#typing out the date is so much harder cz you actually can feel every single word and get to ponder—

[perhaps-in-anotherdream]

[CN] Victor’s Snowy Date (Eng Translation)

⌚Warning⌚ This post contains detailed spoilers for a date, 漫雪之约, that is yet to be released in the global server! ♡

It’s very, very important to read the birthday story first: Here

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—

✧ [Prologue] ✧

MC: “On the 13th, from 9 am - 11 am, there’s a multinational video conference; from 12 pm - 1:30 pm, there’s LFG executive luncheon;”

MC: “From 3 pm - 8 pm, there’s a shareholders’ general meeting, with two hours of additional time considering flexibility for maneuvering... at 10 pm, heading to the airport...”

MC: Why is this person’s schedule so packed on his birthday too!

Looking at Victor’s itinerary for the 13th sent by Goldman, I flop down on the hotel bed and release a sigh, feeling a slight headache.

Under such a heavy workload, there’s really no room for celebration on that day.

It’s clearly not at all practical to change the already fixed arrangements. Could it be that postponing the celebration is the only possibility? But the birthday surprise will lose its meaning if it’s delayed...

I purse my lips as I ponder, unwilling to resign myself. At this moment, my phone screen suddenly lights up, and the APP automatically displays the weather conditions for the coming week in Loveland City.

I casually click on the screen, and my eyes suddenly freeze on the forecast for January 13.

MC: “The temperature will plummet below 0 degrees Celsius on the 13th due to cold air, accompanied by moderate to heavy snowfall;”

MC: “It’s expected to have an impact on transportation, and the city residents are advised to make rational travel arrangements...”

I avert my gaze thoughtfully, something suddenly stirring in my mind.

Airplanes have too many requirements on the runway for taking off... if it snows too much on that day, there won’t be enough time to clear up the airport, and flights to the neighboring cities may be delayed or even canceled.

But Victor will definitely not delay the trip… if this happens, perhaps using a private jet will secure the travel. Then, wouldn’t it be possible to celebrate his birthday on the plane?

My heartbeat suddenly accelerates a little. But just to be on the safe side, I’m still going to prepare an alternative plan to celebrate his birthday in a commercial vehicle or lounge.

Immediately afterwards, I contact the manager of a store I’m well acquainted with and ask her to help me prepare some decoration items. It’s only the location that is yet to be decided at the moment.

Just at this moment, Victor suddenly calls. I pick it up in a hurry, hearing his familiar voice on the other end of the line.

Victor (on the call): Are you at the hotel?

MC: Mm, sat down just a while ago. You actually called just at the right time. I’m gonna be off to a meeting in about ten minutes~

Victor (on the call): Why is your schedule so tight?

MC: …look at a certain workaholic having the nerve to say that about me.

A thought suddenly crosses my mind as I mutter, and I open my mouth in dead seriousness.

MC: Having said that, my schedule is completely packed on the 13th as well. CEO Victor, you must have had mental expectations.

Victor (on the call): Mm, I see.

Victor (on the call): Concentrate on preparing for the meeting for now. We’ll talk later tonight.

Victor replies in a calm voice, seemingly not perceiving that I have some other plans.

After hanging up the phone, I take another look at the itinerary for the 13th and secretly clench my fists.

For his birthday this year, I must give him a surprise like he’s never known before.

—

•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•

—

✧ [Chapter 1] ✧

“The plane has landed at the Loveland Airport. The ground temperature is minus two degrees Celsius…”

The winter sun hangs low in the sky. Even at midday, it’s gloomy. I withdraw my gaze from the porthole, impatiently turning off airplane mode.

As soon as the signal is restored, two push notifications pop up one after another.

My eyes skim over the blizzard warning. I dart out of the cabin at lightning speed and dial Victor’s number.

Very soon, the familiar voice transmits from the other end.

Victor (on the call): I remember a certain someone mentioning before that her today’s schedule is completely packed too.

Victor (on the call): Calling me now… did you finish your work ahead of time?

MC: It’s still a long way off.

I walk out of the airport, “lamenting” in a heavy tone.

MC: Although the meeting is over, there are still a lot of materials that need tidying up, and a follow-up connection with the meeting attendees needs to be made.

MC: What about you? Are you done with the shareholder’s general meeting?

Victor (on the call): Mm, the meeting is scheduled for the afternoon. So, I can still skim over the reports a few more times.

MC: Why is your schedule so tight…

Victor (on the call): This time, it involves the financial budget, and all the important shareholders of LFG are present. And to add on, since the Chinese New Year is approaching early this year, time is very compressed.

I sigh silently as I can almost imagine the scenario of him working all night long.

With the way he’s been busy, he must not have the mind to care about his birthday again.

I clear my throat and open my mouth in a melancholic tone.

MC: Sounds like you don’t have much time today… ugh, I can’t rush back to Loveland City either.

MC: But LFG’s tomorrow’s sum up meeting related to the Film and TV sector will be in the neighboring city. I remember you said that you would also be there?

MC: How about we postpone the birthday celebration until tomorrow~

The sound of tapping the keyboard on the other end of the phone hollows out for a bit.

Victor (on the call): [laughs softly]  Sure, I don’t mind.

MC: In that case, CEO Victor will have to feel wronged for a day~

I stifle my laughter and accelerate my pace. As I walk out of the passage, I see an unexpected person greeting me.

Goldman: MC, over here!

I’m frozen to the spot, watching as Goldman takes my luggage.

Goldman: The CEO sent me to pick you up after you land. Do you want to go back home or straight to the meeting venue?

Victor’s well-timed teasing also comes from the other end of the phone.

Victor (on the call): I thought you said you won’t be able to rush back to Loveland City? It seems that Goldman needs to check if he has picked up the wrong person.

The surprise has been crushed just like that. I mouth “wait for me” to Goldman and can’t help but make a soft “humph” into the phone.

MC: Since when have you become a prophet? Not only did you know that I was coming back, but you also even guessed the time of landing?

Victor (on the call):  There was only one flight from your meeting place to Loveland City today. It would’ve been hard to make a wrong guess.

MC: My schedule is very packed. CEO Victor, weren’t you afraid that you might come away empty-handed?

Victor (on the call): There will be no such possibility.

Victor (on the call): After all, a certain someone and I know each other well enough. No matter how tight the schedule is, you will come to me today.

—

•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•

—

✧ [Chapter 2] ✧

The car comes to a slow stop in front of the building. Through the winding corridor, Goldman leads me to stand in front of the lounge door.

I push open the door, and the figure behind the office desk enters my line of sight.

Victor is pondering something while looking at the computer. When he sees me, his originally cold expression softens a little.

Victor: You got here a little later than I expected.

I hold back my elation and walk to the back of his chair. Concerned that Goldman is still here, I simply place my arms on his shoulders in a reserved manner.

MC: There was a bit of traffic on the road. But I’ve rushed here at the fastest speed I could~

Victor sweeps a glance at the doorway out of the corner of his eye, teasing in a voice only I can hear.

Victor: Sophistry.

Goldman: By the way, CEO, there’s been a minor mishap. Due to the weather conditions, your and MC’s flight to the neighboring city tonight has been canceled.

Victor: Then switch to an airline that will fly. And if anything doesn’t work out, you know how to deal with that.

There’s not a hint of added discomposure in Victor’s tone. The ongoing rush of these days doesn’t seem to have affected him in the slightest, and he continues to control everything calmly as before.

Goldman nods and leaves quickly, leaving only the two of us in the lounge.

I reach out and wrap my arms around Victor. Encircled by the reassuring scent lingering around me, my fatigue seems to dissipate a little. I release a contented sigh.

MC: How come getting to see you is like having my power recharged, and I don’t feel tired anymore~

Victor: Only a dummy can be so easily satisfied.

I indolently nuzzle against his neck. The room lapses into silence. The fluttering snowflakes pelt onto the glass, and the lounge is as quiet as if cut off from the rest of the world.

MC: It’s only been a little while, and it’s already snowing so hard…

I don’t hear any reply coming to my ears and only feel the familiar warmth traveling through the palm of his hands.

I incline my head and see that Victor’s also been following my gaze just now, looking at the view outside the window.

Only at this moment do his eyes reveal a barely visible hint of fatigue. But lasts only for a moment before the previous serenity is reinstated within them.

Victor: …indeed. But it won’t affect tonight’s schedule.

Victor says as he proceeds to turn his gaze at the computer again. I subconsciously cup his cheeks, preventing his motion.

Victor: …

Victor doesn’t stop me, bowing his head slightly in response as I stroke the bridge of his nose.

He lets me take off his glasses, and the deep color of his eyes crashes into mine without the slightest obstruction.

Victor: What do you want to do again?

I stretch out my index finger and knead the center of his forehead.

MC: Why are you in a hurry to work just after we saw each other? Aren’t you gonna ask me about how I slept these few days and if my appetite has been fine?

Victor: We don’t need to do that.

Victor: During the business trip, a certain someone’s calls never stopped.

Victor captures my rebelling finger, and I seize the opportunity to grab his hand, speaking with a little more seriousness.

MC: Victor, I know this meeting is very important, but you need to give yourself room for breathing.

MC: There’s less than an hour before you need to leave, so stop working now. Let’s go out and relax a bit.

Victor: I don’t feel tired.

MC: Duplicitous.

I imitate his tone, pointing at the faint blackish color under his eyes.

We can hear the soft sound of fluttering snow coming from the French windows. Victor and I remain in an eye-locking stalemate for a while before he lets out a soft sigh.

Victor: …then accompany me in walking in the vicinity of this place.

Victor: It’s about time, so we’ll go straight to the meeting place later.

—

The elevator doors gently slide open, and the view of an expansive viewing terrace jumps into our line of sight.

Holding hands, we pause to look at the endless snowy landscape outside the window. I purse my lips in a good mood and hear Victor speaking.

Victor: What’s with the silly smile?

MC: I was thinking about the New Year’s after meeting you again. It was snowing heavily that day too.

MC: I was stranded at the airport. But unexpectedly, you showed up out of the blue and took me to meet uncle and the others.

Victor: [adorable teasing imitation]  Uncle? I remember that back then, a certain someone called out “dad” straight away.

MC: ...I was just too nervous at the time!

–

[Tidbits]: It’s a reference to Victor’s “New Year’s Date” in EN, where MC calls Victor’s father “dad” during her first visit to his father’s place~ 🫠

–

Looking at the tips of my ears that have fiercely turned red, Victor chuckles softly, and his expression softens a little.

Victor: It’s been a long time since we’ve seen them. After this busy spell, let’s find some time to go back.

—

Suddenly, we hear a faint clamor coming from ahead. Without even realizing it, we’ve arrived near the venue.

The staff member at the check-in desk is sorting out the gift bags. They get up in astonishment when they see us, but Victor stops them.

Victor: Pay no mind. We’re just walking around.

After a moment’s hesitation, the staff member nods and hands over a gift box.

Staff Member: It’s a gift for each of the guests. Please take it.

I take it, only to find that in addition to the accompanying gift, there’s also a rather substantial booklet inside.

I hold Victor’s hand and flip through it as we walk.

MC: “Compared with the corresponding time period last year, the profits in the media sector have increased by 18.3%. Among these, the European regions have increased by 11.3%...”

I let out a soft “wow,” poking Victor.

MC: Shouldn’t it be said that it’s as expected of CEO Victor? The media in Europe is already a highly competitive market, and you’re still maintaining such a high growth rate!

Victor: Competition is fierce only in relative terms.

Victor: If you can control the marketplace trends one step ahead of your competitors, you will always get room to expand.

Victor says, looking at me meaningfully.

Victor: But this achievement also includes a certain someone’s contributions.

I’m slightly stumped for words, recalling the trips back and forth to Europe I’ve made this year, and all the big and small projects I’ve captured.

Indeed. I’m no longer craning my head to look from the sidelines as I used to before. Now, I’m also a part of this glory.

–

[Tidbits]: The crucial call-back here is Victor’s 5th birthday date, where Victor and MC sign a new 5-year contract with the goal of MC’s company monopolizing all media sectors under LFG — the purpose is to integrate their lives even more and build their future together (and it will be referenced later too). There are several follow-up date call-backs here e.g., Lingering Date, Harvest Date, Investment Date, Trend Date, etc. 🥺❤️

–

I blink, reaching out to Victor.

MC: Shouldn’t CEO Victor give me a treat, then?

Victor: In terms of personal rewards, I never seem to have turned down your “whimsical” requests.

Victor: However, if you are referring to the expansion of investment, it will depend on [MC’s Company Name]’s financial report.

MC: You really don’t leave one loose thread...

??: CEO Victor?

An unfamiliar male voice suddenly rings out from behind us. I turn around and see a man about the same age as Victor approaching hesitantly.

Victor locks eyes with him for a moment, then nods politely.

Victor: It’s been a long time.

??: Indeed, we haven’t had a face-to-face meeting since graduation. If it weren’t for the business here today, I probably wouldn’t have run into you.

The man surveys the gigantic venue, his expression turning more emotional.

??: I didn’t expect that LFG would be able to reach the scale it has today... back then, if only I had been–– let’s not bring that up now. Regardless of what happened, I did learn a lot from you.

??: I owe you a thank you... and, I’m sorry.

Victor takes a pause, his voice as serene as always.

Victor: Me too.

Victor: Regardless of what the conclusion was, thank you for your efforts in the first place.

—

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—

✧ [Chapter 3] ✧

This person seems to be a former acquaintance of Victor, and has some sort of relationship with LFG?

As I’m puzzling over this, a staff member comes over to give a reminder.

Staff Member: The meeting will start shortly. It would be best if you went backstage.

Victor nods and bids farewell to the other party. Then, he leads me into the backstage area.

The bright horizon dims down. Conversations can be heard coming through the heavy curtain, interspersed with the sound of footsteps.

Knowing that now is not the right time to ask, I hold back my curiosity and watch as the staff member helps him set up his equipment for the stage.

Victor’s eyes interlock with mine. As he straightens his outfit, he suddenly opens his mouth.

Victor: I’ll adjust the rest by myself. You guys go and prepare the other things first.

After it’s only the two of us, Victor shoots me a glance.

Victor: Ask whatever you want to ask.

I cough and step forward to fix his tie.

MC: Who was that person just now? You guys seem to have known each other for a long time.

Victor: He was one of the co-founders of LFG previously.

Victor: LFG went through a challenging period shortly after it entered the market. At that time, he called it quits with several other people and started his own business.

MC: ...and then?

Victor: I don’t know. There are other things more deserving of attention than the trend of those people.

Victor: Whether it was a smooth road or a bumpy one, it was his own choice. There’s nothing to be concerned about.

MC: Isn’t that betrayal? And you were still so calm when talking to him...

MC: If it were me, I definitely would have had a few words of doctrine with him.

Victor: [sighs helplessly]  It’s unnecessary. Regardless of whether it’s people or capital, both spontaneously pursue profits.

Victor: Given the situation of LFG at the time, he felt it was reasonable to assume that there was no future.

Victor: This is the way business has always been. A one-time partnership does not mean it will last a long time in the future.

Victor: Instead of pinning your hopes in others, you need to improve your ability to withstand risks.

Victor straightens his cuffs, seemingly not taking this incident to heart. I, however, can’t help but clench my palms.

Whether now or in the past, life never seems to give him the gap to relax.

He always has to deal with everything in front of him with an ironclad attitude.

Staff Member: CEO Victor, we are expecting you on the stage in five minutes. Please be prepared.

The sound of urging in a low voice comes from behind the curtain, and through a gap in the corner, we can vaguely see that the venue is completely packed.

The bright lights sneak into the backstage area, and I suddenly notice that a few strands of Victor’s hair are slightly disheveled.

I purse my lips, lifting my hand subconsciously.

MC: Your hair has gotten messed up… let me fix it for you.

Victor leans down slightly towards me, one hand naturally resting on my waist.

Along with our distance quietly drawing closer, I can almost see myself in his eyes.

I hold my breath and brush a few stands of hair from the top of his head.

The touch on my fingertips is delicate and soft. I slightly zone out, thinking about how I’ve heard before that people with delicate and soft hair are mostly gentle in temperament.

But this doesn’t seem to apply to Victor.

Except when he is in front of me, he spends the majority of his time with a taut and calm attitude, confronting the vast complications of everything.

MC: …Victor.

Victor: What’s wrong?

I exhale softly, speaking one word at a time.

MC: The longer I’m around you, the more I see of you… my pursuit, too, seems to have changed.

MC: Before, I just wanted to walk towards you resolutely. But now, I hope my speed can be a little faster too.

MC: It’s only when I arrive at your side that I can truly share your responsibilities and face everything together with you.

MC: It seems that at some point along the way, you have become part of my dream.

I speak as I tightly clench the corner of his suit.

MC: Don’t worry, Victor. I’ll stand by your side and share your burdens.

MC: So, wait for me just a little longer.

The hand around my waist suddenly tightens.

Victor rests his head on the crook of my neck, exhaling slightly. It’s akin to a sigh of relief, carrying with it a hint of satisfaction.

Victor: You don’t need to say it. I am waiting for you to catch up.

Victor: I never doubted that you could stand shoulder to shoulder with me. All you need is a little time, that’s all. There’s no need to be anxious.

Victor: This pressure right now is not enough to wear me down. And what’s more, a certain someone can bring me more strength beyond your imagination.

Victor: Even a hug like this–– it’s enough.

I can’t help but curl the corners of my lips.

MC: Didn’t CEO Victor call me a dummy when I used this method to “recharge” before?

Victor: Even if you are a dummy, your train of thought has the value to be drawn lessons from. At least, one can be cheered up like this, and it’s very effective.

Along with the sound of his words, a reminder to go on the stage comes from the other side of the curtain. I loosen my arms and straighten the collar of his shirt.

MC: You’ve worked very hard.

Victor softly plants a kiss on my cheek and straightens up immediately.

Victor: Just look at me like this, and don’t avert your gaze.

—

Victor: LFG’s investments in the coming year will mainly be stable as it was. However, in the science, technology, and innovation sector, the scale of investments will be magnified moderately.

Victor: LFG has already selected some enterprises for inspection, and the next step will be to begin the evaluation…

Business layout, financial budget… Victor’s calm voice echoes in the gigantic conference venue.

Victor’s gaze sweeps over the applauding looks of the shareholders, gliding towards the staff members in the corner. His gaze finally rests on the face of the girl behind the curtain, locking eyes with her for a moment.

His voice takes a pause, bringing this report to a conclusion.

Victor: …and thanks to those who have been standing guard and providing strength.

Victor: One can change society with their values–– it’s precisely why LFG has been able to hold fast to its roots and has never changed.

—

•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•

—

✧ [Chapter 4] ✧

After a long, long period of applause, Victor returns to the backstage area and pokes the center of my forehead with some amusement.

Victor: What are you in a daze for? It’s time to leave for the airport.

—

I quickly follow him out of the venue. As soon as we get in the car, I clear my throat.

MC: “One can change society with their values...” Victor, you were really handsome when you gave your speech just now!

MC: I didn’t realize LFG’s plans are so ambitious. I cannot be happy with my status quo.

Victor: You’ve done a great job.

Victor: Last year, I mentioned in my plan that I hope that [MC’s Company Name] can monopolize all the Film and TV industry-related sectors under LFG in the next five years.

Victor: It’s only been a year now, and [MC’s Company Name] has already seized a significant amount of business.

MC: But compared with LFG’s speed, it’s nowhere close.

Victor: It took LFG eight years to grow to its current scale. It’d be rather too ambitious if a certain someone wants to achieve the same accomplishments at this moment.

Victor: There is no need to rush. There’s still plenty of time for you to catch up.

Victor says, then shoots me a nonchalant glance.

Victor: Work is already done. You can now reveal the surprise you have prepared.

The private ramp outside the car window is gradually becoming clear. I withdraw my gaze and open my mouth in a feigned awkward tone.

MC: CEO Victor, have you thought about what will you do if your expectations come to nothing in the end?

MC: After all, time is very tight today, and you don’t even care about your own birthday.

Victor: There will be no such possibility.

Victor: I pay no mind because I know that you will have your heart set on it, along with my part.

His voice is laced with certainty. It’s as though he never once wavered regarding the heart he is holding in his palm. I can’t help but chuckle softly too.

MC: Yes, there is a surprise. But now is not the time to disclose it yet. Let’s set off first~

—

I drag Victor through the car door. Amid the light and shadow of the lights on the ground, the aircraft slowly lands on the ramp.

Victor steps up the flight of steps, glancing at me with a pensive look.

Victor: It seems you left the surprise for after we land.

MC: Maybe~ Anything is possible until it’s revealed.

Victor helplessly steps into the cabin, raising his hand to lift a corner of the cabin’s curtain.

—

In the next second, the bright lights reflect the whole arrangement, suddenly projecting into his eyes.

The quietly blooming bouquets, the fluttering ribbons in all directions... together, they have been decorated into an intimate and warm ceremony.

Victor: ...

As I watch him being rooted to the spot with a slightly dazed expression, I can’t help but feel a little prouder of myself.

MC: I knew you’d travel by private jet in this weather. So, I came here to arrange everything as soon as I got off the plane~

Victor parts his lips, a few hints of astonishment flashing through his eyes.

But even when I press him down in his seat, he still doesn’t say anything, his gaze simply roaming around the cabin over and over again.

Looking at his rarely seen dazed state, I can’t resist poking him.

MC: Why are you so surprised? Is it that CEO Victor couldn’t anticipate what I would prepare?

Victor: ...I did think about it.

Victor: Such as, perhaps a certain someone would somehow conjure up a cake at an untold moment and hand it to me; or perhaps she would arrange a little delayed ceremony at the hotel after landing.

I let out an “oh,” dragging out my voice with a touch of teasing.

MC: It turns out that despite having such a busy day today, you’ve still been looking forward to what I would do.

Victor picks up a strand of my hair, twirling it gently with his finger.

Victor: Because the only thing you care about is whether or not I’m happy today.

Victor: Most of the birthday wishes I’ve received changed over time.

Victor: At first, it was expectations for growing up. Later, the wishes were related to studies… and now, the blessings have all become related to career development.

Victor: But from beginning to end, a certain dummy only wishes for me to be happy on this day.

Victor: I can’t help but care for such a simple and sincere heart.

Victor looks behind me once again as he speaks.

Victor: I didn’t expect you to prepare these on the plane so as not to miss the time.

MC: It’s your birthday surprise, and I certainly won’t allow it to be late~

Victor: What would you have done if the weather was fine today?

MC: Make a separate arrangement! There’s always room for preparing surprises.

As the plane gradually flies into the night sky, the lights also become dim. 

I lift up the cake box, my tone carrying with it a certain solemnity as I speak.

MC: To be honest, I sometimes feel like our lives are always packed with many things.

MC: Meetings, business trips… each of these entails heavy responsibilities from which there is no escape––

MC: Of course, neither of us intends to escape either.

I smile, softening my voice.

MC: It seems to be slowly becoming the norm, and from the norm to habit.

MC: We will receive phone calls when we are traveling, and we also have to keep an eye out for emails when we are at home.

MC: I understand that this is the price of moving forward, so I can give in… but your birthday is different.

MC: I don’t want the beautiful things to arrive late in your life, not even for a moment.

I light the candles as I speak and bring the cake in front of Victor.

MC: Even if the time is short, I will bring the best of everything to you.

There seem to be certain emotions surging in Victor’s eyes, and after a moment, he lowers his eyes.

Victor: I’ve spent quite a few birthdays busy with work. But this is the first time it has been done with such solemnity.

Victor: I’m not the only one who has condensed his blood and sweat to bring LFG to today’s stage. In the face of such a huge responsibility, it seemed that I could only compromise personal matters.

Victor: It has never been a problem before. But now…

He pauses before speaking again.

Victor: …I have become a certain someone’s who wouldn’t put up with that.

Victor: Whenever I think that I’ve seen your entire heart, you always tell me that I can go even one step further.

–

[Tidbits]: It’s a reference to the 5th birthday date too~

–

I chuckle softly, imitating his tone.

MC: That’s because a certain someone’s very existence is worth the most beautiful of everything in the world.

MC: I’m merely helping you to grab hold of the happiness that is rightfully yours in your hands.

The candle flames flicker silently. Although feeble, this is enough to illuminate the tiny gap between us, allowing me to clearly see the softness in his eyes.

I look at the starry sky outside the window and speak earnestly.

MC: It’s said that the higher you fly, the closer you are to the gods.

MC: We are now several thousand meters up in the air. The god who is in charge of your wishes must be able to hear you clearly.

MC: Victor, happy birthday.

MC: This year, you need to be extraordinarily serious about your wish.

Victor gazes into my eyes, then suddenly lifts his hand and pulls me into his arms. His warm palm covers mine, and he encloses them gently.

Victor: Then listen a little more clearly.

Victor: Until the end of our time, never let go of my hand.

—

[Anika’s incoherent ramblings, feel free to ignore ahah]

—

[aerialsquid]

Things That Are Broken

Found some old robot shipping from Transformers: Cybertron era on my hard drive and posted it up. Contains robot makeouts but doesn’t go over PG-13 by whatever metrics we’re measuring robot sex.

Original Synopsis: There are a lot of things Crumplezone doesn’t understand, and most of them involve Ransack. Contains slash and het, but no spoilers.

Ransack could taste dust and cheap motor oil on Rallygate's neck. His thin glossa found small pockets of congealed grease, thinned by the heat of what was a sizzling day even by Velocitron standards, that came off with a single lick as Ransack worked his way up to his girlfriend’s jawline and discreetly spit the black glop over her shoulder. Rallygate moaned softly, her small orange fingers wandering over Ransack’s breastplate. The dim light from the one window let in just enough light to illuminate the dirt and clutter of their love nest of the moment, a storage room with graffiti on the walls and a pair of mechs on the grimy floor in the most compromising of positions. Ransack gasped as the scooter femme started working on his front axel, pulling her down and kissing her as she giggled.

Rallygate was smooth, not as clean or polished as some of the fancier femmes, but she took care of herself. Her paint job was light green and bright orange, although it had been light purple less than a month ago before pastels went out of fashion. Not that Ransack cared about fashion, but it was always good to have a femme who cared about her appearance as long as she didn’t care that Ransack himself rarely got a full cleaning more than twice a year.

And on top of being reasonably good-looking, Rallygate was a short, curvy femme who was currently lying on top of him and running her fingers over his back with her lips against his chest and you couldn't really ask for more, could you?

Crumplezone peered through the crack in the wall, watching as the pair stroked and moaned, their arms and legs twining together in an odd combination of clashing colors. He wasn't quite sure what was going on the other side of his peephole, or why he felt that odd twinge at seeing them together like that. It was like the twinge he got when Rallygate tweaked Ransack's wheel or kissed him, but more so. Crumplezone had never felt the twinge before they’d parked themselves in the small city of Rust Valley for a few months and Ransack had started dating Rallygate. After that, he’d had it almost every time Ransack looked at her. And he didn’t like it.

Rallygate was a nice enough scooter, as city-bots went. She worked the counter at the general store and while she was a little on the ditzy side, she lacked the typical arrogant attitude of the mechs who lived in the more populated areas. In general Rallygate was pretty good to Crumplezone, giving him tools and such to play with when he and Ransack came in to visit. If she ever made fun of his lack of intelligence (and lots of people did that to him when they thought he couldn’t tell they were laughing at him, not with him), she had the courtesy to do it when he couldn’t hear it. Most of the time, Crumplezone liked her. And Ransack thought she was great, so she couldn't be that bad.

So why did he sometimes feel like breaking Rallygate in half with his bare hands and throwing her off a high bridge, not necessarily in that order? Crumplezone didn't quite know, nor did he know why the urge was the strongest when they went in the back room and started stroking each other, not knowing about the hole in the wall next to the shelves of paint cans. He didn't like the feeling, because he liked Rallygate all the other times when she wasn't in the back room or touching Ransack. Crumplezone was usually a pretty peaceful mech when he didn’t have reason to slam someone into the wall at speeds matched only by large trains. And besides his lack of violent tendencies, it might make Ransack upset, and Crumplezone hated it when his friend yelled at him.

Ransack and Rallygate were being louder now and talking about Primus, which meant they were almost done. Crumplezone quickly went out into the main part of the shop, where he sat down and started stacking the oil cans into interesting patterns. They’d be out soon enough, and Crumplezone didn’t want to be caught watching them. He had a feeling that the stroking wasn’t something that you were supposed to look at when it wasn’t you doing the stroking.

In the storage room, Ransack panted to cool his systems off as Rallygate collapsed on top of him, the faint light giving her heated body a dim, dingy glow. This was the good thing about short, curvy femmes. They wouldn't crush you when they were on top. And they were also more interested in a mech or femme that wouldn’t crush them should they choose to change positions, which made Ransack more appealing to them then he would be to taller transformers. For some reason, a motorcycle just wasn’t as attractive to most people as a larger mech with an extra pair of wheels. The world was cruel that way.

"Ransack?" asked Rallygate as she stroked the brim of his helmet, smiling shyly in that way she always did that drove Ransack absolutely nuts. Maybe she wasn’t skinny or tall like the people you normally saw in compromising positions on the datapads found on the top shelf of the periodical rack with titles like “Hot Wheels”, but she was a great gal and she knew how to use her hands in more ways than one. Ransack was pretty damn lucky to have someone like her around to be with on hot days and cold nights.

"Yeah, Rally?" the cycle replied torpidly, grinning back at her and putting his hands behind his head. His happy afterglow haze was brutally shattered a moment later by the five words no mech or femme needs to hear right after swapping kisses and paint with their girlfriend.

"Baby, we need to talk."

Ransack came stomping out the door ten minutes later, slamming it behind him as he stalked into the front of the shop. "Fine! There's plenty of scooters out there for me!" Crumplezone's elegant palace of polish tins, complete with a racetrack made of a fanbelt and a hot tub symbolized by a blue shammy cloth, collapsed as Ransack tugged on his arm with the insistence of a bulldog and the effectiveness of a chihuahua.

Crumplezone mourned the loss of his castle for all of one second before looking up with confusion in his large blue optics. "Ransack, what’s going on?" This didn't make sense; Ransack was usually very happy after the stroking. Maybe something had gone wrong this time.

Ransack tugged harder and Crumplezone obligingly got to his feet, "C’mon, CZ. We're leaving this dump."

Crumplezone allowed himself to be towed out the door by the angry cycle, assuming Ransack would explain it all later. Rallygate poked her head out the door as they left, a look of worry on her face. Crumplezone felt a mild flare of anger at the femme; why, he wasn’t sure. Somehow this was all her fault.

"Ransack, baby,” she pleaded, reaching out to him. “Don’t go-"

Ransack spun and pointed an accusing finger at her, his emerald optics flaring with a rage Crumplezone hadn’t seen since…well, actually Crumplezone had never seen him look like that. It was scary.

"Don't ‘baby’ me, you piece of slag!" he shouted, transforming and speeding off with Crumplezone close behind and still very confused.

Ransack went fast, very fast, the way he did when he was upset. Crumplezone easily kept up with him, but said nothing, letting Ransack deal with whatever it was in his own fashion. The rust-orange mountains that gave the city its name rushed past in a craggy blur as Ransack pushed himself as hard as he could, trying to burn the anger and pain out of his systems. He dodged the rocks on the road without even noticing them, his body acting mostly by reflex now.

Crumplezone made sure to stay a couple yards behind his friend, effortlessly crushing most of the rocks under his heavy wheels and rolling over the largest ones with quick jolts. They were leaving the city limits now and heading out of the valley, and judging by Ransack’s current mood they wouldn’t be back for a while.

Ransack stopped under an underpass, transforming and sitting down heavily. Crumplezone stopped a few feet ahead, skidded, and then backed up to meet the motorcycle. He also transformed and sat quietly beside him.

Ransack put his head in his hands, the burning rage rushing out of him like oil from a burst pipeline. "Where'd I screw up, CZ?" he groaned. “We were getting on so well.”

Crumplezone sat beside him and patted his back. He didn't like to see Ransack sad, which was why he'd never hurt Rallygate no matter how much he felt like catching her alone sometime and blasting her off the face of the planet.

"What happened?" Crumplezone asked, more trying to comfort his partner than actually figure out what was going on. Odds were that it was probably above him, like a lot of things Ransack did.

Ransack raised his head to look at Crumplezone, a mournful expression on his face. “Piece of…she broke up with me, CZ. Probably for some hot rod or other, femmes always go for the cars." He contemplated the ground again, muttering various curses directed at Rallygate and scooters in general.

“Oh," said Crumplezone, unsure of what that meant. Ransack didn't look broken, unless you counted the anguish in his face and voice that made it seem as if some part of his internal wiring had snapped, giving him an injury that he couldn’t get at without the help of a medic. But Crumplezone could tell that it wasn’t that. Ransack always whined when something like that happened until Crumplezone fixed him.

"Maybe you should stay away from femmes if they're gonna break you for hot rods." He patted Ransack's back more, not quite noticing how with every pat his hand stayed there longer and longer.

“Can't help it, CZ. I'm a sucker for curvy types." Ransack prodded a small rock with his foot, then kicked it away. "Stupid scooter."

"Stupid scooter," Crumplezone echoed, with feeling. So Rallygate had broken Ransack’s happiness, that was it. Now that sort of damage, Crumplezone was familiar with. He got that every time he screwed something up so badly that Ransack ranted for a full five minutes about how stupid he was, or when people called him a dimwit halfclocked clunker. It was internal damage, true, but you couldn’t really fix it with an arc welder. It had to fix itself.

Crumplezone gave up patting and left his hand to sit lightly on Ransack's back. Ransack shrugged and moved a little closer to the large secure green thing that wouldn't ever go breaking up with him for a hot rod. CZ, he could rely on to cover his back. CZ, he could trust.

Funny, how now that Ransack was really mad at Rallygate, Crumplezone didn’t feel like hurting her. What replaced that urge was an odd desire to pull Ransack into his lap and just hold him in his big arms until the motorcycle felt better and his happiness was fixed by his self-repair systems. He couldn’t, of course; Ransack had a strict “no hugging” rule that apparently Rallygate was no longer exempt from. He settled for curling his arm around Ransack as the smaller mech continued to rant about life in general,

Mine, thought Crumplezone. And he wasn't quite sure why.