Chapter Twenty – Caught in the Act of Love
Cliantha I, Arcee's Base
Bumblebee's Point of View
I stood before the colossal twin metal doors of the Cliantha I's entrance, my electric blue eyes scanning it over nervously. I gulped down a lump in my throat and felt my spine receive an uncomfortable shiver that made my body shake. I felt my palms get sweaty and my spark start to race. Darren walked up next to me, taking my hand, ignoring the sweat that was wet on my hands. I shot my eyes down at him. He squeezed me.
"Bee, don't get so nervous," he smiled at me. "C'mon, Dad. Just be yourself."
"Dad…" That always made my spark flutter.
I nodded, feeling him let go of my hand. I swallowed again and stepped forward, knocking twice on one of the twin doors. I stepped back to Darren's side, letting out a breath to calm down. I turned to face him.
"How do I look?" I asked him desperately. "Okay? You think she'll like it?"
Darren measured me up with his eyes, then nodded twice. "You look fine."
"Fine?
That's it?"
He blinked. "You look great, Dad." He smiled.
I smiled back, sighing. "Great." I swiped my messy black bangs from over my eyes, letting them sweep neatly across my forehead. Looking down at my simple blue jeans and white collared top, I smoothed out the wrinkles, swaying a foot to catch a glimpse at my sneakers.
"Alright," I breathed.
"Where'dja you get those clothes?" Darren asked me, arching an eyebrow.
I grinned. "Being in a human protoform requires the wearing of clothes, Darren," I told him as-a-matter-of-factly. "Everyone at the base has their own stash."
"And, you didn't tell me?" Humor tugged at his voice.
I made a face. "Why would I have to tell you?"
"Just in case I needed some clothes maybe?"
I chuckled. "They wouldn't fit you, son," I replied, rolling up my long sleeves.
"Yeah, yeah," Darren laughed. "If you…"
He words were cut short by the hissing open of the double doors, each one sliding away in opposite directions. A tall figure stood before us, and I could tell immediately that it was a femme by the outline of her silhouette. When the hissing smoke disappeared, my eyes fixed on her.
Arcee.
Her candy pink armor clung to her delicate curves and perfectly shaped body, as well as every wire, nook, and cranny. Her faceplate was beautiful, with a pair of sky blue optics, soft and pale. Her metal lips were tinted a nice red, her face overall white. She had a pair of wings on her back, pink and white. Her legs were long and shapely, her body in excellent shape. I couldn't help, but gawk.
She cleared her throat at me, giving me an awkward look. "Who're you?" She asked.
I froze, but snapped back into reality with Darren's elbow into my side. I straightened up and gave her a small wave. Primus, I could not breathe. I felt short and stocky all of a sudden, like I was melting into a mud puddle.
"Uh-Uhm, hello, Arcee," I greeted shyly. "It's me, Bumblebee."
Her lips lifted in a smile and she kneeled down to more of my level, looking me over, then Darren beside me. She giggled, the light sound music to my ears.
"Bumblebee?" She said softly, leaning down. "Why're you in human form?"
I swallowed. "The story is awfully long…"
Arcee blinked. "Well, I have the time."
"No, really," Darren butt in. "It's really long."
She blinked, her face soft in confusion. She looked so cute…
"I'll tell you later, Arcee. I promise," I grinned.
After nodding, the femme gave Darren a look, scanning him over with her crystal blue optics slowly. "And who are you?" She quizzed with an edge in her voice.
I looked to Darren, he looked at me. I moved an arm around his waist, pulling the smaller human against my side. He blushed, a little embarrassed that I did this in front of her.
"…I like to see him as my son," I said, looking down at him.
Arcee protruded her red lips out a little, making the "Aww," face at me that all femmes made at some point. "Bumblebeeee," she said my name in adoration. "That's very sweet of you." She smiled and shifted her optics to Darren. "I'm sure he makes an excellent father, huh?"
Darren nodded, looking up at me. "The best one ever."
I gave his side a small squeeze.
"You sure do have one big spark, don't you, Bumblebee?"
I felt my cheeks blush, and I tried to look away.
"Ahh, I guess so," my voice uttered out. My heart skipped a beat as she set a finger on my head, patting my neat blonde hair softly. I smiled shyly, hearing Darren laugh quietly to himself under a breath. He was sure getting a kick out of this.
"You do," she corrected me gently. "A huge one."
I smiled wider. "Well, thank you, Arcee," I told her as she lifted her finger away.
She nodded. "Did you come here for any reason? Or just to pay a visit?" She giggled lightly. "I haven't seen you in a while, Bumblebee." The way she said that was almost seductive – low, tempting. I swallowed, still smiling.
"I-I actually came to see if you were…free for a few hours."
Her blue optics upturned. "I could be," she teased. "Why?"
I chuckled nervously. "Um…I wanted to spend a little time with you." I stabbed myself mentally, twitching. "T-To, y'know, catch up on things and such." I clarified, waving my hand.
Arcee smiled. "I'd love to do that, Bumblebee."
No one knew how happy I was.
"Would you let me go get into my human protoform and find some clothes, first?"
"Oh, of course," I smiled.
She smiled wider in return. "You boys don't move," she ordered us in a giggle, lifting to her normal height, and disappearing back into the Cliantha I. Once she left, I let out a deep breath to calm down.
"What'm I supposed to do while you're with her?" Darren's voice asked.
I had almost forgotten about him…I bit my lower lip softly and glanced down, trying to think of something on the spot. I looked him over.
"W-Well, how're your wounds holding up? Have you got them treated?"
Darren frowned lightly. "Y-Yeah, yesterday."
"Has Ratchet healed them?"
"No, he said he would do that later."
"Well, maybe you should have him start the treatment now. Get it out of the way."
Darren looked away and moved from my side. He was obviously disappointed.
"Fine," he mumbled.
I knew he wanted to stay…But, I wanted to be alone with her.
My spark dropped and I ran over to him, blocking his path. His pale blue eyes, drooped, gazed into mine. I took his hands with both of mine, putting my face close to his.
"Darren, I don't have to do this if you want me to stay with you," I whispered.
"N-No, I mean, just go ahead. I'll be fine," he whispered in return. "Really."
My shoulders slumped and I kneeled down to his level, our faces still close.
"Ya'sure?" I asked him.
"Yeah, I am." No hint of enthusiasm was in his voice. I sighed, nodding slowly. He dropped his head reflexively as I set my massive palm against the back of it, using my fingers to stroke his scalp and tussle locks of hair. I felt him tense as I pulled his body against mine gently, letting his head sit in the nook of my neck. I kissed his hair softly.
"I won't be extremely long, son," I said into his ear as he drew away. "Okay? I promise, come tonight, it's just you and me, Darren."
His eyes didn't meet mine, but he nodded.
"Alright," he replied blankly.
"Alright," I said back, giving him a gentle push on his back. He started off. "Be safe."
He nodded. "I know the drill."
A little regretful, I watched with a heavy spark as Darren strolled away from the Cliantha I, his head bowed, his shoulders sagging. He shoved his hands into his jean pockets and shuffled his sneakered feet across the dirt ground, their soft pat pat pats fading away with his figure. I turned as I heard footsteps behind me. Arcee had returned.
"I'm all ready, Bumblebee," She said, lifting her lips in a smile.
I felt my heart skip again.
She was absolutely beautiful. Her hair was a strawberry blonde, fixed into two neat cinnamon buns on either side of her head. Her lips were still a candy red, tempting, kissable. Her eyes remaining crystal blue, the skin of her face smooth without a single blemish and powdered. She wore a figure-clinging pink top and futuristic white pants that almost shone in the sun. Her feet were bare, and I got a glimpse of white polish. I tried to stop my wandering eyes, gawking only making my spark pound painfully.
Her slender finger poked my cheek. "Bumblebee, you naughty boy," she teased.
I felt like I was covered in a heat blanket as I blushed, my eyes rounding. My spark just would not stop beating so fast. My mind screamed at it to stop…And as if she heard it, somehow, she set her palm over my spark. She laughed.
"Nervous, huh?" She giggled. Her fingers brushed over my chest. My spark only beat faster.
I hesitated, then cleared my throat as she waited for me to answer.
"A-A little," my voice spasmed out. "I-I've never been out…one-on-one with a femme."
She smiled, patting my spark before she lifted her palm away. "Well, I'm honored to be your first," she said, taking my hand. "Now, c'mon, let's go for a walk, shall we?"
I nodded as she pulled me along, and ended up at her side. I took in a large breath of the fresh morning air, smelling the clean grass and foliage. I just had to relax, calm down, breathe. I didn't want to – as humans called it – "screw up" around such a lovely woman. I squeezed her hand and she looked at me. Primus, how I wanted to kiss her alluring red lips.
But, you can't rush these things, y'know.
//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\
Darren's Point of View
At the Adonis III
I laid flat on the medical berth in Ratchet's quarters, waiting in silence as he regarded his medical tools and supplies. As he had his back turned, I lifted up my shirt to look at the wounds in my side, picking at the forming scabs curiously. I immediately stopped when his hand swatted the back of mine with a crisp thwack. I looked up at him.
"Darren, what did I tell you about that?" he chastised me, donning a pair of medical gloves. "They'll start bleeding again."
Ratchet was in his human protoform as he stepped to my side, fixing his doctor attire. His face was tan and hardened, his eyes a deep brown that matched his dusty brown hair perfectly. His hair was short, neatly fixed and parted on top of his head. He had a stethoscope around his neck, pens and pencils in his blue shirt's pocket, and a white "robe." He set a case of tools by my feet, snapping the latches open with a few clicks. He shook his head.
"We wouldn't want that, now, would we?" He said, smiling at me.
I looked away. "Yeah, I guess not."
Making a noise in agreement, he stepped closer to me, taking a cloth in his hand. He poured some type of fluid into it, my eyes watching him a little nervously.
"What's that?" I asked as he set the bottle down, my eyes tracking.
"Povidone-iodine and disinfected water," he answered promptly. He eased up my shirt to the middle of my chest, getting a clear visual of the injuries Barricade's spikes had caused to my side. "Just a little something I like to call, disinfectant."
I swallowed, starting to move away. "Will it hurt?" I tremored.
"It will sting, Darren. Hold my hand if you need to."
I took his hand, and sure enough, the disinfectant stung like hell. I squeezed his hand and leaned my head back, shutting my eyes as pain shot up my side. I whimpered.
"Ow, ow, owww," I whispered to myself, kicking a leg. "Ratchet…"
"Stay strong, son, you're okay." He moved the cloth up and down my side, the liquid seeping through my skin. I released a breath shakily, feeling tears rise.
"A-Almost done?" I asked impatiently. "It burns…"
"Almost done," he answered, his hard brown eyes watching professionally. Finally, he drew away the cloth, setting it on the medical berth. My chest fell and rose quickly, and I gave his hand another squeeze as the pain died too quickly. He nodded, rubbing my stomach.
"Good, good. That's it. Deep breaths, in and out," he cooed, and I obeyed. "Now, let me clean them out." He grabbed a pair of sterilized tweezers and lowered down, getting eye-level with my side. He nodded and eased the tweezers into one of my wounds. I twitched and squeezed his hand.
"Hold still, Darren."
I bit my lower lip and tried to calm down, focusing on my breathing. He gave me another pat on my stomach. The little twinges of pain came at random, sharp each time. At last, he was done.
"See? That went quickly, no?"
I made a face, opening my eyes. "I-I guess." I froze as he removed a syringe from his medical case, loading it with the disinfectant fluid. I gulped. "Th-There's more?"
He smiled, moving to me again. "Yes, this'll be quick." He let go of my hand, then wrapped his massive one over my side to keep me still. I whimpered. "Stay still…"
He inserted the syringe into one wound and released the fluid, making me shiver uncomfortably at the visuals I was getting in my head. He jerked his head at me as he caught my eyes watching.
"Look that way," he ordered. "It'll make the matters seem far less frightening to you."
I obeyed and turned my head, letting him inject the fluid into my remaining wounds. His hand pat my shoulder.
"All finished, Darren."
I turned and smiled. "That's it?"
"M'hm, all I have to do is rinse your wounds and check for a couple more things."
I nodded with a wider smile. I felt like a true kid again at the doctor's.
As he rinsed my wounds with disinfected water, I felt many shivers go up my spine, but they were relaxing. Pain disappeared along with any other impurities, and my wounds didn't sting any longer.
"Now, last few things," he said, putting the ear pieces of the stethoscope into his ears. "Just breathe normally…" He set the stethoscope on my stomach, listening. I watched him, trying not to be so tense. I blinked as he twisted his lip, moving the instrument lower.
"Have you been having any pain in your abdomen at all?"
I furrowed my brow. "N-No, not that I can remember. Why?"
He continued listening, then shook his head. "Nothing, nothing, pay it no mind."
I blinked again, feeling him slide the stethoscope under my shirt, to my heart. He chuckled.
"Human hearts always intrigue me," he said, looking to my eyes with a smile. "They're much different than our sparks, y'know."
I smiled back. "Yeah, I didn't even know giant robots could even have hearts."
"That's right. You humans see us as just metal and nothing more, eh?"
I laughed. "Haha, I guess it's television. Nothing's ever right on that."
He grinned, lifting the medical tool away. He tussled my bangs.
"Well, you're one less human that sees us as plates of metal," he said.
I smiled and sat up, crossing my legs. "Yeah. One less."
Ratchet lifted his head to a window as he placed the stethoscope in his case.
"Where has Bumblebee gone off to? He's usually with you at this hour."
I twisted my lip. "Y-Yeah, he's visiting someone at another base."
The officer blinked. "Is he? And who would that be?"
"Yeah, some femme named Arcee."
I saw Ratchet hold in a chuckle, shaking his head. "My, my…"
I laughed. "What?"
"Bumblebee's had her in his optics for a long time," he sighed. "He's finally going after her, huh?"
I nodded. "Yeah. He is. It was my idea, actually."
Ratchet blinked. "You certainly don't seem so happy about it," he said, sitting next to me.
I shrugged. "I 'unno, it's just…I never really thought about how…he won't be able to spend as much time with me if they do become…in love."
Ratchet nodded and patted my back. "I'm sure he'll make as much time as he can to spend with you, Darren. He could never forget about you." He paused, lifting his hand away. "You're everything to him."
I nodded. "You're right."
He smiled and friendlily patted my stomach. "You hungry, son? Wanna head down to the mess hall and get something to eat?"
I nodded again. "Alright." Ratchet gave me a small push on my shoulder once I was on my feet. His dark eyes looked down at me, troubled.
"Bumblebee won't forget you, Darren. Remember that."
I didn't reply. Why did I even encourage Bee to visit Arcee anyways? If they were to fall in love, it'd mess up the picture.
I was so used to just Bee and me.
Father and son.
And now, Mom was comin' in.
//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\
Outside Cliantha I
Arcee's Point of View
My hand was much smaller than Bumblebee's as he curled his fingers around it, making it disappear into his warm palm. I felt my cheeks flush and I turned my head away, walking in time with him at his side, my bare feet patting against the Earth. His thumb lightly brushed over the back of my hand, sending a chill up my spine. I squeezed his hand and he willingly returned my little greeting.
"Bumblebee, you're so silly," I said as I looked at him, smiling. I saw his lips curl up into a handsome smile, making my spark flutter. I gazed into his electric blue eyes, and wanted to melt. "But, that's okay." I giggled and he laid his head down on top of mine. My knees got weak.
If he knew that I felt a connection towards him, I'd find myself stuck between him and Hot Rod. But, Bumblebee was incredibly well-mannered, kind, handsome…like Hot Rod was too. Ohh, the thoughts running through my head were never ending. I snapped back into reality when he gave my hand a squeeze. I looked into his eyes.
"How about we sit for a lil'?" His deep voice asked in a small whisper. "Right here?" He pointed to a small patch of grass in a collection of trees and other green foliage. I nodded and he gently pulled me over. We sat next to each other, smiling.
I looked around at the scenery, nervous as he didn't talk for at least two minutes later.
"Nice out, isn't it?" He breathed, looking at me. "I love it when Earth's weather is like this. Don't you?"
I smiled, noting how his handsome face held the golden rays of the sun that poked through the leaves. "Yeah, it's beautiful…" His fingers crawled across the dirt to get to my hand, and he took it slowly. I giggled at him.
"Beautiful just like you, Arcee," he said, that wonderful voice of his music to my ears. I let him slip an arm around my middle and pull me against his muscular frame, his fingers working magic against my side in their touches. Chills snaked up my spine, making me shudder in pleasure. He set his head on mine again, smiling down at me. His lips were so close to my forehead, I was sure he was going to kiss me.
"Bumblebee, you're bluffing," I said at him, wrinkling my nose as I giggled.
He made a playful face, moving his other arm around me. "I wouldn't lie to you." He eased closer. I felt his warm breath hit my skin, and shuddered.
"Mmm, I know you wouldn't," I said. I saw him look at my lips, and I looked at his. We both knew what the other wanted, but couldn't bring ourselves to do it. I bit my lower lip and blushed. His eyes flashed.
"I've missed you, Arcee," he whispered in my ear, pulling me up so my head rested against his neck. I felt his pulse against my head, his spark beating. I couldn't resist, brushing my fingers up his hard chest. His spark was thudding quickly. Was he nervous?
"And I've missed you, too," I said in almost a groan.
I felt him shift as he rested his head on the other side of mine, and I snuggled into the crook of his neck, closing my eyes. He swayed me back and forth. I felt like I was in a fantasy dream.
Rubbing his jaw up and down my head, I lifted my chin, wanting to run my lips across that hard bone. It was tempting.
Rrrr….Rrrrrr….Was the sound of his gentle purring that shook my head. I felt him chuckle, and I laughed, stroking his stomach slowly. He drew it in and laughed louder, and I tickled him.
"Haha, Arcee, stop!" He said through laughs, trying to twist away.
I kept going for a bit more. "Hmm? What was that?"
He hugged me tight as I stopped, letting out a breath of satisfaction. I melted in his arms.
"You silly femme," he grinned at me.
"Naughty mech," I said, sticking out my tongue.
He nuzzled his head against mine, and I did the same. He leaned down and our noses pressed against each other's. I stared into his imploring eyes, mesmerized by their beauty.
The closeness of our sparks made me smile, I could feel his' pulse within my own. Squeezing my hand, he looked into my eyes.
"Arcee, I love you," he breathed, his breath, again, hitting me.
Those words made me stare. I thought of Hot Rod…
And before I could say it back, a familiar voice cut me off.
"Don't you dare say that back, Arcee," it snapped.
Our eyes turned. I froze.
Before us both stood a man, taller than Bumblebee, his hair a fiery red and orange. His eyes were a heated blue, his body hard in pure muscle, his face highlighted in absolute disgust. He started storming over to us both, not glaring at me through narrowed eyes, but Bumblebee. Bumblebee held me tighter from the man known as...
Hot Rod.
I could only wish for a miracle.