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: Two mechs fighting for the spark of another. One a rebellious punk who shows he can be so much more, the other a veteran from the great war who wants to follow his spark. In the end there can only be one.
Title: Mechs After My Spark
Pairing: Sideswipe+Bumblebee; Optimus PrimexBumblebee (RID)
Request: Esmi (AO3)
No one said being a leader was easy, but it seemed effortless when you were Optimus Prime, the one chosen by the Matrix of leadership itself. The mech that all Autobots looked to for guidance and were never led astray. But he was certainly nothing like the legendary hero. In fact, Bumblebee still didn't know what he was doing back here on Earth.
'Optimus said he needed me here… but, I'm starting to wonder if this was meant for somebot else.' The former-soldier-now-police-lieutenant vented to himself, feeling his door wings sag slightly. He couldn't remember the last time he felt this depressed, but then again even since he emerged from the Well of AllSparks he was pretty much pulled into war. He couldn't help but wince as he heard a very loud crash followed by a loud "Sorry" echo across the scrapyard. He closed his optics, trying to will his processor ache away.
Sideswipe was a lot of things, mostly negative (thanks Strongarm) but he was also observant and he could be quiet (unlike a certain klutzy dinobot) when he felt like it! Which was why he was worried about their team leader. Bumblebee was the only bot he gave him chance after chance on Cybertron instead of just throwing him in jail, tried to get him to obey the rules but what was the fun in that? But right now, he was worried about him.
Gnawing on his lip plate, the young mech gathered his courage and silently made his way up to the yellow mech. He opened his lip plates to loudly greet him, maybe slap him on the back of his shoulder pauldron but instead stopped short and called out quietly, "Hey, Bee."
Bumblebee was so surprised when he heard Sideswipe's vocalizer he felt as though his spark nearly shorted. Since when did he move and act so-so not loud and obnoxious? "Sideswipe? I-I didn't hear you. Is something wrong?"
"No, everything's fine." He paused when he heard another loud crash followed by more apologies. "Besides Grimlock knocking something over every time he turns."
"Yeah… I'm surprised Denny hasn't kicked us out of the scrap yard for making a mess." Their current human ally and his son were a far cry from Agent Fowler and the kids, but not a day went by when he didn't think about them and wonder how they were doing.
Electric blue optics narrowed as the door wings dropped even more, meaning that whatever Bumblebee was thinking about was depressing. "Is something wrong?"
"You just said there was nothing wrong-"
"I mean with you." Seeing the look of surprise on his faceplates, Sideswipe continued. "Look Bee, I may not act like it but I can tell something's wrong. And… if you don't wanna tell me that's cool, but you should try and talk to someone. I…" At this he trailed off, looking to the side as he rubbed the back of his helm. "I… don't like seeing you like this. It's not right, and I don't like it."
"Sideswipe…" Was he really so obvious? He thought he had been hiding it pretty well from everyone, trying to be the kind of leader Optimus was, but he had to constantly remind himself he was not the former Prime. But, maybe talking about it wouldn't be so bad…? "It's not easy being a leader," he began softly, his optics gaining a faraway look to them. "Sure, I took leads on missions, but more often than not I was the one who followed orders, not give them. Even after the war I never questioned when someone gave me an order. But this is Earth…"
"Which is a complete 180 from Cybertron," Sideswipe finished to which Bumblebee just nodded. Sideswipe slowly walked up to where the other bot was standing and looked off in the distance with him. "You don't talk about what happened during the war, but I bet you got a lotta stories that don't deal with fighting Decepticons."
"Yeah, I mean most of my memory banks are from fighting, but I remember the friends I made. Like the time Ironhide made a bet that he could out blast anybot with a servo tied behind his backplates!"
Bumblebee spoke fondly of his friends and the times together, and Sideswipe listened, enjoying the way the lieutenant would smile and laugh. But then the stories would become dark and he would watch the way he would pause and rub at his plating, as though remembering old battle scars that had long since been buffed away. He watched as his servo rubbed at a certain spot on his side, optics growing dim. "Bee? You alright?" Sideswipe asked quietly.
"… just remembering, that not all humans are so nice. Not like Denny and Russell, and defiantly nothing like Raf." They never heard anything about MECH, but there had always been the fear that they were still out there, biding their time until they could strike. For that matter Megatron was still out there. Yes, he was in self-exile, but what was to stop him from returning and starting up the war again? What if he returned to pay him back for stabbing him in the back with the Star Saber? Would he rip out his voice box once more, or go straight for his spark? Or would he make him watch as those he cared about were killed before his optics, helpless to save them.
"I don't want to be silenced again."
"Bumblebee?" There was no response but watching the way his matte black servo left his side and went for the front of his throat cable, Sides knew what was wrong. When he had first heard that his team leader had went up against Megatron and live to tell the tale, he thought it was just a story, something made up to give the troops hope or something like that, but Strongarm was quick to set the story straight. And it also donned on him that Bee was afraid of being silent, like how he was afraid of not being able to move. He tried calling his designation, but he looked lost in his own world of painful memories. Now Sideswipe was scared; he didn't know what to do, or who he could go to for help. Would anyone know what to do? And how was he going to explain this? 'No. I-I can do this; I can help him!' Slowly he moved before the other bot, and with hesitant movements, took his servos into his own, pulling them down. He watched as Bee came to himself, blinking his optics he looked at him and Sideswipe gave a relieved smile. "Was getting worried there for a klik, Bee."
"Sideswipe… I'm sorry, I just-"
"Hey, you don't gotta apologize! You saw a lotta stuff and I bet some of it still haunts you. I should be apologizing here! I didn't mean for you to relive it, I thought I was trying to help, ya know? Remembering the good things, or something like that."
"But you did, Sides. I just have a hard time remembering just the good and not the bad. So, thank you." Now at this Bumblebee smiled at the other mech, a genuine and sincere smile as he gave his servos a gentle squeeze. "I know I don't say this often, but I'm glad you decided to stay here instead of listening to me."
Now it was Sideswipe's turn to blink. "Y-You are?" he asked, fighting the urge not to blush like some newspark. No, he didn't want to activate his cooling fans! Slag!
"Yeah. I mean you-" But whatever else Bumblebee was about to say was cut off when the red mech suddenly leaned in and kissed him. And this was no accidental peck, this was a real kiss! It had been so long since he felt anything this nice, since he really allowed himself this, and Primus above he wanted to let go and accept what Sideswipe was offering, but Optimus would never do that.
That seemed to be the trigger as the yellow and black mech pulled back from the warm kiss, pulling his servos away and taking a few steps back. He wasn't aware that the slightly flushed look on his faceplates matched that of Sideswipe, or that both of their cooling fans were running on high. He wanted to say something, anything that wouldn't hurt the younger mech than him pulling away but he did something he was sure Optimus never would have done. He turned and ran away.
"Bumblebee, wait!"
That just made him run faster and as soon as he was able, he transformed and drove off. This was definitely nothing like what Optimus would have done, but all he knew was he needed some time and space. 'I'm sorry, Sideswipe.' He increased his speed, as though hoping he could outrun his fears.
That was not what he expected, but a tiny part of his processor tried to reason it could have gone a lot worse. Not what he wanted to hear but then again, he did surprise a former war-bot turned civilian by kissing him. He was lucky he didn't try to shoot him!
"Real smooth, Romeo," Sideswipe said to himself, venting softly. He knew he shouldn't chase him down, as much as he really wanted to, but that would make things worse. But he lifted his digits to gently touch his lip plates, remembering how it had felt and for the brief astrosecond, he thought he felt him begin to kiss him back. He allowed his servo to drop and walked in the opposite direction that Bee had driven off in. As much as he hated being still, he could be patient.
… well, he could try to be patient.
Two days was all it took for Sideswipe's patience to snap and he was looking for Bumblebee everywhere he could in between hunting down rogue Decepticons, but slag it if this wasn't making him angry. The mech wouldn't come near him alone, and every time he managed to catch him, he was off before he could say something. Sure, he could comm him, but not only was it blocked he wanted to apologize to his face plates.
Yeah, that's right. Self-proclaimed rebel wanted to apologize for kissing the one mech he had a crush on for the longest time! There! Are you happy now, universe?!
Surely the team had to know something was up, but no one said anything (like he knew how to even begin explaining what was going on) but just when he thought he was going to bust an internal gasket he had his chance and he held onto the last dregs of his feeble patience for just a bit longer.
Bumblebee didn't like how the Decepticon Steeljaw was still out there, wondering what his plans were exactly but he also had other concerns running through his processor. He knew he should talk to Sideswipe about the kiss, but what would he say? That it wasn't right? That it meant nothing? That he never wanted it? Wrong. Wrong. So very very wrong! They did nothing wrong; kissing wasn't a taboo! It meant a lot to him, even though he was still confused about what led up to it. And he wanted it, wanted it so much he couldn't help but imagine it over and over and wonder what it could have led too if he hadn't pulled back. Would Sideswipe had taken the lead and gently explored his frame like it was something to be admired? Or would have wanted Bee to take the lead and show him all that he learned from his various partners during the war, to find out what he liked and didn't like, then show him what really made his engine rev.
"I don't need this right now!" the lieutenant growled to himself, resisting the urge to himself with his own d-pad. Instead, he subspaced it and made his way to the part of the scrap yard he claimed as his own, so long in his processor he didn't realize he was being followed until he was pushed into his "room" and the door closed behind them. Nearly stumbling he turned, ready to attack but froze, optics blown wide and surprise written all over his face plates. "S-Sideswipe? What are you doing?"
"Getting you still long enough to talk to you! Like I've been trying to do for the past two days!" the young mech said with a tone that sounded like he was trying very hard not to just start shouting and yelling. Sideswipe felt like pacing, or cornering Bumblebee into the corner so he made sure he heard what he was going to tell the yellow glitch but if he moved away from the door, he was afraid he was going to run and quite frankly, he was done chasing him around. "I'm sorry."
Blue optics blinked a few times, a questioning look on his faceplates. "What did you say?"
"You heard me! Slag it, Bee!" Sides didn't mean to curse but he was—well, he was a lot of things right now. "I'm sorry I kissed you, is that what you wanted to hear? I don't regret it and I think it's fragging petty to run off like you did!"
"Petty? Sideswipe, what did you want me to do?! Look, you surprised me and yes, it was wrong of me to run off without explaining myself, but you didn't explain yourself either."
Shocked blue optics stared at him in disbelief before servos came up and looked ready to rip his hair out—had he had any hair to speak of. "Are you serious that dense!? Don't you know what it means when a bot comes up and kisses you like that!?" Tense silence and realization hit him like Grimlock cannonball landing right on his helm. "Oh slag… Bee, I-I'm so sorry… I… just thought that…"
"… you like me, like that?" Having been sparked during the war, the former soldier missed out on a great many things, such as what to do when a young bot tried to confess their feelings to you. Now he felt even worse about running off but this time, he was the one who moved forward and took Sideswipe's servos in his own. "Sides… no one knows what I went through during the war, or the fact I'm afraid of being silenced. But I can't return your attention like how you want me to." He saw him ready to argue but gave his servos a squeeze and continued. "You are part of this team, my team, and I cannot abuse my status as team leader like this. It wouldn't be fair to you, or Strongarm, Grimlock, Fix-It, even Drift and the others. Your safety, as well as Denny, Russell, pretty much everyone on Earth come first and foremost." That's what Optimus would have said, and he would be right. He could never forgive himself if something happened because he was being careless.
"… but, can you try and give this a chance?" Sideswipe was not going down so easily as he stepped closer, holding their servos between their chassises. "This isn't Cybertron, there's no war going on, and you deserve to be happy." He could tell Bee still had some doubt but he stepped even closer, forcing him to look at him. "Tell me you didn't feel anything when I kissed you, and I promise I'll never bring this up."
He could lie, hurt the both of them with three simple words, but Jazz had said he could never lie what he really felt in his spark. "I wanted it. But I need some time to really think about this, Sideswipe. And if you can't accept that, then-"
"Yeah, totally! 'Course you need time!" He was so happy he could positive explode! "I swear Bee, you won't regret this at all!" Whether it was impulse or something else, Sideswipe pulled Bumblebee down for another kiss. Once more Bee was taken back but unlike last time, he felt himself kissing him back and simply enjoyed it. Part of his processor nagged about what Optimus would say, but he wasn't here.
Optimus Prime was back, as in "emerged from the Well of the AllSpark as though he had never perished" back. The Autobots were still trying to grasp the fact that the savior of Cybertron was here on Earth, but now that the threat of the Fallen Prime known as Megatronus was gone, they could vent just a little bit easier.
'I really wish it was that easy,' Bumblebee vented to himself. Looking back during the battle, he realized he had nearly let his team down when Optimus appeared. Yes, he was surprised because the last time he saw him was flying into the core of Cybertron, giving up his spark to reignite the Well of the AllSpark and bring their planet back from the brink of extinction. Then he had fallen back into the role of soldier under the Prime's command. Luckily, they had made it through that battle, but while hunting for more escaped Decepticon prisoners their styles of leadership began to clash. Why did everything have to be so slagging—confusing?
'CRACK'
His broken d-pad sparked where he had unintentionally snapped it in half, smaller cracks evident where his digits had dug in before the unfortunate device couldn't take the pressure anymore. There was no way Fix-It could fix it which meant everything he had saved on it was gone. "This is just—just great," he groaned and felt as though the weight of both worlds were resting on his shoulder pauldrons, letting his helm drop forward. "Why me, Primus? Why me?"
"Bumblebee?"
His entire frame went tense and he invented sharply. 'I really wasn't expecting an answer.' Straightening himself, said mech turned and forced a smile as he nodded to the other mech. "Optimus, I didn't hear you. Is something wrong?" Had an alarm gone off and he didn't hear it?
Optimus Prime was silent, noticing the broken d-pad in the bot's servos, seeing the tension evident in his frame, the way his door wings seem to sag from his backplates. But he could also see the turmoil in his optics, that there was not enough of him to go around in order to deal with everything at once. "I should be asking you that very question," he said calmly and approached the smaller mech.
"What? What makes you say-" Bee looked at the broken tablet, faceplates flushing he hide them behind his backplates. "It's n-nothing! It was old anyway!" he said, watching as Optimus came closer that he had to look up in order to meet his optics. Had he always been this tall? Wait, get back on track here! "Um, you were saying?"
The Prime frowned slightly, knowing there was something on his scout's—the Autobot's processor, but he would not pry and hope that he would eventually come to him should he need help. "Bumblebee, I never imagined that I would be revived but it was the will of the Primes. I cannot help but feel grateful to them, indebted."
"But why? I mean, you single-handedly revived Cybertron by sacrificing your spark. You actually sealed Unicron the Destroyer away permanently. Not that I'm not glad you're back, but why do you feel indebted to them?"
"Because even as a Prime, I am still a mech with his own regrets." He raised his servo and briefly touched his chassis where the matrix was once housed. "In order to fulfil my duties as a Prime, the matrix withheld many of my emotions. It helped while allowing me to plan accordingly, but I could not fully be the mech once known as Orion Pax. It was not until my passing than I grew to regret my decision even though I knew it may have meant the end to our world."
Bee had never heard his mentor speak like this before, and it was a bit frightening but also humbling. "What kind of regrets did you have?" he asked quietly, feeling his spark begin to race.
"I regret the sparks lost on both sides. I regret putting the lives of our human alias in constant danger. I regret leaving those I consider my family behind. But most of all I regret not telling the one who I cared for the most how I felt."
"What?" Wait, did Optimus admit that, that he had feeling for someone? Instantly his processor went to Megatron considering they had been close way back then. "But we were at war. The Decepticons have used the kids too many times to count to try and get one over on us, I don't want to think what they would have done if they knew you had someone you cared about so much. Optimus," Bee paused but reach out and took his large servo in his own; "You once said Primus works in ways we cannot begin to understand, but you never lost sight of that. And we, I would follow you no matter what. Maybe this is Primus' way of thanking you. I mean, no bot wants to spend an eternity in the Well thinking about regrets."
"I suppose you are right." A small smile graced his derma plating but looking at the yellow mech before him, he wondered if this is why Primus didn't call him back to the Well.
Unknown to the two bots, a third bot was watching and he was trying very hard not to let the kernel of jealously grow. 'Wish I knew what they were talking about, but I really wish he would leave already!' Sideswipe grumbled to himself. He had promised Bumblebee he would give him time, but after the whole mess and nearly being used as a sacrifice, well he just wanted to let Bumblebee knew he was still here for him. Waiting. Just waiting all calm and patient. Yep, no need to rush on his account-! Waitaklik, what was the big bot doing now?
Optimus had pressed Bumblebee's servo to his chassis and held it there, still speaking too quietly for Sideswipe to hear but Bee looked surprised. Now the other servo came up, brushing a digit over a blushing cheek ridge. Side's digits dug into a piece of scrap, silently crushing the item in his servo and his optics narrowed as Optimus-fragging-Prime leaned closer and kissed HIS Bumblebee! It was taking all he had not to charge up to them and use his Decepticon Hunter to kick the larger mech's aft. Bee seemed just as surprised by the kiss, standing still but now he was reaching for him, kissing the big bot back. But after a few kliks they pulled back. More words were said but Bee was shaking his helm, but he wasn't pulling away and the big bot hadn't let him go. Sideswipe saw red as he stepped out of his hiding spot and stormed over to them. Both mechs looked surprised but that didn't stop him from forcing his way between them, not only pushing his crush behind him, but shoving the larger mech away as well.
"S-Sideswipe-"
"Back off, old bot!" he said firmly. He had enough processing power to realize if he began yelling, everybot else was gonna come running. "I don't know what you're planning, but leave Bee outta it!"
Optimus frowned and looked down at the slightly smaller mech. "I do not appreciate your tone or how you addressed me right now."
"Yeah, well I don't appreciate some bot trying into move in on a bot who's already taken!"
The larger mech shuddered his optics, clearly taken back even as he looked at the shocked yellow mech. "Bumblebee made no mention of this-"
"Well, it's true! So, butt out, you—you buttinski!"
Everything was happening much too fast for Bee's processor to take in. Forcing everything to the back, he tried to pull Sideswipe back but the mech refused to back down. Even the cool, calm, collected Prime looked a klik away from driving him into the ground like a railroad spike. "Sideswipe! Optimus! C-Can't we talk about this? Please?" he begged, not caring that it sounded really weak and really pathetic.
"See? He said my name first and yours second! That means he's mine!"
"He is his own bot and not to be owned, especially by the likes of you."
"What's that suppose to mean?!"
"I have read your arrest record and see now that you are still the same unruly mechling on Earth just as on Cybertron."
"Optimus!" That was a new low for the former Prime.
"Oh, that is low, especially for you! Sure, I'm a mechling, but I didn't let a slagging war destroy our planet 'cuz I didn't have the ball bearings to kill the mech who started it all!"
"Sideswipe!" And that was even lower then low. The lieutenant wasn't sure what to say but he knew all this noise was going to alert the others and the last thing any of them needed was this dark cloud hanging over their helms. Shouting clearly wasn't getting their attention so he did the only thing he could. Bracing himself, he activated an old audio clip and played it as loudly as he dared. The very sharp shriek of pure static echoed around the entire scrap yard, even the surrounding wooded areas, causing a flock of birds to take to the air in fright. Bee hated using that audio clip, it reminded me too much when he didn't have a voice and he knew his faceplates were bright blue from his blushing but slag it all, he had to stop them somehow!
"What is wrong with you two!? I knew there was gonna be issues and I know the team dynamics has gone off track, but hitting each other below the belt like that—since when did two bots I care about turned into—well, into Decepticons!?"
"… 'm sorry, Bee," the red mech mumbled under his vents, rubbing the back of his helm.
"I deeply apologize, as well," the Prime said softly, feeling like he least than a mechanometer tall right now.
"Now that we aren't trying to let the entire population of Crown City know we're here, and my processor had a moment to finally register what is going on, I'm going to talk and you two are going. To. Listen." Both of them wisely silenced their vocalizers and the stressed Autobot took a brief klik to process what he wanted to say. "You two, are going to drive me into the Well of the AllSpark long before any of those rogue Decepticons can even touch me! Now, both of you confessed your feelings to me. Confusing but okay. Then, both of you kiss me. Even more confused but not totally unwelcomed. But hearing both of you fighting over me like-like some kinda trophy and saying that-that slag about each other? That is definitely not okay, at all!" Bumblebee didn't care that his vocalizer was getting louder, or that his oil pressure was rising, but seeing both mechs cowering before him as they were being chastised? That he could live with. "You two clearly want an answer but guess what, so do I! So, until I come to a decision, give. Me. Some. Space!" Without any warning or any word. The very frustrated mech turned and after taking several steps away, transformed and peeled out, leaving the other mechs behind and well out of sight.
"… I've never seen Bee that mad before… did, we just royally screw it up?" Sideswipe asked quietly.
"… I believe so," Optimus answered softly. "I apologize for my words earlier. They were uncalled for."
"Yeah well, not like I haven't heard it before. Not like that." Rubbing the back of his helm, the younger mech sighed deeply, looking away. "I'm sorry, too. Not your fault there was a war, I mean you ended it."
"Bumblebee was the true hero; he did what I should have been done a long time ago." They were both quiet for a long time, unsure what else to do but when he watched as the other mech was about to leave he called out to him. "Sideswipe."
"Yeah?" He blinked as a servo was held out to him. Looking up at the other mech, he could see what the Prime was saying without having to say anything. Facing him fully, he reached out and slid his servo into his. Shaking firmly, they silently parted and went their separate ways with only one thing on their processor.
May the best bot win.
If anyone noticed anything different in the scrap yard, no one said anything. There were instances where someone looked ready to say something only to stop and pulled back, or to be interrupted by someone else. Bumblebee didn't question it and was, quite frankly, grateful. Since his "explosion" with Sideswipe and Optimus, his processor was running on a continuous loop, knowing he had to make a choice but he also didn't want to hurt anyone. Pitt, if he wasn't positively certain it could work, he'd happily accept both of them! But they were all too different and he just knew it would end badly for all those involved. Venting deeply, he buried his faceplates in his servos, venting deeply once more.
'Why is it every time I think I know what I want to do, something comes in and throws me off-track?' Of course, he had no answer for that. Times like this he wished Raf was here, or even Fowler. Granted the older human was always getting after them for nearly blowing their cover or having to clean up their messes, but he reminded him a lot of Ratchet is some aspects. And his charge was young, but he was brilliant and could be quite observant. He also knew how to listen and if he didn't know the answer to something, he would find it. But maybe that was his problem, he used to rely on others to solve his problems for him, he had to find the solution on his own. 'No one said being a leader would be easy.' Lowering his servos, he thought about it before sending Fixit a comm that he was going for a drive; once it was confirmed, he transformed and drove out of the scrap yard.
The lieutenant just drove, letting his tires take him where they could, listening to his radio on low when he pulled to a stop, he found himself on a cliff that gave him a lovely view of Crown City in the distance, the sunlight reflecting off the river, the soft melody of birds singing nearby. It was so quiet and tranquil, the Autobot found his processor slowing down. Everything that had been happening now seemed—well, not exactly pointless but he felt at ease. Cutting his engine, he settled on his tires and allowed his processor to idle, data still processing in the background. It was so nice out, he could have fallen into stasis but he allowed himself to stay online, looking for all the world like someone who decided to park there and enjoy the view.
The sun slowly crept across the sky, causing the shadows to shift as though they were dancing. As the bright star continued it descent, the sky itself began to shift colors as well, turning darker, the warmth of the day cooling as night began to settle; even the birds stopped their singing and settles in their nests. Crown City slowly lit up, nearly outshining the stars themselves but Bumblebee continued sitting there, silent until his engine turned on with a quiet rumble, idling for a bit before reversing and headlights clicked on as he headed for the road. This time his radio was off and it didn't take him long to arrive back at eh scrap yard. He greeted his teammates with a small smile, assuring them that he was alright and had needed some space to clear his processor. But when he saw the two mechs who had been vying for his affection, he knew he could not put this off for any longer.
"Sideswipe, can I talk to you for a bit?"
The crimson-plated mech shuddered his optics even as he pointed to himself. "Me? Y-Yeah, sure thing!" He quickly followed after the other mech as he walked deeper into the scrap yard, resisting the urge to look behind him. Sideswipe was so nervous; it was taking all his self-control to keep his plating from rattling. He watched as the yellow mech stopped and slowly turned to face him but said nothing. Once more it took all his self-control not to say something first, to reach out and touch him, but he waited even if he did fidget slightly in place.
"… Thank you, for giving me the time and space I needed. I know it wasn't easy, but it does mean a lot to me," Bee said quietly.
"Yep. Totally get it." Oh, real smooth, could he sound anymore rushed?
"Sideswipe… I used to think having and you and Strongarm following me to Earth, was the biggest mistake ever, but I'm happy to see how wrong I was about that. you've changed, and I hope that when the time comes for us to return back to Cybertron, you won't change back."
"Bee…"
"I… I can't accept your affection for me, Sideswipe. Its not that I'm your team leader, or anything like that. You are a good mech, and I really don't know what the future coulda held for us, but there is a lot of stuff in the past that I'm afraid will make you regret choosing me."
"But that's not true, Bee! Couldn't you try and give us a chance?" This time the younger mech couldn't help but reach out and take the other's servos in his own, stepping close enough that it wouldn't take much to kiss him but when Bumblebee didn't say anything he was confused until he saw that he was frozen. The former scout was frozen on the spot, frame so tense like he fell into emergency stasis, but he couldn't hear the other bot's internals running. His systems were completely silent, and his optics were wide open, but they were filled with a mix of emotions. He never realized it, but thinking back he always saw him react like this when he was startled, falling back on previous protocols, but he also remembered the few times a rogue Decepticon did the same, and how he reacted with violence. How many times had that nearly happen to any of them? Slowly, he released the servos and calmly, stepped back. Only then did he call out to him and waited as Bee pulled back from whatever he had fallen into. Before he could apologize, he stopped him.
"So 'kay, Bee. I think I understand what you're trying to say," he said softly. Did it hurt? A lot. But he did love Bee, and would continue to do so. "Optimus is a good mech, bit too good but I'm not a Prime," he joked.
"Sides…" This young mech just continues to surprise him. With a small smile, Bumblebee walked up to him and extended his servo, clasping the other firmly but before releasing him he allowed the other to slowly pull him in and returned the tight embrace. "Thank you."
"Anytime. But he better treat you right, or I will definitely kick his after from here to Cybertron."
The yellow mech couldn't remember the last time he laughed that hard it brought coolant to his optics, but it still made his spark thrum happily.
Returning back to the others, Bumblebee managed to get Optimus to come speak with him but this time he led him to his part of the scrap yard that he claimed as his own. He tried very hard not to compare him to Sideswipe, but he was just like he remembered during the war: calm, level-helmed, patient, even regal. His spark thrummed even faster, confirming he was making the right decision.
"Optimus…" He knew what he wanted to say, to tell him, but he could not get the words out! It was like his processor deleted his language files. Movement caught his optic and he watched as the larger mech slowly, purposely making noise, approached him. Calmly, he held his servo out to him, letting him make the first move. He knew him so well.
Slowly, the veteran-turned-civilian reached out and took it with both servos. A servo he had seen capable of damaging armor plating, strong enough to tear stabilizers from frames, that had once transformed into powerful blasters, but gently enough to care and tend to their human alias, dexterous and steady. One he knew if he gave him his spark, he would never lose, or break. He lifted the servo, and pressed it over the brand embossed on his chassis, letting him feel the heavy thrum of his spark.
"You know me better than anybot else, whether it be Earth or Cybertron. I always knew I could depend on you during the war, and I always knew I never felt safer than I did when I was with you." Bee paused, pressing the servo harder against his chassis even as he stepped closer, feeling the other frame ex-venting great puffs of heated air. He could almost hear the way the Prime's spark was racing in the broad chassis. "There is no bot else, I want to give my spark to… if you'll have it."
Optimus said nothing, even as he shuddered his optics slowly, but he believed that words of wisdom came when it was needed the most, and actions spoke much louder than words. Still moving slowly, optics focused on the smaller mech, he closed the short distance and kissed him. Derma plating parted under the soft pressure, gentle, sweet, loving. It spoke so much, there weren't enough words to describe it all. As slow as it began, it ended, pulling back just enough to speak but still close enough they could feel the heat from each other's frames.
"You have given me everything I have every asked for and more… you have also sacrificed much, for ideals we al believed is, for a future he hoped for… I was a fool for not telling you this sooner, and I swore if given the opportunity I would tell you." With one servo still on the yellow/black chassis, the other slowly moved up and cupped the helm, spark thrumming harder as his love leaned into his loving touch. "I will treasure your spark, your frame, with everything I have. Nothing will ever come between us, but should we ever be separated, I will always come back to you. My spark… is yours." His engines gave a rumbling purr as a smaller servo came up, stroking his cheek ridge he leaned into it, pressing a kiss to the inside of the servo's joint before being guided down in for another kiss.
Lip plates slid against each other, parting slightly as quiet moans escaped, servos stroking and caressing one another's frames, worshipping. As plating flared open digits slipped in and stroked at normally hidden wires, activating sensors in their wake. Engines began to run harder, cooling fans kicking on higher. When digits stroked at the joints of the expressive door wings, Bee couldn't help but gasp sharply, clutching at the larger mech tightly. Part of him expected to be ravished, to be pinned against something and taken, and he would have allowed it but instead the touching continued with their gentle exploration.
"O-Optimus!" Bumblebee gasped and wrapped his upper stabilizers around the Prime's neck cables, moaning aloud as those talented servos left the wing joints to hold him up, stroking hi waist and hips as he wrapped his stabilizers around him. Soft lip plates caressed the side of his neck cables, moaning as the tip of a glossia traced the cable that pumped energon. He wasn't aware they had moved until he felt the sheets covering his berth under his aft, groaning in loss as servos slid down his thighs, forcing them to unwind from his waist.
"I want to take my time, get to know your frame, to worship you as the treasure you are," he spoke lowly, the deep bass of hi vocalizer serenading the audio sensors of those that heard with a strut-tingling pleasure. With the smaller mech sitting on the edge of the berth, he quietly knelt between the spread stabilizers and place his servos on either side of those yellow hips. Even kneeling he was still slightly taller than the other bot, but that didn't matter as he leaned into him, both their optics a rich deep ocean blue as soft pants of heated air escaped parted derma plating. "If at anytime you wish me to stop, say it. I will never do anything against your wishes."
"Same. I lost you once, never again." This time it was the smaller mech who leaned forward and kissed his love, glossias shyly darting out to dance and glide among one another. Matte black servos slid up the strong stabilizers, over broad pauldrons, and stroking the cables and wires in his neck. He smiled when the Prime groaned in relief, tension making his broad frame relax so he continued even as those talented servos did the same to him.
Both mechs explored one another's frame, mapping out intimate places with digits, derma, even glossia. Desire coursed through them but they forced themselves to go slow, to savor each and every moment, holding back their cries of pleasure to not alert the others around them. The mounting pleasure was so strong, so great, but Prime continued to worship his beloved scout with his touch, drawing out his pleasure as long as possible, before the smaller bot begged for more, unable to reach complete ecstasy without him. As their frames began one, the pleasure mounted and enveloped, as though there was nothing else but the two of them as they reached their climax together, as one.
Bee couldn't help but mew softly at the sensations, frame twitching and grinding. Digits latched onto the broad frame, curling possessively into seams that not even the combined strength of primus and Unicron could break. After several kliks their frames stopped grinding and stilled, cooling fans began to slow and their plating pinged softly. Eventually, even their servos began petting and stroking condensation-soaked plating, sparks no longer racing. With his own helm pillowed on the wide chassis, he smiled, reaching out and taking the larger servo, interlocked their digits together. "I don't think I overloaded so much before," he admitted softly. There was lingering static in his vocalizer but it should be clear in the morning.
"I do not remember it being this satisfying. But I have never seen anything so beautiful as you in the throes of pleasure." With an upper stabilizer wrapped around his slender frame, his servo stroking the slightly trembling doorwings, he lifted their joints servos and softly kissed the black servo. "As much as I would enjoy more time spent with you as such, we must give our frames some rest." Already he planned on what he would do to his lover, and what he could do to make him cry out for more.
Bee shivered in pleasure, but as willing as his spark was, his frame refused to give in. "I'm looking more than forward to it, Optimus."
Author's Notes: It's a New Year's miracle I tell you! A miracle! I'll keep this short and sweet: real life sucks = mental break downs + creative block/rut + long work hours x holidays. 'Nough said. Esmi from Austria on A03 wanted something about two mechs fighting over Bee and wanted them to be Optimus and Sideswipe. She also wanted Op to win. But I felt like going for something more romantic and fluff so I ended up writing this. Please tell me if its any good? ^^ BTW, please no more requests at the moment. I very very backed up but you can still toss ideas and what not. So good-bye 2022, hello 2023.
Next chapter: BlitzwingxBumblebee