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Rebellion
Even the best kept secrets can be discovered. The secret romance that Barricade and Bumblebee had kept for millions of years finally became a revelation to the rest of the Autobot team after a stray broadcast that was meant to be private was intercepted by Bumblebee's team. In a word, Optimus Prime was furious. Not only was this forbidden by war, it was borderline mutiny.
"Bumblebee, he's a Decepticon." Optimus Prime scolded matter-of-factly, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Yes. But sir, he's not like the rest of them." Bumblebee tried to convince his leader.
"He attacked Sam." Optimus stated, "And you." He added.
"It's his job."
"It doesn't make it any more right." The large blue and red mech chided. "I'm forbidding you from contact with him again from this point."
Bumblebee started, optics widening. "Sir!"
"No questions, Bumblebee. Jazz will be keeping an eye on you."
"Barricade is my bondmate, Optimus! You can't keep me from being with him." Bumblebee's voice was full of emotion by this point, clearly upset.
"As long as you're on the Autobot side of this war, I am your commanding officer." Optimus's voice rose to a threatening level, silently hoping that his statement didn't give the young soldier any ideas on switching to the Decepticon side.
Bumblebee stepped back, head lowering. A moment later, he answered, much more calmly, "Yes, sir." Then he turned and left. Optimus glanced over at Jazz, who was leaning against the medical bay's berth, where Ironhide and Ratchet stood, exchanging a knowing look between them.
"Go with him, Jazz." Optimus ordered gently, before turning and going down an opposite hallway. Jazz nodded to his two companions and trailed after Bumblebee, who was silently fuming.
Ratchet moved closer to Ironhide when they were completely alone, pressing his face into the darker mech's shoulder. "Remember when we were young and rebellious like that?" The yellow-green mech asked. Ironhide smiled lightly, spreading his fingers across Ratchet's back.
"How could I forget?" Ironhide mused, pressing his lips against Ratchet's temple. Ratchet drew an invisible line up his partner's torso, pressing his palm against Ironhide's chest.
"Do you have to return to Lennox any time soon?" Ratchet questioned, moving his other hand to Ironhide's.
"No.."
"Good." Ratchet smirked, pulling Ironhide towards their shared quarters. Ironhide smiled behind him, enjoying Ratchet's rare frisk.
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Bumblebee was unhappy, to say the least. He and Barricade had kept their love a secret for so long, most of their lives in fact, and the moment someone finds out, there is an attempt to break it. Bumblebee wouldn't let that happen. They worked too hard to secure their bond, and he wasn't going to let anyone ruin it, no matter how high their superiority. He grumbled to himself as he sped to Sam's house. In his rage, Bumblebee stopped paying attention to common Earth vehicle road rules, and sped through a red light. In a matter of moments the unnerving sound of police sirens sounded behind him. He cursed to himself, and began pulling over, activating his holographic-form, before he recognized the energy signature of the mech behind him.
Barricade!
Barricade pulled up next to Bumblebee as they continued driving. Jazz was close behind, making sure Bumblebee wouldn't try anything.
"Bumblebee... you heard what Optimus said." Jazz warned through a communication link.
"I know. Just.. give us a few minutes, okay?" Bumblebee pleaded, turning off the road towards a secluded part of the city, where the mechs could easily find a place to transform without being discovered. As soon as they had returned to their robotic forms, Bumblebee jumped at Barricade, pulling him into a tight hug. Barricade placed one hand on his partner's back, the other on his waist, concern covering his face.
"What happened?" He asked, expression leaking into his voice. Bumblebee drew back a little, watching Barricade. He glanced at Jazz, who obediently headed a little bit away from the two, but where he could still see them. He, too, was unsure of a Decepticon being close with a member of his team. Bumblebee explained to Barricade what his leader had told him, and the dark mech got angry as well.
"He can't keep us apart like that." Barricade said. "I haven't even tried to hurt anyone on your team. Except for that fight we had when we first met on Earth, but.. that was more like foreplay, wouldn't you say?"
"Yes." Bumblebee smiled. They were silent for a few moments, before Bumblebee spoke again, mischief in his voice. "Well if we won't be able to see each other, then.. we better say goodbye." The yellow-clad mech whispered, moving closer, removing the layer of metal that concealed his mouth. Barricade smiled, then glanced towards where Jazz was hiding.
"What about him?" Bumblebee pulled Barricade's face down to his own and connected their lips.
"Don't worry about him." Bumblebee smiled into the kiss, pushing himself closer. The loud sound of a vocal processor clearing made them stop. Jazz stood, a hand on his hip and an optic ridge raised.
"I think it's about time you got back to Sam, Bumblebee." Jazz scolded. The younger mech sighed, smirking at the small glare Barricade was giving his teammate.
"Bye, Barricade." Bumblebee whispered, kissing his partner softly, melting into the hard embrace Barricade had him in. They pulled away from each other, staring into each others' optics, love in one pair, slight sadness in the other. Bumblebee looked down, and Barricade released him from his grasp. The yellow mech followed Jazz out of the forest, throwing one last longing look back at Barricade, who gently smiled at him and winked.
"If you ever ditch Jazz, you know where to find me." Barricade said through a private communication link, and he heard Bumblebee laugh.
Rules would always be around, but Barricade and Bumblebee would always ignore them; by rebellion.
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Chapter completed 6-30-09
