As Wheeljack and Bulkhead were driving back to the base, something didn't seem right. "Check out the extra pair of tires in the dirt, Bulk." Wheeljack mentioned, slowing down to a stop.
Slowing to a stop along side him, Bulkhead took a look at the dirt and sure enough, there was an extra set of tracks that didn't belong to either of them. The treads were different and it appeared that there were more than four wheels, so that could only mean that they belonged to a large vehicle, similar to Optimus Prime or Ultra Magnus. "Scrap…" Bulkhead muttered, knowing this wasn't a good sign.
Wheeljack realized what this meant too. Someone had followed them out and most likely found out what they were up to. "I guess this will make things more interesting?" He spoke rhetorically. They decided the best thing they could do for the moment was go back and try to avoid conflict. Though that was easier for Bulkhead than it was for Wheeljack Feeling a little reluctant to go back now, the only thing that got him driving again was the desire to have his sword back and having his mate by his side. Wheeljack was starting to enjoy the energy flow that they now felt between each other.
It didn't take much longer for them to get back to base and where their little adventure began, on the backside of the outer most bunker. Wheeljack and Bulkhead changed out of vehicle mode and scanned the whole area for his sword, but with no luck. It had to have been picked up by someone and possibly taken by whoever had followed them out. Through their shared bond, they both knew that they were as good as scrap if it had been Ultra Magnus and the thought of what the protocol-happy lieutenant would do about it left them both feeling a bit unsettled. Especially for Bulkhead who didn't want any more fighting between Wheeljack and Magnus. Without realizing, Bulkhead was projecting his concern and fear over what was going to happen when they were possibly confronted about their relationship.
"Bulk, I can feel you worrying about me." Wheeljack said, getting serious. Although he knew Bulkhead better, he disliked the feeling of being controlled by anyone, even him. "I'm gonna go find my sword and give whoever took it a piece of my mind, whether you're going to support me or not."
Those words struck at Bulkhead's spark harder than it would have before and possibly more than it need be. "You know I'm going to be there for you, Jackie. I'm just worried about you getting yourself into a situation you cant handle. As much as I want to, I can't always defend you." He looked to him sadly. "I think it's best you just stay quiet and let me handle things this time. I can do it without annoying anyone."
Taking that as an insult, Wheeljack quickly spoke up. "When did I ask you to defend me?" His optics locked with Bulkhead's making sure he got the message. "I'm not some senseless youngling that needs constant supervision. I'm tired of taking that kind of scrap from everyone lately and I refuse to take it anymore, especially not from you. You're not my keeper. I'm older than you Bulk and I can take care of myself just fine. So do me a huge favor and just trust me, all right?" Snapping at his lover didn't feel right, but he wasn't about to let him get away with treating him like he was only capable of causing problems. When he realized that Bulkhead's expression stayed as sad as before, he did his best to calm down and he gently placed a hand on his partner's dark green chest.
After the way Wheeljack had just spoken to him, he didn't really want to be touched. Bulkhead took a step back and frowned through his sadness. "You didn't need to snap at me." His vocals were at a low mutter. "I didn't think I was treating you that badly by caring about you? If you think you can handle this on your own, then whatever. I'm gonna go hang out with Miko for a while. Don't wait up." Before Wheeljack could figure out how to react, Bulkhead resumed vehicle mode and drove toward the main bunker of the base without another word.
Wheeljack was stunned for a moment. Bulkhead had never done that to him before. As the one more used to doing the running when things went sour, he wasn't sure how to react or feel about this. All he knew was a sudden dull pain in his spark as he watched Bulkhead get upset and leave him. It was almost irritating how much this got to him. "Maybe I am only good at making messes? This bites." He spoke to himself and moved over to the wall of the nearest bunker and rested against it with his arms crossed. While before, driving off would have been his usual reaction; there really was no need to this time, in his opinion. Why drive away from the problem when the problem already decided to drive away from you? Besides, he also really wanted to talk to Bulkhead. Whether it was because he was bonded to Bulkhead or because he wasn't so much angry as he was annoyed, he decided it was best to just let this one go. Closing his optics, he just wanted to relax and give things time to settle down.