Disclaimer: Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 reboot) and everything related belongs to the rightful company Hasbro. I am in no way shape or form making money off this.
Author's Notes: When Optimus came back, Bumblebee was thrilled. But it makes him question the feelings he had about his former leader and whether or not this is the opportunity to finally confess his feelings to him.
Title: Since You've Been Gone
Pairing: BumblebeexOptimus Prime (RID verse)
Request: Wolfsonic (AO3)
It didn't matter how long it had been since he came back. Bumblebee felt like if he so much as blinked, his mentor would vanish and he would be alone once more. But that wasn't true, while he didn't have his dysfunctional family with him, his chaotic team was close enough. Yet, Optimus Prime was here, he was really here and not some vision only he could see! Oh, he was happy-thrilled that his mentor was back! He would show him that he was fit to be the leader of this team and together they would round up the rest of the escaped Decepticon prisoners! And yet… the former scout would avoid the returned Prime as much as he was able.
The yellow Camaro vented quietly from his spot that overlooked the junkyard. He had left once more, claiming it was his turn for patrols but in reality, he was trying to hide from the one mech he could not face right now. "What's wrong with me? I'm acting like-like a lovesick sparkling," he said to himself only to frown. "But that's exactly what's wrong with me… scrap!" When did everything get so slagging complicated?
The day that Optimus Prime returned, Bumblebee thought he was dreaming. The last time he saw him was when he had willing jumped into the Well of the AllSpark, allowing new sparks to be created and restoring life to their once dead home world. His loss had affected everybot greatly, but with bots coming back they all separated to continue one with their new lives, now free of war. He was happy to be accepted onto the Cybertron Police force, quickly becoming a lieutenant and was soon showing a new cadet how things were done. He thought that he was going to spend the remainder of his cycles on Cybertron but then the visions began happening. Optimus Prime needed his help, he needed him to find an operational Space Bridge and go back to Earth. He didn't question in and while it went against the new High Council's laws, he didn't care. He just didn't expect two tag-alongs to come with him.
'I swear, they both remind me of Jack and Miko at times,' he thought to himself. Even from his vantage point he could see two bots arguing with one another. He didn't blame either of them, their personality directives clashed but they were still able to push past their differences and work together. So many adventures, new friends and alias made, and of course, new enemies as well. The vision would keep coming and for a moment, it felt like Optimus has never left. but then he did come and he was so happy to see him yet there had never been any time to tell him how he felt. Now with Megatronus gone, he had all the time in the world but he could not bring himself to tell the Prime how he felt. It was times like this he wished Arcee, Bulkhead, or even Ratchet were here so he had somebot to talk to about this. Venting deeply, the yellow mech turned but stopped short when he realized that he was not alone as he originally though. "Op-Optimus! I, uh, I didn't see you there!" he stammered, wincing at how stupid he sounded right now.
"Bumblebee, is something wrong?" he asked calmly, deep vocalizer soothing but touched with concern.
"W-What do you mean by that?"
"I have noticed something different about you lately," he said calmly and took a step towards him but stopped when the other mech tensed. "You appear to have been avoiding me, especially when I wish to speak with you."
"No! I-I mean! I've just been busy, I mean after Megatronus' defeat we haven't found any sign of Steeljaw," Bee quickly explained. It wasn't necessarily a lie but he could not bring himself to admit what was wrong.
"I see." The larger mech didn't seem to believe him but it didn't stop him from moving closer and reaching out to rest his servo on his shoulder, watching the yellow doorwings twitch before stilling. "Bumblebee, if something is troubling you, I wish you would confine in me as you once did before."
The lieutenant couldn't help it as he gnawed on his lower lip plate, his processor fighting to tell him the truth but looking up at the silver faceplates, bright blue optics staring down at him, he found he couldn't. Instead he chose the coward's way out and it made his spark tighten painfully in his chassis.
"I… I need to go on patrol." Looking away the smaller mech moved past the larger red and blue Prime, transformed once there was enough space, and drove off. He ignored the cry of his designation as he continued driving off, mirrors angling to watch him disappear the more distance he put between them. The painful pulse his spark gave tore at him but the Camaro just increased his speed.
The Prime was at a loss, he knew something was wrong with the former scout but he reused to tell him. Part of him wanted to go after him and make him tell him what was wrong, but he also wanted to wait and see if he would confine in him as he used to. Venting heavily, he continued looking at the direction the Autobot took off, wondering what he should do.
The woods were quiet around this time or day even as a yellow and black sports car made its way down the road, heavily tinted windows rolled up but the driver was listening to a station playing pop songs over the radio. The songs were brining memories of his last trip to Earth, and it would have made him smile if he was able to.
'I wonder… how they're doing?' he asked himself. By the Primes, how long had it been since he last saw them? Two—no, five years now. Was Jack still working at KO Burger and dread it? Did Miko still listen to Slash Monkey and play her guitar? Was Raf still replacing pictures of the Autobots online with animated clips of a dancing monkey? Would it be okay if he went to see how they were doing? 'No. They, moved on with their lives… just like us.' The last thing he wanted to do was interfere with what they were doing now, but it would be nice to see them once more-
Slamming on his brakes he came to a stop, facing the woods. For a quick klik the Autobot thought he had seen something just beyond the tree line, something dark but much too large to be an ordinary Earth creature. He knew he should call for back-up or report his sightings, but instead he drove off the road and into the woods.
After a bit the Camaro couldn't drive anymore, so the bot transformed into his primary mode and quietly unspaced his Decepticon Hunter. Moving carefully and cautiously, Bumblebee scanned the area just in case. So far it was quiet and he wasn't picking up any energy or heat signals. After about a joor of searching, the Autobot stopped in the middle of a small clearing and once more vented to himself.
"What's wrong with me today? First, I avoid Optimus like-like he's got comic rust, then I avoid him and ignore his attempts to help me by running away like a coward. And now I'm seeing things!" he ranted to himself, pacing the small area only to stop and look around before turning his faceplates to the sky. "And now I'm talking to myself… scrap." Now he was thankful no one was here to listen to him but he placed his new weapon back in his subspace and made his way back to the road. He failed to notice optics waiting him from the underbrush, narrowing in anger.
It didn't take Bee long to reach the road and making sure the coast was clear, transformed into his alt-mode and drove off. He was still certain that he had seen something but there was no indication that there was anything there. 'Maybe I just need a decent recharge-' but he was interrupted by an incoming transmission. "Bumblebee, here."
::Lieutenant! Strongarm here, where are you, sir?::
"I'm currently on patrol right now, is something wrong?"
::Well, no… but when Optimus Prime said you were going on patrol I was concerned. According to our shift roster today is suppose to be Sideswipe's turn to patrol.::
"I know that but we can't become too lax what with Steeljaw still lurking out here somewhere."
::But lieutenant-::
"Look Strongarm, everything is fine. I'll be at the junkyard soon, I… I needed to go for a drive. Just-" He was about to say more but he heard the sound of an engine coming up from behind, loud, powerful, and coming up fast; he had a split moment as he saw a blue-grayish vehicle coming right at him before he felt the powerful impact of the off-road vehicle smashed into him from behind. "Scrap!" he cursed as he managed to regain control and increase his speed.
::Lieutenant! Are y-::
"Strongarm! I need backup!" he said, tires screeching as he rounded a curve. He had to be careful, going at such high speeds would spell danger to all involved but Steeljaw didn't seem to care as he followed him closely, trying to hit him from behind but the Camaro would switch lanes or even brake, catching him off-guard. 'Just one more curve and I'll have a straight shot!' It was so close, he could see it but as he slowed down to take the curve the car behind him didn't and slammed into him, hard enough to nearly spin him into a full 360 spin. "S-Scrap!" Bee cursed, struggling to gain control but he was having too much difficulty and smashed into the guard rail, tearing it up from the ground. The next thing he knew he was slammed into again, this time from the side and it was enough to shove him completely off the road and he soon found himself rolling down the steep incline, blacking out as the damage done to him caused his processor to crash, sending him into blissful darkness.
"Lieutenant! Lieutenant Bumblebee, please come in!" But there was no response except static on the other end. Strongarm felt her spark give a worried pulse but she refused to give up. She began rushing to the command center, wondering if she could get Fix-It to give her the location of Bumblebee's last location when she nearly ran into another bot. "O-Optimus Prime, sir!"
"At ease, Strongarm. What seems to be the problem?" he asked in concern, wondering why she looked so frighten.
"I-It's Lieutenant Bumblebee, sir! I was speaking to him when I hear something on the other side, like a crash. Then he told me to call for back-up but I can't seem to reach him. I keep calling him over our comm link but all I can hear is static," she rambled before forcing herself to stop and nodded to him. "Sir, I think the lieutenant is in trouble and needs help!"
The Prime felt his optics widen and within his chassis, his spark gave a painful lurch. 'Bumblebee…'
"Sir? What do we do?"
Turning to face her once more he took a deep breath and nodding to her. "Gather the others and try to locate his last known position. I will let you know if I find anything."
"But sir! Where are you going!?" The larger mech didn't answer even as he began running and quickly transformed into a semi before taking off as fast as he could. The femme watched him go before running for the command center once more, worry making her spark pulse wildly in her chassis.
'Uhh… wha… what happened…?' Holy slag, why did his frame hurt so much? He read back the errors his HUD displayed and realization hit him, making him let out a low groan. The Autobot remembered driving off after a failed investigation that revealed nothing, only to be slammed into from behind by an all-too familiar vehicle. "Steeljaw…"
"Finally awake, lieutenant?"
Bumblebee very slowly cracked open his optics, letting them adjust to the light before focusing in on the mech standing before him. Sure enough, the wolf-like Decepticon was standing before him, his Decepticon Hunter in his servo. The only reason the Autobot wasn't getting to his peds was that his system was still recovering from his earlier accident, and he was currently sitting on the ground, servos bound behind him with his own stasis cuffs.
"Steeljaw… as always, it's not a pleasure to see you again," he said in a low tone. He tried activating his comm link but flinched when all he heard was static.
"Now now, it that anyway to treat your savior?" he grinned at him.
"Savior? You rammed into me, twice, and then you ran me off the road—literally!" he yelled at him. "What do you want, anyway?"
"You should know that already, but I suppose I should begin by asking what happened to that traitor."
Bumblebee blinked before remembering that Steeljaw had not been witness to the Decepticon's demise. "Megatronus is gone, but something tells me that's not the real reason you tried to get my attention."
"Very astute of you! While I am glad that the traitor was dealt with, it has not stopped my plans on claiming this primitive planet as a planet where Decepticons can call their own. With me, as their leader and saving grace."
"That doesn't explain why I'm here." Bee was leaning against a tree and was trying to see if he could somehow break the stasis cuffs but they were made of much stronger material. "I'm only to ask you one more time, why am I here?"
Steeljaw frowned and narrowed his optics as he held the weapon out, pointing the glowing blade at his captive. "Be careful what you say, Autobot. I'm not the one currently bound and stripped of his weapons. But yes, there is a reason why you're still alive." He pulled the weapon back and began to pace in front of him, preparing his monologue. "You see, you Autobots seem intent on ruining my effects in trying to find a place to call our own. We are clearly not wanted on Cybertron but instead of letting us have this world you would rather protect those organic creatures and seek to send us back to prison. I admit, I have committed several crimes-"
"Only "several"?" the yellow and black mech scoffed but the other mech ignored him as he continued on.
"I suppose what I am saying is, I am here to offer you a deal." Stopping before her he knelt down and once more gave him a toothy grin. "You can have this world and its organic life, in fact I'm sure I can easily persuade the others to leave and find a far more hospitable planet to call home."
"Right… and what about us? We just forget you all existed and continue on like this never happened?"
"Exactly! I'm sure you and your team are missing Cybertron so very much, I-I mean we, get to begin a new life-cycle and you never have to hear from us again. What do you say, Bumblebee?"
The Autobot felt an ice-cold chill race up his spinal strut at the way the Con said his designation, and to be honest he still didn't understand what he and his team would get out of this "so-called" deal, everything was in his favor! He didn't even need to waste another astrosecond to think of his response.
"No deal, Steeljaw. You and the others have to answer for your crimes against Cybertron and the bots, and it may not seem like much but Earth is also my home and I won't let you or anybot else destroy it. And even if I did agree to your deal, how do I know you won't come back and try to take over Earth once we're gone? So again, no deal!"
Steeljaw was quiet as he stared at the Autobot, even as he slowly stood to his full-height but there was a cold fury building in his optics. In his servo the Decepticon Hunter began to glow, energy crackling over the glowing blade angrily, like a lightning storm ready to strike. "I really hoped we could have reached an agreement, but I was sadly mistaken. Good-bye, lieutenant!" With a snarl the Decepticon made to slash at the Autobot but at the last moment Bumblebee immediately threw himself to the side, dodging the sparking weapon and immediately lashed out with his ped, connecting sharply with the Con's joint. Steeljaw yelped in pain, losing his center of balance but he hit the ground hard when the same ped lashed out once more, knocking him onto the ground and sending the weapon flying out of his grip. With no one holding it it reverted back to its more manageable size.
The Autobot managed to get to his peds and ran to where the weapon had fallen, hoping that he could grab it, and use it to cut off his stasis cuffs but he cried out as a servo grabbed his ped, making him fall forward on his chassis. He tried kicking free but the other mech dodged it and angrily swiped at his stabilizer, sharp digits slashing at the plating and making Bee yelp in pain. "Slag, that hurt!" he cursed.
"It's going to hurt a lot more!" Steeljaw hissed, raising his other servo to finish him off but Bumblebee didn't give him a chance. He managed to get up and helm-butted him in the faceplate, wincing as the back of his helm connected but the Con yelped as he fell back. Once more Bee scrambled to reach the discarded weapon but his injured stabilizer refused to support his weight and he fell short of reaching it.
'Scrap! What else can possibly go wrong?!' he shouted at himself, struggling to reach his weapon but a ped angrily kicked him in the side, causing the yellow mech to curl in slightly on himself in pain. He wanted to curse as he watched the self-declared ex-Decepticon picked up the staff once more, transforming it into a blade. Bee forced himself to sit up but grunted when a ped roughly kicked him in the chassis, knocking him back into a thick tree.
"I did offer you a choice, Autobot, but I am a gentlemech," the blue gray Con smirked as he pulled the transforming weapon back. "Any last requests?"
"Y-Yeah… look behind you," the yellow bot smirked.
"What?" Steeljaw never saw the other mech coming but he felt the pain as he was struck from behind with such force, he was sent flying off to the side, yelping in pain as he landed faceplates first into the ground.
The red and blue semi said nothing as he made sure to stand between the two mechs, pulling out his own Decepticon Hunter from his subspace. "Leave now, Steeljaw. I will not tell you again," he said threateningly, energy fairly humming along the blade. Said mech growled lowly but he knew he was no match for the resurrected Prime so he took off, silently vowing revenge. Optimus watched him go, frame tense before subspacing the weapon and turned to the downed Autobot. "Bumblebee, are you alright?" he asked in great concern.
"Y-Yeah, I'm okay." He wasn't, not really but he didn't protest as the Prime undid the stasis cuffs, allowing him the use of his servos. The yellow mech made to stand, pushing off from the ground but dropped back to the ground with a pained hiss, servos immediately grabbing at his stabilizer. He heard a worried shout but he could only stare as his servos were removed, staring at the energon staining them. "Oh scrap," he cursed to himself.
Optimus frowned at the torn plating and could see that a cable that supplied energon had been cut through. He searched his subspace but all he found was a cleaning cloth that he used as a makeshift bandage. He was no medic, but hopefully it would hold until they could get back to the junk yard. He looked back up at the silver faceplates but the other bot was quick to look away, looking a bit flushed. "Are you injured anywhere else?"
"No… I should be okay." Primus, that was a close one! It was taking all his effect not to let his cooling fans activate but he could not stop thinking about how warm those charcoal gray servos felt on his torn plating. "I don't think I'll be able to transform."
"Don't. I will alert the others." Lifting a servo to his audio, Optimus tried to get ahold of anyone else but all he was meet with was static. Standing he tried again but there was still nothing but static on the other line. "I am afraid I am unable to get a comm out to the others. We will have to walk back to the junk yard on our own."
"With Steeljaw out there, we'll have to be even more careful." Once more Bumblebee forced himself to get up, the tree groaning as he used it as leverage as he stood to his full height. His self-repair was already trying to work on his injury but that didn't stop him from taking a step forward. His stabilizer held up for a few kliks before he took another step and pain flared across his sensory network. With a pain cry the Autobot found himself falling forward, cursing himself but instead of kissing the ground he found himself held against a warm and familiar chassis.
Optimus reacted without thinking and wordlessly caught the other mech, holding him close even as he managed to regain his balance. He didn't have to ask if he was fine as he noticed that the make-shift bandage he had applied was becoming darker; instead, he settled one of the arms over the back of his neck cables and slid his servo around his waist, holding him close. "Come, we must find somewhere to safe until we are able to contact the others."
"R… right." It was taking all of Bee's processing power to not only keeping his cooling fans from kicking on, but to keep the energon from rushing to his faceplates. The servo was larger than his own, warm, firm enough that he didn't stumble but gentle enough that the digits weren't digging into his plating to keep him up. It was—comforting. As the two walked off he failed to realize his Decepticon Hunter was still missing.
The two mechs continued walking through the woods but they were unable to take the main road that headed back to the junk yard, and to avoid being seen by the humans Optimus suggested they find a place until it was dark enough to travel, or until the others could find them. Bumblebee didn't like either idea but being injured he was limited on choices as well. They stopped at another clearing and Bumblebee was glad to be sitting and watched as Optimus once more knelt before him, checking the temporarily bandage. "Wonder what Ratchet would say if he saw you doing this," he commented off-handedly.
"I'm certain he would mention that I am doing something incorrectly," he answered but there was a slight smile on his faceplates. "I do not have the necessary tools to fully repair your stabilizer, which is why we must find a place so your systems can rest."
"But we don't have sit to sit around and wait for rescue to come. Optimus, Steeljaw is out there and he won't stop until we're both offlined." Speaking of which, he rummaged in his subspace for his own Decepticon Hunter but looked around worriedly when he realized he no longer had it. "And now I lost my own weapon. Oh, this is just great. What else can possibly go wrong?" High above the darkened clouds let out a loud rumble, causing both mechs to look up just in time to watch the rain began to fall, rapidly soaking the area and both of them. "… scrap."
"… I believe I noticed a shelter until the rain has stopped." The Prime made to help the other mech up but already in a bad mood, the lieutenant got up on his own and began walking in the direction they had been heading, only slightly limping. It had gotten dark rapidly, making it difficult to see what lay before them but the two mechs refused to use their headlights just in case there were any humans out in this weather. They found a cave that seemed small to them but it was empty and dry on the inside so they entered. Once more they tried using their comm but there were still bursts of static that kept them from reaching the others. Bumblebee eased himself so he was sitting, looking down at his stabilizer stretched out in front of him. It didn't hurt as much as it did earlier, but as he pulled up his fluid levels he was dismayed to realize his energon levels were lower than he would have liked. Venting to himself he let his helm fall back and offlined his optics.
Optimus Prime was watching the younger mech, watching him move and seeing the way he would push himself despite being injured. Part of him want to ask him if he was alright, if he needed anything but now he felt him pushing him away, just like earlier at the junk yard. He wasn't sure what he had done but when he tried to ask him the former scout would abruptly leave for joors at a time. Now, he had no choice but to answer his questions.
"Bumblebee, what is wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong." He did not need this right now; if he ignored the Prime, maybe he would just leave him alone. That wasn't the case.
"Something is troubling you, but each time I try to speak with you you leave, just as you did this morning."
"I told you, I had patrols to run."
"I was under the impression that it was Sideswipe's patrol this morning-"
"So, what if it was?!" he snapped angrily. "At least this way I knew the patrol would be done right and not have to worry about him slacking off." Leaning back, he crossed his servos across his chassis.
"I only wish to understand what is happening. Ever since I came back you have been avoiding me; if I have done anything to upset you, then I deeply apologize. Bumblebee…" The Prime moved silently as he moved closer, slowly reaching out and resting his large servo atop his shoulder. "I wish you would tell me what is troubling you."
"… I'm fine."
"But-"
"Look, I'm fine! I've been fine these past five years you were gone! I made a name for myself on Cybertron, I got a team of my own to lead, and I did ask for your help but I still did it! Me! All alone! Without everybot else. Without… you…" During his angry tirade the yellow mech had forced himself up onto his peds, staring angrily at the larger mech, venting his anger at him for being left alone but once it had run its course, he felt a surge of deep regret and shame. It grew when he saw the confused and hurt look in Optimus' blue optics. Bee knew it wasn't fair to him, but… it still hurt.
Optimus was stunned; the younger mech had never yelled at him before, or been so angry at him. He made to reach out to him, to ask him what was wrong but instead he turned and ran out of the cave and into the rain, limping slightly. "Bumblebee!" he called out but the darkness swallowed him completely. For once in a very long time, the Prime was at a loss but as he let his servo drop, he quickly came to a conclusion. He was going to speak with Bumblebee and find out what was wrong with him and he would not stop until he found out what was wrong with him.
The brightly colored Autobot knew this was a bad idea, but he had to get away from the Prime. Turning on his low beams Bumblebee managed to keep from tripping over anything, ignoring the stinging pain of his stabilizer. Why on Cybertron couldn't he just tell the Prime how he felt? What did he have to lose?
'Everything! I mean, nothing! I mean—I don't even know if he even feels the same way and if he did, he won't admit it. I-!' He slowed to a stop, ignoring the mud as it seemed into the gaps of his plating and vented deeply, letting his optics close. "… I'm nothing. I thought things would be better if he were back, but… maybe, I'm not enough…" That idea seemed to hurt the most and he hated it. A flash of lightning split the sky, briefly illuminating the area, revealing another frame coming up behind him.
Steeljaw was tired of this infernal Autobot getting in his way, of keeping him from what he rightfully deserved. This primitive planet was a far cry from Cybertron, but it was an ideal place and the sooner he eliminated the annoying bots, the others would see that he was right and would have him as their rightful leader. Holding the Decepticon Hunter tightly in his servo he pulled back, ready to drive it into the lieutenant's back plates just as another bolt of lightning split the sky.
Bright blue optics widen at the feel of the hostile field behind him, a filed he knew dd not belong to anyone he knew. After many vorns of war, battle instincts kicked on and he stepped to the side, catching the spear as it attempted to stab him in the backplates. He tried throwing the Decepticon off but the rain made the ground especially muddy and he ended up falling, taking the other mech along with him. it didn't stop him from fight as he tried pulling the transforming weapon from the snarling bot.
"Give it up, Steeljaw! You won't get away with this!" he grunted, wishing he had the sense to keep his blaster on him.
"Not this time, lieutenant!" Seeing the make-shift bandage the mech smirked, and kicked to the injury as hard as he could. Bumblebee let out a cry, stabilizer buckling under him; he dropped to a knee in the mud but refused to let go of the weapon. "You have lost, this world will soon belong to me and the others will have me as their leader! Not even your Prime will be able to stop me!" he snarled angrily.
"H-He won't have to stop you… but I will!" Digging his peds into the mud, Bumblebee pushed himself up and pushed at the blue-gray mech as hard as he could, forcing him back but he also focused his processor on the Decepticon Hunter they were still fighting over. The weapon gave off sparks, transforming into several different types, the bright blue energy shining brightly. But it also acted like a beacon as the lightning seemed to strike closer to their location, starting small fire until soon, a bolt came down and struck the weapon with such a charge it seemed to set out a small explosion.
Battling the winds and rain, Windblade was trying to find any sign of the two missing Autobots when she noticed the explosion. Her scanners were reading Cybertronium life signals down there, but her fears were growing when she detected that one of the signals was considerably weaker than the other. She immediately sent a comm to the others about the explosion and flew in closer.
Optimus has also seen the lightning strike and was racing to the scene as fast as he could, worry making his spark race painfully in his chassis. Skidding in the mud the Prime didn't hesitate to transform, running the rest of the way but when he reached the clearing, he slowed down long enough to access the damage. The small fires caused by the sudden lightning strikes were being quelled by the rain before they could spread, dampening them out but in center was a small crater where there had clearly been an explosion, a scorched, metal frame off to one side, still clutching a sparking staff. Despite the rain and darkness, the semi could make out bright yellow plating and immediately rushed towards it, dropping to his joints and reached out.
"Bumblebee," he called out quietly, carefully rolling the other mech onto his backplates. Both servos were badly scorched, most of the protective plating having been blasted off to revel severely burned protoflesh, but he was clearly offlined. Frowning Optimus reached down, placing his servo on the cracked chassis but he was worried when he realized he could barely feel the pulse of his spark. Oh Bumblebee…" No, no he could not lose him, not when he had just come back!
"Optimus!" A red jet flew in low before the sounds of gears turning, plating folded back to reveal a femme as she dropped out of the air and ran towards them. She was about to express how glad she had been able to find him but seeing the heavily damaged state that Bumblebee was in made her immediately fear the worse. "What happened?" she asked, immediately dropping in front of him, looking around in awed confusion. "Was he fighting a Decepticon?"
"Windblade. Contact the others and alert them to our situation," Optimus quietly ordered, not once looking up at the femme even as he held the other mech close.
"… Got it." Getting to her peds she back up before jumping into the air and transformed, sending out a high priority to the others that she had found their missing comrades but they needed help immediately. The femme never left the area though, hovering in the air and keep an optic out for the two, willing the yellow mech not to offline just yet.
The last thing Bumblebee remembered was a powerful surge of electricity surging through ever circuit in his frame, the immense pain of his servos as he forced himself to continue holding onto his weapon, warnings nearly blinding him as they filled his HUD, but there were also the sensations of being held to a warm chassis, large servos holding him close, a vocalizer begging him to remain online.
'… what, the slag happened… to me…?' He tried accessing his back-up files but his systems were running a complete diagnostic scan right now. He didn't realize he had let out a low groan until he felt something brush over his servo gently.
"Rest bumblebee, you are safe now."
'Wait… i-is that…' But he couldn't fight out the command to recharge and drifted into the darkness once more. The last thing he remembered was the feel of a servo squeezing his own, and how he wished he could squeeze it back just as tightly.
The red and blue mech watched the smaller mech fall back into a deep recharge, knowing it would take some time to finish but at least he knew he would not offline anytime soon. Wishing he could do more he reluctantly removed his servo and sat back down in his seat. The others came by to check on them, glad to hear that he would be okay and were reassured that the Prime would alert them to once the lieutenant would be at 100%. A megacycle later the monitors that were hooked up to Bumblebee flashed green, indicating that scans were complete and there were no more errors to report. Optimus silently stood as heard the yellow mech's systems give a low hum, optics slowly onlining as they tried focusing on him.
"… Optimus…?" The Prime was here and it made Bee smile but he moved slowly as he carefully sat up, aware of cables plugged into his medical ports. "What, happened?" he asked even as he reached out and began to unplug them.
"I am not certain myself, I witnessed an explosion and when I went to investigate, I found you offlined, with your Decepticon Hunter clutched tightly in your servo," Optimus explained as he watched him.
"What?" Back-up files opened and Bumblebee suddenly remembered everything: fighting Steeljaw in the middle of a fierce thunder storm, a sudden bolt of lighting hitting said weapon and nearly frying out his system, yelling at Optimus- "Steeljaw, took my weapon and tried to destroy me with it. We fought and I think the weapon's charge attracted the storm and we got caught up in it. But I have no idea who I ended up here," he concluded and looked around at the familiar piles of "antiques" on all sides. "Are we back in the junk yard?"
"Windblade also noticed the explosion and was the one who found us. After she commed the others to our location we were brought back to Denny Clay's home and Fix-It managed to repair your damage. You have been in medical stasis for over a full solar cycle."
Bumblebee shuddered his optics and silently looked down at his servos. The plating looked freshly repaired and he could make out miniscule weld marks here and there. His digits seemed stiff as he flexed them but he vented softly as he remembered the harsh words he had told Optimus in anger before his second encounter with the rogue Con. "…"
Once more, the larger mech could see something was wrong but he didn't want to risk driving the smaller mech off, especially since their last exchange had led to him being badly injured when it could have easily been prevented. "I will let you get some more rest-"
"Optimus, wait. I-I have something to tell you, but-but I just want you to listen until I'm done." Glancing up at his former commanding office, Bumblebee watched him sit and stared down at her healed servos once more. "I have admired you for so long, when I first joined the Autobots you welcomed me with open servos and taught me things that made me a better soldier. I would follow you anywhere, and then I was captured by Megatron at Tyger Pax…" He trailed off as he reached up to touch the front of his neck cables, never able to forget the pain of having his voice box forcefully removed. "… but, I knew I could never betray you. You were trying to bring peace back to Cybertron, and I knew that if I could help you achieve that it would be worth any sacrifice I could give."
"Bumble"-
"Please, just-let me finish!" Waiting for the Prime to fall silent he continued. "Next time I knew we're landing here on a primitive planet teeming with life, we became friends with some of the locals and you even appointed Bulkhead, Arcee, and myself as guardians to those three… so much has happened, getting offlined by Megatron only for me to com back and offline him… battling Unicron… watching you sacrifice yourself to restore Cybertron…" His servos tightened into fists, gears straining but he could feel his resolve weakening and knew if he didn't tell him now, he would never be able to. "I love you, Optimus. Not just you're a Prime or the bot that saved Cybertron, but because of you. And I know that you didn't want to leave, but you made the ultimate sacrifice so we could all have a future. I… I was so happy that you came back to me, I mean us, back here on Earth… its like it was before but I thought I could just forget my feelings but I can't and I understand if you don't feel the same and I promise, I'll never mention this to anyone and-" but before he could continue with his apology he froze when he saw servos holding his own, cradling them warmly. Bee was startled when he felt a servo reached up, tilting his faceplates up he didn't think Optimus look any more handsome then when he smiled at him. it took a few kliks but he managed to find his vocalizer once more. "O-Optimus… does, that mean…?"
"Yes, though I wish you had come to me sooner," he spoke softly, digits gently stroking the faceplates, warmth filling his spark as the smaller mech leaned into the touch, doorwings twitching silently. He had been denying his own feelings for such a long time, not wanting to take advantage of the younger mech but knowing he felt the same he wanted to know more, to finally realize what it was he had been missing for all these vorns. The two began leaning towards each other, wanting nothing more than to celebrate their feelings for one another-
Heavy ped steps were heard as two bots entered the area, no doubt in the middle of a heated argument but upon seeing that their team leader was awake and alert, their argument was forgotten and both rushed forward, shoving at the other so they could be the first one to reach the recovered mech. Optimus was forced back as both Strongarm and Sideswipe reached him at the same time, nearly knocking him off the berth.
"Lieutenant, you're alright!"
"Bumblebee, you're back! Please tell me Strongarm isn't in charge?"
"Optimus Prime said you were awake and that we should wait until morning to see you but I just had to fill you in on what you missed-"
"You mean nag him. Seriously, Bee, Strongarm can't tell me what to do! Right?"
"Hey! If you had done your patrols like you were suppose too, he wouldn't be here!"
"Yeah, well, all you do is nag and complain! You wouldn't know fun if it landed on top of you!"
Bumblebee groaned lowly, reaching up to hold his helm in his servo as the two continued bickering like a pair of sparklings. This was one thing he had not expected but he looked up when he felt a servo gently rub at his shoulder. Optimus was still smiling and he found himself smiling back.
Assuring the two bots that Bumblebee was alright and he needed some rest, Optimus walked with the yellow mech to the far side of the salvage yard, not wanting their conversation to end. It soon found the two of them at the cliff where Bee once sat, contemplating his feelings for the Prime. It still gave them a lovely view of the base of operations and they could see the lights of Crown City on the other side of the river, but like before they found themselves leaning towards one another. This time, though, there were no interruptions as their lips meet together in a kiss.
Bee moaned softly as he was kissed, wondering once more if this was just a wild dream but there were never this good and his own touches never made him feel this warm before. "Optimus…" he moaned lowly as those large servos firmly stroked his sides, digits rubbing at his transformation seams as he was pulled closer into the other mech's chassis.
"I'm sorry for hurting you, Bumblebee. That was never my intention," the red and blue mech murmured softly, kissing at the neck cables with a loving touch as his servos tightened around him. "Allow me to show you how much I missed you."
"Please yes!" Bee felt his faceplates heat up at the low chuckle from his soon-to-be-lover. He let out a moan as he felt servos once more slid down his sides, dimly aware that he was being backed up he found that they were in the small alcove that had been carved into the mountainside, the rocky floor cool against his backplates. He wanted to ask what Optimus what he was doing but all he could manage were soft gasps of surprise and more moans of pleasure as kiss kissed at his plating, sensual licks of a glossia tracing transformation seams, nimble digits gripping the back of his stabilizers as a heavy yet warm frame settled between them. Surprised, servos reached out to grip onto the broad red shoulders, blush increasing as the mouth moved lower down his frame. He had an idea of what was going to happen, but shouldn't he be doing that to him? He tried to ask him but cried out as he was caressed in the one place he had longed for in a very long time.
Darkened by lust, blue optics gazed up at the former scout and pressed a kiss to the protective panel. Once more he felt doubt enter his processor, that Bumblebee didn't feel the same way he did, this he felt obligated to him, but looking up at him, remembering his confession; he vented softly as a servo slid from his shoulder and lovingly stroked the side of his faceplates, smiling down at him. No, he wanted it as much as he did and the Prime was determined to prove it to him.
(Please refer to my other account to read the unedited version of this chapter)
… Optimus was taken from his fantasy when he heard a low groan and reached out to help turn his former scout to lay on his backplates, reaching down to gently stroke a very flushed cheek ridge. "Are you alright?" he asked softly, barely aware of just how hard his own system was running.
Bee smiled and reached up to cover the servo, nodding slowly. "Wonderful. Optimus… I love you. Always have, always will."
The Prime smiled and leaned down to kiss him softly, feeling his spark swell at his declaration. "I love you, Bumblebee. And I am sorry for hurting you but never again will I leave you."
"Just promise me you'll come back, or I go with you."
"Promise." Leaning down the former commander kissed his scout, but despite feeling completely drained he was determined to tasted the combination of their fluids, as well as make sure he didn't hurt his precious loved one.
It felt good to be with him once more.
Author's Notes: Another chapter done and this one is going out to Wolfsonic. This one was slightly easier to write (kinda) but as I mentioned this is one of my favorite pairings. I tried to make this chapter more fluff and romantic, and I think I did an okay job but you tell me!
Once more I am so sorry for making everyone wait. I'm doing a lot better and work is okay, and I'm working on the other chapters so please bear with me as I continue to go through the requests. I'm still open to pairings and idea so if you think of anyone else, tell me!
I'm going to head to bed so I hope you enjoy this and pleasant dreams, everyone!