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nonsscrapheap · 3 days ago

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TFP: Universal Observations

this chapter is a monster.

i thought last chapter was big with it being around 12.9k in total but this one? this one is 15.1k. 15.1k!!! that... is a lot of fucking words.

and somehow the brainrot continues for this fic because i'm just raring to go at the next chapter.

anyway! happy pride month you guys, it was actually VERY unintentional but i managed to squeeze in some trans representation and talk in this chapter. its not the focus but i think it's very neat i managed to get it in- shout out to @kevinformers-ibw for being absolutely giddy about this lmao. realized i had the perfect opportunity to get it in when i was talking to kev about wheeljack hehehehe.

ANYWAY! i hope you enjoy :)

[ ----- TP : UO ----- ]

The Nemesis

[ Finally, Wheeljack arrived at a certain room. Throwing the door open without a care, "Wrecker!" He called out joyously and almost immediately he was grabbed from the doorway much to Ultra Magnus' immediate concern- just as he was aiming a blaster at Wheeljack's assailant, he heard a warbled; "Jaaackiiiieeee!"

He hesitated as he sees a giant Quintesson gore-stained mecha hugging Wheeljack. "You're alive! I knew it! I knew it, I knew, I knew it!"

Wheeljack laughed, patting the mecha's shoulder. "Damn straight I am! Gonna take more than that to… get me…" He trailed off, Ultra Magnus's optics blinked as he peered behind them both. Another human mecha sat awkwardly within the room on a medbay berth, another was laying, supposedly unconscious. He straightened at the sight of Optimus Prime and Megatron.

However just before he could say anything, Wheeljack's clearly horrified voice spoke once more. "… Miko, why do you sound so young?"

"… Shit…" ]

Now that was a peculiar question, wasn't it?

And for what reason?

From what Knock Out has pieced together from the limited information they had about this, admittedly fascinating universe, the pilots were functionally adults now. Wrecker and Tailbreaker at least, they seemed to be in the same age bracket that Knock Out would consider was 'young adults' by the multiple medias- uh information sources that he's seen.

Speaking of said information sources, this Observer thing was really reminding him of said sources. If only a bit more entertaining yet less unrealistic considering this was peering into alternate worlds instead of having someone act out what was being shown.

Although… That one world, the 'Actor AU' was exactly that but in reverse- in the sense that his life was a show. And wasn't that a thought? Knock Out had to wonder how his actor was in that world. He'll admit, if he'd been less interested in racing or medicine, he probably would've had a good shot at stardom… At least, if the war would have let him anyway.

He wanted to know more about that world, yet unfortunately, the Autobots were in the driver's seat of this vehicle, so to speak. They had control over the Observer; their humans more specifically. Just how in Primus' name did they let those kids gain control over something like this? Honestly, how irresponsible.

Then again, even if they did have control over the Observer- said viewing device was currently nearly scrapped. You wouldn't think it with how pristine the orb what but its inner mechanisms were all slagged to pit. The fact it was still functioning despite most of its systems being damaged was a miracle that Knock Out was curious about.

Honestly everyone was. Who created the damn thing? And why? And how?

Being able to provide itself power and repair just by observing another universe, by showing that universe to an audience- that was a ridiculous and convoluted way to gain power and repair its system and yet it was ingenious all the same.

He and Starscream had spent quite a while muttering to each other and to Soundwave (who barely put in any input at all, only there to record their findings and theories) about it when the Autobots were looking up its internal blueprints and systems earlier on. Although being honest, it was mostly Starscream who did most of the analyzing and discussion. Knock Out had almost forgotten the seeker had been a scientist before he'd been the Decepticon's Second in Command.

All the way from Iacon, too.

Starscream was also a surprisingly good teacher, when Knock Out was confused on something in the blueprint, Starscream had scoffed yet still taught Knock Out about it. Explaining in detail about it, its theoretical usage, the concept behind it… It opened Knock Out's optics to a new side of the seeker he hasn't seen before.

Knock Out can count the good teachers that he's had in his whole life on a single servo, and now he can add Starscream to the list.

It was because of that, because Knock Out wanted to repay Starscream for teaching him some admittedly confusing yet still interesting subjects during the break, that Knock Out said nothing about Starscream's interest in human biology when Knock Out went to search about it himself. Even going as far as to be able to let the seeker read it a bit more comfortably from over his shoulder.

What can he say, he was generous like that.

Anyway, after the break, they probably came to the same conclusion as the Autobots; keep watching whatever the Observer shows and the Observer will be fully repaired in time. Exactly how much time was still unknown, much to the frustration of the seeker who couldn't figure out everything from the blueprints for one reason or another. And of course, to the annoyance of their Lord and Leader.

Be it because it was somehow too complicated for Starscream, or the section of the blueprint was too corrupted, or the system was too damaged, or the Autobots were looking in the wrong direction.

It ticked the seeker off but he couldn't exactly do anything about it right now.

And now here they were, watching a new universe from the strange key words of Alien Mecha. Again, just whatever the frag is going on in the Autobots base to consider words like that?

At first, seeing the human children with MECH- the same humans that dared to lay their filthy organic limbs on his conjunx and took away one of his conjunx's optics- it ticked Knock Out off.

… Perhaps that was another reason why he was starting to be a little nicer to Starscream lately, he had helped his conjunx when Lord Megatron scoffed in the face of his conjunx's capture. (Something that Knock Out had some private words to say, not that he'd ever say them to his leader's face… unless something drastic happened to his conjunx.)

Anyway, seeing MECH soured Knock Out's interested mood. Though it didn't stay that way as, pretty quickly, things started to pick up.

First; Shockwave was human in this universe. Something that boggled everyone within the room, because what.

Second; the humans had actually created cybertronian-like suits that eerily resembled empurata'd bots. Granted they were different up close, but from afar, Knock Out would have easily mistaken them as a cybertronian who underwent that unfortunate punishment that the Senate had enforced before the war.

Third; the reveal of the existence of the Quintessons. Knock Out had no idea those things had even existed in their universe, but according to their leader, they had. Just a very, very long time ago. Their influence was brief and small enough that no historian decided to teach it, not that Knock Out would have been interested… before now at least.

Now, seeing the Quintessons in action- their bio-drone soldiers and beasts, the fact they were a threat enough to both Earth and Cybertron… He sent a small request to Soundwave throughout the viewing for whatever information the mech would find in the Iacon Archives.

And finally, the most shocking thing that has happened yet; Autobots and Decepticons working together. More specifically, Optimus Prime and Megatron working together at the same time with their leader protecting the Prime from most of the danger. Willing to put himself between Optimus and an incoming 'Levi', as the humans had called those creatures, and bear the brunt of dangerous blows.

It's not something Knock Out could have predicted to see in a million cycles. Yet there it played, right before everyone's optics. Including their own leader who was… strangely silent from the baffling display. The racer had admittedly thought their warlord of a master would have seethed at the sight of himself protecting his nemesis and yet- he just stared.

Faceplate indecipherable yet observing to the entire thing. It was equally baffling as to what they were viewing, yet Knock Out wasn't complaining nor would he point it out, this was preferable than to see Megatron war and rage within the room, right?

Then again… seeing him silent and contemplative was somewhat concerning.

Who knows what was going on in that processor of his.

Anyway, back to the present; why was the Autobot-turned-human so concerned at the fact Wrecker sounded so young?

Suddenly, the screen flashed with text.

[ - FIVE YEARS AGO -

Two men stood in front of a familiar red, green and white mecha's open cockpit, one with greying hair and wearing a grey pilot suit with the numbers '904' on his back and front, while the other had bright red hair and a duller red mechanic's jumpsuit. "So, what's the hot goss 'round the staff?" Wheeljack asked the other man as he and the other man checked out the cockpit. "Anything exciting?"

"Somewhat," The red haired man sighed, sounding all too familiar to the audience. The screen changed to show him up close, alongside his ID that was pinned to his chest called— ]

"Knock Out! That's you!" Starscream gawked, intake opening in disbelief as they saw the human Decepticon working with the human Autobot!

Knock Out's own optics had gone wide at the sight of himself as a human. "Oh frag, it is me." His gaze immediately went to his ID to look at his human self's name. "Vincent Lorenzo?" He read aloud, optics cycling repeatedly as he took in his other self's… humanness.

"You're working with an Autobot." Arachnid deadpanned with a smirk, seemed largely amused by the fact their medic was human now.

Breakdown tilted his helm, "Technically, guy's not an Autobot. They're humans, co-workers by the looks of it… And I was right, you look great as a human Knock Out." He said, giving his conjunx a genuine smile.

Knock Out blushed lightly but was quick to preen, "I do, don't I? Hm, yes, yes. Not bad, me." Although his optics were more towards his own species, he's seen enough humans and seen enough of their media to know that his human self? One hundred percent a hottie. As he should be.

Though it was a curious thing, for the Observer to go into the past in what seemed to be a flashback. Perhaps it was answering the questions they all had in mind, or maybe the Autobots did something to do that… Although it turned out that no, the Autobots did nothing of the sort, it was just the Observer being itself.

Somehow.

( "Woah is that Doc Knock? He looks… handsome." A teenage girl said, not-so-subtly looking at the new human with interest. "Nice."

Several voices called out her name indignantly with varying levels, "Miko!"

"What?! I have eyes! I'm not blind! More importantly- that's human Wheeljack! He looks great too! I wonder what's his human name?" )

[ "Sounds like some new upstart big shots are collaborating with us, they're not with the government like us GMDs but they're funded by US government investors and other global hotshots." Vincent said as they both unscrewed panels from within the pilot's cockpit. "Already got their own line of pilots and mecha on the standby for next attack."

Wheeljack hummed, "Really now? What's their deal?"

The mechanic grunts, tugging on some thick wiring, "Some sort of experimental weaponry and tech type stuff, get this; one of their mecha engineers? Is dear old Shockwave." He said conspiratorially, making the pilot jump and knock his head against the console from where he was crouched by.

"GAH!" Wheeljack groaned, rubbing his head but peered over the console to look at his friend with wide eyes. "You're kidding. Knock Out, you're pullin' my tail. I thought ol' Waltz quit the mecha scene after…" He trailed off and they both shared a grimace. ]

"Looks like you and Wheeljack are pretty close." Breakdown muttered, optic narrowed at the casual way the two humans were talking on screen.

Knock Out chuckled, leaning towards his hunk of a conjunx. "Aw, jealous?" He cooed, smiling at the way Breakdown grumbled and denied it. "There, there sweetspark. Doesn't look like we're that close, merely friends. Friendly acquaintances or co-workers at the very least." Despite the difference of species, Knock Out was fairly sure his other self was not romantically involved with the human Autobot.

"So Wheeljack is not part of MECH?" Starscream muttered aloud, gaining their attention. "Their mecha had some subtle differences in make. Sounds like you and Wheeljack are part of another organization, one associated with the human government unlike MECH, who merely has its backing in funds perhaps… Curious."

Arachnid hummed, leaning in with interest and sneering at the way Wheeljack trailed off. "And just what was so bad that Shockwave was said to have left the 'mecha scene' permanently?" The fact that Shockwave, no matter the species, had left for whatever reason and was thought to have left permanently was curious. Especially with the current knowledge that he was a mechanical engineer and scientist for MECH when previously, he worked with… the 'GMD'?

( "Heh, I can't wait to tell Wheeljack that his human other is friends with Knock Out. I wonder if Breakdown's human too." A Wrecker wondered, amused by the apparent friendship being shown.

Both bots and humans frowned at the trail off, "After what? Don't leave us hanging Jackie!" A teenage girl whined, pouting over the lack of information.

"It might have to do something about that thing we saw earlier- I don't really remember much of it since it happened so fast but maybe he got traumatized after a fight or something." The eldest of the humans offered, though it was met with doubt and disagreement.

His femme partner and guardian shook her helm, "No. Even as a human, he wouldn't leave something like giant robot suits and invading aliens alone. Must've been something big for him to leave temporarily… and that's already a wild thought to have considering the actual mech is an emotionless psycho scientist."

.: Anybody else feel like it's weird Wheeljack called Shockwave Waltz? :.

There was a unanimous noise of agreements from the scout's teammates, even his Prime murmured something indistinctive. )

[ Knock Out shook his head, "Not kidding at all Wheeljack… They call themselves MECH- all capital letters. Guess they're really branding themselves for mecha pilots and suits, huh?" He joked though he seemed perturbed as he considered something. Naturally, Wheeljack noticed.

"Something on your mind, Knock Out?"

The red head hesitated before nodding, "Yeah, MECH's secretive. Like, more so than our own government and shit. Nobody's met the new pilots so far, they're all stationed in MECH facilities. Their suits are being scanned and blueprints of tech are being sent, but we're not getting anything about their pilots. No in-depth medical files, just basic shit that doesn't tell me anything else other than they're healthy and ready to pilot, certainly no personal information. It's all 'need-to-know' basis and apparently, GMD mechanics and medics aren't on the lists." He said, disgruntled and scowling.

Wheeljack frowned, "That's… weird. Other countries' govs send in at least a basic but descriptive medical file in case their pilots end up hurt in our turf but MECH hasn't sent anything like that?"

"No." Knock Out confirmed, shaking his head. "Rumors have it they're doing human experiments." Wheeljack grimaced, and brushed against his single port on the nape of his neck. Knock Out noticed and sighed, "More human experiments, like, adding more ports to a pilot for better control and synchronization."

"They tried that." Wheeljack replied tensely, slowly growing louder, "They tried that and the last pilots who had more than one port ended up getting paralyzed slowly over the course of a few months! Their nerves deteriorated on a slow bases every time they clocked into a mecha suit— the one who managed to quit the earliest can't move her fucking legs!" ]

"Oho, now isn't that interesting?" Knock Out murmured, listening to his human other and the Autobot discuss MECH from an outside and past perspective. "So, before MECH, pilots only had one port to link themselves into the mecha. Presumably leading a clunkier control over it?" That was what he was getting from this at least.

"Linking biological matter to a mechanical output requires a… fine-tuned balance and technique. I suppose Shockwave, or pardon me, Waltz's involvement led to a breakthrough to multiple ports being used without any side-effects." Starscream said, smirking when he said Shockwave's human name. The seeker was having the time of his life with the fact that Shockwave was human in this world, Knock Out wondered if there was more to that story of Shockwave's demise as he and the others suspected.

"Tailbreaker and Wrecker have two ports," They were surprised when Lord Megatron decided to speak, peering at the screen with renewed interest. "Whilst Senscript has five, it certainly shines a new light to their current situation, and why Tailbreaker was so concerned about Senscript's new port earlier on…"

That it does.

( A medic rears back, his previous indignant emotions about the subject come slamming back at the new information being presented. "Rafael has five ports. FIVE!" He near-roared, standing to his pedes and nearly throwing his datapad but was thankfully held back by his leader and old friend. "Jack and Miko have two!"

"Woah docbot! Calm down!"

"Calm down?! Your other selves are in danger of a biological neural shut down! The human nervous system is delicate! Multiple studies indicate that damaged human nervous systems can lead to a lifetime of problems! And did you not hear about that poor pilot who couldn't move her legs?!"

"Have you been reading up on human biology all this time? No wait, nevermind that! By the sound of things, we've had those ports for a while now, long enough that it isn't exactly a problem!" The male teenager exclaimed, trying to soothe the agitated and worried medic. "Is it worrying that Raf, uh, Senscript has five ports? Yes! Absolutely! However getting angry at the screen and trying to throw things at it won't solve anything!"

His Prime continued after the young human, "It is unfortunate but it is the truth, Ratchet. We cannot do anything about it, we can only hope that whatever side-effects that Senscript, Wrecker and Tailbreaker will endure in this other world, it can be dealt with appropriately. And that it is either small or reversible. Calm yourself." Reluctantly, the medic sat back down, clutching his datapad with a terrible scowl.

A girl leaned in to whisper to a boy, "Aww, I think Ratchet cares about us."

A boy smiled and whispered back, "Yeah, I think he does." )

[ "Easy there Dolton." Knock Out soothed, "I know what you're feeling but that's just what I've been hearing around. Rumor has it their pilots are on a two-port system. Have been for a year now, and if they're as efficient and skillful as they claim to be…"

"Then the government, hell, GMD, is gonna be interested." Wheeljack finished with a scowl. He sighed, leaning over his console, gripping it tightly. "Think I can get out of being part of the program again this time?"

Knock Out looked thoughtful before shrugging, "You managed to get out of the last multi-port testing because of a technicality and a loophole you found. You were still in the middle of transitioning and hormone treatment, which would have messed with their test results, but you're finished with that now. They'll be mindful of that so there's a chance you won't be left out this time."

"Fuck."

Knock Out gave him an apologetic look, "If MECH guarantees that their two-port technology is successful- you are one of the top rising pilots of the GMD Wheeljack. They'll either consider you first, or next. I don't know if you can get out of this one."

Wheeljack gritted his teeth, "Watch me." ]

"Transitioning?" Starscream questioned, raising an optic ridge at the term. "And what changes did the human need to go under? What treatment? Is becoming a pilot that complicated other than surgically implanting a port or more into their body?"

Knock Out didn't reply, busy typing into the human internet 'hormone treatment' and 'transitioning'. His optics flickered as the results he was given were unexpected. "Ahhh." He said aloud, perhaps a bit too loudly as he skimmed through each website and little details from the media he's consumed about humans began to click together.

"Care to share what it is you've found, Knock Out?" The medic jumped at the dry, unimpressed tone Lord Megatron had in his voice print as the racer found himself being stared at by the entire room.

Clearing his voice cables, he moved the websites he found to a free screen on the Nemesis. "I believe what my other self is referring to when he says transitioning and hormone treatment is this Lord Megatron." He gestured to the striped light blue, pink and white symbol on the screen. "It seems that some humans are not content with their current frames- er, gender? And try to 'transition' from one to another. From what I can see and theorize, the Autobot human Wheeljack, Dolton? Is currently male-presenting, mech-presenting in our terms? Which wasn't always the case, in the past, he may have been a she. A female, femme."

It's not unheard of of femmes wanting to be mechs, or vice-versa. Just rare, you hear alt-mode transitionings more often considering how forbidden they used to be when the Senate ruled Cybertron and enforced punishments on those who were caught doing so or planning such things without their permission.

Actually, by the looks of things, the human government and society saw things the same with. Enforcing the importance of birth genders rather than functionality. It frankly, didn't make sense to Knock Out and he knows it doesn't make sense to the other cons either. Even the Autobots really.

"Hm, to think that humans would care of such trivial things like whether or not their people are one gender or another, or neither." Lord Megatron muttered with disdain, "Pitiful primitives… Let them choose which they want to be, it doesn't matter in the end."

That is… surprisingly supportive, then again it makes sense. The Decepticon cause had advocated the rights and freedom of their bodies, of their frames and lives from the iron-clad grip of the Senate. This was no different…

Knock Out swallowed the question of when did advocating the rights of their frames and freedom turn into bloodshed and planetary destruction. It was something he hadn't thought of in a long, long time and preferred not to.

The Observer seemed to have the effect of bringing up old details and memories that everyone seemed to prefer to leave behind…

( In Omega Outpost One, a similar search was made.

"Wheeljack was a girl?" A teenage girl gawked for a moment, "She totally looks like a guy now! Woah!"

"That's the point Miko, also- pronouns. Wheeljack's a guy, don't call him 'she'." Her older friend admonished lightly, relaxing and nodding when the girl gave a genuine apology and a grin.

"Whoops! Sorry… still, that's so cool."

"You do not seem surprised, Jack." The Autobot leader noted while his team gathered around the medic's datapad to look at the information about 'Transitioning' and 'Trans people'. It got to the point where the medic gave up and put the information on the base's console for easier viewing from the team, their youngest human companion helped set it up.

The boy shrugged, "I spent a lot of time in the hospital with my mom, she's a nurse, and we meet a lot of interesting people. I've met guys who were girls, girls who were guys, people who didn't want to be either."

Immediately the medic's optics honed in on the boy. "So you have personal experience in witnessing these 'transitioning' and 'hormone treatments'? I have a few questions in mind—"

"Woah there Ratchet! I may know a little bit more than the normal person, but if you want like, personal or graphic details about it, just look it up on verified medical websites and articles or y'know… ask my mom?"

A chuckle escapes the Prime as his old friend grumbles but actually makes a note to question the boy's mother whenever she comes by or is available during a call. He can't help but feel proud of the boy, and of the humans, for their actions and mindsets. Though he is saddened to see that the government and other humans had yet to approve of these transitions in some places, this is significantly better compared to the Senate's own doings at least. Even if it does not make sense to forbid one from changing their gender. )

[ - SIX MONTHS LATER -

"God fucking dammit." Wheeljack muttered, now clocked into his mecha with two visible ports on his neck.

.: While it's unfortunate that you weren't able to dodge this port installation, at the very least it's been confirmed that the two-port system that MECH had created is compatible and completely safe. Their pilots have been using it for about a year now and no nerve damage has been reported. Nor permanent side-effects to clocking out aside from the usual dysphoria and such, if a bit heightened thanks to a better synchronization. Although it's hard to believe it myself considering majority of the information about said pilots are still being withheld and hidden. :. Came Knock Out's voice to Wheeljack, tone dry and begrudging.

Wheeljack sighed in defeat, "Considering Shockwave's on the team of engineers and mechanics, I'm not exactly surprised." He groused, reluctantly impressed as he tested out the movement of his mecha. He was in a large empty room, with Knock Out perched on a high-rise platform, taking notes with a headset on his head and a tablet in his hands. "Definitely feeling the difference between the single and double, I can control my mecha's limbs better. Connection's stable. No immediate signs of mental fatigue."

Knock Out hummed in thought, .: Good. Good. Your vitals are stable, the synchronization is higher than before. I'll admit, I'm impressed. Still would have liked talking with one of the actual pilots who had the damn ports longer than you… :.

"Hmm," Wheeljack was thoughtful before he smirked. "Hey Knock Out, think you can shuffle me into active duty soon?"

.: Possibly… why? :.

"Got told that I'll be paired with a rookie pilot of MECH to show them the ropes in battle- one of their elite trained pilots whose finally being released to the wild. Even got a pre-earned designation I hear, 'Wrecker'."

.: Well isn't that a charming designation… :. Was Knock Out sarcastic reply before he smirked as well, .: I'll see to it you're perfectly healthy for duty. :. ]

"Awfully close with the human Wheeljack." Starscream said lowly towards Knock Out who rolled his optics, "Looks like you're his usual medic and mechanic, it's unexpected, to see you two work together. Especially as another species."

Well, at least he said it in a tone that wasn't snide but was genuinely curious. "I know right? The Observer continues to baffle us in ways we never thought of, to think, I'd be getting along with a Wrecker like him… Other species notwithstanding. Although I am very content with my own wrecker. Right here." He purred, leaning over to pat Breakdown's arm when he saw Breakdown trying to not look too interested in the conversation.

His conjunx flushed but flashed him a wide, satisfied grin at the reassurance. His plates fluffing and puffing in pride, "Damn right."

Knock Out chuckled quietly, finding his conjunx's reaction to be very adorable. He certainly hoped his human self was together with Breakdown, he was rather curious as to what his partner would look like as a human now that he's seen himself.

And if he's Cybertronian… well…

He keeps those thoughts to himself, unwilling to entertain them just yet.

( "Looks like Wheeljack couldn't dodge the new port this time." A femme scout warrior said while her team's medic grumbled and grouched at the screen. "But hey, by the looks of things, it's going better than what Wheeljack said about the last two-port experiments?" She tried, soothing the wrecker who'd gotten visibly worried for the alternate version of his friend.

He sighed, then commented, "Wheeljack and Knock Out… definitely not the two I'd expect to being friends anywhere, but guess it works there. Still weird though." )

[ - TWO MONTHS LATER -

Klaxons blared loud and clear as Wheeljack hastily got into his cockpit, strapping himself down. "Pilot 904, callsign: Wheeljack. Clocking in." He reported after strapping down his helmet. Grunting as he felt two wires plug themselves into his ports. He scowled at the feeling but ignored it, "Synchronization complete."

.: Copy that Wheeljack, standby for transport. Immediate deployment required, Class 8 XTRs have been spotted. I repeat, Class 8 XTRs have been spotted within mountain ranges, heading towards the city. You will be backed up with MECH pilot 00, callsign: Wrecker who will meet you there. :. A voice, not Knock Out, but another operator instead, told him through the comms.

"Roger that. Magnetic locks engaging for transport." Thick cables attached themselves to Wheeljack's mecha, connected two large helicopters above him, the cables groaning underneath the strain but holding as Wheeljack's mecha was lifted up from the hanger and taken towards the area where the XTRs.

Wheeljack was flipping switches and pressing buttons when he finally noticed another mecha being flown beside him, using four helicopters- it was definitely a big guy. Wheeljack whistled, "Damn, I knew Wrecker was tank-class, but that's one hell of a mecha." He pressed against his console, establishing a new communication line with his new pilot.

"This is pilot 904 of the Global Mecha Defense, US Branch, callsign; Wheeljack. So, you're the newbie I'm suppose to show the ropes?" He asked into his mic, smirking to himself.

His smirk widened when he got a reply soon, from a woman's voice, .: This is MECH pilot 00, callsign; Wrecker. Hey, I may be green on the field but that doesn't mean you should underestimate me old timer. :. ]

"… That is not Wrecker." Knock Out said, the difference in voices was jarring. This voice was much more mature and smoother than Wrecker, and yet, something about it nagged to him.

Starscream narrowed his optics, "… No, it is her." He replied, gaining attention, "Listen to her voice- it's being modulated, changed, artificially. Humans might not be able to tell the difference considering it's well made, but to our audials, the frequency isn't as smooth than a natural voice print, organic or cybertronian."

Knock Out frowned, adjusting his audials and- yeah, there it was. "MECH disguised the voices of the pilots… to hide the fact, their pilots were children." He says as the screen showed Wrecker. Smaller than before. Plugged into her mecha with a voice modulating system overlaid on her comm link system.

That… did not sit well with the Decepticon medic. He hadn't known the actual ages of the humans at the start of the viewing, just noted they were young adults. But seeing Wrecker in the current flashback, she was practically the same age as the annoying brats that hung out with the Autobots.

Annoying little things that poked their business where they shouldn't, and irresponsible Autobots that either let them or couldn't contain them as they should. But at least the Autobots didn't actively encourage children into fighting wars. Especially against other, giant aliens like the fragging Quintessons!

There's an unsettling symphony of low engine growls in the room, and he glanced around to see Lord Megatron looking at the screen with disgust, Breakdown scowling with his servos clenched, Starscream looking away with gritted dentae and Soundwave… indecipherable as always yet his engine seemed to growl the loudest.

( Three humans were surprised by the sound of multiple engines revving up in, anger? "They're children." Ratchet wasn't shouting this time, yet his tone was cold and hard and angry that it made all three kids shiver. "They're child soldiers. Wrecker has to be the same age as Miko right now during this flashback sequence and MECH… MECH hid that fact using VOICE MODULATORS!" Finally, the medic shouts, barely held back by the Prime whose grip was much tighter than normal.

"Next time I see 'em, they can be formally acquainted with my wrecking ball." The green mech snarled, transforming his servo into said wrecking ball hammer and slamming it into the palm of his other servo.

Hesitantly, a teen spoke up. "Uh, I'm not saying no to you kicking MECH's asses but like- what's with the reaction? Raf's like, the same age as us! Senscript I mean, and you weren't all growly and angry about that. Also, we're like- not children, kinda. Jack and I are teens! Raf's currently a tween, but like, yeah."

"Oh we were still angry, but we had it kept in." The slim scout said through gritted dentae, her fellow, bigger scout whirred his angry agreement. Despite his aggressive attitude, he was tenderly holding his charge in his servos, finally letting the boy return to the couch. "Doesn't matter if you're a teen, or tween Miko. You're still young, YOU shouldn't be fighting Quintessons. You should be in school! With other children your age! Safe and sound."

"I had hoped, as horrible as it was, that Rafael was the exception. That his status as a child, pardon, a teenage pilot, was not the norm." The Autobot Leader said gravely, his expression pinched and grim. "It seems that I was, unfortunately, wrong."

The three children, because that's what they were, no matter how much they may protest, shared a worried glance with one another as the viewing continued. )

[ .: Pilots Wheeljack and Wrecker, you are now in range. You will now be deployed, in three, two, one— ;. The cables loosened and let go, leaving the two mechas into a short free fall to the ground right in front an incoming Class 8 Levi that Wrecker immediately wrestled with.

.: Wrecker to base! Engaging XTRs now! :.

"Alright rookie, let's see what you got!" Wheeljack hollered, grinning in his cockpit as his mecha dove into the fray.

The screen fizzled, turning black for a moment before returning to the scene of Wrecker and Wheeljack surrounded by dead XTRs, both mechas were damaged yet Wrecker's was surprisingly intact compared to Wheeljack's missing arm. "Alright, I'll admit, not bad rookie." Wheeljack laughed, breathless and panting, sweat beading down his face as he maneuvered his mecha to look at Wrecker's. "MECH's got you trained up pretty good."

.: Tch, they wish. I'm just that good. :. Was Wrecker's reply, though she was just as breathless and sweaty. But she had a wide grin on her face. .: You're not so bad yourself Wheeljack, loved the makeshift bomb you made- honestly wish I had your kit, but well, there's a reason I got Wrecker as my callsign. I like wreckin' shit up with my bare hands. :.

"Hah!" Wheeljack laughed, sensing a camaraderie with the new pilot from the other organization. "Your bare, sonic-equipped hands! Man, I think we're gonna get along just fine Wrecker." He offered his surviving arm to Wrecker. "Dolton Jackson."

Wrecker hesitated, the screen showing her young face, biting her lip before she grunted and grinned. Accepting Wheeljack's hand with her own. "Miko Nakadai." ]

"Well, that answers the question as to why the Autobot was so concerned to hear her sound so young." Knock Out muttered, shaking his helm.

Breakdown nodded in agreement before pausing, snorting to himself. "Dolton Jackson?" He questioned aloud, sharing an amused look with his conjunx. Just what kind of name was that? "Knew his name was Dolton when your other self said it, but really? Wheeljack? Dolton Jackson?"

The medic shrugged, what else could he say about the name? Maybe the universe just liked playing games with little details like that. Still, looking at the damage of their mechas… if he hadn't known they were artificially made suits that had no pain receptors and weren't empurata'd mechs… he'd be concerned with the fact Wheeljack was missing his arm and not showing any signs of distress.

( "Dolton Jackson. I gotta call Jackie that next time I comm him."

"Dude, that's going to confuse him so much… Yeah, do it! Hehehehe!"

"Hehehehe!"

Ignoring the snickering wrecking guardian and charge duo, a teenage boy sighed, "From the looks of it, or at least I'm just guessing here; when our other selves were with pilots or people outside of MECH, we used voice modulators to hide our ages."

"And MECH didn't let any of the GMD, or anyone else outside the organization, personally meet with us, plus they didn't send any really detailed files- they probably fabricated our ages on the files anyway." His young friend theorized with him, the mood of the team darkened a bit at the reminder that they were young pilots in another world. Fighting a war that should be fought by adults, not children. )

[ The screen abruptly returned to the present, with Wheeljack looking devastated as he stood outside of his mecha on a giant table with Wrecker standing in front of him. Behind her, Tailbreaker was treating Senscript, with Ultra Magnus carefully handing over a small human-sized medical kit to the young man.

Optimus and Megatron were not within the room, it was just the humans and Ultra Magnus.

"Oh Miko." Wrecker tensed, giving him a defiant look at his tone of voice.

"Don't." She replied sharply, eyes narrowing at him as she tightly crossed her arms. "Don't use that tone of voice with me, don't use your 'it's gonna be okay kid' voice with me Jackie. I don't need it."

Wheeljack hesitated before taking in a deep breath. "Yeah, yeah. Sorry 'bout that Wrecker." He gave a small smirk, but his eyes were still concerned. It was enough for Wrecker though, as she relaxed her shoulders. "Just… didn't expect seeing you here 's all."

Wrecker grinned at him, "I could say the same thing to you! I- fuck's sake Wheeljack, your mecha got speared through and then dragged into a weird, light thingy that I thought was like a hallucination from my concussion!"

Before Wheeljack could reply, Tailbreaker interrupted, "Sorry to interrupt your reunion- but I need some help with Senscript here!" Both pilots cursed and were quick to regroup to Senscript's side as Tailbreaker tucked an emergency blanket underneath the young boy's head after taking off his helmet.

"He's…" Wheeljack's expression twisted slightly at the sight of Senscript- his bloody face was being wiped by Tailbreaker with an antiseptic wipe. 'He's so young.' Wheeljack thought before shaking his head, "What happened?"

"Some kind of experimental tech from Shockwave and MECH." Wrecker answered, helping Tailbreaker clean up Senscript's face. "Cortis, something, something. Was supposed to look into information from the XTRs."

"Miko." Tailbreaker hissed, "You're-"

"Breaking protocol? Sharing classified information? Look around us Jack, we're not on Earth! MECH's nowhere near us! It's just Jackie and we can trust him… and whoever this guy is since Jackie let him stay." Wrecker said, gesturing to Wheeljack and Ultra Magnus. ]

"Heh, Wrecker's not taking MECH's shit now that they're not around." Breakdown chuckled approvingly, enjoying the way Wrecker had immediately thrown out information from MECH that would've wanted to keep on the down low. "Good on her."

"And honestly a good idea, how else are they suppose to treat Senscript without identifying the cause and its effects?" Knock Out huffed, although he wasn't as moral as other medics- and he did prefer breaking bots at times rather than fixing them, he did have the mindset of a logical medic… Sometimes.

Not telling your doctor over what happened and how you got hurt was a very stupid way to get help for treatment. Unless they wanted the wrong treatment or medicine or even procedure to happen, which would exacerbate or worsen their condition- it was best to tell your doctor what happened.

Then again, neither Wheeljack or Ultra Magnus were medics, or medically inclined. Maybe Wheeljack, but still. Why were there no medics within the room?

( The Autobot's CMO huffed, "They need to call a medic to help Senscript. Even if they're cybertronian, a scan is prudent into figuring out how to help him."

"Maybe Optimus and Megatron went to get one?" The youngest among them proposed but was shot down with a stern, disagreeing shake of a helm.

"They could have commed for a medic to come if they wanted to retrieve one… " He really hoped that his counterpart, if he was there as a cybertronian, knew that the humans were- well, humans. A small, organic species rather than assuming they were otherwise… )

[ "I am Ultra Magnus, Commander of an Elite Autobot group; the Wreckers." The large mech introduced with stilted English.

Wrecker's eyes brightened, "No shot! He's commander of the Wreckers? You're commander of the Wreckers? Dude! My callsign is Wrecker! I was meant to meet you! And your whole crew!" She exclaimed excitedly before wincing at the light groan Senscript made from the loud noise. "Shit, sorry Raf."

Wheeljack chuckled and Ultra Magnus even had a small smile on his faceplate. "Believe me, I was just as surprised when I found out 'bout his group Miko. Told him aall about you, said you'd be a perfect fit, name included." Wrecker beamed at him.

"Yes, Wheeljack has told me a lot about you, Wrecker. From what I've heard, you would do well in my squadron… however first and foremost, we should perhaps focus on your compatriot here." Ultra Magnus said, looking at the youngest human in concern. "What can we do to help him?"

Tailbreaker sighed, "Other than make sure his brain isn't scrambled? No idea, the tech he used was a prototype. Cortical Psychic Patch Link, it was supposed to let Senscript direct access the XTRs processors directly and gather information and it worked. Only… It wasn't a one-way link, not completely at least. The commander we pinned down used the link to hurt Senscript, and then activated something that took us from Earth to- well, here."

Wheeljack frowned, not liking the sound of it. "How direct we talking?"

"Direct as in he got a fifth port just to use the damn thing." Wrecker replied with frustration, gently lifting Senscript's head to show the five ports lined along the boy's neck.

Wheeljack immediately paled, horror in his eyes. "FIVE?!" He shouts and winces when Senscript flinches, groaning and both Wrecker and Tailbreaker sent him a look. ]

"With the knowledge that more than on port had once led to paralysis, it is rather impressive that the boy is still moving with five ports installed." Arachnid chuckled, having enjoyed the look of horror on the human Wheeljack's face.

Starscream hummed, a reluctant look of begrudging respect on his faceplate. "Indeed… Though it is not without its consequences and side effects." He notes, looking over to Knock Out. "Recall that during the start of the viewing, Senscript was unnaturally sensitive to light and sound. I had chalked that up as to his connection to his mecha's sensory units and crown, and perhaps that still remains as a reason but the ports are possibly another factor."

"Considering they're connecting to the human's nervous systems, it's probably a miracle that the kid's still functioning as he is… then again we're looking at this with incomplete information. We don't know the procedures and treatments they use to install such things in their organic little bodies." Knock Out nodded back, admittedly far more curious about human biology now than ever. He usually found them gross, and he still did, yet morbid fascination had him looking into websites and articles now to theorize about the stature and conditions of the pilots in that world.

He hasn't been this interested in a scientific and medical subject in quite a long while. It was a bit exciting actually, especially after conferring with Starscream. ( Strange, yet undeniable as the situation calls for it. )

( A medic grumbled angrily underneath his vent, glaring at the screen but not specifically at any of the humans shown. More at the ones responsible for the ports on the alternate boy's neck, he muttered lowly in cybertronian. His old friend squeezed the plate of his shoulder in reassurance and grounding.

A scout whirred lowly, but refrained from picking up the young boy again so soon. )

[ "Shit, sorry."

Ignoring Wheeljack's apology, Tailbreaker rifled through a small bag he managed to get from Senscript's mecha. From it, he took out a pair of thick headphones and a soft blindfold.

Ultra Magnus noticed and leaned in, asking as softly as he could. "What are you doing?"

"By the looks of it, Senscript's a support-type mecha." Wheeljack spoke up, gesturing to the suit still laying on the berth nearby. "Rescue-class by the looks of it, they're usually the ones who look through the debris for trapped and injured civilians. Or get to downed pilots in their mecha, sometimes they even provide on the fly repairs. Rescue-class mecha pilots typically have sensitive senses, disconnecting from their scanners, their sensors- their clock outs and down time are usually worse than us normal pilots."

He looked at both Wrecker and Tailbreaker, "Speakin' off, how's the clock out?"

"Manageable." Tailbreaker answered with a frown, slipping the headphones onto Senscript's head after the blindfold.

Wrecker scowled at him, "'Manageable' my ass— Tailbreaker's lucky, he's always fine after a clock out. He doesn't get our shit unless he's been clocked in a mecha for three days straight or something." It shifted to Wrecker's hands which were beginning to shake, "Meanwhile I'm feeling it right now. Fuck." She sat down, yanking off her helmet to tuck underneath her knees while she curled up with her hands over her nape.

Wheeljack winced, the screen switching to his own vision- which hazed over slightly until Wheeljack closed his eyes tightly enough to see stars, opening them to find himself sitting as well with Ultra Magnus' servo keeping him upright. "Ah, thanks Mags." ]

"Of course there would be side effects to linking an organic system to a metallic, technological shell." Starscream snorted, though he was watching said side effects with an interested and critical optic.

Knock Out hummed, "Yeah, it looks like Senscript's not the only one with side effects… Clock out, huh? Symptoms so far includes muscle spasm, hazing vision, hypersensitivity…" He listed off what he could see on the spot from the screen. It was hard to diagnose the symptoms and effects mostly because Knock Out was a medic for cybertronians, his knowledge of human biology and health was non-existent to rudimentary and though he was currently supplementing it with the websites and articles he was finding, he was not a human doctor. "Both Wrecker and Wheeljack are experiencing the clock out but…"

"Tailbreaker isn't." The medic jolted in his seat as Lord Megatron spoke, the ex-gladiator (and ex-miner?) looking very interested as Tailbreaker moved between all three pilots. Looking only fatigued as the last pilot standing. "Unlike the other humans, he is not experiencing the effects of 'clock out'. How very interesting." He grinned, a sharp digit tapping the side of his helm.

( "What?! Jack doesn't get whatever's getting Wheeljack and I? That's so unfair!"

A boy winced as his friend punched his shoulder, "Ow! Hey! Don't punch me just 'cause other me can't uh, doesn't? Have 'clock out' side effects! I don't even know what that is! And! It may not even apply to me, specifically Miko!"

"Still not fair."

Meanwhile, a Wrecker spoke with a medic.

"What's happening with Miko and Jackie? Got any ideas Ratchet?"

"I'm not a human doctor Bulkhead, I can only assume that linking neurologically with a gigantic metal suit is messing with their nerves and senses. I find it curious that Tailbreaker is not experiencing the effects like Wrecker and Wheeljack though… I would have said he built up an immunity or resistance however Wheeljack has been a pilot for longer and Wrecker, I would argue, has been at it for the same amount of length…" )

[ "Damn Jack, I thought Miko was kiddin' 'bout you not havin' clock outs." Wheeljack rasped towards the young man who provided a canteen of water alongside some pills from the first ait kit, he immediately swallowed the pills and drank some water, thanking Tailbreaker with a nod. The pilot was using Ultra Magnus' servo as back support as the mech worriedly kept close.

"'S not fair." Wrecker growled out, face buried against her knees as she massaged her lower neck, careful around the ports. She took a moment to uncurl so she could accept her own canteen of water and pills before curling back up with a frustrated groan.

Tailbreaker gave him a lopsided grin, "I still get them but like she said, not unless I'm clocked in for a very, very long time. Dunno why, it's… an advantage I guess? Not even MECH knows why I can last that long without feeling the same things as the rest of the pilots."

At the mention of MECH, Wheeljack's face darkened before he shook his head. "Any sign of Doc Sunshine?" He asked Ultra Magnus instead.

Ultra Magnus gave him a disapproving look, "You know he does not like calling you that, Wheeljack."

"Aw, but he's so bright and cheery. Like sunshine."

The mech sighed, before nodding, "He is on his way, he's just finished handing off important patients to appropriate medics. Optimus and Megatron are on their way back as well."

"Finally gettin' a medic here?" Wrecker questioned shakily, a cut to her view showed how hazy her vision was, she closed her eyes again and resumed tucking her head against her knees. "'Bout time."

"Would a… would your people, even know how to treat us?" Tailbreaker asked Ultra Magnus, suddenly nervous. Wheeljack seemed fine for a man who went missing for more than three years but…

Ultra Magnus nodded at him with a look of understanding, "I understand your apprehension, while Ratchet is not an expert on biological medicines and treatment, he has learned quite a lot thanks to Wheeljack. At the very least, he will be able to do a medical scan on Senscript's proce- no, I believe it was called a brain. Yes, he will be able to scan Senscript's brain and compare it to Wheeljack's for health." ]

"And here I thought the other bots didn't know about humans." Knock Out hummed, a bit surprised to hear that Ratchet was coming to treat the humans- with Optimus and Megatron out of the room. He had assumed that the two leaders did not know the truth of their seemingly cybernetic guests.

Also, it looked like the old grumpy medic was a cybertronian while Knock Out himself was human. Hmph, well, at least he looked just as good as a human. Even in that human uniform he'd been in, he made it work. Made it look stylish. If there was one thing he was a bit envious of humans was the fact they could freely wear fabrics and clothes with ease and enjoyment. The humans not only had a sense of style for vehicles, but for fashion as well.

Such things like fabric and clothes were usually for the high-end snobs of Iacon, the richest of the rich cybertronians got to enjoy fabric clothing- not all the time considering fabrics usually snagged on joints and seams and such, not to mention if you transformed, you would rip apart whatever you were wearing in no time. It was superfluous and excessive to wear fabric clothes over their metal platings.

( Another medic's apprehension and suspicion was eased greatly at the mention of himself, "Oh good. I do know that they're organic life forms and seem to have enough knowledge to help them. And here I thought I'd be forced to watch myself be clueless." He muttered the last part to himself with a huff.

"It is indeed, a good thing that you know of the human's true natures and forms." His old friend confirmed, just as reassured at the knowledge that the alternate version of his friend and teammate could help the other versions of the humans they knew and protected.

.: If anyone can help you guys, it'll be Ratchet. :. A scout whirred to a young boy, .: Also, that means he's cybertronian! I haven't seen myself yet, does that mean I'm human too? :.

The boy laughs, "I hope so! So far, we've seen two cons as humans, having you as human would even the odds Bee. Since Miko knows Wheeljack, do you think I know you?"

.: I can't imagine a world where we both exist and DON'T know each other Raf! But yeah, I hope so too! :. )

[ "That's… good. Really good." Tailbreaker sighed in relief, returning to Senscript's side. "Was a little worried that they'd mistake us as- well, another alien robot species? If it weren't for the fact there were way too many of you guys around, far too many for any of our governments to afford to have around as well as, y'know, the architecture and stuff- I would've mistaken you guys as other pilots… with expensive faces."

Ultra Magnus cleared his throat cables, a look of amusement and exasperation on his faceplate as he nodded in agreement. "Agreed, that… that misunderstanding would be rather… troublesome."

Wheeljack cackled against his servo, though it was cut short with a wince. Didn't stop him from smiling widely though, "I mean- it's, it's still kinda happening that way?"

"… What?"

Wrecker pried open an eye to look at Wheeljack, "I'm with him, what?"

"Technically, only Optimus, Megatron, Ratchet, a select choice of others and myself know that you humans are organics piloting mechanical suits. Which has been a fairly recent development. The rest of our troops are… under the impression that you are distantly related to us in some way." Ultra Magnus admitted, "And it was decided to let that misconception continue on the account of current opinions on organics and techno-organics among the troops."

"The Quintessons didn't leave a great impression on cybertronians 'bout us, doesn't help that some organic alien species are helping them on the sly." Wheeljack told both pilots who looked utterly shocked at the several revelations of; they were on a planet that didn't exactly see them in a good light, that there were other organic species out there but they were helping the Quintessons, and that, by the looks of things, they'd need to hide the fact they were organics from majority of the cybertronians they were about to meet. ]

Starscream snorted, "Of course." He seemed very amused at the fact the humans were being seen as 'distant relatives' to cybertronians. While he was disappointed that Megatron knew the truth, the fact the rest of the Decepticons and Autobots had no idea was rather entertaining.

Knock Out frowned, tilting his helm, "Which organic species could possibly be helping the Quintessons? They're horrid looking! I genuinely prefer the humans than to them." At least the humans had style in some places of their species' culture… Perhaps he was a bit more biased towards them thanks to seeing himself as a human.

"I don't know Knock Out, perhaps one of the many, many species that find our war an annoyance? Or perhaps the organics that became extinct as a side-effect from our war on their planets?" Arachnid smiled cruelly, chuckling to herself. She wasn't surprised that there were other organics backing the Quintessons up, "The other species find our war so much of a hassle, they tend to stay away from our sector of the universe."

Although with the end of Cybertron, with the Exodus spreading their kind across the stars… It was a wonder how no other species have yet to think of targeting them as a whole once more.

( "There are other aliens out there?"

"Miko, the Autobots are aliens."

"Yeah but like, other aliens! Not giant transforming cybernetic guys! No offense you guys, you are super duper cool and Bulkhead will always be my favorite alien but I'm not gonna lie. I'm curious about other aliens out there."

"Aw thanks Miko."

"Huh, I guess we were so caught up with the bots, we didn't really think to ask about other species out there in space. Think you can tell me about them, Bee?"

.: Of course! I haven't met as much as the others, but I do know a few cool ones you'd like to know. :.

"Sweet!" )

[ "So for the moment, it would behoove you three to stay within your mechas while you're here on Cybertron. Please avoid from getting out of your suits outside your personal areas or around unauthorized personnel."

Wrecker seemed a little better as she got to her feet, she wobbled slightly but stood her ground. "Wait, so like- you said this was recent, and I'm already imagining tons of shit about like, Jackie getting into shenanigans here with you guys but-"

Before she could ask further, the door to the room hissed open and in came a red, orange and white cybertronian with blue optics that immediately honed in on the humans. "Primus, there are more of you." He muttered but his pace was brisk in getting to the table.

"Well hello to you too, Sunshine." Wheeljack greeted with a grin, patting Ultra Magnus' servo as the mech helped him to his feet.

"Do not call me that." Ratchet snapped, with less animosity and more annoyed exasperation. As if it was simply an irritating routine that they were doing rather than something out of genuine malice.

Wheeljack smiled sunnily at him as he stumbled over to Wrecker, "Whatever ya say… Doc."

Ratchet groaned, but shook his helm, giving a terse nod to both Wrecker and Tailbreaker. "Greetings, I've been informed of your 'callsigns' but you humans do have other names? I am Ratchet, the Autobot Chief Medical Officer, I'll be your physician for the foreseeing future."

Wrecker and Tailbreaker shared a look though Wheeljack gently nudged Wrecker, "I trust Doc here with my life, he's not a human doctor but he's got enough know how and smarts to keep us in shape here. Just look at me, I'm fit as a fiddle, outside of clock out anyway."

"… Miko Nakadai."

A sigh came from her fellow pilot, "Jack Darby, it's nice to meet you Ratchet."

"And the one that's down is Rafael Esquivel." Miko introduced, gesturing to the young boy. "You should check him out first, he went through a mental attack with an XTR commander." ]

"And here comes the Autobot medic." Knock Out muttered, as nice as it was to see himself as human for a brief moment there. It just reminded him that he probably wasn't going to be involved all too much at the moment, pit, he doesn't even know where he is in the current timeline of events. He was around when Wheeljack was on Earth but where was he now?

Where was he when Wheeljack disappeared? Was his human counterpart wondering where he was right now like Wrecker had been? Did he think he was dead? Did he move on?

All uncomfortable questions he didn't want to consider but couldn't help but think of in the moment. He couldn't help but substitute the situation, switch things around- what if Breakdown had disappeared so abruptly? Knock Out still stood by the fact that the human Autobot was not his human self's paramour, but they were still close, still friends. He'd be… distraught to say the least.

He can only hope his human self had a human Breakdown to help deal with the fact his friend was missing. (So many bots gone over the years, Breakdown was there to help through most of that. He can't bear to think of his conjunx… disappearing either. He doesn't know what he'd do then.)

( A medic huffed, but was pleased to hear that the human version of the irresponsible Wrecker trusted him with his life despite being another species… it was a nice thing to hear, honestly. Even though the human-turned-Autobot still kept up with those ridiculous nicknames. He was no Sunshine, nor did he want to be referred to as Doc. )

[ "XTR… ah yes, what you humans call the Quintessons." Ratchet said as he shifted his focus on Senscript, bringing his arm up and shifting open his scanner. "I will be scanning him, don't be alarmed." He warned the two humans as a green light roamed over the young unconscious boy.

"Quintessons?"

Wheeljack grunted at Tailbreaker's question, "That's what they're actually called, the XTRs. They've been attacking Cybertron way longer then they've been attacking Earth. Ever wondered why they went after the giant statues on Earth? It's 'cuz of these guys."

A brief flash of Quintessons attacking multiple giant statues all over the world, Lady Liberty being the most recognizable one.

"That… explains it I guess? And here people thought the XT- er, the Quintessons? Were just… hardcore atheists or just, aliens that hated art or something." Wrecker snorted, before her attention was taken by Ratchet who made a highly disgruntled noise.

"You said that Rafael underwent a mental attack with a Quintesson Commander? Elaborate."

Tailbreaker shared a hesitant look with Wrecker who merely shrugged and gestured to the medic, trusting Wheeljack's words. The young man sighed before explaining the Cortical Psychic Patch Link and what happened.

Ratchet, Wheeljack and even Ultra Magnus seemed to steadily grow outraged or perturbed as the explanation continued. The medic seemed to physically hold himself back from saying something crass as his expression twisted through various shades of anger. ]

"The Quintessons mistook the giant statues on Earth as cybertronians?" Arachnid snorted derisively, even she could tell those giant things were nothing more than unmoving pieces of metal or stone.

Breakdown couldn't help but snort with her, "Guess so, either that, or they weren't taking any chances. Wouldn't be the first time something artistic or innocent-looking ended up being deadly." He said, remembering little moments during the war when something that didn't look dangerous ended up fragging slag over.

"Finally, the humans can refer to the Quintessons properly." Starscream groaned, annoyed and relieved all at once. "XTRs… No doubt short of Extraterrestrials, hmph. Creative." He said the last word sarcastically with a roll of his optics.

"But efficient." Knock Out shrugged, if it worked, it worked. Why lost processing power over naming the enemy when you should be focusing on defeating it? Granted, he also probably would have lobbied for something more creative and robust but whatever.

He was definitely enjoying the sight of the Autobot medic trying hard not to snap as at Tailbreaker's explanation, he hoped the Autobot snapped right at the humans. If only to see the smug old slag get reprimanded for snapping at someone who wasn't at fault for the situation- the humans were only following orders from an, admittedly unsavory source after all.

To his disappointment though, that world's medic seemed to take a moment to center and calm himself before focusing on the task at hand.

( "Pfft, the Quintessons attacked Lady Liberty? Don't let Agent Fowler know, he'll blow a gasket!"

…

"Uh, did you guys even let Agent Fowler know about the Observer yet or…"

Despite the fact the Autobot medic had said it in his native language of Neo Cybex, the humans all knew that he had swore as the Prime's expression turned pinched. )

[ "A mental link with the Quintessons." Ratchet hissed through gritted derma, pressing a servo against his faceplate before shaking his helm. "Well from my initial scan with Rafael, he does not have any fatal or immediate injuries- a popped blood vessel from within his nasal passage, possibly from the stress of that mental link but I'd need a deeper scan of him to truly check his brain. His vitals seem stable at least."

Both Tailbreaker and Wrecker sighed in relief, glad to know that their youngest friend was alright. For now.

Despite both pilot's protests, Ratchet was adamant in scanning all the humans. If only to get a basic profile for their health for future uses. He was curious about Tailbreaker's apparent immunity to clock out symptoms compared to Wheeljack and Wrecker but filed that curiosity for later.

The three MECH pilots were actually in a better state of health than Wheeljack considering they'd only piloted their mechas for a handful of hours, compared to the amount of time Wheeljack had been in his- about half a day.

"Any new symptoms?"

"Nah Doc, just the usual. My body feels too small and big for its own good, my vision's hazy but it's clearing up, didn't even lose a limb in my mecha so I've got feeling from all my arms and legs. No numbness in them, head's got a headache but Tailbreaker there got some pills from their first aid kit and gave 'em to me." Wheeljack reported, letting Ratchet scan and prod him easily.

"I made sure that Wheeljack could take breaks when he could, and have a routine upkeep on his nutrients and hydration." Ultra Magnus told Ratchet.

"Aw, thanks Maggie." Both mechs ignored him as the door to their room opened once more, and in came Optimus and Megatron. Optimus looked better, he no longer had a dent at his helm, and his scratches were welded together. The cracks on Megatron's plating seemed smaller, and he too, had his injuries welded and patched. ]

At the sight of Optimus and Megatron returning together, their Leader sat straighter in his chair, optics honed in sharply at his counterpart who stood so close to the other Prime. He'd been distantly interested in the viewing, only truly showing interested at the fact Tailbreaker was unaffected by clock out compared to his fellow pilots.

But now, he was fully paying attention again.

( There were sighs of relief at the fact the fact the alternate version of the young boy they all cared about was alright- his vitals stable at the very least. They hoped that were no complications that would endanger him.

Tensions rose slightly at the return of the alternate versions of their Prime and their enemy tyrant, who wasn't an enemy in this world. But a protector, something they were still dubious and disbelieving about. )

[ Both cybertronians stopped as soon as the door closed behind them, looking at the three new humans with surprised optics. "Primus, they look as young as they sound." Megatron said in English, optics narrowed at them.

"Hey, I thought you didn't know English?" Wrecker exclaimed, peering up at Megatron with wide eyes. Optimus smiled at her before looking over to Megatron who looked far too amused.

Megatron snorted, "Optimus was kind enough to compose a language packet the moment he realized you were humans. Speaking of language packets… Wheeljack, ensure these humans get the cybertronian language packet you've comprised since your stay here."

"Roger that." Wheeljack saluted, "I'll send it to them as soon as I'm back in my mecha. Your comm ID's still the same right, Miko?"

"Should be- same with Jack, I'll send you Raf's comm ID too."

"I take it that you're all in good health? Ratchet?" Optimus questioned, glancing between the humans and his medic, though he seemed very concerned at the fact Senscript was still unconscious and that he'd been blindfolded.

"Rudimentary scans reveal they're all stable- however Rafael, that is, Senscript, is suffering the side-effects of experimental tech alongside a mental attack with one of the Quintesson commanders. I'll need a deeper scan of his he- his cranium for better judgment over his health. He should be transferred to Wheeljack's personal habsuite as soon as possible." ]

Seeing the two leaders fight side by side was one thing, but seeing them stand in a room together- no violence, no hatred, no signs of aggression whatsoever… it really nailed down the fact that neither of them were enemies at the moment. That whatever was happening, the war against the Quintessons, it was enough that the two were putting aside however much years and eons of animosity against each other, bonding even, in favor of dealing with an enemy that required both their attention.

Knock Out never thought he would ever see something like this, the only time he ever thought to see Optimus Prime and Lord Megatron in a room together without any violence was when one of them was fatally wounded and was dying on a berth or something.

But this world was making him reconsider a few things… He always noticed the strange tension between Optimus and Megatron, who wouldn't? They were like a sun and a planet, orbiting around each other- however it was always with animosity and violence and Knock Out didn't dare to entertain thinking otherwise most of the time.

It was undeniable here though, with how close the two leaders were standing on screen.

And with how intense Lord Megatron was watching the screen…

Soundwave's helm tilted towards Knock Out as he realized he was staring at the ex-gladiator more than he should and hastily rectified that, moving his optics back towards the screen instead of the thoughtful warlord.

He'd missed a few things, nothing important though.

( "Wheeljack's taking orders from Megatron… Dunno how I feel about that."

"Megatron's standing with Optimus. That, I have no idea how to feel about."

"I'm standing in the same room as them both, with four humans and Ultra Magnus. I'm beyond feeling knowing how to feel at this point." Both the femme and mech stared at the disgruntled medic for a moment before nodding in agreement.

"You win Ratch." The wrecker offered making him scoff.

"Win what? A helmache?" )

[ "Pardon my interruption but before that, a question has been on my processor since your explanation." Ultra Magnus said, giving an apologetic nod towards Optimus and Megatron for speaking up so abruptly but he had a thoughtful look on his faceplate. "You said that the Quintessons were looking for something on your planet, and that they found it. You found it, do you know what they wanted?"

Wrecker perked, "Oh yeah, they wanted this thing called—"

Abruptly, the scene changed to Optimus, Megatron, Ultra Magnus, Prowl, Starscream and Soundwave within a different room. They gathered around a table, with a silver disk-like contraption that they all knew.

"The Apex Armor." Optimus said in a grave, yet somewhat confused voice.

Starscream leaned in, lifting the disk to take a closer look. "And you say that it was on the human's planet? Hidden in its rock?" He questioned with a scowl, glancing over to the two leaders while Prowl typed into a datapad. ]

"So Starscream and Soundwave retain their cybertronian selves." Lord Megatron said, disappointed and satisfied respectively for each mech mentioned.

Starscream sniffed, holding back a sneer at Megatron's disappointment in him being cybertronian in that world. "Considering Thundercracker and Skywarp are present, he should be glad that I am there to keep them in line." He muttered, though there was something pained in his voiceprint as he shook his helm.

Knock Out doesn't know if Megatron heard it, Soundwave certainly did but did nothing. "At least one of us gets to retain their polish." Knock Out jested towards Starscream, glancing at the seeker on screen- "My, you're sporting color, Starscream. It's rather pleasant." He says in a surprisingly genuine way.

The other Starscream had more color than their grey-silver seeker, plates with red, light blue and light purple was stylishly painted on the other seeker's frame. Which also seemed a bit bulkier, Knock Out hadn't met Starscream personally before Cybertron's… end. But he thinks he had a different frame, was this it? He would perhaps check on his own later on.

"That was my old frame." Starscream murmured, optics almost hungrily looking over the old frame he sported. He hasn't seen it since Thundercracker and Skywarp… He shook his helm, "The colors were something I grew out of, unfortunately." Why wear paint of his trine when he was alone now? And sporting grey was an ominous choice, unfortunately inspired by Megatron himself.

Soundwave made a slight noise, a pinging sound that gained attention. "Ah, you've figured out the area where the Quintessons found the Apex Armor?" Megatron questioned, extremely pleased with Soundwave's work. "Plan out an excavation group to the area in the near future, it must be discrete. We shouldn't let the Autobots know that we can watch the very same thing they're watching right now."

"I volunteer to lead the excavation effort Lord Megatron, I can drill into the cliffs with ease and find it should it be there." Arachnid smoothly spoke up, eager to get her servos on the powerful defensive armor.

Starscream scowled, "Should it be there." He repeated, "There's not guarantee that the armor would be in the same area in this world. Perhaps it's not even on Earth."

"He uh, does have a point there." Breakdown surprisingly agreed because honestly, that was the truth.

Unfortunately… "If there's a chance that it is there, then it is a chance we must take." Megatron replied with a growl, "The Autobots will check themselves at some point, and I will not let them have the Apex Armor. When you search, see that you thoroughly search the area Arachnid- take a few other vehicons and drills with you."

"As you command, Lord Megatron." Arachnid replied with a pleased smile, it turned sly when she glanced over at Starscream who bristled at her look. Remarkably, the seeker kept silent, servos clenched together.

( .: I miss Prowl, I really do. But it's really weird to see him, Ultra Magnus and Optimus with Megatron, Starscream and Soundwave in a… peaceful setting? :. A scout beeped, awkwardly scratching the cheek of his faceplate.

"Definitely." His teammate and friend agreed, the large mech squinting at the screen. "Really hammers in the fact that the Autobots and Decepticons gotta stick together in that world I guess."

"As a tactician, Prowl's got something called a TacNet in his processor. Lets him run insane numbers on probabilities and calculations. He must've ran the numbers on the likelihood of survival rates if we were still divided." A femme scout explained to the humans when she noticed their slightly confused expressions. "And as an Autobot, and one of Optimus' inner circle back then, he's not the biggest fan of cons, so if he's playing ball with them… It cements the fact that Autobots and Decepticons are working together in- relative? Harmony?"

"Wait, that's Starscream?" A young boy asked, glancing over to the seeker on screen. "He looks- different."

"Yeah, he's got more color! And doesn't look like a toothpick or something."

A wrecker tried hard to smother his cackle while a medic snorted, "That is Starscream's previous frame. With Cybertron still intact and… a few other things in play, he must have kept his old frame rather than change into a new one." He says, thinking of the two other familiar seekers he had seen earlier on. )

[ "We haven't seen the Apex Armor since before the Quintessons attacked Cybertron." Prowl said with a frown, "It, along with several other relics and artifacts were stolen from the Iacon Vaults cycles before Iacon's fall."

A brief flash of a burning cybertronian city was shown before it returned to the grimacing Wrecker Commander.

"We had been so busy with the Quintessons afterwards that we couldn't focus on their theft or finding out who stole them in the first place." Ultra Magnus admitted with a shameful sigh and a shake of his helm. "It just wasn't a priority then."

"Well, luckily for you, Soundwave and I had looked into the theft a while ago shortly after the peace treaty." Starscream sniffed, gesturing to the mech who silently provided information and footage on both the screen of his visor as well as the screen on the table they were surrounding. "Considering that some of the items that was stored within the Vaults had been Decepticon weaponry, we thought it prudent to find out what happened, and either find the thief who stole them or at least locate where they would be stashed… Unfortunately the latter part wasn't achieved, but the former…"

Megatron rolled his optics, "Cease the dramatics Starscream, and just show us what you and Soundwave found." He ordered, digit tapping the table rim impatiently.

Starscream scowled but acquiesced all the same, "Show them the footage." ]

"Iacon fell? It fell before Praxus?" Breakdown repeated Ultra Magnus' words with disbelief, intake open when they were shown a brief glimpse of the city's downfall. Iacon had fallen as well, but it had been one of the last cities to fall before Cybertron went dark. To see it fall before Praxus… Primus.

Megatron was similarly stunned before his optics narrowed, "Before it fell, someone stole from its vaults. As if they'd foreseen the fall… or orchestrated it." Wasn't that a thought? Had someone worked with the Quintessons in ensuring Iacon's demise? Or did they predict it and decide to save the relics or something?

Knock Out hoped there wasn't any traitorous cybertronian who worked with the Quintessons but who knows, there were unscrupulous fraggers out there, even by Decepticon standards.

( There was a stunned silence at the revelation of Iacon's fall, a soft, pained 'No.' escaped the medic as soon as the image came up. Nobody present expected Iacon to fall so early during the war against the Quintessons, it had been one of the last to fall against the Decepticons after all.

A Prime closed his optics in grief, servos trembling slightly before sighing sadly. He hoped, at the very least, that the bots of Iacon, especially an old friend and mentor, had survived the demise… And he wondered just what happened to the stolen relics from Iacon's Vaults… )

[ The screen focused on an old security footage. It was slightly corrupted by either age or tampering, it was hard to tell.

The angle and video wasn't the best but it showed a slim bot strolling through the suspiciously empty halls of the vaults. One by one, they entered each vault, exiting with an artifact where they put into a storage cart. The footage skipped a few times, changing angles, showing that the slim bot had an orange color to them.

Finally, the footage ended with the bot grabbing a familiar silver-looking disk out of a vault. They were nearer to the camera this time, which gave a fuzzy but clearer look at their faceplate, which was poorly hidden by a pair of glasses. ]

Intakes dropped in surprise at the sight of the thief who was casually plundering the Iacon Vaults. "IT'S THAT MECH!" Starscream shrilled, pointing at the screen in disbelief. "From the other world! That- Frag, his name was- was… What was his name again?"

Knock Out pressed a digit against his helm, "It's on the tip of my glossa, his name was…"

Soundwave played a clip, "My name is Rung-"

"RUNG!"

Breakdown whistled lowly, "I'll admit, I was not expecting that. Mech's got steel bearings to just… steal from the Iacon Vaults? What is happening?"

"What is happening indeed." Megatron growled, trying to figure out how this thin cybertronian bot, who didn't seem to have any weapon systems integrated into his frame, managed to steal from the vaults with ease. "He entered the vault halls unimpeded by the looks of it, with no guards, no observers- just the cameras. He easily opened the vaults, he knew their codes, their security measures… He must have been an archivist who worked at the Hall of Records."

"Can an archivist access the vaults below Iacon?" Arachnid asked, a bit impressed and very curious.

Megatron hesitated before huffing, "Not exactly. Only archivists trusted by the Hall's head archivist can possibly access the vaults and there was only one mech that I knew of that was trusted with that… and that mech was not him." Did Optimus know Rung? Was Rung an archivist on Cybertron? He hadn't paid much attention to the other archivists within the Hall of Records, only the one, so in truth, he wouldn't know if there was another archivist trusted by Alpha Trion to access the vaults…

( "HIM!?" .: What? Why is he? What? :. "What the frag??"

"What the scrap! Why is Rung of all people, stealing from you guys?!" A girl questioned incredulously, eyes wide in disbelief at the sight of the orange mech on screen.

An older boy rubbed his eyes, "Woah, did not see that coming at all."

The Autobot's medic turned to his Prime and old friend, "Optimus?" An unspoken question was asked, something that no one on the team other than the Prime knew about.

The Prime shook his helm, "I have no recollection of Rung being part of the archivist staff. In this world at least, it may very well be possible he was one within that world instead and was trusted by Alpha Trion with access to the vaults… We must watch further to find out more." )

[ The scene cut back to Soundwave focusing on the faceplate of within the footage, matching it to an identity file pulled from a databank.

Multiple optics blinked in surprise and disbelief as Prowl read aloud. "Designation; Rung, occupation- psychiatrist? You mean to tell me that a psychiatrist stole ancient relics and dangerous artifacts and weapons from the vaults of Iacon before it fell? That's our thief?"

"How sure are you that this Rung is the thief in question?" Optimus questioned quietly, a frown on his faceplate as he looked at Rung's picture on the identification file.

"Mostly." Starscream replied firmly, "We've done more investigation- Nobody has seen Rung since before the fall of Iacon. It is said that his presence has always been… weak, to say the least. Barely anyone remembers him, even majority of his ex-patients needed to be reminded about him to truly remember his existence."

Soundwave pulled up more files, clues and information that he and Starscream had put together about Rung. "We found his old habsuite- most of his paraphernalia and items were packed away and missing, he even filed an abrupt retirement request from his job as a psychiatrist and left the rest of his items and some parting words to his amica."

Both Megatron and Optimus leaned in with surprised interest as another identification file appeared. "Pharma?" Megatron said aloud, sharing a wide-optic look with Optimus who returned it in full.

Starscream grimaced as he continued, "It was laborious to pull information from that mech, but we managed to find out that before Rung's disappearance… he apologized severely to Pharma before he was gone. Pharma has tried to find him however he could not, however sometime much later, many cycles after the Autobot-Decepticon ceasefire, Pharma's amica bond with Rung… was broken with Rung's death."

Nearly all the bots within the room made a grim expression, letting a silence hang for a little while at the revelation of a broken amica bond at the hands of death. ]

"He was a psychiatrist? Not an archivist?" Knock Out balks, having a hard time wrapping his processor around the fact that a psychiatrist stole something like The Apex Armor and several other artifacts and relics from somewhere like Iacon's Hall of Records Vaults! It didn't make sense! Not one bit!

Even Megatron was flabbergasted by the turn of events! He's been fairly confident that Rung was at least an archivist working within the Hall of Record for Alpha Trion but that wasn't the case!

Every con within the room, even Soundwave, was showing their disbelief and confusion over the case. It just… really didn't make any sense! Why steal the artifacts? Who the frag was Rung to be able to do so in the first place? What happened?

Knock Out made a shrilled, incomprehensible noise at the designation. "Pharma? Pharma. Head Surgeon Pharma? The same mech that did a four-way fuel-pump transplant with himself as the donor?! He was Rung's amica?!" Was that true in this world? Where the frag was Rung here?

Actually, there was a chance that Rung had died in this world. Considering he was dead there. Knock Out winced as he heard Rung's status as deceased there via amica bond breaking.

It was mind-boggling to say the least, they were amicas to the point of establishing a bond. It was wild to think that that snobbish medi-jet had an amica like Rung- didn't seem like they'd get along that well from first glance. Then again, all Knock Out knew about Rung was from his actor world counterpart who was a screenwriter of all things.

But in mecha universe, he was a psychiatrist.

Was he usually a psychiatrist?

He began to type down questions in his datapad, not before reminding himself that the orange bot with glasses was called Rung because for some reason Knock Out kept forgetting it.

( "He's a psychiatrist and he STOLE from Iacon's vaults?!" A femme scout gawked, trying to make sense of what was happening before her. Of what she was hearing.

"Steel bearings, what the frag mech." A wrecker breathed, almost wanting to laugh at how ridiculous this kind of was.

.: … How come people keep forgetting his name? Or who he is? :. A scout mumbled softly in confusion, only the humans caught it as the other bots were too busy with with the viewing to hear it properly.

A medic, in particular, reeled back at the unexpected designation. "He's amicas with Pharma?" He actually gaped, intake dropping at the reveal. Trying to imagine his old… complicated friend with the psychiatrist. Did he exist? Was he the medi-jet's amica here? If he was, why didn't he kn-

No, he know exactly why he wouldn't know. The medic grimaced, it only deepened as the mood turned somber at the revelation of the orange bot's death.

It was always something extremely sad, to hear about someone's death via the bond breaking. )

[ "So, we know stole the items from the Iacon Vaults but we still don't know why they were stolen, exactly how, nor where they were taken to." Ultra Magnus murmured, expression pinched at how the case ended up being.

Prowl though, shook his helm. "No, the Apex Armor was found on the human's home planet. There is more than a fifty-percent chance that we will find some of the artifacts there as well. We must talk with the humans about this."

Soundwave showed multiple galaxy maps on the screen, but pasted question marks as to where 'Earth' was located.

Starscream snorted, "We don't even know where their planet is- Wheeljack had no idea where his planet was, what makes you think these new humans have an inkling to where either?"

While their subordinates talked among themselves, two leaders were leaning closer together. Megatron leaned close when he saw Optimus still staring at Rung with a deeply thoughtful look, faceplate scrunched as if he was trying to remember something. "What is it, Optimus?" He asked quietly, as if to not interrupt the discussion happening at the other side of the table.

Optimus' optics didn't stray from Rung's picture. "… I believe I saw him once, before Iacon's fall… He was waiting outside of Alpha Trion's office."

A brief flashback of Optimus leaving Alpha Trion's office, nearly bumping into a slender orange mech who apologized. Optimus waved it off, apologizing himself before leaving. He looked back only once and saw that the mech entered Alpha Trion's office, he caught a glimpse of Alpha Trion standing up almost abruptly before the door closed.

"The guards are missing in the footage." He said aloud, gaining everyone's attention once more. "He knew all the passcodes and security measures of the vaults. He took everything with no problem, and left without being seen… I must speak with Alpha Trion, he let Rung steal everything from the Iacon Vaults. He was an accomplice to this crime." ]

"The old mech's still alive?" Megatron scoffed, scowling at the screen as Other Optimus dismissed the meeting, leaving just him and his counterpart alone. "I would have thought he would've perished alongside Iacon, he did in this world."

"Sounds like he's alive, big red and blue over there wants to talk to him after all." Knock Out couldn't help but point out, and was lucky to only get a disgruntled but considering hum from the warlord instead of a scathing look. That was the real win.

( A Prime perked, "Alpha Trion is alive there?" He had always suspected that Alpha Trion had died alongside Iacon, there'd been no contact from the old mech for a long, long time before before on Cybertron. He had hoped otherwise but he was happy to know that in another world, his friend and mentor was alive…

Although the mech seemed to have made himself an accomplice to a huge theft that was impossible to ignore. He had to wonder just what was going on in that universe to allow the theft of so many artifacts and relics, not to mention he didn't tell his counterpart of it at all… )

[ "So, your old mentor was either an accomplice or perhaps even facilitated the theft of various artifacts and relics ranging from the Apex Armor to even the Forge of Solus Prime…" Megatron started some time after the others left, Optimus was leaning against the table with his servos, a look of fatigue slowly appearing on his faceplate. "Perhaps there's more to that old mech than I originally thought."

"He is… inscrutable, at times." Optimus admitted tiredly, "I had always worried there were things he was not telling me, important details that he avoided revealing to me… But this?" He took in a deep vent, his expression going stoic before he was abruptly surprised by the feeling of Megatron's servo on his cheek.

"Stop." Megatron said softly, yet firmly, red optics staring into his. "You are upset, Optimus. Let yourself feel upset."

Optimus narrowed his optics, "There is little time for me to feel upset, Alpha Trion's current state is fragile as it is. We must go to him and ask while we still can." He argued but Megatron stepped closer, pulling Optimus close to press their helms together. One servo still on his cheek, the other wrapping around the Prime's waist intimately.

"Fine. We'll go, but don't think I haven't noticed your reliance on the Matrix's suppressors lately. Again. Even Ratchet has noticed. We'll talk about this later, Optimus." Optimus' expression twisted before giving a sigh of defeat in the face of Megatron's stern look.

"… Very well." Megatron searched through Optimus' optics before nodding in satisfaction, leaning in for a brief kiss. "You've turned into a worrier." Optimus muttered afterwards, a soft look on his faceplate.

Megatron smirked, "With a Prime like you? Who wouldn't?" ]

( "Pause." )

For the second time in a row, silence hung within the warship's room.

Broken only by the warlord himself. Not with anger. Not with rage. But by him standing abruptly and leaving the room.

That, somehow, was far more worrying.

[ ----- TFP: UO ----- ]

man, coloring this chapter was awful. i should really stop but the colors are so cool on tumblr. ANYWAY SURPRISE

RUNG IS HERE

AND HE'S PHARMA'S AMICA BECAUSE WHY NOT (smiling at you kev and tar)

AND ALSO HE'S DEAD BECAUSE REASONS

rung and alpha trion are such old mechs who are keeping secrets. meanwhile the entirety of uo cast is about to lost their fucking mind because of the megop kiss. yes this is the second time i ended it like this, but i feel like its justified and also this chapter was already beefy enough as it is...

and i also needed it to start the next chapter with the next character pov huehehehehehh

anyways i hope you guys enjoyed this chapter because the brainrot is still going strong.

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#transformers #maccadam #transformers prime #fanfic update #tfp #tfp uo #megop #universal observations #reaction fic #ultrajack #a few other ships and relationships that will go unnamed for now #hehehehehe

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areislol · 5 months ago

Text

a hardworker

pairings. blade, jing yuan, gepard, aventurine, sunday, dr ratio, argenti, boothill, phainon, mydei x gn! reader

warnings. office job! au, reverse harem, slightly suggestive for some, fluff, use of brainrot, use of y/n but mainly [your name] etc, mydei and phainon MIGHT be ooc. 3.0 hsr story quest spoiler (quote) for mydei

a/n. when will i see all these handsome men in a corporate/office au from hoyoverse ;(

wc. 15.9-16k

blade — cold and reserved.

✧ genuinely why would you do this to yourself.. why would YOU initate a conversation with him? are you asking for him to form a friendship with you and possibly even maybe a relationship?!?!

✧ when you first got the job you were set to his level, he wasn't your mentor or anything, and at first he didn't even notice you, you seemed like a worker here just like the rest of them except you seemed too giddy. yeah you definitely haven't worked here for a couple of years.

✧ only when jing yuan, your first friend at work, introduced you to him did he first meet you.

✧ "blade! meet your new co-worker. i would've shown you them earlier but it was my duty to help them settle down and get to know everyone.. their name's y/n!"

✧ ".... hello." he greeted you (can you even call that a warm welcome?), his voice gruff and almost dead-like. maybe he was angry? you waved at him, offering a small smile. jing yuan looked at you with a smile. "blade isn't the one for talks. oh, follow me, i'll show you where the printers are."

✧ you waved goodbye to him once again before turning away and following jing yuan. blade didn't think much about that once returning to his desk and typing away on his desktop. but for some odd reason that small gesture (the wave) you gave him was stuck in his mind.

✧ he did not enjoy that very much, but as long as it didn't affect his working it didn't matter to him.

✧ after that he would see you more often, and you would always wave hello and goodbye to him even if he didn't do the same. he found your happiness quite weird and bothersome. you're in a working place, there's no room to goof around or be too happy, just focusing on work is the only thing you need to think about. (blade's a workaholic but he denies that all the time)

✧ you would spark small conversations with blade when waiting in line in the shared work cafeteria. "how was your day today?" "how's the report marking going?" "what are your thoughts on my report? i know it's too early to be asking but i'm just really nervous you know... oh! and-" sigh.

✧ just a simple yet deep sigh said more than enough to you. and you immediately shut your lips, thinking that you were irritating him too much (truth was you kind of were, all he wanted to do was eat and get back to work but don't worry, he warms up to you sooner or later!) and he obviously notices this.

✧ yet another deep and low sigh. "i'll listen to you once we are seated down." ?!?! "wait! you mean.. you're invititing me to sit with you?" you beamed, you're forming a friendship with your co-worker after all! "don't get the wrong idea.. i just don't want to waste time standing here and not get my food."

✧ oh but you definitely got the wrong idea. not that it mattered to you though. after that whole day and the many days that were to come people were looking at the both of you weird. (the fact that blade ate alone, not when he was with his other co-workers like kafka or silverwolf was a bit sad to you but he didn't seem to mind)

✧ "blade's eating with someone? wow." "never in my life would i ever think that he would ever invite someone to eat with him!" "do you think he's crushing?" you tried your best to ignore those comments, focusing on the food instead.

✧ "don't worry too much about the comments. if it really bothers you i can go talk to them. i'd rather sit in no awkwardness whatsoever than awkwardness."

✧ blade knows how much those gossips and rumours can have a toll on their position, if word ever got out (WITH PROOF) that two co-workers, or worse, worker and manager were sleeping together or anything related with relationships they'd for sure be fired.

✧ and he would risk it all to make sure that he still had his job. as well as yours of course.

✧ the two of you would grow closer, closer to the point that he would even buy you your favourite drink in the morning before you arrived (yes, he wakes up extra early to buy some snacks for you too), when kafka asks why, he shrugs. "i don't know, i have time."

✧ !!! he helps you with overnight work, if you have to stay overtime, willingly or unwillingly he will ALWAYS be with you. no matter how much you protest that he go home and rest he would always win the argument and stay with you. besides, that just means he gets to spend time with you without anyone pestering him!

✧ there are times that you would fall asleep during work. if it was during the day to afternoon he would quickly tap you on your shoulder and walk away like he totally didn't just make you jump from your seat as you look left and right, dazed and confused.

✧ how cute...

✧ you proudly stated that he has now "been promoted to being my best friend", blade only rolled his eyes and looked away, pretending not to care. but you knew that he cared, quite hard to not notice the faint smile growing on his lips after all.

✧ everyone notices how different blade had become after meeting you. although still non-chalant to others he seems to be more happier and enlightened when you're with him. no one dares say a word about it though thanks to his intimidation.

✧ speaking about how scary he looks, he was quite surprised that you didn't mind how introverted and "scary" he was, if anything you'd laugh and say how he was so "hilarious" ?!?! what's so hiliarious about the way i talk and look?!!? but nonetheless, you seemed to have broken a small amount of his barrier.

✧ always gives his close friends death glares when they're about to mention something about him to you. "oh yeah, i remember that one time bladie said that you were-....oh, seems like somebody wants me to be quiet, nevermind it then." anod no matter how hard you try to bribe her to spill it, she refuses. saying that "you will know one day" ... whatever that means.

✧ not to mention how oblivious you are to his actions. oh, he remembered your favourite meals of the day? isn't he such a lovely friend! he has a whole notes dedicated to everything i've said before—my likes and dislikes, places i'd like to visit, my favourite restaurant, my favourite animal, my favourite thing to do at work.. and etc etc? he's just so observant! a quality you need in this work place.

✧ it drives kafka and silverwolf mad sometimes, really.

✧ he's really protective of you, and he knows you can stick up for yourself but he feels the need to protect you anyway. blade always sticks up to you if someone from the higher positions pick on you, even if he's the same position as you. gosh, you really admire him so much!

✧ "are you alright? they didn't do anything to you, did they?" his eyes scanned your face and body, making sure you were fine. "i'm fine blade, but wow! seeing you like that is so cool! and i actually saw them shiver and..." blade never questions why you talk to much (lies, he has before in the past but now he just sighs and pretends to ignore you but really he's listening to every word.)

✧ sometimes invites you out for a drinking celebration. oh you don't drink! drink water there then. you can't go? fine, he'll just reschedule it then.

✧ although he acts all tough and that he hates you, in reality, he really likes you. when did the feelings come? probably when you really paid attention to him and just continued to talk to him every. single. day. sure, he was annoyed for the most part. but as time flew, he grew closer to you. and he hated the fact that he couldn't say anything about it. he couldn't risk getting him or you fired.

✧ as blade gets to know you better, he finds himself admiring your strength and he begins to see them not just as a coworker, but as someone he genuinely enjoys spending time with, someone he looks forward to seeing every day.

✧ (is he cooked? yes. does he care? no.)

✧ he often finds himself glancing at you as you're working, doesn't help that your desk is right in front of you as you share a desk. and god, everytime your manager pairs you and him together in a duo project or even in a group project he will never EVER disagree with your ideas. even if you might be a wee bit wrong about your ideas.

✧ everyone notices how bias he is towards you, does he care? no, if anything they're just jealous that he loves you and not them!

✧ (can i also mention when he refused to unbraid a small section of his hair that you braided?)

✧ but once the realisation catches up to him that damn, he really does like you, it changes his whole personality and perspective on you and his life. now that he's conscious he can't ever stop the way his heart flutters and races 100x faster, he can only hope that you don't notice the delicate pink hue rushing to his cheeks.

✧ "do you have a fever?" "yes." "oh.. feel better then! don't come to work or you might get me sick!" you joked, turning your back towards him as you continued to chat with your friends. if only you knew...

✧ if only you knew how infatuated he was with you. how in love he was with you. and the fact that he knows that there are other people crushing on you too, although he can't blame them, it's infuriating having to compete for your love and attention.

✧ one day he'll confess, and when he does he knows he won't care if the both of you get fired, he has enough money and connections to build a new and better company.

jing yuan — big ol' softie

✧ the first guy to actually crush on you. love at first sight at its finest.

✧ jing yuan finds himself drawn to you for several reasons. firstly, he admires your intelligence and work ethic. your always diligent and thorough in your work, he is attracted to those who work hard after all as he too, is a hardworker. not only that but he appreciates their kindness and compassion towards their coworkers, always willing to lend a helping hand or offer support when needed.

✧ it's a rarity to even find a co-worker who is actually kind and not just doing it to get a raise so, to him, you're a one of a kind.

✧ it's really no surprise that he was assigned to help you out during the first month to keep you steady as that's usually his favourite thing to do and with no one else offering to take this position the boss obviously had no choice but to make jing yuan have a mini side job.

✧ jing yuan is the first person to befriend you when you join the company, and it’s hard not to be drawn to his calm, approachable demeanor. you later learn that while he has a reputation for being incredibly competent, he also tends to “forget” small tasks, like refilling the coffee machine, leaving others to wonder how he manages to get away with it.

✧ you quickly become the exception to that rule. jing yuan, who usually delegates or “forgets,” is surprisingly attentive when it comes to you. need advice on an overly complex report? he’s already simplifying it for you. stuck on the company’s labyrinthine processes? he walks you through them patiently, occasionally cracking a joke to ease your nerves.

✧ “ah, the new recruit,” he says, leaning casually against your desk. “looks like they’ve put you near my territory. lucky you.” you laugh nervously, not sure if he’s joking, but his easy tone makes you feel less like the ‘newbie’ everyone’s been whispering about.

✧ you’re quick to bombard him with questions—everything from “how do you access the shared drive?” to “do people really have to clock in at 9:00 on the dot?” he answers every one of them with a mixture of patience and amusement. “no, you won’t get fired if you clock in at 9:01. but, you know, maybe don’t make it a habit,” he teases, smirking when you dramatically sigh in relief.

✧ your enthusiasm doesn’t seem to faze him. in fact, jing yuan seems oddly entertained by it. “you’re really diving into this, huh?” he comments one afternoon after you’ve spent ten minutes animatedly talking about ideas for an upcoming project. “i like it. keep that energy up. it’s refreshing.”

✧ during your first team meeting, you’re the one nervously jotting down notes while everyone else looks half-asleep. jing yuan catches your eye and mouths, “relax.” later, when you mention how intimidating some of the senior staff seem, he chuckles. “trust me, they’re all bark and no bite. well, most of them,” he adds with a wink, making you giggle.

✧ you’re eager to prove yourself, and it doesn’t take long for jing yuan to notice. one evening, he finds you still at your desk long after most people have left. “burning the midnight oil already?” he asks, resting an elbow on the cubicle wall. “you know, you don’t have to impress anyone by working yourself to death.” you smile sheepishly. “i just want to get it right.” his gaze softens. “you will. but pace yourself, alright? it’s a marathon, not a sprint.”

✧ your bubbly nature sometimes catches him off guard. one day, after explaining a particularly tedious workflow to you, you beam at him and say, “thanks, jing yuan! i don’t know what i’d do without you!” he blinks, momentarily stunned, before responding with a soft laugh. “well, i can’t have my star pupil struggling, can i?”

✧ when you suggest grabbing coffee as a thank-you for his help, he raises an eyebrow. “you’re thanking me for doing my job?” you nod enthusiastically, and he shakes his head, amused. “alright, but only if you let me pick the place. i know a spot that has the best pastries.” true to his word, the café he takes you to becomes your go-to hangout, with jing yuan jokingly claiming you owe him for introducing you to such “top-tier coffee.”

✧ one day, as you’re working through a tricky task, you mutter, “ugh, i feel so bad having to ask you for help again.” jing yuan leans over your desk, resting his chin in his hand. “you know, you’re the only person i don’t mind helping. must be that irresistible charm of yours,” he says with a grin. you roll your eyes playfully, but your cheeks warm at the compliment.

✧ while your coworkers are quick to brush off office rumors, they don’t miss how jing yuan lingers at your desk longer than necessary. he’s always "checking in" on how you're adjusting to the job, yet somehow, you notice he’s not quite this attentive with others. a little too friendly, perhaps?

✧ it’s no surprise to you that he was assigned to mentor you during your first month. jing yuan has a knack for making newcomers feel at ease, but there’s something different in the way he handles your concerns. he listens intently, offers solutions tailored to you, and follows up—something even HR doesn’t always do.

✧ what you don’t realise is that the moment jing yuan met you, he found himself curious about the way you carried yourself. your mix of determination and a slight hint of nervous energy intrigued him. he admired your persistence when others might have faltered under the pressure of a new job.

✧ despite his effortless charm, you’re oblivious to the subtle shifts in his behavior. jing yuan often uses work as an excuse to spend time with you. "this project is pretty important," he says, dragging over a chair and sitting beside you, "mind if i double-check it with you?" you don’t notice the way his lips twitch into a smile every time you nod eagerly.

✧ somewhere along the line, jing yuan finds himself going out of his way for you. it starts small—a coffee cup on your desk when he notices you didn’t get breakfast, an offer to review your presentation slides when you’re up against a deadline. before long, he’s scheduling lunch meetings just to hear about your day.

✧ his easygoing nature becomes a source of comfort for you. whenever office drama or work stress gets overwhelming, jing yuan’s the one who steps in, distracting you with his laid-back humour or a casual, “don’t let it get to you. you’re doing great, really.”

✧ over time, you realise he’s not just your mentor but also your anchor in the chaotic world of corporate life. what you don’t know is that he’s quietly hoping you’ll notice he’s looking out for you for reasons that go far beyond professional courtesy.

✧ slowly but surely, your dynamic shifts. you’re still the bubbly, eager-to-learn newbie, but now you feel a little braver, knowing jing yuan has your back. and though he’ll never admit it outright, he finds himself looking forward to your questions, your chatter, and the way you light up the office with your energy. if he’s a little extra attentive with you, well… that’s just part of being a good mentor. right?

gepard — sweet and protective

✧ gepard is the picture-perfect coworker: diligent, reliable, and polite to a fault. when you first meet him, you’re struck by how serious he seems, his posture impossibly straight as he shakes your hand and welcomes you to the team. “if you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask,” he says with a formal nod. you’re convinced he’s all business—until you catch him fumbling with his coffee cup later, spilling just enough to make him flush bright red.

✧ you’re quick to ask him questions about the company, your tasks, and even the cafeteria menu. “what’s the safest option for lunch?” you ask with a dramatic whisper. he blinks at you, a little thrown by your energy, before responding earnestly. “i… guess the chicken wraps? but i think the soup is underrated.” you burst into laughter, and the corner of his mouth quirks up, like he’s not used to this kind of enthusiasm but doesn’t entirely mind it.

✧ despite his composed exterior, gepard always seems to hover near your desk, especially when you’re struggling. one afternoon, as you stare at a particularly confusing spreadsheet, he appears with a quiet, “do you need help with that?” you nod gratefully, and he spends the next half hour walking you through every detail, his voice calm and reassuring. “you’re actually really good at explaining this stuff,” you tell him, smiling. his ears turn pink. “i-it’s nothing, really.”

✧ you notice how seriously he takes his role in the office. whenever something goes wrong—an error in a report, a system crash—gepard is the first to step in and fix it, even if it’s not his responsibility. “you’re like the office knight in shining armor,” you joke one day. he looks embarrassed but manages a small smile. “i just want to make sure everything runs smoothly. it’s… important to me.”

✧ your bubbly personality catches him off guard more often than not. once, during a team lunch, you’re chattering about a funny story from your weekend, and he’s so focused on listening that he almost forgets to eat. “gepard, are you okay?” you ask, noticing his untouched plate. he snaps out of it, flustered. “y-yeah! i was just… um, distracted.” you tilt your head, confused, while your other coworkers (AHEM blade) stare at the poor man, absolutely fuming.

✧ gepard is protective of you in the sweetest way. when he overhears someone being a little too critical of your work, he’s quick to step in with a firm but polite, “actually, i think they’ve been doing an excellent job.” later, you thank him, and he brushes it off. “you deserve the credit,” he says simply, but the way he avoids your gaze suggests there’s more to it than that.

✧ you once offered to grab coffee for the team, only for gepard to insist on going with you. “it’s not safe to carry that many cups alone,” he explains, dead serious. you can’t help but laugh. “gepard, it’s just coffee.” “still,” he replies, already holding the door open for you.

✧ over time, you start to notice the little things he does for you. like how he always saves you a seat in meetings, or how he’s quick to hand you an umbrella on rainy days without you even asking. when you tease him about being overprotective, he stammers, “i’m just looking out for you!” but the faint smile on his face gives him away.

✧ you’ve quickly become the sunshine to his steady presence, and though he’d never admit it, gepard finds your energy infectious. you make the office feel a little brighter, and if he’s a little more eager to help you than anyone else, well, that’s just part of being a good coworker. right?

✧ gepard is the embodiment of dependability in the workplace, and it shows in the way he’s always ready to step in and help you, no matter how small or big the problem. the first time the office printer acts up on you, he’s at your side almost instantly. “it’s been temperamental lately,” he says, rolling up his sleeves like he’s about to go into battle. after a few moments of fiddling, the printer finally whirs back to life. “you saved me!” you exclaim, clasping your hands together in gratitude. he chuckles softly, his cheeks tinged pink. “it’s nothing. really.”

✧ then there was the time you accidentally printed 100 copies instead of 10, and the sound of endless paper spewing from the machine had you frozen in horror. before you could panic, gepard was already by your side. “don’t worry, we’ll fix it,” he said reassuringly, diving in to cancel the job. when that didn’t work, he started stacking the printed pages into neat piles with a calm efficiency that made you wonder if he’d done this before. “i’ll help you sort these later,” he added, his tone as steady as ever.

✧ he seems to have a radar for when you’re in over your head. one afternoon, as you’re juggling a coffee in one hand and a precariously tall stack of files in the other, gepard appears out of nowhere. “here, let me,” he says, gently taking the files from you before you can protest. “you shouldn’t have to carry all this by yourself.” you laugh, trying to lighten the moment. “what would i do without you?” he smiles softly, looking down at the files. “hopefully, we won’t have to find out.”

✧ gepard’s helpfulness doesn’t stop at office tasks. when you mention in passing that you’re not sure how to navigate the maze of departments to get a signature, he volunteers immediately. “i know the process can be confusing. i’ll go with you,” he says, grabbing his jacket. as he leads you through the building, he chats casually about the different teams, making you feel less like a lost newbie and more like you belong.

✧ you’re not sure how he does it, but gepard always seems to know when you’re overwhelmed. once, when you were swamped with deadlines and barely had time to breathe, he showed up at your desk with a cup of tea and a small snack. “you’ve been working hard,” he said, placing them in front of you. “take a five-minute break. it’ll help.” you looked at him, wide-eyed. “you didn’t have to do this.” he smiled, a little sheepishly. “maybe not, but i wanted to.”

✧ even when it’s not his responsibility, gepard goes above and beyond to ensure your day goes smoothly. during a team presentation, you realized with dread that you’d forgotten to print one of the key slides. before you could spiral into panic, gepard leaned over and whispered, “send it to me. i’ll print it right now.” and just like that, he slipped out quietly and returned minutes later with the missing slide, handing it to you with a reassuring nod.

✧ his support isn’t just limited to big emergencies. if your chair squeaks too much, he’ll find the tools to fix it. if your computer crashes, he’s the first to suggest calling IT—right after he tries troubleshooting it himself. once, you jokingly called him your “office superhero,” and though he tried to brush it off, the faint smile on his face betrayed how much the compliment meant to him.

✧ you notice that his help always comes with kindness, never judgment. when you accidentally spilled coffee on your desk (and a little on his papers), you were mortified, apologizing profusely. but gepard just waved it off with a gentle smile. “it’s fine, really. these can be reprinted. are you okay?” he immediately helped clean up the mess, even going to grab extra napkins.

✧ over time, you start to rely on him more than you probably should, but gepard never seems to mind. “you’re always there to save me,” you say one day, half-joking. he looks at you earnestly and replies, “it’s not about saving you. i just… like being someone you can count on.” and with that, you realise that gepard’s helpfulness isn’t just part of his nature—it’s his way of showing how much he cares.

✧ gepard isn’t just the kind of coworker who’ll drop everything to help you fix a printer jam or sort out your endless copies—he’s also the first person to break the unspoken office rule about keeping things strictly professional. one friday afternoon, after a particularly gruelling week, he approaches your desk with an almost shy smile. “hey, uh… i was wondering. do you want to grab a drink after work? there’s a nice bar nearby, and i thought it might be a good way to unwind.”

✧ you blink in surprise, caught off guard. “really? like… just us?” his ears turn a little pink as he scratches the back of his neck. “yeah. if you’re okay with that, of course. no pressure.” the sheer sincerity in his voice makes it impossible to say no, and you find yourself nodding eagerly. “i’d love that!”

✧ true to his word—because of course gepard always follows through—the two of you end up at a cozy little bar just a block from the office. it’s nothing fancy, but the warm lighting and relaxed vibe immediately make you feel at ease. gepard orders a simple drink and waits patiently while you deliberate over the menu. when you finally pick something, he chuckles. “you looked more stressed about that than our last meeting.” you roll your eyes playfully. “priorities, gepard!”

✧ the first outing sets the tone for many more. every couple of weeks, one of you will casually suggest, “bar after work?” and it becomes a tradition neither of you wants to break. at first, your conversations are light—complaining about difficult clients, swapping funny stories about coworkers, and sharing tips on surviving the corporate grind. but as the outings continue, the topics grow deeper.

✧ one night, after your second round, you find yourself telling him about your dreams, your fears, and even your insecurities about fitting in at work. gepard listens intently, his drink forgotten as he leans forward, elbows resting on the table. “you don’t need to prove anything to anyone,” he says firmly. “you’re doing amazing, and anyone who doesn’t see that is blind.” his words stick with you, and you can’t help but feel grateful to have someone like him in your corner.

✧ gepard, too, opens up little by little. he shares stories about his family, his love for structure and responsibility, and the occasional self-doubt that even he experiences. “sometimes, i worry I’m too serious,” he admits one night, twirling his glass idly. you laugh, shaking your head. “serious? sure. but you’re also one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. don’t sell yourself short.” his face softens, and for a moment, you think you see a hint of vulnerability in his usually composed demeanor.

✧ your bar outings become something you both look forward to, a rare chance to let your guards down in a world that demands so much of you. you learn that gepard has a surprisingly good sense of humor—dry, but sharp—and he learns that your endless optimism isn’t just an act; it’s something you genuinely try to cultivate.

✧ one evening, as you’re both laughing over a shared memory of a particularly chaotic office event, you tease, “you know, i think these bar nights are the only reason i’ve stayed sane at work.” gepard smirks, raising his glass. “then here’s to many more.”

✧ over time, it becomes clear that these nights aren’t just about escaping work stress—they’re about the connection you’ve built. whether it’s celebrating a big win at work, venting about a bad day, or simply enjoying each other’s company, your bar outings are a reminder that amidst the chaos of corporate life, you’ve found something truly special: a dependable coworker, a trusted friend, and maybe, just maybe, the start of something more.

aventurine — the charismatic mentor

✧ when you first start at your new job, aventurine is the one everyone warns you about—not in a bad way, but with a tone that implies he’s… a lot. “you’ll know him when you see him,” one coworker says cryptically, and you don’t have to wait long to understand what they mean. he’s the kind of guy who strides into the office like he owns the place, his voice carrying over the low hum of workplace chatter as he greets everyone with a cheeky grin.

✧ the first time you meet him, he flashes you a dazzling smile and introduces himself with a confident, “aventurine—best-looking guy on this floor, and probably the most fun. you must be the new recruit?” you can’t help but laugh, instantly charmed despite his cocky demeanor. “i guess that’s me. and i’ll take your word on the ‘most fun’ part.” he winks. “oh, you’ll see soon enough.”

✧ despite his playful nature, aventurine turns out to be surprisingly helpful. when you’re struggling to make sense of a particularly confusing project, he swings by your desk and casually leans against it. “having trouble? let me guess, no one explained this properly, right?” you nod sheepishly, and he rolls his eyes. “classic. don’t worry, i’ve got you.” within minutes, he’s broken down the task into simple, manageable steps, his explanations peppered with jokes that somehow make the whole ordeal less daunting.

✧ aventurine has a knack for making you feel like you belong, even when you’re doubting yourself. “you’re doing better than i did when i first started,” he tells you one afternoon, his tone uncharacteristically sincere. “i was a mess. couldn’t even figure out the coffee machine.” you laugh, but his words stick with you, a reminder that even someone as confident as him had a learning curve.

✧ he’s also the first to pull you out of your shell during team outings. “c’mon, you’re not skipping karaoke night!” he declares one friday, dragging you along with an arm slung over your shoulder. “it’s tradition. plus, i need a duet partner.” despite your protests, you end up belting out a cheesy pop song with him, and by the end of the night, you’re laughing so hard your sides hurt.

✧ aventurine has a way of turning mundane workdays into something exciting. when the office printer breaks for the third time in a week, he stages a mock funeral for it, complete with a dramatic speech that leaves the whole team in stitches. when a boring meeting threatens to put everyone to sleep, he subtly slides a doodle of a cat in sunglasses across the table to you. “this is your future if you nail that presentation,” he whispers, making you snort into your notebook.

✧ he’s also fiercely protective in his own way. when a coworker tries to pass off your ideas as their own during a meeting, aventurine doesn’t hesitate to call them out. “actually, that was their suggestion,” he says smoothly, gesturing toward you. “and a brilliant one at that.” later, you thank him, and he waves it off with a grin. “what kind of mentor would i be if i didn’t have your back?”

✧ one day, he surprises you by asking, “so, any plans after work?” when you shake your head, he grins. “perfect. there’s this great spot nearby. they’ve got amazing food, and you, my friend, need a break.” true to his word, he takes you to a vibrant little café where you spend hours chatting about everything from work to your favorite movies. it’s the first of many after-hours hangouts, each one making you appreciate his depth and kindness even more.

✧ beneath all the bravado, aventurine is someone who genuinely cares about the people around him. whether he’s helping you polish a report at the last minute, cracking jokes to lighten the mood, or giving you a pep talk before a big presentation, he’s always there, reminding you that you’re not alone in the chaos of corporate life.

✧ “you know,” you tell him one day, “for someone who’s always goofing around, you’re actually really reliable.” he smirks, leaning back in his chair. “don’t ruin my image now. but… thanks. that means a lot.” and with that, you realise that aventurine isn’t just your charismatic mentor—he’s become a friend you can count on, no matter what.

✧ aventurine prides himself on being your go-to guy at work. he’s the one who explains tricky processes with flair, spices up boring meetings with his wit, and knows just how to cheer you up after a stressful day. so when dr. ratio starts swooping in, stealing your attention with his more clinical, straight-to-the-point explanations, aventurine feels his grip on his self-proclaimed “favorite coworker” status slipping—and he’s not happy about it.

✧ it all starts innocently enough. you’re struggling to understand a particularly dense section of a report, and aventurine is mid-way through one of his animated (and slightly roundabout) explanations when dr. ratio casually slides in. “actually, if you approach it like this…” he says, swiftly breaking down the problem with a few concise sentences. you light up, nodding enthusiastically. “oh! that makes so much sense! thanks, dr. ratio!”

✧ aventurine freezes, his grin faltering for a split second before he recovers. “yeah, exactly what i was saying,” he interjects, trying to reclaim the spotlight. but you’re too focused on scribbling down notes to notice the way aventurine’s golden eyes narrow at dr. ratio, silently promising retribution.

✧ it becomes a pattern. whenever dr. ratio happens to be around, he somehow manages to insert himself into your conversations with aventurine, offering insights that leave you marveling at his intelligence. aventurine, meanwhile, stands to the side, arms crossed and jaw tight, shooting death glares at dr. ratio that could probably melt steel.

✧ the worst part? you don’t notice a thing. you’re too busy soaking up all the advice and nodding along to dr. ratio’s calm, methodical tone. aventurine, on the other hand, is practically vibrating with barely-contained annoyance. “you know,” he mutters one day after dr. ratio walks away, “some people just love to show off.” you blink, confused. “who? dr. ratio? i think he’s just really smart.” aventurine forces a smile, but inside, he’s screaming.

✧ one afternoon, the tension reaches a boiling point. you’re sitting at your desk, completely engrossed in a conversation with dr. ratio about a new project. aventurine strolls by, intending to invite you out for coffee, but stops dead in his tracks when he sees the two of you. his usual swagger is replaced by a scowl as he watches dr. ratio lean slightly closer, pointing something out on your screen.

✧ aventurine clears his throat loudly, making both of you jump. “am i interrupting something?” he asks, his tone deceptively light. you shake your head, smiling. “nope! dr. ratio was just explaining this part of the project to me. it’s so fascinating, isn’t it?” aventurine’s eye twitches, but he plasters on a grin. “oh, sure. fascinating.”

✧ later, when it’s just the two of you, aventurine finally snaps. “you know, you don’t have to go to dr. ratio for everything. i’m pretty good at explaining stuff too, you know.” you tilt your head, surprised. “i know that! you’re amazing at it. i just thought you were busy earlier.” his annoyance melts a little at your words, though he still grumbles under his breath. “busy? never too busy for you.”

✧ despite his jealousy, aventurine never confronts dr. ratio directly—he’s too proud for that. instead, he doubles down on being the most fun, supportive, and reliable person in your work life. he’ll swoop in with snacks during long meetings, crack jokes that make you laugh until your sides hurt, and even stay late to help you finish projects, all while keeping a careful eye on dr. ratio.

✧ over time, you start to notice aventurine’s subtle protectiveness. when dr. ratio tries to monopolize your time, aventurine always finds a way to insert himself into the conversation, usually with a teasing remark or a playful jab. “don’t let him bore you to death,” he’ll say, flashing you a grin. “you deserve better.”

✧ eventually, you realize what’s been going on all along. one day, after yet another instance of aventurine shooting daggers at dr. ratio, you turn to him with a knowing smile. “you’re jealous, aren’t you?” his eyes widen, and he quickly denies it. “jealous? me? pfft, no way.” but the way he avoids your gaze and rubs the back of his neck gives him away.

✧ you laugh, reaching out to nudge his arm. “you’re ridiculous, you know that? i go to you for way more than just explanations. you’re my favourite coworker, aventurine.” his expression softens, a genuine smile replacing his usual smirk. “yeah, well… don’t forget it.” and with that, the tension finally dissolves, leaving the two of you closer than ever.

✧ aventurine isn’t one to do things halfway. when he decides to show his appreciation for you, he does it in the most aventurine way possible: by showering you with gifts that make the entire office green with envy.

✧ it starts with little things—a fancy pen that writes smoother than anything you’ve ever used, a sleek notebook with your initials embossed in gold, a bouquet of your favorite flowers that mysteriously appears on your desk one morning. “just thought you deserved something nice,” he says with a wink when you thank him, as if it’s the most casual thing in the world.

✧ but as time goes on, the gifts become more elaborate. one day, he surprises you with a delicate necklace featuring a gemstone that perfectly matches his eye color. “it reminded me of you,” he says, his voice softer than usual. “and, well… maybe a little of me too.” you can’t help but blush as you accept it, marveling at how the intricate design seems to mirror his signature style.

✧ aventurine has a knack for picking out accessories that are not only stunning but also distinctly him. bracelets with gold accents that resemble his attire, earrings that match the vibrant green of his signature scarf, even a brooch shaped like a starburst—a subtle nod to his larger-than-life personality. “now you’ll always have a piece of me with you,” he says with a grin, and you’re left wondering if he’s secretly a romantic underneath all that bravado.

✧ when your coworkers start noticing the gifts, they can’t help but comment. “wow, someone’s got a secret admirer,” one of them teases, eyeing the elegant watch aventurine gave you last week. you laugh it off, but aventurine, overhearing, leans in with a smug smile. “not so secret,” he quips, earning a round of laughter—and more than a few jealous looks.

✧ his generosity doesn’t stop at physical gifts. when you’re stressed about a big project, aventurine clears his schedule to help you out, staying late to go over every detail until you feel confident. “you’re gonna nail this,” he says firmly, sliding a cup of your favorite coffee across the desk. “and when you do, drinks are on me.”

✧ true to his word, he takes you to your favorite bar after work to celebrate your victories. “this is on me too,” he insists, waving off your protests as he orders the fanciest cocktail on the menu. as the night goes on, you realize these outings have become a tradition—a way for the two of you to unwind and talk about everything from work drama to your wildest dreams.

✧ aventurine’s gifts aren’t just about showing off; they’re his way of making sure you know how much he values you. whether it’s a luxurious piece of jewelry or a simple trinket that made him think of you, each one carries a piece of his heart.

✧ “you know you don’t have to do all this, right?” you tell him one day, fiddling with the bracelet he gave you. “i already know you care.” his usual playful smirk softens into something more genuine. “i know. but you deserve the best, and if I can give you that? well, why wouldn’t i?”

✧ at the end of the day, it’s not the gifts themselves that mean the most—it’s the thought behind them. every time you catch a glimpse of the necklace around your neck or the bracelet on your wrist, you’re reminded of aventurine’s unwavering support and affection. and, in a way, it feels like you’re carrying a little piece of him with you wherever you go.

dr. ratio — the genius overseer

✧ from the moment you joined the team, dr. ratio’s reputation preceded him. whispers of his brilliance—and his sharp tongue—circulated the office like wildfire. it wasn’t long before you experienced both firsthand.

✧ the first time you complimented him, his reaction was… unexpected. “wow, you’re so smart!” you exclaimed, eyes wide with genuine admiration after he solved a technical issue in under a minute. dr. ratio merely adjusted his glasses, his expression unreadable. “of course i am,” he replied, as if your praise was stating the obvious.

✧ despite his aloof demeanor, you couldn’t help but marvel at his intelligence. every time he unraveled a complex problem or presented an innovative solution, you were the first to pipe up with, “you’re a genius!” while your coworkers rolled their eyes, dr. ratio seemed to tolerate your praise—perhaps even enjoy it, though he’d never admit it outright.

✧ that said, his brilliance came with a side of harshness. when someone made a mistake, he didn’t hesitate to point it out with clinical precision. “this is wrong,” he’d say, his tone icy. “fix it. now.” your coworkers often avoided his gaze, but you? you took his criticisms in stride, knowing they were meant to make you better.

✧ “you’re lucky you’re not scared of him,” a coworker whispered one day after dr. ratio had finished reprimanding someone. you laughed nervously. “who says i’m not? he’s terrifying!”

✧ and terrifying he was—especially when he loomed over your desk. his towering height made it impossible not to feel a little intimidated as he peered down at your work. “is that how you were taught to do it?” he’d ask, his voice low and authoritative. you’d stammer out an apology, and he’d sigh, leaning closer to correct your mistakes.

✧ yet, beneath the intimidation, you noticed a certain… softness. while his scoldings were sharp, his corrections were always thorough. he didn’t just tell you what was wrong; he made sure you understood how to fix it. “i expect better from you,” he’d say, his tone firm but not unkind. “and you’re capable of it. don’t prove me wrong.”

✧ over time, you realized his harshness came from a place of high standards, not malice. “he’s only hard on the people he thinks have potential,” one coworker explained. “if he’s scolding you, it means he believes in you.”

✧ one day, after a particularly long lecture on proper procedures, you couldn’t help but tease him. “you’re like a strict professor, you know that?” he raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. “and you’re like a student who needs constant supervision.” you laughed, and for the briefest moment, you thought you saw the corner of his mouth twitch upward.

✧ despite his stern exterior, dr. ratio had his moments of unexpected kindness. when you stayed late to finish a project, he silently placed a cup of coffee on your desk. “you’ll need this,” he said simply before walking away.

✧ as much as he scared your coworkers, you found yourself growing more comfortable around him. his intelligence was something you admired, and his harsh critiques pushed you to improve. even when he loomed over your desk or scolded you for mistakes, you couldn’t help but feel grateful for his guidance.

✧ one day, after you finished a particularly challenging task, he stopped by your desk, his expression unreadable as always. “you did well,” he said, his voice softer than usual. your heart skipped a beat at the rare compliment. “thanks,” you replied, grinning. “but i couldn’t have done it without your help. you’re amazing, dr. ratio.”

✧ he didn’t respond immediately, but you could’ve sworn you saw a faint blush dust his cheeks as he turned away. “just keep it up,” he said, walking off. and in that moment, you realized that beneath all the harshness, dr. ratio truly cared about your growth—and maybe, just maybe, he was a little proud of you too.

✧ while dr. ratio’s reputation for brilliance and harsh criticism was well known, there was one thing many coworkers didn’t realize: if anyone dared to undermine you or make you feel less than capable, dr. ratio would swoop in with an icy calm that sent shivers down the spines of anyone within earshot.

✧ it all starts with a minor incident. one day, a coworker takes it upon themselves to “correct” your work in front of others, loudly pointing out a small mistake. “i’m not sure you’re doing this right,” they say condescendingly, not even bothering to offer a solution. you feel your cheeks burn with embarrassment, your confidence crumbling under the weight of their words.

✧ before you can even gather your thoughts, dr. ratio’s sharp gaze flicks toward the scene. “excuse me,” he says, his voice low and controlled, but with an unmistakable edge. the room falls silent as he rises from his desk, towering over the unfortunate coworker who dared to question you. “i believe you have something you’d like to say to [your name],” he continues, his tone cool but lethal.

✧ the coworker, visibly startled, stammers. “i… i just wanted to—”

✧ “no,” dr. ratio cuts them off. “what you wanted was to publicly embarrass [your name], correct? well, i won’t allow that.” his eyes narrow as he glares at them, sending a clear message that no one would challenge you while he was around.

✧ you watch, amazed, as the coworker mumbles an apology, their face flushed with humiliation. but dr. ratio isn’t done yet. he gives them one final, cold look. “you’re to report to my office immediately. we’ll discuss your conduct in private.”

✧ as the coworker slinks off to dr. ratio’s office, you can’t help but feel a surge of gratitude. sure, dr. ratio could be terrifying, but in this moment, he’s undeniably protective of you. you’re certain that if anyone else had been in your shoes, the situation would’ve played out differently—but not with dr. ratio.

✧ the next time you see that coworker, they’re quieter, avoiding eye contact with you. dr. ratio, however, acts as if nothing has happened, but you can sense a subtle shift in his behavior. when he comes over to check your work, there’s no condescension in his tone, only careful consideration. “let’s go over this,” he says, guiding you through the task with a calm, authoritative precision.

✧ as days go on, you realize this isn’t a one-time occurrence. dr. ratio is relentless in his protection of your work. if anyone dares to make you feel “dumb” or tries to undermine you in front of others, dr. ratio will handle it. his harsh scolding of other coworkers may be intimidating, but to you, it feels like a shield.

✧ “i don’t tolerate incompetence,” he once says in passing, his voice colder than usual. “but more importantly, i don’t tolerate anyone belittling a colleague who is working hard to improve. understand?”

✧ you nod fervently, unable to hide the warmth spreading through you at his words. no matter how intimidating he may be, dr. ratio has become your quiet protector—ensuring that no one ever makes you feel less than the capable, intelligent worker you are.

✧ the following week, when another coworker tries to mock your mistake, dr. ratio steps in before you can even react. “i suggest you follow up on your work with a bit more precision next time,” he says to them, his tone deceptively calm. “and perhaps remember that our colleague doesn’t need to be scrutinized by everyone in the room.”

✧ as the coworkers exchange nervous glances, you feel a sense of pride bubble up inside you. dr. ratio may be harsh and unapproachable at times, but in the moments that matter, he’s on your side—and you can’t help but be grateful for the silent bond you share.

✧ later, as you finish up a project together, dr. ratio’s usual criticism comes, but this time, it’s followed by a rare, approving nod. “better,” he says, and there’s a hint of satisfaction in his voice. “keep it up.”

✧ and in that moment, you realise that even though he scares most of the office with his sharp critiques and towering presence, dr. ratio has your back—always.

✧ dr. ratio’s intelligence wasn’t just limited to his work. he had an uncanny ability to read people, and when it came to aventurine’s jealousy, he wasn’t the least bit oblivious.

✧ it started with the subtle glances. aventurine would stare, just a little too long, whenever you and dr. ratio interacted, his eyes narrowing with quiet irritation. at first, dr. ratio didn’t pay it much attention—he had far too many things to focus on, after all. but after a few more incidents, something clicked in his mind.

✧ “you’re so smart, dr. ratio,” you said one day, obliviously smiling at him as he walked over to check your work. you were so absorbed in your task that you didn’t even notice aventurine’s glaring stare from across the room.

✧ but dr. ratio did. and rather than being irritated or bothered, he found the whole situation rather amusing.

✧ so, he began to play with it.

✧ whenever aventurine’s eyes lingered too long on you, dr. ratio would intentionally lean closer to you, his posture taking on a subtly possessive stance as he guided your hand to the right spot on your work. his gaze, however, would never leave aventurine’s direction, knowing full well it would drive him mad.

✧ “this is the correct formula, isn’t it?” dr. ratio asked, his voice soft, but his eyes locked on aventurine’s, daring him to do something. “just double-checking,” he continued, as you nodded, a little confused by his sudden intensity.

✧ aventurine’s face would turn red with frustration, and he’d shift uncomfortably, unwilling to approach or interfere directly, knowing well that dr. ratio’s calculating eyes never missed a thing.

✧ dr. ratio thrived in this silent game, even going as far as casually dropping his hand near yours when discussing a task, his fingers brushing against your palm just enough to make the tension rise. “ah, i see now,” he’d say, all innocence, glancing back at you. “you’re quite good at this, [your name].”

✧ to anyone else, it would seem like a normal work interaction, but to aventurine? it was pure agony.

✧ sometimes, dr. ratio would even take things a step further. when the entire team had gathered in the break room, he’d make it a point to stand so close to you that your shoulders almost touched, making sure aventurine caught every second of it. “you’re looking a bit pale today, [your name],” dr. ratio would comment casually, his tone overly sweet as he brushed a strand of hair out of your face.

✧ and aventurine’s patience would wear thin. the moment he saw dr. ratio’s hand linger near you, his sharp green eyes would flash with irritation, and he’d make his exit, mumbling something about “not having time for childish games” under his breath.

✧ dr. ratio’s amusement never seemed to fade. he’d always smirk, watching aventurine retreat, but his actions grew bolder with every passing day, each one designed to push aventurine’s buttons even more.

✧ “are you sure you’re okay, [your name]?” he’d ask again, this time purposefully leaning over you, so his presence loomed even more. “you look a little... off today.”

✧ by now, your confusion was palpable, but dr. ratio simply enjoyed watching the spectacle unfold. when aventurine would inevitably storm away, clearly flustered and annoyed, he’d chuckle to himself, his eyes glinting with the satisfaction of having gotten under his rival’s skin.

✧ one day, after an especially bold move from dr. ratio, aventurine finally snapped. “enough!” he growled, walking over to dr. ratio’s desk, his face red with fury. “stop flaunting your—your proximity like that!”

✧ dr. ratio simply tilted his head, acting entirely oblivious to the situation, though his smirk never wavered. “proximity?” he repeated. “i’m just making sure [your name] is doing their work correctly. i’d expect you to do the same.”

✧ aventurine glared at him, his body tensing, before turning on his heel, muttering something about needing air. dr. ratio leaned back in his chair, clearly enjoying the tension he’d just stirred.

✧ “he’s so easy to rile up,” dr. ratio mused aloud, glancing at you as he picked up his pen. “don’t you think, [your name]?”

✧ you blinked at him, still unsure of what had just happened, but dr. ratio simply smiled, his eyes gleaming with the satisfaction of a game well played. “don’t worry about it,” he said, a touch of humor in his voice. “just focus on your work. i’m sure you’ll do just fine.”

✧ and though you were still a bit confused, you couldn’t deny the strange thrill that seemed to linger in the air whenever dr. ratio and aventurine crossed paths.

sunday — the manager with a million excuses

✧ sunday isn’t your manager, not technically. he’s from another department, but that doesn’t stop him from finding ways to stop by your desk almost every day. it’s become such a regular occurrence that your coworkers have started joking about it.

✧ “what is it today, sunday?” you teased, smiling as he strolled up to your desk, a stack of papers in hand.

✧ “just need you to review these,” he said smoothly, setting them down in front of you. “you’ve got a good eye for detail, and I trust your judgment.”

✧ you couldn’t help but laugh. “shouldn’t someone in your own department be doing this?”

✧ “maybe,” he admitted, his lips twitching into a small smile. “but none of them are as good as you.”

✧ sunday has a way with words—polished, professional, but somehow carrying a warmth that makes you feel special. whether it’s complimenting your work ethic or praising your attention to detail, he always leaves you blushing and flustered.

✧ your coworkers often shoot you knowing looks whenever sunday appears. “he’s here again,” one of them whispered one day, nudging you as sunday made his way over, a confident stride in his step.

✧ “what’s he want now?” you muttered under your breath, though you couldn’t hide the small smile forming on your lips.

✧ “just thought you might want to take a look at these reports,” he said casually, as if he didn’t visit you almost every day with some excuse or another.

✧ “sunday, i think you’re running out of reasons to come over here,” you joked, flipping through the papers he’d handed you.

✧ “am i?” he asked, leaning slightly on your desk. his icy blue eyes held a teasing glint. “maybe I just enjoy your company.”

✧ he always makes sure to keep things light, even when the office gets hectic. one time, you were buried in work, your desk a mess of papers and files.

✧ “looks like you could use some help,” sunday said, appearing out of nowhere with a calm smile.

✧ “from you? don’t you have your own department to worry about?” you asked, raising an eyebrow.

✧ “delegated,” he replied smoothly, already rolling up his sleeves. “besides, what kind of gentleman would I be if I left you like this?”

✧ he spent the next hour helping you sort through everything, his efficiency and calm demeanor a stark contrast to your frazzled state.

✧ sunday is the type of guy who knows how to command a room, but when he’s around you, there’s a softer, more personal side to him.

✧ “you know, you really don’t have to keep coming over here,” you said one day, unable to hide your smile.

✧ “and miss out on seeing your reaction every time?” he teased, his grin widening. “i think not.”

✧ though his visits might seem casual, there’s no denying the way he always seems to linger just a little longer than necessary, his gaze softening when he looks at you.

✧ “by the way,” he added as he handed you yet another stack of papers, “great work on that last report. i knew i could count on you.”

✧ and just like that, he was off, leaving you flustered and wondering if he’d ever run out of excuses—or if maybe, just maybe, he didn’t really need one to see you.

✧ as if sunday’s frequent visits to your desk weren’t enough, his sister robin somehow ends up knowing all about you. turns out, sunday talks about you to her a lot.

✧ “so, you’re the famous [your name],” robin said one day when she stopped by your department. her tone was casual, but her knowing smile made your cheeks heat up instantly.

✧ “f-famous?” you stammered, looking between her and sunday, who was standing just a few feet away, pretending to read over a document like he wasn’t paying attention.

✧ “oh, you know,” robin said with a gentle smile, “my brother just can’t stop talking about you. he’s always going on about how talented you are, how hardworking, how—”

✧ “robin,” sunday interrupted, his voice firm but his ears unmistakably red. “don’t you have somewhere else to be?”

✧ “what? i’m just making conversation,” robin replied innocently, though the smirk on her face said otherwise.

✧ unbeknownst to you, robin had taken it upon herself to play matchmaker. she’d started casually suggesting plans that conveniently involved the two of you spending more time together.

✧ “hey, [your name], you should join us for coffee after work,” robin said one day, popping into your office with sunday trailing behind her. “my treat!”

✧ “oh, i wouldn’t want to intrude,” you said, but robin waved off your protests with a grin.

✧ “nonsense. it’ll be fun!” she insisted, already dragging her brother along.

✧ during the outing, robin would subtly steer the conversation towards sunday, dropping little hints about how amazing he was.

✧ “you know, sunday’s always been the responsible one,” she said, leaning back with a sly smile. “he’s the kind of guy who’d move mountains for someone he cares about.”

✧ “robin,” sunday muttered, his voice low and warning, but his blush betrayed his usual calm demeanor.

✧ “it’s true!” robin said cheerfully, ignoring her brother’s glare.

✧ "he can cook as well, amazingly too. he's also great with numbers and smart, oh and he takes a lot of responsibility! i'm sure you can tell how great he is at taking care of others, right?"

✧ despite her best efforts, you remained blissfully unaware of her matchmaking attempts. to you, robin was just a sweet, friendly woman who clearly adored her brother—and maybe teased him a little too much.

✧ one time, robin went the extra mile and set up an impromptu lunch for you and sunday. she’d made an excuse about being busy and left you two alone at the café she’d picked.

✧ “well, this is... unexpected,” you said, glancing at sunday as the two of you sat across from each other.

✧ “she’s... persistent,” sunday admitted, a small, almost sheepish smile playing on his lips.

✧ even then, you didn’t think too much of it, chalking it up to robin just being robin. but sunday couldn’t help but glance at you, his gaze softening as you chatted away, completely oblivious to the fact that his sister had orchestrated the whole thing.

✧ “you’re lucky to have such a caring sister,” you said at one point, smiling warmly.

✧ “yeah,” sunday agreed, though his eyes never left you. “i am.”

✧ robin wasn’t subtle in her matchmaking efforts, but you somehow remained completely in the dark, much to her amusement. “you really don’t see it, do you?” she asked one day, pulling you aside during a break.

✧ “see what?” you asked, confused.

✧ “nothing,” robin said with a chuckle, shaking her head. “just... take care of my brother, okay?”

✧ her words lingered in your mind, but you brushed them off, not realizing the deeper meaning behind them—or the fond way sunday looked at you whenever you weren’t paying attention.

argenti — your go-to-manager and lifesaver (as well as a charming gentleman)

✧ argenti is the epitome of a gentleman, and he makes sure you know it every single day. no matter the task, he finds a way to compliment you, his words dripping with genuine admiration that always catches you off guard.

✧ whether it’s a passing glance or a quiet conversation, argenti never misses a chance to let you know how much he appreciates you—your intelligence, your kindness, your hard work. “you really have such an eye for detail, [your name],” he says with a charming smile, “it’s not something most people have. truly impressive.”

✧ his compliments are always warm, never forced, and his tone is soft and respectful. but for someone who’s so effortless in his flattery, it always sends a rush of heat to your cheeks. you can never get used to it, and every time, you find yourself stammering slightly.

✧ "oh, um, thank you, argenti," you say, trying to hide the blush that’s spreading across your face. “i—i didn’t expect you to notice.”

✧ argenti, of course, flashes his signature grin, a little mischievous but still incredibly sweet. "how could i not notice such brilliance?" he says smoothly, his eyes twinkling with an affectionate glint.

✧ the effect is immediate: your face turns an even deeper shade of red, and your heart flutters a little faster. it’s not just the words themselves but the way he delivers them—gentle and sincere, like he’s truly honored to be in your presence.

✧ and of course, the other coworkers notice.

✧ they’re not blind, and they’re certainly not immune to argenti’s charm. every time he compliments you, they can’t help but exchange looks of jealousy, some of them even rolling their eyes or scoffing when they see how naturally it comes to him.

✧ “again with the compliments?” one of your coworkers mutters under their breath, crossing their arms. “what is it with him? he barely even looks at anyone else like that.”

✧ another coworker leans in, whispering to the first, “doesn’t he know how hard it is to compete with that kind of charm? i mean, seriously, he’s all but swooning over [your name].”

✧ but argenti is completely unaware—or rather, he’s too focused on you to care about anyone else.

✧ “you really do brighten up the room when you walk in, [your name],” he says one day, his voice warm as he opens the door for you. his eyes lock with yours as you step through, the genuine admiration in them making your stomach flutter.

✧ you stutter a response, flustered and unsure how to handle all the attention. “thank you… argenti. i—I’m just trying to do my best.”

✧ “and it shows,” he responds with a wink, his hand lightly brushing your shoulder as you walk past him. the movement is casual but somehow meaningful, and you can practically feel the jealousy brewing in the air as the others watch from the corner of the room.

✧ it doesn’t help that argenti is always so attentive, so gentle, and so charming. whether it’s offering to carry your files or holding the door open for you, he goes out of his way to make sure you feel special in a way that’s completely sincere.

✧ “if you ever need help with anything, just ask,” he says with a soft chuckle as he notices you looking over a particularly complicated report. “you shouldn’t have to struggle on your own, especially when you have someone like me around.”

✧ you try to brush off the compliment, but it’s impossible not to blush every time. “argenti, you really don’t have to go out of your way…”

✧ “it’s no trouble at all,” he insists with a smile, his gaze lingering on you for just a moment longer than necessary. "besides, i enjoy being in your company."

✧ his words make your heart race, and before you know it, you’re completely lost in the warmth of his attention. but it’s not just you who notices the effect argenti has on you—everyone else can see it too, and it’s driving them crazy.

✧ “i swear, if i hear one more compliment from him, i’m going to lose it,” one of your coworkers mutters, clearly annoyed. “why does he always have to be so perfect with [your name]?”

✧ “it’s not like that,” another coworker defends half-heartedly, but the bitterness in their voice betrays their true feelings. “he’s just… a natural, i guess. but still.”

✧ it’s clear that argenti’s effortless charm is driving some of them to frustration, but he pays no mind to the growing jealousy around him. to him, complimenting you is just second nature—because he genuinely wants to make you feel good about yourself.

✧ “you’re quite a remarkable person, [your name],” argenti says with a soft, sincere smile one afternoon, his voice low enough that only you can hear. “and i don’t just mean in your work. i mean, in everything.”

✧ once again, your face goes crimson, and your heart flutters as he meets your gaze. no matter how much the others might grumble, it’s clear that you’re the one argenti sees as special, and you can’t help but feel incredibly lucky for it.

✧ with argenti, you know that his compliments are genuine, and in a world full of competition and rivalry, that’s something that feels truly rare.

✧ argenti holds a higher-up management position at work, which keeps him quite busy during office hours. he’s responsible for overseeing a lot of tasks and projects, which means he’s often pulled in different directions, but that doesn’t stop him from being a supportive presence in your work life.

✧ before work, though, he’s your go-to guy. whether it’s giving you advice on a tricky report, making sure you’re prepared for the day, or just offering a kind word, argenti always finds time for you.

✧ one day, you forget your ID at home, and argenti is the first to notice. without hesitation, he hands you his ID, saying, “don’t worry about it. use mine for both of us today.”

✧ you’re taken aback by his kindness, and it makes your heart flutter. “argenti, you really don’t have to…”

✧ “it’s no trouble at all,” he replies with a soft smile, his warm tone making you feel instantly at ease. “i don’t mind. you’ve helped me plenty of times before, so it’s the least i can do.”

✧ during work, argenti is often preoccupied with his management duties, but that doesn’t stop him from offering you encouragement whenever he has the chance. sometimes, when you run into a tough situation, he’ll sneak over to your desk and offer a quick suggestion, always ensuring that you’re doing okay without interrupting your flow.

✧ “need a hand with that?” he’ll ask with a gentle smile, his eyes meeting yours in a way that lets you know he’s got your back, no matter how busy he is.

✧ while he’s busy with his own responsibilities, argenti always makes you feel like a priority, and you often find yourself grateful for how attentive he is, even when his schedule is packed. his support is a constant, and it’s clear that he genuinely cares about your success and well-being.

✧ the others often notice the way argenti looks out for you, and there’s a bit of jealousy in the air. “how does [your name] get all that help?” they’ll mutter under their breath when they see him helping you. but argenti pays no mind. he’s just doing what comes naturally to him—looking out for you in the way he knows best.

✧ with argenti, you never feel alone in the workplace. whether it’s before work, during a hectic day, or even in the small moments when you need a hand, he’s always there to lend support, and it’s one of the things that makes him stand out in the office.

boothill — the wanted galaxy ranger with a secret identity

✧ boothill works with you at the corporate office, though he’s not quite what he seems. by day, he’s a charming and somewhat mysterious coworker who sticks to his role, but by night, he’s the notorious galaxy ranger on the run, wanted for his exploits across the city. no one knows this side of him—except you.

✧ he’s the kind of guy who keeps to himself at work but is always helpful in subtle ways. he’ll swing by your desk to hand you a file you didn’t know you needed or quietly offer advice when he sees you struggling with a project. but there’s something off about him—something that makes you sense there’s more to his story.

✧ “you’ve been working hard lately,” he says one day as he slides a cup of coffee onto your desk. “make sure you don’t burn yourself out.”

✧ you can’t help but smile at his thoughtful gesture, but there’s a certain sadness in his eyes, like he’s carrying a heavy burden.

✧ “thanks, boothill. i appreciate it,” you reply, wondering why he seems so tired lately. he rarely stays late at the office, and when he does, he’s always in and out, never really engaging with anyone.

✧ it’s not until one night, after work hours, that you stumble across his secret. you’re staying late to finish a project when you hear strange noises coming from the office’s loading dock. curious, you peek through the window and spot boothill in a heated conversation with a few shady-looking figures.

✧ “keep it down, will you?” boothill growls, clearly agitated. “i don’t have time for this. i’ve got things to do.”

✧ you watch in shock as one of the figures pulls out a holographic wanted poster with boothill’s face on it. “you think we’re just going to let you get away with your little stunts, ranger?” the figure sneers.

✧ boothill’s jaw tightens, but he keeps his composure. “you’ll have to catch me first.”

✧ before you can react, boothill spots you through the window and waves you over. “it’s not what it looks like,” he says, his voice calm but with an edge to it. “just some personal business. nothing to worry about.”

✧ you’re stunned, your mind racing with the implications of what you’ve just seen. “boothill… you’re…”

✧ he sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. “well to cut things short i’ve got a bounty on my head from some folks who want to catch me. but don’t worry, i won’t drag you into this.”

✧ you’re speechless for a moment, trying to process the fact that your seemingly quiet coworker is a fugitive. but even as you try to wrap your mind around it, you realize you’re not afraid of him. if anything, you’re intrigued.

✧ “you’ve been helping me all this time, and you’re wanted?” you ask, incredulity in your voice. “why?”

✧ boothill looks down, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “guess i’m not all bad, huh? maybe i’m just trying to lay low, do some good when i can. don’t worry about it, though. it’s my mess to clean up.”

✧ from that point on, you can’t help but keep an eye on him. the more you observe, the more you see how much boothill is not the criminal the posters paint him to be. he’s protective of his coworkers, always putting others first when it counts, and secretly, he’s a man with a heart of gold under that tough exterior.

✧ one day, as you’re wrapping up a meeting, boothill slides you a note under the table. “let’s meet up after work. i’ll tell you more. don’t bring anyone else.”

✧ you agree, meeting him at a nearby bar after hours where you learn more about his past and the reasons behind his fugitive status. the more you get to know him, the more you realize that he’s a man of honor caught up in a dangerous game—and you’re lucky to be the one person he trusts.

✧ "you know," boothill says quietly, looking over his shoulder as if checking for any prying eyes, "this whole office thing? it’s not as boring as i thought. i kind of like it here... even if i’m not exactly cut out for the nine-to-five life."

✧ with boothill, you never know when the next adventure will come knocking at the door, but you do know one thing: he’s not just a wanted fugitive. he’s someone who genuinely cares, and no matter what happens, you’ll stand by him.

✧ boothill’s protective nature comes through loud and clear in the workplace. while he usually keeps a low profile, he’s always observant of those around him, especially when it comes to you. if any coworker becomes too familiar or crosses boundaries, boothill is there in an instant, his usually calm demeanour shifting into something more serious.

✧ “you’ve been working late again,” he says casually as he leans against the side of your desk, but his eyes are sharp. “you okay?”

✧ you glance up, a little startled by his sudden presence. “yeah, just wrapping things up. why?”

✧ boothill leans in slightly, his tone low but firm. “there was a guy—looked like he was hanging around your desk too much. kept lingering.”

✧ your brows furrow in confusion. “wait, really? I didn’t even notice.”

✧ boothill gives you a small smile, his hand resting casually on his hip. “exactly. but I did. if someone’s making you uncomfortable, you tell me. I won’t let anyone mess with you.”

✧ from then on, boothill becomes your unofficial office protector. whenever you’re at work late, he’ll quietly keep an eye on things, checking in on you without making it obvious. if any coworker begins to act suspiciously or crosses boundaries, boothill steps in, handling it swiftly and effectively.

✧ “excuse me, you’ve been lingering around [your name]’s desk,” boothill says one day, addressing a particularly nosy coworker. “if you’ve got something to say, say it now, but keep your distance.”

✧ the coworker stumbles over his words, visibly uneasy under boothill’s intense gaze. “I—just trying to ask about the report,” he mutters, but boothill isn’t buying it.

✧ “then talk to me. don’t waste [your name]’s time. she doesn’t need to deal with you.”

✧ word quickly spreads in the office about boothill’s protective nature. though his reputation precedes him, no one dares to challenge him after witnessing how swiftly he handles situations. he’s known as someone not to cross—not because of fear, but because of his quiet authority and clear boundaries.

✧ one evening, as you’re working late again, a group of coworkers decides to invite you to a casual after-hours hangout at a nearby bar. before you can even answer, boothill approaches with a polite smile but a firm tone.

✧ “she’s busy tonight,” he says, cutting off any attempts to sway you. “she’ll join next time. but tonight, she’s got things to finish up.”

✧ you blink in surprise. “boothill, I wasn’t even thinking of going.”

✧ “just letting you know. no need to explain.” his gaze lingers just long enough to make it clear he’s watching out for you.

✧ as you and boothill spend more time together, you realize his protective instincts extend beyond work. whether it’s an annoying project deadline or a pushy coworker, boothill is there to shield you, often without you even noticing.

✧ “you don’t have to keep looking out for me,” you tell him one day, touched by his constant vigilance.

✧ boothill offers a small, self-deprecating grin. “it’s kind of my thing. protecting people, especially you. besides, someone’s gotta make sure you’re not getting into trouble around here.”

✧ with boothill around, the office feels safer in more ways than one. not only is he highly capable, but he’s also incredibly attentive, ensuring that no one crosses lines and keeping you from dealing with unnecessary stress. in a place where boundaries can be blurred, boothill stands firm, protecting you in a way that is both subtle and powerful.

✧ and despite his feelings for you, he is aware that he's not the only one vying for their affection. he knows that he'll have to compete against other coworkers who also have their sights set on you. they all work hard to stand out from the competition, showcasing their best qualities and going above and beyond to make you feel special.

phainon — the charming coworker (and your golden retriever)

✧ phainon is the new guy in the office, and at first glance, he seems like a kind, helpful person who’s always willing to lend a hand. you quickly learn that he’s got a unique balance between being genuinely helpful and teasingly snarky, which throws people off—especially because it’s hard to tell when he’s joking or being sincere.

✧ one day, when you’re struggling with a report that’s due the next day, phainon swings by your desk with a half-smile and a twinkle in his eye. “you look like you’ve been wrestling with that thing for hours. don’t tell me you're going to miss the deadline?”

✧ you sigh, running your hand through your hair. “I’m trying, but it’s just not coming together.”

✧ phainon leans over your desk, looking at the screen. “it’s not rocket science, you know,” he says, his voice light but with a teasing edge. “just break it into smaller chunks, maybe that’ll help you focus.”

✧ you glance up, half-expecting him to follow up with some kind of sarcastic remark, but instead, he just gives you a knowing look and steps back. “don’t stress. you’ll get it done, no problem.”

✧ you blink, surprised by his supportive tone. “thanks, phainon. I didn’t think you were, like, the motivational type.”

✧ phainon shrugs nonchalantly, his expression neutral but his smile hinting at something mischievous. “what can I say? I’ve got layers. don’t always go by the first impression. but seriously, get that report done.”

✧ though his words often have a teasing tone, you can tell he’s genuinely trying to help. he doesn’t linger too long and doesn’t push when you ask for space, but you find yourself trusting his advice more than you’d expect.

✧ phainon has this way of dishing out advice with a sarcastic twist that somehow makes everything seem lighter, even when the workload is overwhelming. his comments, though snarky, never feel malicious—just playful and oddly comforting.

✧ “you know,” he says one day while you’re working on something else, “if you stare at the same thing long enough, it’ll probably start staring back. but hey, that’s just my unrequested wisdom for today.”

✧ you can’t help but laugh, which catches the attention of a few other coworkers. “you’re weird, phainon.”

✧ he grins widely. “that’s the nicest thing anyone’s said to me all day.”

✧ one thing you quickly realize about phainon is that he’s always ready with a snarky remark when others need a little cheering up. when some of your coworkers are getting bogged down with tasks or stressed about deadlines, phainon swoops in with just the right kind of comment to lift their spirits.

✧ “looks like the project’s giving you a headache, huh?” he says one day to a colleague, who looks ready to pull their hair out. “you know, the desk chairs are actually pretty comfy for napping if you get too tired. just sayin’.”

✧ at first, people assume phainon’s just being dismissive or rude, but it’s clear he’s actually trying to inject a little humor into a stressful situation. even if he’s not the most obvious cheerleader, his presence has a calming effect on everyone around him.

✧ when it’s your turn to be stressed or overworked, phainon steps in without being asked, offering support in his own unique way. “you look like you could use a break,” he says, showing up at your desk with a cup of coffee. “thought I’d make your life a little easier. I know you’ve been working non-stop.”

✧ you give him a grateful smile, surprised by the gesture. “thanks, phainon. you’re not as bad as you act, you know that?”

✧ “hey, I’m a ray of sunshine when I need to be,” he says, winking. “don’t get too used to it, though.”

✧ over time, you start to realize that phainon’s teasing remarks and seemingly neutral tone are just his way of showing he cares. he’s not overly sentimental or loud about it, but when it counts, he’s always there to lend a hand, a witty remark, or some much-needed comic relief.

✧ if you didn’t know any better, you’d think he was just a guy who liked to stir the pot with a few sarcastic jabs—but underneath it all, phainon is one of the most reliable coworkers you could ask for, with a heart that’s just as layered as his personality.

✧ at first glance, phainon might seem like the cool, snarky guy who’s always ready with a clever remark. his white hair and icy blue eyes give him an air of mystery, making him stand out in the office. but what most don’t see immediately is his protective side, the one that shows itself when you need it the most.

✧ one day, as you’re rushing to catch a meeting and navigating a crowded hallway, you trip over your own feet, completely losing your balance. before you can even blink, phainon is right there, his arm slipping around your waist to keep you steady, his grip firm yet gentle.

✧ “you alright?” he asks, his voice calm, though there’s a slight edge of concern underneath.

✧ you blink up at him, still in a daze from the near-fall. “uh, yeah, I’m fine. Thanks.”

✧ phainon’s icy blue eyes flicker with a softness that isn’t often seen in his usual teasing demeanor. “be careful next time. don’t need you hurting yourself over something so simple.”

✧ you chuckle nervously, straightening up. “I didn’t even see that coming.”

✧ he doesn’t let go of your waist immediately, though, his hand lingering just a little longer than necessary as if making sure you’re fully steady again. when he finally pulls away, there’s a faint, teasing smile on his lips. “you’re welcome. I’m here to make sure you don’t do something silly, like break your neck over your own two feet.”

✧ the fact that phainon is so quick to react in situations like these makes you realise that beneath his cool and sarcastic exterior, there’s genuine care for the people around him—especially you.

✧ even in the office, when you’re dealing with a particularly difficult task or a stressful moment, phainon is always there to offer support, though he does it in his own unique way.

✧ “need a hand?” he’ll ask, his voice cool but kind, his usual teasing replaced by a rare sincerity.

✧ when you’re struggling to juggle multiple tasks, he’ll pop by your desk, lean in just a little too close, and offer you some advice in a tone that could easily be mistaken for a snarky comment, but you can tell it’s his way of offering help.

✧ “you know, multitasking is a bit overrated. try focusing on one thing at a time, and maybe you’ll actually get it right.”

✧ you know he’s trying to lighten the mood, and his icy demeanor has a way of making everything feel less heavy.

✧ there’s also something about the way phainon carries himself that makes you feel safe, like he’s always looking out for you in a quiet, understated way. it’s not the loud, attention-grabbing kind of protectiveness; instead, it’s the kind where you know he’s there when you need him, without needing to be reminded.

✧ one day, after a particularly long day at work, you’re heading to your car when you notice a strange figure lurking near the parking lot. the hair on the back of your neck stands up, and instinctively, you reach for your phone to call security.

✧ before you can make the call, phainon appears out of nowhere, his icy blue eyes sharp and focused as he stands by your side. his mere presence is enough to make the stranger hesitate.

✧ “everything alright?” phainon asks smoothly, his tone calm, but the intensity in his eyes says it all.

✧ the stranger looks at phainon, clearly intimidated by his towering presence and the cool authority in his voice. without a word, they turn and leave, their posture tense as they quickly walk away.

✧ you blink in surprise as phainon turns to you, his gaze softening just a little. “don’t worry. I’ve got your back.”

✧ there’s something about the way he says it, so sure and calm, that makes you feel safe. you realize that no matter how cold or snarky he might seem, phainon would do anything to protect you, whether it’s from a near fall or an unknown threat lurking in the shadows.

✧ as time goes on, you begin to notice more of his small protective gestures—like when he makes sure you’re not walking alone late at night or when he steps in to smooth things over when coworkers are making you feel uncomfortable.

✧ it’s clear that phainon may seem like the golden retriever in your team, teasing coworker on the outside, but in reality, he’s a true protector with a heart of gold, always watching out for you in his own way. whether it’s offering a steady arm when you stumble or quietly ensuring your safety.

✧ and when you call him "your hero" jokingly you fail to notice how his cheeks grow reader by each second. because in all seriousness phainon would love to be your hero, your prince.

mydei — the fiery troublemaker (who undeniably has a soft spot for you)

✧ mydei is the loud, brash coworker everyone knows not to mess with. his sharp tongue and hard-spoken nature make him stand out in the office, and he’s got a reputation for causing a little trouble here and there. but what most people don’t expect is how fiercely protective he is—especially when it comes to you.

✧ you also see him around phainon a lot, they seem close despite the small bickering every now and then (and their lingering gazes fixated on someone), often times mydei even asks for you to join him and phainon at break in the cafeteria, and sometimes you have to turn them down, already planning to sit with blade and/or jing yuan.

✧ does it frustrate him? slightly yeah. but can he do anything about it? well technically yes, he can. but blade? that guy's TOUGH. if he were to try to persuade or even threaten blade he's 100% sure it'll turn into a catfight or something. and if they were to say it was because of you? your reputation and career would be over.

✧ and he can't have that. not when he's finally interested in someone after those boring corporate years.

✧ one time, a higher-up tried to dump extra work on you at the last minute, and before you could even process what was happening, mydei stepped in. he loomed over the poor soul with a smirk that could send shivers down anyone’s spine.

✧ “do as they say,” he growled, his tone low and dangerous. “otherwise… I’ll turn you into iron dust with my bare hands.”

✧ the sheer intimidation radiating off him was enough to make the higher-up back off immediately, stammering out an apology before practically running out of the room. you were left blinking in surprise as mydei turned back to you, his expression softening just a little.

✧ “you good?” he asked, crossing his arms as if daring anyone else to mess with you.

✧ you nodded, still a bit stunned. “yeah, thanks… but maybe next time, don’t threaten to, uh, turn someone into iron dust?”

✧ he let out a gruff laugh, shrugging. “hey, it worked, didn’t it? no one messes with my team. especially not you.”

✧ despite his rough exterior, mydei has a soft spot for you that he tries (and fails) to hide. whether it’s grabbing an extra coffee for you in the morning or making sure no one overloads you with tasks, he’s always looking out for you in his own gruff way.

✧ when you’re overwhelmed with work, mydei doesn’t hesitate to step in. “give me some of that,” he says, already pulling a stack of papers off your desk.

✧ “mydei, you don’t have to—”

✧ “stop talking and let me help,” he interrupts, his tone leaving no room for argument. “you’re not doing this alone, alright?”

✧ his protectiveness extends beyond just work. one time, a creepy coworker kept hovering around your desk, making you uncomfortable. mydei noticed immediately and didn’t hesitate to intervene.

✧ “you got something to do, or are you just here to bother people?” he said, his voice sharp and cutting. the creep quickly made themselves scarce, and mydei shot you a reassuring look.

✧ “don’t let idiots like that bother you,” he said, his tone softer than usual. “if anyone gives you trouble, you come to me, got it?”

✧ you can’t help but admire how effortlessly he handles situations like that, even if his methods are a bit… unconventional.

✧ mydei’s protective nature isn’t just about threats and intimidation, though. he genuinely cares about your well-being, even if he’s not the best at expressing it.

✧ “you look tired,” he says one day, frowning as he watches you rub your temples. “when was the last time you ate?”

✧ “i’m fine, mydei,” you assure him, but he’s already walking off to grab you something from the break room.

✧ “no arguments,” he calls over his shoulder. “you’re not working yourself into the ground on my watch.”

✧ while some people might find his rough edges intimidating, you’ve come to see the softer side of him—the one that’s fiercely loyal and always ready to stand up for the people he cares about.

✧ even when he’s causing a bit of trouble or throwing out wild threats, you know it’s all because he wants to protect you. mydei might be a troublemaker, but he’s your troublemaker, and you wouldn’t have it any other way.

✧ mydei’s reputation in the office is practically legendary. no one dares to cross him—his hard-spoken, no-nonsense demeanour makes it crystal clear that he’s not someone to mess with. coworkers usually avoid his gaze, and when he speaks, even the boldest among them stutter and apologise before scurrying off like frightened mice.

✧ you’ve seen it happen countless times, like the day a supervisor tried to overload you with tasks. before you could even muster a response, mydei was there, leaning casually against the supervisor’s desk with a dangerous smirk.

✧ “are you deaf?” he said, his voice calm but laced with an unmistakable edge. “they said they’re busy. unless you want me to turn you into iron dust with my bare hands, I suggest you listen.”

✧ the supervisor’s face turned pale, and they stammered out a hasty apology before retreating so quickly they almost tripped over their own feet. you blinked at mydei, half in awe and half in disbelief.

✧ “you really don’t have to threaten everyone,” you said, trying not to laugh.

✧ he shrugged, grinning. “it’s effective, isn’t it?”

✧ despite his rough methods, there’s no denying that mydei’s protectiveness is unmatched. if anyone even thinks about overworking you or making you feel uncomfortable, he’s there in an instant, ready to handle the situation.

✧ one time, you accidentally spilled coffee on some important paperwork, and a coworker started to berate you for being careless. mydei appeared out of nowhere, his arms crossed and his glare cutting through the tension like a knife.

✧ “you got a problem?” he asked, his tone deceptively calm.

✧ the coworker froze, their face going pale. “n-no, of course not! it’s fine, really!” they stammered before practically sprinting away.

✧ you turned to mydei, feeling equal parts grateful and flustered. “you didn’t have to scare them off like that.”

✧ he smirked, tapping the side of your desk. “you’re too nice. someone’s gotta put these idiots in their place.”

✧ mydei’s presence is so commanding that even the most confident employees think twice before crossing him. yet with you, he softens in ways that surprise even himself.

✧ when you’re stressed or tired, he notices right away. “you’ve been working too hard,” he says, frowning as he watches you rub your temples. “take a break before I make you.”

✧ he’s also fiercely protective of your time. if someone tries to drag you into unnecessary meetings or pile on extra work, mydei steps in without hesitation.

✧ “their plate’s already full,” he says, his tone leaving no room for argument. “find someone else.”

✧ no one ever argues with him—at least, not for long. the workers usually nod nervously, mutter apologies, and retreat as quickly as they can.

✧ mydei’s protectiveness extends to the little things, too. if you forget your lunch or need help carrying something heavy, he’s there, grumbling about how you need to take better care of yourself but still helping you without question.

✧ “you’re lucky I’m here,” he says, handing you a lunch he picked up from the break room. “what would you do without me?”

✧ his gruff words might sound teasing, but the warmth in his actions speaks volumes.

✧ also if you didn't know, he is notorious for his messy uniform. his tie is always loose, his shirt untucked at the corners, and his blazer perpetually wrinkled, like he just rolled out of bed and strolled into work. it’s the kind of look that would get anyone else reprimanded daily—but somehow, mydei pulls it off effortlessly. in fact, it’s part of his charm.

✧ you can’t help but notice how many coworkers—especially the women—sneak glances at him when he walks by. he’s the kind of guy who looks annoyingly good no matter what, his roguish appearance only adding to his already intimidating charisma.

✧ “you’re going to get written up again,” you tease one morning, pointing at his untied tie.

✧ he grins, leaning casually against your desk. “let them try,” he says, completely unbothered. “besides, I don’t see you complaining.”

✧ you roll your eyes, trying to ignore the way his confidence makes your cheeks warm. “i’m just saying—it wouldn’t hurt to look a little more… professional.”

✧ “professional, huh?” he leans in slightly, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. “you offering to fix it for me?”

✧ flustered, you wave him off. “fix it yourself, mydei!”

✧ despite his rebellious attitude, he never fails to catch the attention of the higher-ups, who often call him out for his appearance.

✧ “mydei, your uniform is unacceptable,” his supervisor scolds during a meeting.

✧ he shrugs, adjusting his loose tie just enough to feign compliance. “it’s a tie, not a noose. I like to breathe.”

✧ you stifle a laugh as his coworkers exchange nervous glances. no one dares to challenge him further, knowing how quickly he can turn the situation in his favor.

✧ when he’s not stirring up trouble with his uniform, mydei’s protective streak shines through in unexpected ways. one time, you tripped over a loose cable and nearly fell, but his reflexes were faster than you could believe.

✧ “careful,” he muttered, his arm firmly around your waist to steady you. his usual smirk softened for a moment as he looked down at you. “you trying to give me a heart attack?”

✧ your heart raced as you nodded sheepishly. “thanks, mydei…”

✧ “anytime,” he said, releasing you reluctantly. his hand lingered for a second longer than necessary, but neither of you acknowledged it.

✧ while his uniform might be a constant source of reprimands, his messy, laid-back style somehow adds to his charm. you can’t help but think that even if he cleaned up his act, he’d still be the same mydei—fiery, protective, and always ready to have your back.

✧ and as much as you’d never admit it out loud, you don’t mind the loose tie or the wrinkled blazer. it’s just… him. and he wouldn’t be mydei without it.

✧ mydei’s appearance is nothing short of striking, and the red marks that stretch from his chest to his arms and even onto the side of his face make him impossible to miss. they’re bold, fiery streaks that seem to mirror his personality—unapologetic and intense. coworkers whisper about them, but no one dares to ask him about their meaning, not when his fiery glare can send chills down anyone’s spine.

✧ “doesn’t it bother you?” you asked him one day, your curiosity getting the better of you as you gestured to the marks.

✧ he looked at you, one eyebrow raised. “bother me? they’re part of me,” he said simply, shrugging. “why, do they bother you?”

✧ “no, of course not!” you said quickly, feeling your cheeks warm. “i think they’re… cool.”

✧ his lips twitched into a rare, genuine smile. “good. wouldn’t want to scare you off.”

✧ those red marks only add to the aura of danger and confidence he carries with him. his uniform might be a mess, but the way he owns it—combined with his sharp, handsome features—draws attention wherever he goes.

✧ his coworkers (especially the women) steal glances at him all the time, though no one dares to approach him directly.

✧ “mydei, you’re like a walking distraction,” you teased one day, noticing the stares he was getting.

✧ he smirked, leaning closer to you. “jealous?”

✧ “hardly!” you shot back, crossing your arms.

✧ “good,” he said, his tone teasing but his eyes glinting with something more. “because I don’t care about them.”

✧ his protectiveness of you is unmatched. whenever someone so much as looks at you the wrong way, mydei’s fiery temper flares up.

✧ one time, a particularly rude coworker made a snide comment about your work. before you could respond, mydei was there, looming over them with his arms crossed. the red marks on his face seemed to glow faintly under the fluorescent lights, making him look even more intimidating.

✧ “care to repeat that?” he said, his voice low and dangerous.

✧ the coworker stammered, their face pale. “n-no, it’s fine! just a joke!”

✧ “thought so,” mydei said, his tone cold as ice. “don’t let it happen again.”

✧ when you almost tripped over a stack of files one day, his reflexes kicked in instantly. his arm shot out to wrap around your waist, keeping you steady.

✧ “you okay?” he asked, his eyes scanning your face for any sign of distress.

✧ “yeah, thanks,” you said, your heart racing.

✧ his hand lingered on your waist for a moment before he stepped back, his usual smirk returning. “you need to be more careful. i can’t always be around to catch you.”

✧ whether it’s scaring off creeps or helping you with tasks, mydei’s protectiveness is constant. but it’s the moments where his fiery exterior softens, where his actions speak louder than his words, that truly make your heart flutter.

✧ and those red marks, the ones that make him look like a warrior straight out of legend? they’re a reminder of who he is—bold, fearless, and always ready to stand by your side. (oh and btw you're the only one who's allowed to call him mydeimos)

note: i did not expect to write 15.9k on this why did i do this to myself.

taglist 🏷️: @tomansimp @one-offmind @miitchiji @dainsleif-when-playable @momoewn @stygianoir @irethepotato @v4an��@imetsk @fiannee @sunnyf4lls @yuri-is-silly @khoiyyu @daydreaming-paradies if im missing anyone please tell me because i have an inkling feeling i missed a few..

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#hsr x reader #blade x reader #jing yuan x reader #gepard x reader #aventurine x reader #dr ratio x reader #sunday x reader #argenti x reader #boothill x reader #mydei x reader #phainon x reader #—✧ · . honkaistarrail

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