Author's note: I notice a lot of you mentioned that you wanted to know what 'came before', and though I appreciate your curiosity, the interrogation and Optimus' capture were simply not important, the focus of the fic was supposed to be about their contrasting personalities and how that makes them able to complete one another, and with this new chapter (and hopefully more to come) we will see how the bond effects them both, and if Optimus can handle Megatron's anger, I doubt you guys need an explanation as to what would happen if he can't.

Warning: Slash and whatnot, and a very deep friendship scene in the end.

Disclaimer: If Transformers were mine…well you get the picture

Decadence

Reality

Optimus woke up twice that night. The first time he'd narrowly avoided being crushed when Megatron almost rolled over on him, Optimus noted that he'd been growling inaudible words and presumed the Decepticon was simply having a bad dream.

The second time, he awoke to the feeling of movement, and as he started to become aware of the world around him he realized he was being carried. He blinked once and shifted so that he could look into the optics of the mech whose arms he was in.

"What's going on?" Optimus asked drowsily.

Megatron lifted him higher now that his Autobot lover was awake. "I have to get you out of here." He said simply.

Optimus shook himself fully awake, "No," he insisted leaning against Megatron's chassis, "I want to stay."

"You can't, it's not safe." The Decepticon replied. Optimus blinked stupidly at him "Your friends are looking for you, you'll be in danger if we're caught." He explained.

The young Prime took a moment to consider what he meant. Right, an Autobot bonded to a Decepticon. No, a Prime bonded to the Decepticon leader. The Elite Guard would not allow it. Optimus thought sadly about what would happen. He would be striped of his title for sure, then, sent to the stockades as a possible threat to the Autobot cause, where he'd never see Megatron again.

But that wasn't all, he realized. If they were caught by Autobots, and Optimus was sent away, Megatron would feel Optimus' loneliness and that would put more fuel on the fire (as humans said). Surely he'd come after his mate, and when that happened, with no where else to go, Optimus would be branded as a Decepticon, and forced to fight his friends.

He shuddered and leaned against Megatron, knowing he was right, it wasn't safe, "Thank you." he whispered, their lips met for a moment.

"Go back to sleep," Megatron said after they parted "Once we're a safe distance away I'll wake you so you can go back to your hideout."

"And what will I tell the others?" Optimus asked, already drifting off.

"That we were clumsy and you managed to get away." Was the response, Optimus yawned and snuggled into him muttering a soft 'alright', and hearing a quiet chuckle before he was in recharge once again.

It was mid-day, when he got back to the plant, however, when Megatron had said that his friends were looking for him, Optimus thought he'd meant Ratchet and the others, but as he drove up to the power plant that served as the Autobot base on Earth, Optimus certainly didn't expect to find the Elite Guard's ship, parked just outside. He transformed, wondering what they were doing here, and when he entered, he was bombarded by cries of relief, and immediately flooded with questions. Optimus in turn asked them to settle down and described a made up tale of his escape, he told them he was too busy looking for a way out to go exploring, and that surely they'd noticed his disappearance already.

"Not bad man!" Jazz congratulated patting him on the back then calling over his shoulder, "Yo Sentinel! Why don't you come join the party?"

Optimus looked passed Jazz in surprise. Indeed, Sentinel was there, hanging back against the wall with his arms crossed, pretending he didn't care. The two Primes caught each other's gaze for a moment before Sentinel looked away again. "Seems hardly like a party." He said with a better-than-you tone and lifting his nose into the air.

But it didn't fool his old friend, in that brief moment their optics had been locked Optimus had seen the relief. Same old Sentinel; stubborn as always. Optimus pushed passed the others and walked over to him. "Hey-" he started.

"-I don't want to hear it." Sentinel cut him off, "You can gloat about your escape to the other maintenance bots, but I don't need to listen to you and your getaway, and would rather not."

"Sentinel Prime!" Ultra Magnus shouted from across the room, "That's uncalled for."

The blue Prime nodded to his leader, but his face showed no sign of stopping, Optimus put a hand on his shoulder meaning to ask if they could talk privately for a moment. When he touched him, however, Sentinel pushed him away.

"Don't touch me!" He snapped, though he'd lowered her voice so that Ultra Magnus would not hear him.

"Sentinel," Optimus said, "I just want to talk."

"Well, I don't!" The other shot back; unconsciously his voice rose higher and Ultra Magnus began to wonder towards them to see what the ruckus was about "I don't need you telling me things that will make me feel inferior! How much of that story did you make up anyway!?"

Guilt shot though Optimus as images of his love making with Megatron before flashed in his mind. Guilt for the truth in Sentinel's accusation. The shame, however, did not last long and was overcome with anger, anger that was hotter and more violent then anything he'd ever felt before.

He was aware that Ultra Magnus was right behind him, and he tried to stop it, but he couldn't. Optimus' hand balled into a fist and he didn't realize what he'd done until Sentinel landed on the floor.

Everyone had seen it, and silence filled the room as everyone gaped at him in astonishment. Optimus himself looked at his fist in horror of what he'd just done. He'd physically assaulted an Elite Guard Commander

Sentinel lifted a hand to his jaw and rubbed the spot Optimus had struck. His optics narrowed, and Optimus turned away, "Sorry!" he said and ran out or the plant ashamed of what he'd just let happen, he'd let the anger he had received from his bond with Megatron get the better of him.

"Optimus wait!" He heard somebody call. He didn't wait; as soon as he was outside he transformed and sped off. Tacking side roads and turning corners, so that even the speedsters of the group would not be able to follow him, and at last out of the city into the forest.

He transformed when there was no longer road for him to drive on and ran through the woods, wanting only to be left alone. He came to a stop when he could run no more, he leaned against a tree and panted before he just let his knees fall out from under him and he sank to the ground.

Optimus hugged his legs, feeling ashamed of himself, guilty about his bond with Megatron, angry that he couldn't keep under control, and lonely. He shut of his optics, he'd never run off on his own before, and the silence was starting to freak him out. The young Prime didn't like being alone, and thought perhaps he should go back to the city and just sulk there, were at least there might have been someone to talk to.

"Megatron…" he whimpered suddenly. He wanted Megatron there, he wanted to talk to Megatron, have the Decepticon leader give him advice, surly he'd have something reassuring to say.

His spark ached with longing. Optimus curled into himself more and backed against the old tree, as if hoping that it could give him the comfort he needed. He drifted into an uneasy recharge, plagued with nightmares about his secret bond getting out. They seemed an eternity, but when Optimus awoke from them he noticed that it had hardly been and hour since he'd stopped running, and most of that hour had been spent moping.

Optimus considered going back to the plant to face the consequences of punching a member of the Elite Guard, and decided it was probably better to just get it over with, but as he stood he sensed something wasn't quite right. As he looked around he knew what it what was wrong.

He wasn't alone.

Optimus pulled out his ax, and took up a stance, he couldn't tell what was there, but it was certainly better to be prepared for an ambush. After all, being off-guard was what got him caught by the Decepticons last time. His optics searched the woods around him looking for any signs of movement, and when something did move, Optimus kept an eye on the shape, watching the figure draw nearer.

"Optimus?" a voice called; as it did Optimus recognized it and was caught between relief and surprise.

Hiding his weapon once again, Optimus rushed to meet the approaching transformer, "Megatron!" he cried, wrapping his arms around the Decepticon's waist. "What are you doing out here?" he asked.

"I've been looking for you all afternoon." He answered, pulling him closer "I lashed out at Starscream earlier, because he was being an idiot as usually, and suddenly I felt bad about it. I apologized to him, can you believe that!? Then I was feeling ashamed, and I figured it that it couldn't be because of what I did, so I came to see if you were alright." Kindness that never would have been there before shined in his optics.

Optimus shook his head, asked him to sit with him and quickly told Megatron about what happened, drawing to the conclusion that they'd both lashed out at the same time, but Megatron's anger had been the source because Optimus would not have otherwise. Megatron listen carefully, rubbing the young Prime's back reassuringly, but as Optimus finished, had no advice to give him.

"I've never been in such a situation." Megatron said, "I have absolutely no idea what to do."

"What would you do?" Optimus asked.

"Finish him off." The Decepticon answered, "But seeing as that's not an option for you, I guess I shouldn't suggest it."

"I wouldn't have even hit him if it weren't for you." he replied, "You're a bad influence on me." He teased. Optimus realized that he felt better, despite not having gotten a suggestion on what to about having assaulted a member of the Elite Guard. Perhaps just talking to his mate was all the comfort he needed.

Megatron laughed, "I'm a bad influence on you? Didn't I say, I told Starscream I was sorry for hitting him? Lugnut thinks I'm sick!"

Optimus laughed, and crawled up to be face to face with Megatron, "Maybe he's right." He said, then pushed his mouth against Megatron's and pulling away again before the tyrant could respond to it, "Lovesick!" he teased.

Megatron growled at him and pulled their faces together kissing him deeply. Optimus returned it with passion, and when they separated he craned his neck eagerly for Megatron, as the Decepticon nibbled on it. Arousal grew in both of them, but suddenly Megatron pulled back.

Optimus looked at him confused, "Why'd you stop?" he asked.

"Someone's coming." His mate replied pushing him gently off and standing up, "I think it's an Autobot…"

Optimus looked longingly up at him, but pressed a button on the side of his helmet, a holographic screen appeared in front of his optics. Two red dots and a purple one blinked on the screen representing the three transformers in the area, and identifying the newcomer. "It's Prowl." The Autobot confirmed, "He would be the only one to look for me out here."

Megatron offered a hand and pulled him up, "I'd better go then." He whispered, and kissed Optimus once again, "Can we meet…later? I want to continue what we started."

Optimus shook his head, "I…I don't know, where would we meet?"

Megatron looked at him silently for a moment, "I'll figure something out, and call you when I do." He shrugged.

"'Call me'?" Optimus repeated, "How?"

Megatron patted his head, "We're bonded Optimus, I have access to you're commlink, and you have access to mine." he said, "So, I'll see you later?"

Optimus nodded, "Go, Prowl's getting closer." Optimus hugged Megatron once more, and the Decepticon kissed the top of his head before heading off in the opposite direction of Prowl. Optimus watched him go, and his spark ached to follow him.

"Optimus!" Prowl called, transforming out of vehicle mode and approaching him, "Good, I found you, everyone's worried."

"Prowl…" Optimus sighed and turned around, "What do you mean 'everyone's worried'?" he asked.

The ninja put a hand on his Prime's shoulder, "I mean everyone, Bumblebee, Bulk-Head, Ratchet, Sari, Blurr, Jazz, Ultra Magnus and Sentinel." He answered counting them off on his fingers.

Optimus nodded, "I should be coming back then right?" he said taking a step forward, but then paused as he processed all the names that Prowl had accounted, "Sentinel? Sentinel's worried about me?"

Prowl nodded, "When you ran off, he was the first to go after you, we all thought he was going to pick a fight, but when Blurr caught him, Sentinel seemed more concerned about making sure you weren't abducted by Decepticons again then getting even." He explained, then was quite a moment "Actually, from the way he was acting I think he was glad you hit him."

"Wha?" Optimus waved his hand in the air, "Wait, back up. Since when does Sentinel care what happens to me?"

Prowl shrugged, but then shook his head, "I think he's always cared, and just been too stubborn to admit it."

"No." Optimus said, "I don't mean when he 'cares' I mean when he 'cares', openly!"

"I don't know," Prowl said, "But when we called the Elite Guard to tell them you had been captured Sentinel was the one who insisted on coming to find you. Jazz said he's never seen Sentinel so frantic in the time they've been working together." Prowl transformed and headed back towards the road.

"What could that mean…?" Optimus mulled as he followed on foot.

Reaching the road he transformed and sped alongside Prowl, asking him what he meant that Sentinel was frantic about finding him. Prowl did not have an answer, and only said that he'd have to ask Sentinel. Optimus groaned inwardly. He doubted Sentinel would want to talk to him.

However he was wrong. They bumped into the other Prime on the way back to the plant; even in vehicle mode it was easy to tell that Sentinel was glad to see him. The blue plow truck pulled up beside him, all but running him down in clear relief, and insisted on staying by him, as if terrified some unseen hand would snatch Optimus up and take him away again.

Like Prowl had said, Sentinel seemed glad that Optimus had punched him.

After returning to the base Optimus was surrounded and asked questions for the second time that day. However he didn't want to make up answers to their inquiries, and only requested that he and Sentinel have a moment alone to work out what had happened between them. Ultra Magnus granted this, and commanded that all Autobots were to leave them alone.

Sentinel pointed to the road, "I was thinking that we should probably go out where there's less risk of eavesdropping." He said, looking directly and Bumblebee and Sari, who gave nervous chuckles and backed away.

Ultra Magnus gave his approval, and the two Primes drove out to an older, more run down part of the city, Optimus told him not a lot a people came around there, so they agreed they'd talk there.

"I'm sorry." Optimus said once they transformed, "I shouldn't have hit you."

To his surprise Sentinel stated to laugh at him, the other Prime to a few steps toward him and clapped a hand against his back. "Are you kidding Optimus Old' Buddy? I've been waiting a thousand stellar cycles for you to do that!" he rubbed his chin where Optimus had struck him as if to emphasize a point, "Primus, you really clocked me one too, took your sweet time though."

Optimus blinked stupidly at him, "What do you mean?" he asked.

Sentinel laughed at him again, "Primus, and Elita said I was a bad actor," he mutter shaking his head, "C'mon Optimus, did you really think it was possible for me to hold a grudge this long?"

"What?" Optimus was confused; he knew once upon a time Sentinel couldn't have stayed mad at anyone for very long, but this had been different. "What do you mean 'acting'?"

Sentinel sighed and clasped his arm around the younger Prime's shoulder; "Optimus, I realized a long time ago that I shouldn't have let you take the blame for what happened…That day…" his pause let Optimus know that the memories still pained and frightened him, but the gentleness held the forgiveness he'd wanted to hear for so long, "I wanted to apologize to you right away," he continued, "but as I thought about it, I also realized that you have let me let you take the fall. So I decided I wouldn't until I knew you wouldn't allow something like that again."

Optimus raised an optic ridge, "By… letting me hit you?"

The blue Prime snorted, "By making you stand up for yourself!" he exclaimed, "I've been there when someone bad mouthed you, but you always just ignored them and left muttering about what you 'should have said'. Optimus, do have any idea how hard it's been for me to keep treating you like an inferior? I was afraid you'd figure out I was faking when that whole 'headmaster' ordeal took place. Why else would I have called you for help? I've always still thought of you as my friend, I just wanted to make sure that no one ever hurt you again."

Optimus looked Sentinel in the optics. All those stellar cycles of being put down, insulted, and walked on…Just an act, to make him stick up for himself? He didn't know whether he should be grateful or angry. Sentinel read the mixed emotions in his optics.

"If it makes you feel better, you can hit me again." He offered with a smile, lowering his hands so he'd have a clear shot.

Optimus shook his head, "It's alright, Sentinel," he said "I just need some time alone, I need to think."

Sentinel nodded, "Okay, but I'm not going very far, I don't want to lose you again." He said, and walked passed him. Optimus smiled and grabbed his arm pulling him back. Without warning, he punched Sentinel in the face.

"You're right," Optimus said, rubbing his knuckles, "that did make me feel better." He offered a hand to help Sentinel back up.

Sentinel's jaw dropped slightly, "Wow," he said after a moment, "one day you just let me get away with treating you like a an undisciplined rookie and now twice in the same day you've given me a piece of your mind." His optics rose a bit in questioning, "What did those Decepticons do to you over there?"

Optimus' face got hot again, he shook his head and tried not to say something that would make Sentinel suspicious, "N-nothing!" there was a slight panic in his voice that Sentinel must have picked up on, but the other Prime just gave him a strange look and chose to ignore it for now.

"We're still friends, right?" Sentinel told him, "When you feel comfortable, I want you to tell me what really happened, okay?" he said, with a pat on the shoulder and turned to leave.

As Optimus watched the other Prime's back it finally dawned on him how much he must have meant to Sentinel if the blue Prime was willing to make the other Prime hate him to help Optimus mature. He knew now, that Sentinel must have fallen into recharge every night, wondering how much longer he could keep this up. Silently he wondered himself how long it would have taken for him to stand up to Sentinel's bullheadedness. He shuddered to think that, if it had not been for his bonding with Megatron, he may never have gotten up the nerve to tell Sentinel off-once and for all.

He thought about all Sentinel had done in the last thousand stellar cycles and cursed himself slightly for not noticing that his old friend had been lying through his teeth when he said those things. Elita was right, Sentinel was a bad actor when he thought about it, but Optimus knew he was also very gullible.

Elita.

"Sentinel!" he called out. If Sentinel was willing to sacrifice his friendship to him to make Optimus a better mech, deserved to know the truth about what happened to the femme he had loved.

Sentinel turned around and shook his head, "You said you wanted some time alone with your thoughts," he called back, "Whatever it is Optimus it can wait!"

Sentinel transformed and started to drive down the road, but before Optimus could shout to him that this couldn't wait, another voice called him.

"Optimus?"

The Prime jumped and glanced around; trying to find the source, then realized it had been coming from his commlink, and pushed a button on his antennae to respond, "Megatron?"

"I found a place for us." The Decepticon on the other side replied giving him a location, "Can you meet me there tonight?"

Optimus nodded, then mentally kicked himself knowing that Megatron could not see him nodding, "Yes, what time?"

"Anytime you can make it." the tyrant answered. "And Optimus?"

"Yeah?"

"Have any of you friends been giving you a hard time?" Megatron asked.

Optimus sighed and shook his head, "I'll tell you about it later."

On the other side of the link, Megatron growled irritably, he didn't like being left in the dark, "Alright." He growled, and Optimus knew that he'd better not tell him it was none of his business later, "I'll see you when you come."

"Wait, Megatron." Optimus leaned forward as if the action would allow him to hear better, "Are you already there?"

There was no response. Megatron had already cut their link, and was refusing to answer when Optimus reconnected it.

Optimus sighed; it was almost 4:00 and he doubted that Sentinel, or any of his friends for that matter, would let him out of their sight until they were all in recharge.

If Megatron was already waiting for him, he was in for a long wait.

Author's note: What? Were you expecting another graphic sex scene? Sorry, not this chapter, my main focus in this one is that there's more to love then sex and that Sentinel's not the complete idiot that people have a nasty habit of characterizing him as. The friendship between Sentinel and Optimus is going to be a big factor in this too. How is being friends again going to change the way they act together, and can Optimus trust him with his relationship with Megatron? These are the questions you should be asking. Hope you enjoyed and please review, over and out.

Editor's Note: As always, flames are not appreciated, if you had objections to things in this chapter please voice them in a non-offensive manner, if there are no objections leave your reviews with any questions or comments you want.