Finally, we have something to break the tense atmosphere, if only for a while. Enjoy, my friends~
"What do I need to know?" Ratchet asked as soon as the door closed, getting straight to the point.
So much like the medic who died for you in vain, Unicron whispered, and Optimus had to use all his willpower to ignore the chaos god.
"I would rather you not let the others know of what you find when fixing Optimus," Megatron requested, instantly taking charge. "Anyway, as a medic, you have to keep it private and to only be talked about between yourself and your patient."
Ratchet's optics narrowed. "And what will I find?"
"Dark Energon," Optimus answered. "I was previously tainted by Dark Energon, and the Matrix is currently offline. Though, it does seem to start activating whenever I'm near my counterpart. I think it might be because of his Matrix. It is… Uncomfortable," he added, voice quiet.
Ratchet frowned. "How was the Matrix offlined?"
Sensing that Optimus was uncomfortable, Megatron cut in. "That doesn't matter. Just fix him and don't tell the others what you find."
"Please, Ratchet," Optimus added, upon seeing that Ratchet was going to argue. "It… It would not do well for them to know everything."
"Then what should I tell them when you start looking like you are in pain when you're next to your counterpart?" Ratchet demanded, servos on his hips.
"Tell them…" Optimus faltered, thinking it over. "Tell them that the Matrix's signal is different from theirs, like two magnets- they cannot go near each other without hurting the other."
"My Optimus didn't seem to be in pain," Ratchet pointed out.
"You seem to be forgetting that Optimus is very good at hiding his pain," Megatron countered.
"I would argue, but my brother does have a point," Optimus said, letting out a small vent to show he was sighing. Another trait he had picked up from humans.
The humans you killed, Unicron added with sadistic pleasure.
Optimus' servo clenched slightly, another deep vent escaping him. Upon feeling the concern from his brother through the sibling bond, he sent a wave of reassurance, which relaxed Megatron slightly.
"Well, since this conversation is over and I trust you won't tell anybot," Megatron said, walking to the doors, "I will be taking my leave. Bumblebee is hungry."
As the doors closed behind Megatron, Bumblebee let out a mechanical gurgle upon seeing Arcee holding a cube of energon, bright blue optics opening and servos reaching for the cube. Smiling, Arcee held out the cube, Megatron taking it and feeding Bumblebee, the youngling purring in content.
Felling the questioning optics, Megatron looked at the other bots, raising an optic-ridge. "Are you going to ask a question, or just stare at us?"
That caused some of them to jump to Megatron's amusement, but the non-flamed Prime didn't. Finally, the older Bumblebee let out a few beeps. Why is my counterpart a youngling?
Megatron's spark twisted, knowing why Bumblebee couldn't use his voice. "Primus allowed us to bring one bot with us, though they would have to be a youngling."
"Does his voice box work?" Arcee asked, quite rudely.
Megatron couldn't help but flinch, answering softly, "Yes, it does. I…" He looked to his Bee's counterpart. "I'm sorry for what I did to you, Bumblebee. In my dimension, I was driven insane because of Unicron- otherwise, I would never have hurt my nephew. And on behalf of what my counterpart has done to you, I'm sorry. I don't expect you to forgive me for my actions, and for what I did- but I hope that maybe one day, we could at least have a friendly relationship."
All of them looked stunned- Megatron, leader of the decepticons and a tyrant, had just apologised. Megatron, for his part, ignored them in favour of making sure his Bumblebee didn't fall as the youngling was squirming. Taking the now empty cube away and onto a table, Megatron couldn't help but smile as Bumblebee started to crawl up his arm, optics focused intently on his horns.
Now on Megatron's shoulder, the youngling grabbed a horn, forcing Megatron to tilt his helm. "Pway! Pway!"
Chuckling, Megatron made a grab for Bumblebee, but the youngling climbed onto his back, letting go of the horn for a moment. As soon as he was stable, he placed a servo each on a horn, giggling. Megatron sighed. "Bumblebee, please, let go of my hor- ow!"
Little Bumblebee burst out laughing, tightening his grip a bit more as Megatron winced. "Wanna pway!"
"I can see that," Megatron commented dryly, reaching over and behind him to grab Bumblebee- luckily enough, he was able to grab the youngling and get him away from his horns. "I'd rather you not play with my horns- that hurts."
"Sorry uncle," little Bee mumbled, optics widening.
I'm getting soft in my old age, Megatron thought as his spark melted. "It's ok- why don't you say hello to the others?" As he said that, he placed Bee on the ground, turning him around so he faced the amused and shocked bots.
Little Bee grinned at the bots, hobbling over to the closest- Arcee. Holding his arms out to her, he chirped, "Up! Up! Up!"
Arcee smiled warmly, picking the youngling up, who instantly cuddled into the femme's chassis, purring. "Aww."
Megatron laughed, smiling as he heard the med bay doors opening. He glanced at the two bots- Ratchet was frowning, obviously in deep thought, while Optimus looked no better. The concern Megatron already felt increased, giving his brother a questioning look- Optimus only smiled reassuringly in response, but Megatron knew better.
We're having a talk later, Megatron sent over the sibling bond, watching as Arcee played with little Bee, Bulkhead and the other Bee crowding around them.
Stopping next to his brother, Optimus sent back, there is no need to talk.
Megatron didn't respond, though his affectionate annoyance was clear through the bond. Optimus was amused by it.
"You both seem to be adjusting quickly," Orion mused, now standing next to Megatron's other side. The warlord inwardly cursed at not noticing the Prime move.
"We're good at adapting," Megatron answered, doing his best to ignore the sudden memories crossing his processor.
Orion only hummed in response, watching as Ratchet joined the group.
"We'll need to organise a meeting with this dimension's Megatron," Optimus stated, crossing his arms. "Hopefully, he isn't as thick-headed as my brother here."
"I resent that," Megatron scowled. "Do not use human insults on me."
"Fine, allow me to change my sentence- Hopefully, this dimension's Megatron isn't as half-clocked as my brother here," Optimus retorted, smirking.
Megatron glared down at his brother. "Shut it, bit-brain."
"Good to see your insults are improving, just like your ability to tell the difference between a turbo-fox and turbo-dog," Optimus stated, smirk widening as he looked up at Megatron. Orion was watching the pair with a mixture of shock and amusement- correction, all the bots were.
"That was one time!"
"Actually, it was two times."
"When was the second time?"
"We were in Iacon- you got so polished, you chased a turbo-dog, yelling that it was a turbo-fox and that it had to be killed," Optimus deadpanned.
"Like you're any better when you're polished, Prime," Megatron grumbled, crossing his arms. "If I remember correctly, you once got so polished that you walked up to Elita-1 and-"
Optimus instantly placed a servo over his brother's mouth, glaring at him. "Be quiet." He drew his servo back quickly when he felt something wet on it. "You licked me!"
Megatron grinned, completely smug. "That's what you get."
"You're disgusting," Optimus grumbled, looking down when he felt something hit his leg. Little Bumblebee was holding his servos out, clearly wanting to be picked up, but Optimus hesitated.
Why the hesitation? Unicron taunted. Afraid you'll murder him in cold blood again?
Ignoring the voice, Optimus picked up Bee, cradling the youngling to his chassis. He glanced up at his brother. "Shall we organise a meeting with your counterpart?"
"… Tomorrow," Megatron decided. "It is getting late, and we have had a long day." A small sneer graced his lips as he glanced at the children. "The fleshlings will need to be sent home."
"Who are you calling fleshling, tin can?" Miko demanded, hands on her hips.
Megatron looked down at her, raising an optic-ridge. "Clearly, I am talking about you and your two friends… Though, your pheromone levels suggest you want to be more than friends with one of the males."
Raf and Jack choked, while Miko's eyes widened and she began to splutter. Finally, she yelled, "I do not!"
"You can't lie to us," Optimus replied, smirking. "We can smell it."
"That's kinda creepy, man," Miko muttered.
Optimus shrugged in response. "Be glad we are not medics- Ratchet's first words on Earth were quite amusing."
"What were his first words on Earth?" Megatron asked, intrigued. "I need blackmail on your medic."
"Ratchet said, and I quote, 'the boy's pheromone levels suggest he wants to mate with the female'," Optimus answered, interpreting Ratchet's voice almost flawlessly. The Prime smiled when he heard the children burst out laughing, Bumblebee, Arcee and Bulkhead joining in. Ratchet was silent, obviously stuck on a reply. The only evidence that Orion was amused was the ghost of a smile.
"Well, we best recharge," Optimus said. "We have a long day tomorrow."
I should also warn you- the next chapter will be angsty, so be prepared! May require tissues, depending how sensitive you are... There is a reason it is rated T! *evil cackling*
