I do not own Transformers, it belongs to Hasbro. I own Emerald.
Hound had been trying to find some solace in the castle garden that evening. He was nearing complete despair at this point. He had been a beast for a long time now and still only a few of his original friends would come near him. He had been devastated when most of his friends fled from him, repulsed by his appearance and seeing only a monster. He had tried to explain what had happened to him but they would not listen. One mech had even tried to attack him! It was a hard for him to accept but he had come to realize those mechs had never been true friends to him, and might have even been using him behind his back. Hound was a kind mech and could not fathom taking advantage of someone that way. Or taking advantage of someone at all for that matter.
Fortunately some of the mechs did prove to be true, loyal friends and had tried to help. When they could not find the witch and Hound had resolved to lock himself away in the castle they had stayed with him to keep him company. Hound was very grateful to them but also felt very guilty. His friends had their own lives and while he let them come and go as they pleased they often stayed with him, scared for his safety if they left him. He did not what to be a burden on his true friends. They assured him he wasn't but he still felt like he was. It did not help that he had little hope, if any, that the spell could ever be broken. No normal bot would be go near him with running in terror or trying to attack and kill him. They would only see a monster. He did not think any femme could love a beast. He would not normally have been one to give up so easily but after such shock when came to who were his true friends and who were not, what was he supposed to think?
He had been in the Royal Greenhouse when the rain started. When he came out and passed the gate he had heard a thud. He couldn't see anyone at first so he went closer to the gate. Then he saw a cloaked figure lying on the ground. He cautiously opened the gate and stepped closer to the bot on the ground. When the bot didn't move he gently lifted the hood and saw a young femme's face. He was stunned. What would a femme be doing in the forest alone at night? And why was she unconscious? He check her legs and helm but could not find an injury so he had to assume she was low on energy. Hound didn't want to just leave her there so he gently picked her up in his arms and carried her inside with him.
Some of his friends were waiting for him to come in. They were all shocked to see him carrying a beautiful femme inside with him. "Where did that femme come from?!" A black mech called Trailbreaker exclaimed shocked.
"She was unconscious outside the gate. I didn't see an injury but we need to get her warm." the beastly prince answered.
"I'll go light a fire in the guest room." said Trailbreaker as he ran off.
A small yellow mech called Bumblebee got up next. He was very sweet and could get along with almost anyone. "I'll go to kitchen and get her something to eat and drink."
"Thank you bumblebee." Hound said smiling and the little yellow minibot ran off. Hound looked at the femme. She was indeed very beautiful. But he had learned that appearance was not everything so he decided to wait until she awoke before letting his spark get away from him.
~3~
Warm? Emerald did not understand. She specifically remembered hitting hard ground, which was cold and wet. She was now lying on something soft, dry and warm. She opened her soft blue optics and was greeted a warm fire. The heat was welcome after the cold of the storm. She seemed to be on a berth of some sort underneath a warm blanket. "Well this is a lot more cozy that an itchy straw berth." she thought. She sat up and stretched, rubbing the sleep from her optics. She most definitely did not recognize the room she was in. It was much to fancy to be any place she'd even been. Then the events in the forest resurfaced in her processer. "Oh yeah I fell down at that gate. This must be some sort of mansion or castle. But where is it's owner?"
Emerald got up and looked around the room. It was a very nice room but it gave her no clue as to who the owner might be. She walked toward the door and sneezed a couple of times. "Uh oh. Achoo! I think I'm getting a cold," she said to herself. She began to turn the door handle but someone else began turning it at the same time. She backed off a bit so she could defend herself if who ever it was proved to be hostile. Most likely they would not be but after being ridiculed by her peers for so long she no longer trusted easily. She was not prepared for the shock she was about to get... On the other side of the door was a beast!
Emerald screamed in terror. Not normal behavior for her but one could not expect much better in this situation. The creature winced, as if hurt by her reaction. This confused Emerald. She was sure it would have made the beast mad but it didn't. He did not make a single threatening move towards her. In fact, he took a step back as if giving her space. Definitely the behavior of a non-aggressive creature. She lowered her fists, which had been up in the air as if to fight him away. She began to feel guilty for immediately assuming he'd come to harm her. It was now obvious he had not. "H-Hello?" she asked nervously. The beast lifted his face, and Emerald saw the gentlest, kindest blue optics she'd ever seen.
"Please don't be frightened. I won't hurt you." the creature said in a soft voice. The voice still sounded gruff but the beast had spoken gently. Like he was trying to reassure her he would not harm her. Then the beast smiled. A little, nervous smile, but it made the beast seem kind, and it helped Emerald's remaining worry melt away. She lowered her arms entirely and stood up normally. The beast's smile grew a little. "I didn't mean to scare you miss. I just wanted to make sure you were alright."
"Wait... Did you pull me out of the storm? Did you see me at the gate after I fell?" Emerald asked although she had already guessed the answer to that question.
The beast nodded. "I had been outside and saw you. When I couldn't wake you I brought you inside out of the storm. I hope you don't mind."
"Thank you." Emerald said starting to smile herself. "I-I'm sorry for shrieking like that. That was rude... Sorry."
"You don't need to apologize. I'm used to it. Uh, forget I said that!" Emerald blinked at him. Was it just her or did he seem flustered?
She wanted to break the uncomfortable silence. "I'm Emerald."
The beast seemed to relax a bit. "My name is Hound." he replied.
~3~
Hound felt hurt when the femme screamed at first. No matter how used to that reaction he had gotten it still hurt inside. However when they had both calmed down and introduced themselves he felt a bit better. Then a knock was heard on the door. It was Bumblebee. "May I come in?" he asked.
"Of course Bee." Hound answered. The little yellow minibot opened the door and stepped into the room. He had a plate in one hand. There was a cup of hot energon and some energon fruit on it. Emerald couldn't help melting inside as the little bot smiled at her. He reminded her so much of the younglings she helped teach. Hound introduced the young mech to her. "This is Bumblebee, a friend of mine. Bumblebee this is Emerald."
"Nice to meet you Miss Emerald." Bee said smiling. "I hope you're ok now."
"Nice to meet you too Bumblebee. I'm fine thank you."
"I though you might be hungry and thirsty." He said offering her the plate sweetly.
Emerald smiled wider. Oh yeah he totally reminded her of those precious younglings. "That's was very sweet of you Bumblebee. Thank you." She took the plate and sat down in a chair near the fire. The two mechs stayed to be sure she didn't need anything else, but she was fine. Emerald was completely calm now. The meal was refreshing and she felt much better. However when she finished she kept sneezing. "I'm sorry- Achoo! Excuse me. Achoo!" Emerald hated that stuffy feeling. When Hound reached a paw over to feel her forehelm she did not flinch away or shudder which was a relief to the prince.
"You seem to have a fever. You should get some rest. You'll need to stay until you are better." He said gently. It took a lot of convincing but finally Emerald agreed to stay. Besides he and his friend seemed kind and the storm had not let up yet. Little did Emerald know what a difference her staying would make...
To be continued...