Megatron yawned as he woke; optics flickering on slowly. For a moment he forgot where he was, his processor being slow to start in the mornings. Then Megatron realized he was holding on to something – or better put: Someone. The silver Decepticon looked down to see Optimus Prime snuggled up to his chest plate; a dreamy smile on the young Autobot's face as he slept.
Of course. Now Megatron remembered. A few nights before he and Optimus had bonded to each other, becoming joined as one for the rest of their lives. Megatron smiled as he remembered how the young mech had looked at him with optics so full of love. The tyrant had had many lovers in his life, but none had ever looked at him like that. And none had ever made his spark want to burst with joy the way Optimus did. Megatron never wanted this moment to end.
But end it did; a sudden nauseous churning in his fuel tank that made Megatron bolt from the berth and into the wash room. He fell to his knees before the waste receptacle, the energon he had consumed the day before rushing up his throat.
The sudden jolt as his lover bolted from the berth awoke Optimus. The young truck rubbed at his optics tiredly as he sat up and glanced around. "Megatron? Where are you?" His only answer was the sound of retching.
Optimus went into the wash room and knelt behind Megatron, rubbing his bondmate's back. "Are you alright honey?"
Megatron gagged a few times before he could respond. "I'm alright. I guess whatever I ate last night didn't agree with me."
"I don't know about that," Optimus said, feeling a little worried. "This is the fourth day in a row you've been throwing up in the morning."
"There has been a stomach virus going around," Megatron admitted.
"Maybe I should take you to see Ratchet. A virus in your fuel tanks can move to other systems."
Megatron sighed then rinsed the taste of vomit out of his mouth. "Very well, you're cute when you worry."
Optimus blushed and kissed his bondmate's cheek. "Flatterer."
"Only for you," Megatron said with a smile.
"And don't you ever forget it," Optimus smirked. "Let's go."
The two of them walked outside of the Decepticon base on the outskirts of Detroit, Megatron unabashedly staring at Optimus's aft the whole time. The red and blue Autobot simply rolled his eyes and transformed into his alt mode, driving off; his bondmate following his lead. They soon reached the warehouse that served as the Autobot base and transformed. Optimus went inside immediately, but Megatron hesitated a moment. Even though the war between the Autobots and Decepticons was over, Megatron couldn't help feeling uncomfortable at their base. But he quickly shook off his unease and followed his bondmate.
Optimus walked down the hall to the med bay, going inside. "Ratchet? You here?"
Ratchet, the Autobot's medic, came out from the storage room in back, polishing a wrench. "Yeah, I'm here. Whaddaya want?" he asked with his usual grouchiness.
Megatron entered the med bay behind Optimus and placed his hands on his lover's shoulders, hoping that Ratchet wasn't going to throw that wrench at him. The medic had deadly aim and would almost definitely aim for his helmet. The ambulance mech glared at the silver bot, not liking him one bit. Not that Megatron blamed him. The war had cost Ratchet his lover - an EMP blast wiping out her memories permanently.
"Ratchet, Megatron's been throwing up every morning for the past few days," Optimus said, ignoring the tension in the room. "Would you mind checking him over?"
Ratchet grumbled slightly, then sighed. "Ok, fine. Get on the med-berth."
Megatron watched Ratchet like a hawk as he made his way to the med-berth and sat down, keeping his optics glued to the red and white bot. Ratchet picked up a scanner and started a routine check-up.
"How long has he been throwing up?" Ratchet asked, directing his question at Optimus.
"Every morning for the past few days," Optimus said, going over and standing by Megatron. He took the large black servo into his own, knowing that the older bot was uneasy.
Megatron relaxed when he felt his bondmate take his servo. He gave a gentle squeeze to let him know he would be fine. Optimus smiled up at Megatron, blue optics gazing lovingly into red optics.
Their tender moment was interrupted by the scanner suddenly beeping twice.
"Huh. How about that?" Ratchet said.
"How about what?" Megatron asked sharply.
"Hold your horses. I need to double-check," Ratchet said, getting a more specialized scanner.
"Is he all right Ratchet?" Optimus asked, biting his bottom lip in worry.
Megatron's spark raced with dread, wondering what the medic was about to tell them. But, knowing his bondmate was even more worried, he sent comfort and love over the bond to reassure him.
The new scanner also beeped twice, causing Ratchet to smirk. "Well, isn't this interesting? If what this scanner's telling me is true, then you're about to become a mommy, Megatron."
At the news that he was pregnant, Megatron's optics widened in shock. His right optic then began to twitch and he simply passed out on the berth.
"Honey!" Optimus exclaimed, quickly checking on his bondmate. He then looked over at Ratchet. "Are you sure? Is he really carrying a sparkling?"
"Only one way to know for certain. Check his spark when he wakes up."
Several minutes later, Megatron finally woke up. He groaned slightly, having a throbbing headache from his helmet hitting the metal berth.
"Are you ok honey?" Optimus asked, helping his lover to sit up.
"Yeah, I'm ok," Megatron said, placing a servo on his helmet. "I just can't believe I'm pregnant."
"Believe it," Ratchet said simply. "Open up so I can officially confirm it."
Optimus smiled in excitement, holding tight to Megatron's servo. The silver Decepticon opened his chest plates over his spark chamber. "Do you see anything?" he asked off-handedly, though it was clear he was excited about the prospect as well.
Megatron's spark was large and glowing red. It almost completely hid the tiny blue spark nestled next to it. The little spark was pulsing gently, letting off a soft glow. Threadlike tendrils of energy connected the pair.
Optimus gasped in joy and grabbed Megatron in a huge hug. "Honey!"
Megatron smiled and held Optimus. He was going to be a mother. The former tyrant had occasionally pictured himself as having a family, but he had always assumed he would be the father. It was going to take some getting used to the idea of being the one to carry the sparkling, but he felt it would be alright as Optimus kissed him happily.
"All right, enough of that. Get out of here," Ratchet said, hefting the wrench.
"I'm so excited! I can't believe it!" Optimus exclaimed, practically jumping up and down as they left the med-bay. "A sparkling! Our own little sparkling!"
Megatron smiled at his mate's excitement and wrapped an arm around him. "You'd better believe it, because you're the father."
Optimus grinned broadly and kissed his cheek, then grew serious. "I think we should move here into the base," he said.
"Do you really think that's a good idea?" Megatron asked. "Most of the bots here don't like me. Not that I blame them," he added, scratching the back of his head.
"Don't get me wrong. Your ship is wonderful, and I love being there with you," Optimus assured. "But I'd feel better if we were closer to a medic I know. Plus, I don't feel comfortable with the idea of some of your troops being so near our sparkling. A lot of Decepticons don't like me either."
"I can't argue with that," Megatron shrugged. "Though many of my troops, such as Savage and Shockwave, do like you. But if moving into your base is what you wish, I will not argue with you."
"Thank you honey," Optimus said, smiling.
"We have to tell my troops about this, of course," Megatron said. "We may be at peace, but I am still the commander of the Decepticons."
"Of course," Optimus agreed. "Let's tell my friends now since we're here. They're most likely on the rec-room."
Megatron nodded quietly. He wasn't looking forward to this, but if he was going to stay here on a permanent basis he had to. For Optimus's sake.
The two of them entered the rec-room, and for once everyone was there at the same time. Sari and Bumblebee were playing a video game, and Bulkhead was watching. Jazz and Prowl were snuggled up on the couch reading a novel together. Bulkhead, Jazz, and Prowl looked up when they entered; the ninja-bot's visor narrowing when he saw Megatron enter and place his hands on Optimus's shoulders. Jazz looked indifferent, but kept his guard up.
"Hey guys. I have an announcement to make," Optimus said.
"What's up Boss Bot?" Bumblebee said, shifting nervously. They all knew that the war between the Autobots and Decepticons was over, but the team was still adjusting to seeing Megatron and not have to worry about being attacked.
"It's pretty important," Optimus said. "First off, I'm moving back into the base, and Megatron's coming with me."
"You moved out?" Bulkhead said.
"I've been living on Megatron's ship for the past 8 months."
"Oh. Right," Bulkhead said, blushing slightly.
"S-so he's m-moving in h-here?" Bumblebee stammered, optics wide in fear.
"Optimus, do you think it's wise to have Megatron here?" Prowl asked. "I know the war is over, but…" He trailed off, unable to find the right words to express his concerns without insulting his friend or angering the large Decepticon.
"It'll be fine Prowl," Optimus reassured him. "The war is over for a reason. And there's more."
"Well, come on man!" Jazz cajoled. "Don't keep us in suspense!"
Optimus grinned broadly. "We're having a sparkling."
At hearing the surprising news, everyone in the room had a different reaction. Bumblebee's jaw dropped, Bulkhead's CPU crashed causing him to pass out, Jazz looked excited, and Sari just looked puzzled.
Prowl's look of distrust toward Megatron instantly vanished, replaced with genuine happiness for his team leader. "Congratulations, Optimus."
Megatron smiled proudly, putting his arms around Optimus and pressing his chest to his mate's back.
"Wow!" Jazz exclaimed. "To think there's gonna be a sparkling running around the base. Haven't seen one in way too long."
"Bulkhead?" Bumblebee said, leaning over his unconscious friend and tapping his helm. "Bulky?"
"What's a sparkling?" Sari asked, confused.
"In human terms, you would call it a baby," Megatron told her.
"So Optimus is like… pregnant?" the little girl ventured.
"Nope," Optimus said, smirking as he jerked his thumb toward the bot behind him. "He is."
That piece of news was even more shocking to the assembled bots. Bumblebee's jaw looked like it was about to fall off and hit the floor; Jazz and Prowl were stunned speechless; and Bulkhead, who had just woken, immediately passed out again.
"Well, I certainly never saw that coming," Prowl said quietly.
Jazz, coming out of his shock, began to snicker. "Well, well, well. Mommy Megatron."
Megatron didn't bother responding to that beyond simply rolling his optics.
"Thanks for taking it so well guys," Optimus said, smiling. "We're going to go get our stuff from the ship now."
"Be careful Optimus," Prowl said.
"Don't worry," Megatron said. "I might be pregnant, but I can still protect him from my own troops."
"Hey! Who beat whom in our last battle?" Optimus laughed, swatting at the older bot's arm.
"Don't let that go to your head," Megatron chuckled.
"Uh-huh," Optimus said as the two of them left.
"So," Sari began. "How do you guys have kids anyway?"
'Oh slag!' Bumblebee thought, panicking. "Jazz, why don't you take this?"