Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

One of the first thing Strongarm noticed about lieutenant Bumblebee was his alertness. His attentiveness to his surroundings. It reflected in his strategy, how he always made sure to have at least one extra way out. The way he talked, not as loud as anyone else, almost as if always keeping an ear out. Even in how he was the hardest to prank by Sideswipe. Though, looking at the number of the attempts, he sure was his favourite target. It was all these little things that told her how hyper vigilant he always was.

And she admired that in lieutenant. It showed how truly strong he was, how serious he took his job, even if his sometimes aversion to stick to the protocol irritated femme bot.

All this is to say, he was almost always prepared for an attack. And it was this knowledge that told her Sideswipe's idea was incredibly stupid.

"Come on, Strongarm. It'll be fun. I just want to scare Bee a bit. Not like I'm gonna punch him or anything." Sideswipe reasoned, getting on her nerve already, as they walked through endless shelves of scrape yard.

"No, and that's final. Can't you see how stupid it is?" Blue bot shot back, knowing that the only reason they even had this argument was because she caught him sneaking up on Bumblebee and confronted him.

"No, because it isn't." Red rebutted, clearly not understanding her frustration.

"It is." 

"Is not."

"Is too."

"Is not- why do you even care. It's a small joke, whaits the harm?" When Strongarm failed to answer autobot took it as a cue to continue "Besides, what could even happen? He'll just scream like you all do, or even jump a little. It'll be fun, come on." She stayed silent, unsure how to respond. The bot urged her forward, and after a minute of walk it became clear why. 

There, less than ten meters away from them stood Grimlock, in his dino mode, and Bumblebee himself, chatting about something. It was clear they were too engrossed in their talk, when lieutenant didn't even twitch upon younger's arrival. 

Sideswipe's optics shined at the rare opportunity to caught their leader off guard. And, despite her best effort, she knew a losing battle when she saw one. 

Opting to instead stick close to the other bot in hopes of preventing any further damage, lest Grimlock break something out of fear, she walked right behind him. They stopped soon after, at the end of the shelf, when Sideswipe signaled for her to stop. And.

And as annoyed as she was, she couldn't help her curiosity. Strongarm never imagined she could sneak so close to lieutenant without him noticing, and was more willing to put up with their prankster's joke, if only this once.

Looking at their leader, blue bot noticed how his shoulder pads were loosened, and the hesitant, almost soft smile took up his face plate. The one reserved for those quiet moments when he reminisced about past, or they made a particularly good job on a mission. He looked... oddly relaxed. Making a pit of guilt in Strongarm's stomach even bigger, when she realised they were about to ruin this moment.

However the autobot wasn't quick enough about her change of mind, as Sideswipe already made his way to the other two, and femme bot could only watch as he raised his servos behind Bumblebee's back plate, clearly ready to tackle him to the ground, following by the scream of horror from the older.

But that didn't happen.

Instead Strongarm saw almost in slow motion as Sideswipe put his digits on Bumblebee's shoulder pads, shout at ready. Yet as he made contact with their leader reaction was instantaneous, and not a moment later red bot was laying on the ground on his chest plate, with his servos behind his back plate, and a servo of none other that Bumblebee himself on his neck guard.

Everyone frose, not knowing what to do, wide-eyed expression mirrored on both Sideswipe and Grimlock's face plates, her's probably identical.

However, Bumblebee's shocked her the most. Only half of his helm was turned, but it was enough to see a carefully blank expression. 

"Um...hey Bee." Nervously said Sideswipe, craning his helm, trying to look at the bot in question. 

And just like that the spell was broken. Lieutenant's expression returned to normal, as he swiftly let go of younger's servo, and stood up, almost tripping over himself and ending up backed against Grimlock, who only looked down confused.

"Scrap, didn't know you had moves like this." The younger chuckled, clutching his shoulder pads.

"Sideswipe, don't do that. You could've endangered yourself. I didn't hurt you, did I?" Bumblebee scolded him, but quickly moved to examine his arm guard, making sure to touch gently.

"Stop worrying, boss bot, its nothing." Sideswipe halfheartedly argued, though he couldn't hide his bewilderment. "Although my mouth piece hurts."

"That's what you get for being an idiot." Strongarm intervened finally. "But he's right lieutenant, I don't recall practicing something like this at the academy." And she prided herself on knowing every important one.

Bumblebee only signed somewhat tiredly after a moment, leaning on Grimlock, who at this point was in his robot mode, and put his helm on shorter bot's. 

"Because it's not from the academy." Lieutenant looked almost embarrassed as confessed. "It's something that was drilled into me is all." At that he look away, rubbing his neck guard in weirdly human way.

"Teach me." Sideswipe said curtly, making everyone look at him in disbelief.

"What?" Bumblebee asked, unsure if he heard that correctly. As Sideswipe? Not only willing but wanting to learn something from him? Unbelievable. Yet the look of awe and determination in his optics told a different story.

"Teach me." Repeated red bot. "Come on, that was so cool, imagine what I could do with it combined with my incredible speed." He practically begged.

"I don't know, it's not useful in our usual circumstances. Our main point is to disarm the enemy, not blast their helm off." And maybe it was the admission of the threat, or how easy lieutenant said that, but it made Strongarm really glad that Bumblebee was on their side. And the fact of not following through was reassuring not only to her, if how Sideswipe rubbed his neck guard and his nervous smile were anything to go by. 

The only unaffected by anything was Grimlock, who just stood behind their leader, helm on helm still.

"Yeah, that was cool, Bee." He said finaly, grinning. "Maybe not as cool as punching the enemy, but still cool." 

At that lieutenant only signed fondly, his face plate finally breaking into that private smile again. 

"Yeah, maybe..." 

As Strongarm looked at their leader, she saw how relaxed he is at the moment, his posture loosing it's stiffness at last. He won't be like this for long. She knew that a few minutes later he'll be on guard again, looking for any threat possible. But right now with them, she's glad he doesn't have to.

Chapter Text

Grimlock long since noticed Bumblebee's recharge schedule. Or lack there of. He's not as dumb as one might think, thank you very much. He saw how sometimes Bee went on night patrol right after everyone turned in for recharge, how on occasion he even swapped shifts with Sideswipe, who happily went with opportunity to relax. He saw how, after particularly difficult missions, Bee pushed himself even harder for some time, allowing others to rest, his frame would be especially stiff for days on end.

However, evidence became extremely clear in this last week. It began with increase of Steeljaw's team's attacks. It was as if they had a newfound strength, and even worse, autobots had to cover more territory. Either way, after the fight Grimlock felt himself ache more than usual. Though it were two younger bots that looked like the slightest breeze could shatter them. 

"You two get a rest, I'm gonna cover today's patrol." Bumblebee ordered them, and, though they obviously wanted to argue, both were too worn out to do so. 

And if Grimlock thought that was rough day, boy wasn't he ready, as the whole following week things just kept happening: a new decepticon attack, malfunctions in guard system in the middle of the night, which was blaring untill way past midday, and even routine patrol in city became a rescue mission, as some house near the edge of it was caught on fire. Although Bumblebee was the only present for the last one.

Point is, this week was absolutely taking it's toll on the team, yet if he had to choose who took it worse, Grim would undoubtedly take their leader, who took double shifts, after attacks started happening.

And it came to a boiling point, when at the end of the week, late at night Grimlock witnessed Bee tripping over nothing and falling face first into the ground. What surprised dino bot, was how, instead of picking himself up, the autobot just sighed defeatedly and turned his helm, facing the other side, all while his body sunk deeper into the ground.

Uncertain what to do, Grimlock made his way to the yellow bot, careful to make his steps a tad bit softer.

"Uh, you okay there Bee?" At this said bot turned his helm his way and blinked.

"Grim?" He squinted for a moment, before responding. "Yeah, fine and dandy." 

Bigger bot could only stare at him, confused.

"What does it have to do with flowers?" 

"What?" Now it was Bee's turn to look confused, until it dawned on him. "No, no, it's an Earth expression, it's like-" he stopped himself mid sentence, wich was weird as well. It wasn't rare for him to explain some things about Earth to other Cybertronians, but Bee never cut himself off. "Nothing. I'm fine, just- need a moment, I guess." At this he closed his eyes. "You can go, Grim, I'll be fine."

Grimlock seriously doubted that, as autobot looked like he desperately needed rest. And Grimlock could provide him with that.

"Hey, Bee, can you turn over?"

"What? Why?" Bumblebee looked incredulous. 

"Just turn over, come on, it's not that hard."

Yellow bot only sighed, but obliged and soon was laid on his back plate.

"Happy?" He asked sarcastically.

Instead of answering, decepticon bent over and scooped autobot, servos secure under back plate and pedes. 

"What are you doing?" Bee asked dryly.

"Well, remember how you told me to rest, so I could help team better? I'm just doing the same for you." Grimlock grinned, which only earned him a tired sigh in return.

"We don't have time for this." Bee argued halfheartedly.

"We do, actually. Nothing is going to happen if you'll recharge for a change." 

"Fine, whatever." Apparently seeing a losing fight, Bee accepted his fate and only leaned in closer, shutting his optics. 

With handful of yellow bot now, Grim carefully made his way to his usual spot of recharging, hoping it'd be comfortable enough for Bee to rest.

As Grimlock came closer to their destination he felt Bumblebee fidgeting. 

"Look, Grim I appreciate the effort, really, but... I can't recharge now." 

"Huh, why? You look tired." Former decepticon replied concerned.

"It's just going to be a waste of time, trust me." Autobot sounded almost dejected.

It made Grimlock quite for a moment. He didn't even consider a possibility of recharging being difficult. Maybe Bee didn't like loud noises? Wait, no, they were always loud and yet autobot did rest sometimes. Maybe he didn't like resting at night? No, that's not it either, Bee never rested during the day. Then what was it?

"Are you...scared of something." Tried Dino bot hoping that, if anything, it'll make the other talk 

"I...I just- can't right now, is all." Grimlock felt that it wasn't the whole truth, but found himself suggesting a distraction.

"Distraction?"

"Yeah, you don't have to recharge, if you don't want to. We can just sit and talk, or..." Grimlock trailed as the idea came to him. 

Changing directions, he headed further into the forest, scrape yard becoming smaller and smaller as he went on. Bumblebee was surprisingly quiet during the walk. 'He must be exhausted' Grimlock thought, as he came to a cliff. It was well past midnight, so dino bot knew it wouldn't be long before sky would be littered with bright colours.

"There," Grimlock announced proudly, after coming to edge and gently lowering Bee, before sitting himself. "Sunsets are pretty from here, so it's a nice place."

"Yeah," Bee agreed softly as he gazed at the city below, lights creating a beautiful picture, as if someone used paint. "it is."

They sat there for a long time, in silence, enjoying the view. As the red and pink broke the sky signifying the beginning of sunrise, Grim was captivated by it's beauty.

"You know," he addressed smaller bot "if you ever feel like this again, we could come here or go and punch some-" he cut himself off, when he felt additional weight on his side.

Looking down he saw Bee, who slumped against him, optics closed shut and face plate completely lax. 

Grim couldn't help soft smile creeping on his face plate, as he lifted a servos on Bee's shoulder pad to let the other rest more comfortably.

And there, bathed in early morning sunlight, autobot looked prettier than any sunrise. Grimlock finally teared his gaze from him, giving yellow bot a quiet rest he so obviously deserved. Dino bot was sure, others could survive a day without their leader's interference. 

Chapter Text

It was a normal mission like any other, just another Tuesday fight with decepticons. Except for one thing.
The enemy wasn't any of Alchemor's ex-prisoners, who they got used to, but some unknown cons, so it took them by surprise.
Grimlock and Bumblebee got separated from others, and even more, their communication was blocked, effectively leaving no way of knowing if others were for sure.
"I swear, I should put them on the leash, with how often this keeps happening." Bee said tiredly.
Grimlock could only snicker, imagining those two bickering even more in such close proximity. Their chat, however, was cut short, when they heard a shout in the distance on their left. It was Strongarm's voice.
"Scrap." Bumblebee cursed softly, already turning and making his way to help her. And Sideswipe, if he was there. And he wasn't sure what would be worse.
Running through the forest proved to be difficult for Grimlock, so he had to swap the mode.
"Don't worry Bee, Strongarm can handle herself. I'm sure she's fine." He assured the autobot.
"Oh, she better be." Bumblebee replied, and among worry and concern, fury dominated above all in his voice. 
As they approached the clearing, they came to a view that made both freeze. At least a dozen of decepticons stood behind a bot in purple armor with silver splotches on chassis and pedes, most likely their leader, weapons at ready. The aforementioned bot had two blasters pointing at something on the ground. Or rather someone. There, sprawled on the grass were Strongarm and Sideswipe, their bodies  littered with scratches.
"You're out of ideas how to catch others already?" Red bot asked sarcastically and was rewarded with a rough kick in the chassis, making him wheeze.
"Lieutenant," Strongarm lifted her helm, optics unfocused "its a trap!" She wasn't able to do say anything further when kick came to her back plate.
"Stop right there, or they're getting it." Decepticon threatened, pointingly looking at the weapon.
"Let them go." Bee's ordered, voice low and cold, unlike anything Grimlock ever heard from yellow bot.
"Or what? You're outnumbered, so I suggest you be careful, or someone will get hurt." The enemy shot back. When answer didn't come he grinned. "Now, the name's Coppercut, and I came with a proposal. An exchange of sorts, I'm sure you get where I'm going." At that he looked at two younger bots with glint in his optics.
"Me for them." It wasn't a question.
"My, a smart one. Yes, easy as that. Two brats for Prime's little scout."
Grimlock cringed, looking down to said bot, who met decepticon's gaze, seemingly unfazed, optics full of cold fury. 
"So, do we have a deal?" Voice laced with false sweetness.
Grimlock watched as the autobot walked up to their enemy, until he was almost in arms reach from his teammates, so ex-con couldn't see his face plate.
"Grimlock, take the kids and go to Fixit." 
"Bee-"
"Now." Grim was shocked, unfamiliar with getting orders from Bee, and wanted to argue, but looking at Bumblebee's clenched digits, smaller bot was probably just worried for younger's safety.
So Grimlock made his way to them, and bent down to take younger bots, mindful of their damage.
"Take Strongarm, I'm okay." Sideswipe batted ex-con's servos away, still catching his breath. 
"You sure?" Grim asked hesitantly, not hiding concern, but already picking up femme bot. 
"I can...stand just fine." She replied, barely conscious.
"Uh-huh." Sideswipe replied, finaly standing up and addressing their leader. "Boss bot?" 
"Go with Grim, I'll be fine." Still not tearing his optics from Coppercut assured him Bumblebee 
"Try to stay alive or she will have my head for leaving you." he pointed at Strongarm, acting nonchalant.
"As fun as it is, you're forgetting who has-" Coppercut was cut off by a screeching sound of twisted metal, as his weapon was quickly destroyed, one half layng on the ground, electric buzz still coming, with Bumblebee's servos outstretched, face plate showing carefully contained rage.
"If you so much as try to hurt them your head will be next." Bee finally turned to others, all of them appalled by his behaviour. "Now go."
Silently two bots went in direction of scrap yard, almost leaving the clearing, when they heard a slashing sound.
"What the-" Grimlock could only stare, dumfounded, as Bumblebee, with Coppercut laying at his feet, leaking energon and unmoving, jumped sideways, taking out two bots, who tried to attack, with clear shots. Some con stood close to them, and Grimlock was ready to punch him, when, in a blur of movement, Bee was before him, kicking decepticon in the chassis and then punching on the face plate with incredible speed, effectively unarming him.
"Run." Was all Bee said before returning to the battlefield, taking on anyone on his way.
Deeming the situation dealt with, he did as he was told, following already moving Sideswipe.
"Fixit, do you copy?" He heard red bot, who was further down the path in car mode, talking into comm link
"Yes, what is it Sideswipe? Are you delay - hooray - okay?"
"We were ambushed, Strongarm and I got injured. We're on our way." Sideswipe finished curtly, trying to focus on the road. "You hanging in there, cop?" He addressed the aforementioned bot.
"Shut up, Sideswipe." She retorted weakly.
"She'll live, alright" came sarcastic replay, relief barely hidden in his voice.
As they continued their way, screams could be heard from behind, although none of them were long, lasting only second or two.
"Guess he wasn't taught that in the academy either." Sideswipe commented nervously, and Grim couldn't blame him, after all it wasn't often Bee got violent. 
Now that he thought about it, dinobot couldn't remember an instance of Bee ever being like this. 
It wasn't long before they were at the base, Fixit at ready with med kit in hands. Grim carefully placed Strongarm, who at this point was squirming impatiently. 
"It's fine," she insisted "just a few dents here and there, nothing major." 
"If you insist," Fixit relented, but only after scanning her. "though I must ask, where is dependent - apparent - lieutenant?"
"Yeah, where is he? I remember him being behind us, no?" She looked at the red bot expectantly.
"I uh, don't think we should bother him right now. He was pretty busy-"
"Strongarm, Sideswipe, you guys okay?" Voice came from behind, full of worry. 
Everyone turned to the gates, and lo and behold, Bumblebee himself came into the sight. And what a sight he was. From helm to pedes he was covered in splashes of energon, one of his servos was swapped with a bioweapon and his chassis, from what Grim could see, was littered with small dents and scratches. He breathed unevenly, optics dancing from one bot to another, clearly taking access to all the damage they took. Not stopping his pace, he gently took Strongarm's face plate in digits and examined it, then moving to the rest of her body, trying to find anything worse than a scratch. When he looked satisfied, he did the same to Sideswipe, who wordlessly accepted it, standing awkwardly a few paces from Strongarm, trying to process what's gotten into their leader.
Honestly they all did, as such display never happened before. Grimlock hoped it never will, because right now Bee looked panicked.
"Good, they didn't hurt you too bad." Bumblebee's shoulder pads sagged with relief. "They're good, Fixit?"
"Yes, lieutenant. Aside from a few scratches they're all clear."
"Alright. I'll go and get rid of... all this" he trailed awkwardly finally taking himself in, realising how he must look. "Just-" he looked conflicted, optics dancing from Sideswipe to Strongarm. "Grim, until I return don't let them go anywhere." Bumblebee then turned to left, ignoring everyone's shocked expressions.
"O-kay," Sideswipe uttered when yellow bot's silhouette completely disappeared in quick strides, baffled and unsure how to react to their leader's behaviour. "I think I speak for everyone when I say that was weird as scrap."
"Yeah, I've never seen lieutenant this... Whatever that was." Strongarm agreed, albeit hesitantly. "Maybe something happened when we left?"
"Maybe... But he acted strange even before, when that deal was proposed." Sideswipe suddenly turned to Grimlock, who, up to this point, followed Bee's direction with optics. It took a couple of tries to get his attention. "Grim, did you notice something weird with Bee? Before we left him?"
It made Grim think back on their interaction, noting nothing out of sorts, and told as much.
"It doesn't make sense," Red bot countered, looking unsatisfied with being in the dark. "we have been separated before, nothing special about this situation."
"Well, then we just need to talk to him." Fixit suggested.
"Uh-huh, and who's going to do that? Rule stickler physically can't disagree with Bee, not me either, I'm no good at heart-to-heart thing. And-." 
"I can." Ex-con volunteered. Sideswipe looked directly at dinobot, who just wanted to talk to Bumblebee. He honestly was worried something was happening with Bee and knew, he wouldn't discuss it with younger bots. Fixit- maybe, but Grim had the best chance. He wouldn't brag, but he most definitely was Bee's favourite.
"Okay, you do that and I'll-" Sideswipe turned to leave, only to be lifted by Grimlock. "Hey!"
"Nu-uh. Bee said to not let you run away untill he's back." 
"Wha- come on, it was an exaggeration." Red bot was trashing in vain efforts to escape.
"I don't know, Sideswipe. He looked serious when he said that." Blue bot shot back.
"And concerned too." Fixit added.
"Alright, fine. Can you at least let me go?" Sideswipe asked, still dangling in Grimlock's claws, finally giving up on getting out himself.
"Hmm, okay." And just like that the bot fell on the ground, groaning softly at the landing.
"Ugh, can't you worn a guy?" 
"Sorry." He didn't sound sorry all that much, but any retort Sideswipe had, vanished when they heard footsteps, getting closer to them, and based on the sound someone was in a hurry.
Bumblebee looked better, if Grimlock did say so himself, though he couldn't help but notice a giant dent on bee's shoulder pad and dozens an scratch marks littering his body. And based on Fixit widening optics, he wasn't the only one.
"Lieutenant," engineer rolled up to said bot. "You should've said you were burnt- taunt- hurt, that must be painfull." 
"What?" Bee blinked confusedly, as if thinking about his body for the first time, and glanced down at the wound. And maybe he did, considering bewilderment written on his face plate. "Huh, I haven't noticed." 
"Okay, you officially need a talk." Sideswipe said, clapping hands together "Strongarm can walk and I'm fine, so we're going for a recharge while you do the responsible thing and  have this taken care of. Fixit, you're helping me put her down" With that he dragged sputtering  Strongarm, with mini con rolling behind, already talking about something.
"Did I just... witness Sideswipe doing something responsible? Maybe I lost a few screws after all." Bumblebee wondered aloud.
"I think he was just freaked out."
"Did something happen while I was gone?"
"No-no, that's what scared him, Bee." He said, pointing down at autobot.
"I don't...follow."
"You scared all of us, actually." Grimlock confessed "I've never seen you this panicked. Something like this already happened to them and it was fine then." Yellow bot didn't grant him an answer, only looked away. "Come on bee, what's wrong?"
The autobot awkwardly shuffled on his pedes and then sat down on the ground. He didn't look up from his servos, twisting them nervously, just kept opening and closing his mouth for some time. Grimlock waited for him patiently, just like yellow bot was with him oftentimes, and sat nearby.
"I- it's stupid, I know, just-" he glanced at the ex-con, who was now close on his left. And then, strangely enough, Bee leaned against him, shoulder pads connecting, taking a peek at green bot, almost making sure he won't go away. "Sometimes..." Grimlock looked down when yellow bot trailed of. He looked, for the lack of better word, hollow. It was strange how he could look so much younger, yet older at the same time, especially when he pulled pedes close to his chassis. "Sometimes, it's hard to remember I'm not- there. I wasn't thinking clearly, because I kept thinking how this would've play out before..."
Bee clenched digits so tight, green bot could hear screeching. Distant and unfocused look in smaller bot's optics concerned Grimlock even more. He had to nudge him a few times to get his attention again.
"Sorry, sorry. I know it's dumb, it's just...hard to get in my head at times." He let out quiet humourless laugh. "I remember driving Optimus and Ratchet nuts with my 'stunts' as they put it. I laughed then, but now I worry just as much and wonder if it's just karma." 
As they sat in quiet solidarity for a few moments, Grimlock thought of what to say, knowing that Bee trusted him with such secret, and ex-con wanted to help his friend in a way he could. Then an idea came up.
"Hey, Bee." 
"Yeah, Grim?" Somewhat distant replied yellow bot.
"Do you want to spar?"
"What, now?" Bigger bot couldn't help but grin at the obvious amusement in other's voice.
"We can do some other time, if you want."
"...yeah, I'd like that. Some other time." After a few moments Grim felt smaller bot turn his head "You didn't get hurt, did you?" He asked, slight panic in his voice still clear.
"Nah, I'm too tough for 'em." At that Bee sagged against him and sighed.
"Good, because I don't think I can handle any more worrying."
"And others will probably appreciate it too."
"Oh, Primus. I'll have to talk to them." Tiredly concluded Bumblebee.
"Eh, they can wait till tomorrow." He felt smaller bot sighing in relief.
"You're my favourite from now on." And Grimlock could tell that he was definitely other's favourite long before today, but it could be easily ignored in favor of enjoying company. He would, of course, worry about Bee's injury, but only later. Ironically, both of them forgot, untill Grimlock punched Bee affectionately rougher than usual, and the wounded bot sure didn't make threating it easy, constantly squirming and batting ex-con's digits almost like a petulant child. 
'For someone so protective of others' safety, he sure forgets about his own' Grimlock thought, finally having a hold of Bumblebee. 'Guess I'll just have look for the both of us.'