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Bumblebee was the opposite of Prowl in almost every way.
Where Prowl was calm and collected, Bumblebee was chaotic and outgoing.
Where Prowl was quiet and careful, Bumblebee was loud and never looked before they leapt.
Where Prowl was obedient and looked up to his leader, Bumblebee had trouble following authorities.
The young boy did deserve some credit where it was due. They did try to listen, but often times they'd go off on their own thing and get in trouble.
The only things Bumblebee and Prowl had in common was the autobot emblem on their chestplates and the spark in their chamber.
But even now, only one of those things was true.
—★—
Bumblebee shouted loudly as their helm hit the floor, making an uncomfortable cracking noise. They groaned, turning onto their side and holding both servos over where their helm and the concrete contacted.
They hissed in a sharp vent, holding it in for a moment, before letting it out sharply. Carefully, they removed their servos from their helm, checking to make sure they weren't leaking energon. Luckily, their servos came back clean and they vented a sigh of relief.
" Little buddy! " Bee sat up quickly, feeling the floor practically bounce as they watched Bulkhead rush over to them. The large mech crouched down next to them, " You alright? Hit your helm pretty hard. "
" I'm fine, " they groaned, elbows on their knee guards and palms of their servos on their chin, " I just can't believe I fell again! You said this would be easy! " They gestured to the indoor course they'd just been flung off of for the tenth time today alone. It had multiple moving parts, including a treadmill-like flooring and moving mechanical arms.
" I said it's easy after going through it slowly, " The older mech emphasized, shaking his helm, " You rushed into it at full speed. "
" Have you even ever done this before?? " Bee asked, their voice edged, " It seems a few sizes too small for you. "
" Well- I- " Bulkhead began, needing to pause for a short moment, " I have. . But this wasn't my course! I've only done it a few times. "
" Then you don't get to tell me if it's hard or easy, or how I'm supposed to do it! " They scoffed, standing and turning around, " I'm done here today. I'll find something I know I can do without cracking my helm open because some not who hasn't even done this said I'd be fine. " The minibot began trotting away with animated arm gestures.
" Wait, Bee! " Bulkhead followed, " You should have Ratchet check your he- "
" I don't need Docbot giving me another check up, I'm not a sparkling! " They sped up, reaching the exit. Before they left, they glared at Bulkhead.
Switching quickly to their alt mode, still a Cybertronian vehicle, Bumblebee left.
Bulkhead sighed as he watched them leave.
—★—
Bumblebee drove for a while, still thinking about what happened.
They were less so mad at Bulkhead. Just . . . Ticked from the helmache the fall gave them.
They just couldn't believe they'd fallen on such an easy part of the course.
They sped around for a little while longer, having no real idea or plan of where to go. They just needed to be outside.
Their comm kept ringing, either Sari or Optimus trying to call. They just muted the channel. It was easier to give them the silent treatment than to listen to them yap their audials off about safety and how they shouldn't rush things.
Bumblebee began to slow down, reaching a slightly more crowded street. They sighed internally.
Is getting alone time in the big city really this hard?!
They turned, driving away from the traffic before they got stuck in it.
This road was much less crowded. Only a few cars and pedestrians passing by. Good.
Glancing around, they spotted an area that had, what looked like, no people.
Yes! Perfect!
They turned, driving through the open gate. There were trees scattered around, as well as strange, smooth stones that jutted up from the ground. Some of the stones were shaped strangely, looking crafted by hand in a way. Very clearly shaped by a person rather than being naturally formed.
Seeing as there were no people around, they transformed back to bot mode. Huffing softly under their vents, they began walking around.
The sun was shining, reflecting off their plating. It was warm, and even though Cybertronians couldn't experience earth temperature the same way organics did, they would admit, it was nicer than the warehouse the base was in.
There was a gentle breeze, that shook the leaves of a tree nearby. It was refreshing.
They walked for a little while longer. This place was bigger than they thought at first glance.
There was a fallen tree trunk a little ways away. Bumblebee blinked at it twice. There was . . Another bot there.
The bot's frame looked familiar, like Bumblebee had seen them somewhere, but they couldn't put a name to it.
They hummed, trotting forward until they were stood beside the log.
" Hey there, " Bumblebee greeted, smiling at the bot sitting on the log, who seemed startled.
" You can–? How are you–? " He looked around, as if looking for someone. Bumblebee took the chance to get a look at this guy.
It looked like he was an earth vehicle, which made sense. Bumblebee had seen the police use motorcycles, and this bot resembled them. With dark plating and accents of gold. Maybe that's what his alt mode was.
" Ah, so it talks! " Bee laughed lightly, " I'm Bumblebee! What's your name? "
" Prowl. " He responded shortly, confusion hinting his voice, " It is . . Nice to meet you, Bumblebee. "
" 'Prowl' eh? " They grinned, raising an optic ridge, " Some teammates of mine knew a bot named Prowl. Didn't think it was a common name, but guess I was wrong. " They plopped onto the log, sitting besides the dark mech.
" Yes . . " Prowl nodded, slowly, " I suppose it is. "
" So, Prowl, " Bee began, " Whatcha doing around here? "
Prowl was quiet for a klik. His faceplate didn't give Bee a good reading of what he was thinking.
" This place. " He answered, " A cemetery. This is where the humans bury their lost ones. "
" Lost ones? " Bumblebee tilted their helm, optics scanning the surface, " This is where they keep the offline humans? "
He confirmed with a short nod. " Each of these stones represents one. Each stone tells their story. Who they are. Where they came from. What they did while they were alive. "
" What's a bot like you doing here? " Bumblebee asked, their voice sounding almost hesitant, " Did you . . Lose someone? Would they also be buried here? "
" You can say something like that happened. " Prowl responded, digits pressing into the palms of his servos lightly, " You could say I lost myself in a way. I came here to reflect. "
" Oh. " Bee said dumbly, " I see. "
It was quiet again. Somewhat awkward, to Bumblebee at least. Though it didn't last long.
" Why are you still a Cybertronian vehicle? " Prowl asked. He didn't sound accusing, simply curious.
" I haven't been here long, " Bee shrugged, " Only a deca-cycle or two. "
" You should pick an earth vehicle. You will blend in more. "
" I don't plan on staying long. " Bumblebee huffed, crossing their arms, " I'm here as punishment. Once my sentence is over, I'm going back home. "
" Punishment? " Prowl's visor seemed to act like part of his face, imitating the raising of an optic ridge, " What for? "
" I've been training to get into the Elite Guard. I was at a camp for it, and a while back there was a deception spy. I thought it was Wasp, but it turns out it wasn't him. Sentinel found out I had wrongly accused the wrong bot. So I was sent here, under the 'care' of Team Prime. " Bumblebee looked down, servos curling into fists.
Prowl didn't know who Wasp was. But he knew who Sentinel was. " Sentinel has always been a glitch. " He told him calmly, " Don't take it personally. "
" I know. " Bee groaned, " It's fine. I'm only supposed to be here for a vorn. It'll be over quick enough, and then I'll get back to cybertron and finish my training. "
" I hope that works out for you, Bumblebee. " Prowl hummed, side-eyeing them, " What are you doing here, at the cemetery? "
" Oh. " Bee straightened, " Wanted to get away. All I do here is train train train and it's so, fragging, boring. " They waved their arms with exaggerated movement, " I'm not a sparkling anymore! I'm a fully grown bot, but they still think they can boss me around just because they're older! "
" Who is this 'they'? "
" Team Prime. Bulkhead, Ratchet, Optimus Prime, and Sari. " Bumblebee listed them off, counting on their digits as they did so, " I'm older than Sari, but she still bosses me around! "
" Technically, you are their apprentice. At least while here on earth. "
" I . . I guess. But- still! "
Prowl chuckled lowly as Bumblebee tried to grasp for words.
Bumblebee grumbled, standing from the log and huffing, " Whatever. I should get back. They're gonna be mad at me. "
" That seems like a good plan. " Prowl watched the young bot stand, " Goodbye, Bumblebee. "
Bee smiled lightly, quickly switching to their alt mode. Before they left, they said, " See ya around, Prowl! " And then they were gone. Prowl watched to make sure they didn't hit any gravestones.
And Prowl sat there. In shock. Vents barely taking in anything.
Because . . What. Was. . . That.
That bot could see him.
Nobody has seen him in eight years.