Hey, I'm Kinda Dealing With A Lot Right Now And Idk How To Handle It All. Could I Request A Comfort Ask

Hey, I'm kinda dealing with a lot right now and idk how to handle it all. Could I request a comfort ask of bayverse Optimus, Bumblebee, and Crosshairs reacting/dealing with their potential s/o confessing that they do love them, but they're afraid to have feelings for them because people they care about only want to use them and apologize by saying it's done out of love...? I'm sorry if this is too much, but idk where else to go to get away from it all....

Oh, pumpkin. :( It’s not too much. Be warned, my crosshairs is far from perfect— I admit I don’t really know him at all— but I’ll give him a shot for ya. Who would I be not to assist ya when I’m havin a bad time myself? Secondly, I wasn’t sure who was afraid to have feelings for them, so I went with both.———Optimus stiffens, slightly. Had you not known him as well as you had, had lovingly observed him as much as you had, you would not have noticed. It was so quick— just a microsecond— but it said all you needed to know.

He is silent for several long moments, the expression on his face plates never changing. Eventually, he begins to speak.

“I…” Optimus trails off, and you realize you have never seen him lost for words before. “I… return your sentiments,” is what he says, finally. “but it is far too dangerous for me to do so.”

He looks away from you and your heart clenches; his optic ridges have pulled down infinitesimally. He’s thinking about something— probably how he’s going to wrap you in bubble wrap and keep you away from danger forever.

“You know as well as I do that there are others who wish to do me harm. And—“ He chokes off, as suddenly swivels his intense gaze back to you, optics clicking and shuttering. “mechs and humans close to me have wished me harm as well.”

He kneels low, tries to get as close to your level as he can. You can see the wheels turning in his head, can see it literally in his eyes. “I must refuse your affections,” He rumbles. “for my safety and your own.” He doesn’t want to consider the

First a wave of frustration clenches your fists to your sides— and then a wave of fondness eases them open, brings your hands to rest gently on his servos. “That’s not your choice to make,” you say softly. “I appreciate your concern, Optimus, but every day I stay with you is every day I acknowledge the risks.” You didn’t want to mention how he basically endangered you by virtue of existing, but you figured that would only wound his bleeding heart more.

“We’ll be okay, Optimus.” You trace his cheek lightly with your fingertips, patting it fondly when he leans into your palm. “We’ll be okay.”——

“What?” Crosshairs jams his weapon into the ground beside where he squat, looking down at you and looking incredibly irritated. “You’re tellin’ me you like me back, but I can’t do nothin’ about it cause you’re scared I’m gonna betray you or somethin’? Because you “love me?””

You nod, but suddenly feel a tad bit ridiculous.

He snorts, rolling his optics. “I’m no expert on this “love” stuff but if these people really hurt you like you say, I don’t think they loved you much.” His optics shutter, then narrow, and he leans in close. “Besides. If I wanted to hurt ya, I would’ve done it already. You’re under Optimus’ protection.”

He hesitates for a moment and you feel jittery all over again, just as nervous as when you confessed in the first place. He’s right; if he had really wanted to hurt you he would have, Optimus or no. So why hadn’t he?

“And mine,” He tacks on, like an afterthought. “Nobody can do it better than me anyway.”

You allow yourself to smile, just a bit, even when Crosshairs goes on to say, “Hell are you smiling about?” But he’s smiling just a little too. “Ahh, don’t sweat it. We’ll take it slow, kid. I don’t bite.”

You exhale in relief, gigging quietly. “Thanks, Crosshairs, I really appreciate—“

“Much,” he interrupts, throwing you a wink as he stands. “I don’t bite much.”—-”Bumblebee?”

His head turns to you from where he sits in the scrapyard and gives you a delighted, static filled “Hey there!” from his radio.

“I um, I have something to tell you.” Your fingers twiddle nervously together, and you look down at your feet. “Uh, I like you too, but I’mkindofscaredbecausepeoplewhosaidtheylikedmehaven’t really been…” you cough, seeing how Bumblebee has cocked his head in confusion. “Uh, people who loved me haven’t… they just wanted to use me and… I thought you should know I liked you but I didn’t— I didn’t want you to use me too.” You finish finally, tears welling up in your eyes.

You can hear him flipping through channels before he finally settles on an incredulous “whaaaaaaaat?” and rises from where he sat, tugging you closer to his chassis gently. “I will never ever hurt you,” filters from his voicebox, a servo stroking down your back. “Ever.”

“I’m sorry, Bee,” You sniffle. “I can’t… I love you too much for— for—“

“Hey, hey, shhh,” Bumblebee says, pressing you to the crook of his shoulder as you cried. “I said I’d— never ever hurt you— so you’d— better believe it.—Okay?”

His radio whines quietly as he awaits your response.

“Okay,” you whisper, nodding awkwardly against his chassis. “Okay.”

“Perfect!” He booms, pulling you back to look in your eyes. “Cheer up, doll.— This will be— perfect!”

You laugh, curling up in the palm of his hand. “If you say so, Bee.”

“I know so.”