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The war was over in what was arguably the most anticlimactic fashion ever. Starscream hadn't managed to put an end to Megatron, like everyone never expected to actually happen. Soundwave had been the one to extinguish the old warlord's spark, and promptly declared himself Lord of the Decepticons.
Rumble and Frenzy and the rest of the cassettes hadn't been particularly surprised, they knew Soundwave best after all. He was loyal, absolutely, but he was loyal to the cause, not its leader. The difference between Soundwave and every other uppity general and commander and foot soldier was patience .
Sitting here at the neutral zone conference for the negotiation of a peace treaty, the payoff was worth the wait, Rumble had to say. Not to mention the spectacular view he had now of Bumblebee.
Negotiations were done for the day, but there was a shared recreational zone so that mechs from both factions could begin integrating. The small space was currently occupied by an interfaction game of Lob which Bumblebee, Skywarp, and the rest of their team were making a surprisingly good show of.
Man, Rumble couldn't remember the last time he'd had the time to enjoy watching mechs exert themselves. Especially Bumblebee. He'd never had the chance to meet the runt before the war — different social circles and all that — which was a real shame. Given what a sneaky scout he was, and how confidently he moved while they played Lob, Rumble was certain he’d be a gem to dance with at a club.
The game was won by Team Bee — to the booing of their opponents — when Skywarp used his sigma to help score the last point. Rumble and the other onlookers cheered or laughed the players on as they began to disperse for other activities for the evening.
As mechs were dispersing, Rumble watched Bumblebee chatting with Skywarp and Thundercracker and decided that you missed 100% of the shots you didn’t take. There was time and peace to try new things, and make new connections. Rumble was gonna go do that right now, what was the use in waiting?
Rumble began walking towards the little group, and when he got there, Thundercracker and Skywarp were just saying their goodbyes and heading back to base. They nodded as they passed, and then Rumble was alone with Bumblebee.
…Well, this was awkward. Rumble supposed that Ravage would laugh at him and say this was why he should plan more, rather than just rushing in. Whatever though, Ravage was a buzzkill, Rumble didn’t need a plan! He just had to say hello!
“Hello Rumble! Did you need something from me?” Bumblebee said, thoroughly beating Rumble to the punch. That was fine actually, it was a place to start!
“Well, if the sweet little Bee has some honey to share— wait! No, sorry, forget I said that, that was dumb. I actually wanted to ask— Blaster has taken the other warehouse and set up for a party tonight, Sideswipe and Sunstreakter are providing the engex, and Wheeljack has supposedly come up with a great lightshow. Wanna go with me?”
Rumble thought that went pretty well. Not like, super smooth, but he wasn’t actually sure where all his confidence had gone. Just evaporated, poof, like coolant on a hot day.
Bumblebee cocked his head — attractively — to the side and seemed to consider Rumble. In the end he smiled, “Sure, Rumble, I think it’d be pretty cool if we went together. I was gonna go with Cliff, but I heard him arguing with Slug earlier, so I think I’ve been ditched.”
Here, Bumblebee’s smile turned a little sharper and it wasn’t fair what that was doing to Rumble.
“I do have one condition though.”
And Rumble felt himself start to smirk too, he liked trouble, and that look oozed trouble. Bumblebee was going to be trouble and how awesome was that. “Alright, shoot, what’s your condition?”
“Weeeell, Rumble, if I’m supposed to bring the honey, then I think you need to make sure to bring the good vibrations . Fair’s fair after all, right?”
Oh, so much trouble. Rumble was in so much trouble.
“Yeah, I think I can manage that.” Rumble did not say with static lacing his voice.
This was gonna be a night to remember, he was sure, and if it all went well, maybe there’d be more like it to come. They had the time now, after all.