Hello! Thank you a lot for the feedback on this story.
Warning: This is not the last chapter yet, I'm sorry. :'/
Part 3: Love as a chemically-induced emotion
Two full groons after Megatron's departure, Ratchet was still working to restore his medbay to its usual, ordered and tidy appearance.
Most of the Autobots had relaxed back into their daily routine. After all, Megatron's visit, although unwanted and disturbing, had caused no casualty. The shock would dissipate before the end of the orn for certain and the next day, it would be like nothing ever happened. Ratched hoped so, he still had much work to do, fixing his workplace. Megatron had gone through the place like an hurricane, thoroughly ravaging it on his passage.
From time to time, he glanced toward the freshly repaired door, hoping to see a pair of white wings come through. The medic was somewhat disappointed. Since Starscream's confirmed return to base, Ratchet hadn't had the occasion to see him yet.
He had expected the seeker to visit him as soon as he came back from Skyfire's and his little 'escape-and-hide' trip. At the small ruckus that had accompanied Starscream's return, Ratchet had straightened up from his cleaning, an expectant smile on his lips, and his optics had focused on the door. He had waited, but in vain.
Some time later, a tired-looking Optimus had informed him that both the shuttle and the seeker, exhausted after their long and stressful travel, had retreated to their respective quarters to recover from the experience.
It was perfectly okay if Starscream wanted to take a nap, but Ratchet couldn't help feeling dejected. He hadn't wanted much, just see the seeker for a klik, and maybe steal a kiss from him. Just that, and hen he would probably have sent him to berth himself, because he was always so mindful of his patients' health.
He sighed. He was being stupid, fretting over such an insignificant detail. Starscream was tired and there was nothing else to it. The seeker would come eventually, all charismatic beauty, pretty wings and loving smile, telling him how efficient he had been, hiding from Megatron. Then he'd invite him for some energon and finally grant him another of his sweet kiss.
Wasn't all this worth a bit of patience?
Yes, Ratchet decided. He smiled and snatched some more broken tools from the once-clean, now sticky, floor.
oOo
Meanwhile, in the sunken Decepticon ship called 'Victory'...
Megatron sat, an elbow propped up on the console so he could rest his chin in the palm of his hand. Through Lazerbeak's eyes, he watched his traitor of a second-in-command kiss his old friend, the ex-Decepticon Skyfire.
He growled low in building rage at the sight. "So that traitor was there after all," he commented. Behind him, Soundwave listened in silence. "I knew it, his smell was all over the place!"
"Query: instructions?" The communication officer finally asked, more eager than he sounded to hear about the seeker's awaited fate.
"None for now," Megatron said, leaning back on his seat. "Lazerbeak will stay in their base and watch Starscream closely. When the time is right, I'll take measures...accordingly," he finished with a cruel smile. The screen displayed nothing more than a door now, but very telling sounds filtered through, amplified by Lazerbeak's special audio systems.
"Suggestion," Soundwave said, his tone somewhat smug. "Replace Starscream with more capable officer."
"hmm" Megatron didn't turn toward him. "Who do you suggest, then? Yourself?"
"Affirmative," the communication officer confessed, confident in himself. "Soundwave: superior to Starscream. Soundwave: most suited to be Megatron's second-in-command. Soundwave: efficient, skilled, loyal."
Megatron half-turned to look at him from the corner of an optic. "Yes, Soundwave, you are skilled, efficient and loyal. But do you seriously believe you could handle all of Starscream's duties?"
Soundwave seemed to hesitate, a little unsettled by the question, but he responded nonetheless. "Affirmative. Soundwave: willing to replace Starscream in unofficial duties, including personal services toward Lord Megatron."
"Oh really now, Soundwave?" The warlord laughed and turned back toward the screen. "I seriously doubt you could be up to that challenge!" He said, purposefully insulting. He didn't like being coveted that way, by anyone who didn't have the guts to follow through on what they promised.
"But what about his duties as Air commander?" He asked. "His job as this base's top engineer? What about battle plans?"
"Soundwave: an engineer too. Also: efficient in running probability calculation," the officer defended himself.
"Soundwave," Megatron spoke in a calmer, gentler and condescending tone, "You are a very skilled, devoted communication officer and a very capable spy, and I need you as such. But you don't have what it takes to be my second-in-command."
Soundwave felt disappointed and offended, but he showed nothing of it and only nodded his head in agreement. He always obeyed Megatron, no matter what he thought of his orders. It wasn't his place to question them.
"But of course, in the unfortunate hypothesis that someday, somehow, I had to do without Starscream...You'd be the second on my list of candidates for his replacement. Then, and as per our customs, you'd be allowed to challenge the first candidate for the post."
Soundwave's visor flashed once.
"And if you still feel up to it afterward..." Megatron grinned. "I might allow you to try and impress me."
He stood up. "But this, I shall remind you, is only an hypothesis. For now, I plan to get my second-in-command back!"
Soundwave bowed his head and, swallowing his jealousy, chose not to further comment.
As Megatron turned away to exit the room, the loyal officer couldn't see the knowing smile that appeared on the commander's lips.
oOo
Ratchet had had enough. He was downright exhausted, and fed up with his cleaning work. He wanted nothing else but a replenishing cube of energon and a comfortable place so he could rest his tired frame. Unfortunately, he was far from done; there was still a lot more discarded tools to store away and fix, as well as a lot of debris and filth littering the floor of the medbay that needed a thorough cleaning.
"Do you need help?" A voice made him look up from his work abruptly, startling him pleasantly and making him forget he was tired.
"Starscream," he acknowledged, smiling as he turned around toward the pretty seeker at the entrance of the room. He stood completely and, wanting to greet him more appropriately, walked over to where Starscream was. "I thought you would never come." Ratchet confessed, a hint of reproach in his tone as he embraced the winged mech.
"I take it you have missed me," Starscream chuckled with a touch of pride mingling with his ever-characteristic arrogance. "In which case, I must apologize;" he added "I was far too tired after my trip and needed those few groons of recharge."
"I forgive you," Ratchet conceded, pulling the seeker away from the door and further inside the room. "But since you don't look tired anymore, you are going to help me here, to make up for your prolonged absence!"
Starscream looked at him suspiciously for a klik, then smiled. "Alright," he said, finding himself in the mood to be generous. "I was going to do just that, anyway."
"Thank you," Ratchet smiled. "There's a crate full of broken tools over there," He pointed at said-crate. "See if there something you can do for them."
"Old Megabum did this?" Starscream asked as he picked up the crate and observed the damage dealt around the medbay. He took one of the tools in his hand and studied it.
"He did," Ratchet confirmed, purposely not mentioning the damage the Decepticon lord had done to his processor, when he had licked his face plates in a most disgusting way. "And what you can see now is nothing, I've already spent a few groons here, working to re-arrange what the slagface messed up."
"You know, when Megatron visits a place, whoever he leaves behind can estimate themselves lucky to still be able to rant about his coming by," Starscream stated coldly.
Ratchet frowned and looked up at him once again. Supposing that the seeker was unsettled, rendered uncomfortable by his ex-leader's visit, the medic thought it would be best to lighten the atmosphere. "That only attests of how rude he is." he retorted, good-humorously. That made Starscream giggle, and Ratchet melted a little at the sound of his cute little laugh.
"Starscream," He said, placing aside the tool he had been working on to gently brush his hand against the seeker's left wing. The touch was soft and light, but it made Starscream cry out in surprise. He turned around abruptly, pulling his wings out of reach of the medic's hand, and Ratchet stood confused at the angered expression he saw on the ex-Decepticon's face. In his hand, Starscream squeezed an energon blade, a blade he was obviously ready to use against him.
Ratchet stepped back involuntarily.
But he shouldn't have feared, because Starscream relaxed almost immediately. He bowed his head and started at the ground with a pained look and an expression Ratchet identified as annoyance. "I wasn't expecting your touch," Starscream explained himself. "It startled me, sorry."
"No..I..am the one who should apologize," Ratchet spluttered, surprised at how fast the seeker's moods and attitude could change. "I didn't mean to take you by surprise..I wasn't thinking."
"It's okay," Starscream said, and a grin flourished on his lips, washing the negative emotions away rather abruptly. "I won't hold it against you..,"
For an astro-second, his red optics subtly drifted toward a spot situated somewhere behind the medic, then refocused on him the next instant. He put his sky-blue hands on Ratchet's shoulders and slowly, gently, he pushed him against the nearest bench. "I am willing to forgive you...That is, if you let me enjoy you for a few." He purred huskily, smirking down at a confused Ratchet.
The medic opened his mouth to say something, but he really couldn't find his words; Starscream's lust-filled face was mesmerizing in its beauty, and Ratchet could only gape at him like a sharkticon out of the water. Starscream kissed him, shortly but deeply, and Ratchet couldn't feel the ground under his pedes anymore. He was struck by a strong, sudden and overwhelming wave of desire as the seeker's tongue proded his mouth for the shortest of moment.
"What do you say, Ratchet?" Breaking the kiss, Starscream whispered each word like a promise, "Do you think we could take a berth break?"
Ratchet gulped, it was odd how dry his throat feel all of a sudden. He let the seeker tower over him and dominate him, while he stood frozen and expectant like an inexperienced youngling.
Thankfully, for him, the cat that got his tongue felt generous and gave it back, so Ratchet could at least make a sound. "Y-yes" he said, very much willing to play along in what the seeker proposed.
Satisfied with the answer, Starscream nodded. The smile on his lips was one of the most gorgeous Ratchet had ever seen, he slid his hands around the medic's shoulders and neck, and pulled his head up toward his as the seeker leaned down to claim his mouth again.
Ratchet didn't know what to do with his hands, so he kept them where they were: clenched around the bench's edge. It really didn't matter to him if Starscream did everything and played the dominant role for the time being. The medic supposed he still needed healing before he could bear a touch he hadn't initiated himself. Anyway, he was just content to receive from Starscream what the beautiful seeker was willing to give.
He basked in the daze of the instant, amazed by how much a simple kiss affected him. It was true that he hadn't courted for quite a long time, but to say he was very much acting like this was a first love interest, it was rather strange and unsettling. Starscream was an oddity on itself, he decided, a beautiful and sinful unexpected happening in the loner medic's life. A gift, in a way.
To his chagrin, the moment didn't last for long. He was pulled out of his trance as Starscream's communicator suddenly activated.
/ Starscream, it's me, Optimus./
The seeker pulled away from the medic a little so he could reply. /yes, Prime? What can I do for you?/
/Well, your report on today's events, if you you don't mind. I'd like to file it tonight, so if you are not too busy at the moment...I'll be waiting in my office.../
/Acknowledged./ Starscream cut him short. /Be there in a klik!/
He switched the comm off and turned back toward Ratchet. "I'm sorry, but you heard the boss," the seeker gave him a small apologetic smile.
But the medic, still all worked up after Starscream's drug-like kiss, couldn't help letting out a small whine of disappointment. "It shouldn't take long," Starscream assured him, lifting a hand to gently stroke Ratchet's cheek. "And then you'll have me all to yourself," he added in a low and husky tone, promising wicked things Ratchet knew he wouldn't mind at all. He craved them already.
It was strange, how the seeker's voice could be unnerving at times, and yet still be able to affect a mech that way. Ratchet desired the seeker so much, he was ready to kneel in front of him and beg for more of his addictive attentions. This wasn't a normal reaction, this should have been, to say the least, greatly unsettling.
But Ratchet didn't even stop to think about it. And if he had, then he would have realized he couldn't care less. Starscream was like opium to him, a substance he wanted to consume, for as long as it would be given to him.
"Come back soon," he whispered, his optics dim with lingering lust.
"Don't worry," Starscream whispered back, "I will." and he leaned in to steal a parting kiss for the medic's mouth. Ratchet mewled in content, utterly bewitched. He never saw what Starscream did behind his back, wasn't aware of what he took and discretely subspaced for further use.
Once he was in the hall outside of the medbay, and after having made sure he was alone, Starscream spat something and wiped his mouth clean with the back of his hand.
...The 'A' substance leaves absolutely no flavor in one's mouth, but that shouldn't be kept in for too long. Because, even if you don't swallow it, it might still find a way inside your systems.
Good, I shall remember it.
oOo
"Prime?"
"Oh Starscream, it is you! Please come in."
Starscream smiled at the Autobot leader charmingly and went to sit down on the chair placed in front of the desk. "So, Prime, how are you?"
"You know, I think you can call me 'Optimus' now. And I am fine, thank you."
"Well, am I glad, Optimus. You wanted my report?" The seeker asked nonchalantly, his optics powered down slightly to adjust to the dim lightning of the Prime's office.
"Yes. As I said, I need to file it tonight," Optimus Prime confirmed, opening a new work-sheet on his computer, ready to write down the seeker's accounting of his escape with Skyfire.
"Has Skyfire already filed his report?" Starscream asked casually while playing with a trinket he had found on the desk absently.
"No..." Optimus admitted. "He sent a message earlier to notify me he'd be absent for the day and the night, something about a scheduled activity he couldn't postpone."
Starscream shrugged. "Strange, he mentioned nothing about it."
"Skyfire is like that," Prime chuckled lightly, "He can't stay inactive for long and often leaves on an impulse."
"He hasn't changed," Starscream stated with a strange smile. But he soon remembered why he was there and, shooing the nostalgia away, he looked back up at the truckformer. "Now for that report, I don't have much to say. We found a cave in the mountains, forty miles-or-so from here, and we hid in there until you sent us the all-clear."
"Did you register the coordinates of that cave?" Optimus inquired, still typing the seeker's report.
"I think Skyfire did, but that cave is nothing special, and I don't see how it could be of any interest to you."
"I like to record every bit of topographic information I can get on our surroundings," The Prime explained, "As a former officer, you must certainly be aware of how important these details are."
At those words, something brief but dangerous passed in the seeker's optics. It didn't last long, only a fraction of astro-second, and Optimus didn't saw it; he was too focused on his computer's screen.
"Of course," Starscream muttered. "Maybe I could lead you to that cave someday, if you so wish."
"That would be nice of you." the Autobot said with a hint of genuine gratitude. Having finished his typing, he turned back toward Starscream. "Thank you for your time." Prime said. He hesitated a little about what he was going to say next, but said it anyway. "Were you busy when I called you?"
"Not really," the seeker lied, "why?"
"Oh I was just curious," the Prime, who looked slightly embarrassed all of a sudden, gave a small evasive gesture of the hand. "Are you busy now?"
Starscream smirked and leaned over the desk a little. "You know what I call what you are doing, Prime?" that clearly was a rhetorical question, and the seeker went on. " I call it 'beating around the bush'. Spill it out already...Or should I make it easier for you? Alright then." he paused, sighed, offered his most alluring smile and finally said: "yes, Optimus, I will be happy to share a drink with you in your private quarters."
Optimus Prime stood- or in this case, sat- dumfounded. "Y..you will?" He stuttered, his surprised expression gradually lightened up as nano-klik passed by.
"Why, why wouldn't I? You are far too modest to notice how interesting you are, Prime." Starscream said, moving closer to the autobot and taking his hand. "And your followers are as blind as you."
He pulled him up by the hand he had grabbed. "Come, let's have this drink." he encouraged, still pulling at the Autobot's hand.
"With pleasure," Optimus whispered, defeated, willing victim of the seeker's charm and youthful enthusiasm.
Starscream smiled and brought his hand in front of his mouth as he coughed a little. "sorry, the dust of that cave is still irritating my intakes."
Lazerbeak watched them leave and silently followed, not far behind. No one saw the spy, he was too good at his job, too stealthy to be spotted. But the spy could see everything and oversaw little to nothing. Starscream wasn't bad when he wanted to be discrete and his fake-coughing in his hand may have fooled the Prime, Lazerbeak did see the small capsule the seeker pressed in between his own lips.
The bird-like robot tilted his head, intrigued, and rejoiced at the thought that this particular spying around could finally prove highly entertaining.
He didn't have to wait for long, and he certainly wasn't disappointed by what he witnessed then.
As soon as the Autobot leader sat, after having placed the drinks on the small table in front of a comfortable-looking sofa, Starscream casually climbed on the Prime's laps and straddled him.
"Starscream..." Optimus froze in shock, having not expected such boldness from the pretty seeker. Not that he was displeased by the surprising turn of events, no, but he was certainly confused by how...easy Starscream was, so soon and so suddenly.
"Too fast for you?" Starscream chuckled low and lustfully, taking a small sip from his drink before he started playing with one of Optimus' antennas. He adjusted his position on the Autobot's lap until he felt comfortable enough.
"I have to admit, yes," Optimus said, feeling himself heating up already at their closeness and the tingle of pleasures he felt as one of the most sensitive part of his self was gently toyed with.
"Why should I wait further when it is obvious you desire me as much as I desire you?" Starscream explained. He started rubbing his aft back and forth against Optimus's thighs. "Please, Optimus, help me forget about him, make me feel that pleasure he was never willing to give me!" he asked almost pleadingly, the movement of his hips intensifying. He leaned down abruptly and kissed the Prime's mouthpiece, furiously desperate.
Optimus pushed him away gently, yet firmly, wanting to take a good look at him. He debated with himself on what to do. This was confusing, but Starscream was a wonderful, stunningly beautiful creature and it had been too late already when Optimus had realized that he had already lost the fight with himself. He had already fallen for the seeker.
The seeker's offer was too tempting to refuse and the hesitation on the Prime's face slowly disappeared under the power of his desire for the beautiful mech on his lap. He let his mouthpiece part at the seam so it could slid back into the special compartments on the sides of his helmet. Then, with a growl of lust and an almost brutal move, he claimed the seeker's warm mouth with his own.
Lazerbeak stopped recording, unwilling to see more of that scene he found downright revolting. Discretely, he hopped back and disappeared in the shadow of a ventilation shaft. He had seen far enough already.
This time, nothing would stop Megatron from ripping the traitor to shreds.
To be continued.
A.N: I know, I know, I said there would be only three parts to this. And even though this is not a valid excuse, this final part was too much of a pain to write.
I'd rather leave the last chapter of this story for later, when I'll be more inspired. I hope you won't resent me too much for that.
Pool: Which one of my stories should I update next?
Before the end of times.
About him.
What is it all about.
Also, this story is in need of a less crappy name. If you have suggestions, please throw 'em in!
