Author's Notes- Hello all. This is fic has been in my head from around last Christmas and centres around Megatron courting Starscream and the issues they have. I am working on Acid Rain and And This Time... but I needed a little break from them and this was begging to be written. It is AU in which either the war never happened or it is set a few million years beforehand.
Warnings- Multiple pairings (differences in size included), hints at past rape (possibly descriptions later), future mech-preg, violence and Transformers swearing.
Disclaimer- I do not own Transformers or its characters.
Units of Time:-
Astrosecond- 1 second, Klik- 1 minute, Cycle- 1 hour, Orn- 1 day, Decacycle- 1 week, Meta-cycle- 1 month, Solar cycle- 1 year, Vorn- 1 million years.
Italics- Flashbacks/thoughts/memories/link speak.
Bold- Comm speak.
Unbetaed.
All mistakes are my own.
Hope you all enjoy it.
Bird Watcher
Chapter One- Lecturer
Wings stood proudly out from his back struts, Starscream grinned as he finished his three cycle long lecture, engines thrumming gently in satisfaction and controlled excitement. The hall, vast as it was, was filled to capacity with mechs and femmes of all descriptions, who had been enraptured since the first word left the Seeker's mouth.
This section of Iacon's miles-wide multi-layered library had been cordoned off for the afternoon, allowing the renowned scientist to give his lecture without fear of chastisement of other users wanting quiet.
The waning Cybertronian sunlight streamed in through the windows, shading the room a deep orange as the Vosian Prince completed presenting his work, explaining it so that it could be understood by the most amateurish in his audience, while still successfully retaining the respect and attention of the more qualified.
The passion and energy he put into his studies was conveyed not just by his engaging, albeit slightly scratchy, voice but by his wings which complimented each of his movements and phrasings perfectly. The gleaming appendages, stained by the coming of the evening, fluttered in easy contentment as their owner gestured to the images he had put up on the screen.
He came to stand in the centre of the stage and asked pleasantly if anyone had any questions they wished to ask, and to invite those too shy to speak before the crowd to come up and see him after it had dispersed. Several mechs and femmes of varying dialect and accent, even one Kaonian sparkling sat on his creator's shoulder, asked some general questions and then the decacylely meeting closed.
Turning away from his audience as they filtered out of the doors, Starscream began to pack away his apparatus and projector not noticing that three mechs remained, stood on the normally closed off balcony which overlooked the hall. They had entered very early so as they would not have attention called to them, not even alerting the scientist to their presence when he entered to make some final preparations for his display.
Bodyguards, discreetly armed, remaining on the upper tier housing several rare books and two comfortable, regal chairs enabling the elite to watch presentations without being boxed in by the rabble, the large shining silver mech swept out, descending the stairs to his box and out into the main area.
Approaching the Seeker slowly, not wishing to startle him, the Lord High Protector paused at the bottom of the three steps leading up to the temporary stage and waited for the smaller mech to notice him. Starscream turned, several texts he intended to place in his bag balanced precariously in his arms, and froze, wings flying up in surprise at the presence of the other.
Quickly putting his books to one-side on the dyed brown, fairly old metal desk, the flier dropped to one knee, helm bowing and wings swiftly folding in on themselves against his back in a gesture of respect.
The Lord High Protector ascended the steps and slid his servo under one of the Vosian's arms, optics twinkling mischievously, and eased Starscream to his pedes, servo sliding down the flier's thin arm to take his smaller appendage gently. Coaxing the Seeker down to the first line of chairs, Megatron paused, then carefully deposited Starscream in one seat before dropping into the one beside it.
They were not as comfortable as the ones upstairs, being completely bare of anything soft, but the larger mech didn't mind, a few secret excursions to the gladiator pits in Kaon having desensitised to such trivial irritations. Even if he had not indulged himself in such frowned upon trips, Starscream himself provided quite ample distraction from the metal seemingly trying to drive itself into his back.
The flier however seemed quite at ease in his place; possibly more accustomed having spent solar cycles in such chairs studying at the Iaconian Science Academy where he was now a lecturer. No, the Seeker seemed far more nervous at the prospect of being alone with his current companion, not noticing the guards hiding in the shadows.
They were both mechs of standing but Starscream was painfully aware of how little his status meant in comparison to that of the one beside him and, though educated in such things, his nervousness made him unsure of himself.
One wrong word and one night cycle he could vanish, never to be seen again. It was well-known that Megatron's brother, the Prime himself, was the far less volatile of the two. There was even a rumour, suppressed hard by those at the brother's shared palace, that the Lord High Protector had attempted to forcibly interface with a medic's apprentice a couple of solar cycles ago.
Optimus Prime, however, remained quiet on the subject, pointedly ignoring the matter should it be thrown in his faceplates.
It was mere malicious gossip, surely?
Megatron's servo, as if abruptly realising it still imprisoned the flier's, released it and fell soundlessly to the Lord's armrest. 'I enjoyed your lecture,' the larger mech almost purred.
'Thank you My Lord,' Starscream smiled softly, leaning back in his chair when Megatron motioned for him to relax.
'But I must ask,' the joint leader of Cybertron leaned, just slightly, into the Seeker's personal space, 'what is a mech of your standing doing in such a profession?' It was no secret that Starscream's sire, Vos's Winglord, strongly disapproved of his creation's life choices.
'I love my work,' Starscream's lip components quirked, 'and… I'm rather good at it My Lord.'
'That you are,' Megatron murmured, servo coming to rest over and stroke the flier's with his thumb, 'several of my scientists are quite inspired by you. In fact I was hoping you would consent to coming to my home and supervising them for a time? They wish to conduct several experiments based on your work, with your permission of course.'
Though it was stated as a request with no sense of command in the tone, Starscream conceded to Megatron's wishes. It would not do to refuse the Lord High Protector, not at all.
And his spark fluttered the astrosecond the larger mech touched him.
Megatron, however, seemed to be momentarily distracted, watching the brilliant orange of the sky merge into a deep purple, sure to eventually disappear in several kliks. 'I would be remiss if I allowed you to travel home alone as night is falling, especially as you will be part of my workforce. Would you permit me to take you back to your rooms?'
Starscream's optics flickered to his bag, bulging at the seams with books and other belongings, then back to Megatron as he nodded.
Outside, the Lord High Protector's guards going on ahead with Starscream's belongings, Megatron glanced around to make sure they were unobserved, then dipped his helm and pressed a light kiss to the Seeker's lip components. 'Share a late meal with me? So we might further discuss your ideas?'
Starscream's lip components tingled from the larger mech's caress, his wings flicking lightly in surprise. Maybe his trinemates were right, he did spend too much time in the labs…
A shy grin grew on his faceplates and he accepted the offer of Megatron's servo, following the Lord into his carriage. Even after they had settled into the padded seats, the silver mech's frame seeming to loosen as his back was given support by solid wall he rested against, Megatron did not relinquish his easy grip on the flier's servo.
Starscream watched the older mech curiously, noticing the way those deep red optics followed the movements, however slight, of his wings. A claw reached out, hesitating before the thin metal as their transport jolted into motion, as Megatron looked to the Seeker for acquiescence.
Starscream answered by lightly pressing his well-maintained appendage into the inquisitive digit. The pad remained still for a few moments then began to draw small circles and spirals on the delicate panelling, optic ridge twitching upwards at the soft gasp that escaped the flier's vocaliser. 'Sensitive?'
'Y-yes Sir,' the Seeker sighed, optics dimming in contentment, 'to register air currents and the like.'
'I am seldom what the lesser nobles would call proper,' the larger mech whispered, sound almost swallowed by the steady throom of the engines beneath them, 'but I have been watching you for several meta-cycles now and… I will be seeking your consent to court you.' Megatron held the smaller mech's gaze as he picked him up and pulled him into his lap, smirking at the undignified yelp the Prince gave as he resettled, curled into the brilliant silver chassis that he found his optics helplessly drawn to.
All Seekers seemed to be attracted beyond their control to shiny things.
Keeping up his touches to Starscream's appendages, he gently nuzzled at the flier's helm. 'I would rather see if we are compatible before starting the formal process, I've made that mistake before more than once. I propose a few unofficial meetings before we commit ourselves, yes?'
Starscream nodded slowly, feeling warm and comfortable, and began to doze on the larger mech's frame, wings flicking unconsciously into Megatron's continued exploration.
'Tired, little mech?' The Cybertronian Lord breathed into the Seeker's audio, chuckling as Starscream gave a quiet affirmative. Megatron preferred smaller mechs than himself for partners for a variety of reasons and the flier was more enticing than most.
As clever as he was enticingly delicate, with more than enough status that the match would be approved by others, and he was a carrier. Optimus often went on about how important the next generation was and that they should both seek to create heirs, just in case.
Hopefully he would not have to tame the flier too much but Starscream's dedication to science should make him reasonably easy to keep indoors, keep safe, as much as possible. As a Seeker, of course he could not avoid the skies forever but, once Megatron outlined the risks to him, the secret gladiator hoped the younger mech would be accommodating.
His occupation would have to be put an end to but he could still practice science in the secure environment of the Palace labs, perhaps have an apprentice…
It could work if Megatron was patient and indulged Starscream with compromises. Others he had attempted to court had been dissuaded despite the allure of his rank by his possessive nature, finding him too aggressive and controlling, several even fleeing the silver mech's home in the middle of the night cycle to return to their native cities where they went into hiding. Most he had only frightened, others he had physically harmed.
It was never a deliberate action, and he hated seeing his potential mates look at him with optics dilated in fear… A Praxian minibot with spectacular, emerald green orbs had once attracted him and it had been clear that the younger mech had been frightened from the moment he began to be. The smaller Cybertronian's optics, becoming speckled with sea blue when he was aroused, likewise became flecked with a sandy yellow when he was afraid. Megatron called off the courting, instead inviting the sweet little mech to stay in the Palace and find another mate of his choosing, if he wished.
He tried to be understanding, knowing he could be quite a fearsome mech both intentionally and not, and if a prospective bondmate genuinely got too anxious to be around him he tried to ensure they were looked after in other ways.
Starscream could always back out if he wished…
Why was he here alone? Without any protection? He was next in line for the Vosian throne, surely that merited guards of one kind or another?
Megatron would have to arrange some sort of security for him, whether they began to formally court or not. He had easily swept Starscream off, many others with less honourable intentions could do the same.
Sending a private comm link he arranged for his guard to take them back to the Palace, the Seeker having been lulled into a pleasant recharge on his chassis and visibly in need of a warm, soft berth, not a public meal and a hard chassis.
A cycle later, the sun long departed from the sky, Megatron exited the insentient vehicle and carried Starscream inside and up to one of the many spare berthrooms. Laying the mech down and covering the Seeker with a thin blanket, mindful of sensitivity of the flier's wings, and sat at the table across the room.
Soundwave slipped in silently, Starscream's luggage in servo, placed it carefully to one side, bowed to his Lord and slid out again.
The flier recharged on for half a cycle in the dimly lit room and Megatron contacted his servant, a young minibot with the designation Bumblebee, to request four cubes of fine high-grade. The small yellow bot, just barely standing at full height to the silver mech's waist, was not truly his. Optimus had long ago, from the young sun-yellow mech's first solar cycle after the unfortunate deactivation of Bumblebee's creators, claimed the then hatchling as his.
However they were brothers, and could share.
The silver mech enjoyed the minibot's company, both in the berth and out of it, a secret pleasure of his between the two of them was having Bumblebee sit in his lap as he worked through reports, like a living hot water bottle; and the young mech was always so docile, so wonderfully obedient, and he never showed fear, even when those wretched red and yellow twins caught him for whatever cruel prank they had on their processors, he never seemed afraid.
Megatron would never allow anyone to truly harm the little bot, much less himself.
Moments later the perpetually cheerful mech entered, tray in servo, and approached the Lord High Protector.
Megatron smirked without venom and lifted the beverages out of Bumblebee's grip, placing them on the table before chastely stroking the minibot's faceplate. The younger mech's brilliant blue optics darkened slightly, and he smiled questioningly at the larger mech.
The older mech grinned back, thanked the younger quietly and sent him off for the evening. Watching Bumblebee scamper out, no doubt in search of some of his many friends around the Palace complex, he chuckled lightly.
The mech would find someone and bond happily, Megatron was sure. There was never a shortage of suitors for him after all, and Optimus helped his smaller friend filter out the riff-raff, only seeking Bumblebee's servo for selfish reasons of one kind or another and especially those that could turn out abusive.
A light thrum of engines alerted him to the Seeker's waking and he stood, grabbing two cubes as he approached the berth. Starscream looked up at him drowsily, with not a small amount of confusion, beautiful azure optics glittering up at him.
'I realise it was bold but I have brought you to my home, you fell into recharge while we were travelling and I did not presume to let myself into your rooms while you rested.' A flagrant lie but Starscream didn't need to know that.
The flier made to move, Megatron allowing him to sit up before stopping him shifting any further by pressing one cube of glimmering rich-purple high grade into Starscream's servo which the Vosian Prince dutifully sipped at, optics dimming at the strength of the Palace's brew.
'I must insist you stay here overnight,' the larger mech murmured, reaching out to lay his strong servo on the flier's fine shoulder armour. 'The streets are not always as safe as they should be at this time of the orn.'
Starscream nodded, frame sinking back gratefully into the easy comfort offered by the berth, sighing in pleasure as the metallic material adjusted wonderfully around his wings, neither too harsh nor not supportive enough for the fickle appendages.
Lust fluttered across Megatron's features before he turned away and supped at his own cube to hide it. It would not do to scare the Seeker this soon, forming a new record for how quickly he had driven a potential mate away. He had taken enough of a chance bringing the younger to this room, not so far from his own, without tempting fate further.
However, Starscream seemed not to have taken any offence, taking too much enjoyment in the relief of a soothing berth to immediately question Megatron on the matter.
After they had both drank their second cubes in companionable silence, Megatron leaned over to peck the flier on his lip components. 'My mechs will escort you to the academy tomorrow; will you consent to returning with them after your orn is complete? You did promise me a meal after all.'
Starscream nodded, smiling lazily as the warm energon settled in his tanks, and burrowed completely into the nest that had formed around him.
Megatron watched the younger recharge for a few kliks then gathered the empty cubes from where they had been abandoned on the berthside desk.
While he had watched the Seeker, knowing Starscream's routine as well as his own, he knew little about the intricacies of how the flier lived. A mech of the Seeker's calibre should not find such petty luxuries a rarity…
His little mech seemed to get more intriguing with each new piece of information Megatron gained about him.
As the door closed soundlessly behind him, his step gained purpose.
Starscream's secrets would not remain hidden from him much longer.
Thanks for reading and please review.