Chapter Text
”What is all this white stuff everywhere?” You mutter, stomping through the white, wet, powdery stuff. It’s a clear day, perfect for an outing. If it wasn’t for the thick drifts of this…substance.
”The humans call it snow. They say it’s festive, and common at this time of year.”
“Ugh. It’s making my pedes rust. How are you not bothered?”
”They spray salt on the roads, making it melt.” He replies, in his car form, driving past you on the clear road, chuckling.
You suppress a laugh. Your sharp seeker eyes have caught something he hasn’t noticed- the salt starting to accumulate on his sides and glorious paint job.
“Ah, so as long as you can drive, you’re just fine…even if your paint job is ruined?” You say, casually, still trying to suppress your laughter.
His mirror pans to the side, then up and down, noting the white salt dust all over his red exterior.
“Primus! My paint job!” He exclaims, turning back into bot form and wiping at it. “This is going to need at least three oil baths to get off!” You finally let your laugh break out. He pouts at you. “It’s not funny!”
“It is! Your face!” You wheeze out.
“Yeah, yeah, whatever.” He mutters, eyeing you balefully. He glances at the snow with a glare, kicking at it, making you laugh again, even harder. So you miss when his optics get a crafty glint in them, and when he crouches down, optics reaching for the snow.
You don’t, however, miss it, when a snowball pelts you in the face.
“Hey! What the heck was that?!”
“Humans call it a snowball. Apparently, snowball fights are quite popular among the organics, especially the younger ones.” You wipe the snow out of your optics and faceplate.
“We’re not organics.” You grumble. He nods.
“True…but it was hilarious all the same. I can see why they’re enjoyable.” He turns away, back toward the road.
”Hey Knockout?” Your voice is innocent. Almost too innocent. He turns to face you, grinning.
Just in time for your own snowball to nail him right between the optics.
“Hey!” He splutters back. “Why you little-!” He’s forced to duck as you hurl another clump of snow at him, grinning. “Oh, so that’s how you want to play, little seeker?”
You smirk, already holding another in your servo. “What, scared to lose, medic?”
”Not a chance!” He ducks again as you whip it at him, and you both crouch for more ammunition.
You both duck, or dodging behind trees as packed snow smashes against rocks, trees, or metal. Knockout gets you in the shoulder. You smash one in his headlights. You both shriek, laugh and run around, having a great time.
Finally, when both of your vents are cycling heavily, and you’re both covered in snow, he calls for a truce. “Alright! Alright, you win.” He throws both servos in the air. “Primus, you are persistent when it comes to a fight.” You brush some snow off your shoulder.
“This is one seeker who never runs from a fight.” You declare proudly, smirking at him. He just rolls his optics.
“Sure.” Then there’s a quiet beep on both of your comms.
“Knockout here.”
“[Name] here.”
“You’re both requested back at base.”
“Understood.”
“Affirmative. Heading back now.”
You both finish brushing the snow off yourselves and call for a ground bridge.
“So, Christmas is some sort of human holiday?” you mutter, tapping your chin.
“Yes.”
It’s been several days since your snowball fight, and you’re both in Knockout’s room. He’s decided to teach you about some human traditions. You expressed interest after you learned about the snowball fights, wondering if there were more snow-themed things in human culture.
“So, to recap what I’ve learned…humans give each other gifts, play in the snow, and put lights everywhere?” He nods. “Bizarre.”
“They also throw parties and drink something called ‘eggnog’.” You scrunch up a face at that.
“Gross. High-grade sounds much more appetizing.” As you think it over, you get an idea. It’s crazy, but you find you like the idea. ”Knockout…I have an idea.” He looks at you curiously.
“An idea?”
“Well…we’re on earth. We might as well try out some of the culture, right?”
“When on Earth…?”
“Yeah…do you want to help me plan a Christmas party?”
That’s how you find yourself festooning the bridge with Christmas lights an hour later. Megatron’s left on another mission of some sort, into space, so he’s going to be gone for a while. Long enough for you to put this on, and have enough time to clean up afterwards so he’ll be none the wiser.
“…unless Soundwave tells him. But he probably won’t care enough to ask.” you muse aloud. Dreading, beside you, helping you out up lights, glances at you curiously.
“Say that again?”
“Oh. Just that Soundwave might tell Megatron about our little get-together. But I’m willing to bet Megatron won’t care, if it’s after the fact, and we clean up.”
“Probably not. Why’re you throwing this, again?” he asks you, taking one of the light strands and putting it up in a spot that you’d been struggling to reach. Your reason, just to try out a human celebration, would have been met with disdain by most of the troops, so you’d decided to give a different reason.
“Since our defeat at the autobots’s servos the other day, I figured our troops could do with a morale boost. A party just to let loose and kick back would be nice, right?”
Dreadwing nods.
“Clever plan. You’re smart. I respect that,” he replies in his determined, steady tone.
“Thank you, Dreadwing.” You grin back at him as you finish putting the lights up. “Now, wish me luck, I’m going to put Soundwave in charge of the music next.” You clasp your hands. “So, this’ll go great or horribly wrong.” He chuckles at that and waves as you head out.
“Good luck! You really will need it.”
“I know…”
”So, what do you say? Something to improve morale among the troops is good, right? It’s not anything Megatron would disapprove of!” you say, hopeful,“so…will you look through some of these songs and pick out the ones that you think would be a hit?” You hold up your datapad with a playlist from ‘Yfitops’, a popular human music app. You stare into Soundwave’s emotionless, silent mask. He’s as inscrutable as ever. He’s quiet for a long, long moment. You shift your weight, uncomfortable. Frag. Maybe this WASN’T such a good idea…
He nods.
“You’ll actually do it?”
He nods again.
“Thank you, Soundwave! You’re the best!” you cheer, exuberantly high-fiving the air in front of his face. He tilts his head at you quizzically as you run off to complete the next step.
What an odd Seeker.
“Alright, Knockout, how’s your side of the list going?” You’ve met back up with Knockout to see what still needs to be done to pull this party off in the next two days.
“I’ve got refreshments and food, as well as drinks, like high-grade. Breakdown helped me send out the invites to everyone on the guest list. Although we did have to invite Starscream, but only because he saw us handing out invites and threatened to tell Megatron.” Knockout replies, shrugging with a what-can-you-do expression.
“Darn. Okay, well, bound to hit some snags.” You smack your fist into your palm, a little annoyed.
“How about your side of the list?”
“Decorations are up, and the place has been closed off until the day of so it doesn’t get messed up in the meantime.” You grin, recalling the absolute fit one of the vehicons had had when they realized the bridge itself was closed off to all except Commander Starscream, Lieutenant Dreadwing, and Communications Officer Soundwave. Knockout’s voice returns to reality.
“What about Soundwave? You get him to check over the ‘tunes list?”
“You know, I actually did manage it, thanks ever-so-much for the vote of confidence earlier- not. I told you I could do it.” You snort. “‘Oh no, he’s so loyal, he’ll never go for it, you’ll just blow the whole thing’” you repeat back to him, in an absolutely terrible impression of his voice. It’s bad enough that even you cringe and wince.
“One, I do not sound like that, two, great job I knew you could do it! You just needed the encouragement to do it!” He jokes back with his signature smirk, lightly punching you on the shoulder. You punch him back and he winces. “Hey! Watch the paint.”
“Oh no, did I scuff your paint?” you reply with the most syrupy-sweet, non-sincere tone you can manage. “We wouldn’t want you to look all scratched up for the party.”
“Keep it up, Seeker, and I’ll make sure to use up every drop of the hot oil for a bath the day of.”
You scowl at him. “Touché.”
Somehow, you both get back on track, and a good thing too. There’s a lot to get done.
Finally, it’s the day of the party. You’ve shined your finish, polished your optics, and buffed your helm multiple times. You check yourself over in the mirror, just giving yourself one last quick once-over.
“Alright. Almost ready. Time for the last touches...” You don a small red-and white hat. A ‘santa hat’, as the organics call it. You adjust it one more time in the mirror again. “Perfect. Just a little something festive.”
With a bounce in your step, you head to the bridge. You’ll be playing host for most of the night, so you have to arrive first. You push open the door, checking the multicolored lights. You flick them on and grin broadly. They’re lovely, and not a single bulb is burnt out.
You’re not the only one grinning when the lights turn on. There’s a slow clap and whistle from behind you.
“You look…fantastic.” Knockout doesn’t even bother to hide his admiration, openly staring at you. “Although the hat’s a bit ridiculous."
You roll your optics before you stop to take in his appearance. He’s usually nicely buffed, and clean, but today he’s gone above and beyond. His finish sparkles like it’s been dusted with diamond dust, the gold rims on his wheels shining like they’d just come off the forge. He looks…well, drop-dead gorgeous, if you’re honest with yourself.
“You’re…ah…you live up to your name, today,” you manage to mutter, dropping your eyes from his. You can practically feel his smirk from here before you continue, “..if it wasn’t for that one teensy-little smudge.” He doesn’t actually have a smudge, but knowing that he’ll spend the next half hour or so looking for one puts a smile on your face. He turns away to look for it, and you scan the room.
The lights are still in place, and on one table, snacks like rust sticks, energon goodies, and various other things (including your favorite energon cookies) are laid out. On the other side of the room, there’s a big bowl filled with shining energon punch, along with plenty of cups to sip it from. There’s also numerous bottles of various high-grade behind the bar, which Knockout will be manning, or Breakdown, on the off-chance that Knockout chooses to help you out and be a good host.
It’s not much longer before the first guests start to arrive. You greet them first.
“Welcome Breakdown, Dreadwing! Glad you could make it.” You position yourself near the door and are immediately swept up in greeting a flood of vehicons. Thankfully, it doesn’t take long for the party to kick off after that. ‘Con’s are chatting, smiling, laughing, and everyone’s just having a genuinely good time. The influx of guests finally slows to a trickle, as pretty much everyone on the invite list has made it.
As you turn away to head into the party, and really get it underway, Starscream makes his way up to you.
“Quite a…unique party, you have here.” He starts off.
“Yes. I’m basing it off of a human-themed Christmas party. I figured we might as well indulge in the traditions of this planet.” You reply.
“A human-based party? Those puny creatures?” His tone is dismissive and rude, so you decide to end the conversation as quickly as possible.
“Yes, sir. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to begin the festivities.” You abruptly turn on your heel, headed for the stage.
He reaches to grab your arm, but you pull away and swiftly slip away in the crowd of partygoers.
He catches glimpses of you in the crowd, but he can’t reach you.
Finally, though, he spots you climbing the stage, and walking up to the microphone. He starts to shove his way through the crowd toward you.
You tap the mic. “Hello everyone!” The crowd falls silent. ”I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for coming to our first Christmas-themed party.” Everyone gives you a cheer. “I hope you all enjoy the party! We have food, and refreshments on either side of the room, including what I’m told is the best high-grade aboard the ship! Thank you, Knockout, for that contribution!” You point him out to the crowd. He’s just standing to your left, so the light switches over to him. “We also have a wonderful selection of music, curated by non-other than our third in command, Soundwave.”
Knockout gestures for the mic, so you pass it over to him.
“I’d also like to draw everyone’s attention to the large pile of gifts in the corner. Each one has a number. Put your name or number designation in the jar on the left servo side table, and we’ll draw lots at the end to see who gets what gift! There should be one for each of you.” A loud cheer from the crowd follows, and Knockout smirks at your grin. That had been your idea. “And finally, I ask that you all thank [Name] here for pulling the whole thing together, and for getting it together. Without them, this wouldn’t be happening. A round of applause for them, femmes and mechs!” As everyone is clapping, you blush, and give Knockout a playful glare. ”Credit where credit is due, sweet spark.” He whispers, holding your hand in the air. You roll your optics, but smile as the applause slowly fades away. You’d initially prepared a brief speech about Christmas next. But then you spot Starscream cutting through the crowd, so you decide to make it short. The last thing you need is for him to undoubtedly cause a scene and make a mess of your first party.
“With that…Let loose, and enjoy!”
You make your rounds through the party after that, easily avoiding Starscream, making sure everyone puts their name in the jar, everyone’s having a good time, etc etc. Music plays in the background, but as of yet, no one’s decided to brave the dance floor.
You finally make your way over to the refreshments and grab a glass of high-grade. Just because it’s my party doesn’t mean I can’t indulge a bit, right? Right as you lower the glass, a hand latches around your wrist.
“Would you dance with me?” You look up. To your surprise, it’s not Knockout. It’s Starscream.
“You…want to dance…with me?” He shifts his weight.
“Yes. You should be honored. That I’ve chosen you. To dance with me.” He says the words in a belated attempt to seem in control of the situation. You try to bite back a grin.
“Is that why you’ve been chasing after me all night?”
”Of course!” His optics widen. “I mean- I wasn’t chasing you! You’re just-.” He cuts himself off with a deep breath. “Just dance with me already!” he snaps. Partly to avoid a scene, and partly because you’re hoping to get more ‘Cons on the dance floor, you graciously bow and agree.
“I accept. Let’s dance.” With a grin, you take his arm. The tune is lively, thankfully not a slow dance. I’m not giving him ANY ideas…
You expect to lead, but within moments, you find yourself following him instead. His steps are swift and unfaltering. Your eyes widen, and you grin.
“You’re a better dancer than I thought,” you comment as you both whirl around in a gleaming dance, the light glinting off your plating.
“I’m the commander of the Seekers, I’m light on my feet.” Starscream replies. Despite his typically cool demeanor, or attitude, you’re actually enjoying this.
Soon, more cons join you on the dance floor, so it’s not just the two of you. All eyes aren’t on you anymore, since you’re both partially hidden by the crowd.
But there’s one pair or red optics that don’t look away. You don’t notice, but Knockout’s eyes never leave you.
Not for a second.
When the song ends, you finally let go of Starscream, breathless.
“Wooo! That was tiring. I’ve gotta go grab a glass of high-grade and make my rounds at the party. I’ll see you around.” You slip away through the crowd before he can say anything more. You’re cornered by the refreshments table by Knockout.
“You were dancing with Starscream.” It’s not a question, but it feels vaguely accusing, and it makes you bristle.
“Yes. And?”
He grits his teeth. “Why?”
“He asked me to. So I said yes.” You reply, raising an eyebrow. “You couldn’t possibly be…jealous, right, Knockout?” You grin at him, head slightly tipped to the side. “If you want to dance, you can just ask me.”
He sighs, but eventually smirks at you. “Well, [Name], care to dance?” He makes a sweeping, elegant bow, before holding out his servo to you. You smile, delighted.
“I would be happy to do so.” You reply, taking his hand in yours. He sweeps you away to the dance floor.
The surest of the night passes in a blur of colorful lights and brief recollections. Knockout smiling, the both of you calling out the names and numbers for the gifts at the end of the night, and the clean up at the end. You stumble back into your berth at the end of the night, a little tipsy from the high-grade, and tired, but flushed with the satisfaction of a well-planned and flawlessly-executed party.
It’s a knock at your door that rouses you the next morning.
Unsurprisingly, you have a headache, as result of the high-grade.
“Ugh…who is it?”
“[Name]. Wakey wakey.” It’s Knockout. You drag the pillow back over your head.
“Go away….I’ve got a killer headache.”
“Mhm, no.” He pauses. “….I’m gonna knock on this door until you open it.” He waits.
“What do you waaaant….” you groan.
“I’ll tell you, after you open the door.” You slowly drag yourself out of bed. Finally, you manage to open the door.
“There you are. Wow. You hit the high-grade a little hard last night, huh?” Knockout, to your annoyance, looks as flawless as always, paint job freshly buffed and shined.
“What do you want?” you mutter, irritated.
“You’ll find out if you come with me.” He smirks, optics twinkling.
You start to shut the door, not in the mood for his games today. “Wait! How about I get you some medical-grade energon? That should help with your hangover.” You sigh and reluctantly follow him.
”We’re going off-ship?” Knockout’s standing in front of a groundbridge.
“Yes…to a special location, since you seemed to enjoy the human traditions so much. Take to the skies when we cross through.” You pop the last bite of your medical grade into your mouth, regarding him skeptically.
“If you say so…” You follow him through the groundbridge.
When you emerge, you immediately transform and take off. A few moments later, you spot his alt mode below you. You’re in a city. And just any city. You’re in New York City. You quickly fly higher, until your wings are just brushing the clouds above you, both to avoid notice by the humans, and avoid hitting any buildings. You can hear Knockout chuckle over your comms.
“Enjoying the obstacles?” You glare, even though he can’t see it.
“Some of us prefer looking down on our inferiors, rather than hide amongst them.” You tease back, referring to the way he drives around, blending in among the countless other cars. “So, what’re we here for, exactly?”
”You’ll see. Head north.” Puzzled by his cryptic instructions, you fly that way. ”I’ll catch up, so go look your fill.” You’ve no idea what he’s talking about until you spot the gleam of Christmas lights. A lot of them. And then you see it. A giant Christmas tree. It’s easily five times Knockout’s height, or your own. You pause, frozen, amazed.
“Woah…”
You can hear Knockout chuckle again.
“It’s really something, right? This is the ‘Rockefeller Christmas Tree’, according to humans.”
“It’s…beautiful. Thanks, Knockout…” You circle the tree, careful to stay high up, out of notice of the teeming mass of humans below. You eventually land on the roof of a building, transforming back, staying unnoticed. You admire the tree for a long time. Eventually, night starts to fall. Knockout doesn’t rush you. You catch your breath again as you behold it under the dark night sky, all lit up and shining. It really is a stunning sight. You transform and circle it a few more times, memorizing it. The snow falls silently in soft, silvery clumps, coating the upper branches, the multitude of bright lights from each tiny, glowing bulb, and the gleaming star, vibrant against the dark night. Finally, you comm Knockout.
“I’m ready to head back.”
“Are you sure? There’s no rush. And Megatron doesn’t return for a day or two at least.”
“I’m sure. Thank you for showing me this. It’s the best Christmas gift I could have asked for.” you reply softly, smiling to yourself.
“That’s not your gift. Or at least, it’s not the only gift I have for you.”
“…wait, what? You got me a present?” You reply, surprised as you meet him at the groundbridge. He chuckles, smirking at you.
“Of course. And I assume, by your surprised reaction, you didn’t get me a present?”
“No, I did, I just wasn’t expecting you to…” you trail off, mind now trying to think of what it could possibly be. A snack of some kind, maybe? A bottle of high-grade? What else could he have gotten me? I’m already a flier, there’s not much I really want. Your thoughts trail off when you realize he’s staring at you, somewhat surprised. ”What?”
“…I wasn’t expecting you to actually get me something.”
“Of course I did!” You laugh at his surprise. “I’m hardly going to ignore that earth tradition. It’s fun. And, did you see the vehicons at our gift raffle? They were happy. I wanted to make you happy,” you reply, grinning at him, feeling heat rush to your cheeks, but you're not embarrassed by the blush coloring your face plates this time.
“Shall we return, so I can give you your gift?”
You make a grand gesture at the groundbridge, indicating for him to lead the way.
He leads you to the med bay. “I had to hide it where you wouldn’t find it. And the temptation to drink it would have been too great if it was in my room. So I hid it up here, with Breakdown’s assistance.” He mutters, before using a stool to reach one of the cabinets, or, more accurately, the top of one. He pulls down a small cylindrical container. When he holds it out to you, you gasp. The liquid within is a thin consistency, but it’s a bright red that leaves you in doubt as to what it might be.
“Red energon?” you gasp. “You’re giving this to me? How-where did you even find any? It’s so rare…” you take the cylinder from him, marveling at its vibrant color. There’s only enough for a single dose, but the gift alone is incredible. You tuck the energon safely away in your subspace for later.
“I have my sources. And I’m giving it to you because…well, you’re a flier. You’ve always been one of the fastest. I remember you once telling me that you liked to go fast. It was one of your favorite things to do, beside just general flight.” He smiles at you. You stare at him for a long moment, unexpectedly touched that he’d remember something seemingly so small from one conversation. Then you give him a tight hug.
“Thank you, Knockout. I love it.” He stiffens in your arms for a second, before he relaxes and his arms come around you.
“I’m glad you like it.”
You’re content to stay there for a long moment. Eventually, though, you break the hug.
“Now, it’s time for your gift. I left it in my room…and I actually did find time to wrap it,” you reply with a cheeky grin.
When you reach your room, you hand him a box about the size of his hand. He looks at the wrapping paper and grins.
“Is this…it is! You used our old medical reports?” He chuckles at that.
“Well, human wrapping paper is a pain to deal with. So I used whatever was lying around.” You grin as he begins tearing open the paper, finding an energon crate. He gives you a puzzled look.
“Energon?”
“No. It’s in the box.” You’re wringing your servos together, and holding your breath as he pops the lid. He pulls out a bottle of light abrasive car polish- perfect for getting out the tiniest scratches out and giving your car the shiniest polish available- and a clay bar, used to remove any tiny specks of dust, rust, or any other contaminants that might ruin his paint. He holds them up and looks at them.
“…do you…do you like it?” You ask hesitantly. He grins.
“Primus, you know me well. I’m gonna use this all up by the weekend.”
You laugh. “Next time, I’ll get you a bigger bottle. Save at least a little for Saturday. I may have made plans of a sort for us.” He give you another smirk.
“Oh?”
“Yeah, just a little something. No hints, though. Just clear your schedule.” With matching smirks, you both give each other a hug.