here me out...
Shockout.
I have a... strong habit of shipping characters no one else does and I think Shockwave and Knock Out could work, if not for the chemistry, but for the chemistry.
PhD in murdering people with science + Masters in murdering people with medicine with a Bachelors in torture. They're perfect for one another.
Think of Wheeljack and Shockwave in Cyberverse for a close example. They love what the other does, and I want to see more of that. And, since TFP Shockwave wasn't subject to empurata, he still has emotional responses and doesn't act purely on logic. He's prone to a fit of anger, so that means, he's probably wanted a hug.
Knock Out likes a good finish, is shallow, but lets his selfish views on what he gets from other people influence how he ranks them. And Shockwave keeps his finish very clean.
Together, I could see them talking science, tools, and borrowing them. Like- oh, my buzz saw's rusty from being on this stank ass planet, can you- yeah I got you.
Shockwave, I think, would visit Knock Out often to get help with procedures he can't actually do on his own. Like brain surgery. I am positive he'd show up in his office and ask "hey can you re-wire me so I stop processing signals from my heart box." And Knock Out's insane enough to do it.
Unlikely friends, messed up lovers. Please I want to see them strip an autobot down for parts and argue over who gets the brain.
