Chapter Text
“Long ago in a land far away, there lived a King. He lived in a castle surrounded by his loyal servants, ruling over a flourishing Kingdom. However the King was not known for his generosity, nor his kindness, rather, he was ruthless. To his subjects, he was a hero, to everyone else, a conqueror.
On the eve of a great battle which threatened to consume a smaller kingdom, a wise femme proposed that the King’s invasion be called off by tricking him. The smaller kingdom, out of options, agreed to the femme’s plan. She disguised herself and traveled to the King’s own castle through the bitter winter cold, knocking upon his door. When he answered, she asked to have shelter, to which he asked what he could have in exchange. When she produced a single, crystal rose he laughed cruelly, crushing its petals in her hand and casting her both out of his castle, and his Kingdom. That was when she revealed herself - the femme was no ordinary Cybertronian, but a powerful witch, who cursed the King to become a monster, his servants and subjects too, dooming them all to a miserable existence. However, the witch was not cruel herself, nor did she believe him beyond redemption, and gave the King the crystal rose, for if he would receive a kiss of true love before the last petal of the crystal shattered, then he, along with his servants and subjects, would be freed of the spell-”
“I don’t like this story!” Sunstreaker suddenly cried out, making Orion perk up out of the book he had been reading to the mechlings. Sideswipe tried to swat at him to get him to shut up, only for Sunstreaker to whine loudly “You’d said there would be sword fights! And knights! There’s no knights in this story, it’s boring!”
“Quit it Sunny! You’re so mean! I was enjoying the story then you went and ruined it!” Sideswipe bemoaned.
Orion just shook his head, trying not to smile at their antics. When he’d first agreed to run Mechling Storytime at the Library, Alpha Trion had warned him that he’d had a tough crowd. Sunstreaker and Sideswipe weren’t exactly hard to please, they just couldn’t agree on anything, though he was patient with both of them. Sharing was a new concept to them, but if he and Dion had learned to share as mechlings, then so could they. They just needed to know that ‘sharing’ also meant having patience too, and that they could be independent of one another.
“Well then, Sunstreaker, why don’t you go and pick out the next book I’ll read, while I finish reading this one to Sideswipe?” He offered “You remember how to navigate the system to find the book you want, right?”
Sunstreaked got to his peds, sticking his glossa out at his brother “‘Course I do!” the mechling chirped “Fiction goes in alphabetical order by the creator’s name, nonfiction is the numbers, numbers and subject is on the end of the shelf.” The mechling went off to start looking for his book.
The moment his twin’s back was turned, Sideswipe whispered to Orion “Sunny will be a while, he still doesn’t know I and E come after the letter C.”
Just as Orion made a mental note to perhaps talk to Sunstreaker about that later, out of the corner of his optics he saw his mentor and employer, Alpha Trion, struggling with a large stack of books. The stack was taller than the top of his frame, and swayed a little backwards towards the mech. Orion was right to get up in concern for no sooner had he done so, the stack toppled back onto the older mech and he cried out in alarm, falling to the floor in a heap.
“Sir!” Orion rushed over as Trion rubbed his helm “Are you alright?” he asked, going down onto one knee to see if he was hurt.
“Oh, I am fine, Orion, I forget I am not as strong as I used to be,” Alpha Trion sighed, and got to his knees to gather the books, Orion following suit “I had hoped by stacking more I would be able to load the books into the wagon faster to set off a little early, beat the storm to Outer Tetrahex, it is very generous of them to be taking these in exchange for new materials.”
Now that the books were separated into two separate piles, Orion looked over at Sideswipe to see if the mechling was okay by himself for a while, only to see his helm buried in the book Orion had just been reading. When the older mech was on his feet again, Orion took his pile to the trailer they were loading up “Sir, are you sure you don’t want me to take it to Tetrahex?”
Trion waved his concern away “I will be fine, Orion, besides the Clavis Aurea know me, there is a possibility should they see you in my stead they will assume you are a thief and attack you. One day I will introduce you to them, but not that day, let those little ones be your worry for now.”
Orion hated to say he didn’t have faith that Alpha Trion wouldn’t see the books through to their delivery point, however he’d heard nothing but horrible things about the route he was taking. Darkmount was a terrifying place, rumored to be the hunting grounds of feral Predacons, bandits, and nightly horrors which lurked in its seemingly eternal dreariness. However with a snowstorm predicted for that night and much of the next few days, it was the quickest route to Tetrahex without being exposed to the elements thanks to its forest.
“Then how will I know that you’ve arrived? Trion, please, just let me come with you-”
“Now now, Orion, there’s no need to be so concerned, you will know of my arrival and of my distress should it come to pass,” He handed the younger mech a tracker “It will ring should I become compromised and wish for assistance, now, you will be in charge when I am gone, I have faith you will take care of the archives in my absence.” Alpha Trion smiled trying to lift Orion’s spirits “Now don't hesitate to call me or Fortress Maximus should Overlord come and start giving you trouble again.”
Orion knew Alpha Trion meant it as a reassurance, when in actuality, just thinking of Overlord had his plates shifting slightly in nerves. The mech was massive, one of the best hunters in the village, and thoroughly absorbed with himself. Objectively he was quite handsome, and had attracted the attention of several younger mechs and femmes, all of whom would have been happy to have him as a partner. Yet for some, Primus' known reason, despite the fact they had absolutely nothing in common, Overlord had set his sights on him like some sort of prized, rare buck. While hunting was his profession, Orion knew through Ironhide that Overlord competed in pit fighting for fun, something that disturbed him to his core. He was intimidating, with a massive frame which he knew how to use to get what he wanted, and could no doubt tear a mech apart with his bare hands. Perhaps he thought of him as some sort of submissive, pretty piece that was missing in his home, that would wait on him hand and foot, which he could show off to the others just as he did every time with the pelts of the beasts he slaughtered in the woods.
That would not be, and never would be him.
“Understood, Sir.” Orion finally sighed, knowing there was no convincing the older mech to change his plans. Thankfully, it seemed Sunstreaker and Sideswipe were determined to steal Orion’s attention as the yellow mechling bounded up to the library clerk with a book in his hands.
He lifted it proudly to show him the cover “This one!” he demanded “This one next!”
Alpha Trion just laughed “It appears you have eager patrons to serve, Orion.”
Shaking his head good naturedly, Orion took the book from Sunstreaker “Alright, but we have to finish Sideswipe’s book first, it’s only fair, then we can read your one.”
“But Sideswipe’s one is stupid!”
“You’re stupid!” Sideswipe yelled, sticking his glossa out at his twin who did the same thing back. Orion went to shush them both when a shadow enveloped them, causing Orion’s coolant lines to freeze. Sunstreaker made himself small at seeing the mech who had just entered the library, Sideswipe soon joining him to hide behind Orion’s legs.
“Speak of Unicron and he shall appear,” Orion muttered under his breath, hearing the heavy steps of the one mech he had been hoping to avoid on the way home, and was no doubt here to try and escort him back.
“Orion,” Overlord greeted in a salacious tone that made the library clerk’s tanks churn “You are looking quite beautiful today, I’d say perhaps the most beautiful mech in the whole village, although I’m sure you already know that, else we wouldn’t be talking right now.”
Knowing this would take some finesse to get him to go away, Orion plastered on his best, charming, ‘please leave me alone’ customer service smile “Well, don’t I feel honored, is there something I can help you with, Overlord? Did you wish for me to help you find a book?”
The massive mech laughed at Orion unironically.
“A book? Ha! Oh you are too precious, Orion, what use would a mech like myself have for dusty old tomes other than for perhaps kindling on my campfires?” Orion’s optic twitched at those words “No, I came here to escort you home, the storm shall be rolling in shortly, it will be dangerous to walk the streets alone.”
“It’s still light enough to where I can handle myself, Overlord.” Orion knew he couldn’t outright refuse him, else he would take it out on everything around him. “Thank you for the offer.” But no thanks, he left wordlessly unsaid.
An arm that was the size of his thigh tried to snake around his shoulders, which Orion smoothly avoided by plucking a book from the bottom rack of a shelf. Overlord’s lips twitched “I ask you to dinner and you say you’re busy working, I ask if you need help cutting kindling for your hearth and you say your brother shall take care of it, now you say you can handle yourself facing the maw of the worst snowstorm we have seen in cycles? If you weren’t so finicky I’d say you were the perfect mech for me, always the hard worker, never time to relax, we’re exactly alike.” Orion could feel the bigger bot’s vibrations from his powerful engine on his back.
He swallowed his retort. They were not alike. Nor did Orion ever want or hope to be like him.
“That’s too unfortunate, Overlord, I think that- well-” he moved towards the door that separated the front half of the library from the back, staff side. The twin mechlings scampered out from behind his legs to the stacks as Overlord took two strides to corner Orion between him and the door. Two large, strong arms planted on either side of Orion, the thunderous clash of his palms onto the lacquered wood nearly causing the smaller bot to jump out of his armor as he searched for the knob behind him. His face was so close, his spark skipping pulses in fear as Overlord leaned in. Orion's hand finally made contact with something cold and round, the librarian blurting out "I-I don't think I'm good enough for you!" In one smooth motion he twisted the handle of the door and spun inside, shoving the block between him and Overlord’s puckered lips which he heard the bot fall into with a loud thud.
He knew that door couldn't stop him, not truly, thus he locked it and sank down to the floor venting harshly trying to get his fight or flight response under control. He brought up Fortress Maximus' number in his internal communications, ready to dial it, but he knew having the sheriff called would only make things unsafe for the others. Last time things had gotten so ugly between them in a bar brawl, poor Pipes had been caught in the crossfire and still walked with a cane. If things got out of hand again, there was a good chance Sideswipe and Sunstreaker could get caught in the chaos, terrifying them of ever stepping a ped inside the building ever again.
Canceling the message prompt, Orion hugged his knee joints to his chest, putting his head on them and offlining his optics as he willed his venting and spark pulse to return to normal.
The worst part of all of this was he didn't even disagree that Overlord wasn't handsome. Inside of Orion's reading history, he knew he had a pattern whenever it came to romance, and it influenced his preference of partner too. It was foolish of him to think a big, bulky bot armed to the optics could be so considerate and loving as they were in the books. That every naughty scene of sinful play could be followed with sweet touches and loving cuddles, every date being magical and memorable. It was his fantasy for some bot like that to sweep him off of his peds, but with Overlord hovering around him, Orion knew if he didn't accept some kind of arrangement between them soon, things would get worse before they got better.
It took all of Orion's willpower to not weep in frustration, just as he was losing that battle, a different message prompt came up on his system from Alpha Trion.
Opening it, he scanned the text.
Just loaded up the last set of books and set off! Apologies for the haste, just trying to beat the storm. I have no doubt you will take great care of the library in my absence. If Overlord gives you any trouble, any at all, do not hesitate to call Fortress Maximus.
Take care of yourself, Orion.
Alpha Trion
Orion sighed, unfurling to sit upright against the door as he gazed over to Alpha Trion's now slightly emptier desk. At least his friend would be able to make it through Darkmount by nightfall if he truly had already left.
A loud PING! Sounded from the front, causing Orion to bolt to his feet. He knew the sound of the bell well, somebody needed to be checked out at the front desk. He just hoped that Overlord had left to go chase some poor other bot’s tailpipe elsewhere, however at least when it came to serving patrons, he had an excuse to ignore him if he was still in the building. Unlocking the door, Orion cleared his vocal processor before stepping out to see a bot leaning casually against the desk.
He reset his optics to make sure that his vision wasn’t failing him, for Orion was sure he knew every bot that came into his library, and this one he didn’t recognize. His frame was quite sporty looking, white, with colorful racing stripes and black accents, a visor in the place where his optics should have been.
“Ah, may I help you?” Orion asked, coming to stand behind the desk and was almost blinded by the newcomer’s smile.
“Not me, my mech,” He said and pointed downwards as a big stack of mechling books was lifted onto the desk by two sets of familiar hands “Bitties couldn’t reach the bell.”
Orion’s gaze softened “Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, are you sure you’re going to be able to carry all these books home? There’s quite a lot here,” he asked, secretly overjoyed at their little mountain they’d picked out.
“Yeah we can! I’m strong, Sunny’s strong, and together that’s like- double strong!” Sideswipe chirped.
“The big snowstorm might mean we get snowed in! So we have to have backup books when we get bored!” Sunstreaker added, just as Orion finished up the pile.
“I can’t fault that flawless logic, but perhaps it might be easier to carry if you both took some and carried it equally?” He recommended, dividing the pile into two, and handing one to each of the twins. “Be careful going home, no stops now, it’s going to get dark soon.”
“We’re not afraid of the dark, we’re not afraid of anything!” Sunstreaker declared as Sideswipe was already running out the door, shouting his goodbye over his shoulder as Sunstreaker did the same.
Chuckling at their antics, the stranger looked to Optimus with a smile “You really care for them huh?”
Orion shrugged, and smiled back “If it weren’t for me, they’d be doing something worse elsewhere, at least they’re interested in reading, I hope they’ll remember that when they grow older,” finally, he was able to give the newcomer his full attention “My apologies, was there something you needed? I don’t think I’ve seen you in here before, my name is Orion, I’m apprenticed to the head librarian Alpha Trion.”
“Name’s Jazz! Don’t suppose you carry any music here? I know some of the bigger places do, books, recordings, anything?” he asked.
“Why, yes! Yes, we do, let me show you over to the books and then the recordings…” As Orion chatted with Jazz, he found himself relaxed by the bot’s easygoing attitude. Whilst he couldn’t say he knew a lot about music, Jazz sure did, and seemed to be a wealth of knowledge himself. Curious about his voice, Jazz explained he was a traveler, trying to experience stories so he could tell them in song to others. It was a noble goal, one Orion could align with, and got more interested about the more he talked. “So, what exactly brings you here?” he asked curiously.
“Oh, I was just in Praxus for a job, now I’m on my way, I don’t like to stick around for too long, thought I’d head to Crystal City, when I heard about the snowstorm and decided to take a pit stop here.” Jazz explained, coming to sit down in one of the reading chairs as Orion did the same opposite him.
“Praxus… I’ve never been there before, always wanted to visit, I hear the Castle is beautiful this time of year.”
Jazz beamed “It sure is, if you ever get the chance, the trip’s worth the hike.” He sounded a little dreamy, and like he knew more than what he was letting on. “Like I said though, I don’t like to stick around for too long, there’s always new people to meet, and there’s always new stories to tell, who knows? Maybe something will happen here to give me an idea for a song.” It sounded like Jazz was leaving something out, but Orion didn’t press. Many bots came in through their doors with woes they needed aid for, or wanted to forget.
“Or perhaps you’ll find it in a book?” Orion suggested, optics flicking to the stack they’d picked out.
Jazz chuckled warmly “Perhaps.”
They chatted for a little while longer until the flurries of snow began to fall outside, at which point Orion said goodbye to Jazz as he left with his books, locked up the library for the night, and drove home.
His and Dion’s house was quite simple, and thus quite cold as he entered inside. He figured his brother must have still been at work, although he doubted he could feel the cold deep inside the quarry. At least the miners had heat generators, else they would freeze the deeper they went underground.
Making his way upstairs, Orion went to his room and flopped down onto his berth. Part of him felt like hiding beneath the covers to both get warm and hide away from the troubles of the day. That was when his thoughts wandered to the book that was sitting on his nightstand. The cover foretold of Orion's greatest secret, and fantasy. At work or outside he would often read nonfiction, or profound, philosophical fiction with complex plots and characters. Here in the safety of his room however, he could indulge in his favorite kind of literature.
Reaching over, he picked up the book, flipping to where it had been marked to show his progress, and began to read.
Bluecap's frame quivered in helpless delight at the onslaught of pleasure to his metal petals of his abyssal wetness "O-Oh please! Please Greysteel!" He begged the bot eating him out, grinding his lower parts against his face until Greysteel abruptly pulled away. He rose to his knees, then got up off of the bed, taking Bluecap's hands into his own as he sat on the edge of the bed, placing him at the perfect height as Greysteel's spike pressurized in front of his face. Bluecap gasped in awe as the spike grazed his cheek, inadvertently inhaling the other bot's musk which only made Bluecap slicker. In that moment, he knew that it was his destiny to worship that thick cable gaily, his spark singing as he wrapped his lips around the giant metal snake, his mouth being the only thing that could quell the beast…
Orion sighed at the description, indulging in his guilty pleasure. He knew these books were so terribly written, yet his thoughts drifted to a large bot like Greysteel whispering gentle praise as he went down on him. He'd always found the act to be so intimate, servicing another in that manner. Secretly, he longed for even more extreme desires sometimes. It was rare he found books where the protagonist was tied up, ready to be ravished by their massive lover until all they could communicate was static, and oh how Orion longed to be the same position as those bots. One particularly juicy novel he'd been able to track down involved the smaller bot's legs being tied to a bar that spread the more they struggled. It wasn't so much the fantasy of aggression that Orion craved, but trusting another that much to give up all control to them had his engine purring.
Absently, he licked his lips, rolling onto his back. He shut off his optics, picturing somebody else's servos far larger than his own running down his sides, fondling the cool glass of his chest with heated touches, gently lifting and squeezing his wipers until the hands found his headlights. His hands were small, dainty in comparison to what he wanted, however he was still able to make himself gasp by fingering the seam between his side plating and his grill. Reluctantly, he removed his servos from himself and laid them back on either side of his head, imagining a big bot pinning them there to ravish him with his lips. He wet them in desperation, lost in his fantasy, sighing and arching up towards his nonexistent partner. Would their grip be playful and soft? Teasing him with a ticklish touch and kind smiles? Or would they growl and pin him where he laid, ordering him to stay with the promise of more as his reward for being good?
Orion wished he could say he was the pure, innocent little librarian everyone thought him to be. While he might have been untouched in frame, in processor, the filth of his fantasies could run free.