Goldenrod - SoundRod AU

Woe to Perish

Hotrod stared at Bumblebee's optics, blinking nervously. He fiddled with his fingers, looking around.

"Yeah...... I- Hotrod?" Bumblebee started to speak, his voice kind but disheveled. Hotrod blinked again, looking at him.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Hotrod-"

"No! Don't 'Hotrod' me! Why didn't you tell me?!"

Bumblebee backed off. Starscream grumbled unhappily, dragging Bumblebee the slightest bit closer to him. Bumblebee pushed Starscream away defiantly, giving him a certain look.

Hotrod clenched his fist gently before letting it go. "Sorry."

"It's fine, Hotrod. I know you're feeling worried...why?" Bumblebee started, gently clasping his servo around Hotrod's.

Bumblebee began to drag him off, his mood changing from sad and angsty to happy and joyful. "I'm just worried.." Hotrod murmured gently.

"And...why's that?? Oh! Are you worried about someone~? Is it Clobber? Or Dead-end? I always thought you two looked...okay as a couple." Bumblebee beamed jokingly.

"Ew, by Primus, no. It's uhm...." Hotrod couldn't shake the feeling of being made fun of for some odd reason. He knew Bumblebee would never make fun of him, Starscream on the other servo....

"Oh! I knew it! Who?"

"S-Soundwave..."

Bumblebee faltered in his step, tripping and nearly dragging Hotrod to the ground with him if it weren't for Starscream catching the two of them. Starscream grumbled and helped them back to their feet.

"You like the guardian?!" Bumblebee spat out. Hotrod chuckled nervously.

"G-Guardian?" Hotrod repeated.

"Yeah! He's the one who protects-" Bumblebee trailed off as Starscream gave him a stern look.

They must've not told Hotrod for a reason, so he was going to respect that, for now at least. The trio continued on, making their way through the chamber before exiting.

They took a while to find the right way to exit, because Bumblebee was basically sight seeing and nearly got everyone(other than Starscream) killed by a Quintesson.

Hotrod eventually dragged Bumblebee outside and into the ruins of Iacon City. They didn't transform, as to not attract any attention. Bumblebee was giggling and chuckling the whole time, making Hotrod more and more annoyed at him.

"Hotrodddddddd..." Bumblebee whines, smirking.

"What?"

"Why do you like Soundwave?"

"Because...he's kind..."

"He's killed people."

"So haven't I."

"Yeah, but that was to protect, not..Y'know, take."

Hotrod grumbled, turning down a dark alley towards MacCadams. He sighed, running a servo along the ruined buildings of Iacon City.

"Ever wonder how we managed to start a war over the smallest argument?" Starscream asked through the silence.

Bumblebee giggled and started spouting out a few ideas.

Hotrod didn't bother to listen. He walked along the alley, eventually getting annoyed and running ahead. His steps slowed when he came out into the large opening in front of MacCadams. His optics gently focused on the bar, faintly hearing the sounds of movement and low voices.