NOTORIOUS // TFP Arcee X Reader

Spark to spark-ish

And now you wanted to know about her hobbies? The two-wheeler had originally thought you'd try to dig around for useful information to use for your own gain. You seemed harmlessly curious instead, which was confusing. Seekers were mostly Decepticons, which had added to her preconceptions of you, but you were nothing like the ones she'd encountered, especially Starscream.

Arcee finally answered, "I like to drive around with Jack."

"That's not a hobby, that's jus' spendin' time with your friends!"

The femme couldn't quite think of anything else. Monitor duty was work, talking to her team was making conversation, and cheering Jack on when him and the other raced their mini cars was often enough to be a hobby. She wasn't about to tell you of Cliffjumper's memorial and her frequent chats with it, and that most definitely wasn't a hobby.

"Racing. It's mostly with Jack, but I think it counts."

You nodded. "That it?" You looked down at her curiously.

"Yes. War doesn't leave too much downtime." She kept her gaze straight ahead.

You'd never even served in the military or met someone who had, so you didn't dispute. You figured she just wasn't telling you things, and you weren't about to bother her about it.

"Well, I guess I'll just have to help you find one," you said with a shrug.

"Seriously?" Arcee looked up at you, one optic ridge raised and one pressing down.

"Everyone needs a hobby. They're a good time and can be therapeutic!" Your wings raised up in your happiness.

"Alright," Arcee said with amusement. You were an interesting person, there was no denying that. "What's your hobby?"

You tensed up in realization. "Well, it used to be pickpocketing, uh, admittedly, but now I've been so busy taking care o' my charge, I don't really have one anymore."

Pickpocketing? Arcee didn't have anything on her besides her armor, so it's not like you could take that. You did say you used to do it, as in not anymore. You almost seemed to good to be true, and though the femme was still somewhat skeptical of you, she couldn't help but feel she was grasping at threads.

"Sounds kinda hypocritical if you ask me," The femme replied.

You shrugged again. "We can find one together, I'm sure of it!"

Arcee didn't know what to make of you. She opened up her mouth to reply, but her comm pinged before words could leave.

.::Arcee, where are you?::. It's was Ratchet. She stopped in her tracks, and you halts with her.

.::I'm on a drive. What's going on?::.

.::That's one long drive if you ask me.::. Arcee checked her chronometer only to find a few hours had passed. .::You're needed on a mission with Bumblebee. I'm sending a ground bridge to your coordinates.::. Arcee turned to you only to find you watching with intrigue.

"What?" She asked, a bit too harshly.

"You didn't tell them you were comin' to see me, did ya?" You raised an optic ridge knowingly.

"So what if I did?"

You crossed your arms loosely and shrugged once more. "I just didn' expect it is all."

The noise of an opening ground bridge sounded, and it appeared a few seconds' walk away.

"Later. Thanks for answering my questions, though I think it mostly me answering yours." Arcee walked over to the glowing portal.

"The conversation was appreciated nonetheless. Will I see you again? Maybe like this?"

The femme paused and looked back at you. "What's it to you?"

"I like you. I'm curious about ya. I'd like to see you again," you answered, accompanied by an awkward smile.

Arcee flushed, her face morphing into surprise again. You seemed so genuine. You'd been calm and assuring and kind throughout the walk. She was curious about you too.

The two-wheeler suddenly felt angry at herself. She was already attached to Jack, what would happen if someone her own species got any closer? What if you ended up like her other partners?

You also seemed too good to be true. A neutral seeker who wasn't allied with the Decepticons who was genuinely interested in her for reasons that weren't for personal gain? You even said you used to steal as a hobby! Who's to say it wasn't actually more?

Part of the femme wanted to say yes! and talk to you more. Part of her was appalled and wanted to report her findings to Optimus, to never talk to you, or keep an optic on you for her friends' safety.

"I don't know," Arcee finally said. You could sense something bothering her again, and hoped she'd find some peace after she left.

The ground bridge closed. Now you had to go back to your daughter to assure her you were alive and well and hadn't meant to spend so much time away. She'd probably tell you she could handle herself on her own, but you still felt bad.