Posting this cuz apparently Im delusional and thought I already did last night
@lilruruby, the lil spin off you did rotted my brain and wouldn't let me sleep. I cannot for the life of me stop re-reading it~
Bumblebee snarled as he's pinned down, glaring up at the Decepticon, Barricade, over his shoulder. He had been careless on the way back from his outing, gathering up materials and sustenance for his little mate's nest. The scout had somehow caught the ire once more from the black framed mech, Klickbait, and gotten shooed out of their base when Bumblebee tried to push his luck mid sparring; he had gotten a fireball to the face for his advances courtesy of Boombait.
The ex-autobot had obligated, seeing his mate's stash of sustenance had been running low with the four of them living pretty far out from any human settlement, so he transformed; picked out the closest gas station to fill up and gathered a few good nesting materials on the way back. Bumblebee had been too pleased with his gathering he hadn't realized he'd been followed back. The white mech had noticed too late that he couldn't double back and try to lose the tail he'd gotten. So with a bit of internal conflict, Bumblebee took a chance and transformed back into his root form to take care of the problem that is the decepticon Barricade before the mech could get too close where Klickbait and their kids are.
Bumblebee berated himself from being too cocky, for not focusing on the fight and trying to rush it so he could get back to the base sooner, and now he's been pinned to the ground on his chassis. The white armored mech wondered briefly how long Klickbait would notice Bumblebee hadn't come back in time, even if the ex-autobot had gotten distracted in a fuel run, Bumblebee always made sure to always gun it on the way back before nightfall. Doing perimeter patrol after fueling in their nest with Gif and Booms, Klickbait fussing over him for straining his engines and coming home steaming and tired.
Bumblebee wondered if he'll survive this fight. He's not even bothering to listen to whatever Barricade had been yapping about. The white mech didn't care what the Decepticon had to say, Bumblebee needed to make it back to base. His family, even if it seems Klickbait doesn't realize it still, is waiting for him.
Whatever monologue Barricade had been crowing throughout Bumblebee trying to plot a way to get back on his feet, and murder the cop car for making the scout late, had been cut off when the Decepticon's frame flew off Bumblebee's back. Red optics shutter at the sleek black leg extended over him, trailing his optics back to the owner as it was lowered back down to the ground. Bumblebee was met with Klickbait's faceplate twisted to an ugly snarl, the beginning of smoke wafting off the smaller mech.
"Get the fuck away from him", Klickbait hissed. Rattling whatever armour he has at the stunned Decepticon who landed ways away from Bumblebee, who is now standing up beside his mate. "I don't know who the hell you are, but either you're gonna fuck off or I'll make you!"
Bumblebee wondered if it was possible to fall for the spitfire mech just a bit more, so protective, he'd really chosen a perfect mate. Rustling his own armour, Bumblebee took a stance, aiming both blasters towards the stunned Decepticon. The scout purred, "You're wonderful-- thank you~ Doll!"
Golden optics rolled in response as Klickbait let his armour burst into flames. "Yeah, yeah, you're lucky Booms noticed you're signature and told me about the other fucker creeping nearby. The kids are alone back at base, so let's hurry the fuck up."
Bumblebee didn't respond, activating his battlemask and darting forward. The Decepticon isn't allowed to leave alive, not anymore now that the scout's little mate made himself known.
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
It was silent and short trip to get back to H-1, Klickbait and Bumblebee didn't even bother turning into their alt modes, walking back somewhat side by side. The smaller mech throwing a glance back to the white framed mech now and again, it was little ways back to their makeshift nest that Klickbait finally stopped and turned fully to look up at the larger mech, gold optics searching Bumblebee's scuffed frame for a moment before meeting red optics.
"You're... Okay, right? That fucker that jumped you didn't hurt you much?" Klickbait asked, optics trailing towards the side almost shy. "I'm just asking 'cuz I don't know any terminator repair shit, so..."
Bumblebee stared, looming over the small frame, tipping his head a bit to the side when the small mech fidgeted at the silence.
"Look," Klickbait snapped, pointing a claw at the quiet mech. "Either you fucking tell me so I can try and fix it or, or... fucking suffer for all I care!"
Spinning on his heel, Klickbait started his march back to base. Pausing with a startle when he felt a grab to his arm, turning his head to Bumblebee. The white mech's eyes crinkled in a pleased look, pulling gently on Klickbait's arm to him closer, pressing the small mech against his frame.
Bumblebee let out a deep soothing rumble, Klickbait tensing against him but allowed the contact, relaxing after a moment. "No worries~ I'm-- Alright!"
"That's... that's good," Klickbait hummed. They stayed like that for a moment more, the scout continuing to rumble, before Bumblebee leaned down and hefted the smaller mech up to his arm. "You-"
Any protest Klickbait had died and fizzed into static as Bumblebee looked up at him, normally blazing red optics staring up at him half dimmed with a soft expression. Klickbait let out a sigh, thumping his helm against the mech, a smile quirked in his lips.
"Alright, big guy, let's go home."
This so far off my initial outline, it's on Mars--