Work Text:
Coming back to life was the last thing Breakdown was expecting. Just like everyone else, he thought that when his spark left his body, he would go to the Well and spend…well, okay he wasn’t really sure what to expect after death but coming back after all these years that went passed wasn’t what was meant to happen.
Earth seems about the same with its humans and plant life but the technology appears more…similar to their own. Different but the same. However, the one thing that never changes is the road. The same paved roads that take you from point A to point B without much thought put into where they’ll go.
Even now, Breakdown had taken to walking along them as he makes his way to Crown City. It’s barely visible from where he was but there’s a familiarity to it that he can’t help shaking. He never once stepped foot into that city however, somehow, he knows every side street and tiny market tucked away in the far corners.
A city that he once lived in but never stepped foot in.
“Just keep walking and you’ll get there,” Bulkhead said. “I’ve given you the location where you can find your guide, he’ll help you out.”
“And why can’t you do it?”
It’s a good question but one that seems to have Bulkhead spooked. The two had met up at the medical center here on Earth a few hours ago. It’s a good thing too since Ratchet wasn’t giving Breakdown any information about what he had missed out on. Other than Megatron and maybe Optimus are died while Cybertron had been rebuilt. Nothing else was important enough to share, it seems.
“It’s probably better that I don’t go.”
Before Breakdown could ask anymore, Bulkhead is already leaving back the way that they came.
…
Without much else to do, Breakdown took his time in walking to the city and taking in the area around him. There’s not much to write home about unless you want to know about every tree and the closing distance of the city as he grows closer. None the least, he gave him the time to process some of the information that he was given.
Ratchet haven’t given much other than sending him away to Crown City to find work. It’s something that most that come to Earth are looking for, and those that had chosen to remain on Earth even though Cybertron was an option. When asked, Breakdown was given the cold shoulder and told to get going.
Many that had fought in the war had chosen to remain on Earth and find work among the humans instead of returning.
Breakdown reach the bridge leading into the city but stops before crossing. He pulls up his notes – making another note to make it more readable later – and finds the coordinates of where he needs to go. There’s also another note about finding work…and a much smaller note to find Knockout but he quickly shuts it before he even process what he’s reading.
Finding the main site wasn’t hard since it’s located down at the harbours; a mix of Transformers and humans are working together to shut the place down for the night. A few had greeted Breakdown with kindness while others try to figure out where they know him from but Breakdown doesn’t give them the time. One thing that he was told by Ratchet and Bulkhead was to keep his head down and maybe he wouldn’t be killed again.
He did scoff at their suggestion but as he walks among bots again, he’s starting to take them up on that.
“Breaker, over here!” A bot waves at him, making Breakdown quicken his pace. “Name’s Scrapper, head of the Constructicons.” Scrapper held a hand out to shake with Breakdown. “Ratchet told me that you were looking for work. Now, I would be happy to accept you but there is a hiring thing that we have to go through.”
“And what would that be?” Breakdown ask, taking a moment to look around and noting where other Constructicons are packing up for the night.
“Our boss, of course!” Scrapper chuckles. “Sorry, he hates it when we used that but if the shoe fits! Or whatever the human saying is.”
Scrapper brought Breakdown over to a small section of the harbor that’s taken up by a building that can house both Transformers and Humans. There’s already a few hanging around that greet Scrapper as they walk past and to an office off to the side. Scrapper motion to the chair in front of the desk before taking a seat himself.
“We’ll get you housing tonight and then you’ll go to the east side of the city with Hook to work on a few businesses that need fixing.” Scrapper had to sort through a few data pads before finding one that he hands to Breakdown. “Boss plans on stopping by at the end of the week to meet with you. Any questions?”
“Just like that, I have a job?”
Scrapper chuckles; softening up a bit at the sight of a bewildered Breakdown.
“Why do you think so many from the War came back to Earth?” Scrapper question. “Crown City is the biggest city for Cybertronians and Humans alike, with a few others scattered around the globe. However, the difference between us and them is that work is easy to come by because we’re always looking and our boss made sure that Vets will always have a place here if they need it.”
Breakdown frowns at the mention of Scrapper’s boss again.
“Now, it’s getting late and I’m sure you’re itching to check out your new place.”
Breakdown follows Scrapper to the door before heading out with a simple: thanks. It’s a bit overwhelming but for the first time, his mind isn’t scrambling to the betrayal or trying to keep Knockout from getting to roughed up on.
He follows the map to an apartment complex next to the harbor and went up a few floors before finding his door. It takes a moment before Breakdown opens it to reveal a simple, clean, apartment that he wasn’t expecting. Everything is a lot to take in but he knows that he should get some recharge for the morning.
Sure, he might be falling back into the routine of being a Con but it’s better than stirring in the silence.
…
The first few days went by without much thought and the work comes easily enough. Breakdown never thought about what had caused the destruction but he wasn’t sure if he would even get an answer. Hook seems alright even though he boosts a bit too much for Breakdown’s liking, especially when the work is finish and people gush about it.
Breakdown ignores his crew when they return back to base and went about getting some Energon before they head out again. When he shut the fridge, a drawing has been pinned to the fridge. It seems to be a drawing of the port with the moon setting and a few ships in the process of docking. Art have been something that Breakdown was never that interested in but there’s something strangely human about it.
“Oh!” Hauler suddenly – and gently – push Breakdown out of the lay to take the drawing from the fridge to show the rest of the room. “Little Artist made another masterpiece!” With quick feet, Hauler went around to everyone in the breakroom to show off the drawing, and making sure everyone had the chance see it.
“Little Artist?” Breakdown ask Scrapper as he takes a sit across from the guy.
“One of the Boss’ kids.” Scrapper takes the drawing when Hauler hands it to him; smiling softly at the sight of it before setting it on the table. “He’s a bit standoffish but loves creating, always coming up with something new for us but it’s quite difficult for newcomers to meet the kid.”
…
The end of the first week finally came but Breakdown had completely forgot about the Boss is coming today and completely ignore Scrapper’s call to his office in favour of going to the lockers. A fire had broken out on the west side of the city and they were stuck cleaning up the mess before they could even think about fixing it.
Breakdown did complain a bit but went quiet when families – both human and Cybertronian – had came to have lunch with them, and telling them how thankful they were that the crew was doing this. It’s hard to be short with the people of Crown City when so many are nice to him.
“Breaker!” Scrapper calls again, startling Breakdown. “The Boss wants to meet ya.”
Breakdown quickly shut his locker before following the Loader into the back office…where he stops in his tracks at the sight of the last bot he was expecting to be here.
Much like Optimus, no one really talks about Bumblebee. It’s like the Scout fell off the face of the Earth and became nothing more than old rumors and quick glances. There’s a carefree expression on his face as he reviews the reports that Scrapper had given him, very different from the last time Breakdown had seen him.
“Boss, I would like to introduce Breaker.” Scrapper motion to Breakdown, making Bumblebee to turn to face him with a curious look that never really changes. “Breaker is our star quarterback with twelve repairs in this week alone, much more impressive than any of the other newcomers.”
“Not surprising, Breaker has always been hard working.”
That’s caused his head to spin again at the sound of an unfamiliar voice coming from a bot that he never thought could speak. Breakdown had heard about what happened to the Scout but its not like the two knew one another before that.
“Can you give us the room, Scrapper?” Bumblebee ask while handing the report back to Scrapper.
The Constructicon didn’t have any problems with that as he gathers a few things, patting Breakdown on the shoulder, before leaving the room. A tense silence spreads across the room that holds tightly to Breakdown while Bumblebee only watches him; taking the time to look him over like a drill sergeant looking for any weaknesses.
Breakdown couldn’t help with straighten up a bit.
“How work’s been treating you?” Bumblebee ask; still to carefree for Breakdown’s liking. “What about the city?”
It feels like there’s a threat lingering within those questions but the Scout doesn’t look or even act any different.
“It’s fine, both the work and the city.” Breakdown quickly tacks on. “How did you…”
“The voice?” Bumblebee pins the exact question that Breakdown was looking for. “Omega lock.”
“I’m going to pretend I know what you mean by that.” Breakdown glance outside to see a few members of his crew are watching so he shut the door behind him before leaning against the wall next to it. “So, you run the harbor? Not the worst gig you could’ve gotten.”
“Actually, I’m the one who created this city.” Bumblebee chuckles at the shock expression on Breakdown’s face, even though he tries to smooth it out quickly. “It’s easier for everyone that I lie and say that Optimus was the one that did it. However, a few of the early inhabits believed otherwise.” There’s a soften express that slips through before going back to a more natural one.
“And you have kids?” Breakdown ask, remembering the drawing from earlier.
“I do.” Bumblebee pulls up a picture of three Sparklings – though on the older side. There’s also a flyer that’s holding two of the smaller ones while Bumblebee keeps a hand on the third. “They’re good kids, despite the trouble they find themselves in. I guess it’s karma for all the trouble that I put Ratchet and Optimus through when I was a kid.” He looks fondly at the picture before closing it. “Anyways, I wanted to check on you, mostly because Ratchet asked but also because I wanted to.”
“Well, I’m just fine.”
Bumblebee couldn’t stick around anymore after that due to a call coming from the north side of the city that needs his attention. He gives Breakdown a number to call if he needs anything before rushing out of the door; though, Breakdown can hear him greet people as he went passed.
"So, what is your problem with Bumblebee, Bulkhead?” he asks aloud to the room, leaning back into his chair for a moment.
Breakdown told Scrapper that he was heading home when the Constructicon came back, who just wishes him a good night. There’s much to go over when he gets back to his apartment and more questions that have been left opened with no answers to be found.
At least, he won’t be bored in this city.