about him. He can't stop thinking about him. He never stopped.

“What if.. What if one day you have to speed up without me?” Breakdown's spark broke in an instant.

“Stop. Don't talk like that.” He didn't want to hear it. He knew what B was implying.

“You know it's true. One day I might die. Even if I'm just a little too slow, I might get crushed.” Sometimes B was too realistic. This was one of those times.

“No, you won't. You won't because one day Sentinel will find the matrix and then you won't have to mine for energon anymore.” His voice was wobbly. It was proof enough that he was trying not to cry. Breakdown will NOT lose him. He won't. B promised he would be careful. He didn't want to think about the possibility of B dying. Of B leaving him.

What a load of slag.

They were laying on his bed together after a long shift, arms around each other and legs entangled. It's normal for friends to be handsy with each other right? Just normal affection. B didn't want to do much that day, just basking in Breakdown's company. 

He was waiting for B to come over after his mining shift. Today is the day their friendship will change forever. He's going to do it today. He's going to confess his feelings today. As soon as B comes over..

It's been awhile. Maybe he got hurt and had to see a medic? That has to be it. He’s never missed a day of coming over. B promised him he'd be careful aswell, so he's definitely not dead.

It's no big deal, he doesn't mind waiting.

…

B doesn't come over that day.

Today was the day, it had to be. He’ll confess to B. There had to be a reasonable explanation to why B didn't show up yesterday.

No, B doesn't owe Breakdown anything. He wasn't required to come over. But still… He missed B’s company.

…

…

B doesn't come over that day either.

Nor the next day.

Nor the day after that.

And the day after that.

Breakdown's brothers began questioning him as to why B hasn't been coming over, and the truth is, he didn't know. He couldn't give them a solid answer. He didn't know why B stopped visiting.

He stopped coming out of his room, only doing so when he had to. He stopped refueling, only doing so when he had to. He stopped talking to people, to his brothers, only doing so when he had to. He’s a mess. He started believing B was dead.

At first he started crying, all the time. He kept crying.. and crying.. and crying… until he had no tears left to fall.

Then he was just numb.

B was dead.

Sentinel ruined everything. He was the reason B is gone. He took B from him. Breakdown's glad he's dead, his only regret being that it wasn't by his own hands. He clenched his hands into fists.

He made the miners mine for the energon that was freely given to the quintessons. B was killed for no reason. 

Breakdown could hardly even touch energon after they learned the truth.

He had seen the live announcement that revealed Sentinel’s betrayal, and all he could feel was anger and sadness. Anger that B was used. Sadness that he could never again see the one he loved.

And then he had heard of the miner that had somehow gotten a cog, and killed Sentinel. He internally applauded him for killing Sentinel, but envied him because he was the one to do it. Perhaps that's why he was following him now. The stunticons had already planned to follow him anyway, but Breakdown's reasons were much different compared to his brothers.

Breakdown didn't understand why the other miner that had somehow gotten a cog didn't want revenge. All the miners were used and betrayed, why didn't they want revenge? He heard the other miner became a prime. There was a war brewing and they had to choose sides. He chose the side that was for avenging those like B.

He frantically looked all over in the stands, looking for one desperate last chance to find his love. Beside him, his brother pitied him.

“Dude.. I'm sorry but you have to get over it, B is gone.” Deadend said mid stretch. His facial expression is always hidden but it was obvious he wasn't happy saying it. His brothers missed B too. Breakdown didn't want to hear it but he knew he needed to. 

His spark ached… He wasn't focused. He wondered what would've happened if he knew B was watching, cheering him on. 

He only made it in the 90’s on the leaderboard.

Chapter Text

Had the mines always been this creepy? 

He knows he hasn’t been up there in between a long time and forever, but they’re so dark and eerie now. Maybe it’s because they didn't need to mine for energon since it's flowing again. The mines are practically abandoned now, and B hasn’t seen anyone else down here yet. 

Speak of Unicron because he just heard something.

“Who's there?!” B called out, probably not his best idea. Just yell into a cave alerting literally anyone of his location…yeah that was dumb. Only silence answered, but B swore he heard footsteps.

He turned in different directions, hoping to see whatever was out there.

Suddenly, something tackles him to the ground; B panicked and tried to shake them off. Though while they're on the ground, B realizes the attacker was making no attempts to harm him. That's strange. B finally looks back to see-

“Deadend?!”

“It's nice to see you again, B.” He didn't seem overjoyed but B guessed it was because he was always like that, Deadend just tackled him to show it. He always preferred actions over words to convey his thoughts and feelings. 

“Can you- can you get off me now? You're kinda heavy and squeezing me really tight.” B wheezed out.

“Sorry, I just.. got excited.”

Deadend got off, standing up and giving B a hand.

“You… you have a cog.” He pointed to B’s chest. “How? Where did it come from?” Deadend circled him to see what all changed, B watched as he did so. Deadend was also still as shiny as ever, he always took care of his frame no matter what.

“It's a reallyyyyy long story, I can tell you and the others all about it when-”

Wait..the others…Breakdown…..

“Breakdown..where is he?! I need to see him! wait..” B paused, “you're a decepticon..?” B found himself looking at the decepticon emblem on his chest. He just realizes that he shouldn't even be talking to a decepticon like this in the first place, but it's Deadend, so he doesn't care.

“We all are, and you're an autobot. I don't care about you being an autobot and I'm sure Breakdown won't either, but I can't just bring you back to decepticon base. However, I can let Breakdown know you're still alive-”

“Still alive?” B interrupted, “Of course I'm still alive, why wouldn't I be?”

Deadend was quiet for a moment, before gently grabbing B’s shoulders. “You disappeared a long time ago. We never knew where you went, and Breakdown thought the worst when you just suddenly stopped showing up. He waited and waited for you to come back. I…I'd never seen anyone look so depressed.”

“Darkwing come back! Please don't leave me here alone!”

Oh…right… 

It was cold. Even with the smelter right there, it felt cold without him…Without Breakdown…

“Well,” Deadend speaking again snapped him out of his thoughts, “wherever you went, we all thought you were dead.” 

“I'm sorry..” B’s voice must've started to crack because it alerted Deadend, “I didn't mean to disappear. I really didn't! I-I…” B lunged forward and wrapped his arms tightly around the decepticon. This is for sure considered treason.

B felt arms wrap around him as well.

“I'm just glad you're alive. Breakdown will be overjoyed as well.”

B was quiet for a moment, before dropping the bomb. “I was sent away.”

Deadend slightly pulled away from the hug, looking down at B.

“What…?”

“One of the guards.. Darkwing. He sent me down to the lowest sublevel of the mines. There was no way to get out from the inside.”

No matter how hard he punched or tried prying open the door, it wouldn't open. He wanted to leave so bad, to get back to his friend. He was supposed to see him today… 

B felt his arms being squeezed. He couldn't see Deadend’s face but he seemed…angry?

“Dead, you're squeezing my arm.” Deadend let go of B when he spoke up.

Nicknames were common amongst the five of them.

“I'm sorry.”

Deadend sighs heavily.

“You didn't deserve that.”

“The hurting my arms thing orrrrr..?” B questioned curiously.

“That glitch kidnapping you against your will .” B saw how he clenched his servos into fists.

Oh boy… B needs to change the subject. 

“Sooo, how have you been?”

Was that too fast? That was probably too fast. Man why does B do that? So awkward.

“I..” 

B sees how he shifts uncomfortably, probably due to the awkward subject change. Maybe he should've waited or asked something else.

“I've been ok.”

“That's good! I've been ok too! Especially since I met more best friends! They basically saved me from the isolation. You guys should meet them sometime! Not only have I met Orion and Elita, I have so many new friends too! Like Cliffjumper, Arcee, Jazz, Windblade, Ratchet, Prowl, Smokescreen- Oh! I have to bring Arcee with me you guys would love her-”

B rambled on and on about his new friends until the stunticon interrupted him.

Deadend shook his head.

“B, B…you don't understand. We can't just waltz into each other's bases. I'm sure Breakdown would love to see you but I can't exactly bring you to him yet.”

“Why can't I just sneak in? I'm actually really good at being stealthy. Elita sometimes tells me about how she “almost has a spark attack” when I accidentally sneak up on her!”

B recalls the time when Elita almost dropped all the stuff she was carrying when she turned around to see B after not knowing he was there.

“I'm sure you are but it's not a risk worth taking.”

Deadend paused for a moment, looking away. B thought he almost heard him chuckle.

“Breakdown's not a violent bot but he would strangle me if I let anything happen to you.”

B laughed fondly hearing that. He can't wait to see him again…how badly he wants to be held by him again.

He just got an idea.

“Can you send him to me somehow? Like… tell him to meet me somewhere at a certain time? That way, we'll be away from our bases and we won't have to worry about being caught!”

Deadend looked back up at him.

“That's not a bad idea. Do you have a place in mind?”

“Uhhhhhhhhhhhh”

the stunticon shook his head.

“I'm assuming that's a no.”

“Hey, cut me some slack! I haven't been out of sub lvl 50 for a long time!”

B fake pouted and crossed his arms over his chest.

“If you don't want to wait I could just go back to base now and send him over. That way, you-”

This time, it was B’s turn to tackle him in a hug, squealing.

“Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you!!!”

Deadend stumbled and they both almost fell to the ground but B wasn't exactly large enough to topple him over.

He hugged B back, patting his back.

“You're welcome, B. It's the least I can do.”

B was all happy and giddy inside. He didn't have to wait more than a day to see his best friend again! That's awesome!!! And he didn't even need to make up some place or time! Deadend will send Breakdown right to him! Holy Primus, he's so excited!

B’s practically bursting with joy and internally jumping up and down.

“Calm down B, I feel like you're about to short circuit and explode.”

Deadend could feel him basically shaking with excitement.

B took deep breaths, and then started squealing again.

“I can't help it!”

Deadend patted his back again one more time before pulling away from the hug, chuckling quietly.

“I'm glad that you're back and also that I'll finally be able to see him happy again…he lo- cares for you a lot.”

B felt these feelings in his spark. He couldn't name what they were, but it made him feel warm and fuzzy inside.

Deadend gave B one more short hug before transforming and drove away through a tunnel.

B smiled excitedly as he watched the con drive away. He picked a side of the wall and sat down so he can wait for when he can meet Breakdown again.

He forgot all about his mission as well.

Deadend’s driving back to base after exiting the mines. 

B is back. 

He’s alive and he’s back, Breakdown’s gonna love the news. The grief that had consumed him would finally go away and he'd be happy again, and if B loved Breakdown back, they could be happy together.

He could get used to B being his brother in law,

if he survived long enough to see them become conjunxes.

Breakdown sat in the corner of the barracks, wallowing in his grief.

32 cycles.

It's been 32 cycles since Breakdown last saw his best friend.

Since he was taken from him.

What is he even fighting for without B? 

How is he supposed to avenge him? Who is he supposed to kill when the culprit is already dead?

He should go refuel. He knows B would want him to. It's hard to let go of old habits when the grief reminds him of what he lost, but he's trying his best.

He stood up and walked out of the barracks, going to get some energon. There's been more of it since it started flowing again. He used to dream of when the energon started flowing after Sentinel brought back the matrix, and celebrating it with B. 

Looks like he's celebrating alone.

He walked into the energon storage and stood in the doorway for a moment, just staring at it all. All the energon they've been able to save up, since it started flowing all around the planet. The cubes were slightly bigger as well.

He hadn't been online long enough to enjoy the flowing energon for much long. He was still pretty young himself as well as B. B never got to see the energon flowing. 

He never would and that hurt Breakdown's spark. B worked hard to make this happen and he didn't even get to see what was achieved.

Breakdown slowly picked up an energon cube…

This is what B would want.

…

He put the cube in his mouth.

That wasn't so bad. He just needed to do it…3 times a day.

He stared at the energon on the shelves for a long moment, and just fell to his knees. The tears fell from his eyes as the quiet sobs escaped his voice box.

Why did the world hate him?

He's walking down a hallway after leaving the energon storage room until he hears the familiar engine of one of his brothers, stopping when he hears him.

“Deadend?”

His brother usually never drives inside the base, this must be important.

Deadend drove up to him and transformed back to bot mode. 

“This might

sound crazy, and you might not believe me-”

“Woah, woah, why wouldn't I believe you? You're not usually a liar.”

Deadend grabbed his shoulders.

“B is still alive.”

Breakdown stared at him wide-eyed in disbelief.

…

“WHAT.”

Chapter Text

Calm down, you're going to disturb half the base.”

Deadend sighed.

“Is this your idea of a sick joke!? You know how I feel about him.”

He had mixed feelings about this. He was getting angry. He hadn't meant to lash out but how couldn't he? On one hand he wanted to believe him, so he really wasn't making a cruel joke.

On the other, how could B still be alive? It's been so many cycles…so many cycles and nothing from him. 32 cycles of endless torture.

“I just saw him and talked to him just a bit ago.”

“He's really still alive…? Swear to me, right now.”

Breakdown was filled with a million questions.

How is B still alive?

Where did Deadend find him?

Where has B been all these cycles?

Why did he leave him…?

Does he still care about him…?

What is he thinking…of course he does!

“I swear. You're my brother, I would never do that to you.”

Deadend rests his hand on Breakdown's shoulder.

“I know how much he means to you, we all do.”

He nods, accepting it. Deadend is his brother, of course he wouldn't do that…Breakdown's emotions just clouded his thinking.

“Where is he?”

Breakdown will get to the bottom of this, he needs to know what happened.

“The mines, sub level 13. Just be prepared for the…changes.”

There was a short pause.

“... Should I be concerned?”

“No, you'll see.”

Breakdown sighed. He should also apologize.

“I'm…sorry I snapped at you.”

“I know you are.”

Deadend had probably exhausted his physical affection battery today already or he would have probably trapped Breakdown in a headlock and given his head a noogie.

Breakdown felt his life fill up with hope. B is alive…and he can finally see him again.

“Do you want me to tell the others that B’s alive?”

Breakdown thought about this.

“Yes, but don't tell them where we are. I just…want to see him first, and alone.”

“I get it. I know how much you love him.”

Breakdown's plating felt warm. Thinking about his feelings made him flustered.

“This is your chance, brother.”

Breakdown sighs and feels his head cloud with doubt.

“But what if he doesn't feel the same…what if we're really just friends?”

Deadend sighed and shook his head.

“Between you and me, I don't think that's the case.”

Breakdown decided not to pry into what Deadend means by that. For now he's just going to look forward to seeing B for the first time in 32 cycles.

32 cycles. The worst cycles of his life.

He squeezed Deadend in a hug and closed his eyes for a moment to just silently thank him for finding B.

Deadend hugged him back as well.

“You're both so alike.”

They both pulled away from the hug and Deadend offered one last plea of good luck.

“Now go get him, he's waiting for you.”

Breakdown nodded and transformed into his alt mode, putting petal to the metal. He's aware driving around the base isn't really allowed or least looked down upon, but he doesn't really care right now. He'll have to suffer the consequences when he gets back.

The mines. So this is the dreadful place that B was forced to work in all his life.

He can't imagine how awful it was for the miners to spend their days working in these confined spaces. Getting up, working almost all day, getting a bit of free time, and then going to sleep. 

Every single day.

One day, the day of Sentinel’s death. He made the miners work at least 22 shifts.

22.

If B was a part of that he's going to find Sentinel’s body and rip apart whatever is left of it.

Before he entered the mines he transformed back to bot mode, so that the rumble of his engine didn't collapse the entire place. He's aware his engine is pretty powerful, one of his traits he's most proud of as a racer.

As he walks he starts to see yellow in the distance, the moment that the yellow entered his vision he felt a light feeling in his spark that made him move his legs faster.

He started to run towards the yellow.

It's B!

He's really alive!

He slowed down as he got closer and stopped when he noticed…something off.

B looked sad. He was curled up with his knees to his chest.

Worst of all, he was muttering quietly to himself. He couldn't tell what he was saying but it was the same short sentence over and over again.

He called out to him, seeing as B didn't notice Breakdown quietly approaching him.

“B…?”

In an instant B snapped his head up to look at him. As if he wasn't having some kind of breakdown, he smiled brightly and was instantly filled with energy and excitement.

“Breakdown!!!!!”

B basically jumped up from the ground and tackled Breakdown to the ground in a hug in barely two seconds.

B, my love… 

Breakdown wastes no time in hugging him back. B is here in Breakdown's arms again. He doesn't ever want to let go of him.

He can't help how the tears start flowing from his eyes again. Why did Primus take so long to bless him like this? 32 cycles spent without B-127 was torture. It was anguish he never wants to feel again.

The hug must've turned into a ‘who can crush the other the hardest’ competition. They're both squeezing each other like their lives depend on it and it relieves Breakdown to know that B missed him as much as he did.

B must've noticed him crying, leaning up to cup one of Breakdown’s cheeks with his hand. B never did understand personal space, but it was ok, because Breakdown never minded.

“Stop crying…you're going to make me cry too.”

Breakdown reached up to cup one of B’s cheeks in return, finally mustering up the courage to use his voice box.

“B…you really are alive. Deadend wasn't lying.”

Breakdown started to sit up, still holding B with one arm and using the other to push them up. It then dawned on him about the ‘changes’ Deadend meant. 

B is much bigger than he was before. And the hole in his chest where his cog was missing, it's not there anymore! B was one of the miners that got a transformation cog!

“You can transform now?”

“Yeah! I can show you! Just…let me hug you longer.”

B laid his head on Breakdown's chest.

“Oh B, you can hug me for as long as you want.”

He squeezed B tighter, fearing that if he let go, he would lose him again.

B didn't let go, and Breakdown didn't blame him. He didn't want B to let go either.

“Where have you been all these cycles…I missed you so much B.”

Breakdown didn't want to just bombard him with questions, but he needed to know what happened to him.

“I'm sorry. I really wanted to get back to you but I was trapped. Sentinel had Darkwing send me down to sub level 50 and there was no way to get out from the inside.”

“sub level 50…I heard there were only 40 levels in the mines.”

The more Breakdown learns, the more he hates Sentinel.

“That's what me and my friends thought.”

B used his hand to wipe the tears from his eyes.

“Your friends?”

“My friends helped me escape sub level 50…Breakdown, I went to the surface.”

B’s mood seemed to brighten when he started rambling to Breakdown about the surface.

“The ground wasn't just metal, it was combined with some type of…organic stuff! It was so weird but cool at the same time. There were also these creatures with horns on their heads that could sense danger, and they walked on four legs! And the sky…it was so beautiful.”

B looked like he wanted to say something else, but the words were left unsaid. Breakdown wonders what he was going to say.

“Anyways…when me and my friends escaped, we went on this reallllllly long journey to find where the 13 primes died so that we could find the matrix and bring it back to Iacon so that we could fix everything and stuff, and we found that one of the Primes was actually still alive.”

As B talked, Breakdown listened. He looked at him with such adoration, just like he always did whenever B rambled about anything that he cared about. Whatever B cared about, Breakdown did too.

“He also showed us the truth about Sentinel. I mean I didn't really worship him as much as everyone else did but he…gave me a job and I just kinda…did it.”

“What was your job?”

“...watching trash burn.”

…

That son of a glitch.

B continued.

“My friends helped me realize that what he did was…not right. For the longest time I just felt happy that I was doing something for Sentinel, so I just did it without complaint. I didn't realize…that he just wanted to get rid of me. That I was just…discarded like trash.”

B held onto Breakdown tighter.

It just keeps getting worse and worse.

“You will never have to suffer from him again. I'm so sorry he did that to you.”

B continued again, deciding to change the topic of the story.

“After Alpha Trion showed us the truth, he gave us some of Prime’s t-cogs. I don't remember who I got though, I'll have to ask Optimus when I get back.”

“Wait, you have a prime t-cog? B, that's awesome.”

“I know right?! And here's the best part. I'm fast! I can race like you! If you uh…if you want to teach me.”

B sounded so excited at the thought of racing, it made Breakdown's spark flutter.

“B-127, I would be honored to teach you how to race.

Breakdown puts his hand over his spark.

B got even more giddy and euphoric at that. Primus, why is he so cute? His eyes lit up so happily.

They were still as blue as the purest energon.

Do it…just do it and get it over with.

“B…”

He moved his hand up to cup B’s cheek again, letting their faces get closer. He watched how B innocently let Breakdown pull him closer.

“I…”

…

“I'm glad I can finally see you again.”

Damn it. Oh well, better luck next time.

“It's been hard without you. I couldn't even look at energon when the truth was exposed. I thought my best friend was dead because of Sentinel.”

“I didn't get much energon in sub level 50. I think sometimes they even forgot I was down there.”

B sadly lifted his own hand up to his face to put it over Breakdown's hand.

“You're free from there, from Sentinel. No one will ever forget about you as long as I still live.”

Could that have worked as a love confession? Hell yeah. If only B knew that it was. 

Breakdown let their foreheads touch. Being this close to B made him feel like he was in the Allspark, his spark pulsing faster than normal with joy.

His face felt hot from being flustered, being this close to B, but his tank felt like it was twisting in a pit of anxiety. Why couldn't he say what he wanted to say?

Why couldn't he get the words out? The words that he wanted to say so bad, the feelings from the bottom of his spark.

The only conclusion that he could come to, was that he's scared.

Scared that B doesn't like him that way.

Scared that his feelings will ruin their friendship.

He doesn't want that. Breakdown doubts that B would react that bad, he knows B isn't like that. But there's a chance that their friendship would change and that it wouldn't be the same.

He can't risk that.

He can't risk losing one of the most precious things to him.

After almost half a klik of silence, B speaks up again.

“Can I show you my alt mode now?”

“I would love to see it B, but let's get out of the mines first. We don't want to cause a cave in.”

“Got it!”

B stood up off the ground before Breakdown did the same.

Now that he's got an accurate comparison, Breakdown can clearly see just how much height B gained after getting a transformation cog, and just how much he's changed. 

As ever, he looks like he was forged by Solus Prime herself.

It was like he couldn't take his eyes off him.

Before, B was only able to reach just above his waist. He could pick him up so easily.

Now B is almost above his chassis. He wonders if he could still easily pick him up.

Breakdown was ready to start walking before B grabbed his attention.

“Oh! I almost forgot!”

He looked over at him and then saw that his face was now completely covered. A mask? Now that's cool.

“I have a battle mask now! OH! and watch this.”

B got into some…interesting standing position.

“Knife hands!”

And then suddenly, energon knives came out the top of his wrists.

“Woah…”

He couldn't help his amazement. He didn't have cool weapons like that, he was a bit jealous but that made him love B more.

“And that's not all, look at my cool blaster!”

He retracted the knife hands and transformed one of his hands into his blaster.

“Wow, B. That's pretty awesome weaponry you got there.”

He put his hands on his hips and looked B up and down. He still couldn't get over B’s new looks. He looked so different but also still somewhat the same, if that made sense.

B transformed his blaster back to his hand and retracted his mask, revealing that ecstatic and beautiful smile.

“I'll have to put you to the test at some point. Maybe we can spare some time.”

Breakdown proposed the idea.

“I don't wanna fight you though.”

“We're not actually gonna fight, just think of it as…testing each other's skills.”

When they finally start walking, B grabs Breakdown's hand with his own, and holds it. If only B could know how much his affection affected the con, cause it made his spark start racing faster.

However, he couldn't find it in his spark to reject it.

After much running and sneaking around, they made it out of the mines and to the edge of Iacon city. 

Whenever an autobot was approaching, one of them would pull the other closer into a hiding spot until the bot was gone.

Being a decepticon, Breakdown couldn't exactly walk around freely like B could. Though B could go wherever he wanted, he stuck by Breakdown and snuck around with him.

B turned to him.

“You ready to take a trip to the surface?”

“If it's as beautiful as you…as you say.”

How does one almost make that kind of slip up? He can't confess his feelings but he'll make mistakes like that?

“Then I'm glad that I get to see it with you.”

He can't tell him where the decepticon base is, especially since it's on the surface. He'd probably get executed for it. He'll just pretend he's never seen it.

B took the initiative of transforming first, showing off his alt mode to Breakdown.

Breakdown looked him over and tried to see every detail. The bright yellow with the black stripe is beautiful.

It looked like his own with his red stripe down the middle just like B’s.

“You look great B, I see a potential elite racer in front of me! I just know you'll be as awesome as me!”

He couldn't help the compliments, but he'll cut back on them to make his adoration less obvious.

B’s engine revved at that.

“How about a race…me and you to the surface!”

“Oh you're on! Get ready to eat my dust.”

Breakdown couldn't help but taunt while transforming into his alt mode, it's in his nature!

“Do you have what it takes to back up that statement?”

B teased.

“B, I was a racer in the Iacon 5000.”

Breakdown says it like it's his biggest accomplishment.

“Really?! You were In the Iacon 5000?! That's so awesome! What place did you get?”

B says in awe.

“Oh um, I was in the top 10.”

He lied.

“Cool! Now that I know that my best friend is basically a champion, that makes you a very worthy opponent!”

B revved his engine again.

“Three.”

Breakdown revved his own back, and initiated a countdown.

“Two.”

They both revved their engines at the same time.

“One!”

They both took off and like Breakdown thought, he left B in his dust.

It's barely been 10 nano-kliks and Breakdown is already ahead of B, and he's not even at his top speed, it almost makes him feel bad. 

This is B’s first race against him, he should go a bit easy on him.

He throttled back and slowed down a bit, at least enough for B to start to catch back up with him.

“I'm doing it! I'm racing you!”

“You are! Now try to keep up!”

Breakdown laughed

One solar-cycle, he'll have to get his brothers to race with them as well, and they can all race together.

Soon they reach a point in the race where the atmosphere changes. It's like there's a strong wind pushing him! But it's not strong enough to keep him back.

He pushes through it, adjusting his mirror to check on B to make sure he's still ok. 

B is struggling just as much as Breakdown, if not a bit more. He'll keep an eye on B and the road to make sure he doesn't get hurt.

Almost there…..almost there…..

They finally reach the surface, and just like always, it's beautiful.

Just like B.

Their magical road ends and they start racing on the surfaces half metal half organic ground. 

And like he did before, he limited his speed to help B stay caught up.

In the distance he sees that abandoned structure he's seen before, and decides to make that the finish line.

“First one to that old rusty structure wins!”

B’s engine revved as he tried to go faster, and in Breakdown's mirror he saw that B did indeed speed up a bit. Good, he's improving.

They're quickly approaching the finish line and Breakdown speeds up to avoid hurting B as he activates his energon boosters.

He likes to make an exit as he wins.

He reaches the structure in no time, transforming with style and spinning around, landing on his feet.

“WOO!!!”

B soon caught up and skidded to a stop, transforming back into bot mode. He was almost out of breath but he looked to be running on adrenaline 

“Oh Primus, that was awesome!”

He wheezed.

Yup, he's winded. First racing match will do that to you.

Breakdown took him by the hand and started walking decently slowly, gently pulling at B to come along.

“Let's go on a walk, stopping movement so suddenly after going fast like that won't be good on your body.”

Breakdown's much more used to going at high speeds like that, and much more equipped to handle the adrenaline high.

B held Breakdown's hand back and followed.

“Gotcha.”

As they walked and talked, he looked up into the sky.

The stars. 

There's so many of them, and they're so bright.

In a way, they remind him of B. His bright personality shines brighter than any star up there.

“They're so pretty.”

B’s voice snaps Breakdown out of his thoughts and he looks down at B, smiling.

“Yeah, they are.”

Breakdown looked ahead of them and found that there was a place they could rest now that B is more calm.

“Hey, see that patch of green stuff over there? We could lay down and rest over there for now, if you want.”

“Yeah! That's so weird.”

“What is?”

He looked at B curiously.

“That it's green now, I mean maybe it was the matrix reviving the planet or something but before, when I went on that journey with my friends, it looked so brown and dead.”

Breakdown got down on the ground and laid on the semi-soft green stuff, B did the same and laid right next to him.

They were so close together they were touching, just like they used to when they laid on his berth together after a hard day for B. When Breakdown used to comfort B and let him rest.

They may not be able to be together, thanks to their different factions. But they can at least do the stuff they did together before B disappeared.

With bravery, Breakdown wrapped his arms around B tightly. He tried not to hug him too tight, but…forgive him but he hasn't seen B in 32 cycles.

B must not have minded the squeeze, he hugged back just as tightly.

He may be bigger than before but he still feels small within Breakdown's arms.

They both lay there, nestled in each other's arms and staring up at the night sky.

It's not long before B breaks the silence, to which Breakdown did not mind.

“Did you know that the stars are like, sort of alive? They live for billions of cycles longer than us and then they explode and die?”

A little morbid, but an interesting fact nonetheless.

“That's interesting. How do they die?”

He asks B questions to keep the conversation going, knowing B would appreciate having something to talk about.

“They run out of fuel and collapse under their own gravity! That sounds so unnatural, but it's actually true. I learned that through some of the archive disks that were thrown out with the rest of the trash. I learned some pretty cool facts from them, I don't know why people thought they were useless, I guess no one thought that they were important and were just taking up too much space.”

Breakdown listened to every word B said, but his spark was conflicted between being sad and confused. It sounded like B was talking about himself like he was trash with his words, but the opposite with his tone. It was confusing, and Breakdown just hoped it was the opposite. He didn't want B to feel like he was trash, when he's the most valuable thing ever in Breakdown's eyes.

B continued.

“I tried salvaging them whenever I saw them drop through the chute, gathered up quite a few. I also played dominoes with them!”

There was a pause before B pointed to the sky.

“Look up there! Those stars look like one of those creatures with the horns!”

He looked up at the sky in the direction B was pointing in, and surely enough, the brighter stars outlined a Cyber-Deer.

“It does.”

Breakdown dragged out the conversation.

“They're called Cyber-Deer, and the horns on their head help them sense danger. It's like one of their instincts.”

“That's cool! How did you know that?” 

Uh oh.

“Umm…I also occasionally listened to some data disks.”

It hurt his spark to lie to B, but it was necessary…for both of their safety.

“Awesome! What else do you know?”

B pressed for more, obviously very intrigued.

He's already gone with the lie, it's too late to back out of it now. Time to quickly think of something…

“Um…did you know that Cyber-Bats are blind and use echolocation to see by using their voice?”

Nothing too fascinating, but good enough.

“Woah I didn't know that, that's really cool. I wanna see by using my voice too! Man, that sounds awesome.”

B was genuinely interested, it was cute.

They stayed looking up at the stars for a while, until Breakdown noticed their conversation had been quiet for too long and had turned into quiet muttering.

He looked down and saw the cutest thing ever. B was asleep in his arms.

He felt his spark flutter and felt the urge to be completely still as a statue so that he didn't accidentally wake B up.

It's not the first time they've slept like this, it's just that it's been so long, he almost forgot what it was like…

Scratch that, he's never forgotten.

He'll never forget what it's like to have B snuggled in his arms, what it's like for them to be so vulnerable with each other.

It wasn't the smartest idea to fall asleep out in the open on the surface, but it's ok. He'll stay awake to protect B and let him sleep for a bit longer.

He won't let anything touch him.

Chapter Text

It was still night when B was heading back to base. Breakdown had previously woke him up after falling asleep. He didn't mean to fall asleep on him, B hopes he didn't offend him or make Breakdown think he's boring…he was just really comfortable.

He's the bestest friend that B could ask for! and now that he's back they can hang out a lot more, just like they used to!

He's sneaking back to the base that was prepared in Iacon while on the brink of war, trying to get back to his room without being seen. He wished his other best friends didn't start fighting. 

He hopes he doesn't have to fight Breakdown like that.

He's about to sneak around the corner until-

“B! There you are!”

Oh no.

It's Optimus, and B thinks he's mad.

“Where were you? I was looking all over for you and trying to comm you! Do you have any idea how worried I was?”

Optimus puts his hand on B’s shoulder.

“I thought you were kidnapped by decepticons.”

Ok, maybe he's not mad. Just upset.

Maybe he should just tell the truth…but then what if he forbids him from seeing Breakdown again?

“Sorry about that.”

“It's ok, just keep in touch next time. I'd rather not have you go missing again. Where were you?”

Optimus questions with curiosity.

“I uh…”

Should he lie? Should he tell the truth? Primus, help him!

“I was…taking a walk. I needed some fresh air and I guess I forgot to turn on my comms.”

He really did forget to turn his comms on, cause he never received anything from Optimus.

“I get it. We're in a really stressful situation with a war in the foreseeable future. Just…try not to wander too far from Iacon, alright? I don't want you to be ambushed. There haven't been any full scale attacks yet but I don't trust that the current peace will last.”

“Got it!”

B gave his friend a salute and a bright smile, and that seemed to be enough for him.

Optimus gave a nod, starting to walk away.

“See you tomorrow, friend.”

B watched as Optimus walked away and when he left his sight, B let out a big sigh of relief.

He finally got to walk to his room without interruption, walking in and letting the door slide shut behind him.

B let out another smaller sigh, knowing he was in the comfort of his own room.

“I'm just gonna sleep the night away.”

He sleepily mutters.

He climbs in his berth and lays down on his side, the most comfortable position for him.

Breakdown appeared in his imagination beside him, holding him…holding him in his arms again.

B’s spark started pulsing a bit faster when he thought about him, he couldn't sleep.

He finally reunited with his best friend after…how long was he down in sub level 50? He doesn't think Breakdown mentioned just how long they've been apart. However long it was, it was too long.

B doesn't think he should tell anyone either. All the other autobots seem to hate the decepticons. They won't understand that Breakdown isn't like the others.

This is one thing he has to keep his mouth shut about. It'll be hard not having anyone to talk to about Breakdown, but he can manage.

He still can't sleep.

The silence is deafening.

B doesn't know which was worse. The constant noise from the smelter during the day, or the complete silence at night.

He swears he could hear the flames from the furnace, it's still fresh in his mind.

“I'm not there anymore…”

He mutters.

He's not there anymore.

“I'm not there anymore…I'm not there anymore…”

He mutters again, afraid.

He feels like he's laying by the conveyor again.

“Hey, B?”

The sudden comm from his new friend Arcee scared the slag out of him, making him gasp. But at least it brought him back to reality.

“Yeah? What's up?”

He replied, putting his hand up to his audio receptor.

“I hope I didn't wake you, but I couldn't sleep.”

“No no, it's totally cool! I actually couldn't sleep either so I was still awake.”

“Great! I mean not great that you can't sleep, but great that I didn't wake you.”

Arcee clarified.

“Yeah, I know what you mean.”

B softly smiled, relaxing.

He let himself breathe.

“Do you mind if I come over to your room? I know you love talking and I was hoping we could do just that.”

“Yeah! I'm always down for a nice chat with my friends.”

This is perfect, at least he won't be alone tonight.

“be there in two kilks!”

“Sooo, what's your favorite thing to do at night?”

Arcee inquiries about B’s hobbies.

“Well, I usually sleep.”

B giggled before continuing.

“But other than that, I try to make a bit of noise sometimes, maybe tinker with stuff. I like making things!”

Arcee was genuinely invested and wanted to know more.

“Oooo! Can you show me some things you made?”

“I've made small versions of my friends, Look!”

B got up off the berth and went to find his mini friends. 

He checked through one of his room's subspace for the items. Once he found them, he picked up his mini version of Optimus, Elita, Arcee, Cliffjumper, and Jazz. He hasn't started making his figures for Windblade, Ratchet, Smokescreen, or Prowl yet though, he'll make sure to show them to Arcee once he's done.

He was about to stand back up before another small figure caught his eye. 

The mini figure he made of Breakdown.

He had made that a while ago in sub level 50 some time after he was left down there. He hadn't gotten the chance to paint it blue yet, so it's just multiple shades of gray from the scrap metal he made it out of for now.

He had hidden it under the others so that no one would find it.

Should he show that one to Arcee? She's one of his new best friends so… and she can't forbid him from seeing Breakdown like Optimus can.

“You ok over there, B?”

B almost jumped at her sudden voice.

“Yeah, I was just thinking about something.”

He reached down and grabbed the gray figure. He then stood up and looked at it while holding the other figures in his arms.

He's got something of Breakdown to keep him company when they're not together, it made B smile.

He walked back over to his berth, figures in his arms. He set them down on the berth when he sat down, laying them out for Arcee to see.

He pointed at each one when he said their names.

“That one's Optimus, Elita, Jazz, you, Cliffjumper, and…Breakdown.”

“You made a mini-me? Awww!”

She was genuinely grateful, and then the terrifying question came after.

“Wait, who is Breakdown?”

“He's…one of my best friends.”

Honestly B was hoping she'd drop it after that but boy was he wrong.

“Oh? He's not an autobot that I've heard of, tell me about him.”

“Well, that's the thing.”

Yikes, here goes nothing.

“He's not exactly…an autobot.”

He tried to say it with full confidence but he couldn't stop his voice from going quiet at the end.

“You're…friends with a decepticon…?”

Arcee had a look that B couldn't quite figure out what it was. She asked him like she was scared for his safety.

“Yeah but, listen! He's a good one!”

B frantically tries to explain to Arcee that he's not a bad guy, he's just…well he didn't know why Breakdown joined the decepticons but B knows he must have his reasons!

“He won't hurt me, he'd never hurt me.”

“B, are you sure ? You know the decepticons are dangerous. We're literally on the verge of war with them.”

Arcee's playful demeanor was almost gone now, and B feels bad he even said anything. 

“We've been best friends…all our lives. Way before I ever even got sent down to sub level 50.”

B sadly tried to explain how deep their friendship went.

“We were like…Optimus and Megatron. Well, before the whole betrayal and going to war thing.”

“And how do you know he won't betray you too?”

Wow, they definitely weren't the best example to use now that B thinks about it.

“Arcee please, you don't know him like I do! He won't hurt me!”

“Ok B, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you so upset. I'm just worried for you. With the whole war thing…it's stressing me out.”

Arcee hugs herself with her arms in self comfort.

“I think It's stressing everyone out, Especially Optimus.”

B sighed, he didn't know how long they were safe for. It scared him.

B laid down on the berth, laying on his side again.

Arcee laid next to B, facing him.

“Tell me about your friend.”

B’s glad she asked.

“I stuck out with him to go to the surface, well, more like a race to the surface. Unfortunately, he won. But hey, I mean it was my first real race, so I can't be too much of a sore loser.”

Thinking about the race made him all giddy inside. He really can't wait to race more with him!

“You know the surface is really dangerous right? With all the, y'know… quintessons .”

Arcee chimed in.

“But I wasn't alone, I was with Breakdown.”

“Sorry to say, B. But the two of you aren't enough to take down quintessons if you're found by them. Especially a whole army. Now…tell me more about him. What's he like?”

“He's really nice to me. Back before sub level 50 I would go to his place every solar-cycle after my mining shift was over. If I was ever hurt or dirty, he'd patch me up and ask one of his brothers to polish my armor.”

“Every solar-cycle?”

“ Every solar-cycle…until Sentinel had Darkwing abandon me down in sub level 50.”

B sighed, holding the mini-Breakdown closer to him.

“I made this in sub level 50. I didn't know how long I was gonna be down there, so…I made this.”

B sighed sadly.

“I didn't want to forget what he looked like.”

Arcee looked at him, just as sadly as he was.

“Did you ever forget..?”

What a silly question, though he couldn't blame her for asking.

“... Never. I thought about him… Every . Single. Solar-cycle.”

There was a moment of silence before Arcee looked at the mini-Breakdown carefully.

“I noticed there's no colors on it yet, what does he look like?”

B pictured Breakdown in his mind, and Primus, he was gorgeous.

“He’s mostly blue, like energon but darker, with some white, and his eyes…are a beautiful yellow like the sunrise.”

B didn't realize he was smiling and spacing out until Arcee caught onto him and started teasing him.

“Ooooo~ you have a cruuuush~”

“What? No! We're just friends. The bestest of friends ever!”

B tried to laugh it off while trying to think of an excuse or topic change, holding the mini-Breakdown close to his chest.

Arcee continued to tease him.

“You totally do! Don't worry B, I got your back. If you need to sneak out, I got you covered. Just uh…be careful wherever you do go, ok? I don't want you being attacked by quintessons or anything.”

“Got it.”

“Mind if I sleep here tonight? Like a sleepover?

B excitedly accepted the idea.

“Duh!”

He moved over to hug her and she did the same for him. It didn't feel the same when he was cuddling with Breakdown, but he didn't expect it to be. He saw Arcee like a sister. 

At least he wasn't alone tonight.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Breakdown went back to his own base after waking B up and then exchanging comms. 

He was filled with a newfound anger after learning what happened to B.

Walking in the base, he decided to swing by the control room. But to his surprise, Deadend, Dragstrip, and Wildrider were already there.

“Find him.”

Since Deadend had previously spoken to B, Breakdown knew he'd know the context.

“Already on it.”

Deadend comments, without even looking away from the panel.

“This loser’s gonna regret messing with our future brother in law!”

Dragstrip exclaimed.

“Yeah! We'll tear off his wings and then shove them down his throat!”

Wildrider promises, and Breakdown quietly agrees.

No one that hurts B-127 will escape from them alive.