Transformers [x Reader]
In which your typically non-affectionate partner shows their affection in their own strange way.
Characters ── Blackshadow [IDW] | Deadlock [IDW] | Fort Max [IDW] | Ultra Magnus [IDW] | Vortex [IDW]
Reader is ── Gender Neutral | Human/Cybertronian Story is ── Romantic | Headcanons
Warnings ── N/A
Blackshadow
✦ ── He can be such an ass when it comes to affection. Constantly moving away from it, refusing to initiate it, arguing if you asked if he really just flinched when you went to kiss him.
✦ ── Loves you to the dead universe and back, really, but what if someone sees him bein' all soft with you? He would lose mad aura and take a hit to his reputation.
✦ ── But you better be at his side at all times. No seat next to his at the helm of a ship? A new one is installed soon after. Someone standing between the two of you? He barks an order their way so they scram.
✦ ── Blackshadow, the feared phase sixer with what is likely nearing a trillion deaths under his belt, has never been known to trust anyone. You? His right hand con? Nonsense! You just piss him off the least, is all...
✦ ── Refuses to share a habsuite with you because then it's 'too obvious' that you're a thing. Explain how you wake up to him cramming himself onto the tiny solo recharge slab with you, then? Is him entering your habsuite all the time not suspicious enough?
"You can't leave yet."
"Why not? You're leaving." You approached the door, only for his frame to block yours. He crossed his arms as if he needed to look any more intimidating than he already did.
"I am this ship's captain. I have to leave. Work to get done." The red glow of his optics brightened, snarling when you took a step closer in defiance.
"As do I!" Keeping your relationship hidden was not your idea, and it continued to prove an obstacle in your everyday life.
"If you leave right after me and someone notices, they'll think we're...you know." If his expression could be anything but cocky or serious, you imagined he'd look nervous right about now.
A drawn-out sigh escaped your lips.
"One minute. Go."
"Ten?"
"Just go!"
Deadlock
✦ ── He isn't exactly obedient, but he certainly doesn't break the rules all the time either. Deadlock's only aim is to win the war, by whatever means he deems appropriate. Often that means going behind Turmoil's back.
✦ ── But he had a much harder time going against you. So loyal to the cause, it was both a desirable trait that he loved in you and one that killed him a million times over.
✦ ── Because he couldn't say no to you. He may not be the kind of partner to hold your hand and whisper sweet nothings, but damn, he'd do anything you demanded of him.
✦ ── As far as he is concerned, every other con could curl up and die. The war could disappear without a trace, and he'd be happy so long as he had you and your sweet little demands.
✦ ── There are limits, of course. He will only act in ways that assure no harm comes to you, and his goal is furthered. But still, your ability to get Deadlock to bend to your whim is more than just impressive. It should be impossible.
"Turmoil told us not to leave this district."
You had grabbed Deadlock's wrist, who froze in place at your words.
"If these bots escape, they'll get backup. I need to end this now." He growled back at you, red eyes narrowed and bright. There was no real threat, even if he tried to make it seem so.
"We can't risk it. If you go, I'll go. Then we'll both be in trouble."
That seemed to snap him out of it. The con pulled his arm from your grip; this time it was his claws digging into your plating to drag you along with him.
"Next time you're staying on the ship."
Fort Max
✦ ── Fort Max is a bot of action and very few words. He does what needs to be done and keeps every reply as sufficient as he can manage. Unless, of course, he has a good comeback.
✦ ── It takes a lot for him to engage in any conversation beyond listening, even with those he considers close friends. He wasn't always like this, but it's who he is now, and it isn't important enough to fix.
✦ ── And yet, for some unknown reason, he has no fear of sharing with you. He greets you first, asks you about your day, and details his so long as you're willing to listen. You disarm him (verbally, at least) and make him comfortable enough to open up.
✦ ── It is slow to build up, but eventually he goes from a sentence to full speeches. The only thing that doesn't seem to change is exposure to others. The moment someone else is around, he stops talking immediately. He'll listen to you, but that is it.
✦ ── Combination of lack of trust for others and his desire only really applying to you. He wants you to know how he is doing, and he wants to know anything you'll tell him.
"Max?" Your utterance of the nickname gave him pause, realizing he'd been staring into space with a grumble.
"Are you giving me the silent treatment again?" You tilted your helm to get a better look at him, to which he looked away with a sigh. His eyes landed on the mech who'd just entered the room.
"No." Curt and precise, different from the Max you'd come to get especially close to. "Can we go someplace else?"
His frame relaxed when you nodded.
Ultra Magnus
✦ ── Precision. Perfection. Everything has a place and shall stay in that place. And he only allows for things with a clear purpose to remain in his office. That means nothing frivolous or extra.
✦ ── The slightest movement of one of his carefully measured and placed belongings will be met with strict punishment. Enough to keep plenty of the Lost Light crew from entering the office in the first place.
✦ ── You are the only person other than himself that he accounts for in his office. The casing of his pen is in your accent colour. The lounging chair in the corner is for you to sit on. The light is a shade that complements your main paint.
✦ ── Of course, you'll still get into shit for moving his stuff or trailing any dirt into his office. He'll handle the punishment personally, of course. No delegation needed.
✦ ── But he accounts for you. His office is one example, but it tells you that he considers you as a variable in everything he does. The smallest of details tailored to fit your needs, your presence a given when he considers seating charts at his lectures.
"And just where do you think you're going?" The deep hum of his voice was authoritative, though somehow less than it usually was.
"I was just thinking of leaving early. Maybe grab a drink at Swerve's." You made that up, really. You just wanted to test what would happen if you left without him.
"Not according to my schedule. Sit back down. We'll leave at 11:42 sharp."
"Yes, sir." And just like that, he was back to typing away on his datapad.
Vortex
✦ ── While Vortex may not be inherently affectionate or lovey-dovey, your relationship is no secret. He shows you off a lot, and he isn't afraid of claiming you to be his in front of others.
✦ ── The word is pride. Vortex doesn't care about his own reputation, or his fellow Combaticons' prestige, or anything really. Except for you. You are the best thing to happen to him, and he's vocal about it, too.
✦ ── You won't catch him holding your hand (often), but every single hour your designation slips out of his mouth smooth as butter.
✦ ── And if anyone speaks ill of you? They're probably dead! Yeah, it doesn't really matter what team they're on or how important they are; he is actually going to kill them. If Onslaught won't let him, then at the very least he'll leave them resembling a pile of scrap.
✦ ── It's stupid because the only person he hides that pride and display of love from is you. In private he'll be affectionate but constantly make fun of you, and then in public he's defending your honour while shying away from touch.
If you could melt away behind your servos right now, you would.
"I don't hear you calling them Conjunx." Skywarp and Vortex were having an argument, each attempting to rage bait the other.
"Not yet. Real love takes time, love, and care." Vortex spoke as if he were the most experienced Cybertronian on the topic, feigning his nonchalance.
When the seeker snickered at him, the smaller con reeled back a fist.
"No, Vortex!"
Author's Note ── I love these bad at love types so much...















