A Bet's A Bet
Chapter 13
Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers. They belong to Hasbro and Takara. I am merely taking them for a short spin.
"Why do I get the feeling each of us would rather be elsewhere?" Springer said.
"What makes you say that?" Hot Rod asked. Sitting in the rec room, the two sat at their own table instead of mixing with the other off duty Autobots.
"You haven't answered my question," Springer said. "You're distracted, and if Arcee looks my way one more time, I'm leaving."
"What question?" Hot Rod said.
"The one I asked about how you like patrolling with Optimus Prime," Springer asked. "That's gotta suck."
Hot Rod shrugged. "I don't know," he said. "It's not so bad."
Springer frowned. "Seriously?"
"Optimus isn't all rules and regulations like Ultra Magnus," Hot Rod said.
"I don't think anyone is as strict about the rules as Magnus," Springer said. "Maybe Prowl."
"He's never been as bad as Magnus," Hot Rod said.
"No," Springer agreed. "Speaking of, where is Magnus? I haven't seen much of him lately."
"I saw him leave with Optimus earlier," Hot Rod said.
Springer didn't answer. Damn. The slagger was upholding his side of the bet. The triple changer half-expected Magnus to cave from Elita-1's attention, but so far, it seemed Magnus was being strong. Not that Springer was going to lose. He wanted to win, not just for the sake of winning a bet, but because he liked Arcee and wanted to do things right, like take his time to get to know her. At least Hot Rod wasn't doing anything to endanger the bet, either. Rodi was doing good, and Springer was happy with that. They talked about pulling practical jokes, but hadn't yet. Waiting until after the bet was over was hard, but wise. No "antics" included pranks and other unseemly behavior.
Hot Rod poked his brother in the shoulder, noticing Springer had checked out.
"You could go over and say hello to Arcee," he suggested. "No Magnus, and in a room full of other bots. Go on over."
"While she's with her parents? No way," Springer said.
"You know them both, so what's the big deal?" Hot Rod said. "Besides, I dare you."
"You dare me?" Springer retorted, optic ridge raised in annoyance. "What are we, sparklings?"
Hot Rod shrugged.
"Fine," Springer said, standing. "I'm going over."
Hot Rod grinned. "Good luck."
Springer shot him a frown, which Hot Rod ignored. The triple changer's intakes hitched as he walked over to the table where Arcee was sitting with Ironhide and Ratchet.
Arcee smiled at the green mech as he approached; Ratchet nodded and Ironhide's expression went from happy to indiscernible.
"Hey Arcee," Springer said.
"Hello."
"Uh. . ."
"Arcee, why don't you join Springer and his brother?" Ratchet suggested. "Ironhide and I have a few things we need to discuss."
Ironhide kicked him under the table. Ratchet ignored his bond mate as their daughter stood, walking with Springer back to his table.
"I'm going to kill you," Ironhide said once the younger bots were out of hearing range.
"No you won't," Ratchet said, smiling. "It's clear they like each other. Why not give them the chance to talk without being on duty. Besides, this way we can keep an eye on Arcee."
"A devious one, you are," Ironhide said, approval in his tone.
"It's one of the many reasons you love me," Ratchet said.
Ironhide snorted. "No one else would have you."
Ratchet squeezed his mate's shoulder. "When I said I wanted to talk, I wasn't kidding," he said. "Have you thought of any names yet?"
"A few," Ironhide said. "All mech names."
"Well?"
"Boreas, Boost, Titan, Bullitt and Harley," Ironhide said.
"All Terran names," Ratchet said.
"Fitting, considering Earth is our home now," Ironhide said.
"Convinced you're carrying a mech?"
"I just haven't thought of any femme names," Ironhide said. "Do you like my suggestions so far?"
"A couple of them," Ratchet said. "Keep trying."
88888
It was almost impossible to tell which mech was which as they walked down the corridor to the wash racks. Fortunately, no one saw Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus as they returned from patrol covered in mud and Primus only knew what else.
"It's not my fault you got stuck," Optimus said, palming the controls to the door. "If you would've followed me. . ."
"Stow it," Magnus snapped. "If you hadn't changed the duty roster on me, this wouldn't have happened. This is your fault. I'm going to be picking muck out of my frame for days."
"I'm sure you could find a willing femme to help you," Optimus said, mirth glinting in his optics.
"Shut up," Magnus said, turning on the water.
"I could help you," Optimus said.
"I. Do. Not. Need. Help." Magnus said.
"Are you sure you don't want me to call Lita? She'd be more than willing to. . .assist us both," Optimus said.
Magnus' optics flared in anger.
"You have a dirty processor," he said.
"And you need to get laid," Optimus snapped back.
"What?"
"You heard me," Optimus said, ducking his head under the water.
Magnus grabbed him by the arm, turning him around.
"I am not going to. . .to. . ."
"'Face Elita senseless? Magnus, it's all right. I know you care for her," Optimus said. "She cares for you. Do what you know is right."
He suddenly found himself on his back, Magnus holding him down.
"How can you think I would endanger our friendship that way?"
"It's what Elita wants," Optimus said. "I thought you understood that."
"I understand I could be throwing away something I hold dear," Magnus said.
Optimus vented air in a sigh. Drastic measures were needed to make Magnus come around, bet or no bet. He wrestled an arm free, punching the unprepared an unsuspecting Magnus. Taking advantage of his surprise, Optimus tried rolling Magnus beneath him, but he started to get loose. Magnus tried crawling away from Optimus, but the other mech lunged, grabbing him by the ankle, giving him a backward yank. Magnus suddenly found himself flat on his back as Optimus straddled him, immobilizing him, and pinning his arms over his head.
"I'm not letting you up until you make me a promise," Optimus said.
"What?" Magnus said.
"Tell Elita," Optimus said.
"Tell me what?"
Both mechs looked toward the door. Elita was standing there, staring down at them both.