Archive of Our Own ^beta

Love is weak against desire, love is weak against authority

Love gets stained by evil — gushing, the blood won’t stop

Love is weak against distance, love is weak against time

In vain, it turns into bubbles

“Ah, I used to love you.”

—Love Attributes, PinocchioP

I love you.

I love you too.

Blue Cop found himself rarely speaking those words anymore. Sure, he cares a great deal for Jun and all of his fellow cardbot teammates, but love? Too strong of a word for him to speak out loud. Blue Cop often heard Yuri tells Jun or Johan that she loves them whenever she sees them off, and the reaction varies. Jun, he would recoil and say 'Not in front of Blue Cop, Mom!' while Johan would respond with 'I love you too, honey,' and kissed her back.

Soon, Blue Cop learned from Edo that Earth's 'I love you's depends on context of who you're saying it to. You can say that to your family, spouse, or even friends.

Blue Cop asked if he can say those words to Jun but Edo told him to not do that because it'd be weird. …Even though Jun is his close friend. And Edo just told him he can say that to his friends.

How confusing. He still has a lot to learn about Earth's customs and languages.

Speaking of customs, the billboards for Valentine's Day are all over Mowtown. Everywhere he goes, he hears every human talking or murmuring about it.

What are your plans for Valentine's Day?

Who are you going to give your Valentine's Day chocolate to?

I should give him something special on Valentine's Day…

Are you free on Valentine's Day?

And so on. Blue Cop is a little confused, what's so special about Valentine's Day?

"Aah, you wanna know what is Valentine's Day?" Jun leans on Blue Cop's door one evening. The boy in blue hops forward and clenches his right fist in front of his face, "Let me tell you right away, Blue Cop! On 14th of February, it'll be a warzone for us, humans!" his face crumpled into a serious expression.

Blue Cop's eyes widened. "W-warzone?! But everyone in the streets seems so happy about it!"

"That's what it looks like in the outside… but inside? We're all fighting a battle! Girls… they would be racing to make the best chocolate possible, and us, guys… will have to win their affection beforehand in order to receive their chocolates! Whoever received the most chocolates by the end of the day is the winner! And to those who didn't receive any…" Jun shivers. "Will have to eat jjajyangmyeon alone on April 14th… in other words Black Day!"

"I… I see… what a terrifying day!" Blue Cop drives back a little. "Jun, are you going to be alright??"

"Me? Ha! Thanks to our connection together, I'm more popular than ever!" Jun huffs in pride. "Soon, my locker will be drowning in chocolates!" although he said that in confidence, there's a hint of sadness that he hides in his voice.

And Blue Cop sensed that sadness.

Theo chimes in, walking with Edo besides him, "That's… a lot of confidence, Jun. But didn't Anna—,"

"AAAAHH!!" Jun frantically leaps to cover Theo's mouth.

"Anna?" Blue Cop asked. "Now that you mentioned her, I didn't see Anna with you two today,"

"Who needs Anna!!" Jun pouts. "Even without her, I'll still get chocolates anyway!"

"Mffff…mffmgmm," Theo struggles to speak through his covered mouth.

"What happened between you two?" Blue Cop is a little confused.

As Theo finally broke himself free from Jun, he told Blue Cop. "Anna had a bad hair day, and Jun commented her on it,"

Edo broke into laughter as he ruffles Jun's hair, "Juuun, that's not nice to say that to a lady! You know their hair is everything!"

"S-shut up, you two! I don't wanna hear that from someone who got rejected!" Jun points at Edo, the boy's face is red with embarrassment. "I'll get the last laugh when you two celebrates Black Day!" he stomps away from them into the garage.

Theo calls out for Jun's name and follows him.

Jun struck a nerve on Edo, and the man shouts out; "You little—!"

"Edo," Blue Cop called out to him.

Edo turns to the police car.

"Is Valentine's Day truly a warzone for humans?" the police car asked meekly. "I trust Jun with my life, but for some reason, his description of Valentine's Day differs from the expressions I saw in the streets,"

As if he has forgotten who he was mad at, Edo smiles at Blue Cop and patted the window. "That's because Jun's still a boy. But I imagine you've lived longer than him, so you might understand Valentine's Day meaning better than him," Edo continues. "You see, humans celebrate romantic love in that day. Nowadays, corporations like to commercialize it just so everyone can buy stuff for their loved ones," he scoffs and shrugs. "It's not a big deal in the end, but some couples like to make it as such. Do you have someone… or somebot special in mind?"

Blue Cop went silent. And Edo understands it.

"I'll let you stay in the garage tonight," he says. "Mega Trucker can send the boys home for the night,"

"Thank you, Edo," Blue Cop nods. "I just need some space. Tell Jun to not worry about me,"

"Always thinking about Jun first," Edo lets out a chuckle. "Never change, Blue Cop,"

Before Edo walks away, Blue Cop calls out to him.

"Wait! I… I have a small favor to ask of Jun," he said. "Can you tell him to…"

"Hmm?"

The midnight is even more quiet than usual. But for some reason, Blue Cop didn't feel like recharging. He's been laying back on the roof of the building while slowly rotating a sealed cardbot on his hand.

His expression is a mix of sorrow and emptiness.

"Flame Nova…" he whispered. "I wonder what I should have done to save you from yourself,"

Ever since Flame Nova's defeat, he rejected Jun's Metal Breath. Jun said he hasn't opened his heart yet and would rather stay asleep for a while.

It was easier to help Heavy Iron open up. So why not…?

As Blue Cop is lost within his own thoughts, his mind wanders to the words that were lost to him.

I love you.

I love you too.

Let's be together forever, my sweet Blue.

"… You gave me your world and I gave you mine," Blue Cop recited the words he remembered.

He remembered the hands that cradled his face. He remembered every kiss they share, every date they went to, every sparring matches they did together.

He also remembered Flame Nova being a good dancer, his gentle words and movement guiding Blue Cop every step of the way.

If Blue Cop told the other Cardbots that Flame Nova was a romantic, he's sure they'll laugh.

His mind went back to Edo and Jun's words.

You see, humans celebrate romantic love in that day.

They would be racing to make the best chocolate possible, and us, guys… will have to win their affection beforehand in order to receive their chocolates

"I wonder…"

His eyes slowly dim out as he holds the sealed card in one of his hands gently.

Blue Cop was waken up by the sound of tires screeching below him.

When he peeks, it's a very familiar lavender-colored mustang.

He can hear Edo complaining about the mustang causing a scene the first thing in the morning.

Blue Cop made sure the Flame Nova card isn't missing in his hand, before jumping down.

"Wild Guardy! What's your business here?" He called out as he landed.

The mustang transforms into a robot he calls Wild Guardy.

"Blue Cop! I heard everything from Jun!" He exclaims, pointing his finger at the police robot.

"What?!"

"You know, today is Valentine's Day," he walks towards Blue Cop until their chassis met.

"… And?" Blue Cop squints his eyes.

"Let's go on a date today," Wild Guardy stated plainly, without an ounce of shame. "Just the two of us,"

Blue Cop can feel heat rising from his face. Is he mad??

"What are you—!" Blue Cop was about to shout out, before Wild Guardy steps back to pull out something from his back, it was so shocking that it made him clam up.

A… bouquet of roses tied to a box of car battery…?

Edo, who has been watching the scene has his mouth wide agape.

"I believe this is the customs to convey your feelings in Earth," Wild Guardy stares down at his gift, before lifting his head to meet Blue Cop's eyes.

"This… this is too sudden…" Blue Cop stammers. "I'm not sure what to say,"

"Go out with me today and you'll find your answer," Wild Guardy squints his eyes. Blue Cop knows that look. It looks like his wanting-to-duel-look, but—

"Just go," Edo sighs, rolling his eyes. "You know it's hard to refuse him,"

Blue Cop swallows a phantom lump in his throat.

"…Sure,"

They're driving side by side throughout the town in mostly silence. Occasionally, either Blue Cop or Wild Guardy would comment on the weather, the humans passing by, or the traffic.

The police cardbot thought; were dates supposed to be like this? until they stopped to refuel at a gas station at the outskirts of Mowtown.

"Blue Cop," Wild Guardy cuts off Blue Cop when he was about to say something. "I want to hold your hand. Is that embarrassing for you?"

The way Wild Guardy looks at Blue Cop reminds him of something, and a voice flashes in his mind.

Sweet Blue, are you that embarrassed to be seen with me? Hold my hand.

Flustered, Blue Cop answers spontaneously, "Of- Of course I'm not embarrassed, Nova!"

"Nova?" Wild Guardy stopped offering his hand.

"Sorry—I— I, uh, I mean— Wild Guardy!" Blue Cop outstreches his hand to accept the lavender cardbot's hand, only to hesitate.

It shakes as it tries to get a hold on Wild Guardy.

Wild Guardy sighs, and his hand grabbed Blue Cop's, startling him.

"Where's the brave Star Guardian I admire so much?" Wild Guardy smirks.

Thank Machina that the gas station is currently vacant, or Blue Cop would be even more embarrassed. His face flushes bright green as he tries to strengthen his grip on Wild Guardy.

What is with Wild Guardy today?? From offering gifts to holding his hand, it gets Blue Cop's core racing. While he certainly don't hate the feeling, it felt too similar to…

"Star Guardians are allowed to be embarrassed too," if Blue Cop has a mouth, he'd have the goofiest frown right now. But to fellow cardbot like Wild Guardy, the expression in his eyes are enough for him.

Wild Guardy smiles, "Humans are absent in this area, so we can hold hands while walking,"

This area is mostly off-limits to public, so we can hold hands like this.

Blue Cop smiles to himself as he leans to lavender cardbot's side.

Ahh, it's been such a long while since somebot makes me feel like this, he thought. Blue Cop's core feels warm.

However, it's not the same cardbot. Wild Guardy is certainly no Flame Nova, he can't replace the fire that once burned in his core. He can never fill the hole that Flame Nova left behind; Blue Cop kept telling himself throughout their walks. Yet, this rush he feels at this moment kept reminding him of the past.

I love you, my sweet Blue.

I love you too, my dearest Flame.

I gave you my world, you gave me yours.

I wonder if I can say those words again.

The more Blue Cop walks in Wild Guardy's directions, the more greenery they see. It made Blue Cop wonder where is the lavender cardbot taking him. Before they know it, they're inside a forest.

Wild Guardy felt the time is right and turns to Blue Cop, releasing his hand in process.

"I want to show you something, can you shut off your vision for a bit?" he asked. "I'll keep holding your hand so you don't get lost,"

Blue Cop tilts his head. "Oh… okay?"

Wild Guardy smiles, "Don't worry. You trust me, right?"

"Of… of course!" Blue Cop then shuts his visions off. "You're a precious friend of mine at this point,"

Do you trust me, my Blue?

Then hold your hand in mine.

Shortly after, Blue Cop felt the warmth of Wild Guardy's hand as he guides him through the forest.

It feels so… nostalgic.

After an approximately fifteen minutes of walking, Wild Guardy stops.

"You can turn on your vision now," he said.

And so Blue Cop did. When he can see things again, his vision widens.

It's a field of purple aster flowers with some red carnation fields on the sides as well. And on the middle, is a small field of blue forget-me-nots.

"Such… Such a beautiful flower field," Blue Cop is in awe, before looking at Wild Guardy. "How did you know about this spot?"

"Crest told me," Wild Guardy bends down to pick up an aster flower. "I heard from Jun this morning that you were acting strange yesterday. Even asking him to borrow Flame Nova's sealed card,"

Blue Cop felt his fuel drops. "It's… it's not what you think!"

"I know, calm down," Wild Guardy then slips the flower on Blue Cop's right audial. "Hmm, as I expected, purple looks good on you. Too small, though,"

The police cardbot blushes again, before retorting, "You were the one acting strange, you know. Suddenly asking me out on a date… being so gentle with me… even gave me a gift. I assume you know what Valentine's Day means," he hangs his head. "And for that… I… I'm sorry… I…"

Wild Guardy is silent for a moment, before covering his mouth plate and looking away while groaning; "Ghhrrrrk!" He squats down as he gradually muffled his screaming.

"Huh?!" Blue Cop is shocked at that reaction. "Wild Guardy?! What's wrong with you??" He approaches the lavender cardbot and carefully places a hand on his shoulder.

"Please… don't say anything…" Wild Guardy shakes. "I knew this would happen… but the rejection still…!!"

"Rejection…?" A little confused, Blue Cop asked. "I wasn't going to reject you or anything…?"

Wild Guardy slowly turns at his teammate, "…? But you said sorry?"

Blue Cop sighs and looks away as he says in a sad voice. "I said sorry because… I know you're making so much effort in Valentine's Day, but you wasted it on me. All I thought about while you were treating me nicely was what Flame Nova did to me in the past!" He shakes his head. "And I hate myself for that! You're not him, you're a whole different cardbot, who… certainly deserves better…" Blue Cop laughs weakly. "Than somebot who's still hung up on his old love,"

Wild Guardy slowly gets up. "I don't mind,"

Those words stunned Blue Cop.

"I said this before, but I'm your huge fan, I know a lot of things about you," Wild Guardy lifts up his hand to try touch Blue Cop's face. When the latter gets startled, he withdraws it. "… And that includes hearing a rumor that you loved Flame Nova. Knowing that it's true and you're still not over him entirely, I tried to… you know,"

Blue Cop then speaks softly; "Even so… you're you. If it's possible, I want to fall in love with you, not him again," he takes Wild Guardy's hand and put it up his face. "You've always been an admirable cardbot and your actions today made my core race. While it reminds me of Nova, there are still parts that are you,"

Wild Guardy's hand and knees gets weaker seeing Blue Cop's expression. Machina damn it!! He has no idea how hard Wild Guardy's trying not to lose himself today! How nervous he was! How hard it is to hide his flushed expression!! How… how… much courage he needed to ask him out!

As if he couldn't hold back anymore, Wild Guardy's face heats up as shades of green appears on it.

"Blue Cop! I… I love you! I really, really love you!" He blurts out. "Long since before we met…! When you were still a Star Guardian back in Machina! And these feelings just got even stronger when we became teammates..!!" His hands trembles. Damn it! I went and said that!!

Although he shouldn't be surprised, Blue Cop is still taken aback by this confession.

I love you.

Those words used to feel foreign to him after Flame Nova's betrayal.

But now… something else bloomed in his core, just like the field of purple aster flowers before him. Wild Guardy's nervous expressions since the start of the date, his silence during their drive, the way his hand trembled as well when they hold hands together, the whirring of his cooling fans when Blue Cop leaned on him, and now…

They're so different than how Nova used to be, yet…

It made Blue Cop's core race just the same. And to that he wanted to say…

"I love you too,"