Part 2: A new Star
Starscream had hoped he had a chance, had tried his best to avoid being crushed and beaten to a pulp in front f his child, but in the end, he was no match for Megatron's brute strength. From the moment Megatron charged him to the moment in which he was dropped in a crumpled, agonized heap on the floor, bleeding, defiled and defeated, he knew he stood no chance. He was a fool, and he had paid the fool's price for his stupidity, and had have his child witness it all. At first he had held his own, he was a warrior after, and he wasn't some walking that couldn't defend themselves in a fight. Or as ever, that was what he told himself as he fended off a few of Megatron's first blows. The decepticon's warlord had always been frighteningly powerful and a born fighter while Starscream's strength lay in aerial combat and maneuvers. While he was fast and agile on the ground, he was nowhere near as strong as a Gladiatorial warrior like Megatron.
The hit to his knee joints sent him to the ground, unbalancing him and wrenching a scream from his vocalizer as the muscle cables and wires popped out of their socket leaving him crippled, unable to stand again. Then his wings... Megatron tore through the thin, pliable alloy like it was wet paper and Starscream shrieked and twisted to get him to let go, his vocal almost shorting at the high pitch of sounds he was creating in his tormented agony. And he beat him with the torn sheets of metal from his wings, cracking an optic, breaking his nose and splitting his lips. he could taste his own blood and his vision had gotten hazy and unfocussed as more hit landed on his head, knocking his equilibrium circuits off and making moving or standing almost impossible with severe vertigo. He felt the other wing being almost completely torn off, hanging from almost nothing. That was when he heard his son shrieking something at Megatron and he moaned trying to focused on what was going on.
All he could do was look as his son was beaten to a pulp as well, ending up being thrown into his side in the growing pool of energon surrounding his body. His vision might be impaired but something was obvious to him. Megatron had made a point and done true on his threat. No Rigel will be terrified of the warlord, and Starscream would do his best to shield him from any more injuries by making sure to stomp on Optimus's name and slander it as much as possible so the little one won't ever talk with pride or hope about his deceased father. It was sickening to have to turn a sparkling against one of his parents, even more one that was dead and had been a very good mech and worthy opponent through the war, but he'll have to make the child understands why he had to do this. In private he'll explain to him why showing any sign of love or care for the late Prime was a terribly bad idea. He was sure he could never completely erase Optimus's presence or influence on the boy though, but he could make it so he would keep it a secret.
he lifted a hand and put it on Rigel's helm, patting his son's helm with as much reassurance and love as he could muster. "Rigel... I'm so sorry... I couldn't protect you..." Finally the tears he'd been holding on for the last few minutes started to run down his cheeks and he felt the sting of the cleaning fluid on his open wounds. His comlink was operational, and he called out for the only person he knew cared enough to come gather him. there was no way he was going to make it out on his own, and with an injured child to boot. "Thundercracker... I need you, please come... get me. I'm at Megatron's tower, the gladiatorial Pit..."
Thundercracker wanted to ask many things but all he said was, "On my way." If Starscream was in the Gladiator Pit and needed him to come and get him then most of his questions were answered.
Rigel heard the teary sorrow in Starscream's voice and shifted onto his hip enough to lean closer to his sire, disturbed by the open wounds and the pink fluids, sizzling conduits, and unnatural noises coming from the adult's body. "Don't cry," The child himself started to as he pushed up enough to crumble over Starscream's chest. He let his face plate fall away to pull closer to his parent's face and tried to touch a black cheek as if it was his job to comfort the adult. "Y-you're tch-" He winced, wiping at his optics. "W-wor-worth more th-than this."
The child's words were the exact same as those Optimus Prime had spoken to Starscream during their strange meeting. He had reached out towards the Seeker and said that very sentence: you're worth more than this.
Rigel hugged at Starscream, "I-I'll be-be big so-so-someday and I'll ma-mmmm-make it right." He said through clenched teeth.
Starscream smiled weakly at his sparkling, and lifted a hand to wipe his face from the tears. However, there seem to be an endless amount of it in his conduits for they didn't seem to want to stop anytime soon. He then touched his child's cheek and make him look him in the optics. "Don't... -cough cough- don't say it, Rigel. You don't have... to fight my battles." He coughed up some more energon, he must have a ruptured energon pump because he felt like his chest and vents was filling with the liquid, clogging his intakes. he was in an even worst shape then he thought... One of his arms was useless, broken in three places, but the other hugged his child close to his chest.
"I'm sorry... you had to witness... this..." He whispered, hoarse voice crackling with static. He gently traced a wound on his son's shoulder and his optics darkened. "Damn Megatron to... the Pit!..." He tried to sit up, but it was too much effort with a useless arm and legs unable to support his weight. He moaned softly in exertion and pain, and let himself fall back on the ground with a clanging of scraped metal.
The child draped over his chest, he fell silent, no more words seemed needed, just the comfort of two sparks that shared the same pain. He held the child as best he could against his shattered canopy, wincing at the pain it cause him but refusing to let go. Memories of Optimus Prime flooded him, of the time they shared together, and now seeing that child, he was so happy that that night happened, all those years ago. He closed his eyes and remembered, speaking softly to his child. "I haven't known... your father... for very long, but... I'm happy... I spent that night with... him."
Yes, so happy...
**Flashback, 10 years ago, unknown planet**
Optimus Prime jogged through the alien tundra, blue organic material clung to his body and he shouldered his way deeper into a forest feeling the ground giving way under his feet. It was a small battle but one that had caught him unprepared and for once it was not because of Decepticons or his own mistakes. Some kind of native life form appeared, four of them, and barreled into the battle taking out both sides.
Optimus gave the order to fall back and make way to the Autobot's secondary safe house, he flagged down one of the creatures and was able to get it to chase him off the battlefield. He had unloaded arm blasters between its eyes and done nothing but singe its tan hair.
He broke off and plowed into the woods, it was a forest for giants and finally he felt small as he was caught up in ferns that shaded him like rooftops. He could hear the howling of the creature but it only followed him so far into the forest before pulling back, Optimus assumed, to rejoin its three companions.
Primus be with my Autobots, Optimus thought. He stopped and knelt, dimming his optics and other glowing details because his scanner picked up on a shape and quickly identified it. Starscream. His comm system was down but he knew where he needed to go, he watched trying to access the Seeker's state but was confident if Starscream was wading through such a dense place it was because he was wounded or fleeing the same as he.
Through the dense Optimus stood and called out in his deep voice, "Starscream, stand down and we won't have any trouble. We may need a temporary truce to make it to our men alive."
Starscream, before meeting with the Autobot Leader, had been fleeing from one of those creatures. He had been an explorer, specialized in alien worlds and organic species before the war, but he had never seen anything like those lifeforms in all of his travels. It was rare they met a bigger species then themselves, but those things were maybe three times bigger than the average Cybertronian, and ten time stronger. And bloodthirsty to booth... They seemed rather primitive though, not having any weapons other than their natural ones, but they seemed to be able to produce energy from a specialized organ sitting on top of their head. That's how one of them managed to shot Starscream right out of the sky and into that forest.
"Slagging pit-spawned creatures!" he swore, limping as he made his way through the dense bushes and tree trunks ten time larger then himself sometimes. "Son of a retro-rat, filthy organic scums!" He stopped dead in his tracks when he sensed the presence of another nearby and dived into the safety of the nearby bushes, worriedly looking around. With a bent wing and busted thruster, there was no way he was going to be able to leave the ground... He was only slightly reassured when he realized it was a fellow Cybertronian, albeit an Autobot.
"Stay where you are Prime! I won't hesitate to shoot you!" he warned, making himself known, blaster in hand and pointed at the enemy. Distrust, weariness and anger were written all over the proud, handsome seeker's body language and faceplates. He watched as the Autobot Commander walked out from his own hiding place and his gun never left his form. he was no fool, he wasn't going to disarm himself in front of an enemy soldier! "Drop your weapons, Prime! I'm serious!"
Optimus was an impressive bot, he was a Prime after all and like Megatron he had the air of someone who was put here to lead and do so naturally. Paint burnt away on some parts, dents on others, he stood as if he was unblemished. "Strange circumstances call for strange actions," He said. "I'm not dropping my weapon." Optimus said calmly. "If I wanted to engage you I would have, we need to make it out of here before these creatures, or different ones, find us."
He parted a massive blue leaf and worked closer to where Starscream was, holding a black blaster in his other hand. He pointed above and fired, a large bulbous head dropped beside Starscream with a thud, some kind of carnivorous plant, green liquid spilling from cage like teeth and a bubbling wound through its stem had caused the weight of its head to snap. Optimus made a sound beneath his face plate, he was always reminding his men to look up. Of course he had no trust for Starscream but he had to believe the Decepticon had common sense enough to know in this jungle of giants they needed to aid one another in order to survive that and Optimus was sure he had not actually stood so close to Starscream since before the war.
"Eyes up." Optimus said with that charisma he was known for.
Starscream yelped like a little girl - Oh that was SO embarrassing! - and jumped away from the thing that almost ate him and into Optimus's chassis. He quickly got away from the charismatic mech and brushed himself down with his hands as if nothing happened, always the prideful seeker. He lifted an optic ridge at the larger mech and crossed his arms over his chest, his weapon back in its holster. "Disgusting creatures... that's why I hate organics so much! that are GROSS!" He hissed and shuddered, looking at the quickly decaying mass on the ground. And there could be more of those things all around us, monsters in the sky, and on the ground. Some might be even bigger than the ones they already encountered... The wise choice was indeed to ally their strength and work together.
"Yeah... That planet seems to be nothing but one huge trap. One monster after the other." he huffed, not liking being out of control of anything. He looked at Optimus more seriously and with less aggression and mistrust then before. he was aware that he couldn't survive on his own on that planet of terror, and that he needed the other to survive long enough to reach his faction. He held out a hand towards the Autobot's Leader, a human gesture picked on Earth, and said with surprising calm. "A truce then, until we can get to our respective factions, Prime."
Optimus fit his blaster in place with a click, "I knew your father," He said, taking Starscream's hand in a firm but brief shake. He hadn't known the grand Winglord of Vos personally but knew of him and his sparklings, he knew Starscream was the youngest, the last child sired in that now decimated line. He wouldn't say the rest of it, being an officer he listened, he kept his audios to the ground and rumors about Starscream being in love with Megatron, the mysterious but brutal Gladiator turned reformer had made it to his desk. The huge loss of so many aerial bots to the Decepticon cause had been a huge blow, one Optimus still dealt with.
"He was vain," Optimus walked past Starscream. He decided not to tell Starscream his comm system was down. "And struggled to see value in those different from him, a trait he passed on," He stopped to monitor ahead. "I don't have any signaling ability, some kind of ground interference. We'll have to make it out of his jungle carefully and signal our respective groups once we do. I won't allow any attack but it'll be up to you to tell your men to do the same. More fighting will draw more creatures. This planet is unfit for Cybertronians." He rationalized, hoping Starscream would agree. Sometimes it was best to live to fight another day, another day on another planet.
"My Father was a prideful, vain and antagonistic creature!" Starscream spat, he had no love for the one who helped sire him. he was nothing but his genitor, and he despised him deeply for his coldness and the way he detached himself from his own sparkmate and sparklings. "He was incapable of love. His spark colder then the void of space. he was a horrible mech, and I can't say that his death wasn't wholly deserved." He had casted him out of the family and disowned him for choosing to follow science instead of war, as was tradition for any member of the Royal Family of Vos. He could never forgive him for this, and when Vos fell, the only good thing that came out of it was that he was free of any responsibility towards it. He never wanted to be Winglord, but circumstances made it so he would be if that war ever ends and he can claim his birthrights once again.
Starscream looked around, ignoring those memories for the time being, and spotted only more huge trees and weird plant life. he walked close to his companion, feeling comfort in the presence of another that he knew could defend himself and fight. "Mine doesn't seem to work either, but I'll do as I can to make sure no one's attacked. You have my word, Prime." He heard the sudden sound of something huge rushing through the nearby bushes and he leapt away with a cry, drawing out his weapon yet again, but the large insect-like creature merely continued its way ignoring them completely. Starscream sighed and holstered his gun once more. "Fragging weird planet... I don't know about you, but the sooner I'm out of here, the better."
Optimus never faltered he chuckled after the bug rushed past them, able to let go of things when he could. With a single nod, he moved on, finding the bots anger towards his long gone sire unfortunate but not something for him to comment on any further. He blasted any plant that twitched in their direction and seemed to clear a rough way for Starscream, as he was aware wings tended to catch on things. "Megatron doesn't make many appearances these days," In truth, Optimus was sure the last fight they had was three thousand years ago. Megatron and his decepticon, Optimus understood Decepticon tactics, brutal and precise. Perhaps that was why, when they finally saw one another across a battlefield, it was so intense. Megatron remained that one bot who brought Optimus so close to hate but never delivered him into its hands, he wouldn't allow that to consume him. If he did, he knew he would be the same as Megatron. "I've wondered about you, now and again," He said politely. "We never caught a glimpse of Megatron without you beside him, it has been a long standing rumor among Autobots that you're Megatron's spark mate. I don't encourage this kind of thinking but I understand the need others feel to have a moment where conversation and thought isn't so serious." He was fishing for light conversation while they walked, though he never seemed to relax because he picked off things he perceived as dangerous and when he wasn't doing that he was pulling plant matter out of the way to clear a larger path, or some sort of path at all for the bot behind him. "Finding someone you would name your enduring love is rare among us, at least when you compare to other races. Lovers come slow for Cybertronians and we hold onto them but maybe that's the opinion of one who considers these things very carefully." He smirked to himself. He hoped this kind of talk would keep them away from the war though it all seemed to tie back in one way or another and he wondered if it was best to stay silent.
Starscream huffed and rolled his optics, but he decided to keep his weapons ready, just in case. Even the flora was threatening on this world, and the size of that bug that they just saw... it was the size of a what humans call an Autobus. Huge and ugly and with way too many legs. He shuddered, he never liked bugs of any kind. He listened to the Prime with only half an audio, his optics glued on their surroundings, but when he mentioned Megatron and what they thought his relationship was with the tyrant, he suddenly changed his demeanor completely. He became closed up, his expression turning cold and his optics dimming, as if they were lost inward in a personal and private world. "Everyone is a fool then if they think of Megatron and me that way. The relationship between us a lot more... complicated than that, and I seriously don't want to talk about it with an Autobot, of all people." There was pain in his voice, resentment and anger, but also a sad, broken kind of acceptance, like there was no way out of that so-called relationship he was talking about. A spark-deep scar that would leave him raw if poked at too much or too hard. He refused to say anything else after that, more closed then an oyster, and hugging his cockpit in a show that contradicted his words that there was nothing to talk about. Distant thunder started to roll on the sky above then, accompanied by the flashes of lightening, and then it started to rain. No, rain was too light a term. It was a downpour, and Starscream lost his balance after a few minutes, landing on his front when he slipping on the muddy, wet and spongiest ground. But worst, he soon felt tingly all over, and when he looked at his arm, he saw spots of discolored area, and heard the fain 'hiss' of acid on metal. "Acid rain! primus, even the RAIN is against here! We need to find shelter Prime, before more damage can be done to our exostructure!"
"You don't sound-" Optimus cut himself off, as he turned to help Starscream up. With an unwavering arm he grasped beneath the Seeker's forearm and hauled him to his feet. "Easy," He felt and smelled the acid eating away at his paint job and realized how hard it had to be raining for it to reach them so close to the ground in this thick canopy of matter. He found Starscream was an intense bot but for once he was right to be alarmed, "I see something that will have to do." He stepped hard in the mud, his weight spreading out and traction on the bottom of his feet keeping him stable. He went to a massive tree, the bottom was starting to rot out and Optimus ducked in first, expecting something to be inside. He illuminated his wrist guards and swept his hand around in the wooden cave, seeing no glistening eyes or signs of hidden foes. His hand came out to help Starscream the last few steps, noticing a bot built for the sky was not very good at wading through the mud. "In you go." He grasped and pulled, delivering the Seeker through the threshold of the tree and out of the acid rain.
The strange smell of old wood he liked and didn't like, it was so foreign and unfamiliar yet it was earthen and a sign of life to him, in some strange way. Transformation.
Once inside the shelter - it was pretty large between the huge roots of the tree - Starscream let himself slid down to sit on the muddy ground. He made a disgusted sound when something sticky touched his backside and wiped it away. He, contrary to Optimus, just found the smell on that place disgusting. he looked up at his companion and tilted his head, starting to relax once they were safely inside the tree and out of the nasty acid rain. "So Prime." he asked, not liking the silence and already starting to feel claustrophobic. "Tell me, what is it that you to make it look so easy? I mean, you're just like Megatron on that account. You're a born leader and a charismatic speaker. All I get when I try to get my men to listen are laughter and ridicule..." The bitterness and self-depreciation were obvious in the seeker's tune. Why he had decided to tell Prime this was a mystery, but he was now looking at him with intense red optics.
His hands were shaking a little and his wings tense. As a seeker, he was incredibly ill-equipped for confinement, and being trapped inside a somewhat cramped space just made him twitchy and very nervous. he was making conversation to fight of the worst effects of the seeker's deeply ingrained claustrophobia.
"You're worth more than this," Optimus said with gentle strength. "You won't be contained through fear, you've become nothing more than a reaction. Megatron dominates you and you dominate others, your pride and your sense of self is injured, and you injure the same in beings you deem lesser," He saw it then and spoke of Starscream instead of himself. Pieces in the past fell into place, rumors, jokes, reality all aligned. Optimus slide his face plate away, something he had not done for several thousand years. Many of his Autobots had not seen his face. "You see Megatron as your conjux endura?" He asked with pity. How could anyone stay sane under such an idea? It would explain so much of Starscream, Optimus saw contradictions. A powerful, proud leader and yet… his hands shook and he was vulnerable. Megatron had broken him in some way, which Optimus could not understand…
Optimus knelt beside the Seeker, "Why are you shaking?" He asked, his silver face different from Starscream's. His mouth was not so defined and his nose not as sleek.
Starscream closed his optics, every words Optimus was saying stabbing at his spark like so many spears of truth. What was he in the end? Megatron's plaything? For so long his entire existence had revolved around the tyrant, he was the center of his universe and yet Optimus Prime, noble, righteous to a fault and so kind it was unreal, was telling him he was worth more then what Megatron was giving him, more then he himself believed. Something clenched painfully inside his chest and he felt hot tears sting his optics and roll down his cheeks. "How do you know?... How could you know how I feel?" Starscream whispered, his optics focused on the bare faceplates of the Prime. Handsome yet different then himself or Megatron. He reached up as if to touch then stopped and let his hand fall back into his lap. "Megatron's trap is clever, it is hard to try to escape his snares..." he said lowering his helms as tears fell into his folded hands in his lap. His voice was a little less screechy and quieter than usual. He could still see his hands shaking and his wings were tense but claustrophobia wasn't the only responsible this time.
"I don't like closed spaces. I feel trapped." he replied to Optimus's question, and his answer could be understood differently in the light of what had been said.
Optimus leaned back against wood and he felt it give a little against his back, he dimmed his optics to conserve energy, a habit learned long ago to try to conserve energy. He listened to the sizzle of rain outside of them. He was surprised yet he wasn't. War was horrible and it had ruined many good bots, he pitied Starscream as much as he was cautious of someone capable of violence and manipulation. He saw him reach out and pull back, "I know Megatron," Optimus said. "You're worth more than this Starscream," Prime reached out and touched Starscream's cheek with a blue finger. "I often think about Decepticons I cross paths with, what about them I admire and what about them I don't want to see in my men or in myself. I consider who I would be without the war, who you would be, who so many of my dearest friends would be and realize how little it matters. All of us stopped following logic a long time ago." He rubbed a hand down his front, brushing paint away where the rain had eaten into it. "Hnn…" He rumbled. "You're not enclosed, right now you're more free than you've been since you said yes to Megatron for the first time." He took up more space than Starscream and stretched out one leg while the other remained bent and he hung an arm over his knee, they had the same coloring, only set on different bodies. Red, white, and blue. His voice was a bit clearer without his face plate though just a deep, deeper than Megatron, but without any accent.
"You keep saying that." Starscream said quietly, finally looking up to meet Optimus's optics with his own. "That I am worth more than I think. How could you know? I've done some terrible things, Prime, things you would never dream of doing in your worst nightmares..." He admitted, and slumped a bit, his wings relaxing and hanging limply on his back. He was silent for several minutes, just listening to the sound of the rain, and realized that he was right. he felt more free then he had in a long time, bar when he was flying. Was it because he was for once free of Megatron's presence, or because the Prime awakened in him something deep and primal, that he had thought buried for good? Optimus mapped the naked faceplates for long moments, and all of a sudden, the urge to kiss those lips seized him, and he did just that. he leaned closer, closing the distance between them, and pressed his dark grey lips to Optimus's silvers ones, not thinking of what the other mech might think of it. he was not thinking period, or he would never have done this... If Optimus pushed him away, that would be it and Starscream would be embarrassed to death, enough to try and leave despite the acid rain outside. but for now he just kissed, and enjoyed the moment.
Optimus was shocked but was able to hide it, he was not easily surprised and even harder to catch off guard. He recovered quickly, it was his nature. He would never be a philosopher or a scientist, he was a warrior. He realized how much he pitied Starscream, a trembling kiss that was quick to need, and Prime clamped a hand on the back of the Seeker's neck and pulled him in, licking into his mouth. His other hand slide behind Star's backside and tugged him into his lap, lowering the knee that had been previously raised. "You are proving at least one rumor about you true," He rumbled with a pleased sound, his voice did not mock. "No one will know," Optimus rubbed a thumb across Starscream's glossy lower lip. "Beautiful."
He felt the tension against his groin plate and his free hand roamed without hesitation, sliding and groping, he didn't squeeze so hard it hurt the way Megatron did, but it was a firm caress that seemed to suggest Prime wanted the Seeker. He brushed his nose against Starscream's, "Try to remember this, even if you remain a Decepticon until you die, you may strive for a new lover, one who doesn't break you down but builds you up. Isn't that the way of our kind? To transform, to build…" He licked again across his mouth. "Mmmnn."
Starscream found himself in Optimus's lap faster than he could process, and he was being fondled very, very pleasantly. His optics shone brighter and he let himself go, making a few delighted, soft little sound like coos and moans. Optimus, he realized, was an awesome kisser, and he seemed not to mind one night flings, which was great because it was unlikely they could to this again after that night. "Optimus.." He breathed, his voice deep and kind of raspy with arousal. The tension behind his panel was becoming painful, and he didn't hesitate to let it slide aside to expose himself fully to the larger mech. "Many things about me are true, Optimus." He purred, his voice a low, sensual rasp now. "Want to find out how much?"
He was ready to go further and he rubbed up against the other mech lasciviously, movements sinuous and sensual, bringing his hand down to rub and tease gently around his interface panel to get it to open and let him in. His spike was already at attention, hard and throbbing in the dim light of the small cave they were in.
Optimus chuckled, enjoying this sensual worming bot in his lap. He rubbed his hands up Starscream's back and some over his wings before he pulled him against his chest. He clicked something on his chest and several layers of defensive panels slide apart to show some tender circuits, at the same time he slide open his panel and his large spike emerged with a mind of its own. It was silver with a glowing blue line running up the center and he pulled Starscream's hand down to touch him with a grin, "Orion for now," He said. "I'm not Optimus tonight." He took a blue wire from his chest, signaling he would plug in with Starscream if the bot wanted. Optimus liked the full experience, he wanted to exchange everything from engine vibrations, fluid, and electricity. That and he wanted to see if Starscream would allow such an intimate and vulnerable experience.
"I won't hurt you," His roaming hand dipped down low and fingered around to the front where he squeezed Starscream's spike, rolling his thumb over the head where nerves were bundled beneath thin alloy. "Hnn," He throated, watching the Seeker for any movement and keeping hold of the wire that connected close to his spark. He found Starscream sensual and gorgeous. "I can see I'm going to find out." His chest was very warm but he housed more than the usual bot- the Matrix of leadership for one was almost visible where he had been altered to house this strange Autobot object and he suddenly revved his large engine to buzz the two of them.
Starscream had been a little reluctant when Optimus opened up his chest plating to show his most sensible, intimate circuitry. He could kill him easily right now, he realized, but the idea didn't even cross his mind and he discarded it as fast as it had come. He moaned when his spike was squeezed and fondled and the silver and red appendage throbbed harder in the large hand of his one time lover. He finally let his own chestplates open and took out a link up cord to plug into the other's interior and make a spark energy loop between them. It wasn't something Megatron would ever propose. Never would he make himself vulnerable in that fashion. Starscream knew what great trust Optimus - Orion - was putting into him right now and it humbled him greatly. Starscream arched his back, still he was moving sinuously, sensual and radiating lust and arousal, making sparks fly between them with his intense rubbing of plating.
He took a hold or Orion's spike and stroke firmly, squeezing the base and making his way up the thick, tantalizing appendage. lubricant was seeping from the tip of his spike and from inside his valve, and he wondered if Optimus - Orion, he reminded himself - would let himself be taken. Either way, Starscream was sure the experience would be good and not involve any pain. "Orion... It's your real name?..." he asked a bit breathlessly.
"Orion Pax," Optimus said. "We're both named for the stars," He gasped at an especially tingling energy exchange and bumped Starscream's open chest against his, revving his engine hard, his large chest rising and falling as his body wanted to cool himself but his brain said no. He couldn't decide what he wanted to do first and bucked his hips, leaning Star back but holding him so he didn't touch the ground, as Optimus was aware the Seeker had no good feelings for it and wouldn't like a bed of rotting bark. "Unn," He licked up Star's neck and played tongue over cords and jaw and back across his mouth. "You're seeping fluids, are you ready for me?" He lifted him up just enough to rub his big spike over Starscream's port. He was hard and throbbing and his mind had gone to simpler things- his spike and where he wanted it.
Starscream let out a pleased groan when that strong pulse went through him and his optics shone brightly. He reciprocated with a pulse of his own and leaned close to bite softly at his lover's neck, not puncturing but nibbling. This was all incredibly hot and he felt like he could spontaneously combust if he overheated just a bit more. Starscream's port gave an almost painful twinge when that large spike rub against his entrance and he grinded down in response, unable to contain himself, His mind was foggy with arousal and lust, and he wanted Optimus to frag him hard already. "Orion... Nnn... Frag me already..." He moaned out, trying to get that spike inside him now.
Optimus pinged back the pulse, so it stayed between them like a static surge. He moaned huskily and pulled Starscream's hips forward feeling the head of his spike pop into the other bots form when Star grinded down, Prime grit back teeth and leaned his neck back as he was kissed. "You could find a bot who worshipped you," Optimus said, meaning it. He controlled Starscream's hips with both his blue hands and thrusting up he pulled the Seeker down and slowly rocked his large spike deeper in. The Seeker was lubed but still, he didn't want to tear any delicate lining as much as he was throbbing to go harder as the other's body clenched and encased him. He leaned in, licking at Star's mouth. Outside the rain still came down but Optimus had forgotten about acid rain, huge bugs, bot eating monsters, and everything else. "I'm almost to the hilt in you."
The feeling of Optimus's big cock starting to fill him up made Starscream moan loudly and jerk his hips, impaling himself even further. The pain was nothing compared to the waves of pleasure radiating through him from the pit of his belly, and he dug his sharp claws in the larger mech's shoulder plating with a pleasured cry. "Ooooh, Orion! Mmmmmm!" The pace was maddeningly slow and he was going crazy with lust, the heat of the sex making the interior of the wooden cave hotter and hotter. he was stretched wonderfully and he could tell Optimus was almost completely in, and that no one ever filled him so perfectly, not even Megatron with his too rough handling. "Nnng Primus! Frag me hard already!" he yelled, unable to control his high screechy pitch, making his own audio ring a bit. Since Optimus was holding his hips he didn't have much range of motion and just wiggled them with a low purr.
Optimus optics brightened considerably, taking in the lust and unguarded need from this strange, beautiful Decepticon. He could see what Megatron wanted to covet. He slid a hand behind Star's hip and another up his chest until he played fingers over the Seeker's mouth. "If you want hard," Optimus mouthed. He picked the smaller bot up easily and bumped his back against the tree, leaning him backward though he never took the hand away from Starscream's lower back, keeping a buffer between the wood and the Seeker so he didn't grind on organic matter. Optimus tended to take things slower but he heard what was wanted and felt a twitch of lust when Starscream finally cried out and it rang with familiar scratchy tones, "Don't hide your voice. I like it." Optimus grunted some as he started to pound the Seeker, loving the way his legs were spread and the way his black face caught the light with such curve. Optimus grunted deep, his optics would dim and suddenly brighten as he tried to control himself so he didn't overload but it had been awhile. He had only been with ground bots and he was captured by the sensual grace that seemed to simply happen for the Seeker, he was lighter and worming and Optimus found he was thrusting lustfully and full, mind fixated on where his spike was going into the other. "Primus you look good on me…" He whispered, half to himself.
"Oh frag yes!" Starscream grinded his hips a little more, making the thrusts go even deeper inside of his valve. it was obvious he was used to someone of Optimus's size for all he could feel was pleasure. He was stretched wide and yet could take more and did so once upon a time. His back was gracefully arched and his wings fanned wide in a display of sensuality, showing off their color and size for the other to fondle and appreciate. He cried out again, not restraining his vocaliser any, and leaned towards Optimus again locking lips with him, invading his mouth with his glossa and tasting every bits of him. His spark was pulsing faster and his valve rippling and clenching, signaling that his overload was fast approaching, but he would hold back a while longer. he just felt too great.
Optimus was awed by Starscream's love for making love and he found himself trying to keep up with the Seeker. He lapped back, he sucked, he nipped and he suddenly wrapped arms around the other in an odd embrace, still thrusting. Optimus pulled him against his chest and fell back some into the bark, passion gripping him as he rushed towards overload. He brought Starscream so close and tight to him, holding him, wanting him to knock against his exposed chest. He rumbled his thick engine, he thrust, and he concentrated on his spark nestled behind the Matrix to let some of that energy into the Decepticon. "I think-" He groaned. His spike twitched hard and Optimus felt it pull through his abdomen and all the way to his port, everything interconnected and flushing with energy. His optics dimmed completely as his system flickered and he twitched hard, strings of sticky energon fluid coming from him. He could feel the needy force of his own overload, it had been awhile, and the feel of fluids coming from his head made him spasm through his legs. He liked to cum hard when he did. He clutched his Seeker lover through it.
Optimus's overload triggered Starscream's and his came hard with a scream of ecstasy, his valve gripping and clenching around the invading spike. His spark seemed to throb in answer to that potent energy that was channeled into it and he let it wash through him and cleanse him of everything that was bad and all the memories that came with it. He grinded down on the spike riding the overload and chasing it until his spark felt sated and his valve had milked the other mech for all he was worth. "Orion..." he whispered and nuzzled into the larger mech's chest, curling against him in a mass of purring and content seeker. At this very moment with a caring lover everything seemed perfect.
Optimus touched beneath Starscream's chin and turned his mouth up for a slow kiss, leaving his spike inside for the moment. "Starscream."
Starscream
Starscream
"Starscream!" Thundercracker throated. The blue and white mech had reached where Starscream was and knelt beside him. He had first lifted the unconscious sparkling from Starscream's chest and lay him aside carefully, then quickly tried to rouse his lover. He would come to the child when he had a moment but he was trained to put his attention where it needed to be, as curious and confused as he was. "Flatline is on his way, you're going to be taken to medical," He didn't know if Starscream heard him or understood. "I would reroute power out of your wings, if you can," They were mutilated. "Starscream," He touched at his broken face. "What happened?" His words slipped away in angry grief.
"Uhhnnnn," Rigel moaned.
Thundercracker's optics slide slowly over to the child and he reached for him without leaving Starscream's side, collecting the young one in an arm and pulling him closer. He was clearly Starscream's but he had… Optimus Prime's head, clearly, it was Optimus. Thundercracker would recognize that famous a face anywhere, "Hush," He said, though not sounding as comforting as he wanted. The sparkling made some nonsense sounds, clearly delirious and Thundercracker was tense around his spark. What happened here? Who would beat such a young child? "You're safe, just rest, both of you."
**The next day, Starscream's residence**
For a while, there was only darkness and short moments of clarity laced with pain and the sounds of repairs being made. He could feel that his lover was there, Thundercracker was tending to his wounds, and he was safe. Safe from Megatron's wrath and with people that cared for him. He floated in a soft, comfortable nothingness laced with images of the past and flashes of memories, too fast to really grasp. There was a sparkling that was the most present in those flashes. A little sparkling that looked so much like himself and Optimus. His son... His son!
The thought finally jerked completely out of his repair-induced recharge, and he frantically bolted upright looking around, feverishly searching for Rigel. His optics fell on Thundercracker who was sitting in a chair close to the berth and was looking at him with an undecipherable expression. he tried to sit up and after a few botched attempts, managed to stay upright and sit on the edge of the berth. he looked at Thundercracker almost pleadingly, his optics still wide and full of worry and fear, even. "Where is Rigel?! Is he alright? Megatron... Megatron beat him! My poor son!" He moaned a bit, he was still recovering, and fell back into the berth.
Thundercracker got up and went to him, hands out. "Easy, woah," He put a hand on Starscream's chest and eased him back down. "You're going to need some time to recalibrate, you've had a lot of parts replaced and Flatline is molding new wing pieces for you," But they were not done yet so Starscream's damaged wings had been cut away where they were bent and twisted beyond repair and the edges soldered and patched with alloy fill until the new parts were ready. Thundercracker didn't want to bring it up further, he knew what an awful feeling it was to have one's wings damaged though he had never thought he would see Starscream sitting up with both his wings cut half off and patched like some kind of protoform, the only comfort came in knowing his wings would be repaired and soon.
Thundercracker tried to get Starscream to focus on him, "Easy," He said with familiar dark and steady tones. "You're safe. I'm here. We're in our habitation suite, Rigel is sleeping in the other room and the triplets are asleep in their room. Everyone is safe, now look at me," He paused. "Rigel's been treated, he's a very tough little one," There was some rugged awe in the statement and he smirked, showing some teeth. "You never told me." His tone softened even though he wished he would have been in on this strange secret. He always had this weird soft spot for children, for life cycles. It fascinated him. It humbled him. He was holding back asking if the sparkling was Optimus because he didn't want to look foolish and he was more concerned about Starscream's emotional state than he was the sparkling, he had forever to answer those questions, but this moment was raw and now. "Megatron didn't hold back this time… you should have signaled me, I would have come and defended you, it's my function… it makes me spark-mad to see you like this and know you took it all upon yourself, alone." Optics searched Starscream's face, wondering.
When it finally registered that big chunks of his wings were missing, Starscream gasped and his optics brightened. It was a weird, hollow kind of pain, his sensory net sending him error message from point where there was no sensors anymore and it was making his head spin a little. he laid on the berth and took in a few deep intakes, cooling himself down after his minor panic attack. His optics focused on Thundercracker and it finally registered what he told him. His sparkling was safe... the little one he hadn't even knew existed until this morning was alive and well, and he felt huge relief wash through him. "Thank you Thundercracker. You must have a lot of questions... I'm not sure I know all the answers myself though." He started, a saddened frown on his features now, his mind going back to his son. His and Optimus's sparkling... and the other mech had never thought of telling him. He couldn't help the stab of resentment at that thought, Rigel was his as much as Optimus! The larger mech had no right to keep him hidden from him! But that didn't matter anymore. Optimus was dead, and Rigel was alive and under his care.
"I didn't had time to even think about calling you, Thundercracker. It happened so fast, I can barely wrap my kind around it myself right now. I have a son I didn't even know existed and I don't know where to start to be honest..." He admitted, blushing slightly, feeling embarrassed despite himself since he had no reason to be, honestly. Thundercracker and he weren't together yet at the time, and he had sincerely not thought any more of it after the fact, because it hadn't had any lasting repercussion, or so he thought. "I think it's time un spit it out, as the humans says, and unveil one of those secrets I kept hidden for so long. Not out of malice mind you, but because I didn't think it important at all at the time it happened. But now..." He looked towards the door and what laid behind, that sparkling that had so unexpectedly been thrown into his life like a brick, but that he already loved like he always knew him. He could feel him, his creator bond was fully online, and the feeling was nice and warm, yet dampened by recharge, most likely. "You remember the weird giant planet with metal-eating monsters we fought upon 9 years ago?"
Thundercracker nodded, "Of course. You crashed and went missing. Skywarp and I had all but given up on you between acid rain and massive creatures…" He tilted his head back with a proud and knowing grin. "You survived and we were all very impressed," He lifted a hand, remembering how amazed he had felt when Starscream showed up. He realized now his fearless leader had a secret to that survival.
He touched Starscream's face carefully, "Do I need to call Flatline in, you look dazed." He worried. "You know you don't have to defend yourself or whatever happened that brought about that new life, I would defend that boy with my life because he's yours. I don't care who helped spark him."
"I know, Thundercracker. I'm so happy that you found me... and managed to get under that though armor I had built around my feelings. I love you so much... I would be dead or worst if not for you." Starscream replied with a smile, laying on the berth taking deep intakes to cool himself down and calm himself a bit. "I don't have to tell, but I want to. I have to finally share that night with someone else..." His optics were serious as he locked them with his lover and he continued, his voice even and calm. "After I crashed, I ran into an Autobot out there, and not any Autobot. their great and powerful Leader himself, Optimus Prime. We had to take refuge under a tree because of the acid rain, and things just escalated... He said some things to me that I just needed to hear at that time..."
Thundercracker laughed but not in a mocking way, it was just so… unbelievable and if it was said by anyone else he wouldn't believe it. "Star- if any other bot told me this, I would call them a liar," He said. "But you have this charm but you'll have to forgive me, I would never have thought that you, even with your brilliance and sensuality could capture Optimus Prime in that way," It made him lean back, considering it. How strange it was, how so many things had to happen exactly so for that moment to be realized and even beyond that. "So you seduced Prime himself, it must have been a night to remember if Optimus let his guard down around you. I can't picture it…"
Starscream laughed and shook his head, his optics brightening with amusement. "It's not that simple, but yes, I managed to berth the great Optimus Prime. He fell for my good looks, just as much as I fell for his... and he was incredible." he added dreamily, his optics unfocussed and a little happy smile gracing his lips at the memories. "As awful as that place is, TC, it holds some of my dearest memories. At the time, Megatron and I were at a very bad state, and I needed the comfort, I suppose. Megatron was trying to state his claim and I was trying to tell him to frag off, if you remember well..." He sighed and laid back, feeling a bit better but yet weird without half of his wings.
Thundercracker bobbed his head in a nod and looked serious, as he almost always did, so when he finally did smile or laugh - even a little, it was like fireworks. He smiled often for Starscream, "It is an accomplishment, perhaps one of your most bold and impressive," He chuckled. Then his face darkened, "What about Megatron? Is he going to pick on this child," His optics slide away from his mate. "Perhaps some hard choices are in order, as much as it will pain both of us the boy may need to be repainted, some attempts should be made to lessen him being identified as Optimus's sparkling. His face plate was not replaced," Thundercracker looked back at Star. "But the first thing he said to me, not even asking my name or my intent, was where's my face plate. I told him it was not replaced and he asked when it would be, I told him it was something to discuss with you. The face plate is too much, it makes him look just like Prime." He was already worried, thinking like the defender- how can I keep the ones I care for safe?
Starscream shook his head sadly, he had seen the boy only shortly, but he looked so much like Prime it was almost unreal. And he seemed to use that faceplate to hide his emotions from the world. It was like a security blanket for the boy, he deduced, and he needed it to feel safe. "I understands... he wouldn't like it, because I think he uses it as some sort of security blanket. To hide from the world when things gets too rough. I'll have to talk to him thoroughly about why this needs to be done. He seemed like an intelligent sparkling, I'm sure with the right words, he'll understands." He knew Thundercracker would support him whatever his decision was, but in a world ruled by Decepticons, one can't go on looking like a Prime, especially not Optimus. It was way too dangerous. Starscream already had a strong bond with the child, and loved him even, and he was sure Thundercracker would come to it as well. Together, they will prevail, and get through this. "I want to see him, Thundercracker. I need to talk to him."
Thundercracker nodded sharply, "Of course." He leaned over and kissed the side of Starscream's helmet. "I'll get your boy."
Thundercracker went and was quick to return, the sparkling followed him looking around the new space with insecurity in his body language for how brave he had been facing off against Megatron. "Here is your sire," Thundercracker gestured. The child nodded once.
"Thank you sir." Rigel was patched up. He had some silver spots on his clean paint job that showed where he had been recently worked on but rushed up to where Starscream was laying. "Father," The boy gripped his forearm. "You're alright," Right away he looked at Starscream's wings and his face seemed to tremble for a moment. "Father... your wings... it's awful." He felt pain to see such an injury on him. The sparkling was gripped with relief still, to know he hadn't lost his whole world when Optimus passed. He wasn't sure about Thundercracker but so far the other Seeker had been clear and kind.
Thundercracker watched this, crossing his arms but his optics curious. A new life. He was kept a close monitor on the triplets and he was secretly glad this one was a bit older, a forth the same age as the triplets would have been a lot to handle. "His wings will be fully repaired soon."
"Oh thank Primus," Rigel said, sounding more adult than he was. It was something he heard adults say often and tried to emulate it. "Am I allowed to stay with you?" He asked, the question he really wanted answered more than anything.
Thundercracker lifted his brow high, surprised that the child would even need to ask that but he understood things were hard right now, and confusing. "Child, you're going nowhere."
Starscream was deeply relieved to see his sparkling walk into the room looking unharmed. He had been fully repaired and looked perfectly fine and functional. Starscream couldn't help but pull him to his chest into a hug when he reached him, ignoring the pain that shot into his destroyed wings. "Oh Rigel, I could never cast you out. You're my metal and coding, a part of me just as much as you were of your carrier. Of course you can stay here. I'll take care of you for now on, and Thundercracker will too. He's my mate, and you can consider him your surrogate father as well."
He looked at Thundercracker and shared a look with him, seeing his curiosity towards the little sparkling. He was sure that the other seeker would take care of his sparkling just as well he did the triplets, even if none were his. He was kind sparked and caring with sparklings in general, and Starscream was sure he would make an awesome creator for a sparkling of his own. maybe eventually they could, when the sparklings they were raising now were older. There was a matter he had to breach with the boy now though, about his appearance. He was sure the sparkling won't like it much, but it had to be assessed now rather than later.
"Rigel, there is something I need to talk to you about. It's about your appearance and how we need to change it to make you look less like Optimus." He started in a carefully calm and even tune, ready for a sparkling outburst at the prospect of changing anything on himself. He obviously had love for Optimus, and his death struck him hard. However he had to understands the danger of looking like that mech in the world they were now living.
Rigel leaned back a little and started to shake his head but Thundercracker started up, "This is not because of personal dislike for your father. Our... group has experienced a fall from grace among our leader supreme," He said the last part with heavy sarcasm until he noticed the child's optics seemed unsure. "To protect everyone here, your family, changes must be made. Megatron is going to be testing us but mostly this will fall onto you and Starscream."
Rigel nodded mutely and looked back at Star, "My face plate," He said knowingly. "I w-w-w-was going to as-ask to be ca-called Orion but-but..." He looked down. "H-h-how c-can I ma-make Megatron like me?"
Thundercracker's optics caught a glint of power behind them at the child's words, he stared at Starscream, feeling that need to go and punch something at how sweet but naive the child was.
Starscream returned his look for a moment, before turning his attention back on Rigel, who looked so hopefully naïve that Starscream felt like punching himself for dashing his hopes. He put a hand on the boy's shoulder and smiled at him, shaking his head. "Megatron doesn't 'like' anyone but himself. The only thing you can wish for is to avoid attracting his attention negatively, or at all. And the best way to do that is to look and act as discreet as you can. Don't go out of your way to try to gain his favor, you will fail and you will pay the price for ever trying."
He saw his sparkling's face crumble a bit and he felt like the worst asshole in the entire universe. That sparkling as the right to feel welcome and happy as any sparklings. But his sparklings, all of them, were under such close scrutiny that they were denied the simplest pleasure of being a sparkling. Fortunately the triplets were too young to complaint about this but not Rigel. he seemed to understands somewhat that he was in a dangerous situation, and that was good. That was good that he was afraid of Megatron, he would avoid him whatsoever then. Maybe if he met the triplets he could light up his mood, but they had to come to an agreement on that matter first.
"It will probably be a good idea to have you repainted, and I don't think replacing that face plate is a good idea. It makes you look just like Optimus, which isn't a good thing nowadays. It's for your own safety, Rigel. I don't want to see you hurt because some half-wit thinks you look too much like your father and pick on you, and not only Megatron." he explained carefully the reasoning behind that necessity. hoping the sparkling will see it as well.
Rigel was not a fussy child and he had grown, so far, without being able to whine his way into getting something he wanted. He lifted his chin, trying to mask his upset and nodded once like a good soldier. "I u-understand." He thought of Optimus and wondered what kind of place he was at, really. It seemed like a bad place. Decepticons had won and Rigel didn't know if that was good or bad as he had found Starscream but Megatron seemed like an extra shadow to the child.
Thundercracker watched, waiting for... something. For the child to cry. To keep asking why.
Rigel looked between the two adults, "Will it hurt?"
"No," Thundercracker chuckled. "Not at all. We don't even have to change your color so much as rearrange it, unless you want something different."
"N-no sir," Rigel shook his head. "I f-f-f-feel ex-ex-exposed without my m-m-mask."
Thundercracker wanted to laugh because the boy reminded him of Starscream. He could control himself to a strange degree, he was able to articulate what he felt clearly even with his stutter which Thundercracker was already considering fixes for... the boy was brave. The grown bot reached out and put his hand over the sparkling's shoulder, "You are going to make a grand Seeker but we don't cover our faces, we want to be seen. Look at your father, he is a renown beauty and you have the same mouth as he does and your face is unique. These things matter among us, they are noticed." He put his thumb under the child's chin and tipped his head up with a wink. "You are made from great Cybertronians." His red optics slide towards Starscream, much of what he said also for his partner for much of it came from his admiration of Starscream.
Starscream smiled at him when he looked his way, he felt very happy and somewhat proud that his mate thought so highly of him. he knew Thundercracker held him in high esteem, for he wouldn't have stayed with him through all those years if he didn't and with all the slag Megatron gave them, and he loved him more for it. He groaned and forced himself to stand despite the way he was unbalanced by his missing wings, and went to wrap his arms around the older seeker, showing him without shame how much he loved him and appreciated his words. He stayed like that for a moment, until a wave of dizziness made him waver on his feet and he had to sit back.
"Thundercracker is right, Rigel. You are a beautiful seeker, a pride and joy for any creator. I know you feel you need the plate to feel safe, but there are other ways to build your confidence, and I'll help you along. We both will. I want you to feel confident and safe without the face plate." He said and pulled his son to him, embracing him for a moment. "A seeker takes pride in showing off their greatest, most appealing assets. Yours reside in your faceplates, my child. A seeker won't need to hide, and always takes on the worlds heads on just as we takes on the skies. With strength and confidence."
Rigel nodded slowly, clutching Starscream. "A-and Th-th-thundercracker sa-said I have brrrr-brothers?"
Thundercracker smirked, "Three, but they are very small."
The sparkling paused and nodded once. He leaned his face into his father and dimmed his optics. "I w-want my face plate but I will d-do what you s-s-say." He wouldn't fuss. He understood this was a matter of not looking like Optimus, which the plate did. "Megatron is con-confusing... he picks on you, father?" The child was trying to understand the relationships here. Thundercracker almost winced, it was a hard thing to understand and he hated to think the sparkling had already picked up on the eggshells they walked on to avoid Megatron... ever since Starscream left him things were tense. Thundercracker worried constantly about Starscream and the triplets. So much risk. So many ways to cause harm easily. He worried Megatron would take one of the triplets just to hurt Starscream, he worried Megatron would demand Starscream take some active role at his side again and rain down constant abuse if he resisted, he worried Megatron would relocate him to some far off planet and if he refused to go label him a traitor and kill him on the spot... and then Star would be alone. Thunder worried about many things but his face stayed stoic, he did not show it.
"I will introduce you to your little brothers soon, Rigel. I'm sure you will love them." Starscream said with a smile, patting his child's shoulder encouragingly. "They can be a handful and a half though." He chuckled, glad to see his oldest son showing interest in his little siblings.
When he asked about his relationship with their great and powerful leader though, his expression darkened. "Megatron had I have a very... complicated relationship, Rigel. At a point, I was with him rather than Thundercracker. The triplets are his." He said, trying to keep most of his hate, distaste and resentment from his voice. He was aware of the danger he and his family were constantly in, and that the proverbial sword was always hanging over their heads. he feared for himself and his sparkling the most, but also feared that Megatron might want to force him back into a relationship that almost destroyed him. He might sent TC to his death in some 'mission' he cooked up, leaving him alone and vulnerable with his sparklings to take care for. he might decide to make true on his threat and turn him into a slave like the Autobots and use him as he see fit. He might even kill him some day when he thinks he outlived his usefulness.
So much uncertainties, and he couldn't share them with his son for fear that he would just make the sparkling more upset and even fearful to be near him.
Rigel nodded but it was hard for someone so young to understand, "What can I d-do?"
Thundercracker shook his head, "You don't need to worry about these things Rigel." He gave the child a grin. "You should go and recharge more." He wanted to talk to Starscream a little more and was surprised at the ease the boy obeyed him.
Rigel nodded once, "Yes sir." He stopped only to squeeze the ends of Starscream's fingers. "It'll be o-okay, father." He looked up at Thundercracker. "I k-kn-know the way now."
When the sparkling had gone Thundercracker knelt near Starscream. "We should start to train the boy, as soon as possible, given you need to rest of course," He nodded once.
Starscream looked after his son as he left, his optics dimmed in concern, and his expression more serious. "I'm afraid for him, TC. Megatron could decide to change his mind and take him away from me, kill him, despite what he said." He admitted, looking up at his mate. "I don't want to lose a sparkling I just realized I had. I feel the same for him as I do the triplets."
He laid back on the berth, tired and pained by his wounds. He winced, his shredded wings throbbing a little. Painkiller was probably wearing off, and he would need more soon. "Yes, he needs to be trained, and quickly. he seems like a brilliant child, and mature for his age. We'll make up a training schedule for him as soon as I'm in better shape." Starscream would take no chance, and he would make sure his sparkling got the best of chances to live through adulthood.
"There is still that story i need to tell you... About Optimus and me. if you care to hear it that is..." Starscream said locking optic with his mate.
TC nodded once and grinned knowingly, "Of course."
*Flashback*
The two new lovers stayed interlocked for a while, the rain continued. Optimus kept Starscream in his lap, he tilted his head back and regarded the strange bot with wonder, "Was your father cruel to you? I'm trying to understand why you stay with Megatron if he treats you poorly, the only thing I can think of is you expect it and when it comes to you, its easier to accept because it's familiar but I could be very wrong and if these are things you don't want to talk about, forgive me," He said. "When I was young I had a glitch in my vocalizer and I stuttered constantly, as I aged it went away but I barely spoke until I was well past my 50th birthday." Orion realized this was not even close to Starscream having a possibly abusive past with his creator but he tried to share something personal, aside from his body. He grinned, he was known for being so well spoken with his attractive voice and great speeches, to picture him a small boy with a stutter seemed like another life.
Optimus rubbed a lazy hand up Starscream's side.
Starscream's optics were dimmed as he laid against Orion's large frame, content and sated. He looked up at the mech when he started talking, and wiggled uncomfortably at the question he asked him. Remembering his creator was... painful at best. However, maybe it would do him good to share some of it with another. Orion wasn't the enemy commander right now, he was just a mech and his lover. "It's painful to remember my childhood. My creator, the great Winglord of Vos, regarded anything he saw as a weakness as something loathsome. I was small, and not very strong, and I didn't like to fight at all. That was everything my creator hated." He started, his optics looking clouded as he remembered. "Every time I didn't live up to his expectations, I was beaten as 'punishment'. Flogged, even, if the 'transgression' was serious enough in his optics..." He then looked back at his lover and their optics locked, Starscream's filled with old pains.
"Why do I stay with Megatron? I asked myself that question a lot of times... and couldn't come to a definite answer. maybe I am a masochist and like the pain, maybe he reminds me of my long deceased father." he shrugged, looking forlorn and somewhat put down. His good mood had waned a bit and he felt like hiding.
Optimus listened to this and felt pity because he saw that Starscream had been doomed to the Decepticon cause, and further, Megatron from the time he was a small child. He felt a shift in his spark and suddenly put both hands on the Seeker's face and tugged him into a kiss, he said nothing more, he didn't comment on Starscream's answer. It was the surge of some kind of need to comfort him and his large hands captured the other's face warmly, thumbs rubbed along his cheeks. Optimus slide one hand down over Starscream's cockpit, "Lay on your back."
Starscream obeyed without questions, his optics brightening with anticipation. Anything to get his mind off his father... He had been glad that Orion decided not to say anything about what he confided to him. It was painful enough just saying it out loud. As he laid on his back, he let his optics roam the large yet well proportioned and handsome frame of his bigger lover. He was bulky but not too much, and his face was angular with high cheekbones and a straight, regal nose. his lips were nice too, and very kissable. He smiled shyly and lifted his hands to touch Orion's chest. "What now, lover?"
Optimus grinned above him and straddled him, his heavy knees sunk into the organic matter beneath them but only a few inches. He leaned down, capturing beautiful lips in a long kiss. He was a good kisser, he didn't rush and he was aware of details- a flick, a roll, a nibble.
He scooted back enough that he could play with the Seeker's spike and worked it from its safe sheath and he dipped his head, flicking a matte silver tongue over the head of the other bot's spike. He seriously doubted Megatron would do such for Starscream and wanted to hear how loud he could get this Seeker to whine, he slide Starscream into his mouth and started to suck sleek metal and hum.
It wasn't long before Starscream was moaning and crying out with rapt pleasure, jerking his hips into the other's mouth. That hot, wonderful mouth... Worshipping his spike in such a incredibly pleasurable way. "Optimus! Nnnn! Primus, stop teasing me!" he begged, cheeks flushed and hips jerking madly to get the mech to either go faster or do... whatever he was planning!
Optimus licked up Starscream's spike before he slide forward again, the grand leader of the Autobots positioned the other carefully at his slick port and dropped his weight down on Starscream's spike, letting his body sink until his aft bumped into the Seeker's hips. He stopped here and leaned his head back, allowing his body to adjust- he barely ever did this but it was a hot aching feeling. A full, vulnerable feeling. He didn't dislike it though it remained strange to him and his mouth stayed parted, processing. "Been awhile," He breathed.
Optimus moved slightly and started to fuck himself on Starscream's spike, grunting and grinding his back teeth with his legs spread wide and spike hard and exposed between them. He dripped pinkish lube, which he was grateful for though it made him feel even more exposed, knowing Starscream would be able to see he was hot for him. "W-when was the last time you were inside someone?" He kept grunting, engines loud as he didn't allow himself to pause, he kept raising his body up and dropping it back down that spike.
Starscream was shocked when Optimus impaled himself on his spike, and started riding him like he was a warhorse. But Primus, did it feel good... even if he wasn't the one controlling the interface, it still felt great to be inside someone. His spike ached and throbbed and he couldn't help but watch with lustful, glassy optics as Optimus drove himself down on his hard length. "Oh frag yeeeesss! Optimus!" He moaned, arching his back and jerking his hips up to meet his movements and drive himself even deeper in that hot valve.
"A fragging long time..." he whispered in a pleasure-laced hoarse voice, remembering Skyfire and a time before Megatron and after his father in which he had genuinely been happy for a few Vorns. Until everything went to the pit and he found himself alone and broken once more. "Last time it was... when I was still an e-explorer - Nnnn! - with Skyfire..."
Optimus moved his hip joints and reached down, touching Starscream's mouth with his fingertips as he continued to ride him. It made him grin inside to know Starscream had been with Skyfire though he found the idea easier to picture than what he was doing, himself, at this very moment. He felt good, tight but not pained, fluids dribbled and he reached between his legs, grasping his spike with his right hand as he continued to rock himself up and down on the Seeker's length. "Beautifully built…" He said lost, captured by Starscream's good looks as others had been. Optimus jerked his spike as he bounced, mouth open, head back and optics blazing with blue.
Starscream was first to hit overload a few minutes later, his spike throbbing hard and shooting jet after jet of hot nanite-rich transfluid into the larger mech's valve. He just couldn't hold back any longer, and he let go with a loud scream of his lover's name on his lips. He gripped Optimus's hips hard as he rode the waves of his overload and sent it to his mate through their spark uplink. The experience was a lot more intense and powerful that way, and when Starscream finally started to come down he was feeling fragging good but completely spent. "Optimus..." he whispered, optics dimmed and a lazy smile on his lips.
Optimus finished himself through Starscream's overload, he leaned down moaning and thick pink fluid shot in three streams from his spike, which he kept a hand over the top like a gentleman and collected most of it, panting, his valve still tight and throbbing. Optimus felt his spark swell and tremble and heat flush his wires, sizzling beneath his optics and warming the inside of him. He took out a cloth from his sub-compartment and wiped his hand and threw it to the side of them, seeing no reason to hold onto the dirty thing. He pulled himself off of Starscream's spike with a grunt and set aside but instead of putting his knees up in a claim to his own space he kept his legs flat and motioned the other to come closer to him. "The rain is slowing but it's not yet spent," He said. Optimus thought his spark felt oddly warm still but brushed it aside as a product of this wonderful frag. "Thank you. Perhaps we are both lonely in our own way, why else would we do this? Each of us at our most vulnerable yet neither takes the opportunity," He smirked but was thinking. "We all have our burdens."
"Yes... We do..." Starscream replied, curled against Optimus side with his head on his chest. His optics were dimmed and he let out a contented sigh, stretching like a feline. He had to admit, he was very lonely, and without his trinemates, he would probably be a lot worse than he was now. He didn't fool himself, he knew he was unstable, at best. He had been put through too much slag throughout his life not to be... This encounter today felt like a balm to his bruised and battered ego, and he was soaking it up like a sponge, preserving the memory to his memory banks for safe keeping. He looked at Optimus and added, his voice calm and lacking any bad feelings despite his words. "We all have our sins, things we regret having ever done, but that we have to live with. This is life..."
Optimus smiled, "That's where we part ways," He said calmly. "Few understand what it means to be a leader. A true leader has no self, you have given yourself to a cause and the people in it. To lead is to give away your personal freedom. I have always been in service, my function is to uphold but I never thought I would become Optimus Prime," He rubbed a hand across his chest. "I never think about when the war is over. Not long ago one of my men, someone young, asked me what I would do when we won the war and I saw something I had lost and didn't even realize it. The idea that the war would end doesn't find me, the idea that I may live to see it end is even further, and actual thought about when the war ends has never entered my processor," He paused and looked at Starscream. "So, what will you do when the war is over? Rule over Vox?"
"I don't know... I have never given it thought. And honestly, Vos is in ruin, and I don't see me as its ruler at all. Despite all my treacherousness and the way I always try to kill Megatron, I never really pictured myself winning and taking over the Decepticons. Even if I did, I'm neither respected nor am I taken seriously amongst them. It would be a waste..." Starscream found himself talking more than he ever had about his secret insecurities and his fears. He was labeled as a traitors amongst his own army, and seen as a coward and a liar. How could he ever overcome those brands to rule anything? It was a foolish dream and nothing more. "If Megatron died, Soundwave of Shockwave have a better chance to become Leader then I, despite being Second in Command."
Optimus watched him with wonder, "It's hard to be a leader and even harder to be a good leader," He said. "Maybe someday things will be different for you Starscream."
**End Flashback**
Thundercracker listened to this story and looked deep in thought, he leaned down so his lips were close to Starscream's face because he was cautious they were always being monitored and wanted to minimize being clearly recorded, "Maybe Rigel coming into your life is not a product of the war ending, perhaps Optimus saw something in you the same as Megatron does, why else would be invest so much time in these mind games? You were destined to wear a crown but you have been cut short. Maybe siring the only child of a prime means something and you know I am not one to believe in higher power and prophecies but," He paused. "I'm tired of being beneath Megatron."
"Maybe so, Thundercracker, but I have given up hoping a long time ago. I don't want to hold on hope only for them to be crushed beneath Megatron,s heel once again. There is still a strong probability that he would demand Rigel be eliminated..." Starscream replied, frowning, managing to conceal his words by barely moving his lips at all. A talent he learned quickly under Megatron's paranoid rule. "I do want to be freed of Megatron's rule. No one can live in fear forever... But today might not be the day to plan out Megatron's demise once more. Rigel, if he is the beacon of hope you think he may become, is still far too young to shoulder any kind of heavy burden like that. Give him time to grow and learn a bit before getting to any conclusion."
Thundercracked paused, "Why don't we leave?" And this was coming from a bot who was a known patriot. One who would defend the Cybertronian race beyond Autobot and Decepticon, the phrase 'our own kind' was used frequently by him. He leaned back but his optics flicked around the room, worried somehow this would be heard by Soundwave or Razorbeak. "Others have left, Cyberton doesn't hold what it once did for them, we wouldn't be the first." He left out saying that they would be some of the bigger names to just... leave. And that was no promise of being free from Megatron but Thundercracker was aware of that worry, he had it himself, "Megatron has a world to rebuild and rule. There is a legitimate threat to our younglings and I take that seriously, we have so few options. I would say we... you, should consider this seriously. To leave Cybertron."
Starscream stared at him for a moment, not quite believing his mate had said that. Thundercracker was always so loyal to their planet in a whole, it was surprising he would be the one to suggest that. However, their youglings were in danger almost constantly by Megatron, and as long as they stayed here, they would be threatened. "Leaving... but to go where? We'll have to settle somewhere, we can't go wander the universe with four younglings in tow." he replied, thinking about their options as well. He frowned, the ache in his wings reminding him he was still in a precarious position himself. He didn't like the idea of conceding Megatron anything at all. "I don't want to concede victory to that slagger by default, but I care for my younglings more than winning a few points against Megatron."
Thundercracker tilted his face down and kissed Starscream carefully on the mouth, "Consider it and I will do what I can to find ways to make our lives here safer for everyone."
To be continued...