Hotshot sat in his quarters, embarrassed about his mistake from this morning's simulation. He tried to blame it on his lack of recharge...

But that was far from the truth.

Hotshot hugged his knees as he sat on his berth, blushing in shame as he replayed everything from the simulation.

There was a knock, "Hotshot? Are you in there?"

Whirl

"Can I come in?", she asked.

No. "Yeah sure", Hotshot answered.

Whirl came in as the door shut behind her and looked over at Hotshot on the berth, "if it helps... it could've been much worse..?"

"No, Whirl, that didn't help", Hotshot groaned as he buried his helm between his knees.

Whirl sat beside him, "mistakes still happen Hotshot, but you seemed really distracted... what's on your mind?"

Hotshot went with his same excuse, "I didn't recharge well last night..."

Whirl wasn't convinced, "I can see that. So what's really keeping you up?"

"I just... have a lot on my processor", Hotshot replied.

"Like what?", Whirl pressed on.

"Why should I tell you?", Hotshot challenged.

"Because we're a team and I would like to help you. Rescues can be much more dangerous if you're not focused", Whirl answered.

Hotshot blushed deeply, "okay you make a good point... I have feelings for someone."

Whirl gasped, "really?! Who?? Is it someone I know?? Is it someone I don't know??? Is it someone on the team?!"

Hotshot's blush visibly deepened.

Whirl gasped and got all giddy, "it is!!!"

Hotshot covered her mouth, "shhh!! Keep it down!"

"Sorry", Whirl muffled. Hotshot removed his servo so she can speak freely, "so who is it??"

"Well, it's not you."

"Oh thank Primus."

"Wait what."

"Nothing!", Whirl said with a smile, continuing on, "so it's not me, it's someone on the team, you get distracted by them, and you can't stop thinking about them."

Hotshot avoided optic contact as he nodded.

Whirl went quiet. Hotshot could tell that she was deep in thought.

"Medix", Whirl finally said, "Medix is the one you like."

Hotshot covered his blushy face, "how did you know?"

Whirl giggled, "you always blush when he's around you, you always get distracted by him when you two work together, and you also got distracted by him in today's simulation! Heatwave saw how badly you were blushing and he thought you were getting sick!"

Hotshot layed down on his berth in the fetal position, "oh Primus... does Medix know?"

"I don't think so", Whirl giggled at Hotshot's sigh of relief, "what do you like about him?" 

Hotshot sat up quickly and grabbed her shoulders, "I'll tell you, only if you promise to keep this between us."

"Like a secret?"

"Yes."

"I promise."

"Good", Hotshot took a deep breath, "he's smart, thoughtful, funny, determined, kind, courageous, caring, really attractive, and -don't laugh- he's beautiful."

Whirl was stunned, "Hotshot it sounds like you don't like him... you love him."

Hotshot chuckled softly as he blushed more, "I guess so."

Whirl squealed, "this is so exciting!! I'll totally be your wing girl if you need it!"

"My who now?"

"Um... nevermind", Whirl quickly went back to the subject, "so this remains between us, right?"

"Please", Hotshot answered, "just only between us."

"Got it."

They sat in silence for a brief moment, Hotshot finally speaking up.

"Do you know if he likes me back?"

"I don't know", Whirl responded, "but if he does, he's hiding it really well. Better to just figure it out instead of asking."

"You're right. Thanks Whirl. Don't forget that this only stays between us. Got it?"

"Totally. Your secret is safe with me", she said with a smile.

What they didn't know was that a certain young medical bot was just outside the door, stunned and blushing profusely from that whole conversation he just overheard.