26. Tears

Crying for You

Loco the Exclaimer

X.x.X.x.X

He was alive.

That was the first thought that went through Prowl’s processor as it began to come online, trying to comprehend what had happened. Before he could really focus on this, however, something else caught his attention; a soft, sad sound he’d rarely heard with that voice, even since they’d been bonded.

Crying.

He tried to power on his optics, but he couldn’t find the strength. So instead, he listened, focusing on the voice. Yes, it was definitely…

With a wave of effort, he powered his optics dimly on. He tried to move, but a wave of pain crashed through him, stopping him even as he started. His optics powered off. Dental plating pressed together, he kept quiet so as not to alert the other.

Starting over. His optics flickered faintly on once more, leaving him to see the face of the one before him.

Several moments passed in silence, broken only by barely heard sobs. Finally, Prowl broke the silence and spoke.

“Bumblebee.”

The other lifted his head in shock, staring with optics wide, his hands hanging where they had been supporting his faceplate.

“P-Prowl?”

Before Prowl even had a chance to answer, Bumblebee had his servos around his bondmate’s chassis, hugging him close, threatening never to let go.

“Bumblebee-” The ninja began, but instead asked the obvious question. “Now long was I in stasis lock?”

“Five solar cycles.” Bumblebee mumbled into Prowl’s chassis. He then abruptly let go and towered over him. “Don’t do that! Understand? Don’t do that, ever again!” You had me so worried… the unspoken words hung on the end, but they didn’t need to leave his vocals for Prowl to hear them through their bond.

Prowl put his servos on Bumblebee’s shoulders and drew him into a hug. “I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, well… you should be! I thought you were gonna go offline!”

The ninja chuckled. Same old Bumblebee, even after all these stellar cycles. “It’s alright, Bumblebee… I won’t ever leave you.”

“You’d better not!” Bumblebee said, jabbing a finger into Prowl’s chassis.

“I won’t.” A few more moments passed before Prowl spoke again, holding Bumblebee close to himself. “Bumblebee, were you… crying, just now?”

Bumblebee started slightly. “No!” He paused, looking slightly ashamed. “Well, I… I mean… I- I thought I was gonna lose you! Ratchet said you might not make it and that if you did you might not even remember anything.”

“Clearly I did, and clearly I do.”

His reward was a light punch on the servo.

“Yeah, yeah.”

“I’m sorry I scared you.” Prowl put a finger on Bumblebee’s chin and tilted his bondmate’s faceplate up, their lips meeting in a soft, fleeting kiss, a quiet statement of their love.

“…I wasn’t scared.”

“Whatever you say, Bumblebee.”

We’ll have each other, now and forever.