These Paths We Tread (Autobot x OC)

XI. Two Worlds II

“So where’d you and Jazz go, anyways? You were gone for a long time,” Sam inquired, and she turned to him with a mischievous grin.

“Oh, just around,” she replied, using an arm wave to gesture. “We were just talkin’ in stuff. What about you guys? Just talking?”

“Pretty much. Bumblebee’s been pretty curious about human interactions, like how Sam and I are,” Mikeala replied, smiling shyly as she glanced at Sam, whose ears turned bright red as he looked down and rubbed the back of head. Catherine felt the coldness set into her twisting stomach, but she handled it well as she looked between them with a raised brow.

“So it is for sure official then?” she inquired, and it felt like acid on her tongue and in her throat.

“So you really are okay with it?” her friend asked, his eyes already pleading. How could she say no to him? He was so happy whenever he looked at the dark-haired girl and held her hand. Mikeala was also happy with him, and, when Catherine looked, the dark-haired girl’s eyes wanted her to say yes, too.

Well, at least she does want my approval. “Of course I am, Sam. You two got some good chemistry. Beauty and the Geek, am I right? Besides, there’s nothing like an alien war to bring people together.”

Their happiness that all but exploded onto their faces was all she needed to know they were thankful, although the redhead could have done without their fingers lacing together or Mikeala pressing her lips to his like it was so easy. It probably was for her. She’d probably had a lot of guys and had more than enough practice with that steroid-monster Trent.

She held back her grimace as she looked up at Bumblebee, whom was watching the two teens curiously. He looked happy for them, although he didn’t really seem to understand. He glanced over at Catherine for a moment, and when his expression suddenly changed to concern, she knew she had given something away. She looked back down quickly, pretending to become interested in Ratchet’s work. Thankfully, Bumblebee made no move towards her. Instead, while she was looking away he turned his head to Jazz, whom was standing further away, waiting for Sector Seven. No human would hear it, but words passed between them, causing the silver mech to turn around to look at his charge and then reply back just as quietly. Nothing more was done, though, and Bumblebee returned his attention to his three companions.

Sam turned to meet the Autobot's blue eyes, “I can’t wait for when we finally get to go home! All the other guys are going to be so jealous when they see you! And Miles! I can’t wait to see what he thinks!”

“Aw, what about me Sam? Don’t tell me your car beats me,” Mikeala pouted, though she smiled as she put her chin on his shoulder. He turned, mouth agape is if caught in something naughty and she giggled.

“No! I—I didn’t meant that, I just— well, uh,” he fumbled, and the dark-haired girl laughed as she kissed his cheek.

“I was just teasing.”

He grinned, “I knew that.”

Catherine snorted, not able to ignore their conversation. Sam gave her a look, but she only gave a “what” expression back. It was let go, and she found herself watching them. As much as she hated to admit it, they weren’t a bad couple—probably a better one than what she could have been with him, anyways. Mikeala made Sam nervous like she couldn’t, although that was mainly because Sam didn’t need to be nervous around her after almost seventeen years together. Of course, that didn’t compare with the disappointment in realizing Mikeala made him happy like she couldn’t, but she had come to some kind of terms with that. It was like twisting the knife more instead of stabbing a new one into her heart. Yes, it was painful, but it was a pain she could endure and which only ached rather than exploded.