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Breakdown's job wasn't perfect.
The owner of DeceptiCafé was very no-nonsense, and the general manager constantly had some new thing to ‘scream’ about. Fitting, given his name, Breakdown supposed.
The pay was fine. Enough to get by modestly in Kaon. Breakdown never cared all that much about the finer things, anyway. He got what he needed.
The part he did enjoy was the people watching and getting to know the clientele. Customers coming and going, casually eavesdropping when things were slow upfront.
It was interesting to see all of the lives that passed by through the small coffee shop.
But none were more interesting than his favorite customer.
Dr.Knockout always came in like a model on a runway, the same servo on the same hip as he struts to Breakdown's register.
He always goes to Breakdown to order, his coworkers swear up and down that Knockout walked in and immediately walked out on a day that Breakdown had called in sick. Breakdown doesn't really believe that one, though.
And he always gets the same thing. A macchiato with two shots of Energon espresso and a spoonful of insecticon honey, as well as an almond croissant.
Knockout started ordering the croissant with his drink when Breakdown mentioned he was the one who did the baking. He lines up the baking schedule so that the almond croissants are fresh when Knockout arrives.
Knockout also always tips Breakdown extremely well. Almost too well. He also always insists that his tips are specifically for Breakdown and no one else.
Starscream and Knockout once got into a screaming match over this. Breakdown just kinda let them at it while he made Knockout's drink and grabbed his croissant.
It was crazy to him that Knockout won the exchange, and Starscream never forced Breakdown to split his tip when it specifically came from Knockout. He also thinks that Knockout started tipping even more just to be spiteful.
He’s not going to complain; credits are credits at the end of the day.
The real reason Knockout is Breakdown's favorite customer is because of their conversations with each other.
Knockout always has a new patient story to tell, and Breakdown trades it with a customer story. And as much as Knockout enjoys to talk, he also listens to Breakdown intently. It became a nice routine between the two.
Today, Breakdown could sense something was wrong the moment Knockout walked through the door, the little bell ringing with the arrival. He had his usual strut, but Breakdown could tell there was something there. A tension in Knockout's shoulders that concerned him.
As much as Knockout is a customer, Breakdown has also started to regard him as a friend. But professional standards came first. “Hey K.O. The usual?”
“Ah, Yes Darling. Please.” Knockout responded, taking out his wallet. A striking red leather wallet that Knockout always took out of his subspace with his left hand, but always put it back with the right.
Breakdown doesn't even know when he started noticing that.
“7.79, as always.” Breakdown responds as Knockout hands him his credit card and his tip in the form of physical credits.
As Breakdown turns to start making the drink, he realizes how quiet Knockout is. Usually, he would be chatting up a storm without even being prompted by Breakdown.
The silence is mildly unnerving.
Breakdown quickly makes the drink and grabs the croissant, grabbing extra napkins like always as well, since Knockout hates getting crumbs or stains on himself.
But as he places it on the counter and Knockout reaches to grab the items, Breakdown does something that surprises even himself.
He gently places his hand on top of Knockout's, causing the ladder’s optics to look up and meet his. They stand there for a moment before Breakdown finally pulls away, blushing slightly.
“Everything okay, Knockout? You've been quiet this whole time.” Breakdown asks, the concern clear in his voice, and trying to get to the topic he was actually going to try and get to.
“Ah, Well…” He hesitates. Breakdown doesn't think he's ever seen Knockout do that before. “A long shift, Darling. Nothing one of your wondrous coffees can't fix.”
Knockout smiles, but it doesn't seem to reach his optics. Breakdown wonders if it would be rude to press further, but his expression gives away his disbelief to Knockout almost immediately.
Surprisingly, though, Knockout sighs, glancing around the currently empty Cafe, as it is almost closing time, before meeting Breakdown's optics again. “I lost a patient today. Which obviously isn't uncommon in my line of work, but…”
Breakdown doesn't look away, doesn't move, just waits for Knockout's words silently, giving him the time to process.
“A sickly sparkling. One so young, who fought to live for so long… I suppose it did get me a bit down in the dumps.” He finally finishes and takes a sip of his coffee.
Breakdown doesn't know what to say. He's never really experienced something like that, but he knows that he wants to help Knockout through it.
“I… I close up the cafe in 15 minutes, if you have time, we can… Get dinner together and maybe take your mind off it?” He cringes, it sounds stupid as it came out of his voice box. Breakdown is a Barista. Knockout's favorite, but still just a minimum wage employee. There's no way-
“I… think I'd like that.” Knockout responds softly, giving Breakdown the softest, most genuine smile he's ever seen on that faceplate. “Plus, I've been waiting for you to ask me out.”
Holy crap, he actually said yes. Breakdown’s processor did not crash, and he did not have to reset his voice box in order to squeak out a “...Wait, What?”
Knockout laughs, which seems to ease his mood. Breakdown takes that as a win, despite the embarrassment.
And so, Breakdown brought a chair up to the counter, and they talked. Their topics are a bit softer and more personal this time, talking about themselves rather than work. Hobbies, things they enjoy, what life is like in Kaon.
They both find out they're from different parts of Velocitron. Breakdown opens up about how he never really fit in there, and that's how he ended up here. Knockout responds with how he was offered a position at the city's hospital.
Knockout’s spirits slowly rise, and by the time 15 minutes goes by, they're talking like they always do, but there's something different as well. Softer and more intimate.
Breakdown takes the key out as he locks the front doors to the place, slightly surprised when Knockout links his arm around his, a warm smile on Knockout's face.
“Thank you, Breakdown.” He says, and Breakdown just smiles back as they walk down the street.
“You're welcome, Knockout.”