So, this is due to a prompt. Sideswipe and Strongarm, eh? They can't seem to get over each other, but I've just seen the fourth episode and I'm ready to give this a try.

I usually just feed off of small gestures of affection, like how Optimus and Arcee held servos and how Knock Out is always normally seen with Breakdown.

But in RiD, I don't know where you're seeing that affection XD I'm not saying it's not there or that it's stupid you can see that, I'm applauding you for catching something I am repeatedly missing.

Enough of my babbling.

Sideswipe and Strongarm. Alright.

Here it goes

Bumblebee snapped. He couldn't take it anymore. "Strongarm and Sideswipe, that is enough!"

The two teenagers stopped fighting. Sideswipe stopped biting Strongarm's arm and she stopped pulling at his helm. They looked over at their leader, not separating completely. If it was going to be another weak attempt to separate them, they were just going to go right back to fighting.

And Bumblebee knew that. He opened his mouth to say something, gave up, and sighed. "Just stop, okay? You're supposed to be a team!"

Sideswipe and Strongarm looked at each other for a moment...and then went right back to clawing, insulting, and snarling.

Bumblebee sighed and tried to remember what happened when Team Prime misbehaved. Whenever two team members even started to look at each other funny, Optimus would see it and he would lower his voice until it was a growl and he would say Enough!

It could scare the scrap out of anybody.

But when Bumblebee tried it, his voice was lost in Sideswipe's cursing. He sighed and he looked up at the sky. "This is what you left me with?" He hoped Optimus could hear him, but he didn't know. No matter what question Bumblebee asked the sky, Optimus remained silent.

Strongarm yelped. Sideswipe had bitten a sore spot and now she was scrabbling away from him. "Punk!"

That was her favorite term to call him. It irritated Sideswipe, and she knew it would make him react and fight dirty.

He did. He jumped at her and grabbed onto her helm, forcing her face into the dirt. She twisted out from under him and delivered a kick to his belly. It sent him stumbling away.

Bumblebee jumped between them. "Enough already!"

Sideswipe glared at him as he panted softly, dust raining down off his armor while Strongarm held her bitten arm in her lap and tried to wipe the dirt off her face. She wasn't bleeding, so Bumblebee let it go. Totally un-Optimus of him, but he wasn't about to waste supplies on two fighting 'bots.

"Look at you guys. You're supposed to be a team, building each other up and not tearing each other down."

Sideswipe rubbed his helm a bit. "Strongarm started it."

"Did not!"

Bumblebee growled softly, then an idea came to him. It was not Prime-approved. Even Nova Prime would cringe at it. "Wait right here..."

Strongarm glared at Sideswipe and he at her. Bumblebee came back moments later with a pair of cuffs.

"This is a different kind of exercise."

Strongarm and Sideswipe were soon cuffed together.

"What!?"

"Oh, nuh-uh..."

But the cuff secured before they could bolt and Strongarm whined. "Bee!"

"Get used to it, because until you two straighten out, that cuff is not coming off!" Yeah, he was hysterical. Things happen to you when you don't get enough time to recharge.

Sideswipe grumbled and bolted, dragging Strongarm behind him. "This is all your fault!"

"My fault!?"

"If you hadn't have called me punk..."

Strongarm jerked on the cuff, making Sideswipe spin around and crash into her. They fell down, him on top of her. "Get off!"

"I can't!" He scrabbled around for purchase in the dirt and before long, his arm was twisted behind him. "Ow ow ow ow!"

"You're such a little girl!"

They collapsed, panting and glaring at each other. Strongarm looked away first. "We have to work together to get up."

"Frag that!" Sideswipe started to scrabble again, but Strongarm jerked on the cuff. He yelped in pain. "Okay, okay, okay...I'll work together..."

Strongarm sighed as she shifted, then she started coaching him through. They finally ended up back-to-back, Sideswipe's helm laying against her shoulder as he sighed.

"There," she said as she let her helm rest on his. "See? Not so hard."

"You're pretty smart...for a girl." He smiled as his optics closed.

She elbowed him from behind, laughing softly. "Yeah, I am pretty smart for a femme." She sighed and leaned back, using his body as a rest.

Sideswipe sighed and he looked back at her. "Think we can lay down for a break?"

"Yeah, we can..." She laid down and she was surprised when Sideswipe laid pressed against her. "Sideswipe?"

He pressed his face into her neck and he sighed softly, falling asleep.

She let her helm lean against his and her optics closed slowly.

OoO

Bumblebee laid down on his makeshift berth, sighing when Grimlock laid down beside him. "Peace and quiet at last, eh, Grimlock?"

Grimlock nuzzled his leader, purring loudly. The force of the purr made Bumblebee vibrate against Grimlock's chest just like Optimus' purrs used to. "Just us."

He let the mech nuzzle and poke his body with his muzzle. It was comforting. Then Grimlock reverted to his other form and he pulled Bumblebee onto his chest. The warrior laid his helm down as he curled up and he sighed softly. "Yeah, Grim...it's just us."

He was a little worried about Strongarm being on her own with Sideswipe, but it wasn't like they were going to interface and produce Sideswipe-minies.

He sat up in shock at that image and yelped. Grimlock strokes his helm a little rough. Bumblebee struggled, but the bigger warrior pinned him against his chest as he curled around him.

Bumblebee looked up at the stars and sighed softly. "Primus, please don't let Sideswipe and Strongarm produce..."

He thought he heard Optimus' laughter, but it was gone as soon as the thought came to him.

OoO

Sideswipe looked over at Strongarm. She was laying on his back, and so he had to as well, but he pulled her closer for warmth. He was getting cold. She made a soft noise, but he couldn't tell if it was a protesting sound. He laid his chin on hers and wrapped her up in his arms. His trembles stopped and her purrs started.