#bulkhead x reader

OPTIMUS

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧His first priority? Getting you to safety. The others tell him to that they've got everything handled, but at that point, it's background noise. Even when Ratchet opens a ground bridge and takes you from the frozen Prime, all he can see is you, gasping for air.

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧He's silent the whole time, sitting by your side and waiting with a blank stare for your eyes to open. And that worries Ratchet, who relays your status to the others to get answers. Megatron seemed to think squeezing you would ignite the fire in Optimus to fight back.

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧And it certainly did. It was the angriest the others had seen him, knocking the air out of the warlord before taking you back to base. Ratchet knows Optimus needs some alone time to gather his thoughts, deciding to work on the base computer for the time being.

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧Nobody speaks to him when they return, instead going to stack the energon they got. Even when you wake, his gaze is unending as Ratchet checks your vitals and asks questions. It isn't until you're moved to his room that he crumbles.

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧Seeing him cry for you, ask if the pain was too much, if he needed to do something to help, apologizing for letting it happen. It strikes a cord with you, apologizing for getting in the way, but he doesn't blame you. How could he? You were just doing what you could to help.

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧It's why you stayed at base, asking the kids when they happened to be out in town to get you whatever you needed. Even after you healed, your stay at base is common. It certainly helped Optimus concentrate, especially when you rest on his shoulder.

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧The others do what they can to keep you out of danger, though they trust you can handle your own when saying so. They won't hover, especially with their own tasks at hand. Optimus is thankful for that, eventually able to go on missions after seeing you do fine at base.

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧Just know that Optimus keeps a close optic on you, carrying you around, tending to you however he can. And when he's on a mission, he makes it known to Megatron that he will NOT hold back anymore. That he should have NEVER brought you into this...

RATCHET

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧Optimus had brought you back, looking at his friend with an apologetic look. And Ratchet is frozen, as if the end of Cybertron had happened all over again. It isn't until Optimus speaks that he takes you in his own servos to patch up.

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧He knew there was a possibility this could happen, that's why he had learned about human anatomy. But a part of him had hoped he'd never HAVE to use it, that you wouldn't GET hurt. And yet, it happened.

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧Bulkhead later informs(pressured into) him, that Knockout thought it would be fun to test the durability of a human body. So now, he has a target, and while Bulkhead tries to stop him, one glance from the medic makes him back off.

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧Once he knows for sure that you'll be okay, Ratchet manages to track down Knockout and leave lasting marks. A fair trade. He wanted to do more, but Optimus had tracked him and denounced his actions. He doesn't care to listen, given his processor is on you.

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧Ratchet refuses to let you leave the base, even for work. He had already contacted Fowler about it. Doesn't matter if you were recovering in a timely manner, there was no way he would let you leave. You can pout all you want, but it won't change his mind.

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧Should you try and sneak off, the medic has no problem doing what he has to to keep you next to him. He's your caretaker, why try and go somewhere, where something BAD could happen again! The kids had brought you everything you needed for entertainment.

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧If he has to, He WILL beg you to stay, voice broken in a vulnerable state, asking you not to leave him behind too. Ratchet will manipulate your emotions to sway you if need be. He can't lose you, loves you too much to see that happen.

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧Ratchet may not say it, but he cares about you so much. You're the best thing to happen to him since the war happened. He didn't expect it to happen, but his spark has become yours. He wants his actions, even if a bit harsh sometimes, to show his devotion.

BUMBLEBEE

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧Immediately finishes what he's doing and scoops you into his servos before asking for a ground bridge. Bee knows the others can take care of themselves, that they can handle the mission. But right now, you need medical attention, and you would ALWAYS be first.

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧The whole time June does her thing, he's pacing back and forth, questioning why he wasn't fast enough to do anything- That vehicon was taken down by Arcee, but had managed to drive away. He wishes he could have done more to them, but that can come later...

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧He clings to your side, carrying you wherever you needed to be, and going with Raf to get whatever you requested from your home or the store. Ratchet has to scold him for wanting to hold you instead of letting your body lay on a soft surface with little movement.

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧ So he uses the time you rest in order to find the vehicon. It's a difficult task at first, but when Bee finds them, he makes sure they feel the pain. He can feel the guilt bubbling up, but it disippates upon thinking about what they did to you. Thankfully though, nobody suspects a thing when he returns.

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧When you get better, Bee drives you and Raf to your designated spots, and it helps bring you two closer. It does make him happy, seeing you two laugh and talk, but it shouldn't have happened like this... Still, he'll count both your smiles as a win.

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧Even after you make a full recovery, Bee continues to keep himself at your side, carrying or driving you to places. It gets to a point where he's sent on missions to give you space, and to show that yes, you'll be fine with the others/by yourself.

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧Bee coddles you for a while, even when things get better. He makes his feelings more known, offering you courting gifts that he read humans like. Even if you see it as him being nice, he takes your happiness as a positive, since you technically haven't said no.

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧Bee just wants to keep you safe, since you mean everything to him. He's never felt this way with anyone, and given how strong said feelings are, his protectiveness flairs up. So don't expect to be going on missions anytime soon, especially if it isn't with him.

ARCEE

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧In her blind rage, she attacks whoever it was that THOUGHT hurting you was a good idea. Even as the others call out to her, nothing wipes that intense anger until Bee holds her back. Though that only turns said anger to them for stopping her.

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧They say they understand her concerns, but what she did wasn't right. But they don't get it! It felt like Cliffjumper and Tailgate all over again... Losing them was devastating, and losing you too- She didn't know if she could recover if that happened...

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧Though upon seeing you in Bulkhead's hands, a wave of sadness washes over her as she takes you. Very few times do the team see her so melancholic, and it feels so...wrong. Thankfully Jack arrives to help assure her the best he can.

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧He does his best to balance helping you and Arcee, which she does appreciate. And seeing you two together relieves her of some worry when she goes on missions. Sitting around and doing nothing won't help, so she'll use her time to track that vehicon down.

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧And when she does? There isn't much to see with the energon being spilled everywhere. It shocks everyone to see just how MUCH damage Arcee did, though she doesn't stick around to listen as she requests a ground bridge to wash up before seeing you.

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧The only place she takes you is to work, and even then, is actively trying to get you to stay at base. Fowler already got you time off work, so why go outside? You said you have money, things to keep you entertained, so why? Why risk it happening again?

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧It takes many talks and moments of vulnerability from the both of you to regain some type of space. And given the culprit is no more, Arcee feels a bit better about things. She doesn't want to make you miserable...

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧Arcee sees a future with you, and if she has to slay an army of cons to keep you safe, then so be it. Never again will she lose what's important to her. She'll get stronger, as fast as possible- Even if it hurts, or she's pushed to her breaking point. For you, she'll do whatever is needed to keep you safe.

BULKHEAD

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧He feels so stupid for letting it happen! Had promised to keep you safe while you did your task, to make sure nothing happened. But it did. One vehicon he thought was down shot at your back, and the scream you let out froze him.

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧Though it turned to blind rage as he took them down. After beating the mess out of whoever did the deed, he scoops you up like your glass, and his steps are careful as he heads to the portal. The moment Ratchet takes you, he goes outside to vent his frustrations.

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧Bulkhead refuses to go on any missions, to leave the base, especially at a critical time. Doesn't matter if Optimus says anything, even Wheeljack- No one can convince him otherwise, and given their small number, they REALLY need him.

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧It isn't until YOU ask him to help the others, since staying behind won't help you heal faster. And since you said it'd make you happy, Bulkhead does what he can, though he's much faster on his feet than the others are used to in order to return to your side.

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧He recruits Miko to help, though sometimes it stresses him out. She means well, but like what happened with Tox-En, she was helping you with movement. It leads them to bicker a bit, but Miko states the facts that you can't lay around forever!

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧So begrudgingly, he lets it continue, though he does hover. Miko makes light of it, which helps the mood, and you recovering makes his worries quell significantly. It helps seeing you two become closer, so that when he goes on a mission, Bulkhead knows you're in good hands.

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧He makes sure you have anything you need, and sometimes, he'll take you on rides to enjoy the scenery and get some alone time. He'll apologize for not being able to protect you, even if you reassure him. The best you can do is let him hold you close...

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧Definitely one of the worst to when it comes to hovering, even long after you recover. But given his nature, it's hard to stay mad. He means well, and he does try to keep the mood light, even if he stumbles over his words. Still, it's the though that counts.

WHEELJACK

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧Wheeljack didn't expect to care for you so much, and so fast. But there was something about you that made him feel safe. Ironic, given what they're going through, but somehow, you always knew what to say or do to get him back on his pedes.

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧So when you're both on a drive amidst the dessert roads, and a group of vehicon decide to fight him? He shows off a bit, and everything is going well. But a missed shot ends up hitting you, and that's when his demeanor completely changes.

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧He's so quiet, gentle with his hold on you as he calls Ratchet for a groundbridge. And while the medic wants to scold him, he pauses given you're injured and need medical attention, but also the rather blank expression on Wheeljack's face.

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧It's odd to see him so calm, but the others know the only thing on his mind is revenge. Even when Optimus and Ultra Magnus try to dissuade them, all he does is give them a blank stare before going back to clean his weapons.

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧It doesn't go away, even when you stir awake. Sure, he smiles and gives his usual teasing, but it just doesn't reach his optics. And once you go to sleep, he gears up to find his target. Bulkhead tries to calm him down, but even that doesn't do much to stop him.

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧Wheeljack doesn't break a sweat when it comes to tracking down the vehicon, rather, it's simply a matter of HOW he's going to exact his revenge. Muck like Ratchet, it's a scar for a scar, though the body of said con is left to spill energon out. Leaving them alive would have felt like a slap in the face.

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧Of course, you're none the wiser to his endeavors, given he won't say much about his whereabouts. Wheeljack seems rather laid back about everything, taking you to your home to relax or get something from the store once you recover, but work and anything excessive is a big no no.

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧There's no point in trying to argue, since the guy won't budge. He doesn't want to cage you in and make you sad, but he can't let you go too far. Wheeljack can't afford to lose anyone else, especially you, so forgive him if he's a bit clingy now, okay?

SMOKESCREEN

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧Smokescreen never imagined falling for a human. Heck, he didn't think he'd ever be on Earth! But he chalks it up to his destiny! Working with Optimus Prime, helping fight against the Decepticons, meeting a very cute human ally, what more could he ask for?

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧Your safety should have been an easy task for him! Get in, get out, easy peasy! So why was a vehicon able to grab you? Why did he freeze up? It isn't until he hears your pained cry that he knocks the enemy down and runs off with you.

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧He's torn between staying by your side and driving to get away. He hates seeing you unconscious, laying so still, almost as if already dead. It's the most anxious the team had ever seen him, so Optimus offers to drive out with him, but even THAT doesn't do much...

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧The moment you wake up, he's hovering over you, offering to get anything you need. He's a bit clumsy with it, but seeing how hard he's trying brings a smile to your face, one that makes him feel both better and worse.

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧Smokescreen isn't one for mindless battle, but rather show off and make a show of it, to prove he's a good fighter. But since it pertained your well being, he doesn't mind getting a bit dirty to avenge you! For once, he goes incognito mode, and tracks down the vehicon.

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧You don't think otherwise as he retells the story with a grin. Of course, he leaves out the more disgusting details, since he doesn't want you to feel sick. A part of him does feel disdain for his actions, he's supposed to be better than that, a hero!

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧But seeing you smile, hearing your words of gratitude make all the doubts fade away. Now, Smokescreen's only concern is making sure you recover the best you can. Sure, he hovers a bit, but does his best to give you your space.

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧He still goes on missions and drives you out of base, which does surprise the others. As much as Smokescreen wants to keep you safe at base, he doesn't want you to be trapped in one place. He just wants to see you smile, happy with thoughts far away from the incident.

ULTRA MAGNUS

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧Strict, calm and steady. That's how Ultra Magnus has always done things. It keeps everything neat, in line and for him to account for, especially in battle. Where anything can be taken away by the snap of a digit. But something about you made him open up.

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧Not immediately, but more quickly than he would others. And that was what he considered his first mistake. Letting his emotions get the better of him rather than putting 100% of his focus on the task at hand. And not only that, he blames it for your accident.

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧He just wanted to have you nearby, to look after of course! But a vehicon had gotten close and grabbed you a bit too hard, threatening your life. Magnus froze for a moment, and in a sudden burst of anger, managed to deal with the enemy before taking you back to base.

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧The others see his usual stoic expression, but those who REALLY know him can see his processor is somewhere else. He's always had mixed feelings about humans, so fragile, rude even, but you had always confused him the most. Such beauty and fight in that small vessel of yours.

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧After thinking upon the advice he gained from Ratchet and research he did on his own, Magnus came to the conclusion that he was in love with you. A concept he never anticipated happening, So, he does the best thing he can think of: ignore it and by proxy keeping his distance from you.

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧The second in command still makes sure you're okay, asking the usual questions of your health, but it's directed to Ratchet. The others raise an eyebrow at his behavior, but it isn't too out of character. Rather, it's the disbelief and hurt on your face that makes things a bit...tense.

⊱⭒˚.⋆✧Ultra Magnus doesn't believe it can work, given the multiple differences between the Cybertronians and Humans. But emotions are such intricate things, and he finds it hard to stay away. So he goes with another plan: winning you over.

OPTIMUS PRIME -

Initially, he was more than willing to have a movie night, I mean, it was already hard to find time for themselves, with all the Decepticon attacks that had occurred in the last few days. (Primus… do they do more than just spread chaos and fear?)

During the first few minutes of the movie, everything seemed to be going well.

Warning: it seemed like it.

You could clearly see that Optimus was very engrossed in the movie itself; every now and then, when the most emotional scenes came, you could see him holding back his coolant, or repeating under his breath, 'Primes don't cry, primes don't cry, primes don't—' What an idiot, as much as you cared for him, sometimes he refused to show vulnerability… even in front of a simple movie.

Or during a certain scene in the movie:

When EVE finally shut down and went into standby mode…

Optimus gripped his servos tightly.

"No… no no…"

He half-stood, "She can't be gone! Not after everything that's happened—"

Then she started up again.

His entire structure relaxed in a deep release of tension. A single sigh escaped him, a sigh that sounded dangerously similar to "Thank you, Primus."

Finally, as humanity returned to heal the Earth…

His voice was hoarse when he finally spoke.

"Perhaps… this, too, is our mission," he murmured softly. "Not just to face the Decepticons, but to ensure there is a tomorrow worth defending."

In the end, you had to expect some compassionate words from your leader. After all, Optimus was Optimus, and that was what you liked most about him, the one who managed to find deep meaning even in the small moments spent together with all of you.

BUMBLEBEE -

Movie Night? Let's gooooooo! Bumblebee thought it would be fun, to unwind a bit from all these missions that were overwhelming him.

SO WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE SEEN? SOME CHEAP HUMAN LOVE MOVIE? SOME HORROR MOVIE? OR SOME—

He had become a fountain.

During the entire movie, Bumblebee hadn't stopped crying. (Typical of this adorable little guy.)

And as soon as anyone tried to point it out, they were immediately cut off.

During the closing credits, Bumblebee sat silent, his gaze slightly dull. The emotional rollercoaster seemed to have affected him, and it showed in his unusually calm demeanor. He took a moment to absorb the film's events, reflecting on the parallels with his own experiences. Finally, he spoke softly, almost as if he were thinking to himself.

"It… it was kind of touching, you know?" Bumblebee began, sniffling, his vocalizer activating again as more tears rolled down his cheek. "Especially… when EVE goes off, and Wall-E stays with her for centuries, protecting her, recharging her every day with precision…" His optics sparkled. "He doesn't even know if she'll wake up. But he… he never gives up on her."

He wiped his face quickly, embarrassed. "Okay, okay, I'm still losing coolant…! But even so… that little guy had more life than most mechs I know. Can you love someone that much? After being alone for so long?"

Suddenly she sniffled again, even when the room was quiet and nothing was happening. "Ugh… Why am I still crying?! This isn't fair! My vents hurt!"

RATCHET -

“Movie Night?”

Even though Ratchet thought it was a rather stupid idea, he wasn't entirely against it. After all, it didn't hurt to take a little break from work every now and then.

Every day was a different struggle not only with the constant problems arising in Detroit, but also with getting you guys fixed… or keeping you all from going offline.

Just for today, he'd take that well-deserved break.

And here we are:

Ratchet stared motionless at the screen, his optics glued to Wall-E's desolate existence amidst the ruins of Earth. The images scrolled by: abandoned cities, traces of a lost humanity, and the melancholy loneliness of a machine created for a purpose, yet stripped of it. Ratchet's grip on the edge of his seat tightened, his electromagnetic fields pulsing erratically. Then, the arrival of EVE—the moment Wall-E finally finds someone to care for him—caused Ratchet's air vents to visibly clog.

Then the fateful moment occurred: Wall-E crushed under the AUTOpilot wheel, the gears grinding in protest, his small body still and lifeless…

Ratchet leaped to his pedes abruptly, the chair emitting a shrill groan that echoed throughout the room. His movements were abrupt, almost angry, as he turned decisively toward the exit. But a hand held him by the arm.

"Let me go." he growled in a hoarse, broken vocalizer, his tone filled with savage rage and dull pain. Around him, the electromagnetic field pulsed furiously, filled with an anguish that seemed to transport him back to those dark days of war. Days when he had witnessed yet another spark go out far too often.

You tightened your grip on his arm. "Ratchet, it's not real…"

"I KNOW!" He exploded, trying to break free, but the strength behind it was lacking. He remained still, rooted to the floor, his plates tightly clamped, his optics fixed on the ground. When he spoke again, his vocalizer was broken, barely a whisper. "…But it feels real."

For a doctor who has already lost too many companions along the way, the line between fiction and memory is merely an illusion.

Finally, convinced though reluctantly Ratchet returned to his seat, deciding to continue the movie, sitting down next to you.

He didn't cry. He never wanted to show signs of giving up.

And yet…

He didn't let go of your servo for the rest of the movie.

And you were fine with that, if even that small gesture could reassure him, then it was worth it.

PROWL -

Even Prowl, in the end, was happy to spend an evening with his fantastic team… even if he wasn't entirely happy with it at first.

He would have much preferred to spend his time training or meditating in some quiet corner of the ship.

And yet, thanks to your all-too-persuasive words, you had managed to get him involved, surprising everyone else.

After all, Prowl was a mech who kept to himself, unwilling to be disturbed by things he considered pointless… or just a waste of time like that.

And yet, for that one time, he was there:

Prowl moved silently in the dark room, his optics fixed on the movie playing on the screen. The image of those two adorable, innocent robots, Wall-E and EVE, sent a pang through his spark for no apparent reason. Every gesture Wall-E made, intent on protecting EVE with all his might, brought a hint of emotion to the surface, slowly clouding his vision.

When Wall-E was temporarily rendered lifeless, Prowl stifled a soft groan into his vocalizer, overcome by a deep, indescribable melancholy. The sight of the little robot fading, its motionless body, and the faint beep that heralded its "eternal stillness", struck Prowl to the core, leaving him with a weight he couldn't ignore.

Prowl crossed his arms, keeping his gaze fixed on the screen. He tried to hide the melancholy that crossed his faceplate as he muttered softly, "Tsk. Emotional programming overload."

He looked away abruptly as a new scene began to play on the screen.

"Totally unnecessary emotional exploitation. In a real combat scenario, it would be ineffective."

A moment of silence followed, almost heavy.

"Still," he added after a pause, without breaking his gaze, "he had good reflexes. I would have liked to train with him."

Finally, reluctantly, he let his vocalizer drop a notch:

"If only… he hadn't been mostly a trash compactor."

He lowered his vocalizer further, barely audible:

"Ah… and don't tell Jazz I said that."

BULKHEAD -

BULKHEAD WAS ALSO LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS MOVIE, JUST LIKE BUMBLEBEE.

WHO KNOWS WHAT IT WOULD BE ABOUT… IT LOOKED REALLY INTERESTING.

Damn.

Bulkhead sat silently in the darkness of the Autobot base, the dim glow of the monitor reflecting in his blue optics. The credits of Wall-E rolled peacefully on the screen. Everyone else had already left.

But Bulkhead had stayed, and you were keeping him company, not wanting to leave him alone.

He remained still. His massive structure seemed to sag slightly, leaning on the makeshift chair. One limp arm rested heavily on his thigh. A solitary tear, cold and slow, slid down the surface of the faceplate, pooling on his chin before falling onto its sturdy frame with a soft clink.

"He… was completely alone", Bulkhead muttered to himself, his vocalizer low and filled with emotion. "Just… a small robot, caring for a dead planet, forgotten by all."

He thought of Cybertron, a once-bright world, traversed by glittering rivers of energon, now shrouded in grim silence under the weight of war.

He reflected on himself, on when he was but a youngling.

He considered that term: mudflap. A label that made him feel awkward, ugly, cumbersome, nothing but a useless mech.

"And then… find someone," Bulkhead whispered in a barely audible voice. His fists clenched imperceptibly, as each word came out with increasing difficulty, cracking under the weight of hidden emotion.

His optics dropped to the enormous metal hands of his servos. Those same limbs that had accidentally destroyed bridges, that sometimes sowed fear among humans.

"But Wall-E…" he murmured, his vocalizer laced with nostalgia. "He didn't need to be big. He didn't need armor or weapons. All he needed was a purpose… and someone who truly recognized him."

A long pause.

"I miss home." he admitted softly, making no effort to appear brave or impassive. A tear slid down his faceplate, released without attempting to wipe it away.