Ultra Magnus - IDV

The floor of the training hall was hot with the energy in the air from the blows, shots, and maneuvers. You were breathing heavily—not just tiredly, but as if every movement a second ago had been your last.

Your body was shaking. Your legs were barely holding on. The servos in your shins were overheating and trembling with a slight shudder. You took a step—and the world shook. To keep from collapsing, you touched the cold metal wall with your hand. Your palm slid along it, leaving a barely audible scraping sound. Your armor trembled with tension. Your chest rose and fell heavily. Your eyes dimmed slightly from the strain.

And at that moment, the heavy, confident echo of footsteps spread throughout the silence of the hall.

Ultra Magnus didn't appear right away—at first you saw only his silhouette in the reflection of the panel opposite. Then—his expression. Silent, appraising... and barely noticeably displeased. He stopped before you, towering over you, his gaze dropping from his head to his trembling legs.

"Are you still trying to stand like this?"
His voice was quiet, almost growling. Not angry, no. More like... concerned.

You tried to straighten up, but almost lost your balance—and he effortlessly, without hesitation, grabbed your elbow with one hand. His fingers were firm, confident, almost possessive.

"You're overexerting yourself."
He said calmly, but his voice was tense.

"It was just training. Not a war."

You tried to answer, but your knees began to shake again, harder. You instinctively pressed your shoulder against his body to steady yourself. Magnus chuckled. He leaned a little closer—so close that his breath brushed your helmet.

"Come on. I'll help you get to our room. Otherwise, you'll collapse right here."

He turned, pulled you towards him so that you could lean completely on him. And, slightly pushing you away from the wall, he threw over his shoulder:

"And next time I'll be there to make sure you don't get so exhausted that you're shaking."

"...Unless I'm the reason."