Author's Note: Once again, I am so sorry that it took so long for me to update! Life has become really busy for me.
Bumblebee ducked behind the large boulder, his spark beating as he held the gun with ease in his servos. His optics narrowed in determination as he slowly counted to ten before peeking over the edge. He saw no one in the dark clearing, but he stayed alert regardless.
He did not trust his optics, so instead, he listened. Prowl had always told him to be wary even when he thought the cost was clear. Being watchful and alert has saved many lives before.
He stepped forward, his pede steps silent and cautious. He quickly dashed for cover, his senses on overdrive as he tensed up.
He ducked into a roll, blasters out as he heard someone approaching from the shadows. He tried to get a good look and see if the approaching figure was friend or foe. He didn't dare to call out, as it would be stupid of him to do so. The game was very much like regular training, and Bumblebee treated it as such.
A large Cybertronian who he was not familiar with emerged from the cover of darkness, his blue optics alert. Bumblebee could not tell if the mech was Autobot or Decepticon, but such a thing did not matter. What he needed to see was if the mech bore any blue or red markings of his team color.
The Cybertronian paused, as if aware that he was being watched and it was then Bumblebee had a visual on the red color that showed who his team was. But what was more was the fact that the mech carried the relic both teams were trying to retrieve and win.
So he was on the other team and he had the relic. Time for Bee to take him out. From beneath the rubble, Bumblebee cocked his gun and prepared to fire the paint.
Instinct suddenly screamed for him to duck out of the way, and he did just that. Abandoning the target, Bumblebee quickly rolled away just as a blaster of paint shot at where he had been, missing him by a few inches as the red paint covered a slab of metal.
Bumblebee leaped upward, shooting into the dark. He spotted a small figure ducking into the shadows and he gave chase, shooting whenever he thought he had a clear shot, though the Cybertronian was nimble and avoided his shots.
He lost sight of the figure, but he remained alert, well aware that the other team member could turn around and attack from behind.
"Bumblebee to scout leader," he said through the comm link in a hushed tone. "Team Red has the relic and are headed toward the scrapyard."
"Roger that Bee," Smokescreen said. "What is your position?"
"I am in pursuit of a possible scout near the overgrowth," Bumblebee explained, treading cautiously. "I will contact you if I make it out alive." With that, he ended the transmission.
He only had a small warning before he ducked at the sound of a powering gun. He was ready to shoot as well, only to find that he had no more paint left inside. He let out a small curse, but could hear the distinct sound of an empty gun being fired, indicating that his attacker was having the same issues as well. Why hadn't he thought to bring one of those small paint guns as well? Next time, he would be sure to remember that.
He lunged forward after making a sharp turn, lashing out at his attacker. But the small figure let out a yelp as they jumped back, avoiding his attacks. In that sudden movement, Bumblebee got a clear look at his attacker.
"Arcee?" he gasped.
She gave a curt nod. "Bee."
He noticed the blue mark on her arm, with a dark slash across the color. He groaned. "You're the traitor."
She shrugged simply. "Nothing personal."
He frowned. "I am wounded that you take our friendship so lightly and would betray your comrades. You did not need to bring a gun to kill me as you have already stabbed my spark!"
Her mouth twitched upward. "That would do as well. Get's the job done."
"Why not just carve it out?"
Her fists clenched as she tried to control her expression at his dramatic cries. She leaped forward, her fists lashing out in quick movements. Bumblebee went on the defense as he tried to dodge her blows. He kicked the gun away, not knowing how else they were going to best each other in the game without paint.
But the fight soon became a dance, the fight between them nothing but a calm competition as neither one landed a harmful blow on the other. The light caught Arcee's optics as she turned sharply to deliver a punch to his chin, but he was only grazed slightly as he moved. But the sudden close proximity allowed him to see how her optics were narrowed in slight concentration, her mouth set in a firm line. When she lunged upward, her helm tilted back, giving her optics an almost narrowed, calm look.
Bumblebee regained his senses when a sharp kick to his right pede yanked him back into focus. He retaliated by using his size to his advantage and shoved forward, causing Arcee to stumble back and fall. His optics widened slightly as he saw that she was going to fall on the sharp rubble and he reached out and pulled her close, his arms wrapping around her waist. He twisted to the side, absorbing the brunt of the fall and he could feel her servos grip him as they landed.
His arms were still around Arcee and they just layed there, both with wide optics.
"You okay?" Arcee asked, her voice hushed.
He nodded slightly, wincing at the discomfort in his back. Arcee sounded fine, as she had landed on top of him. "Yeah, I think so."
He saw her raise an optic ridge in the dim light as she shifted around. "You think so?"
"Well, I'm alive and not seriously hurt, so I guess I'm okay," he answered.
"Good," she said. Suddenly, Bumblebee was faced with a small hand gun pointed at his helm.
He blinked as he stared at the paint gun, then back at Arcee who wore a triumphant look on her face. "Sneaky," he said with a disappointed huff.
She grinned. "One must take extreme measures to insure victory."
"By stabbing your companions in the back," he muttered.
"Or shooting them in the helm," she said simply.
"That's it," he said suddenly. "You're not allowed at my secret base anymore."
"Aw Bee," she cooed. "Did I hurt your feelings?"
He pouted. "Yep. And you are banned from the base and I will never be friends with you again. We are through, you backstabbing Con."
"Oh don't be so dramatic, whimpy Bot," she snipped back. "And anyway, you need me to save you from Count Blur and the wrathful Starscream," she teased. At this point, Bumblebee doubted she was really going to shoot him, as he could feel the tension leave her and her tone became more playful.
"Why? So that you can become the teacher and I the pilot? Hate to break it to you, but you need me alive to accomplish your dreams."
"Who says you're in my dreams?" she asked, and he could hear the slight change in her voice, but it was so small that he wondered if he was hearing things.
"Well I would hope so," he said, looking up at her and catching her optics. "You're in mine."
He immediately went silent when he said that, wishing he hadn't spoke those deep words. Yet at the same time, he was grateful that he had.
Arcee went silent, her right servo clenching where it rested over his spark chamber. How was it that she was so small, yet so strong? He was twice her size and yet she seemed so much stronger.
But now, she seemed frozen, as if torn between fight or flight and it was a look that unsettled him. Was he the reason for that? Was it what he said that caused her to look so worried and conflicted? He cursed himself for even saying those words, his spark thudding in panic.
He felt Arcee's warm touch as her servo unclenched from over his spark chamber. In response to her small touch, he felt his spark return to a normal, steady rhythm. He felt a warm embrace suddenly, as if his spark was trying to connect with a lost piece; a piece he hadn't know that he had been missing.
He suddenly wanted to stay there and keep holding her. It felt nice, like she fit there. It felt nice to hold her, to feel his spark almost reach out to hers. But that was ridiculous, as his spark couldn't be reaching out to hers. It shouldn't.
Yet a look into Arcee's optics showed that she felt the same, or at least, he thought she did. She was close to him, really close and she made no effort to move away or even break the connection.
Sudden sounds pulled him from his thoughts as both he had Arcee looked up at the sounds of approaching pede steps. Hidden behind the rubble, they were safe from prying optics, yet Bumblebee had a clear view from a small opening, allowing him to see two towering mechs a few steps away from their position.
He dared not move, save for tightening his hold on Arcee, the feeling of her in his arms bringing him comfort, yet a thrill of danger. It was not that he had anything to hide, but he knew that others wouldn't see it that way. Why was it that they always got stuck in situations like this? He would have to be more watchful, everything he did would be watched and judged.
He could feel Arcee grow tense as the voices of the two mechs drew nearer. He could feel the fear radiating from her, yet she did not move but only leaned into him, as if seeking comfort and safety.
The voices grew closer and Bumblebee felt a moment of panic. Surely the two mechs wouldn't look in the rubble? Shouldn't the game be over?
It was then that Bumblebee remembered that the announcer hadn't declared the winner, so the game was still on.
When the mechs were so close that Bumblebee could make out the red and gold color of the one mech's pedes, they drew away as their attention was called elsewhere. It was like a blessing from Primus, a blessing he had not asked for, but one he would gladly accept.
He let out a breath he did not know he had been holding. The tension all but left Arcee's body as she sagged into his arms, her helm resting beneath his chin. Her body started to shake and for a moment, he feared she was crying. His optics widened as his hold tightened around her. He quickly began to run comforting strokes down her back, just as he had seen Optimus do with Elita whenever she was stressed or upset.
But it took him a moment to realize that Arcee was not crying, but in fact, laughing. It was a silent, relieved laugh, but it was a laugh that shook her body.
"You're laughing," he pointed out with a smile. "Which means you're out of the game since you broke the 'no laughing' rule."
She smacked his arm playfully finally looking up at him. "I could still shoot you."
"Yeah, but do you want to?" he asked.
"Keep talking and we'll find out," she said. He felt her slowly rise up and he let his arms fall away as the sudden warmth and now familiar feeling in his spark drew away, but he dismissed the feeling, hoping it was a bundle of nerves from the game.
"That was...close," he stated as he sat up. He took the servo Arcee had to offer, rising to his full height as he towered over her.
For Arcee, the sudden, imposing height did not bother her. In fact, it was almost like a welcomed shelter that Bumblebee had to offer. He was not naturally imposing, but he could be should the need arise.
She nodded. "Really close. And it would have been awkward to explain."
He gave her a look as he rubbed at his spark chamber, as if troubled. "What would there be to explain?"
She hesitated, unsure how to answer. Suddenly, she felt tired and sank back down to the ground across from Bumblebee, resting her back against the rubble as the sharp metal poked at her back. But she could care less.
"I don't know," she muttered, closing her optics. What would everyone think when they found out she was a Selected? What of Bumblebee? Would he think back to this and use it against her? Somehow, looking at him, she knew it wasn't in his nature and doing such a thing to her would never cross his mind.
Unknown to her, Bumblebee was wondering the same thing about her. "You alright? You look really tired."
She cracked a smile. "I'm fine Bee. Just...weary I guess."
He snorted. "You sound so dignified. Like a mini female Prime."
She opened her optics to glance at him. "And you sometimes sound like a youngling. Primus have mercy on your mate when she meets you."
He chuckled, through his optics grew distant at her words. "Do you think...it will work out?" he asked. "I mean...what could happen?"
She shifted for a bit. "You will be introduced, given the time to get to know each other. Then you will be bonded and use your influence to help steer Cybertron and the Heirs to a better world."
He stared at her. "You're pretty insightful," he commented.
She shrugged. "I had to be. I did my homework and grew up knowing about the Selection. I didn't like the idea of going in unarmed and not knowing what I was walking into."
"I tried to avoid it," he said softly after a moment. "I guess I kind of...wished it would go away and take care of itself. Even though I always knew that would never be the case."
"Everyone deals with the Selection differently," she said thoughtfully. "Some ignore it, some drop out while some face it head on. The thing is, you are not entitled to stay." She missed the small wince Bumblebee hid.
"Yeah," he said softly. "Though I cannot help but wonder how...how it would turn out."
"You deserve someone who is like you, Bee," she said suddenly, a pain in her spark. "Some one bright and energetic and who is devoted. Someone who...has no faults and is as eager as you are. Someone who brightens up the room and your life."
He cocked his helm, optics thoughtful. "And who do you think you deserve, Arcee?"
The sudden image of a tall, stern mech came to mind. His face held authority as he guided Cybertron, his servos large and experienced, yet cold. His silver armor shone, the picture of perfection as the hard battle warrior took control of what he was brought up to do. His optics looked as if they were made out of cold stone, no mercy in his actions.
She swallowed at the image. Though what she was imagining was the perfect leader, protector and ruler for Cybertron, she knew in her spark it was not the mate she wanted or looked forward to meeting. She had often found herself comparing the mech in her head to Megatron; a stern leader who showed no mercy and who led his people with a firm rule.
"Someone who knows how to lead," she said, hugging her knees to her chassis. "A firm mech. Someone...who…" she broke off, unable to finish for reasons unknown.
"An equal partner," Bumblebee said suddenly, his voice firm as he caught her gaze. "Someone who is your life partner and...a friend. Someone who is strong, yet not overbearing to where you are always made to feel weak. Someone who is not kind but does not give you false hope with empty words and promises. Someone who knows what they are doing, but are willing to listen and heed sound advice." He grinned. "Someone you can always knock down a peg or two."
"A partner," she said softly, understanding his words.
He nodded. "A partner."
It was then Arcee came to a swift decision. If Bumblebee's mate did not treat him right and took him for granted in any way, then she would personally strangle that foolish femme and dump her body in the wastes of Kaon.
"Attention everyone!" the announcer said suddenly, causing Arcee and Bumblebee to jolt at the unexpected voice. "Team Red is the winner!"
Bumblebee shared a look with Arcee as something flashed between them. Then he grinned, his usual carefree attitude returning. "I feel cheated."
She chuckled as they both rose to their pedes. "Me too," she admitted as she stretched. "I didn't even get the chance to take down Team Blue."
Bumblebee shrugged as he spun on his pede, doorwings perked up in a cheerful mood. "Better luck next time Arcee. Oh, and your aim is getting really poor."
Something wet suddenly smacked him in the back of the helm and sent him stumbling forward. Regaining his balance, his servo reached up to touch the back of his helm and pull away to reveal red paint on them. He looked back at Arcee who was grinning smugly at him, the small handgun held casually in her servos. She looked like the perfect picture of ease, her optics twinkling with mischief.
She cocked her helm with her one free servo placed on her hip as she winked at him coyly. "Really? I think my aim is getting better."
It was then Bumblebee felt his knees grow weak at the smug smirk she sent him, though he refused to acknowledge why. Dangerous, was all he could think. Simply dangerous.
Yet, alluring.