Chapter Twenty-Four – Your First One

Adonis III

Darren's Point of View

My footsteps were alone in one massive hallway, echoing ahead of me for what seemed like miles and miles, when they were only a few strolls to any robot here. By the time I reached Optimus' quarters, way at the end of the hall, I was nearly out of breath.

I slipped under the little opening beneath the door, big enough for me to fit through without a struggle. Optimus didn't like it when I did that, but I didn't care. Knocking on the door wouldn't do anything good. Who could hear such a small sound against such a large door?

The first thing I saw were his glaring eyes, though they were a calm blue. I raised my hands quickly in protest, walking over to him at a casual speed.

"Hey, hey, I didn't forget this time," I said, smiling some. "I have a question…"

He watched me as I moved to a few feet away from his foot, the coldness in his eyes disappearing. His metal lips curved into a smile, and he leaned down at me from the chair he was seated at.

"What's your question, Darren?" He said calmly, his mighty voice rattling in him.

I slipped my hands into my jean pockets and shifted my shoulders beneath my backpack straps. I had gotten my pack returned to me from Ironhide. Little had I known that the Autobot squad had searched the Decepticon headquarters before we departed. Of course, I hadn't noticed, being so wound up in Bumblebee's death.

I took in a deep breath. "W-Well, I was wondering if you'd be oh so kind enough to drive me around for a bit…," I said with a charming grin. "Just for a little?"

His expression changed to confusion and wonder. "Any particular reason why you would need a drive from me especially?"

"'Cause Bee is out walking, and I've bothered Ratchet enough for one day," I said, frowning.

"And you didn't go along with Bumblebee?"

"He said he wanted to be alone," I answered in a quieter voice.

"Ah," Optimus nodded. "Well, you haven't mentioned the others…Ironhide and Jazz."

I twisted my lip, making a face. "Yeahhh, well, I don't know them as well."

"There is a first for everything. You could meet one of them."

"Ehhh'…." I uttered, looking disappointed. "Do I have to?"

"Darren," he droned, giving me a look.

I sighed, grinning. "Alright, since you're the leader, I'll listen."

He laughed, one of his metal toes nudging into my leg, making me stumble.

"Now, go on," he said warmly. "I'm sure Jazz or Ironhide will be happy to take you out."

I started walking, smiling back at him. "Yeah, I'm sure…"

And as he bid me goodbye with a wave, I slipped under the door and entered the massive hall again, my eyes turning in either directions. Nodding to myself, I started down on end, my hands gripping my straps.

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

Wooded Area Around Cliantha I

Bumblebee's Point of View

My eyes were glazed over, my mind somewhere else I couldn't reach. I walked unusually steady, my head bowed, my eyes unblinking. I felt expressionless, vacant, like I wasn't even there. I think humans called it, "daydreaming."

Finally, I awoke into reality, shaking my head as I blinked many times. I let out a deep breath, lifting my head. I looked through fallen strands of hair at the sky, thinking about Darren.

I was glad when he forgave me, and when I promised to be his guardian forever. I only hoped he truly realized how much he meant to me. Like I had said many times before, Darren is at the center of my heart. In no way possible could Arcee take up the rest of the space. I did love her, but Darren came first. No matter what, he was the main priority.

My thoughts were cut short when my antennae perked from my hair at a rustling noise behind me. I spun on my heel, scanning the foliage with my robotic eyes. It was silent, except for my breathing that had spiked at that sound. I took a few steps backwards, my head still in that direction, then looked away. I continued forward.

Just the wind, I thought to myself. Nothing else.

I didn't believe that when the sound came again, my spark jumping. I turned only to look into the electric eyes of a man I did not want to see now…Or ever again.

Hot Rod.

He was lunging in mid air at me when I turned, and his hands soon pressed against my chest, his weight pushing me down. I landed on my back with a dull thud, feeling him stand on all fours on top of me. I looked at him through messy locks of hair, watching his mouth curl up into a sly smile. He chuckled.

"Hey, there, little buddy," he teased me. "Whatcha doin' out here all by yourself, 'uh?"

I narrowed my optics and glared. My jaw clenched.

"For a man your age, I'm surprised you're acting like this," I said, feeling him press down harder. "Why don't you just leave me alone?"

He snickered, pushing the hair from my eyes in a way that made me hiss.

"M'only checkin' on my favorite little Autobot," he smiled. He squeezed my cheek mockingly. "Coochie coochie coo! Hahaha."

I winced and growled, at his behavior and action. I swiped his hand away.

"Would you lay off?!" I yelled. My hands thrusted into his chest, trying to move him away. My palms only dug into solid muscle and I felt his laughter over my struggling grunts. He moved my hands away with ease, pressing his deeper into mine. I made a sound, feeling my ribs move in.

"Now, let's not try that," he grinned.

I sighed sharply, my fingers prying desperately at his hands. Nothing happened. He only dug me deeper into the dirt. I groaned lightly, forcing out a breath.

"Hmmm? What's wrong?" He taunted. "Can't take it?"

I struggled, my spark thudding under his hands. "Hot Rod, stop it," I demanded, my head falling back into the dirt. "I-I can't breathe…!"

He snickered, glaring at me.

"Well, why don't you promise me a little somethin' first?" He said lowly.

I just stared, grunting as my lungs stated to cave in. "Wh-What?" I breathed.

He leaned down and set his face merely an inch away from mine. His eyes became cold as ice, narrowing slowly. I tensed as I felt his hot breath, glaring back at him.

"Stay away from Arcee," he growled.

I didn't say anything until he pressed harder, making me utter a short groan.

"SAY YOU WILL," he demanded, eyes flaring. "Say it!"

I pressed my cheek into the ground, shutting my eyes. "N-No," I muttered.

He pressed as hard as I could. I groaned out in pain, my ribs pushed down.

"Say it or I'll keep it comin'," he said, smiling slyly.

I turned my head and looked back up at him, taking in a ragged breath.

"Bumblebee!"

"Alright," I breathed, staring at him. "Just lay off…!"

He smiled with a corner of his mouth. "Beg," he said deeply.

I started breathing awkwardly. "Wh-What?"

"Beg!" He snapped back, his eyes flashing again. "C'mon, beg for mercy!"

I glared. "N-No…!"

He dug his fingers into my skin, and I gritted my teeth. I couldn't breathe anymore. I had to give in…though my processor screamed at my decision.

"M-Mercy," I said hoarsely, looking at him in pain.

"Mercy, who?"

"H-Hot Rod," I gasped. "M-Mercy!"

His lips curled into a devious smile. He finally pulled his hands away, and I willingly took in a harsh breath, closing my eyes for a moment. I heard him chuckle mockingly at me, his hand tussling my bangs across my forehead messily.

"Good, boy," he said.

Sitting up, I shoved him off of me, giving him a cold glare.

"Just, mute it," I growled, standing. I brushed the dirt off of the back of my shirt.

"Hey, I'm just makin' sure we're clear here," he said, setting his hands on his hips.

I looked up at him, glaring. He looked away.

"Where're you headed anyways?"

"None of your business," I growled.

He shot me a cold look, then dropped his gaze to the ground, running a foot across the dirt as he crossed his arms. "Well, then, I guess I won't be following you anymore…Since we're clear."

I didn't say anything.

"Right?" He looked at me.

"…Sure," I said a long moment later.

He blinked, then scoffed lightly. "That's right. We are clear, my friend."

Friend – The last thing I'd consider him.

And with that thought, I turned from him, walking away. I turned my eyes in his direction when I heard his voice again.

"And if I catch you anywhere near her again," He called. "I won't be so nice."

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

20 Minutes Later, Wooded Area near Tranquility Lake

Bumblebee's Point of View

I was lost in thought again, listening to my footsteps in the back of my mind. My blood ran warm inside me whenever I thought about Hot Rod. I couldn't believe he was even a fellow Autobot. The thought disgusted me, the fact rather. One could even say I despised him as much as much as a Decepticon.

I think I did.

I lifted my head to look through tall collections of trees, my droopy eyes looking around aimlessly. They scanned over Tranquility Lake, watching the waters ripple. For a moment, my mind was cleared, and I relaxed. But, all systems shifted into overdrive when my eyes landed upon two figures in the sun's rays.

They looked oddly familiar.

"Who is that…?" I whispered to myself.

I crept past a few trees, easing closer to the two figures. I looked them both over, two humans, the outline of their silhouettes significantly different. I noticed that the two were a human male and female. I zoomed in on them, crouching behind shrubbery.

My spark skipped when I noticed one of the two.

One of them was Darren.

With a female? Who could it be?

I saw some of his fingers sneak away from the rest, moving to the female's. They took each other's hands and looked at each other. I thought I saw Darren smile, and the female was shy, giggling and looking away. Darren lifted his other hand and turned her cheek, their eyes looking into each other's. And slowly, he leaned in…closer, closer, closer…

Until their lips touched.

Pressed and held.

Darren's first kiss…

I leaned back, feeling my spark sink. My eyes stayed on them and I almost felt hurt. That female…she had to be the one Darren had his eye on. That didn't matter. What did was why I felt so hurt, so sad…I should have been happy for him. Darren could have found that one female…His significant other. Someone else that could say, "I love you."

But, that was it. Darren was growing up. And I, as his father figure, didn't want that. Darren's life was short, not eons like us Cybertronians, and there he was, advancing through the years. Pretty soon he could be married, have children, raise them, and work – Would I be there? Or would he have moved to a place of his own? Where he doesn't have to worry about the Decepticons finding his base. He would have a home with his wife and kids.

That picture in my mind was almost wrenching.

Darren would be leaving me some day. I hadn't fully realized.

And he would be doing this sooner than I thought.

I so best make special the little time we have left.

For a couple human years is like a couple thousand to us.