Okay so I mentioned I wrote my first Transformers Rescue Bots fic, a longer fic than I planned xD, so I'm sharing it here! Shoutout to @wat7 for giving me some motivation to post it (plus tagging you so you can read it because slight Blades angst! :D)! Hopefully formatting isn't messed up but gonna try!
This fic takes place after the season 2 finale, which is referenced teehee, and before the season 3 appearance of Bumblebee where he gets his voice back!
This fic has light Blades angst, where he gets nightmares <3! For me, the team view each other as family. There is some minor BumbleBlades content, which can be viewed both as platonic and romantic (as I see BumbleBlades as either/or) teehee. Just know that they care a LOT for each other! My small headcanons are that Blades' rotors and Bee's door wings spins/twitches/flutters when they are both happy/flustered/anxious! ALSO!! Before Bee's voice is recovered, his sounds are beeps (main), whirls (main), hums (like a cat purring so sound of endearment), clicks (when annoyed/angered), chirps (mainly for sounds of endearment), and buzzes (like a cat purring hehe/but also like a warning buzz or a cat hissing).
POVs switch from Blades, Boulder, and Heatwave (my next potential fic will be more Chase centered <3). I also tried to write Transformers expressions so hope that went well! Hehe Transformers Prime!Ratchet mention because I CAN RAAH!
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Trying to stop his servos from shaking, Blades forced himself to relax as the echoes of the mission were still rattling in his circuits.
Well, he tried. But the feeling of the ground being way too close for comfort, surrounding every side of him, where his rotors hit the ceiling multiple times, wondering if it would all collapse—all while having no quick escape…he was a helicopter bot for Primus’ sake!
Why in the name of the Allspark would a helicopter fly underground? It was bad enough that he was beyond terrified of flying, of heights, but the feeling of suffocating in a closed spot felt…kind of ironic.
“Since you’re finally not hogging the remote, I’ll take it from here. Um, Blades, you there?”
Blades blinked, his optics casting a glance at Heatwave, who had his gauntlets crossed, but there was a flash of worry in his optics as he stared back at Blades. Belatedly, Blades was aware of the remote control being held loosely in one of his servos.
“Um, sure, whatever, Heatwave. It’s all yours.” Blades mumbled, tossing the remote to the firebot, who caught it by some insane reflexes. “I’ll…” Blades frowned as he searched for an excuse on what to do. TV time was his favorite way to spend time. He didn’t feel like going on patrol, for that meant flying, and he couldn’t bear it right now. Maybe…“be organizing my human culture books.” Okay, that sounded plausible, doable even, why not?
Heatwave frowned—well, wasn’t that his default face, anyways? “We had a long, rough mission. You should recharge.”
Though Blades wanted to argue, just for the sake of it, he felt a wave of exhaustion pass through him. Fine, maybe recharge wouldn’t be that bad. He merely nodded at Heatwave, who nodded back as Blades dragged himself to the Sigma—which was nestled inside the headquarters—to open his stasis pod and then closed it via the button inside.
As his optics flickered off, he comforted himself that recharge would clear his mind of today’s mission.
“You need to carry the two,” Boulder commented as his human friend, Graham, dragged a hand through his face.
Graham at first grumbled, then paused, perking up. He raised his pen to the paper in front of him, scribbling with fervor as he mumbled to himself. After a few seconds, he turned to glance at Boulder, his eyes shining with relief. “Of course! Thanks buddy, it helps having a friend when doing homework.”
Boulder gave a chuckle. “Anytime, partner. But I was able to catch that since you look like you need to recharge—erm, sleep.” He stared pointedly at his friend, who gave a chuckle.
“Maybe you’re right, well I know you’re right. It’s, what, almost midnight? Let me gather my things and then I’ll—”
“Boulder?” A soft, wavering voice interrupted. Both Boulder and Graham turned to see Blades peeking by the side of the wall closest to where two were seated, his rotors twitching ever so slightly.
Oh. Boulder knew that tone, the increasing twitch of the rotors. Did it have to do with today’s mission? Oh Primus.
“Hi, Blades.” Boulder said softly, offering a smile. Blades gave a wobbly smile back before his optics shifted from the two to the couch, a few steps away. “I’ll be, um, well, you’re busy so I can just go—”
“You’re good, Blades. I was about to head to sleep. Night!” Graham grabbed the rest of his things, including multiple textbooks. Though Graham didn’t know what Blades’ behavior meant like Boulder did, he did know how to read a room.
“Oh nice, bye!” Blades said as he gave a wave, where Graham gave a half wave back, heading to the elevator lift to take him to his room.
Blades silently walked to the couch, settling down at his usual spot. Boulder followed as he, too, settled in his unofficial official spot. Blades’ rotors were spinning so fast that he created his own, small wind current that washed over Boulder’s face, which he didn’t mind. Eventually, the rotors came to a stop and in its place was a silence that Boulder allowed to blanket the two bots.
He was tempted, so tempted, to break the silence and ask what troubled the helicopter bot. Blades was, after all, like family to him. But their unspoken agreement was that they were able to seek each other out after a nightmare and sit in each other’s company. No questions asked, just a friendly presence.
Hours passed in silence before the silence was broken. “You can head back to recharge, I’ll join you soon.” Blades said softly.
“Alright. See you tomorrow?” Boulder didn’t mean to say it like a question, but his worry overtook him, if for a split second.
“See you tomorrow.” Blades replied more strongly, giving a nod and a genuine smile.
Boulder got up from the couch, returning the smile as he turned, walked back to the Sigma.
How he wished he asked that first night.
******* ******* ******* ******* *******
As Boulder stepped out of his stasis pod, he heard Chase’s delighted voice echoing from the living room. “Oh! You’re up and early for patrol today, Blades!” A second of silence before Chase continued, confusion clear in his voice. “Wait, today is patrol day? Why was I not informed?”
Boulder rushed towards the living room. Oh, scrap, today was patrol day? He wasn’t even prepared! First was maintenance of the headquarters while Blades and Chase went on air and road patrol respectively, then they would switch, so Boulder would do engineering maintenance in town—
“That’s because today isn’t patrol day, Chase.” A grumpy Heatwave interrupted his thoughts as Boulder entered the living room. “Patrol day was yesterday. We don’t do double patrol days unless I say so.”
Blades was seated at the couch, a confused Heatwave towering over the right side of the couch while an obviously disappointed Chase was hovering by the left side of the couch.
“Aw shucks,” Boulder chuckled as he attempted to lighten the mood. “And here I thought we would have a back-to-back patrol day.”
“That would most be enjoyable, yes.” Chase responded, giving a nod. “Ah, a bot who appreciates the duties of everyday patrolling, what a delight!”
Heatwave snorted. “No one’s stopping you two from going on a patrol day, y’know.”
Chase perked up. “It would be ideal, but not practical, Heatwave. It is, as the humans say, a lazy weekend with sleeping in to be done. It is not necessary to do a patrol day every day, though it would bring happiness to my spark. Sigh. I forget that sometimes, not all days are disastrous in Griffin Rock.”
“You’re going to jinx it, Chase!” Blades screeched as he gathered his blanket closer to himself. “You should have stopped after your sigh. At any moment we could—”
The shrill alarm cut off Blades’ angry rant, who gave a dramatic sigh before shrieking even higher than the alarm. “Told you!”
“Rescue Bots, roll to the rescue!” Heatwave called out as the bots transformed into their vehicle modes, taking their places by the garage door—or roof, such as the case for Blades. Their human partners climbed in, and off they were.
“What a rescue.” Heatwave muttered so low that Boulder’s audio receptors struggled to pick up the words.
“Saving Mister Pettypaws, no matter how often, is always worth it.” Boulder replied as he lightly petted said cat that was curled up on one of his shoulders.
“Says the bot who is a cat magnet.” Grumbled Blades, no heat in his words as he glared at the cat, faux betrayal in his optics.
Mister Pettypaws merely purred in response.
******* ******* ******* ******* *******
Boulder forgot all about Blades’ potential nightmare moment that passed two nights ago until it resurfaced again. Slowly.
There would be moments where Blades was unnaturally quiet when he patrolled through the air. Or when he made rough crash landings. He would be vibrant in a room full of others, but he actively searched for a room with at least one other for company. His rotors would twitch with such frequency that Boulder worried that they were loose.
And it continued day after day, for the rest of the week.
“Waking up early for patrol day,” Blades offered when he was found on the couch, earlier than even Chase.
“Waking up to practice for patrol day,” Blades offered when he was found, again, on the couch, still awake suspiciously early.
“I admire this newfound dedication to patrolling.” Chase commented cheerfully.
Heatwave caught Boulder’s gaze, frowning as he tilted his head in Blades’ direction, an optic ridge raised. Boulder shook his head.
It concerned him, deeply, that Blades wasn’t waking Boulder up when these nightmares—it was nightmares, Boulder was certain, as Blades was like this when his mind was overthinking and when he got anxious—occurred. Was Boulder’s presence not comforting anymore? Was Blades worried that he was bothering him? It was the complete opposite, actually!
Don’t. Boulder pleaded silently with Heatwave, through his gaze.
Boulder attempted to calm himself down. Maybe it’ll pass. We give Blades some more time. When it gets noticeably worse, we intervene.
Fine. Was Heatwave’s response. He said aloud, “Secret patrol day is now, move it!”
As the day passed, despite Blades’ odd moments of spacing out and more frequently intense rotor twitches, Boulder was hopeful. Nothing like a recharge would fix for Blades. It will be all right tomorrow.
******* ******* ******* ******* *******
“Alright, that’s it, no one is that dedicated to patrol day—except Chase. Blades, what is wrong with you?” Heatwave’s anger snapped Boulder out of stasis.
He quickly tapped the button to open his stasis pod, where he caught a glimpse of Blades’ obviously unused stasis pod. Oh scrap.
“Maybe I want to try something new, didn’t you think of that?” Blades snapped back, his voice carrying through the air.
Boulder rushed into the living room, where Blades was stationed on the couch, his almost default spot, which made Boulder increasingly worry. Meanwhile, Heatwave was barely holding back his anger, his body rigid, poised to attack.
“I am here to remind you all that today is Chief’s observation day outside.” Chase entered the room, unaware of the tension currently rising to dangerous heights. “See you outside.” Chase turned around, walking away.
“Perfect, after you, Chase!” Blades called out as he shucked his blanket off himself, stumbling a few paces before straightening and rushing outside.
Boulder immediately followed, hearing Heatwave spit out, “Oh for Primus’ sake,” as they all made it outside.
Once they all surrounded Chief Burns, he cleared his throat. “Alright, individual first. Chase?”
“Affirmative, sir.” Chase responded as he began to run around the track in bot mode, as it was to be done. He was elegance if it was a Cybertronian, his pedes almost gliding as he ran.
“Perfect, buddy. Heatwave?” Chief smiled at his partner before nodding at the firebot.
“On it.” Heatwave ran around, aiming his water at imaginary fires, ducking, rolling, and leaping. Not exactly elegant, but majestic, in his own way.
“Also perfect. Boulder?" Chief nodded to the firebot, who nodded back, then to him.
“Will do.” Boulder replied as he began to run, weaving between imaginary walls. He clasped his servos together, then spread them on the floor to take a seismic reading. Nothing out of the ordinary, thankfully.
“Another perfect score. Blades?” Chief smiled at Boulder, who smiled back.
“Here, present, I mean, yes, sir!” Blades fumbled through his words as he stumbled forwards. His movements were slow, unbalanced. After completing a leap, he dropped to the floor.
“Um, Blades, you need to improve on…Blades?” Chief paused as Blades was still on the floor, laying dangerously still, to Boulder’s horror.
“Blades, this is your commanding officer, get up!” Heatwave was at his side, shaking him. “Scrap. Boulder, take him to the Sigma, get the energon reader. Of all the bots, our only medic is the one in medical need.”
Boulder wasted no time, scooping up Blades and rushed them both back inside. He faintly heard Chase tell the Chief to wait outside, but the Chief refused.
Once they reached the Sigma, Boulder gently laid Blades on the floor in front of the stasis pods. He grabbed the energon reader stashed behind Blades’ stasis pod—as Blades is the team’s medic, after all.
“Scrap. Scrap! Blades, why are your energon levels so low?” Boulder muttered as the energon reader did its job, revealing energon levels less than half in the medic.
Heatwave stomped into the Sigma, halting in front of the two. “He’ll slip into a stasis lock if we don’t get him into his stasis pod. I don’t need to be a medic to know that.” Heatwave growled, clenching and unclenching his servos, as though he wanted—no needed—to punch something, anything.
Boulder gently lifted Blades into the medic’s stasis pod. And that’s when, of course, everything went wrong.
Not a second after the stasis pod’s door sealed shut did Blades jerk awake, optics wide as his breathing came out in panicked puffs, slamming his servos so roughly against the glass seal that it began to crack.
Energon began leaking from the cracks. Energon that should have been inside the stasis pod to help with recharge.
“Frag, oh frag.” Heatwave sounded as though all the air had been punched out of him. “Okay. Boulder and Chase, keep Blades inside unless there is the chance that he hurts himself. I’ll call Optimus. This obviously accounts as an emergency.” Heatwave didn’t wait for any confirmation as he turned sharply, running out of the Sigma.
Boulder prayed to the Primes, the All Spark, whatever else, that Optimus would answer. Please.
Heatwave stared at the calling screen, willing the seconds to go faster. No, he willed them to go slower, so Blades wouldn’t worsen…whatever was going on with Blades. Oh gosh, Heatwave felt as though he failed as a leader.
“Heatwave?” A regal voice answered the call, and a second later, Optimus Prime was displayed on the screen.
Oh thank the Allspark. “Sir, I know you are expecting to go on a radio silent mission soon, but this is an emergency.”
“Reassignment does not qualify as an emergency, Heatwave.” A chuckle.
“It’s not that, sir. I’m comfortable where I am—not the point. It’s a medical emergency. Blades is slipping into a stasis lock, well, I’m not a medic, but he looks awful—”
Heatwave paused, blinking as bright yellow slowly covered the screen, then panicked whirls and hums followed. “Blades is slipping into a stasis lock? How? No time. I’m going.”
“Bumblebee, wait.” Rumbled Optimus as the scout was dragged forcefully off screen and the two argued, where the video didn’t pick up Optimus’ soft words. Bee’s irritated whirls were picked up, but the whirls and clicks went too fast for Heatwave to understand what was being said.
After a painstaking few seconds, both the scout and Optimus returned on screen. “Though we cannot deploy our full medical force, as Bee and I are the only ones aware of the Rescue Bots’ existence and need to keep it that way, both Bee and I have enough basic medical knowledge to help.”
“We are leaving now, and for your sake, Heatwave, Blades better still be online.” Bee clicked sharply, glaring at the firebot before turning to rush offscreen.
Optimus sighed before facing Heatwave. “Thankfully, our current mission is close to Griffin Rock. We’ll tell our team that something came up. Do you need anything besides extra energon for an energon infusion?”
“A spare stasis pod. Blades’ one is cracking and leaking out energon. Not sure how safe he will be inside it.” Heatwave answered.
A faint, angry click was heard in the background, on Optimus’ side.
“Bumblebee.” Optimus sounded gravely disappointed, so Heatwave was both glad yet angered that he didn’t hear the whole message. “Say sorry before I force you off this mission.”
“Sorry.” The scout offered a stilted apology, popping up in the corner of the screen before disappearing again.
“Apology accepted. Now get both of your afts here.” A bold statement Heatwave was glad to end with by ending the call.
When Blades struggled even more in his stasis pod, causing more cracks to form and more energon to leak out, that is when Boulder and Chase yanked Blades out.
Boulder would’ve done it sooner. The way Blades had panicked multiple times, optics flickering on multiple times before shutting down, and twitched badly terrified him.
“I hate seeing him like this. What’s wrong with him?” Chief asked faintly. As he had refused to leave the bots’ sides, he had an unfortunate view of everything.
“All I know, sir, is that his energon levels are so low that he might slip into a stasis lock, or coma.” Chase responded evenly, his optics betraying his panic.
“How? Oh, how…” Chief sounded pained.
“We don’t know,” Boulder said, his voice box cracking as he felt utterly helpless. “I knew he was having nightmares, but I assumed they would go away in time. What was I kidding?” His servos twitched as he glanced down to stare at Blades, who was still laying on the floor.
“Nightmares? About what?” Surprisingly, Chase had asked the question. Oh boy, Blades was really good at keeping secrets, unfortunately.
“I don’t know on what exactly, I never asked. But it started after our most recent underground mission, the one where Blades was forced to fly underground.”
“Hm. That would make the most logical sense.” Chase paused, considering. “Blades would always be out of his stasis pod before the rest of us woke up from recharge.” His shoulders slightly lowered, a small frown forming. “I assumed he had a growing interest in patrolling. But I, ah, failed to notice how he would always be awake even when I woke up early.”
“Based on his reaction to being inside the stasis pod…” Boulder paused, not wanting to be correct. “And the way Blades was like this every day…maybe he never slipped into his stasis pod for recharge.”
“Why does recharging in a stasis pod matter?” Chief interrupted.
“Because, sir, recharge in a stasis pod is more efficient. It’s a more direct way for us to refuel on energon while also being kept in a stasis state, allowing for additional protection.” Chase responded.
Boulder released a frustrated vent. “I just. I don’t understand why Blades didn’t tell us about his nightmares. His discomfort with his stasis pod. Anything.”
Chief was at his side, gently patting a pede. “Don’t beat yourself, either of you. Blades probably felt embarrassed, or even felt like a burden. We can’t help him unless he wants to be helped.”
Chase tutted. “Sounds illogical, sir. We are helping Blades while he is unresponsive. He can’t exactly say that he wants our help.”
Chief gave a light chuckle. “What I mean is that we can offer all our help to him, right in his face. But it won’t mean anything if Blades feels like he doesn’t deserve our help, ignoring us. When he accepts that he can rely on you, then it will be easier to help him.”
“Ah, I see. Oh dear.” Chase shifted from pede to pede, distressed. “I hope he knows that he is part of the team and thus can count on us.”
“Speaking of the team, I should get my kids here. They’ll be worried sick about Blades.” Chief went to leave, but Boulder lowered a servo to block the Chief’s path.
“Until help arrives to get Blades into a more stable condition, I think it’s best to have as little as an audience as possible.” Boulder gave a sympathetic wince. “I don’t like hiding this from our family, especially Dani and Cody, but I'd rather save them the worry.”
Chief sighed, his shoulders lowering in defeat. “That makes sense. But I’ll still be here waiting for help to arrive, which should be—”
Heatwaves stormed into the Sigma, his optics flashing with impatience as he growled, “They better get their afts here soon, or else I’ll drag them both here myself.”
“Ah, Heatwave! Did Optimus respond?” Chase asked, then frowned. “Wait, is Optimus not coming alone?”
“Optimus responded and is bringing extra supplies. It was my luck that Bumblebee overheard everything and decided to join as well. I guess he is qualified, since both he and Optimus have some medical knowledge.” Heatwave grumbled the last part, as if he didn’t want to admit it.
“Hey, the more help we get is better. Not for us, but for Blades.” Boulder stressed his point, casting his gaze downwards to stare at the medic.
A heavy silence filled the air.
Well, until a large thump was heard directly above them, then the screech of a door opening, the lowering of their moving platform. More thumps, vastly approaching.
Heatwave tensed, then gracefully leaped over the others, twirling midair so he landed to face the intruders, water canons aimed at…
Optimus Prime, who was holding multiple containers of energon along with two wires made for an energon infusion…
…and Bumblebee, where the scout was absolutely livid, pointing a digit at Heatwave, buzzing and clicking, “We are here to help, not hurt you—”
Optimus stepped forwards, nudging the scout back as Heatwave backed up, lowering his gauntlets. “Forgive us, Rescue Bots, for the scare. It took a while to gather our supplies, so we wanted to land as soon as we could.”
Chase stepped forwards, giving a swift salute. “No problem, Optimus. We are glad that you and Bumblebee are here. It would be much appreciated if you can help Blades.”
Boulder glanced at Bee, who had shuffled closer to Blades, lowering himself on his knees. A sad whirl escaped from the scout, his servos shaking ever so slightly.
Bee then stood up, catching Boulder’s gaze. The scout’s door wings fluttered slightly, reminding him of Blades’ twitchy rotors, which he found oddly endearing.
The moment passed as Bee wrapped his servos around Blades, oh so gently scooping the medic into his own arms. Bee nodded his head from Boulder to a crate on the other side of the Sigma.
Boulder nodded back, which was enough for Bee as he dashed towards the crate, gently positioning Blades to rest against the crate.
Bee released a shrill beep, catching the attention of the room. The others turned sharply to stare at where Bee and Blades were now situated.
“First is stabilizing Blades, then we can exchange pleasantries.” Bee clicked sharply, motioning to the energon containers in Optimus’ servos. “You can help, too, Boulder.” Bee beeped softly, then beeped more sharply, “Chase and Heatwave can remove the old stasis pod and bring in the new one in our ship.”
Heatwave crossed his arms, standing tall. “You said it yourself, Bee. Stabilizing Blades is first. I won’t move until I see Blades awake, being that I am part of his team.” His stern voice left no room for argument.
Chase shifted, attempting to break the tension. “Ah. Ditto.”
Before things could get significantly worse, if Bee’s low buzzing meant anything, Boulder rushed forward to kneel in front of Blades.
Optimus was on Blades’ right, Bee on his left, both having the wires used for energon infusions. Optimus had placed two energon containers to his side, having two on the ground in front of him.
Knowing what to do, it was common sense, after all, Boulder wordlessly picked up an energon container in each servo as Prime and scout attached the wires to one end of the energon containers.
The two then attached the other end of the wires to the crook of Blades’ left and right gauntlets, giving a nod to Boulder as he went to place the energon containers on Blades’ lap.
Optimus shuffled backwards to give Boulder more room. Bee shuffled closer, gently grasping the containers in his servos. His optics met Boulder’s, silently begging for the scout to do this. With no hesitation, Boulder nodded, allowing the scout to visibly relax as Boulder stepped back.
The room was silent, as though waiting—no, hoping—for Blades to start walking and talking. Unrealistic, all things considered, but why not?
Seconds passed before Optimus stood up, clearing his voice modulator. “All we can do now is wait. We can also start cleaning up. Chase, Heatwave, and Boulder, you can start removing the damaged stasis pod. Bee, lead the three to our ship—”
A shrill beep interrupted him. “I’m staying here, sir. Some bot has to hold the energon containers, after all.”
Optimus turned his head sharply to stare at his scout, but he let out a tired vent. “At least start with cleaning the spilled energon, Rescue Bots.” He pointedly did not include Bee.
“Chase and I can handle it. We know our responsibilities.” Heatwave said, glaring at Bee before his gaze softened once he locked optics with Boulder. “You’re good where you are now, Boulder, don’t worry.” The firebot and policebot walked to the other side of the Sigma, towards the stasis pods.
“I’ll join them.” Optimus said softly, turning around to walk ahead, leaving Boulder and Bee with Blades.
******* ******* ******* ******* *******
The spilled energon was taken care of hours ago, yet Chase, Heatwave, Chief Burns, and Optimus stayed at the other side of the Sigma.
Boulder occasionally stretched, pacing around so he wouldn’t lose feeling in his pedes. Chase, Heatwave, and Chief Burns would take turns pacing from their side to where Blades was, to check on the still recovering medic.
Bee sat by Blades’ side like a statue, unmoving, his optics glued onto the medic’s slacked face. As if he were willing Blades to wake up just by staring at him.
It worked. For a bit, at least.
Blades had tilted forwards, as though he was going to fall. In a flash so quick that Boulder almost doubted his optics, Bee had moved both energon containers in one servo as he shuffled forwards to clasp a now free servo around Blades’ hip, dragging the medic to be shoulder to shoulder with the scout.
What was more shocking was that Blades’ optics flickered to life, his head turning slowly from Boulder to Bee. A smile, followed by a soft voice whispering, “Bee,” before the medic released a deep sigh, shuffling even closer to the scout. The medic nestled his head in the crook of the scout’s neck, his optics fluttering off, the occasional gentle vent escaping him.
Throughout all of this, Bee had frozen. Now, with Blades being more stabilized, the scout released a soft chirp, then a confused hum, and finally a long, soft buzz. The latter sound didn’t sound threatening, like when it was directed at Heatwave. No, Boulder realized with a smile, it sounded like a cat purring.
Boulder wanted to keep the intimate moment between Blades and Bee, but he also promised to tell Chief Burns for any updates.
His feelings were clear in his optics, if Bee nodding once meant anything.
So, Boulder crossed to the other side of the Sigma, standing in front of the others, who were deep in conversation.
“Chief, team. I wanted to let you know that it looks like Blades is stabilizing. He briefly woke up, but went back to a recharge state. He looks much better though.”
The three both stilled, glancing at each other before dashing towards Blades.
Boulder sighed, not wanting to imagine Bee’s reaction, as he reached for the energon reader inside his chassis, walking back to where Blades was.
Blades is alive. Well, stabilizing. But alive.
That was enough for Heatwave as he followed the others to where Blades was.
Once he reached the group, he paused. Boulder and Chase were standing, talking in low voices, as if not wanting to disturb Blades’ recharge.
Chief and Bee were on the ground with Blades, also in quiet conservation. What caught Heatwave’s attention—and made him doubt his optics—was how casually one of the scout’s servos was gently resting on Blades’ hip and how comfortable Blades was, with his head resting comfortably in the space between Bee’s neck and shoulder.
It was…odd, for Heatwave. He never expected the war-scarred scout to be physically intimate with any bot. Though Blades wasn’t any bot to Bee, and vice versa, if the hours of rambling Blades did about the scout—which Heatwave was forced to hear if he even stepped in the same vicinity as the medic.
When Bee noticed the firebot, his optics glared right at him.
“Why didn’t you notice how low Blades’ energon levels were?” Bee clicked sharply, his door wings twitching, yet his hold on Blades was still gentle.
Heatwave couldn’t help but tense, anger rising to his defense. “I couldn’t have. I noticed his behavior was odd, but I didn’t want to push him.”
Bee released a shrill chirp before clicking more insistently. “You’re the leader! Sometimes you have to make tough decisions.”
Heatwave scoffed. “I’m not only his leader, but his friend.” He paused, whispering the last part, embarrassed to admit it. “Family.” He continued loudly. “As leader, I make mistakes. Forcing the team to split, result in Blades to get captured by Morocco, is still heavy on my spark, but—”
A beep, then a click, and finally a low buzz interrupted Heatwave. “You did what? Blades got captured by that maniac? How, why. Why!” Bee was downright murderous, his door wings shaking, though he stood perfectly still at Blades’ side.
That's when Heatwave remembered that Bee was last on Griffin Rock to stop Morocco from taking over the world. The scout had missed Morocco capturing Blades, temporarily erasing the Rescue bots’ memories, turning them temporarily evil.
If Bee only slightly tolerated Heatwave, he was going to hate the firebot for sure now.
“Oh, well. We can talk about it later…” Heatwave trailed off, not wanting to start a new argument, if he could help it.
A low buzz was insistent. “No. We can, and will, talk about it now.”
Heatwave glared at Bee, the scout returning the glare with a more intense one.
When neither backed down from their stare-off, the firebot threw up his servos. “Fine! Want me to admit how I made a beyond lapse in judgement? How it nearly costed my team? Even if I swear to the Allspark that I truly meant no harm, I know you’d love to tell me all the ways I could’ve done better.”
The two Cybertronians were off, trading harsh words in the form of yelling and shrill clicks. They were in their own world by then, one’s anger fueling the other’s anger to fight back. The words lost their meaning, no longer jabs at the other, anger slowly waning, though their shared fear for Blades kept them tense.
“Will you two quit it? All this fighting makes me miss stasis.” A rustle as Blades lifted his head from Bee, where the scout gave a shrill beep as his servo released its hold on the medic’s waist.
Heatwave turned sharply to stare at a now awoken Blades, who snatched the now empty energon containers from Bee’s other servo. Blades then disconnected the empty containers, switching their places with the other two laying by his other side, connecting them to the energon infusion wires.
Blades settled the new containers in Bee’s opened servos, which had laid limp by his side before clumsily latching onto them. “Gosh, I guess the medic has to do everything himself even when injured, hmm?” Blades rolled his optics fondly as he waved a servo in Heatwave’s direction, then leaned against the crate at his back. “Not that either of you would’ve been much help anyways, arguing until Primus knows when.”
Heatwave opened his mouth, no words coming out, and closed his mouth.
Bee fully turned his body at Blades, the scout soundless besides for his door wings twitching.
Boulder, Chase, and Chief stared with various degrees of surprise and shock.
Bee was the one to break the silence, with beeps and whirls. “Thank the Allspark you’re alive. What happened? Was it Morocco? A new foe? Tell me who it was, I’ll deal with it.”
The scout’s worry allowed Heatwave to gather himself as he shuffled closer to Blades, anger disguised as worry overwhelming him. “For Primus’ sake—you were deathly close to stasis lock and going offline!” He paused, glaring at Boulder. “You better tell me why I was not informed of this if you knew beforehand.”
Bee stood up, standing in front of the firebot, pointing a digit in his face as the scout clicked and buzzed. “You do not get to spin this as any other’s problem besides your own. You ought to—”
“That is enough, you two.” Optimus’ voice called out as he stepped inside the Sigma, approaching them. His optics latched onto the firebot. “Heatwave, we need to talk. Alone.”
Heatwave swore he heard Bee chuckle as he stared at Optimus. “Will all due respect, sir, Bumblebee—”
“I need to talk to you, Heatwave.”
The firmness in his voice made Heatwave grumble out, “Fine.”
Optimus motioned the firebot to follow him out of the Sigma. As Heatwave followed, his optics latched onto Bee’s, a silent message gleaming in them.
The scout’s optics gave an answer.
******* ******* ******* ******* *******
The two Cybertronians settled by the command desk that Heatwave was using hours ago to call Optimus for help.
A silence hung between them, which shattered once Optimus cleared his throat, sounding embarrassed. “Forgive me for Bee’s behavior. He tends to get…protective of the ones he cares for.”
Heatwave held back a dry chuckle at the understatement.
“It’s alright, sir. I understand. After all, I am a leader.” Heatwave paused, surprised by his own empathy for the scout, but he continued. “I may have not fought in a war, but I can imagine that it’s not exactly a friendly place.”
Optimus paused briefly before grumbling back, “That is true. On, and even off the battlefield, there are only enemies and allies.”
Heatwave gave a nod. “Having friends in war is a luxury, and a vulnerability, since you can lose a loved one at any moment.”
Taken aback, Optimus tilted his head, staring at the firebot. “It is odd how you know the feeling well, spot on, even.”
Heatwave chuckled. “It’s a…familiar feeling that I understand. When my team and I first got to Earth and met the Burns family. I didn’t want to get attached, for there was the mission you gave us.” His voice softened without his control, to his disappointment. “My spark wouldn’t be able to take it if I got attached, vulnerable even, and then lost them.” He cleared his throat. “But now, I’m part of the Burns family and wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Optimus rumbled appreciatively. “I’m happy to hear it.” A sadness crept into his voice as spoke. “It’s nice that Bee has made a true friend that doesn’t face the risk of dying at any moment. I wonder if it makes him go mad that he has a friend from an almost deceased special line of the Autobots—which he cannot reveal Blades’ true identity.” Optimus then chuckled. “I know it makes Ratchet mad, for Bee speaks about Blades nonstop.”
Heatwave perked up, an optic ridge raised curiously. “Oh?”
“Ratchet—my group’s medic—is one who barely gets it together when Bee goes on a ramble about Blades.” Optimus paused, adding in quickly, “Bee refers to Blades as the helicopter bot from another team, no identities truly revealed.”
Heatwave couldn’t help but break into a fit of laughter, to Optimus’ confusion. “Sorry, sorry! That is just so, so hilarious. Blades would be surprised, yet grateful, to know that Bee cares for him that much. I sympathize with Ratchet, as Blades rambles all about Bee anytime he gets.”
Now it was Optimus’ turn to laugh. “That is good to hear. Perhaps some reassurance is needed from both sides.”
******* ******* ******* ******* *******
Heatwave heard Optimus’ faint voice asking for Bee. The long, heavy silence was broken after a long pause. He heard two pairs of pedes walking closer.
“With all due respect, sir, I need to be at Blades’ side—” Soft buzzes paused before Bee released a shrill click. “Why are you here?”
Optimus hovered by the door, gently nudging Bee forwards. “You and Heatwave have some talking to do. Don’t return until you two mend things.”
With that cryptic message, Optimus walked away, leaving the two Cybertronians to now stare awkwardly at the other.
It wasn’t that Heatwave hated Bumblebee. It’s just that the two clashed often. Heatwave oh so happened to be Blades’ leader, and therefore having some responsibility for Blades’ well-being, a certain well-being that Bee is very fond of. And very, very protective of.
The firebot knew the scout’s protectiveness stemmed from worry that could only be released at a bot that was Heatwave. He tried to not take it personally, though his personality wasn’t exactly the let it go type.
“Y’know, he talks about you often. Very often, in fact, that it drives me crazy.” Heatwave offered as a peace offering.
“He does?” A soft whirl responded, hesitant yet hopeful.
Heatwave found it hilariously endearing that Bee knew exactly who he was talking about, but he continued, allowing his voice to go soft. “Very much so. He talks himself into believing you two aren’t close, then he derails by gushing all about you.”
Wouldn't you know it, the scout could become speechless. His optics rotated, dilating softly. His door wings were shaking so much that Heatwave was concerned that they would fall off. Was that soft buzzing sound similar to…a cat’s purr?
“Tell him that I definitely care for him.” Bee chirped softly.
“Tell him yourself, and that you gush about him as much as he does you.” An embarrassed beep was the scout’s only confirmation. “Oh please, Optimus told me all about it. Poor, poor Ratchet.”
“Idiot.” Bee hummed at Heatwave, no heat in the scout’s voice. Understanding dawning in Bee’s optics as he understood that Heatwave was not his enemy.
“You’re the idiot, the more you’re standing here.” Heatwave teased, latching onto an arm as he dragged Bee behind him. “Let’s go, come on!”
Heatwave would rather die than to admit this, but Bee was growing on him. Lucky for the scout, he is very close with Blades. Thus, he has the firebot’s utmost respect.
Perhaps scout and firebot can put away their misplaced anger and realize that they both care for the helicopter bot, and will crush any bot’s aft who dares attempt to hurt Blades.
Blades wondered if he was in a stasis lock when Heatwave and Bumblebee approached him, laughing, actually laughing together.
Once the two were in front of him, they shared a silent, secretive look. A slight nod, an exaggerated nod, optics rolled, a light shove.
Heatwave excused himself, giving a scrap-eating grin as he waved, pushing Chase, Boulder, and Chief to leave them alone, saying something about changing a stasis pod…Blades would ask about that later.
As Blades opened his mouth to ask about whatever the frag just happened, Bee lowered himself, sitting shoulder to shoulder with him. The helicopter bot said very intelligently, “Um, hhh, hi,” as his rotors fluttered.
“Hey there yourself,” Bee chirped, his door wings fluttering back.
Before Blades could back down, he allowed his worry to fuel him as he continued in a rush. “Look, Bee, I wanted to ask. Well, not that it’s been on my mind a lot, but, um, us! We’re close, aren’t we? I mean, dumb question, but I just want to know if you care about me as I do you—I mean, well—”
“Stop it, Blades. Stop.” A stern, yet gentle beep interrupted. “For Primus’ sake, yes! We are close. I care for you so, so much. I’m sorry if I didn’t make that clear.”
“It’s not your fault. I, um, just worry. We are on the same planet, yet barely see each other. It’s unfair for me to think that, we both have our missions, but it’s just…” Blades trailed off, unsure how to continue.
Gentle servos wrapped around him, dragging him closer. Blades released a vent he didn’t know he was holding, his head settling in the space between Bee’s shoulder and neck. Bee’s head gently rested on top of Blades’ head. He no longer needed the energon transfusion, thank goodness, as his arms were finally free to wrap around Bee.
“I know what you mean.” Bee’s soft buzz comforted Blades. “I wish our duties didn’t keep us apart as it does now. I rather like seeing you.” A few beeps mocking laughter shook through Bee’s body. “I know Ratchet would love to put a face to the Cybertronian I speak about all the time.”
Blades stilled, angling his head to stare at Bee’s optics. “You. Talk about me?” He hoped his wistfulness wasn’t apparent in his voice.
Though Bee’s head didn’t move, his optics met Blades’. “All the time. You’re the infamous helicopter bot from another team. Optimus’ team knows your name though, hope that’s okay. It kills me not to share all about you, but I do it anyway, if it means keeping you safe.” A beep added, “Ratchet is a medic, so you two would have a bunch to talk about.”
“From another team, oh wow, I’m famous! To your team only, but famous! I can’t wait to talk to Ratchet!” Blades couldn’t help but squeal. Embarrassed, he nestled his face more into the scout’s neck. “I talk about you too. A lot. Boulder respects it. Chase understands. Heatwave barely tolerates it, but they all still let me gush all about you.”
Blades raised his head from Bee’s neck, back to staring at the scout’s optics. “Speaking of, I thought you and Heatwave hated each other. How are you two acting nice to each other all of a sudden?”
A hum, then a soft buzz answered. “We stopped fighting when we realized we both care for you, in our own ways.”
Blades giggled as he moved his gaze away, staring at the floor. “That’s cheesy.”
“Cheesy but true.” Bee chirped.
The two fell into a soft, comfortable silence. Bee maneuvered one arm free, the other snaking around Blades until a servo rested gently on the helicopter bot’s waist, keeping Blades snuggled up by Bee’s side.
Blades wished selfishly that the war with the Decepticons would end right now, so he and Bee could spend more moments like this.
Reality hit him hard, though.
The sound of a pair of pedes approaching them. Optimus was kneeling in front of them, a sadness clear in his optics. “I’m sorry to interrupt you two. I know you rarely get moments like this. Bee, I delayed as much time as we could, but we have to head back for our mission.”
“Of course, sir.” Bee hummed softly.
A gentle squeeze before Bee’s servo let go of Blades’ waist, the two of them straightening up.
“I hope we meet again in better circumstances, Blades.” Optimus addressed the helicopter bot solemnly. “Until then, take better care of yourself. You know how much Bee cares about you and would hate to see you like that again.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll do my best. I’m just…getting used to flying. It’s difficult at times.” Blades admitted awkwardly.
“All in due time, Blades. Have patience with yourself.” Optimus comforted the helicopter bot.
Blades smiled at him. “Thank you, sir.”
The three walked out of the Sigma, heading towards the two Autubot’s stationed ship. Heatwave, Chase, and Boulder quickly surrounded them.
“Though we will be on a radio silent mission, I will do my best to keep in touch.” Bee chirped softly to Blades.
“You better!” Blades teased, nudging Bee softly. “Good luck on your secret mission.” Blades belatedly added, “You as well, Optimus!”
Optimus chuckled. “Thank you, Blades.” Optimus stood taller, addressing the other Rescue bots. “Until we meet again, Rescue Bots.”
“Until next time, sir.” Heatwave saluted, then grinned at Bee. “Take care of yourself.”
“All the luck in your endeavors.” Chase said, giving a salute to both Optimus and Bee.
“Stay safe, you two!” Boulder called out.
Optimus carried a broken stasis pod inside, settling it deep inside. Meanwhile, Bee was typing away on the computer, beeping out, “Optimus and I are coming back, mission solved.”
An irritated yet gentle voice responded. “About time! Whatever happened to Blades sounded serious, are you sure you don’t want me to check—”
“It is alright, Ratchet. Everything is well. We are heading back, no worries.” Optimus responded.
“Ah, right,” Ratchet responded gruffly. “I’ll hear all about the helicopter bot from the other team when you two get back, anyways, not that I have a choice. See you then.”
“Shut up,” Bee said with a shrill beep, ending the transmission.
The others laughed as Blades felt his rotors flutter. It was nice, actually hearing that he was talked about.
“See you, Blades.” A soft chirp said in farewell.
“See you, Bee.” Blades said softly. Before he could realize what was happening, Bee pulled him into a hug. Blades couldn’t help but melt into the hug.
Eventually, after many awkward yet insistent coughs from Optimus, the two let go.
Blades walked to stand by his team, watching as the door to the ship closed. The vessel rose up, leaving Griffin Rock.
He wished to see Bee soon. After all, who else would watch the next season of Cupcake Wars with him?
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Done! Thoughts? Reactions? I will be happy to accept any Transformers Rescue Bots fic ideas! :D
