Chapter 1

The ceremony was short, not too short but not too long either. He sat out of view of the others eyesight where he wasn t welcomed. A loss of a teammate was difficult to handle, but a loss of a lover was far worse. Even though the Decepticons were cruel and conflicted pain to others, they still mourned for a loss of those of their own. The church had filled up well, not to its full capacity. Enough to which the main Decepticon army had occupied the space: the Seekers, the TIC, Megatron himself, even most of the groups spread around the area had showed; not that he could care about it. Bumblebee was at loss of words. All he could do was sit in the very back and hold in the tears that overwhelmed him. To make little noise as possible so the others wouldn t hear him in the back; the Decepticons could possibly care less for the Autobots sympathy, but Barricade wasn t just a Decepticon like the others, he was much more. Surely they would take him hostage again and wait for the great leader of the Autobots to confirm a search party and go after him. Only this time, Barricade wouldn t be there to help him. It seemed only yesterday that Barricade had helped him from the prison cells of the twins company: Rumble and Frenzy He could remember it so clearly Shooing away the two twins that had accompanied the youth for the last two hours of his abduction, they were teasing him, fondling his blonde hair, and groping him in places that purely scared Bumblebee. It was no wonder his frame was shaking. Rumble and Frenzy had laughed out bitterly before each stealing a kiss on the bloodless cheeks. Until we meet again, Honey-Bee They simultaneously spoke, looking forward to the fun that would be forced upon him later.
The Decepticon watched the two boys run off to go annoy the Seekers or Soundwave.
Kid, what are you doing here? What the hell did you do this time? The Decepticon had ordered; his deep crimson red eyes piercing the bright yet dull blue ones of the youths. I-I was on a reconnaissance mission when The young Autobot had found himself at loss of words towards his superior, trying his best not to sound like a weakling or a child. The Decepticon had thought otherwise.
Spit it out, I haven t got all day; and I certainly don t have all day for the likes of you! The other sneered down at the blonde. At the last word the youth had winced just a bit at the snarl of a demand.
M-Megatron had found me alone while I was on the mission The Decepticon had no sympathy from the pathetic explanation, but his now scarred blue eyes had stated something else. Barricade looked deep into the inviting sea of innocence. In the sea he could sense that the Autobot was scared, terrified to be precise. He had dealt with the Decepticons before but his innocence had been taken forcefully and brutally. And to be forced at Megatron s mercy on Christmas even his boss had a heart; though it was cold and hard.
His heart beat like that of a hummingbird and his cheeks had flushed a bright red, aside from the pale white, with embarrassment of what the Decepticons planned to do with him yet again and of what Rumble and Frenzy had already done. As a cop, he had found it morally wrong, but as a loyal Decepticon, he could care less of what they would do to him; after all, he was the opposing force and it didn t count, right?
Finally sighing in defeat, the Decepticon bent down and unlocked the shackles that enslaved the boy. You are very fortunate young one; next time you may not get so lucky as to be escaping. Just be thankful that it is Christmas and not some other waste less day. The grip was rough but the handling was gentle, almost like a husband would caress his wife.
W-Wait, why are you doing this? You re a Decepticon, you guys aren t the least bit concerned for an Autobot like me; wouldn t you just be interested in playing and toying with me like everyone else? The last question was a bit harsh but had asked the truth no matter.
Barricade hesitated before answering the youth. I already told you, Auto-brat, its Christmas and it wouldn t be fair for you to be away from your contrary of the war, much less be a present to Megatron! And I could possibly care less for a boy as immature as yourself; you re nothing but a waste of time to the Decepticon cause! Barricade had snarled as he narrowed his deep crimson eyes.
Bumblebee bit back, chewing on his lower lip as he contemplated his next question. Well can you at least tell me your name? A small voice asked, hoarse from crying out in pain from the twins and in irritation.
The Decepticon sighed in frustration as he slapped a hand to his face and pinched the bridge of his nose. Barricade; my name is Barricade He said silently.
The youth considered the name and nodded slightly with a small smile printed across his face. Thank you Barricade Don t get all sentimental on me and don t think I m gonna help you every time you get your useless ass caught again! I won t help you next time; got it? Barricade growled.
I wasn t counting on it! I can now see why Megatron values criminals and people like you. Merry Christmas, Barricade The Autobot muttered back ruthlessly and hopped up and made his way towards the exit, limping a bit from the damage the others had inflicted upon him when they brought him in.
Boy , what s your name? Barricade had asked; a thoughtful tone in his voice but the edginess and frustration still present. The youth turned to face the Decepticon with narrowed eyes. Bumblebee I couldn t see why it d matter though. A small voice responded. Bumblebee continued on to the exit where he escaped without being detected It was from then that their friendly alliance had progressed into something more over time, to Bumblebee for that matter anyway. Whenever he was found by Barricade, they d dismiss each other with no report of the activity or confrontation; even constructing small talk now and then. When Barricade confessed into his love for Bumblebee, that was another story and much more complicated; it was all curious for the young scout and slipping off from patrol duty had made the others suspicious. His late nights coming home and falling asleep during security briefs held by Prowl only brought punishment on the young one such as cleaning around the base, extra patrol hours, and monitor duty Bumblebee, you need to go. Besides, you could use the rest, your exhausted! Barricade once said. Tonight was one of those nights where he had lied to the SIC and TIC about a circumstance that had come up and he wouldn t be back till tomorrow unless otherwise; the same excuse had been passed upon quite often and Prowl s suspicions weren t easing back about this certain circumstance . I am not! Bumblebee protested while stifling a yawn.
Yeah, you re not tired at all; I can tell. Barricade stated with a strong hint of sarcasm and matter-of-fact tone in his deep voice. You have to be up at what, 5 o clock this morning? Its 3:25 now and you need all the sleep you can get. Besides, you need to be on your full alert in a war zone, you re vulnerable wherever you are, Honey-Bee. Bumblebee looked up with his bright blue eyes that always put Barricade at a stand-still with his words. Dark rings hung loosely around the full-of-life eyes. You could easily tell the young one hadn t had a decent nights sleep in two solid weeks.
5:30 and I m not tired. Bumblebee stifled another yawn. And I am alert on the battlefield, Uh huh, your knicks and bruises say otherwise, child. Barricade said with an eyebrow propped up and his arms crossed across his chest from where he sat on the bed. He had earned a glare from Bumblebee with that statement of truth.
I d wish you d stop calling me child , kid , or young one ; I m 21 now. Barricade chuckled as he pulled his young lover into his lap onto the Queen bed they shared, Yes, but the fact still remains that you act like one and you were 16 when I first met you, Honey-Bee. Bumblebee smiled but it soon faded when his troubles caught up to him again.
I m just scared and concerned with some stuff; that s all, Bumblebee shrugged, his body language announced it was childish and non important. His head slumped down to look at the intertwined hands that Bumblebee held.
Tell me, Bee. Barricade s voice changed to a concerned and thoughtful tone with love mixed within. He tried to find the bright eyes that were now hidden beneath the blonde and black hair. The hair shook with the meaning of no .
Bumblebee, I can t help you if you won t tell me. Barricade pulled his hand free from Bumblebee s and pulled his face up so he could see him eye to eye; Barricade s other hand remained on the small of Bumblebee s back.
The youth was reluctant at first to tell Barricade what was going through his mind; choking back a breath the slightest bit before he spoke a little louder than anticipated. Why are we in this damn war to begin with? I don t want to fight anyone, and not you for that matter. Each day we conflict pain to one another, I already had to go under for surgery with my voice box. Bumblebee s voice raised an octave. Barricade cringed at the memory of his Honey-Bee almost being lost to a Decepticon attack; there was so much blood. One of these days a side will win or we ll all die out; and just the thought of you hurt or worse Tears pooled in his bright blue eyes, their shine dulling with the thought of losing his lover. Bumblebee sniffled to hide his emotions; only to no such prevail, his head falling back down.
Barricade pulled him into a tight embrace, wishing to never let Bumblebee go. He truly loved him, more than anything or anyone. He knew it was hard, for both of them for that matter. He knew the ugly truth was, well, true and giving up his little Honey-Bee was difficult.
Bumblebee buried his face into the crook of Barricade s neck, closing his eyes to make the moment last, the tears beginning to fall one by one.
I know, Bee, I know. Barricade had said, kissing the top of the blondes head and then placing his cheek on top. Nothings gonna happen, I promise. He whispered Coming back to reality, Bumblebee had to face the facts. All happening at the very early stages of the war before death s shadow had cast itself everywhere and taking the innocent and leaving the guilty. It wasn t until this year in 2012 when Bumblebee had turned 23 that this had happened. The damn war had corrupted his lover s judgment; now look where it had gotten Barricade. He was dead and gone and wouldn t come back until death had come to take Bumblebee to where he would meet Barricade once again. He hadn t kept his word like he had promised; he lied.
Barricade, wherever you may be; why d you do it? Why? Bumblebee whimpered, the fresh stream of tears running down his soft cheeks and dripping down his face onto his fine cut light baby blue button-up shirt. The abrupt movement of getting up out of his seat quickened the pace of the tears; light dribbles of salty water landed on the shirt, staining the premises and turning the convicted area a darker blue.
Before any of the Decepticons could catch him, the youth exited the church doors and walked down the barren streets. It was 7 o clock in the evening in December, two weeks before Christmas. Bumblebee and Barricade had made plans to meet up privately to spend Christmas Eve and the following day together; just the two of them. Though Jazz had scheduled a party on Christmas, most of the Autobots would be in town for such. A few had stated that family had asked for their presence, Bumblebee had been put upon the small list. Jazz thankfully complied, although he was upset, he understood. Christmas had been a very special time for Bumblebee and Barricade. As they both knew that it was the day they had met each other for the first time. Though harsh words had been exchanged, it had become a tradition for the two to meet up on Christmas, just the two, when Bumblebee had been 19 Bzzz, bzzz, bzzz. The left pocket of Bumblebee s black North Face jacket had vibrated. Digging into the soft pocket of the thin yet comfortable jacket, Bumblebee raised his cell, an LG. He wiped his wrist across his face, preventing the further stream of tears. Lowering his wrist that was now dampened, Bumblebee looked down at the caller ID: Barricade. Just the name had triggered a whole new wave of grief and tears to pour out.
Hello ? The younger man sniffled a bit over the mouthpiece as he answered the incoming call.
No answer.
Irritated and not in the mood for prank calls or games, Bumblebee asked again, voice harsher than the first time. Hello, who is it? As if his words were their cue, static reigned throughout the earpiece, piercing Bumblebee s eardrum. Pulling the phone away abruptly, an annoyed and pained face was printed across his face. The static had continued for a few second and once the volume had decreased, Bumblebee pulled the cell back to his ear. A low whisper had spread throughout: Bumblebee please It was Barricade s rough deep voice, pleading. Tears once again pooled in the bright blue eyes of the younger man as he continued to listen to the voice that he missed so much. B-Barricade don t leave me please don t, y-you promised; you promised me! Crying now, the streams staining the young voice; the pleas had wracked the young body, leaving tremors evident in his posture.
I know Honey-Bee I know Bumblebee missed that name; it was his by Barricade s: his friend, his role model, his lover-and he were Barricade s.
The line cut, leaving nothing but an empty dial tone; Bumblebee closed the phone on that note and continued to cry into his arms. His body continued to tremor as he did his best to collect himself and walk down the street back to base.
He wrapped himself up with his skinny but muscular arms as he stretched out the North Face jacket that had been given to him his first Christmas with Barricade.
Walking again, Bumblebee used his wrist to wipe away any extra tears that had leaked out. He cast his suffering eyes to the light ahead for a moment, a shadow of a man, tall and muscular was cast from the luminous light. Bumblebee stared at the figure before walking by without care of what the stranger was doing or wanted.
Deep, contemplating eyes watched as Bumblebee continued down the block; reaching out to grab hold of the shuddering shoulder of the crying younger man, longing to hug and comfort the shuddering boy. He was his own; he needed him, but with the way that Bumblebee had cried, the boy needed him more than he had realized