Pairing: TFA Bumblebee/Slipstream

Rating: Teen

Details/Themes: One-sided interest (at first), activity bonding relationship, hanging out

Requested by rosemary

The bug was something. Adorable with his stingers ready for battle yet did little against her. The effort had to be respected.

"Are you done yet?" She sighed.

Bumblebee pouted, "Keep laughing and you'll be eating this stinger."

"Threatening, now don't you have a team or a human to bother? Unless you'd rather hang out with me but don't expect me to be your best friend or anything, scout."

Ceasing fire, he fumed, "You really know how to kill one's ego, don't you?"

Slipstream smirked, "Call it a specialty."

As he contemplated on what to do, she observed him and found that he was cute when he pondered like a lost puppy. If there was one Autobot she would keep around just for kicks, it would probably be him. She would never tell the likes of Starscream she had a thing for bots less powerful than herself as she had zero tolerance for that failure of a Seeker's mockery.

"Alright, Decepticon, you win. Just forget we met and don't ever mention my name. I'll leave you to do whatever twisted plan you have in your processor. No attacking humans though!"

Before Bumblebee could turn away and grumble, a servo caught him by his arm and dragged him back.

"Hang on, scout, I didn't say we were done here. In fact, I think we should get to know one another a bit more."

He pushed off of her uncomfortably, "No offense, and I mean this in the utmost respect I can give, but I would rather have a playdate with Megatron than you. At least I know where his ambitions lie."

Slipstream mused on that before smiling, "I know I'm scary but you wouldn't give me a small chance? Not one, Autobot?"

Bumblebee stared into her faux saddened optics, puppy eyes as humans referred to the phenomenon, and he bit his lip, trying to resist caving to it. A low snarl escaped him, "Aw no, with face and the eyes and the-alright! Fine! I'll hang out with you, you psychopath!"

"How noble of you," she mocked.

"Yeah, yeah, but if you try anything, I call my team to kick your aft."

"Fair enough. Now, tell me more about you and these humans you protect."

Bumblebee pursed his lips unamused before rubbing his optics. It was going to be a long cycle. Meanwhile, Slipstream was happy Bumblebee was playing along. The bug obviously didn't like her but that could be remedied quick. It was just a matter of playing in his favor.

As they walked among the least active side of Detroit, Bumblebee began explaining everything one could understand of human culture down to the specifics like human pastimes and their technology. Primitive certainly but Slipstream took note of how some things were explained excitedly, video games and television were among the top three Bee spoke of highly which intrigued her as to why he was so fascinated with such unusual concepts.

"Can I try these so-called video games with you?" She asked out of the blue.

Bumblebee looked flabbergasted that she would ask such a thing, like it was the first time anyone ever asked him. Slipstream kind of felt out of place and perhaps stepped out of bounds as everyone had one hobby they preferred to do alone. But suddenly, his faceplates lit up like Cybertron's sun and he grew the largest smile a bot his size could produce.

"You'd like to play video games with me?!"

She didn't know how to react to the boom of interest and the child-like glee Bumblebee was experiencing but to her surprise, he took her by the servo and dragged her towards a shed in downtown Detroit. She knew it wasn't the Autobot base as it could hardly fit the both of them without feeling crowded but she was awed by the posters and game merchandise he had on the walls.

"Sari, my best friend here on Earth, got me a majority of this stuff! Isn't it cool?"

Slipstream grimaced at how much there was, not the stuff itself. "Yes...it's great...so these video games of yours? It's like a battle simulator, an Autobot training device?"

Bumblebee activated his Playstation and quickly skimmed through the games, "Well no, but it does improve processor coordination I found...as I've been trying to explain to a certain ninjabot."

He found a downloaded copy of an older action-adventure game from the previous century and handed her the controller while patting the seat next to him. She reluctantly indulged the smaller bot but as he spoke in confidence, opening up to her about how fun the whole game was, she let a smile form on her lips.

This wasn't what she was thinking when she initially desired to be among Bumblebee but she was beginning to enjoy his outspoken nature. The fact that he now genuinely wanted to play with her, not out of fear or threat, hit her spark right dead center.

Bumblebee showed her everything. The controls, the moves and she began enjoying the game through his optics. In a way, it was like a battle simulation contrary to Bumblebee's claim but...endearing. They played for hours, she couldn't tell how many times she beat the challenges in the game that called for quick thinking and strategy. Even when they played pvp, she learned Bumblebee's tactic and beat him upon occasion. It was fun, actual unrestrained, unstressed fun.

She found herself asking after almost ten hours, in a rare small voice, "Can we do this again? Just you and me?"

Bumblebee smiled, "Of course! Just, uh, don't let our bossbots know."

"Our little secret is safe, I promise."

When she got up to leave, Bee then added, "You know, I thought you were just another clone of Starscream. I was wrong about you and honestly, you have no idea how much it means to me to have someone with the same interests as I do."

"You aren't so bad yourself, Autobot," she purred.

AN: Took a month long break to relax and not stress myself out. I have several requests not posted but indeed completed so I'll get those uploaded as time goes on. Longer than normal fic and I gave the 100th spot to rosemary who insisted this was one of the rarest pairings. Truthfully, TFA Slipstream is not a very common ship placer so it's relatively high up there.