Chapter Twenty-One – Infamous Love Triangle
Arcee's Point of View
I shivered in fear as Hot Rod stopped only a foot away from us, his heated blue eyes glaring into Bumblebee's electric blue ones. I saw his hard jaw clench, his hands balling into fists.
"Who the hell are you?!" He shot at Bumblebee, leaning forward demandingly.
Bumblebee's arms tightened around me and I pressed my back against him. His spark was thudding madly, and I felt him breathing nervously. I took his hand, my bottom lip trembling as Hot Rod came even closer.
Don't hurt him, Rod, I thought, sinking down.
"I could ask you the same thing," Bumblebee answered lowly, sizing up Hot Rod with his now cold blue eyes.
"Tell me who you are," Hot Rod snapped, his fists rising above his hips.
Don't hurt him…
Bumblebee didn't respond yet, only pulled me away from Hot Rod's reach.
"I said, 'Tell me who you are!'" Hot Rod yelled angrily. He swiftly stepped around Bumblebee's legs and used his massive hands to get a hold of his shoulders, pressing down with all his strength. Bumblebee's hug around me weakened as he made a small noise of pain, and Hot Rod used this as an advantage, taking me in his arms. I felt like a rag doll, going from one man to the next. I landed against his hard chest, our eyes locked.
"Get over there," he growled at me, pushing me aside. My shoulder hit a tree and I cried out softly, stumbling to regain balance. Hugging myself around my stomach, I whimpered, watching the two men through tear-filled eyes. I saw Bumblebee stare at me, his spark obviously dropped inside him. I could only let a tear trickle.
Primus, how I was so sorry.
Hot Rod pulled Bumblebee to his feet, the giant man looking down at the other. He pushed Bumblebee against a tree, cornering him, blocking his path. Bumblebee's back hit the tree roughly and I saw him glare.
"Who. Are. You," Hot Rod demanded. "Tell me!"
Bumblebee hissed, "I'm her friend."
"You call hitting on my femme friendly?" He thundered, pointing a finger right at Bumblebee's eyes. "Huh?! Do you?!"
Bumblebee didn't answer.
"Answer me!" Hot Rod roared. "I'm not afraid to hurt you!"
Bumblebee winced and looked at me, his eyes wider than before. He made a face at me, and frowned lightly. I thought I saw tears in his eyes.
"Why didn't you tell me…?" He mouthed.
I thought he knew…
I'd hurt him. Shamefully, I looked away, turning.
Rrrr…Bumblebee purred sadly.
Hot Rod sighed angrily, pushing Bumblebee in the shoulder. "You stay the hell away from her, you got it?"
I didn't hear a reply. Footsteps came near me and an arm moved around my waist.
"C'mon," Hot Rod said near my ear, stealing a final heated glare at Bumblebee. "Let's get outta here, hun." He kissed my cheek and I didn't look at him. My spark dropped.
As we walked to the Cliantha I's entrance, I looked back at a broken-hearted Bumblebee, standing alone in the patch of grass. For sure, I saw a single tear on his cheek. He turned his back to me and walked away in the opposite direction.
Rrrrr…
"I won't let that guy hit on you ever again, babe," whispered Hot Rod. "M'sorry he did that."
"Mmm," was the noise I made in reply.
Who did my spark really belong to? Hot Rod? Or Bumblebee?
Why did love have to be so complicated…?
//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\
Unknown Territory in Cliantha I's Forest
About Thirty Minutes Later
Bumblebee's Point of View
I lifted my face from my palms, trying to stop crying. Never before had I felt so betrayed, so broken-hearted, so used…I was used as an instrument of pleasure. The love of my life, Arcee, she had my spark. I'd been so caught up in loving her…Hot Rod completely slipped from my processor. I sighed angrily, kicking a rock.
"It's my own damn fault," I whispered irately, feeling tears fall again. "Stupid, stupid, stupid…"
I heard footsteps behind me and turned, my antennae twitching under my hair.
Her.
Arcee.
I turned away and closed my eyes. I didn't want to see her now.
"What're you doin' here…?" I said softly.
"I told Hot Rod I wanted to come out for some fresh air..."
I didn't answer. It was silent for a while.
"Bumblebee, I'm sorry," her tiny voice apologized. She shuffled up to my side, tried to take my hand. I jerked my hand away and crossed my arms. Opening my eyes, I turned my head down, stopping in my tracks. Her hands grabbed one of my arms, her nails digging into my skin. I shot her a look.
"Bumblebee, please. Accept my apology," she begged, staring right into my eyes.
I just stared, not a hint of sympathy on my face, though my spark felt for her.
"P-Please, Bumblebee," she whined. I saw tears and tore our gaze.
"I'd forgotten you were in love with Hot Rod," I said lowly. I moved away from her.
Arcee followed. "I-I thought you knew," she whispered.
I spun on my heel and glared. "It doesn't matter if I knew already, Arcee…!" I stared at her, and she timidly stared back, stepping back some as I raised my voice. "Yes, I know it's my fault for coming on to you so quickly, but you have to take the blame too. You should've stopped me."
She walked over to me slowly, her eyes not breaking our gaze. Her hand rested on my arm again.
"Well, maybe I was enjoying our little get-together, hmm?" She allured me. She brushed her fingers delicately up my chest, making my expression of anger disappeared. I slowly drew my arms around her middle, pressing her lower against mine.
I forgot about my anger.
"Well, maybe I was, too," I grinned. I lifted my hand to one of the strawberry blonde cinnamon buns fastened on one side of her head, my fingers fiddling with one of them slowly. I undid one with a wider smile, letting the locks of hair fall onto her shoulders. I undid the other, and she giggled. I ran my fingers through her hair.
"You're wonderful, Arcee," I breathed, eyeing the tumbling hair.
She lifted her chin and pressed her lips against my jaw. I smiled and let her head sit against my neck. Closing my eyes, I swayed her.
"I'm stuck between two handsome, amazing mechs," she sighed, walking her fingers up my stomach and chest. "How am I to decide?"
My spark dropped a little, and I stroked her back. "Do what your spark says is right," I said quietly, opening my eyes. "Follow it, not what others think you should do." I kissed the top of her head. "Okay, Arcee?"
She nodded.
"Yes, but, no matter its decision, I'll always love you."
I smiled.
"And I, you."
//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\
Inside the Cliantha I, 4 Minutes Later
Arcee's Quarters, Her Point of View
Hot Rod shifted beneath me, our metal bodies scraping against each other lightly as he leaned back, crossing his legs on my recharge berth. I subconsciously ran my fingers up and down his leg, giving him several pleasing feelings in his spark. His arm tightened around me and I leaned my head back into his chest, closing my eyes.
"How was your walk?" He said into my receptor.
"It was replenishing," I answered him. "I had a chance to clear my processor."
I felt him nod, my body lifting somewhat as he took in a deep breath. "Good, good," he said, slipping his fingers through a small parting in my armor plating to stroke my protoform. "M'glad you did, hun."
I nodded.
"Why did you disobey me, Arcee?"
I froze.
"Wh-Whatever do you mean?" I asked shakily. His arms moved from around me and he forced me to turn, his crystal blue optics looking into mine seriously.
"I saw you walk over to him," he said lowly. "I told him to stay away from you, and those orders apply to you as well."
I made a face. "Hot Rod, I don't approve of you bossing me around like this," I snapped.
He looked shocked. "Excuse me?"
"Babe, I love you, but telling me what to do just doesn't float my boat…"
Hot Rod stared at me, surprised at the words that were coming out of my mouth.
"I'm only protecting our relationship," he said almost weakly.
I looked away, rising to my feet. "Well, you need to do it some other way…"
He rose to his feet after me, moving to my side. His hand moved over my aft, his other on my shoulder to turn me. I squirmed in protest and he easily pressed me into the wall. I saw him grin.
"Rod, not right now," I mumbled. "I'm not in the mood."
He only laughed, pressing his mouth against mine. I felt his metal tongue sneak into without being granted my access, forcing its way against my tongue. I couldn't help, but melt into his loving action, kissing him back. I closed my optics, fell into a dream again…
"Now, what were you saying?" He asked me, blue optics flashing.
I shook my head, letting him kiss my neck.
"I'll stay away from 'im," I said groggily, half-aware of what I told him. "Rod, I love you."
He smiled between kisses.
"That's my girl."