Work Text:
You wiped the drops of sweat off your forehead as you presented your driver's license and security clearance badge to the guard at the checkpoint you were stopped at. The day was unusually hot and humid as a massive front of summer storms rolled into the state of Nevada. So you were sticky with sweat the entire afternoon. The uniformed guard gave you a pleasant nod and you thanked him as you gently accelerated into the military base ahead. You parked just outside hangar E and you noticed the lights were on and there was activity inside. You got out of your car and heard thunder rumbling in the western sky as the wind began to pick up. You could smell the rain coming, which prompted you to grab your bag and make your way inside.
You entered through a side door adjacent to the large hangar doors, and relished as cool air hit your exposed skin. No one minus June had noticed your stealthy entrance, as she was close by. Emergency room nurses do have hawk eyes after all. Everyone was present minus Optimus Prime and Smokescreen. Ratchet was at this computer, looking at what looked like molecules on his screen intensely. Bumblebee and Arcee were sitting on some crates towards the back doors and chatting quietly. Bulkhead and Wheeljack were logging something into a console behind Ratchet. You didn't see your guardian anywhere. You figured he was busy elsewhere, because there's no way he would be resting.
You exchanged small talk with June, as she was on her way home with the kids to drop them off. Raf gave you a hug and Miko fistbumped you on her way out the door. You warned them about the approaching storm and to drive safely.
Ratchet noticed you next.
"Good evening Y/N."
"Hey Ratchet, what's the damage today?" you asked as you sat on the couch on the raised platform, grabbing a bottle of orange juice from the mini fridge that was next to the wooden table Raf was always sitting at on his laptop. Agent Fowler had acquired one to keep cold drinks and snacks for the kids and adults, which was most appreciated in hot summer nights like this. You waved at the other bots who noticed your presence.
"No Decepticon activity today thankfully. Everyone has continued to scout for Predacon bones and energon deposits. Optimus and Smokescreen are on their way back from a potential energon deposit location in the Patagonia." Ratchet spoke.
"Quiet day huh?"
"Seems so, but too quiet for my liking. Usually when there's radio silence like this, it was right before the Decepticons planned something big."
"I dunno, maybe they're on vacation or something." you joked.
Ratchet rolled his optics and groaned in good humor. You drank your juice.
Ratchet continued, "Are you looking for Ultra Magnus?"
"Probably."
"He should return soon, he was acquiring some equipment for me from another hangar."
You raised your eyebrow at Ratchet in confusion.
"He's been harassing us all day, so I gave him something to do."
"You? Getting annoyed? Unbelievable."
Ratchet chuckled. You're close to the medic, so you've been bestowed the honor of playfully poking fun at him. He's also eased down on his grumpiness after awhile of spending time with humans, and now that things are looking up.
"Believe it." he replied.
You took another sip as the main hangar doors opened loudly, and through them stepped Ultra Magnus, holding several boxes of parts and a large spool of metal wiring. He placed them near Ratchet's workstation just as some of the other bots walked into frame from the other side of the hangar. Wheeljack was holding a lobbing ball, and you gulped, worried that he was going to destroy something or get yelled at. You got along well with Wheeljack, but he could be reckless sometimes.
"Anything else, Doctor?" Ultra Magnus inquired.
"No commander, thank you."
"How far along are you with your synthetic energon?"
"Minimal progress was made from the last time you asked me, Ultra Magnus." Ratchet said, rather annoyed. Magnus furrowed his optic ridges.
"I just wanted to know."
"I'm trying the best I can, but science takes time."
"I understand."
Ultra Magnus didn't have time to notice you were here, because his attention was taken by the sound of Wheeljack throwing the lobbing ball at Bulkhead, who quickly caught it. They both let out an enthusiastic yelp. Ratchet once again rolled his optics. You wondered if rolling his eyes so many times would hurt him. Magnus' expression quickly went from neutral-serious to mad-serious.
"Oh no." you said to yourself.
"What are you two doing?" he asked.
Wheeljack crossed his arms and looked like he was about to say something rash.
"We've been at it all day sir, we were just having a little fun." Bulkhead quickly interjected, likely sparing Wheeljack further reprimand.
"We're not finished. There's still one quadrant to scout."
"It's dark out, how will we see anything out there?" Wheeljack spoke up, making Bulkhead cover his optics with his hand, mentally preparing himself for another argument.
Ultra Magnus stepped towards him, and eyed him directly.
"You have flashlights, don't you?"
Wheeljack returned the intense gaze. You've seen this staring contest happen every time you came to the base. Though you're aware they're on much better terms now since they began working together, they still butt heads often. Wheeljack and Ultra Magnus were an unstoppable force versus an immovable object.
"There's a massive storm inbound, visibility will be even less than usual. I think we should hold off until tomorrow." Ratchet pitched in from his computer.
Magnus turned his head towards Ratchet, pondered for a second and nodded.
"Very well." Magnus agreed.
Bulkhead sighed in relief as he followed Wheeljack, who already took off with his lob to another section of the hangar. You heard the wind rattle the walls and the pitter-patter of the rain beginning to hit the hangars' roof. Ratchet tapped some controls and opened a groundbridge, and through the swirling vortex of green and blue stepped the two missing Autobots. Optimus and Smokescreen were both pushing hovering carts full of raw energon crystals. Bumblebee and Arcee met them at the bridge to grab the carts. Ratchet closed the bridge and made his way to Optimus, who gave him a gentle smile and placed his hand on his shoulder. Ratchet returned his smile. Your spidey senses felt that something was up between those two.
Bulkhead and Wheeljack, minus one lobbing ball, met the rest of the team and everyone began chatting.
Optimus spoke up and briefed what he and Smokescreen found at their location. Magnus stuck around the back of the group, where no one spoke to him, or even looked at him, except Optimus occasionally. Optimus always acknowledged everyone when he spoke.
You stared at your guardian with a twang in your heart. Even amidst a crowd, he seemed alone. His body language indicated he felt uncomfortable. You hated it. There was much more to him that others couldn't see. Even if at first he wanted nothing to do with you, spending a significant amount of time with the bot on scouting missions and patrols made you realize he's doing what he thinks is the best for everyone. He's humble, brave, resilient. He once got hurt while protecting your life, then asked you if you were okay as he leaked energon onto the rocky soil of the mountain you guys were on. You began to admire him.
He'd offer to drive you home when you left the base at ungodly hours, because he didn't want you out by yourself so late.
A few weeks prior, Ultra Magnus caught wind that you were interested in him. You may have been inebriated and rambling and you may have spilled your feelings. Someone may have told the commander. Thanks Wheeljack. You were informed that Magnus was speechless for a solid hour, and he's been sort of awkward around you since. After you threatened to terminate him, and you were sober, you told Wheeljack what you said was true. He laughed and made fun of you at first but he then actually encouraged you. His words rang in the back of your thoughts.
"We've all been dragged through the pits with this war, if somehow we find something that takes our pain away, then I have no right to say anythin'."
Magnus didn't say a word, simply nodded after Optimus finished his briefing and walked off elsewhere. Optimus joined Ratchet beside his computer to casually converse with him and input information into the system. The other pairs of bots moved the carts elsewhere and began the process of refining the raw energon. They talked and joked around. At one point Smokescreen struck a ridiculous pose that made the others laugh as they worked. Bulkhead joked that he acts like he was forged yesterday, which continued the laughter.
Ultra Magnus stood towards the front of the hangar near the doors, and stared outside into the night.
You rose to your feet, which ached somewhat from working all day, and composed yourself before making your way down the platforms' stairs to use the catwalk that wrapped around the interior of the hangar. You appeared next to him, but he was so lost in thought he failed to realize you were there. You wondered if he had even heard your footsteps on the metal floor.
"Hey" you spoke up.
He saw his torso perk up and his shoulders move backwards slightly as he turned his attention to you. You may have spooked him but you can't tell. His gaze met yours briefly and you smiled and gave him a small wave. He quickly diverted his cyan optics away to somewhere beside you.
"Hello Y/N." he greeted you.
"You okay?"
"I'm fine, why do you ask?"
"Because I think that you aren't."
He stared at you fully now optics wide, stunned. He relaxed his shoulders in defeat and ex-vented.
"I suppose you are right."
"Wanna go outside?"
He nodded.
The storm was raging at its' full intensity now, kicking up the desert sand and assaulting the parched earth with much needed water. The temperature dropped too, making it comfortable to exist outside without getting diaphoretic. You sat on the concrete beside a mass-displaced Ultra Magnus, both of your backs against an exterior wall of the hangar. You were mostly dry, save for the gust of wind that blew raindrops onto you, due to the metal roof that extended beyond the building. It reminded you a patio. The soldiers kept oil drums and empty containers out here, which also provided some level of privacy. The bases' outdoor lights from the surrounding structures offered some dim lighting that wasn't overbearing. Magnus glowed like a Christmas tree however because of all his biolights, which you thought were pretty. You took a sip of your watermelon flavored wine cooler you took from Fowler's office (to keep away from the children) and pointed towards the distant sky as a violet branch of lightning erupted from the pitch blackness. The thunderclap that proceeded it was deafening and you made an "oooh" noise.
Before heading outside, you urged Magnus to grab a drink for himself, and after arguing with you that he didn't need refueling, he agreed when you told him to grab high-grade instead. You weren't sure if the stoic commander even drank. He sipped his cube every so often next to you.
"So, what's up?" you asked calmly, noticing another lightning bolt hit the earth miles away. You counted the seconds.
"I...suppose the rest of the bots think I may be too strict, and I believe it's starting to affect them...I do not feel like my words have any positive impact."
"I can tell."
You continued, nervous about the entourage you were about to unleash.
"Magnus, I think you're a fantastic leader, in a time of chaos and uncertainty when we all dispersed across the planet, you came down and brought everyone together to take down Darkmount. You had no idea what the fuck was happening when you came to Earth, but you got to work and got the remaining bots out of a real big mess. That's pretty incredible."
He remained silent.
"I just...think maybe you're too accustomed to how things used to be run during the war. You don't let yourself or anyone else relax."
"It's hard to relax when we've spent every moment of the last four millions years fighting for your life."
You took a big swig of your drink.
"I understand that, but you spent so many years giving it your all, to preserve life on your world. You spent how long wandering the stars, alone? You finally found your people again. What's the point if you can't enjoy some of what life offers yourself?"
He took air into his vents as if were to speak, but no sound came back out. He held his in-vent.
"You're still here and you're still alive, despite everything. Live a little man, it's good for you." you said as you finished your drink, and promptly cracked open another one.
Several minutes went by. You didn't glance over at Ultra Magnus. You allowed him to take his time to process your words. Your now glossy eyes scanned the churning sky as you listened to the thunder shake the town. Thunder that mimicked your own heart.
"Y/N." he finally, agonizingly spoke.
"Yep."
"Please look at me."
You turned your head, and you witnessed an expression you had never seen the commander wear. It was a mixture of content and defeat.
"Thank you."
"No problem, I meant every word of that."
"No one has ever spoken to me that way before." he admitted.
You almost choked on your now mango cooler, "seriously?" you coughed out.
He nodded and looked at you slightly perplexed as you cleared your throat. He drank more from his cube, which was about halfway empty. You both sat without saying a word for a few minutes. You watched a trashcan get blown across a parking lot ahead of you in amusement. Your skin was damp and cold from the rain.
"Another thing." he began, "I was...told that you are, interested in me?"
You were halfway lifting your arm up for another sip when you froze in place.
"Uhh...yeah- sorry, I- yeah..why are you..bringing that up now?" you blurted out, stuttering both due to being flustered and tipsy.
A flash of yellow lightning illuminated the immediate area around you, and for a second you could swear on your left kidney, the most subtle smirk formed across his faceplates. He lowered his optic ridges as if concentrating on his next words.
"I'm taking your advice."
"Huh?"
"Living a little." He said, and chuckled so lowly you need an infrasonic detector to hear it properly.
"Did you just laugh?"
"I attempted to."
"I thought laughing would hurt you, honestly."
He lowered his head down, and chuckled again, louder this time. You were in so much disbelief that you now thought your drink was laced with drugs. You also let out a little giggle, mostly from being unable to say anything in response. He's definitely at least tipsy. Maybe that's why he never drinks around the other bots, he might open up too much.
"Wheeljack was the culprit."
"I know, I'm gonna kill him."
He hums in response, amused. You scoot towards him, since it's starting to get rather chilly and his large frame offers some protection from the wind. He accepts your physical closeness and closes his optics as you lean your upper body against his. The storm continues its onslaught and you eventually close your own eyes and exhale. In between the thunderclaps you can hear his frame whirring subtly. His core is also slightly warm to the touch. Not that you mind. His weight shifts to where its' closer to you now. You never imagined someone like him would have such a mellow side, but you're glad you were able to reach it. Though he'll continue to be as stoic and laser-focused as he is when you eventually returned indoors, but it warmed your heart to be able to be this close to him.
You dozed off for about half an hour as your watch indicated. You sat up for a second to stretch your neck. You felt movement next to you as Magnus did the same. The storm had died down and was rumbling off towards the east now, leaving muddy puddles and crisp air in its' wake. The full moon was bright and visible through the string of dark clouds staggering behind. Magnus sat forward and his head was next to yours, though much higher in level. Even mass-displaced, he was still huge.
He turned to look at you, and smiled gently. You did the same. He didn't avert his eyes this time, but leaned down, lowering towards your level. Your breath hitched and fluttered. He brought a servo up to the side of your head, and caressed your cheek and ear, which sent chills throughout your body. You swear, you might pass out right then and there. You didn't move. He leaned forward and you felt his lips touch yours. There was some hesitation at first, but that quickly faded as he found the courage to proceed. For a being made of metal, the flesh of his face was strangely soft and supple. The kiss was gentle, tender. Which you didn't he'd be capable of.
There was a raging sea of emotions in your chest, with every second you spent connected to him, a wave crashes. His other servo found its way to the area just above your sternum, reminding you of your beating heart, which you're certain he could feel. Another feature of human biology new to him you thought. His fingers were frigid from being outside, and heavy.
He pulled away to give you a moment to catch your breath. He leaned back and almost looked surprised he just did that. Certainly against protocol. You heard the whirring from earlier grow exponentially louder, and it was now clearer where it emanating was. Ratchet had showed you when you asked about Cybertronian biology: Cooling fans. How is he running hot in this weather?
"Okay." you said breathless.
"I'm enjoying what life has to offer Y/N..." he said, once again using your own words against you.
"You sure about this?"
"I'm willing to try."
You were about to kiss him again, but were stopped because your ears registered Optimus' voice calling out your names from the other side of the hangar.
"Let's go inside" he said as he stood up and offered you a hand, which you happily took. He stepped out from under the overhang and transformed back to his normal size.
You picked up your cans and followed him inside. The other bots were gathered around the doors, waiting impatiently. You figured the two of you weren't gone for that long, but who knows. Maybe they needed Ultra Magnus for a mission or something else of importance.
"So, feel better?" Wheeljack began.
Ultra Magnus looked at him confusedly and tilted his head slightly to the left. Wheeljack in response only flashed him a cocky grin. Ratchet was also glaring at him. If looks could kill Ratchet would be in prison. Smokescreen had the biggest smile you've ever seen on a living being. It was almost creepy. Arcee and Bumblebee were staring at you specifically. Optimus looked like a concerned dad, optic ridges raised and scrunched up towards the center.
"Ya know, after getting charged up and smoochin' Y/N." Wheeljack said with confidence.
Magnus' face dropped in absolute horror as his optics widened to the size of both of Cybertron's moons. You could hear his inner mechanisms flooring to a halt. You wished you could phase through objects like Smokescreen does and disappear into the floor. Your face heated up as you pulled your t-shirt over your head and groaned.
"You should know...the exterior of this hangar as cameras everywhere, and they're equipped with night vision." Ratchet informed the two of you, voice laced with a breve level of sass.
Optimus advised everyone to give the three of you some room. You pulled your shirt down and watched the other bots disperse out of the hangar. Wheeljack gave you a wink as Bulkhead dragged him outside. As the doors slammed shut, Optimus approached his comrade and placed both his servos on his massive shoulders. For the first time in history, Ultra Magnus did not meet the Prime's gaze.
"You deserve to be happy, old friend. As do you, Y/N." he said as he looked down at you towards the end of his sentence.
Optimus continued, "and if you find that happiness in each other, I cannot prohibit either of you from it. "
Ultra Magnus stared at the Prime and could not form a single word. Primus help him.
"I only ask the both of you to proceed with caution, and understand the risks of such a relationship."
You and Magnus nodded, his face tinted as blue as his paint job.
"Y/N." Optimus stated.
"Yes?" you answered.
"Is there anything you'd like to say?"
"I think I need another drink."