Chapter Seven – Nightfall at Tranquility

Darren's Point of View

I can hear Bumblebee's breathing right next to my ear. Out and in, out and in, slow, and deep. Pretty soon, I was concentrating on it so much that I begin breathing with him, our chests rising and falling in sync with each other. I turned my head to look out him and I smiled. His head is tilted to a side and his eyes are closed, his arms loosely crossed over his chest. I reached out to pat his side, and he twitched in his sleep. I laughed to myself quietly.

It's getting dark already, and even though it's just the late afternoon, stars are already dotting the sky like tiny little diamonds behind the blue. We're lying on our backs together in the blades of grass only a foot or so away from the lake. We'd been talking for almost an entire hour…about a topic that wasn't an easy one to touch on. About how this could be one of my last moments with him…But, there was so much more I wanted to do.

Bumblebee made a low sound in his throat as he squirmed, tilting his head back in the grass. I took his hand, subconsciously, and almost let go. But, no. I squeezed it firmly, tickled his palm a little with my fingers, letting him know I was still here. I saw his lips curl in a smile and I held his hand even tighter. I love him so much…

You are so beautiful…to me…

A felt an unexpected tear trickle down my cheek and I closed my eyes for a moment. I wouldn't let this be the last time I'd see him. Bumblebee…he's like a father, like a brother, and even like a mother. He's a trinity, an awesome one. I don't ever want to let him go.

You are so beautiful …to me…

Bumblebee yawned by my ear, his breath lightly hitting against it as he released the air from his lungs. I shivered and smiled at him, lifting my hand to gently pat his chest. He smiled back at me, then fluttered open his eyes, staring at me with a loving glare. His lips curled upward even more and soon, he exposed his perfect teeth in a smile.

"Hello, Darren," he said to me smoothly.

I smiled at him, giving his hand yet another gentle squeeze. His palm was warm against mine, warm with the blood that pulsed through his system, giving him life.

Can't you see? You're everything I hoped for. You're everything I need…

"Hello, Bee," I returned his salutation. "You sleep okay?"

He nodded, turning his head away to look up at the darkening sky. His black bangs fell lazily across his forehead and sat there.

You're beautiful to me…

"Darren?" He whispers. Those things in his eyes turned again as he blink.

"Yeah?" I look at him.

"I don't want this to be one of our last moments together." His British accented voice is so quiet. "I just met you the other day…"

I cringe and turn my eyes away.

"I know, Bee," I sigh, closing my eyes to fight away tears." But, we'll still be able to visit each other, y'know? I could come on the weekends, and you could too. We'd take turns."

His hand squeezes mine suddenly and I look at him. His eyes are glistening.

"Yeah, I know," his voice trembles. "I'll miss having you around the base, though."

I frown, squinting my eyes a little. My other hand reaches over and pats his stomach. I scoot a little closer to him, making his eyes meet my own. His face is so close to mine. I feel my heart jump and I lean back only a bit, our noses just an inch away. He chuckles.

"But, I'm sure you remember what I told you." A finger taps my chest.

"I'll always be right here…"

"In my heart."

"A-And I'll always be right here."

"In my spark."

Those simple lines echoed in my head and I nodded at him with a smile.

"Yeah, I remember."

He presses his forehead against mine and smiles wider, our noses grazing each other. My eyes widen. What is he doing?

"Darren, I love you," he whispers, his mouth only an inch away from mine. His hot breath makes me shiver again.

Such joy and happiness you bring…

I bit my lower lip, uncomfortable to be so close. Ignoring it, I nod and smile.

"I love you too, Bee."I murmur.

Such joy and happiness you bring…

He laughed under his breath and leaned down, gently pressing his soft lips against my jawline. It wasn't a move of just any type of love. In his eyes, I saw that look you always saw when your dad would kiss you goodnight on the forehead. I saw that in his eyes, ablaze, a lightning blue.

Regardless, my cheeks flushed a light red and he laughed at me. I laughed with him, then threw my arms around his burly chest in an embrace, taking in all the warmth his body emitted. His arms moved around my body and constricted slowly. Soon, I found myself swaying back and forth in motions so smooth I was sure I was dreaming.

Like a dream…

He released me and stared into my eyes like I was his own son. His thumb moved across my cheeks and when he pulled it back, I saw wetness. I was crying? Tears of what? I smiled and pulled my head into a crook in his neck, shutting my eyes, letting tears trickle.

Happiness. Love…

A guiding light that shines in the night

Bumblebee's jaw presses against my head and he whispered something in my ear. I couldn't understand him, but it didn't matter. I felt like a million dollars in any case. For once, I didn't feel invisible. I didn't feel like a ghost. I felt what it meant to be truly loved.

For the first time ever.

Heavens gift to me…
You are so beautiful to me.

//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\

Another cold splash of water hit my body and I shivered with a laugh, thrusting water at Bumblebee with a sharp whip of my palm across the waters' surface. The lake water hit Bumblebee's back and he turned from me for a moment. That moment was the perfect time for me to lunge at him in a big hug, bringing us both down into the chilly water. We sunk underwater for a couple seconds, then came up. I heard him take in a deep breath, choking on water as he tried to laugh. He probably wasn't used to swimming, being a robot under all that skin.

I wrapped an arm around his shoulders and patted his back quickly. He coughed up water into the lake and smiled at me. He laughed again, and sighed.

"Thanks," he breathed.

His blonde hair was stuck to his pale face, his eyes seeming bright in a deep blue. My own hair was the same and it felt weird against my neck. I pushed it off.

"No problem, Bee," I smiled at him. "Just remember to hold your breath next time."

He grinned and dove under water. I watched him through the clear lake water and he swam in a smooth streamline for a few feet before popping up. His bangs were stuck to his eyes and he parted them away like curtains, chuckling. I gave him a, "thumbs up," then dove under, swimming to him.

When I came up, his eyes were locked on mine. He gave me a friendly pat on the back before turning to look up at the sky. He blinked and again, something turned in his eyes.

"It's getting late," he whispered. "Optimus should be contacting me soon."

I nodded and yawned. I realized how exhausted I was getting. This swimming was only going to make me even more tired. No matter. I'd sleep well tonight.

My eyes suddenly widened and I looked to Bee. An idea struck me.

"Hey, Bee?"

"M'hm?" He didn't look at me, just kept looking up at the darkening sky, studying.

"Do you think…you could come to my house and spend the night?"

His eyes shot down at me, glowing almost heatedly.

"What?" He asked softly.

"My house, it's not that far away at all." I pointed in a direction. "Just that way. Like, ten minutes away from this lake. Not even that if you drive pretty fast."

He blinked and slitted his eyes.

"You want me to come to your house?"

"And spend the night…"

He swallowed, dropping his gaze for only a second.

"Would I be welcomed?"

"Of course you would."

He didn't say anything more. He twisted his lip and grimaced. He was holding back.

"I-I…I dunno." He said nothing more again, turning his back slightly.

I blinked. "Well, why not?"

It seemed like he was ignoring me when he slipped off his shirt, kneeling to soak his body from his lower chest, down. His head wasn't in my direction, his eyes off in the distance.

"…I don't want…you to leave me."

My heart skipped. Oh, yeah…

"Bumblebee, I-I…" No, I couldn't just answer this one. He was right. My parents could be completely devastated if they saw me return home with a stranger, and force me to stay home for a long time, away from Bumblebee and any of the Autobots. Or, they could be completely indifferent about this whole thing, not even caring, meaning he could stay with me.

I made a face. The chances were 50/50. I couldn't risk it, but I really wanted him to see my home. Spend a night like a human. And maybe even a couple days.

"Bumblebee, I promise I'll convince my parents that you're a friend," I almost begged. "I swear they'll let you stay. They always let my friends stay." Did I really swear? No, not really. My heart was pounding.

Bumblebee looked at me and stared for the longest time. I looked back, frozen. Sighing, he shrugged and stood fully, folding his yellow shirt in half.

"If you swear…" he said.

"I do, Bee."

He closed his eyes for a moment as if praying to Primus, then nodded once.

"Fine."

"Yes!" I grinned. "Awesome."

"But, only if you're completely sure." He grinned shyly.

"I am, Bee. I promise you." I sounded too confident.

He curled his lips in a smile and wrapped an arm around my neck, walking with me toward the grassland by the beach. He squeezed me, chuckling. I felt like his little brother.

"Let me contact Optimus," he said, stepping away onto grass. "You wait here."

I nodded and crossed my arms, looking up into the sky. I turned my head to Bumblebee as he started talking to his commander via his internal com channel, and smiled.

We were in for so much fun. But, I had to convince my parents first.

Of course, I had it all figured out.

You know me.