An unusual birthday gift

by Sammsara

Summary:

Looks like Deckerd's caught a liking of you despite his initial programming, how will it go?

Chapter 1

The Brave Police unit were truly a breath of fresh air: gentle-giant robots with a true sense of justice and unique styles of combat, all differing from eachother from their looks to their personalities! Naturally, everyone in the city was surprised and wanted to know more, whilst some still were terrified at the idea of giant robocops patrolling and being who they'll depend on for safety. It all started with one simple bot: Deckerd and how a little boy named Yuuta -- who's now a chief -- met and introduced him to many concepts we considered first nature: love, understanding, morality but Deckerd somehow also learned... Jealousy. It was quite unknown from where or how he learned it, since nobody remembers it being an essential trait in his code nor something he'd seen before...

I personally always had a bright, positive mindset towards that wonderful and diverse team! They've saved me so many times, especially Deckerd, he always seemed so happy to save me. It seemed so charming, until it wasn't; he'd display clear jealousy or mean-spiritedness towards his fellow teammates if they had managed to save me in the nick of time before he could, he seemed so insistent on my safety to the point where Yuuta himself would ask Deckerd why or if he's okay. However, I didn't really mind, "It's his first time living! And he's my neighbor, anyway..." Is what I always told myself and others, had they scolded or confronted the blue 'bot for his behavior.

12th, XXXXXX, 20XX. The rescue.
"Go, Deckerd!!!" Yuuta shouted with passion as Deckerd raced to the lamp post that was about to fall and land right on a relaxing me, who was mindlessly enjoying their tea in the backyard patio, not even noticing the lamppost or the dangers around me. Before I knew it, I heard the heavy sounds of thumping as I looked up to see Deckerd holding the lamppost with all his strength before pushing it away from oue house with a yell. I sat there, as if my life was flashing in front of my very eyes, I kept my vision fixed on the bot. "Y/N, are you okay? Anything hurt or broken?" He asks, crouching towards me, still tall. I remember blushing quite noticably at his worry, I nodded before I felt him stroke my back gently with a digit of his, I smiled and leaned into the touch in a friendly manner.

"Deckerd!" Yuuta called out as he rushed to the scene, breathing heavily from the sudden effort, he smiled softly seeing his bot friend was doing fine before his face shifted to curiosity "Deckerd, what's with you and Y/N?" He asked. Deckerd, however, still was stroking my back before stroking my hair with caution to not hurt me "Everything's fine, Yuuta, I'm just looking after Y/N." I nodded, though a bit nervous over the situation "Yeah, he did." I confirmed before I went alert at the sound of their badge device ringing, Deckerd heard it too and reluctantly got up "I assume this is a good-bye, hmmm... What a shame, I wish I could've spent more time with you..." The mech sighs, his hand loosening around me, I pat his leg -- since I'm much shorter -- and reassure him "There will always be more time to see eachother, but emergencies can never be fixed once their time passes..." I tell, before the duo nods and leaves, Deckered transforming back into his alt mode and inviting Yuuta to climb aboard... I waved good-bye to the two.

This had been, I think, my first in-depth encounter with Deckerd which really left a mark on him and his behavior, he seemed a lot more eager to meet me now. Occasionally, I'd pass by the Tomonaga house to discuss lessons with Azuki since I'm a few years her senior and I'd give her tutoring. Just like how I'm right now preparing some tea and biscuits for the two of us's study lesson tonight. "Oh, Y/N, I have such a silly question..." Azuki sighs, hugging her knees on her chair we sat around the table, her chin resting on her knees. I lifted my face from my book to see her better "No questions are silly, but go on." I encouraged Azuki, scooting closer to her.

Azuki lifted her head with a glimmer of hope in her tired eyes and snatched a cookie from the plate lazily as she asked "Do you believe in true love? Since you're older than me and quite pretty, I figured it'd be natural to ask." I gasped lightly before replying "Well, I do believe in love but for it to be true or false is complex... You see; things aren't always black or white, they can be grey and so long as the love is honest and both are happy, then go for it! I'm still holding out for someone to come, but I've seen how you look at that one upperclassman of yours!" I teased at the end and giggle as I watch Azuki's cheeks heat up "Oh, he and I are simply friends, Y/N!" She coyly defends but we know both what she truly feels. "My type is personally someone who's brave, courageous but cares for me a lot! Someone who's loving but knows not to make dumb decisions, unlike me..." I add in, letting the girl talk get to me, Azuki listens intently and chuckles playfully "That sounds like Deckerd, don't you think?" She asks with a smile. I felt my cheeks heat up as well as a flurry of flashbacks rush into my mind before I decided to shake it off hard "You really think so?!" I ask, my expression betraying my attempt to stay cool and exposing my true shock and mixed emotions. "Yes! He's so sensitive around you, I've seen! He's generally very kind, I'd know, he's our family now!" Azuki enthuses in her polite, cute mannerisms.

Suddenly, we hear the rustling of leaves and a "bonk!" Sound as if something hard had fallen out the window, I rush to check and see nothing "Oh, it's probably just the wind..." I sigh and return to Azuki and carry on with our conversation. While snacking on our cookies, half of the plate empty, we hear a sound, again: this time it sounds like both heavy breathing and soft chuckles but it didn't sound human, it sounded more robotic. "Did you hear that?" I asked Azuki, holding my half eaten biscuit between my fingers. "Sounded a bit too familiar..." She shrugs it off.

The next day, I woke up and fixed myself up: washed my face, brushed my hair and redid my clothes. As I grabbed my bag and opened the door, I heard a familiar beep. I turn my head and see him: Deckerd, in his alt mode "Y/N..." He calls out softly, turning a headlight on as if he was winking at me. "Oh, good morning to you! Hmm, is Yuuta not with you? Got no missions, today?" I ask softly, grabbing my bag closer as I feel myself flustered "Today's a day off and Yuuta's sleeping in, I thought you would've seen him." Deckerd replies, his tone gentle as ever -- especially when he was talking to me -- while rolling closer towards me, still not in robot mode "So, where are you... Off to?" Deckerd asks, shyly. I smile at him and tease a bit "why do you wanna know? Miss me already?" I top off with a playful wink, not knowing the storm it would absolutely brew. I heard Deckerd gasp softly then hesitate to answer -- had he been in bot mode, he would definitely be blushing and flushing -- he took in a sigh before asnwering me "Yes, I value your presence a lot, Y/N... I can't afford to let you get hurt." He admits, trying to sound confident but you can tell jist how shy he truly is -- or at least that's what he wanted me and the others to think.
I simply smile at Deckerd as I come closer and stroke his hood "Oh, I'll be fine! I'm sure I can meet you again when you're off duty tomorrow, or even at night." I reassure him playfully before running off to my part-time job. "Good-bye, darling..." He bid me farewell and I immediately stopped in my tracks despite having jogged a nice distance away from the Tomonaga household. 'Did he just call me darling?!' I thought to myself, feeling my face heat up but also a sense of nervosity pile up in the bottom of my stomach. I shrugged it off and hurried to my workplace, where I worked as a librarian: it's fun, calm and I get to read books I've been meaning to forever! It's also an excellent time for me to add in a little extra elbow grease and study more for my university studies.

While on my break time, I spot something through the corner of my eye, disturbing my calm reading session. I lazily got up and walked up to the window where I saw... "Deckerd?!" I exclaim out loud in shock as he flinches a bit, I'm immediately met with the violent shushing of the staff and library regulars alike. I sigh and look back at the giant robot in front of me "Why are you here? It better be something serious!" I demand answers, clearly upset. I watched as the mech stutters and fidgets with his metallic fingers coyly before looking up at me "I-- I wanted to see you, I can't know if you're safe or not if I'm away from you..." He admits without looking at me, I sigh "I'm grown, I can fend for myself. Asides, no criminal's going to frequent a library in the middle of the day!" I scold, I may come off as harsh but I mean it sincerely. Deckerd shakes his head no softly before protesting back "What if they take you by surprise? Nobody knows you better than I do in my team, I can't bear the idea of someone else saving you or nobody saving you at all!" He speaks up, loud enough to express his feelings but not enough to draw attention towards us. "Just, leave! Please! Yuuta's going to ask about your whereabouts anyway, you probably have missions awaiting, too!" I insist as I make a 'shoo' motion with my hands towards him, the mech sighs and finally leaves -- his walk giving off a sense of jealousy or a heavy feeling -- I can only sigh and realize just how frequent this is but I'm sure if I dare speak out to anyone about it, they'd simply say "Oh, he's just in love!" This can't be healthy for him: he's a cop! He should work with a level of professionalism, I lnow it's hard for him since he's created and not born...

Back at the headquarters, the non-dispatched members of the Brave Police were simply enjoying their free time and relishing in that calm moment while checking in on the current bots on mission through devices and supercomputers. Deckerd, however, seemed quite distant as he leaned against a wall, head lowered and arms crossed over his chest. Immediately, the others sense something is up with him. "Oh, don't you think Deckerd's a bit weird today..." Drill Boy curiously remarks, finger to his chin "Yeah, and that's never a good sign..." Power Joe added with a nod, his tone normal but feigning worry. The others watch as McCrane approaches Deckerd, collected, before asking "If something's on your mind, you can always tell us. We may be a team, but we're also your friends." He'd reassure. Deckerd sighs and shakes his head slowly "It's about Y/N..." He admits after a short pause of silence, Power Joe rolled his eyes "Really, a little crush's got you like this?" He mocks, finding this situation absurd. Deckerd didn't like that, he felt himself gritting his teeth at how lightly Power Joe took the situation, he finally looks up to defend with a louder tone "It's not just a crush! You don't get it!" Before catching his breath, metallic chest heaving. Drill Boy immediately hid behind Power Joe out of fear, not being a fan of this side of Deckerd. McCrane flinched a bit from the blue mech's loud response before sighing "I get it, you have feelings for them, but this is not healthy. I've seen how often you insist you'd be their saver, it gets to a point where you feel threatened if we do. This is about saving people, not competing for someone's affections." McCrane reminds, gently confronting Deckerd about how unreasonable he's being but understanding he might not realize it.

"Not healthy? You guys see me be happy for once in a while, and it's not about Yuuta so it's immediately unhealthy? Is it because I'm not a human like they are?!" Deckerd asks, as if he had completely misunderstood what McCrane was trying to say this entire time. "Deckerd, that's not what I meant!" McCrane immediately lifts his hands up, admittedly a bit scared of this sudden outburst "Calm down, Deckerd. We're your friends..." Drill Boy adds, trying his best despite how he, too, is spooked. "You don't get it! Nobody does. The thought of them finding someone to settle down with, it makes me sick! I can't stand it at all, I should be rewarded for my devotion and successful rescues!" Deckerd defends, hand on his chest as he speaks with utmost honesty. Power Joe sighs, deciding to approach his snappy team member and tries to console him "Listen; you can't force love. If they don't want you, that's fine. They don't owe you anything, Deckerd! Do you even like your job, any more?" It was always so strange for the easy-going, funny guy to speak so seriously but he was afraid Deckerd would harm Y/N with how hard he's "loving" them.

Deckerd snapped and shoved him away "Force? You think I'm forcing myself on them, is that it?!" He yelled back, offended and vexed at the assumption, Power Joe grunted in pain as he held his chest that hid been shoved quite hard, but the sight of his teammate in pain doesn't deter Deckerd from his obsessive rant "How would you know if it's forced or not? You don't even have what I have with them! What if they're just hesitant? What if they just don't want to confess yet? I'm very sure they feel the same! They're so nice to me, and even winked at me that one time while teasing me flirtatiously!" He asked, his tone hysterical and very unlike him. Drill Boy feels himself tear up as he rushes to Power Joe's aid, as he holds the yellow mech, he looks back at Deckerd with tears in his optics "Please, Deckerd! You're scaring us!" He begs, his vision blurred from the fearful secretions, Deckerd however simply just smiles a bit -- a smile that'd normally be on his face after something good happens, something innocent -- then, he spoke one, simple word "Good." Pausing his speaking for some moments before adding on "Fear is a form of respect, after all..." He spoke with a cold tone as he walked out of the room, the others immediately rushing to save him but McCrane immediately grabs their arms "I know you wish to help him, but I think he'll do us more harm than good at this state... I don't know if it's a villain's trick or a simple malfunction in his system, it's best we tell Saejima or await the return of our other three members and explain to them what has become of our once gentle comrade." He insisted, speaking calm unlike their blue fellow.

The others simply nod and sit down "You're not wrong..." They both admit in unison. After a good amount of silence, something clicks in Power Joe's processor -- where Deckerd even was going -- he immediately stops slacking and asks "So, do we even know where he's at? He could be pursuing Y/N and scaring them more, for all we know!" He slams his fist to the table, hating the thought of Y/N being tormented for such a selfish reason. The other two gasp and feel their stupidity as they never even asked that to themselves, mainly just assuming Deckerd had gone out for a stroll. As they were thinking of leaving the headquarters, they get an emergency signal from Gunmax -- who doesn't seem to be doing very well, by the sounds of it he's speeding up his motorcycle and dodging obstacles "Anyone 'ere?!" He asks loudly before McCrane confirms "Positive, what's the issue?! We're all ears!" He asks, tone full of urgence and worry. "Deckerd's gone absolutely nuts, I don't know what's happening! I'm not sensing any foreign activiry or tampering in his systems, so it's just him acting like this, naturally!" Gunmax explains, tone panicking despite his 'cool guy' persona. "Where are the others and where's Deckerd?!" McCrane demands, horrified for what's going on to the other three "Dumpson's trying to hold him back but he's gotten Duke in quite a nasty state, Shadowmaru's distracting him away from the area to avoid any damages to the city or any possible deaths -- the last thing we need is our reputation ruined! Right now, I'm taking Duke to shelter. Please tell the staff about it so he can get a repair ASAP!" He urges through his explanation. McCrane nods "Send us your coordinates and we'll be there immediately!" He orders as Gunmax sends them almost right away.

 

I was absolutely, terrified, what was a normal shift at the library turned into a robot fighting disaster as Deckerd seemed to have lost all control! He's attacking his own teammates for something so trivial as my approval, I feel so guilty for being the main reason of all this discord amongst what was once a true harmony... I can't even tell him to stop let alone intervene in this unless I want to be accidentally squished flat against the asphalt ground. My heart shatters as I watch the absolute state Duke is in because of Deckerd's own love, as well as how Shadowmaru and Dumpson were working overtime to distract him -- Dumpson was starting to tremble as he felt himself mentally give up on this fight before the other members joined in, immediately rushing to Duke's aid and carrying him away back to headquarters. I decided to finally act on my last resort and run to Deckerd, hugging his leg as I look up at him in fear but I force a loving look on my face "Please, don't hurt them for me!" I begged him. Deckerd immediately softens, stopping all combat -- causing for Dumpson and Shadowmaru to stumble into eachother from the sudden stop -- "If you truly love me, you'll stop this!" I cry out through tears and watch as Deckerd lowers himself to my level, dropped on a knee as one would do while proposing "Y/N, if you so wish it..." He sighs, respecting my wishes but it sounds reluctant.

Back at the headquarters, Duke has been recovering from the attack, Regina is sat by him with worry in her eyes as she presses a hand against his hand, trembling as she imagines losing Duke, too. The other mechs are watching Deckerd with upset faces, whilst he's tied up, unable to hurt anyone for now... Saejima sighs as he steps closer "Just, what's gotten to you?" He asks as he's now in front of Deckerd. Yuuta feels himself tear up, it's horrible to see your best friend become this way over someone "Deckerd, is this really what you want to be?!" He asks, loud, through tears "Do you hate us? Do you hate your own friends so much you'd kill them over love? That's not love!" Yuuta cries hard as he bangs on Deckerd's chest "Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Stupid Deckerd!!!" He cries out between each pound before running out, being still so young and not wanting to face such a new and weird situation. Deckerd frowns and mutters out the boy's name "Yuuta..." With clear sadness but that doesn't distract him from his thinking.

"What're you even thinking of?!" Dumpson asks, tone harsh as he's clearly lost some respect for Deckerd due to the incident "It seems his brainwave activity is quite high, he may be plotting something..." Regina adds "I remember seeing a similar state on Duke when we fought once, but he was thinking of apologies... Lord knows what Deckerd's thinking of, however." She explains with a stern tone but some of her anxiety slips through the remark. The other members can't help but be worried, they turn to Saejima "Do-- do we deactivate him?" They ask, which immediately makes Deckerd perk up "What? No! All I want is to be understood, I just want their heart, that's really all! I won't harm anyone more if you don't step between my plans!" He protested, squirming against his binds. "You can always show your love in ways that aren't violent! Is it really love if you need this much proof that it literally harms others, Deckerd?" Drill Boy asks, despite being the immature one of the bunch, he seemed quite serious this time. Deckerd realizes that going by his true feelings won't get him anywhere, so he decides to play along and be on his best behavior "I guess you're not wrong... I'm very sorry to those I have hurt, especially my friends, especially Duke..." He sighs, putting on an excellent sad performance that convinces them almost instantly.

Chapter 2

"It'll take us some time to forgive you, still." Shadowmaru says, crossing his arms and leaning against the wall, not looking at the blue bot.

A few days had passed, and before I knew it, it was my birthday! I'm really excited today because of that, I come back home to find all my dearest neighbors and friends have decided to celebrate and throw a lovely party for me... But some bots were missing, everryone except Deckerd had failed to show up, but I shrugged it off. "Happy birthday, Y/N!!!" Everyone cheers: Azuki, Kurumi, Deckerd, Yuuta and so much more! I clapped my hands in joy as I looked at the cake: it was my favorite flavor and on it's written "Happy birthday, Y/N!" In icing. I feel myself tear up out of joy as I thank everyone "Oh, thank you! Thank you all, so so so much!!!" With fervour. "Silly Y/N, no need to thank us!" They reply humbly as they present some more accompaniments as well as presents. It was the best birthday party ever! All I could ever ask for, if not more! After everyone left, a certain someone stayed put: Deckerd, despite how Yuuta insisted he should come along, Deckerd just said he'd be back in a bit... I gulp and swallow my fear, hoping he had changed, as I turn to look at him, he calls for me "Y/N." The tone is far too ambiguous for me to tell what his motives are but there definitely was some sort of twisted satisfaction in there, which I prayed I was wrong about. I put on the best smile I could and answer "Yes? What could it be, your present?" I ask, tone full of tenderness but it clashes with my obvious trembling. Deckerd nods softly "Yes, my final present indeed. We'll both enjoy it, I'm certain!" He replies happily, with a genuine, joyful smile on his face. I feel my anxiety rise at the last part: both of us? How come? And his recent behavior really, really did not help.

Regardless, I follow him through wherever he leads me to: riding inside his alt mode. The mech hums happily through out the ride, I realize how I'm probably overthinking it and Deckerd could've changed, after all he's still new to the world "Well, you seem very excited today. Huh, Deckerd?" I ask, trying to break the uneasy tension building up. He chuckles, cute but sinister, before replying "When you'll see what I've worked hard on, you'll get it!" He enthuses. What felt like a bittersweet, never ending car trip finally came to an end as he opened the door for me, automatically, before unbuckling the seatbelt, too. "We're here, Y/N! Come, let's not be tardy..." He encourages me with great anticipation and excitement before he transforms back into his robot mode -- smile much bigger but something's up with his optics' gaze, it feels heavier and set on me like a predator's gaze is set on a prey's -- he then opens the door to a big, abandoned warehouse that had been decorated with few streamers, confetti and banners. I couldn't tell what was written on the banners due to how dark it was and also my anxiety trying to shield me from learning anything that could make my state worse than it already is. Deckerd opens the huge door, the very strong scent of motor oil hits me hard, causing me to cover my nose to shield my lungs from such a foul smell, it also reeked of rust. A horrible idea crosses my mind, I squeeze my eyes shut, hoping and praying desperately for it to not be true and for it to just be my anxious mind conjuring the worst case scenario. Deckerd then turns to me, smile not decaying off of his faceplate as he extends his arm towards the entrance created by the open door and inside "Be my guest, Birthday person!" He insisted with a happy nod. I gulped before stepping inside, forcing myself to be ready to face whatever reality was in there: maybe it's just the place that smells like so and I'm just a bit mean for prejudging Deckered for some minor flaws or his? Maybe he'll attack me? Perhaps there's a mechanical gift for me, out there? I then open my eyes, before they immediately widen in horror.

The place was rusty, oil was leaking everywhere as I took in the sight of the Brave Police -- minus Deckered -- members all mangled. Drill Boy's optics were pierced with his drills and the ball in his chest had been torn out as well as the fact he was missing multiple fingers and his severed leg laid next to him, oozing out oil like a never-ending fountain, Power Joe's head was ripped off of his shoulders and hung to the wall the way a hunter would do with his catches, as well as multiple punch wounds in his abdomen. McCrane was torn in half -- one being his upper half and the other being his lower half -- his expression looks absolutely agonized, one that was begging for mercy, begging his own teammate to stop it. Gunmax was riddled in gun holes, his visors shattered with some of the sharp shards digging into his face, causing more leakage as he bleeds out from every orifice. Shadowmaru had his stomach sliced open with his own katana, oil leaking out of his open, frozen mouth as he's bent over with the katana being what's supporting him from not slumping over like a pathetic corpse. As for Duke and Dumpson, their corpses had been mangled and tampered with disrespectfully by Deckerd: Their faceplates were torn off and switched, their limbs were mismatched. As if Deckerd took joy in mixing them up like a cruel puzzle, as if they never meant anything to him... I sank to my knees, uncaring if the oil was staining my clothes or even my hands, I break into loud and ugly sobbing, believing I was the root of all of this. Deckerd looks at me curiously before kneeling towards me, he had the audacity to be mad! "Sweet Y/N, you don't understand! They didn't understand us, they kept me away from you. I loved them, truly, I did! But this was the only way I could finally have you." He insists, stroking my back like we had been a couple for ages now "I thought it would make you happy. I saw the ways you'd look at me with all that care and love in your gaze! I did everything for you, I even betrayed Saejima for you!" My heart stops as I hear that part: "Did he really? No. No, Deckerd can't be that evil." I begged my brain to convince me otherwise but the cold truth hits me like a cruel slap to the face "Deckerd, you monster!" I hurl at him, my eyes red with intense tears as I point an accusatory finger at him. Deckerd only smirks "Oh, sweetheart... You're too worked up, I think you need some space, I'll let you calm down in a place where you'll be looked after and cared for." He strokes my back with his little finger. I sigh, hoping he means my house, before I'm picked up in his hand and placed into a big cage. My jaw drops in horror as my eyes widen, wider than I thought possible -- that's how shocked I am! Before I know it, I'm carefully placed in and it's locked with a heart shaped locket. I bang on the bars, calling out for Deckerd's name as I plead for him to let me out "Please, if you truly love me you would let me go!" I beg through tears, his smile turns into a frown as he shakes his head a firm no "No, I can't let you go again, what if you find someone else? You'll stay with me, I'll never hurt you. All I want is your love! Happy birthday, Y/N."