Disclaimer: Transformers (Generation 1) and everything related belongs to the rightful company Hasbro. I am in no way shape or form making money off this.
Author's Notes: Mirage is not only one of the newest mechs to join the Autobots, he's also the only Tower Elite to do so. But not everyone is thrilled to see him and not making the slightest attempt to get to know him. But Bumblebee is a friend to all and he's not going to pass up an opportunity to befriend the ex-noble.
Title: Welcome to the Ark
Pairing: MiragexBumblebee (G1)
Request: Echo_Stargazer (AO3)
'The Towers were never this—exciting,' Mirage thought to himself. And once more he found himself severely out of his element, so to speak.
Mechs and femmes of different types and builds loudly chatted with one another, some laughing as what appeared to be a story, and others were drinking. Almost everyone was in groups of several of more, a few in groups smaller than three, but there was not one bot who sat alone. Save for himself.
Digits nervously tapped at his cube before lifting it to take a sip. The young noble thought he felt alone back when he lived in the Towers, but now he felt even more alone here. He knew none of the bots here, and on one was going out of their way to make him feel welcomed. Afterall, why would one of Cyberton's Elite be doing mingling with the mere laborers?
'Maybe I should just leave,' the mech thought to himself, but he frowned. He was sharing quarters with another mech, but the mech made no attempt to interact with him at all. He didn't come out and say that he didn't like him, but it made it obvious he was no welcomed. But that was pretty much everywhere on the Autobot base. 'Maybe this was a bad idea.'
When war broke out, bots began to take sides. Megatron, a low-caste miner who had been sentenced to the gladiatorial pits for his crimes, spoke about equality for all. That those in the low-caste had just as much right to energon and other resources as those above, but the Elites were firm believers that you should stay where you were cast. Mirage was not a fan of such beliefs but he knew better than to say anything. His sire had believed that it would get nowhere, but things began to escalate. Before anybot knew it, the planet was at war with one another.
The royal blue and white mech looked up when he heard a small cheer and looked up in time to see for a yellow minibot enter the common room. He couldn't help but smile as the mech smiled and greeted some of the mechs and femmes by their designation, his smile bright and welcoming. Bumblebee was a friend to all, with a big spark, and pleasant personality component, and he was the only bot to treat Mirage like a being and not like an outcast. He sat up straighter when the smaller mech noticed him and waved, smile brightening. He couldn't help but give a small wave back.
"Excuse me, bots." Despite being a minibot, Bumblebee didn't let his smaller stature hinder him. In fact, it was more of an advantage than most gave him credit for. Easily passing by his friends, he made his was over to the small table in the corner. "Hey Mirage! What are you doing here all alone?" he asked once he was close enough.
"I'm fine, here I don't mind at all," the Towerling said with a polite nod. Truth was. It was the only table empty. He knew better than to try and invite himself to one already occupied, and this far back he wasn't given cold stares or ignored as though he didn't exist. "What have you been up to, today?"
"Oh, same ole, same ole. Training is getting pretty intense, but I think I'm getting better," he grinned. Gesturing to the available seat, he happily took it when the other mech nodded. "It's tiring, but apparently, I'm impressing some of the higher up. I've also heard your designation a few times as well."
"Really?" Mirage wouldn't say he wasn't curious, but he knew Bumblebee wasn't the type to make up lies. "Don't suppose you would tell me if I was in any trouble?"
"You? Trouble?" Bee couldn't help but laugh but it wasn't cruel or mocking. "No, no nothing like that! I just heard that you have some kinda outliner ability, oh! And that you're a really good shot."
"Well, not to brag but I used to hunt turbofoxes as a pastime. I didn't really enjoy it, but I did learn a great deal," he admitted. He wouldn't say it aloud, but Mirage enjoyed talking with the smaller mech. He was a pleasant bot, and he had never heard him have a negative thing about anybot. Not even against the bots they were fighting against! They spent so much time talking, by the time he checked his chronometer he was surprised at how late it was. "I can't believe we were talking that whole time."
"Tell me about it! But it was fun, it helped me get my processor off this war," Bumblebee admitted. The two were walking down the halls, heading towards the wing where their quarters were located. "Hey Mirage, can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"Do you think… what we're doing is right?"
The former noble blinked and stopped, looking down at his smaller companion. "I beg your pardon?"
"… nevermind. It was nothing." The minibot made to walk away but stopped when a servo reached out, the touch gentle.
"You can tell me, Bumblebee."
"… do you think, this fighting… are we doing the right thing?" he refused to look up at the other mech, embarrassed. The last time he had brought that up his roommate snapped at him. Bee hadn't meant anything, but sometimes everything just got to him to the point that he began doubting himself. The downcast minibot blinked when the servo on his pauldron gently squeezed and he looked up to see the mech smiling down at him.
"I have to admit, sometimes I wonder the same thing. But we've all seen the reports and data feeds: riots are breaking out, innocent bots are getting hurt, some of the other city-states are even denying entry to those who aren't originally forged there. Neutrals who want nothing to do with this are being pulled in." The taller mech paused, golden optics looking away as he processed what he was going to say next. "Megatron's words seemed too good to be true. I, believed in him, at one point… but not like this. The Senate refuses to listen, and things are just getting worse with each passing cycle. I wish we didn't have to fight just to survive…"
"Mirage…" There was something spark-breaking about his tone, but this mech was saying everything that he was feeling. Bumblebee wanted to comfort him, tell him that everything was going to be okay, but he slowly, hesitating as he reached out and took the blue servo in his own. Golden optics looked into his bright blue optics as he smiled up at him. "Thank you."
"You're thanking me? For what?"
"For making me feel like I'm not alone." Bee couldn't help but as his smile grew, especially when he saw the slight blush gracing the noble's faceplates.
"Yo, Bee!"
Both mechs looked down the hall where another minibot was standing. Similar model and frame like Bumblebee, but his plating was red instead of yellow. And he was scowling at the taller of the two mechs. Mirage said nothing as he walked over to them, nodding politely but the red mech didn't bother acknowledging him.
"Hey Cliff, didja need something?" Bumblebee asked him.
"Yeah. We need your help in inventory and you were the last bot when we got our supplies," Cliffjumper said, jerking his digit behind him. "Something got misplaced, I think."
"Again? Why doesn't anybot put stuff where it belongs?" Venting softly, the yellow minibot nodded. "Yeah, I'll be right there." Watching as the other mech walked off, Bumblebee looked up at the noble. "I better go see how I can help. It was great chatting with ya, Mirage."
"Likewise. Have a pleasant evening."
"Back at ya!" Waving to his friend, the smaller bot trotted down the hall, leaving the former noble alone.
As the cycles progressed, Bumblebee would make a point of spending time with the elegant mech whenever he could. He could see how lonely the other bot was, and he wanted to be a friend to him. He knew a lot of other bots didn't trust him for a number of reasons, but when they tried to make him listen, he tuned them out. He liked to make his own opinions about the bots he met without any outside help.
"Hey Mirage, how's it going this cycle?" he asked as he greeted the other mech.
"It's been—long," the elegant mech said with a polite nod, accepting the cube but he didn't immediately take a sip as his digits idly tapped at the sides. He missed the way the minibot tilted his helm to the side as he looked at him.
"What's wrong? You know you can talk to me, Mirage."
"… I must admit, I am envious at how easily you seem to make friends." Looking up, he schooled his features as he looked at the gathered mechs and femmes. Almost all of them were purposely ignoring him, but someone of them were giving him hostile looks, telling him that he did not belong here. He refused to show how much it hurt, but it was beginning to wear him down.
"Oh." One thing that most minibots hated was being overlooked, that they were worth less than the average-sized bots. But Bee saw it as a skill, a talent he honed to his advantage. "You know, I'm sure if you asked anyone here, they'll all say they're my best friend and they know me better than I know myself. But the fact is, that don't know the first thing about me." Golden optics looked up at him, confusion evident. Looking around, Bumblebee pointed at a red and blue Praxian sitting at a table with a few others, all of them holding cards. "Smokescreen can charm just about anybot he meets with as few words as possible, but he's a gambler who doesn't know when to quit." He pointed to another mech next to him that was never seen without a lit cygar. "Kup is always talking about his past battles, but whenever anybot brings up his time on planet Dread he says he can't remember and changes the topic." Looking over he gestured to another mech who was coming over some plans spread across a table, helmfins flashing brightly as he appeared to be arguing with a few others. "Wheeljack, Perceptor, and Chromedome are some of the best scientists we're lucky to have, but its rare when all of them agree on a plan."
"Why is that?"
"Most of Wheeljack's inventions tend to explode, whether he meant for them to or not. Perceptor is really smart, but sometimes he forgets how smart he is and accidentally insults some of the bots he talks to."
"I see… what about Chromedome?"
"I'm not sure, but he's so quiet he tends to fade in the background with little to no warning." Bumblebee went off to name a few others before turning back to the stunned noble. "Before you ask, they didn't tell me anything but I have optics. They may be my friends, but sometimes they talk over me like I'm not there. More than once they've made jokes about me being a minibot, that I'm easy to overlook. So yeah, they're my friends, but they don't know me."
"… your favorite color depends on your mood, but you like bright colors because they give you hope for a brighter future," Mirage spoke up before taking his cube and finally taking a sip. As he set his fuel down, he failed to hide his smile at the shocked look on the minibot's faceplates. "You mentioned it once when I found you watching Hadeen rising."
"Wow. You're the first bot to ever know that!"
As the two continued talking, their friendship grew. Mirage enjoyed speaking with the minibot, but he also took his unspoken advice. As the war continued more bots join their enemies, the Decepticons, like the city state of Vos. But their own forces, the Autobots, were growing. He became friends with a quiet, solitary mech called Hound, a grounder with the outliner ability to create realistic holograms. To top of that, both Mirage and Bumblebee were selected to be part of the Special Operations division within the Autobot ranks. They were introduced to another mech, a black and white mech with a bright blue visor called Jazz; a bot of many skills and talents, he was also lively and was an instant favorite among the troops. Before the ex-Towerling knew it, he had more friends than he could have imagined and none of them cared about his past. For a while he was able to ignore the cold-pauldrons and hostile stares. But unfortunately, as good as things were going, he knew it was only a matter of time before all of it came crashing down.
No one had seen it coming, but the ambush had nearly taken out a good number of their forces. Blaster in communications had received word that one of their troops guarding a supply train needed additional back-up. There was no explanation as to why, but they were in desperate need of those supplies. So, a group was sent out consisting of front liners, snipers, and Special Ops was sent, but they had ended up walking right into a trap, set up by the Decepticon's SIC, the seeker Starscream of Vos. It was a miracle that the Autobots were able to return to base, but over half of them were injured, and half of those were critical.
"Somebot get me those slagging clamps!" Ratchet bellowed angrily, servos deep in the chassis of one of the front-liners.
"Oil pressure is dropping. Fuel levels are rapidly declining."
"Set up a line already!"
"His spark is destabilizing!"
"Fragger! Don't you dare offline on me!"
Mirage felt like he was numb, idly picking at the scratches on his digits. Even outside the medical bay, he could hear the CMO shouting orders. He had been one of the lucky ones that returned with almost no injuries, but he could not stop his processor from replaying every gruesome moment. His outliner ability has saved him, after all one couldn't hit him if they couldn't see him, but the same couldn't be said for the others. They had just barely managed to make it and while Mirage didn't need any medical attention, he couldn't make himself leave just yet. Bumblebee had been one of the ones badly injured, but even upon their arrival he tried to get the medics attention on the others instead of his own.
'It was my fault… if I had been paying better attention, he wouldn't have gotten hurt.' Dark blue servos trembled as the digits curled into fists, wishing he had done something to prevent the minibot from getting hurt. He didn't realize he wasn't as alone as he thought.
"Look at him, what's he waiting for?" a minibot ask with a sneer, staring at the sitting mech.
"Beats me, but I heard he wasn't injured at all," another hissed to the others. "Apparently he's got this outliner ability to go invisible."
"Well, what do you expect, he's a slagging Towerling! They get the best of everything handed right to them while the rest of us have to actually work!"
The way the group were talking, casting hostile looks at the silently mech, voicing their hatred of him, they didn't realize they had company themselves until they felt a sharp snap of an EM field causing them all to fall silent. They turned and looked up at the mech standing behind them, servos planted on his pelvic plating.
"I suggest ya all leave 'im alone, unless ya'll wanna be under Ratchet's tender care." The group of mechs didn't dare say anything, but casting the former noble a final glare, they silently headed back to their quarters. The mech said nothing but once he was certain they were all gone, he made his way to where Mirage had yet to move and silently sat next to him. He hooked his servos behind his helm as he leaned back, crossing his peds before him. "Bee's gonna be okay, he's a tough minibot."
"… it's my fault."
"Hmm?"
"Bumblebee got hurt… I didn't see that Decepticon until it was too late…" Mirage refused to look up as he clutched his digits together so hard, the plating began to bend under pressure.
Jazz said nothing for a long time. He had been there when everybot came back, giving out orders as the medics scrambled to get everything ready for repairs; it was only later that he was able to read the reports that he confirmed what command had heard: the seekers from the fallen city-state of Vos had chosen a side. With aerial fights now on their side, the Decepticons had an advantage over the Autobots, meaning they had to be extra cautious now. The Special Ops had been on his way to see how several of his mechs were doing when he stumbled across the group insulting Mirage. He knew the Towerling was a good mech and a great addition to his division, but he was not going to let anybot insult those under his command. Friend, or foe.
"… ya know, bein' a soldier ain't easy. We see things we can neva' forget, do things we neva' thought we was capable of, become somethin' we neva' wanted to be. It comes wit' da territory," he started, choosing his words carefully as he spoke. "Special ops, we do things that otha' bots can't do. We're the ones who take on the more dangerous missions, and sometimes comin' back alive ain't really an option."
"… I should have reacted sooner…" Mirage closed his optics, but he could still see what had happened so vividly. "If… if I had changed the battery sooner… if I had paid attention… Bumblebee and the others wouldn't have paid for my mistake…"
"Maybe. But there's no sense in thinkin' 'bout what ya coulda done differently. We all screw up, but we learn from it so it don't happen again, 'Raj." Venting softly, the visored mech tilted his helm back before he allowed a smile to grace his faceplates. "Ya know, when Bee was chosen to be in Special Ops, I tried ta get him ta turn it down. He's the sweetest bot anybot could ever meet, but he said he couldn't, said if he can be of some use in some way, then he'd rather die tryin' than die doin' nothin' at all."
Mirage didn't say anything but he found himself smiling. Even as optical fluids fell from his optics he couldn't stop smiling. "That… sounds like something he would say." Bumblebee's spark was much too big for such a compact frame.
A few more joors passed, bots coming to see how those who had been injured were fairing, but with the TIC there no one dared say anything negative to Mirage. Hound also stopped by, plating scratched from his own skirmish but before heading to his quarters for some much need rest, he turned to the noble and assured him that everything would be alright.
"Whether you believe it or not, but you saved a lot of Autobots out there today, Mirage. I'm glad you decided to fight for your rights just like the rest of us," he told him with a sincere smile. "And I'm sure Bumblebee will say the same thing, but I'm glad to call you my friend."
"Thank you, Hound… that, means a great deal to me." The dark green mech nodded to the both of them before leaving. A short time later the med bay doors opened. CMO Ratchet, a blocky white and red medic with a dark colored chevron. He seemed to have a permanent scowl on his faceplates as he helped keep Bumblebee steady.
"Watch your step, Bumblebee! I didn't spend the last deca-cycle repairing you just for you to trip and ruin all my hard work," he scowled when the minibot listed to the side.
"I-I'm fine, Ratch! See?" Pushing away from the mech, the minibot tried walking away but his optics seemed to dim and one of his stabilizers locked up. He would have hit the floor if royal blue servos didn't catch him in time. Unable to support his own weight, Bumblebee let his frame go lax as he tilted his helm back and smiled broadly. "Hi M'raj!"
"Hello Bumblebee. I'm glad you're okay," he said with a small smile, helping him stand on his own peds.
"Okay? I'm better than okay! I'm fixed!" Bee was able to stand on his own for a klik before he started leaning backwards, only to be caught by the noble once more. "See? I'm fine!"
"Is there a reason why Bee looks like he's drunk on high grade?" Jazz asked, clearly concerned for his friend but also slightly amused at the sight. Bumblebee didn't hold his high grade very well, and it had nothing to do with the fact that he was a minibot either.
"His stabilizers are fine; they'll be a little stiff but he just needs to move around so the oil and grease can work their way through the gears. But the attack rattled his processor pretty bad," Ratchet explained with a deep exvent, crossing his servos over his chassis. "I know you take slagging good care of your mechs, Jazz, but I want somebot to keep an eye on Bee just in case."
"Ya got it, Ratch. Anythin' else we needa be concerned about?"
"Keep him talking if you can, ask him simple questions like what's his designation and if he knows where he's at. His processor needs to process what's going on or it could try to reject the surgery. Comm me just in case, or else." No one wanted to get the CMO's bad side, fewer knew better than to tease him, but when Jazz gave him a sharp salute, he couldn't help but chuckle, swatting at him. "'Nough of your sass. Just remember what I said."
"Gotcha." Bidding the medic a pleasant recharge, the TIC/Special Ops looked back to see that the two mechs, Mirage and Bumblebee were sitting on the bench. The minibot looked exhausted and kept rubbing at his pauldron. No doubt the gears that made up the hydraulic joints were not only stiff, but they also felt incredibly sensitive. He knew all too well how that felt. Standing before them he crouched down and waited until dim blue optics tried to focus on him. "Hey Bee, how ya feelin'?"
"Fine. I'm fine… sore… tired… kinda heavy…" he said quietly, rubbing his pauldron only to wince. "Why do I hurt?"
"Ya just got outta surgery, 'member?" The optics got a confused look but they widen as recognition. Jazz smiled when the minibot muttered something about "slagging seekers," slowly standing. "Take it easy, a'right?" He chuckled when the soldier held up his digits to say he promised. Turning to the other mech, he nodded. "'Raj, ya off-duty for tha rest of the cycle, right?"
"Yes, I am."
"Well, I'm sure ya heard the doc bot, but Bee needs somebot to keep an optic on 'im. So, if ya don't mind, I want ya to keep him company for tha remainder of tha cycle."
Mirage blinked, unsure what to say but he found himself nodding. Making sure he understood what to look for, he watched as his superior headed down the hall before looking down at his friend. He looked so vulnerable, he wanted to reach out and comfort him, protect him from the dangers of war, but he knew the minibot would refuse. He didn't want to be coddled, he wanted to help. "Bumblebee?"
"Hmm?"
"Would you like some energon? I believe the rec room should be empty at this time," he offered.
The plating seemed to gray as Bee groaned, covering his faceplates with both servos. "I don't feel like having anything right now," he muttered under his vents.
"I'm sorry. Maybe you should head back to your quarters."
"Maybe you're right…" Lifting his helm from her servos, the smaller mech stood but before he could take a step his stabilizer buckled only to be caught by the Towerling. He didn't fight it as he was helped down the hall, both of them sharing small talk along the way. A few of the questions made Bee pause, his processor a bit hazy on some of the details but they didn't last too long. Soon they were inside the minibot's quarters, his roommate no where to be seen. "Thanks, M'raj. I'm glad you're here…"
"Bumblebee…" His servos seemed to linger as he helped his friend sit on the berth before joining him. "How does your stabilizers feel?"
"Um, okay, I think." The Autobot lifted his right upper stabilizer up, bending the joints and testing his range of motion. He did the same to his stabilizer as well, finding them easier to move then before. "They feel good."
"Good, that's good." Looking at he other berth he could see what looked like maintenance equipment for taking care of their blasters. "Where's Cliffjumper?"
"Cliff? He, um, he has evening patrols. Yeah, I remembering him complaining how he was lucky to get enough recharge before weapons training."
"I don't blame him for being upset," Mirage smiled, both of them falling quiet, but it didn't last long as he spoke up. "Bumblebee… I-I'm sorry, it was my fault you got hurt…"
"What? Mirage, you saved me and everybot else today. We didn't know about the seekers, not completely, and if didn't cover us retreating, I doubt many of us would have made it back." Turning carefully, he reached out and took a blue servo between his black servos, making him look at him in surprise. "You, are a good mech, Mirage. You're smart, kind, you don't brag or act like a giant glitch, and you saved our afts today! I know there are some bots who don't like you being here, but they don't know you like I know you." Blinking his optics, he looked around as though to make sure they were really alone and gestured the taller mech to lean in. "Wanna know a secret?"
"O-Okay?" He could almost hear the sound of the compact engine in the brightly colored plating.
"I think, they don't like you 'cuz you're onna the best-looking bots here. I know I do." Bumblebee giggled, watching the way the noble's faceplates light up with a blush. Before he could pull away Bee leaned forward, cupping the silver faceplates, and pressed his lips against the others like he had wanted to do for a long time. The kiss was light, almost chaste, but it had felt so good. The kiss ended as softly as it started, but the minibot didn't immediately pull away. He could feel his own faceplates burning brightly, and his processor felt light, almost floaty.
"Bumblebee…" the Towerling vented softly, derma plating tingling, but he couldn't pull himself away. The digits caressing his cheek ridge was gentle, the servo holding his own warm, but he was craving more of his touch.
"M'raj… can, can I kiss you?" Those perfect lips parted and when he nodded, the yellow mech leaned in and kissed him again but this time the blue and white mech kissed him back, lips gliding gently against one another as digits stroking at facial plating, the air from their vents mingling. The kiss gently broke apart once more, both mechs saying nothing as they stared deeply into each other's optics, faceplates still flushed brightly. Somehow during the kissing. Bumblebee made his way onto Mirage's lap, straddling him with both servos wrapped around his neck cables, stroking the cheek ridges with his thumbs. The noble had his own servos resting on the slender waist, stroking the sensitive seams, and caressing the plating, but neither of them made any attempt to go further. Optics closed as they leaned into one another, forehelms touching.
"You should get some rest, Bumblebee. Regain your strength," the Towerling said softly.
"Okay…" The minibot silently climbed off the other's lap, settling on his berth he vented deeply, optics slowly dimming. He smiled as an anti-static sheet was draped over him but when he felt movement he reached out and caught the servo before it could pull back completely. "Please, stay with me?"
"… alright." The taller mech carefully sat back down, running his thumb over the back of the black servo. He smiled as he watched the optics grow dimmer, vents evening out as the minibot finally slipped in recharge. He had been concerned at first, wondering if it was safe but after sending the CMO Ratchet a quick comm, he told him that was fine and that he should be alright. But Mirage continued to sit there and watch over his beloved friend. He had never felt anything for another bot before, definitely not like this, but when he saw him going down like that… he couldn't bear thinking about it.
"Bumblebee… I-" He froze when the mech shifted slightly on the berth, but he remained offline. He knew he should just stop, but the Towerling leaned over and kissed the Special Ops spy. "I love you," he whispered against his lips before slowly pulling back. The rest of the cycle passed by without any incident, but when he pulled his servo away it felt cold. He made sure the berthsheet was tucked around Bee before leaving the quarters. He stood there for a moment, trying to gather his processor that his engine jumped when he heard somebot clearing their vocalizer.
Cliffjumper as his servos crossed firmly over his chassis, a deep-set scowl on his faceplates, his plating clamped so tightly it hurt. "What the frag were doing in my quarters?" he demanded icily.
"I was taking care of Bumblebee, he's recovering from the emergency surgery," Mirage replied, stepping away from the door. There was an awkward tension that seemed to rapidly fill the hall, the air stifling and making it hard to vent properly. "Ratchet wanted to see Bumblebee when he onlined."
"…"
"… have a pleasant cycle, Cliffjumper." Nodding to him, the ex-noble moved passed the red minibot, trying not to increase his pace nor look at him but he stopped when he called out to him. "Can I help you with anything?" he asked calmly.
"Do you really think Bee considers you a friend, noble?" Cliffjumper said, staring at the other mech with clear and open distain.
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me! Bee is a total soft-spark, yeah, but I know him better than anybot here. Its hard enough being a minibot, bots looking down at you and treating you like a glitch. We get enough of it from mechs and femmes, but you nobles treat us the worse." Stepping up to him, Cliffjumper growled as he reached up and jabbed his digit into the mech's chassis, determined to say his piece and make his words known. "I don't buy into this whole slag that you wanna fight for the same reasons we do, and I don't believe that you don't have some other reason to be here, but I'm only gonna say this once: frag off."
"… what are you saying?" he asked quietly.
"You're not his friend, not in the slightest. Bee just felt bad for you because no one wanted you there even though I told him not to. He's my best friend, but sometimes he's too fragging blind to see when bots are trying to use him. I don't care that you helped save everybot the other cycle, but I also know if you had done your job right, he wouldn't have needed emergency repairs. So whatever little game you're paying at, leave Bee outta this. Sooner or later, he'll get tired of you constantly hanging around and see what you really are: an elitest glitch who got bored and wanted to see what the lower caste to do in order to survive. So again, frag. Off." Giving the silent mech a hard stare, the minibot turned and stormed to his door, entered the access code, and entered his room without another look. A moment later the audible sound of a lock engaging was heard.
Mirage was frozen where he stood. He knew the red minibot didn't like him, he never bothered to hide his distrust of him and clearly made it known that that he was one of several bots he never wanted to be in the same room with. But to hear him say that Bumblebee was pretending to be a friend? That he didn't even like him?
'No. N-no, it's a lie. Bumblebee had been nothing but kind and friendly, not just to me but to everybot!' he argued. He turned and made his way to his quarters, entering once he entered his access code. He didn't register that the opposite berth was empty meaning he had the entire room to himself, but now that he was alone with his thoughts the hateful words began repeating themselves.
"Bee is a total soft-spark, yeah, but I know him better than anybot here."
"Bumblebee got hurt…"
"You're not his friend, not in the slightest."
Bumblebee and the others… paid for my mistake…"
"I know him better than anybot here."
"My mistake…"
"Bee just felt bad for you because no one wanted you there."
"If I had paid attention… Bumblebee and the others wouldn't have paid for my mistake…"
"If you had done your job right, he wouldn't have needed emergency repairs."
"It's my fault…"
"Sooner or later, he'll get tired of you constantly hanging around and see what you really are."
"Friends? Mirage, are you claiming that those, sparklings, are your friends? My dear creation, they only want to be your friend because you are one of the Elites! You were created to be perfect, a model of ultimate wealth, power, prestige! Do you really think anybot would want to be your "friend" if you didn't have any of that?"
'Sire…' Had, he been right? Did no one want to be his friend if he wasn't associated with the Towers? Did Bumblebee really like him, or was it a side-effect of the damage he sustained? He didn't know anymore, but he swore he felt his spark breaking as he sat there in the dark, feeling very alone in the world.
There was a change in the air, and while no one could pinpoint it exactly they could feel it. Mirage had always been a solitary mech, speaking only after being spoken to, never invited himself into group settings unless he was invited first, and he was always polite even to those who weren't. But lately, he was never around. The few mechs who called him their friends were just as confused as he never came to the rec room or the training halls. The few times they did see him it was brief and when they tried to catch up to him, he would disappear into thin air.
Bumblebee was, well he was hurt. He been trying to reach the former noble for the last deca-cycle to no avail, and he never seemed to be in his quarters. Even his roommate had been confused that he had never seen him in their quarters, but he knew he had been there.
"I recharge lightly, ever since this scrud war started I can't recharge completely. But I go to my berth and I see his neatly made. When I get outta stand-by, the berth has obviously been slept in. I know he's quiet, but I still woulda heard him when he enters his access code to get in."
'Is he avoiding me then? Did, I say something?' To be honest, he couldn't completely remember everything when Ratchet woke him medical-induced stasis. He knew that Jazz had been there, commenting about him acting like he had been drinking high grade. He also remembered him asking Mirage to watch over him, part of him wanted to bristle his plating at being treated like a sparkling, but he knew that his supervisor was just worried about him. Mirage had been so careful with him, asking him questions, making sure he was alright, but then he began to apologize, saying it was his fault he had gotten hurt. 'Which is total slag. I mean, it's not like he's the one who shot me from behind.' So, what happened and why was he avoiding him?
"Bee!"
"Huh?" He blinked his optics rapidly and accepted the cube that was being held in front of his faceplates. "Oh, thanks Cliff."
The minibot grunted as he and the others joined him at the table. "Was calling your designation repeatedly," he muttered and took a sip from his cube.
"Sorry, just thinking about something lately." He didn't have much of an appetite; he was concerned, slagit! "Mirage…"
"You say somethin'?" Brawn asked.
"Hmm? Oh, no. its nothing." Sitting back, Bee stared at the faintly glowing fuel, wondering if his fellow Special Ops agent was fueling regularly? "Has anyone seen mirage lately?"
"Why would we?" the green and dark yellow minibot ask as he down his shot of high grade. "I'm a front-liner. I leave the sneaking around to you."
"No, been busy helping Hoist reinforcing Wheeljack's lab. Again!" Huffer, a dark purple and orangish mech, whined despite the other groaning as he continued his mini-tirade. "I'm serious! I've lost count how times he's blown stuff up, himself included! Onna these cycles, he's gonna bring the base down right on our helms!"
"Yeah Huffer, and the cycle it'll happen everybot will be going 'Oh, we shoulda listen to Huffer! He was right the whole time!' Just give it a break already!" Cliffjumper snapped, venting sharply he made to take a drink from his cube but noticed his roommate/best friend still hadn't taken a sip. "… for frag's sake, Bee! The mech is in his final frame and I think he can take of himself, just forget about him!"
Blue optics narrowed as they looked up. "What is your problem, Cliffjumper? Mirage is my friend, and I'm concerned 'cuz I haven't seen him outside of missions lately. I'd be worried about any of you."
"Whatever. The mech is a noble-"
"Former noble."
"Same thing! Fact is, he's a noble, we're not. He's from the Towers, we're not. He's a fragging Elite, and we're low-caste!"
"Um, a-actually-"
"Mute it, Huffer!"
"Okay what the slag is your problem!? You're been against Mirage ever since he signed up! You've also done the same thing against Beachcomber, Blaster, even the twins Sideswipe and Sunstreaker! Why are you so against Mirage! What makes him so different from everybot else?"
"Because you're too blind to see that he's just using you!" The entire rec room was dead silent, the music that had been playing had been turned down and everybot was now watching the table where the minibots sat, their argument growing in volume until it was all they could hear. "Mirage… is not one of us, Bee. He doesn't know the hardships we all had to suffer. Pitt… it was his fault that you and the other almost got killed in that ambush!" Dead silence once more filled the rec room before a loud crunch of metal was heard, soon followed by a frame hitting the floor. Cliffjumper lay there with both his servos clasped tightly to his faceplates, energon leaking from a shattered nasal cavity. Some of the bots moved forward, either to help or see the damage up-close, but no one noticed as a furious yellow mech quickly made his way out.
Bumblebee had never been so furious before! Cliffjumper had no right to decide who he could be friends with! Then to go and blame him for what happened? He was so mad, he was seeing everything in red. When the bot behind him made himself know, he reacted and swung as hard as she could with his dented fist.
Jazz said nothing as he caught the fist, and using the minibot's momentum against him, had him pinned to the floor with his captured servo twisted behind his backplates. All without letting him go. "Ya done yet?" he asked calmly.
"Nrgh! Let—go!"
"Ya know better than that."
The minibot continued to struggle but he was still revved up for a fight. It took a klik or two for the vocalizer to pierce the fog clouding his processor, forcing him to stop fighting the bot holding him down. "Hun—J-Jazz?"
"One an' only. Ya calm down?"
"… yeah. Yeah, I'm done." His fist was released and the heavier frame climbed off, but he continued to lay there on the floor before finally rolling over. Venting deeply, he accepted the servo and allowed his supervisor to pull him up. "You were there," he said, wincing as he flexed his servo.
"Tha whole thing. Here." Holding out his servo, he waited until the infiltration scout gave him his servo and examined it. The knuckles were badly dented, which probably meant he either misaligned a joint, or he broke some of the tiny gears. Either way, Ratchet was going to blow a gasket.
"… how bad is it?" Bee asked quietly.
"Dunno. Ya did some damage, but I don't have a built-in scanner like tha doc bot. CJ though;" even without lifting his helm, his optics were looking directly at the minibot through his visor. "He's gonna hafta have his nasal cavity rebuilt."
"Hmph. Would've shattered his optic, but you need them to shoot straight." Once his servo was released, he carefully flexed his digits. Well, nothing felt broken but he knew he had to see Ratchet sooner rather than later. "Look, I know I shouldn't have done that he had no right to tell me who I can be friends with. And Mirage did nothing wrong, he saved my spark out there! He's been doing the best he can, and despite the odds, we've been holding our own! So, what right does it anybot have to say who I can and cannot be friends with!?"
"No one, Bee. And I agree, CJ shoulda known better an' kept his comments ta himself, but I think he was just jealous that ya been spendin' most ya time with 'Raj instead of him. Used to be, the two of ya hangin' out all the time," he pointed out where he had been leaning against the wall, servos crossed over his chassis as he watched his friend and fellow saboteur vent.
"Thing's change. He's a front-liner, I'm in Special Ops. And I've tried asking him out to refuel but he's always complaining about how he didn't get enough recharge and he'll fuel up later." Just thinking about his roommate was making him mad, but instead of doing something stupid like hitting the wall, he leaned against the wall next to the TIC to cross his servos over his chassis. He ignored the twinge of pain from his dented knuckles.
"Ya said it. Look, this war has been going on for a while, and I have a feelin' that it's gonna get a lot worse before it gets better. A lot of us are on edge; ya know how many times I had ta hide Prowl's data pads an' make a deal for him ta fuel up an' recharge before I let 'im go back to work? Ratchet too, but he wields that wrench of his like a demon or somethin'! Never seen him miss." The two shared a light chuckle before the TIC vented deeply. "Mirage is a good mech, and he's a slaggin' good spy, but he's lived in a completely different world from us, Bee. Don't get me wrong, he's tryin', but it doesn't help when a lotta bots refuse to look past his past to make his own future."
"Like Cliffjumper."
"Yeah, like him. I can't tell ya what ta do, but I can give ya some advice. Talk to him."
"I've tried but he's disappeared! If he didn't want to talk to me anymore, I wish he would just mech up and tell me to my faceplates!" He didn't mean to sound whiny, but he couldn't help it!
"Seeing how late it is, try the shootin' range. It's usually empty this late, and it's reinforced so ya don't have to worry about anybot tryin' to listen in. If he's not there, try his quarters. His roommate an' several others are doing some recon an' won't be back for a couple cycles." Pushing away from the wall, the white and black mech patted Bumblebee's pauldron, making his way down the hall. He paused and threw over his own pauldron, "I really hope ya two can work out whatever happened between ya, work better together than separate." And with that he was gone.
Sometimes Bee didn't understand the other mech, but he had never steered him wrong. 'Shooting range. I hope he's still there.' And most importantly, he hoped he was willing to talk to him.
Blaster fire pierced the silence of the shooting range, targets being shot down as soon as they appeared. Granted his blaster was set to stun, but with each successful hit the targets lit up. Mirage wasn't a crack shot sniper like Bluestreak, but the shooting range helped him focus and clear his processor, at least for a while.
"Scrap." He missed the target, breaking his streak but instead of continuing he lowered his weapon. Walking over to the side he hit a button and the target drones deactivated. Now that he was no longer shooting the silence was deafening, and his processor was threatening to replay those voices again. "Stop it. Please, just—stop it!" Holding his helm with his servo, he manually stopped his processor from starting up the program and quickly put his blaster away after making sure the safety was on. He continued standing there, looking over the end of the shooting range. He opened up a submenu in his HUD and looked over the dozen of ignored comms, most of them from a persistent minibot. He hesitated before selecting them, and deleted them.
"Bumblebee… I'm so sorry…" he said quietly. Primus, why did it hurt so much?
"Mirage?"
What the Pitt? He whirled and could only stare at the very mech he was thinking about standing there, looking at him! In a panic he activated his electro-disruptor, his frame immediately vanishing from view but before he could take a single step the other bot called out to him.
"Please, Mirage, don't go! I-I just wanna talk!" Bumblebee knew about the former noble's outliner ability, having thought it was the perfect ability for a spy. Despite turning on the lights, he still couldn't make our where the other bot was. "You… you don't have to show yourself, but I really do want to talk. Okay?" There was no response back but Bee just hoped it meant that he was willing to hear what he had to say, and not that he had left him alone. "That night, when Jazz asked you to keep an optic over me, I remember most of it. But the following cycle you stopped coming around. If I did something, said something, then I'm sorry, but tell me what happened! I swear, I never meant to hurt you."
"… you don't, remember anything?" the invisible mech asked, vocalizer echoing in the massive training room.
"I remember bits and pieces. Like, Ratchet saying I have some minor processor damage from the ambush, said its normal. But I remember how you made sure I didn't trip over my own peds. I remember you helping me walk back to my quarters when I know anybot else would've tried to either carry me. I remember… talking." He looked down at his damaged servo, the same one that had been blasted off during the surprise attack. Both upper and lower stabilizers had been badly damaged during the strafe.
"… is that all?"
"… no. I remember you apologized to me. You blamed yourself for me getting hurt, but you weren't the one that opened fire when my backplates were turned. If this is what everything is about I never blamed you! You saved my spark! … Mirage?" Silence. Had he left, had he heard nothing? Bumblebee swallowed the sudden lump that seemed to form in his throat. "… … … M'raj?"
"… you called me that, that night. You and Jazz, are the only bots who ever call me something besides my given designation." The Towerling moved as silently as he could, watching the way the minibot kept scanning the area in hopes of finding him. "I didn't care much for the way Jazz mangled it, but I liked how you said it."
"R-Really?" Bee tried to ignored the way his cheek ridges were heating up, a small smile touching his lip plates. "You were really worried about me… I don't remember a time when somebot stayed with me as long as you did… but I guess I fell into recharge and when I onlined, Cliff was there. When I asked him where you were, he said you had left a few joors ago." He wished he could remember, but Ratchet had warned him not to force it or he could suffer a serious glitch. "'m sorry, M'raj. 'm really really sorry." He missed the hum of the disruptor until he felt a servo on his pauldron, looking up at a royal blue and silver white mech with golden optics.
"Bumbl-" Servos immediately wrapped around him tightly, clinging to him like he was afraid to let go. Mirage didn't bother trying to break free and, instead, wrapped his own servos around him, pulling him back in a tight hug. "I'm so sorry, Bumblebee. I never meant to hurt you, but when Cliffjumper said-"
"Wait, Cliffjumper?" A yellow helm pulled back but the servos refused to let go as he looked up at him. "What did he say?"
"I-It was nothing."
"It was something. Mirage. Did, he say something to you, about not belonging there, or that you weren't welcome?" His silence told him everything and more than ever the Autobot wished he had done more than smash his slagging faceplates in. "Mirage, Cliffjumper is one of the most temperamental, judgmental, stubborn afts I have ever known, and that's him on a good cycle!" Servos tighten before slowly releasing the other bot as he stepped back from him, venting deeply. "I'm sure you're gonna hear about it, but Cliff had the ball bearings to say I shouldn't be friends with you, that you weren't serious about what we're fighting for. I got mad, we started arguing, then… then…" he looked down at his fist, lightly fingering the still sensitive dents.
"Then what?"
"…. I hit him. I broke his nose and Jazz says he might have to have the entire cavity rebuild from scratch. And I am not apologizing to him even if he apologizes for being an aft first."
Mirage couldn't believe what he had heard. He knew Bumblebee wasn't the strongest mech in the Autobots, nor the fastest, but he was one of the stealthiest bots he knew and had the slowest temper to anger short of the Prime himself. He, really didn't know what to say! A tiny part of his processor hoped that he could get a copy of the vid from the security camera but he wisely kept it to himself. He also noticed the way Bee was touching his servo, as though it pained him. "May I?" Bright blue optics looked up at him but slowly, he took the damaged servo in his own. "Have you seen Ratchet?" he asked, being careful not to touch the injury.
"Not yet. I already know I'm gonna get an audio full. I really hope he doesn't use the wrench."
"Well, I would loan you my electro-disruptor but I think you have a better chance if you borrow Trailbreaker's force field generator." Not his best joke, but the way Bee laughed, the smile reaching his optics he couldn't help but admire just how much he cared about him. "I love you."
"…!?"
Golden optics cycled wide, a blue servo immediately slapping over his derma plating but it was too late. The Towerling scrambled to activated his invisibility but since he was still holding Bumblebee's servo it extended to him as well. "I-"
"Don't go!" Servos gripped his tightly, refusing to let go as he stared up at his comrade. "Please… stay with me?"
Primus, save him. Mirage truly and hopelessly in love with the minibot, the same minibot that wanted to be his friend first and foremost. The same minibot that forgave him when he thought he had failed him. The same one that attacked another minibot in defense of his honor. His servo shook as he removed it from his faceplates, reaching down and gently pressed the tips of his digits along a smooth cheek ridge. Bumblebee smiled as he leaned into the touch, reaching up to hold it in place with his undamaged servo. "Do," static made his vocalizer rough but clearing it he tried again. "Do, you remember anything else?"
"I, think so… the bots don't like you because, they don't know you…" A sudden rush of heat flooded his faceplates. "Please tell me I didn't say how cute you are."
"Actually, you said that I was one of the best looking bots here. Then… you did this." With his servo gently tilting the faceplates up, he leaned down and kissed the smaller mech. Bee didn't hesitate to kiss him back, optics sliding close as he let himself go. Memories of that cycle seemed so long ago, frames slowly heating up, engines purring sync as digits stroked plating, cooling fans kicking on with a whir-
"Hey! Who left the fraggin' lights on in here?!" Ironhide bellowed, his thick southern accent booming across the open expansion of the shooting range.
Mirage and Bumblebee both froze on the spot, optics wide and clutching at one another. Vents immediately sealed themselves, afraid to make a single sound as the red thick frame stormed inside. His dark blue optics scanned the area, a heavy set frown on his faceplates but his optics kept passing over them like he didn't see them. Even though they were invisible, it didn't mean they couldn't be heard. The former noble silently squeezed the minibot's servo and began moving, keeping on optic on the clearly irritated weapons expert. Even as they slip out, they refused to say anything as they walked down the halls. Everything was quiet, most of the bots no doubt recharging (or getting their noses look at), but through it all blue and white mech kept his electro-disruptor activated. It was, kinda thrilling and his smaller partner seemed to be enjoying it by the way he would squeeze his servo. Before they knew it, they were at Bumblebee's quarters. After making sure there was no bot around, Bee entered the access code which allowed them to slip inside, the door closing behind them. No words were needed as they came together once more, lips gliding against one another's. A glossia traced the seam, coaxing derma plating to part and making the mech moan as the slick appendage darted in for a deeper taste. Their peds moved, stumbling slightly as the back of stabilizers hit the berth but the mech didn't fight it as he was pushed back. A heat was slowly building inside, his energon felt like it was starting to boil, everything felt so sensitive as digits dragged over his seams, making him arch his frame.
"Can't stop thinking about you," the other mech whispered against malleable lips, servos stroking smooth plating in silent worship. "You're perfect. So perfect…"
"Ahh… Primus…" His processor was beginning to feel light, a pleasurable fog silencing all logic and reasoning. His servos clutched at the berthsheets as the hot glossia now traced over a side seam on his chassis, wanting to reach out and do the same he was afraid of hurting his soon-to-be lover. A low moan escaped him as the equally hot frame pressed into him, stabilizers shifted but he exvented sharply as a servo slowly stroked at his interface panel. "B-Bumblebee, wait!" Panicked, a blue servo reached down grabbing the black one, startling both of them but with his systems running on high, it didn't take much for the protective plate to fold back. Shame filled his spark as his seals were revealed to the minibot.
"Mirage… you're—untouched?" It wasn't a crime to still be sealed, but the way the noble was acting seemed like it was a great insult to himself. He slowly withdrew his servo and sat back, watching as he sat up as well. Thankfully he didn't completely pull away but now he was refusing to look at him. "Mirage, talk to me, please. I'm still your friend, right?"
"… my days living in the Towers, was far from perfect. Each astrosecond I was constantly reminded of who and what I was: the perfect noble," the mech said quietly, servos buried in his lap in order to hide his shame. "I never had real friends, my sire made sure of that. Everyone only ever wanted my wealth, power, and status, and by pretending to be my friend they would enjoy all the benefits but not care about me. I believed him but as I received my upgrades mechs and femmes went out of their way to approach me. I thought my sire had been wrong, but one cycle I went to a party hosted by another noble. I had gotten into an argument with my sire and went against his wishes. Most of it is a blur, but I remember he was constantly filling my glass to the point where I blacked out. I awoke in time to see him leaning over me, trying to open my plating." His EM field immediately withdrew itself and plating clamped down tightly. He couldn't help but flinch when Bumblebee reached out, but before he couldn't completely draw away he reached out and clutched at the servo tightly. "I fought him off, demanding to know what he was trying to do. He made up a story that I had been leading him on, that I was being a tease and to just give myself to him."
"Oh Mirage…" he wanted to apologize but he had a feeling it would just make the other mech feel worse about this. "He lied, about all of it." The mech said nothing but he silently nodded. "He was using you… you, tried saying something but I bet it didn't do anything useful."
"Your right. My sire… was more upset that I almost tarnished our reputation among the Elite for falling for such an obvious trap. But he was the one that kept pushing me to befriend others in a bid to increase his own status., ignoring how I felt, knowing that they never wanted me but everything I had. I hated it, I hated him."
"Is that why you joined the Autobots?" Mirage just nodded. Bumblebee felt rage filling him; how could anybot not see how lonely and starved for friendship he was? "Mirage… what can I do?" His response was to gentle pull on his servo; shifting forward Bumblebee pulled the taller mech close and embraced him as tightly as he could. The other mech didn't hesitate to do the same, closing his optics as he hid his faceplates in the side of his throat.
"I'm sorry…" he whispered after a few quiet moments, feeling any pleasure he had been feeling going cold. His panel had also closed but he still wanted to feel the minibot's touch, he wanted to feel loved and appreciated. "I want this, Bumblebee. I want you."
"And I want you, Mirage. But we don't have to do this right now, I can wait until you're ready."
"No, I-I'm tired of living like this." Without releasing the minibot he pulled back but once more cupping his faceplates, kissed with desperately. For a moment the compact mech struggled before giving in, kissing him back just as deeply. "Please, take my seals. I want you to. I love you."
"I love you." Gently pushing him back, Bee took a moment to admire his love's frame. He caressed and stroked the polished plating, teasing sensitive seams with both digits and glossia, but he also guided his servos to return the favor. It was his turn to moan and arch his frame as elegant digits traced seams, pulling him up he moaned as his glossia slipped into his mouth. Like a switch had been flipped, their engines roared to life as pleasurable heat flooded their systems.
The build-up was an intense experience, heightened by their love but neither of them wanted to stop. It was a heady experience for the untouched noble, something he once feared but now craved as his smaller lover showed him pleasure he had never known. It wasn't just the physical, as each caress, every kiss, murmur of praise solidified the fact that he was truly loved. The build-up was almost painful, each refusing to let it all end too soon, but when they could no longer hold back, they let go of it together, riding it out until their frames could give no more. But instead of separating, the minibot silently laid down the taller mech, tucking his helm under his lover's chin and wrapped his servos around him, venting deeply. He smiled as servo gently stroke his plating and he couldn't help but squirm as a digit traced the base of one of his horns.
"Keep that up and we won't be getting' any recharge anytime soon," he murmured.
"Maybe another time." The stroking stopped but now the servo cupped the back of the helm, holding it gently. "Thank you, Bee. I, I'm glad you were the one to take my seals." His optics dimmed as he hugged his love even closer, nuzzling the top of his helm. "I really do love you."
"Love you, too… my Mirage…" Wow that sounded so—lame, but its what he felt in his spark. They were both silent as they allowed their frames to continue cooling down, but when he heard Mirage's vents even out he knew he was out. No doubt in deep recharge but even so he refused to let him go. Freeing one of his servo, he pulled one of his own and let their digits interlock together before pulling them to his chassis. 'I really love you, and I'm going to fight not only for our freedom, but our future. One where we can be free to love whoever we want, and no bot can tell us otherwise.'
Author's Notes: I am noticing a slight pattern, but you know what they say "Once is an accident, twice is a coincidence, three times is a pattern." Wel, this is the second time where I hit 20 pages in Word. Will this continue happening or will I revert to my shorter chapters? … … … I truly have no idea.
Anyway! This request was asked for by Echo_Stargazer from AO3 who wanted some MiragexBumblebee action, set sometime before the war so taking place in the G1 universe. I didn't have as much of a problem this time around, but being from a very prestigious family where money and power were everything, I had a feeling that others were not going to take him seriously. I know Mirage was kinda stuck up, but I think it was an act that he was trained raised to mimic since I bet any form of weakness was not tolerated. And I remember Cliffjumper was also harping on Mirage, calling him a Decepticon sympathizer. So, here's the fic where I admit, it got kinda wordy but I think I did a pretty bang-up job.
I hope everyone enjoys this, and I hope you will be a thoughtful review. If you don't like it, that's fine as well. Thanks for reading the latest update and I will catch you all later. Happy reading 😉
Next chapter: ShatterstrikexDropkickxBumblebee