this fic was written for kukikopi as part of the honorary titans secret gift exchange 2021 on tumblr! thanks again for hosting, teentitansseasonfive!

Grip Strength

Bumblebee knew who she was the moment her eyes locked on her. Her tall, powerful physique made her a standout among the Titans gathered in the main living space. She bobbed her head up and down, evidently deep in conversation with Red Star and Wildebeest, and she sipped from a plastic cup half full of ice water.

Pantha was one of the five reasons why Bumblebee survived. If she and the other Titans hadn't staged a counterattack on the Brotherhood of Evil, then Bumblebee feared she would have been encased in a block of ice forever. She still remembered the sudden chill blasting over her skin and seeping into her follicles before everything went dark. It was a sensation she never wanted to repeat, nor would she wish that fate on even the most malicious of villains.

Mas had spoken highly of her when Titans East recuperated. His mouth moved faster than his natural speed with Menos when he explained the exact details of what happened with Pantha and the boys. She was a heroic figure who wrestled enemies into submission, such as when her esteemed claw clenched Mammoth's face so tightly that he was rendered immobile.

Bumblebee wanted to offer her gratitude. It wasn't every day when she found herself in the position of needing to be saved. She preferred rescuing instead of playing the less covetous role of damsel in distress. Judging by Pantha's precision in battle and confident proclamations, she believed Pantha shared the sentiment.

Bumblebee approached when she saw an opening. Starfire whisked Red Star and Wildebeest to the refrigerator, eager to show them what appeared to be a mountain of green jelly with peculiar, inhuman ingredients stuffed inside. As their expressions wrinkled in feigned appreciation for Starfire's delicacy, Bumblebee strode over to Pantha, who finished her drink, crumpled the cup, and tossed it into the nearest trash can.

"Hey, Pantha," she called, waving to the Titan who towered over her.

Pantha immediately noticed her. She glanced at her up and down, appearing to analyze her. She leaned her hip into the counter, her ruby red lips coming together in a neutral line.

"I'm the leader of Titan East. Name's Bumblebee," she said, stretching out her hand.

Recognition blossomed on Pantha's expression. She accepted Bumblebee's hand and gave it a generous squeeze. Bumblebee's jaw tightened as they shook hands, her fingers stinging when Pantha released her.

"Oh, my mistake. I forget to loosen up when I meet new people," Pantha admitted with a light chuckle. She hummed, dipping her head forward to examine Bumblebee's arm. "But compared to most of the girls here, your arms look defined. You seem like you could throw a man over your shoulder."

Pride swelled through her. Bumblebee patted her bicep, then flexed. As Pantha uttered a delighted hum at her muscles, she said, "I never skip a workout day. Just part of the superhero job."

Pantha arched her back and raised her arms. Without needing to flex, her brawn was on full display. "Of course! The strong must always seek to maintain and better themselves," she said, only to pause, her eyes widening. Curiosity was written on her features. "So, I believe you work with the rugrats."

Bumblebee looked in the direction where Pantha pointed. Mas and Menos, despite their small statures, were easy to spot in the crowd of Honorary Titans. They stood next to Kid Flash, marveling over him as they chatted. It appeared to Bumblebee that he was regaling the boys with a tall tale. Jinx rolled her eyes as he spoke, but Mas and Menos listened with their ears wide open. She almost felt a pang of jealousy running through her. If she could get Mas and Menos to listen without them complaining, then she, Speedy, and Aqualad would have gotten a lot more work done around Titans East Tower if they did their chores without needing to be constantly reminded.

Still, she smiled. "Yep. Those two might be a handful, but they're the reason why the bad guys got put on ice."

Pantha chuckled, deep and brassy. "Whenever Kid Flash tossed them a defeated opponent, they took the initiative and did what needed to be done. That's the hustle I like to see." She shifted her finger to Mas, who bounced on his heels with Menos as they barraged Kid Flash with questions. "You know, while I was on the mission with Mas, he told me about you and your Titans East."

That caught her attention. Titans East was still a relatively new team. While they were respected in Steel City, elsewhere, they were still bottom-of-the-barrel superheroes. Even after stopping Control Freak's various schemes in Jump City, Speedy still had times when he was mistaken for Robin. Aqualad and Bumblebee weren't as well-known, the former having stuck to his guns underwater while Bumblebee had previously completed missions in secret. Mas and Menos were far too young to make much of an impact on the world, and their youth had reporters putting the team under a critical lens whenever they made mistakes.

But hearing that it came from Mas, she wondered what he had said. Mas tended to talk as long as someone would listen. Considering Kid Flash was still nodding along while he jabbered on, Bumblebee assumed that Mas had talked Pantha's ear off, but Pantha's calm expression hadn't shown any indication of annoyance.

"He was worried about you, all of you," she stated.

A gasp escaped Bumblebee. While she had been able to thank and congratulate Mas during the party, she had decided to mingle when the brothers took off to eagerly meet the new Honorary Titans. He hadn't seemed distressed at all, but regardless, guilt gnawed at her. As the leader of Titans East, it was her duty to ensure the comfort of her teammates, even if Mas appeared unbothered in the aftermath.

Bumblebee was ready to excuse herself when Pantha raised her hand. "Ah, I meant his concern for you all fueled him in battle," she clarified, then a hint of a smile graced her face. "When we were journeying to the Brotherhood's base, Mas confided in me. He told me about the adventures he had with your team. When it came to you, he had nothing but appreciation for your guidance and coordination." Pantha glanced back at Mas, who shook hands with Kid Flash before the brothers parted to meet a pair of stormy siblings. "He holds incredible respect for you. Although Beast Boy was admirable, Mas insisted you had a way with your commands, and your confidence was in another weight class." She crossed her arms, patting her biceps. "I believe Mas would not have been able to save so many lives if he hadn't been influenced by you, Bumblebee."

Relief washed over her. The sigh she breathed out exhaled the chills in her body. Bumblebee couldn't help but chuckle, her face warming up in delight. She met Pantha's gaze, allowing the accolades to settle in her head as her prior endeavors came to mind. Her infiltration of the H.I.V.E. Academy, the conception of Titans East, making a name of herself as a dependable member of the Titans in the world's eyes, she had more than proved her abilities as a leader.

And although she had only just met Pantha, Bumblebee felt she understood. They were like kindred spirits. Pantha was a wrestler with a history of notoriety. She was the hero of the ring. Defeating heels and villains alike, she improved her craft and honed her sense of justice and showmanship, winning over both the crowd and the Titans.

"I don't normally give praise without a good reason. Seeing you in front of me, I can tell what Mas said is very true," Pantha said, nodding to herself.

"Oh, thank you. I appreciate it," she replied, then gently tapped her knuckles against Pantha's sturdy forearm. "Hey, speaking of praise, I saw you defeat Wrestling Star in one blow! It was incredible! How'd you take down that bug lug so efficiently?"

Snickering, Pantha stretched her fingers, then formed a claw. Bumblebee noticed her rather sharp fingernails, wondering if she filed them. "For starters, his name is hardly ironic when he was such a loser," she sneered, raising her other hand. She kept it limp as she held it out. "Now, when an opponent is charging at me-" She pulled her loose hand inward before swiftly clutching it with her claw. "-they do not think to defend. Their mind is focused entirely on their attack, which makes them vulnerable to frontal grabs."

When she released her hand, Bumblebee's eyes widened. A red tint burned on her skin. Even if it was only a demonstration, she was surprised to realize that Pantha had left a burning handmark on herself.

"It doesn't hurt," she reassured with a shake of her head, "but when it's the real move, I leave my enemies with their bare faces so searing that they can only cry before I take their mask."

Bumblebee hummed, bringing her hands together in applause drowned out by the boisterous voice of Lightning. She quickly shot him a look, finding Mas and Menos sticking their tongues out at him. Thunder attempted placating his irritated twin, but Lightning seethed. Ignoring their budding bickering, she exclaimed, "That's thrilling! Mind showing me that when you can? I might be a flyer and small in size at times, but that move would be a real asset in my arsenal."

Pantha pondered the request before nodding. "I don't see any harm in sharing my technique with you." She narrowed her eyes. "So long as you never enter the ring with my move."

She saluted. "Don't be a copycat. Got it."

She caressed her mask, her brows furrowing. "Was that a pun?"

"Maybe."

Her playful tone earned Bumblebee another peal of laughter. Pantha went to speak, only for Lightning to piercingly interject. The other Titans discerned the brewing argument, and Robin stepped in to quell their dissatisfaction. Thunder guided Lightning off to the side at Robin's request, the latter allowing sparks to dance on his skin. Mas and Menos blew raspberries at his backside, and Lightning whipped his head over his shoulder so quickly that Bumblebee thought it would unscrew off like a lightbulb.

As Thunder dragged his brother to the exit, Bumblebee sighed and rolled her eyes. "Oh, boy. I think I have to give the kiddos another lecture about not instigating fights."

Pantha clapped her hand on Bumblebee's shoulder, her restraint far more gentle. "Well, that may be so, but I had a wonderful time meeting you. I'll be sure to contact you about training."

She flashed Pantha a bright smile. "Not just that, though. Feel free to visit us whenever you want. Titans East and I will gladly welcome you, Pantha," she said, offering her hand for a second time.

"And I would be honored to take you up on that," she said, and she grasped Bumblebee's hand.

They connected. Their fingers locked together, and they gave one firm shake. It was one of equal strength and commitment. When Pantha released Bumblebee, they parted with the affirmation that they would see each other far sooner rather than later.