Disclaimer: Transformers: Animated and everything related belongs to the rightful company Hasbro. I am in no way shape or form making money off this.
Author's Notes: Rodimus couldn't believe how long it had been since he saw his lover, and here he was on an organic planet of all places! But things are far from fine and if that Prime continues to belittle his lover, he's going to make him regret it.
Title: True Worth
Pairing: Rodimus PrimexBumblebee (Animated)
Request: Blu3G1rl (AO3)
Light blue optics stared into the screen of the data pad in his servo for several kliks, replaying Ultra Magnus' order, delivered to him via comm vid himself. Earlier he had been surprised to have received a comm message from the Supreme Commander, thinking he wanted to know how he and his team were fairing. Finding out that he wanted him to go to an organic planet was something else entirely. Venting softly, the young Prime lowered the pad and closed his optics.
Rodimus blinked, resetting his audio sensors just in case it was a glitch but everything was functionally correctly. "Ultra Magnus sir, may I ask why we are being sent to this organic planet?"
"As you may have heard, there has been an increased sighting of Decepticons and most of it seems concentrated there. The inhabitants are calling it "earth"."
"Earth?" Not the strangest name he's heard but the Prime nodded. "I read the reports you sent as well. But why are you asking for me, sir? Sentinel Prime has been stationed there before, surely he would be a better choice."
The magnus was silent and while it wasn't audible, there was a slight rise and fall of his shoulder pauldrons, as though he just vented deeply. "Sentinel… has a history with the Prime stationed there, and due to his 'cautious nature' dealing with organics I believe it would not be wise to send him again."
"I completely understand, sir. And I am honored by this but I will need to speak to my team about this as well," he explained. "I am not certain how they would feel, considering our last encounter with an organic was with a Rock Lord."
"I understand, and I commend you thinking about your team's opinion as your first priority. Comm me when you have a reached a decision."
"I will, sir. Thank you."
That had been close to a joor and he still hadn't brought it up to his team. It wasn't that he didn't fear their reaction; by all accounts he knew Hot Shot would leap at the chance to visit a new planet if only to get out of the ship for more than servoful of joors if they were lucky. The others he wasn't certain but the prospect of fighting Decepticons was sure to entice Ironhide and Brawn. Red Alert might be curious but she was always reserved so it was hard to tell what she really felt. No, it wasn't that. It was the other Autobot team they would be working with. Or more specifically, the lover he had left behind.
'It's been a long time since I last spoke with him, even before Sentinel gave the speech at their funeral memorial.' Another deep invent and Rodimus allowed his optics to online. He didn't even know he was still functioning until he read the report but… did the bot in question, still think about him? '… never know until I try.' Tucking the data pad into his subspace he stood and walked out of his quarters, sending his teammates a group comm about needing to speak with them about a possible mission.
"Wait, what?! Explain that again, boss bot?"
Optimus Prime was trying very hard not to snap, but he had already been interrupted several times before. "Fine. I will explain everything but this is the final time. So, no more questions until I'm done."
"But-!" A large servo come up and quickly, and effectively, silenced the minibot. Said minibot was not happy about it but was unable to remove said servo.
"You should have tried that earlier," Prowl commented coolly, ignoring the glare sent his way.
"… Lately, I have been sending reports about our battles with the Decepticons here on Earth to Ultra Magnus and have been asking about the possibility of sending added support. I know we have been doing well enough on our own, but our resources are limited and I think we could benefit from more help," the Prime explained then gestured to the communication terminal.
"I was on a vid comm with Ultra Magnus, and he confirmed that another team is coming to assist us, but it's not Sentinel." There was obvious relief in everybot's field but Optimus continued talking. "The other team is also being led by a Prime, and he will comm us when his ship has entered Earth's solar system."
"Well, that's great! I mean anybot has gotta be better than Sentinel, right?" Bulkhead asked, trying to be hopeful about more help.
"And what about the nonsense Sentinel's been sprouting about organics being dangerous to Autobots?" Ratchet asked with a gruff, crossing his servos over his chassis. "Lotta help they'll be if they believe his slag."
"Actually, this team has dealt with organics before, so I don't believe we'll have anything to worry about." The medic didn't seem sure even as he muttered something under his vents. "Anyway, now that I've explained everything, are there any questions?"
Bumblebee continued struggling, tugging at the thick digits he gasped as he finally pulled the servo free and quickly backed away from the larger bot. "Blech! When was the last time you washed your servos, Bulkhead!?" he scowled, rubbing the back of his servo over his faceplates.
"Hey, I wash my servos!" Insulted the green mech looked at his servos. "Least, I think I did after my last painting."
The leader of the small team vented quietly, decided not to deal with the bickering and gestured with his servo, "Never mind. Just, go back to what you were doing. I'll let you know when the other team comms about their arrival time." He turned back to the communication console, listening to ped steps fade he was surprised when he felt an EM field still lingering. Turning he looked down at the smallest and youngest member of his team. "Yes, Bumblebee?"
"Yeah, I was just wondering about this other team that's suppose to be coming. Any idea on who they are?" he asked. He didn't really care. But new bots could be kinda cool. Long as they weren't all sticks in the mud like certain ninja bots and ancient medics.
"Actually, I do. Ultra Magnus sent me their information." Tapping several keys on the console the screen revealed an image of the team which composed of a five-bot team: four mechs and one femme, all with different colored plating. "They call themselves Team Athenia. The white and red femme is Red Alert, who is also their medic. The red mech off to the side with the dark green minibot are Ironhide and Brawn, both known for their strength. The bot in the front is called Hot Spot, a recent graduate from the Academy and next to him is their team leader, Rodimus Prime. They've been traveling a lot but I trust that you'll be on your best behavior, right?" When he didn't receive an answer the red and blue bot turned only to shudder his optics, realizing he was alone. "Bumblebee?"
The yellow minibot leaned against the closed door of his room, trying to calm his frantically pulsing spark. 'I-It's him… it's been stellar cycles and he changed his designation, and he's changed a bit, but its him…' Ignoring the scratches his plating would suffer, the smaller bot slid down his door until he was sitting on the floor, pulling his stabilizers to his chassis. 'Hot Rod…' Just saying the designation made his smile, hugging his lower stabilizers even tightly to his chassis, thinking back to the last time he saw the other mech. The last time he saw his lover.
"Are you glitched?!"
Everybot in the Oil house looked over at the booth but the yellow bot who had shouted didn't pay them any attention as he stood glaring at the mech sitting across from him.
"Calm down, Bee. The grenade was a dud, so it all ended up okay. And Skram learned he really shouldn't handle anything explosive," the flame-colored mech chuckled weakly. "Should've heard Kup Minor when he let him have it."
"I don't care about that, you could've been killed, Hot Rod!" Bumblebee shouted, resisting the urge not to climb atop the table and throttle the taller mech. But as angry as he was, he could feel it fading, letting him slowly drop down onto his seat. His servos scratched the surface of the table as they clenched into fists, shuddering his optics tightly but it was no use; he could feel the optical fluids building.
Hot Rod watched the smaller mech closely, noticing the way his fists shook to the slight tremble of his shoulders. "Bumblebee?" he called out to him but he refused to look up at him. Cursing himself he slowly moved closer until he was sitting next to the other bot. He moved slowly, bringing his servo up he covered a trembling fist. "Bee… I'm still here," he said softly.
"But, what if it had been a real grenade? You… You would've been-" He couldn't say it, if he said it then it could still happen. "Slagit, Hot Rod… are you trying to give me a spark attack?"
"Never, Bee." He could still feel his smaller lover trembling and without thinking twice, pulled him onto his lap so he could wrap both servos around him. If anyone was staring he didn't care, they weren't doing anything wrong and he needed to reassure the minibot that he was still here. "Bee… you know that being an Elite Guardmech means putting the safety of Cybertron and its bots first, and if I had to redo that day, I still would've thrown myself atop of that grenade, dud or not."
"… I know." Yellow digits gently traced the flames painted on the dark red chassis, resting his helm in order to hear the pulse of his spark. He could feel his own spark pulsing to the same frequency, calming him down even more. Bumblebee vented softly, optics sliding close even as a few oily tears fell. "You're reckless, a show off, and you-you drive me crazy! But… you're also a bot that never backs down from a challenge, who would risk his own skidplate to save somebot… you're my best friend, and the mech I love…"
Hot Rod smiled and hugged the smaller bot even closer, leaning his helm down to press a kiss to the top of his yellow helm. "Love you too, Bee." The two were quiet, letting the murmurs from the bar's other patrons flow over them, their EM field twining together, absently brushing his digit against the servo he continued to hold. "I bet the academy is gonna be loads of fun, lots of new rules and regulations and procedures to memorize."
The minibot let out a soft chuckle, reaching up to wipe away the tears. "Yeah, loads of fun." His lover was right though, being an Elite Guardsmech was a dream they both shared and deep down he was so proud of him. They had planned on joining together even though they were being trained under different Minors but—he shuddered his optics when he realized his lover would be entering the Autobot Academy ten whole stellar cycles before him!
The flame-decorated mech blinked when he felt his lover straighten from where he had been leaning into him, his servos falling to his small waist. "Bee?" He blinked when his lover looked up at him with a frown, optics bright but focused.
"Just because you're entering the academy a full decade before me doesn't mean anything; soon as I enter, I'm gonna be the best Elite Guardsmech ever! Got it?"
Hot Rod shuddered his optics for a bit before letting out a laugh. He honestly didn't mean to laugh, knowing he was upsetting the bot currently on his lap but he couldn't help it. He caught the servo before it could hit him and leaned down to kiss his smaller lover before he could yell at him. Bee struggled but after a klik or two he stopped fighting and kissed the taller mech back, uncurling his fist and allowing their digits to interlock together. After several more kliks, Hot Rod pulled back, still smiling as he said, "I'll be waiting. Just don't forget about me."
"Never."
Bumblebee could never forget about him; Hot Rod was his best friend but he was also his first love. No one knew about him or their relationship, too busy with their training but now he was coming here to New Detroit, leading his own team, as a Prime no less!
'But, does he remember me?' He quickly put a stop to the thoughts before they could corrupt his processor, pushing it all aside for later. There was time until they arrived, he could wait and see if Hot Rod—Rodimus remembered him. And if he didn't…
… if he didn't remember?
Bumblebee struggled as he forced himself to ignore the hanging question.
It seemed like an eternity, but the Autobot team would officially be landing in New Detroit before the solar cycle was out. The two Primes had been communicating via vid comms when the connection was stable and secure, and they ended up agreeing to dock their ship in the parking lot of their Earth base.
"Are you sure its gonna fit? I mean, the ship Sentinel came in was as big as ours," bulkhead said as he rubbed the back of his helm.
"Actually, their ship is much smaller. Rodimus explained that a large ship would only bring attention to them such as Space Pirates or anybot who has a grudge against Cybertroniums," Optimus explained. "And their ship has cloaking so even so it won't draw too much attention here."
"Already this prime is making all the right decisions," Ratchet said with a little bit of respect, something unheard of but no one dared to bring it up. "How much longer until he arrives?"
"He said he would comm once they were outside the planet's atmosphere. As I was saying…"
Bumblebee turned a muted audio receptor to the rest of what the Prime was talking about, trying to will his racing spark to calm down but he's couldn't help it! Whenever the two Primes were talking via vid comm he stayed out of sight but he would listen in. They never said anything outrageous or the sort he was used to hearing when Sentinel commed, but a few times he wanted to make himself known just to see a reaction only to stop himself at the last moment. But now, now there was no turning back.
'I… I can't tell if I'm nervous, or excited, or worried. Or all of the above!' His team probably suspected something, but no one said anything since they were busy making sure their base was organized and they had room for the team just in case. 'Never thought I'd want a Decepticon attack to happen right now-'
"Bumblebee!"
The unsuspecting mech let out a cry, nearly jumping out of his plating only to find himself under the upset faceplates of not only Optimus, but Ratchet and Prowl as well. "What? Did something happen? Are we under attack? Are they already here?" he asked, looking around frantically but everything was calm and quiet.
"I asked if you finished your patrols earlier, but you would know that if you had been paying attention," the red and blue prime explained but while his tone was calm, his frame was tense and upset.
"Patrol? O-Oh yeah, I finished them! No trouble whatsoever!"
"Doubtful," prowl muttered under his vents.
"Hey, I did finish them! Ask bulkhead!" But the gentle-sparked mech looked away, not saying a word. "I mean, I was in a rush but I did finish them! Honest!"
Optimus vented deeply, reaching up to rub the space between his optics. "Just make sure the base and the area outside is cleared, I'll let you know when I receive the comm." The other mechs acknowledged the dismissal but as the scout turned to leave, he was stopped. "Not you, Bumblebee."
'Scrap.' He even looked up at his best friend but the green bot didn't so much as give him a glance as he left. He ignored the sting and waited for the lecture to begin, absently picking at a transformation seam.
The team leader was quiet for several kliks, as though trying to gather his processor together before he lowered his servo from his faceplates. "Look Bumblebee, I know this is asking a lot, but for once can you not act like you and act like somebot who was once accepted into the Autobot Academy?" Although it was formed as a question, it sounded more like a demand. Bumblebee flinched and made to say something but Optimus continued speaking.
"I have explained our purpose, and at first I accepted that you're a young bot and you no doubt had all these great expectations, but now we're here and fighting against actual Decepticons and yet you still act like-like a sparkling! Everything we have gone against, every battle, every situation, every injury and yet you never seem to learn from any of them. You refuse to accept responsibilities, you would rather fool around with Sari, playing mindless games, and your actions have put all of us in danger more than once. Part of me actually wanted to send you on patrol out of Detroit for however long team Athenia would be here, but they know that you are part of this team and I cannot explain that I had sent out my most unprofessional, and apparently worthless mech of my own team away just so he wouldn't be an embarrassment," he vented, pacing back and forth, never noticing the hurt look in the young mech's optics or the way he seemed to shrink in on himself. "Rodimus is a Prime, which means he is due respect. As far as I can tell he is not like Sentinel but that still means you will be respectful and on your best behavior. Which means until I say so, Sari is not allowed on the base and you are not allowed to abandon your patrols just because you're bored and want to spent time with her or hang out at Sumdac Towers."
"But-But that's not fair! Sari is part of the team; she's helped us loads of times before!" bee argued.
"And she's also hampered us twice as much. She's also been setting a bad example and I do not have time to deal with another spoiled sparkling," Optimus argued, his tone rising before he forced himself to calm down. "I've already told her she is not allowed and had Ratchet set up security to prevent her from visiting. I will decide when she is ready to meet the other team, not you, not her. Am I understood?"
"… yeah, I hear you loud and clear." The yellow minibot was expecting the other bot to demanded him to refer to him as sir, as was proper but when he dismissed him, Bee didn't waste an astrosecond and bolted for his room, wishing he could slam the door closed but he did angrily punch in the code to lock it. He was so mad, he wanted to scream, to shout, to unleash his stingers and destroy something but instead the optical fluids began falling, making their way down his faceplates. Even with his lower stabilizers locked he was still trembling. Servos came up, wrapping around himself but it wasn't the comfort he needed right now. His spark pulsed in pain but like the other times before, he ignored it, determined not to show any weakness in front of his teammates.
Joors later, well after the sun set, Team Earth was officially greeting Team Athenia. Sure enough, sometime before dusk Rodimus has sent a comm that there was about to enter Earth's atmosphere but would be initiating their cloaking to remain as undetected as possible. A response was sent with the warehouse's exact location and under the cover of a darkness, something landed in the cracked parking lot. After making sure no one was around, the cloaking was disengaged and the hatch opened to reveal the other team.
"Greetings and welcome to Earth," Optimus said as he greeted the other prime, holding out his servo to him. "We're glad you were able to come."
"Thanks, hopefully you won't have a great need for us," he said with an easy smile even as he clasped the other servo. "I know you're read our specs, but this is my team," he said and gestured to the bots behind him.
The introductions were simple, though there seemed to be some history between Ironhide, Bulkhead, and Bumblebee that went back to their days in the academy. Hot Shot was clearly excited, asking many questions in rapid order but not once was he reprimanded or ordered to calm down. ironhide seemed to be in awe of everything despite trying to hide it. Red Alert wasn't very open with her emotions, but she seemed to have her own servos full dealing with an overly excited Hot Shot. Bumblebee kept glancing at the flame-painted prime, wondering, hoping he would remember him but so far there was no sign of recognition. It hurt, but Hot Shot was a great distraction. Especially when he was introduced to Bee's collection of video games.
"I'm gonna beat you this time!" he said, mashing the buttons of his controller.
"We'll see, newbie," bumblebee grinned, thinking he would get along great with Sari. Things were fun until in an overly exciting moment, the torches on his upper stabilizers came to life. "YAAH!" No one was expecting that, and as a result the unfortunate controller was melted. As quickly as it happened it stopped and hot Spot was staring wide-eyed at the puddle of melted plastic and sparking wires dripping from his servos.
"I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean that!" he apologized.
"I-It's okay, but some warning woulda been nice?" Bee tried joking, but the Primes, who had been on the other side of the factory, came rushing over. And Optimus immediately rounded on the unfortunate scout.
"Bumblebee! What did you do now?!"
"B-Boss bot, I-there was a fire and-"
"What!?"
"Hot Shot, what happened?" Rodimus asked calmly.
"I-lost control and melted the controller," he said sadly, looking at the mess but turned to the other Prime. "I'm really sorry and I promise to make it up to you guys! I-I can get another one to replace it!"
"That won't be necessary, Hot Shot. As it is Bumblebee plays too much when he's suppose to be doing his duties anyway," Optimus said with a side-long glare to the minibot.
"Y-Yeah…" Once more he began nervously picking at a transformation seam only to yelp in pain. Looking down he found that part of his own upper stabilizer had been burned due to being so close to the other Autobot, and had been burned badly.
Rodimus didn't waste any time in going to his side, examining the injury calmly. "Hot Shot, I think you had enough video games for the time being."
"Yeah, me too. Bumblebee, I am really really sorry. I promise I'll get you a new controller!"
"It's alright, it's not a big deal," he told him and didn't fight it when Rodimus led him to the hall where their rooms were located, but instead of going to the med bay Rodimus led them to his room. Bee didn't question it, letting them in. As the door closed behind them, he was pulling into a tight embrace. "Wha-"
"Do you have any idea how hard it was not to hug you the moment I set me optics on you?" came the low tone right next to his audio sensor, the servos tightening around him. "Been so long, Bee… Primus, I missed you so much."
"H-Hot Rod…" He was determined not to cry, to be strong, but the minibot couldn't stop his optics from leaking as his own servos came up and wrapped around the other Prime as tightly as he could. He was con conflicted right now, emotions bubbling up inside him, fighting to be let loose but Bumblebee held back. He already made a fool of himself before, he didn't want his lover to think any less of him. After a bit the two mechs released each other and the prime went about tending to the injury. "I didn't know you could do this," Bee said quietly, watching him work.
"Considering how many times Red Alert has tended to Hot Shot, I figured it was a good idea to learn something just in case," he said with a small smile. "He's come a long way though, before he might have sent your whole base on fire soon as he stepped ped inside."
"Really? Sounds like my kinda mech who knows how to have fun." Things fell quiet, the silence stretching even as Rodimus finished repairing Bumblebee and sat next to him on the berth, their servos close but not quite touching. Bee wanted to reach out so badly, to let their digits interlink, to be held once more, to listen to the steady pulse of his spark-
"Why do you let him talk to you like that?"
Optics shuddered. "Say what?"
"Optimus. He talks down to you like you're some glitch who makes trouble on purpose and knows it." Venting deeply, he turned to look at him. "It was Hot Shot's fault and yet he tried to put the blame on you. What's wrong with playing some video games once in a while?"
"… I kinda, don't do as I'm told. I mean I get bored easily so I goof off, but I don't do it on purpose! I… it's, just the way things are around here." Primus, that sounded so stupid! Was Optimus right about him?
"That's not true. You and Hot Shot are really alike, both with too much energy to be contained," he vented and took his servo into his own, giving it an affectionate squeeze. "Maybe I should talk to him-"
"No!" Bee didn't mean to shout, but he looked up at the other bot pleadingly. "I-Everything is fine, you don't have to talk to him! I mean it, Hot-I mean Rodimus. Optimus is just, kinda stressed. Everything is fine. Really."
The prime wasn't buying it but he didn't want to upset his lover, not after seeing him after so long. "… you sure about this?"
"Yeah. Totally. Absolutely." It was so easy to lie, but he hated lying right to his faceplates. "Promise me you won't say anything."
"… Bee-"
"Please!"
"… I promise." This time it was the minibot who initiated the hug and Rodimus wordlessly pulled him onto his lap, hugging him tightly. He had promised, but he wasn't sure how long he would be able to keep the promise he had just made.
Team Athenia settled remarkedly well with Team Earth, adjusting the busy lifestyle of New Detroit and getting to know the organics of said cityscape. At times they had to be reminded that the robots here were not as sentient as themselves. Ironhide seemed to be the most awed out of the team, causing traffic to back up for blocks all because he stopped in the middle of a busy street when something caught his attention. Hot Shot was constantly on the move, wanting to see everything and anything as was Rodimus although the Prime was a bit more reserved. Red Alert didn't care for the sight-seeing as she assisted Ratchet with upgrading the med bay at the warehouse. Brawn wasn't interested in the cityscape either, but the stocky mech assisted in heavy lifting that was needed with a quiet grunt. But even though things seemed fine on the outside, it only masked the inner turmoil brewing.
Although Sari was forbidden from visiting the Autobots, it didn't stop her and she was introduced to Team Athenia. Red Alert was curious and asked if she could scan the tiny organic to add to her files she had been collecting; Hot Shot was impressed that an organic like herself created the wonderfully entertaining video games (and promptly apologized for melting the controller); Ironhide remarked that by far the human child was the smallest organic he had ever seen; while Brawn wasn't the least bit interested. Until she introduced him to oil, only to later remark she wasn't that bad for an organic. Rodimus immediately liked her, seeing a lot of his lover in her but when Optimus found out he was furious and immediately blamed Bumblebee.
'I never thought I would meet somebot who I disliked more than Sentinel,' he thought to himself. It seemed no matter what happened, the blame always shifted to the yellow minibot regardless of whose fault it was. The few times they had helped the organics (or humans as they preferred to be called) Bee was called out for mistakes he had done in front of everyone, was even called worthless. The others made mistakes but they weren't attacked the way the compact was. Rodimus tried to talking to the other prime about it but what he had told him had him seeing red.
"How I discipline my team is no concern of yours. Bumblebee needs to start acting like a soldier, not a spoiled sparkling."
'I'm starting to wonder who the real sparkling is here.' Pitt, he couldn't do anything unless he was given permission like visiting him! And Rodimus had a feeling his team knew something was wrong with as much time as Bee spent time with them as opposed to his own team. Each time he wanted to do something, say something, he remembered the promise he had made and forced himself to hold it in. But every bot had their limit, and his came to a point after a particularly rough battle with the Decepticons still here on Earth.
Team Athenia had heard of the bounty hunter Lockdown and the conmech Swindle, but neither of them had ever dealt with them. To make matters worse, there was the addition of two seekers none of them had ever dealt with called Thrust and Dirge. No bot knew why they were here, and the battle had been difficult, especially when Lockdown had expressed a desire in obtaining their personal mods. On top of that, the two seekers, who seemed positively glitched with the amount of arguing they did, had no qualms about harming the humans or destroying the buildings around them. Somehow or another, they managed to defeat the Decepticons and had placed stasis cuffs on them; however, Swindle had managed to take possession of a device that nulled the effects of stasis and waited until they had left their guard down before setting off an explosion that caused a building to begin collapsing. It had taken all of their combined effort to not only keep the building from falling, but to save as many humans as they could. Thankfully there had been no casualties and most of the building was able to stay standing, but upon arriving back to the base Optimus began yelling at Bumblebee, blaming him for not making sure the stasis cuffs had been locked properly. Seeing the minibot shrinking in on himself, looking beaten down and unsure of himself, being called worthless, that had been the breaking point as Rodimus swore he heard his patience just "snap".
"That is enough!" he shouted, making his own team jump as they had never heard him raise his voicebox to that level! Ignoring everything around him the flame-decorated Prime immediately put himself in front of the yellow compact and began yelling at the other Prime. Even though he wasn't that much taller than him, he let out every bit of aggression he had been holding in since he arrived.
"I don't know what your problem is, but I have had enough of you turning Bumblebee into your personal scrap ramatron," he growled out, optics narrowed and resisting the urge to just punch this glitch out of anger. "Our rank as Prime is a hard-earned title, but right now I am starting to believe that Sentinel was right about what a mistake it was when Ultra Magnus gave it to you even after being expelled from the academy."
Blue optics narrowed and Optimus leaned in himself, a growl beginning to build in his chassis. "I would watch what you say, Rodimus Prime. We may be of equal rank, but this planet is under my protection and you and your team are merely guests."
"With your protection it's no wonder we were asked to come here to help you," Rodimus shot back. "Every time something goes wrong, you immediately shift blame to Bumblebee whether or not he was the cause behind it. You treat him as though he's a spoiled mechling—a sparkling, going so far as to call him worthless, making him to tell you where he's going or what he is doing like he needs to be monitored. And even when he does something right, you criticize him. Why does he deserve all of your disappointment and none of your praise?"
"Because he needs to learn to work together like a team is suppose to. I cannot be watching him every astrosecond of the cycle; I am not his creator, I am his commanding officer!"
"Then why don't you do the same to the rest of your team?!" the red and yellow Prime snapped and began pointing out to the others. "Your medic would rather complain and gripe about everything and claim he is too old for this, not to mention he takes more naps than a krystar iron-bear. He acts as though everything is one asteroid-sized burden and it's always his job to clean it all up. Your ninja obviously wants nothing to do with your team and prefers working alone, ignoring all orders and thinking he knows what is best, making up plans that go against that of the team's and refusing to give insight that could have helped us deal with the situation faster. Your "soldier" is as graceful as a shot dynametal duck, but at least he apologizes when he nearly takes down both our teams with his wrecking ball. And you…" His growl was growling his volume, entire frame rattling and he stepped even closer, optics glowing nearly white in rage. "You, are the saddest excuse of an Autobot, now I can see why you were expelled from the academy. Kup Minor was so wrong about you in so many ways. It's a wonder how in the name of Primus AND Unicron you and Sentinel were ever named as Primes."
Beaten back, Optimus actually began to feel very small, but instead of acknowledging the damage and wrong-doings, he straightened his spinal strut. "And how do you explain today's battle? I specifically ordered Bumblebee to make sure the stasis cuffs were in working order and he told me they were. How else could the Decepticons have escaped?"
"The stasis cuffs were in working order," Red Alert spoke up. Holding one of said cuffs in her servo as she used her transfer interlink apparatus to scan it and revealed her findings on a small holoscreen. "I had detected an abnormality in the energy field earlier but I was unable to diagnosis what it was until now. It seemed that the Decepticon known as Swindle had a device that negates the power to induce stasis lock," she explained. Optimus had nothing to say but that didn't stop Rodimus from speaking up once more.
"I have been keeping a log of our time here, and whether you like it or not I will be turning it over to Ultra Magnus the next time I see him. What he decides to do with the information is up to him, but right now it does not speak well for you or your team." Turning, Rodimus walked away but without any warning, picked up a stunned Bumblebee and began walking out of the factory but he stopped and turned to say, "If I ever hear you belittle my lover without a good reason, I will personally shove my energon bow so far up your aft, you'll be hacking up arrows for vorns." He then turned and continued walking.
Bumblebee was too stunned to process any line of data, he couldn't even remember how to speak and it wasn't until they were nearly out of the factory, his frame slung over Rodimus' shoulder like some sparkling, everybot looking at them with wide optics that everything clicked into place.
"P-Put me down!" Bee snapped, pushing at his back plates until he was nearly sitting up but the servo holding him in place refused to move. Growling he tried to pry it off, even kicked out with his stabilizers but the Prime still didn't let go. The minibot felt his faceplates flush hotly as he remembered how the other mech had referred to him as his lover redoubled his efforts. "Slagger! I said, let go!" he growled, not caring about preserving his dignity.
First Aid shuddered her optics a few times but the image was still the same. "Rodimus Prime-?"
"Bumblebee and I have some matters to discuss privately, I don't want to be disturbed," he said calmly as he continued walking, ignoring the squirming minibot he still had a tight hold of. "Please make sure the others are taken care of and have everyone return back to the ship when you are all done."
"Of course."
Luckily the hatch to the ship was still open which allowed the two mechs to board it but the red orange mech still didn't release his guest, walking deeper inside. After a few turns he stopped before a door and typed in the code. As soon as the door opened, he stepped in and immediately locked it behind him. Before the lights had a chance to automatically turn on, he set the yellow mech down on his peds before him.
"Finally!" the scout scowled, glaring up at the taller mech. "What the Pitt were you trying to prove?! You promised you wouldn't say anything and broke it! I still have to work with them, and why did you tell them that I was your lover?! Bad enough they think I can't do anything 'cuz I'm worthless but there you go carrying me off like-like a spoiled sparkling! I-!" Before he could go into a full-blown rant the Prime leaned down and kissed the smaller mech roughly, silencing him quickly. He caught one of the failing servos firmly, his arm coming around his waist and pulling him so their frames were now pressed so close together they could feel the pulse of one another's sparks. The kiss lasted only a few kliks and when Rodimus pulled back, Bumblebee's faceplates were flushed brilliantly, his derma tingling. "… Ro… Rod-"
"Just, shut up and let me prove how not worthless you are," he said in a deep tone, optics never looking away he leaned forward and kissed Bee once more but this time, the scout kissed him back, moaning deeply. Lip plates parted as a glossia traced them, asking for permission before sliding in. Rodimus let out a moan of his own as he tasted his feisty lover, pulling him closer as the kiss deepened. Memory clips of the time the two of them spent together flashed through his processor, how much he enjoyed being with him and how much he truly missed him. What was Optimus thinking, belittling him like that in front of his own team no less? He was worse than Sentinel! Sure, Bumblebee wasn't perfect, but he was always doing his best, slag it. Just thinking about it made him growl, squeezing the servo he still held tightly.
The minibot winced as the plating in his servo began to bend from the pressure but it lightened up, digits stroking the slight creases lovingly. Feeling his old flame pull back he vented softly, watching with slightly dim optics as he took the slightly injured servo to his lip plates and kissed it softly, apologizing. No one had ever apologized to him before; it was always the other way around. Smiling softly, he brushed the back of his digits along Rodimus' cheek ridge, enjoying the feel of his other servo as it rubbed the small of his back strut. He didn't question it as both of his servo were placed on the flame-designed chassis, just barely able to feel the strong pulse of the spark hidden away. But he squeaked in surprise as servos cupped his aft, lifting him up so he could wrap his upper and lower stabilizers around the taller mech.
"You still make those cute little sounds," the Prime teased with a low chuckle, pulling his lover away from the door and towards his berth.
"It's not cute and don't call me little!" Bee snapped, slightly embarrassed. "Rodi-"
"When it's just us, you can call me Hot Rod," he said, kissing him softly. Coming up to the berth he gently lowered him down, unwinding the smaller mech's stabilizers around him but never stopped touching him, letting his servos stroke and caress his plating. "I like hearing it from you."
"O-Okay… but, what are you doing…?"
"Like I said, proving what I already knew for a long time." Still smiling the taller mech began to kiss a trail down the minibot neck cables, licking and lightly nipping the sensitive cables, his servos continued to stroke and caress the bright plating. He didn't have to think hard about where his mini lover's hot spots were, his servos remembered well enough and each time he found one he was rewarded with a soft cry of pleasure. "That's it, Bee… just relax and let me take care of you…"
"H… Hot Rod… aah…" Primus! It had been way too long since he felt this good! Sure, he had tried self-pleasure a few times but it was never this good or enough. Tilting his helm back, the scout moaned lowly as his old lover gave his neck a nip before moving down his chassis, his servo trembling slightly as he reached up, lightly stroking the back of his lover's helm. Everything felt so right, a big part of his life missing was now back but why did it make his spark hurt?
The Prime recorded every sound his minibot made, grinning as the tips of his digits dug into some of the wider seams, plucking the normally hidden wires just right. It wasn't long before the smaller scout was crying out louder than before, his stabilizers tightening around him, hips bucking into him. Oh primus, there had been one or two flings in the past, but it never felt right and it never went this far. He continued to worship his smaller lover, his actions speaking louder than his words ever could. His own frame was begging for attention, vents expelling as quickly as they could but it wasn't enough. "Tell me what you want, sweetspark," he moaned against his lips, his spark clenching in desperation. "Whatever you want, I swear I'll make it happen."
"R-Roddy…" His brushed his digits across his lover's cheek ridges, optics diming but ignoring the low energy indicator in his HUD. "Show me… prove to me that I'm not worthless," he begged softly, optical fluids threatening to spill over.
"Oh Bee, you were never worthless."
Rodimus Prime proved to Bumblebee more than true worth, making love to him and showing with both words and actions that he was not what the other Prime accused him of. Bee couldn't help but let himself be swallowed by the pleasure, clinging to his lover tightly, afraid that it was some dream he had made up to escapes the harsh words said. He didn't want to be alone and unwanted, he wanted to prove he could do something right and for once be praised, not scorned. Even now looking at at the other mech, frames humming with charge, his spark felt too big in his chassis. Without any warning, it opened.
Rodimus' optics grew wide as he witness the beautiful crystal blue spark revealed itself to him and only him. His vents stalled and his servo shook as he reached out and gently, slowly, reach out and traced the outer casing. "Beautiful…" he murmured, but as he reached out to gently touch the spark itself his servo was caught. He looked up and saw that the minibot was frozen.
"I-I'm sorry! I- I don't why it opened up! Just-Just give me a klik," Bee stammered, struggling to reach up and force the plates close when he heard another click and watched as Rodimus' chassis opened up as well, the light of his sapphire blue spark making the room seem even brighter. "… why?" he asked quietly, trying to get himself to look away but the light was memorizing. "Why, are you showing me this?"
"Because, I love you more than anything. I hate how we were separated for such a long time; I hate that I had believed you had gone offline; I hate that your own team leader, a Prime no less, would dare call you worthless." Rodimus slowly moved his servo up, stroking the cheek ridge, wiping away a stray tear as the other reached up to gently pull the yellow servos that were trying to hide the spark from view. "I always wanted you to be my sparkmate, Bee. Even if you say no, my feelings for you will never change."
"Roddy… The minibot clung to the servo tightly, sobs shaking his frame. Slag, when did he become such a, what did Sari call it? When did he become such a crybaby? "Why do you wanna bond, with somebot as worthless as me?"
"Because you have never been, and never will be worthless. To me, you are perfect." Gently, the Prime pulled his lover down, their sparks short of touching but it didn't stop him from pulling him into another kiss, holding him closer. Between them his spark let out a strong pulse, coaxing the other to answer. The lighter spark seemed to shy away, unsure but slowly, it began to send pulses back. Both sparks reached for one another, and the moment they were close enough the energies reached out and intertwined together. Intense power flooded through the two mechs, lighting up every sensor in their frames, overwhelming their processor with such a huge upload of data. Their spark energies were so strong, the two bots ended up overloading once more, crying out one another's designation but they were also feeding off one another's energies, so tightly intertwined with one another even as their sparks parted, they still felt intimately joined. Both were forced into a reboot but neither of them fought it, still locked in each other's embrace.
"I want you to come with me."
"Go where? Like on patrol?"
"When we head back to Cybertron." Rodimus looked down as the shocked expression on Bumblebee's faceplates but his servo didn't stop stroking his backplates. "We were never going to stay here forever, and there is no way I'm letting you suffer under that glitch's so-called leadership."
"But, what about the Decepticons that are still here? What about the humans? What about Sari?" Bee had been enjoying the quietness with his sparkmate, testing their new bond by projecting him feelings and whatnot. He felt a soothing pulse of 'relax/calm down' and lay back down.
"We're not leaving right away, so you have a chance to talk to her. And unlike Sentinel I wouldn't mind coming back here to visit," the Autobot said. "I can show you all the planets we've visited, and maybe you can help Hot Shot burn off some of that extra energy he always has."
"Sounds like fun. But admit it, you just want me so you can stop sleeping alone at night," he teased only to yelp in surprise when he found himself on his backplates once more, servos pinned on either side of his helm and his sparkmate grinning down at him.
"Maybe. But most importantly I missed you, and I don't think I can waste another astrosecond without having you by my side."
"Roddy…" 'Love/acceptance/happiness' flooded his spark which he gladly shared, letting their digits interlock as Rodimus leaned down so their forehelms were touching, optics never leaving his. "You already know my answer."
"Yeah, but I wouldn't mind hearing it anyway."
"Yes. Frag yes I'll go back with you, Rodimus Prime." It would be wonderful to be with somebot who proved he was anything but worthless.
Author's Notes: Finally! (falls over) I think these chapters are getting harder and harder to write despite the notes and drafts and whatnot I do. But I made a promise to continue with this to the end! I just hope the end doesn't hit me too soon…
Blu3G1rl, reading your review I was inspired to rewatch TFAnimated and I could see in several episodes where poor Bee was ousted because of the way he acts. Originally, I was gonna have Sentinel be the one bad-mouthing our adorable minibot, but he hates organics with a passion so I made Optimus a total jackaft. I hope you like it!
Next chapter: WheeljackxBumblebee