Sealing Fate

{The last mech I ever thought I would first-person. But when Sabath throws me a challenge… damn the plot bunnies just spawn. I'm biting my lip on this one with a cheeky grin to my… dear friend.} Warnings: He swears... a lot.

"No arguments, you are going," that jerks my head from the tablet where my son and I are trying to draw a great horned owl in flight.

He thrusts an overnight envelope in my hand, while he turns the tablet to see what we were drawing. I give him my seat and pull the secret away from my young son. My spark leaps to my throat for a moment. Official overnight envelopes rarely bear good tidings.

Nine times out of ten, it's a new list of bots hunting for us. Luckily my parents weren't the only idiots to name their kids after a murder. I just got lucky enough to be the most famous one with the worst reputation. No that's not the correct word, because it's all truth. I was a murder. I did help lead Cybertron to her destruction and then bailed with blood lust for my enemy leaving a hunk of dying rock in the hands of my most loyal soldier.

"Stop it, it's not that bad. Now open it."

Looking straight at said loyal soldier, I scowl, "You know for a half droid, you are rather pushy." I quickly toss back to him pushing my guilt to the back of my dry throat.

"Hum try saying that next time after you over draw the instant-account or can't find your glasses…. Again." He fires back rather smugly.

I can actually feel my optics pull to the center of my face and my glasses ride up. How dare he talk to me like that! I huff getting ready to fire back to the cheeky bastard when he points to our beaming little one. Right, no swearing before the child. Fuck! I'm not really mad at him, I could never really be mad at him. Just frustrated… a little.

The envelope is forgotten for the moment while I watch the two most precious things in my life interact. I never in all my life thought I would be here now. Bonded. A parent. A peaceful home. Loved. Pure honest love like Primus intended it all along.

Just like the colorful little Earth avian creature on the pad below me, that just boggles the mind how something so fragile can actually fly. Fly? No jet engines. No rocket fuel. No, just bits of fragile organic feathers and hollow bones lift this beautiful colorful creature…. Like love. For so long that word has been nothing but bile in my mouth. But a vibrant bolt of violet took a risk, and shined his golden light on me and spoke those three little words in a tone that just melted my coal black soul.

And I was crazy enough to accept it. Yes, crazy. See he was brave for offering his spark to a sick evil bastard, I was crazy for letting myself taint his pure life. I was sure I would destroy him too, but he was so sure I would not. For a mech who does not believe in a higher being, he sure has a hell of a lot of faith.

And then… he agreed to create a new life with me. I had destroyed so many lives and yet he said it as alright to create one with him? Brave. Crazy, I said yes. And the perfectionist was right.

*achew!* I swiftly snap my attention back to our son. He wipes his nose on his arm, too eager to show his mother everything we did to day to use a tissue. Ever the clean freak, Shockwave shudders. And then our little one yawns.

"Come on, let me get you ready for bed. I promise, your father will stay with you tomorrow."

"Excuse me?!" Oh shit! *Achew* Fuck. How does he do that? How does he know just when these things happen? "Is this another of your experiments?" I chide him. It's just too much fun to watch his reactions to such accusations.

"Who me? Bio hazard, uh no!" With that, he is whisking the littlest member of our family upstairs for a quick bath. At the top of the stairs, he points to the envelope still in my hand, "Read that before I come back down."

My face pulls into a pout. Sure it's childish of me, but damn it! When our sparks merged I swear he took some of my commander material and in return, I got a piece of his submissive side. I know that isn't fact, but times like this, I beg to differ. Sinking down to the couch, I can feel my systems heating with fever. Crap, I am sick and there's no way I can work in the mines with boogers all over my face or swaying in the increased heat. No need to push myself that hard and put coworkers or my myself in danger. There's too much we are all living for now. Reaching over, I take the tablet Ayreon and I spent most of the day doodling on. I would gladly feel like this physically in order to feel like this emotionally. I love my family. Four words, I never ever thought I could honestly proudly say, but here it is. I LOVE MY FAMILY!

I can't help but laugh wondering what my therapist will say the next time I see him. He will probably tease me about going soft in my old age. And honestly, he's probably right. Considering I should be dead at least a thousand times over. Infections, battles, incarceration, drugs, alcohol, cave-ins… I really should be dead. Why has Primus allowed me to live? Dragged me through one hell of a childhood to rage a war against my planet and body and now I'm in the lap of luxury with a perfectly devoted mate and a more perfectly healthy son? I don't understand Primus. He makes no fucking sense. Is he a god or a demon? A savior or a torturer? Better yet, why am I trying to figure him out? I'm not philosopher or theologian. What am I?

Hearing the water shut off upstairs, I know I better do as I am ordered. No need to get reamed from my mate again. Reaching inside the envelope I don't find a data pad. A sheet of paper? Paper? Okay, I am definitely interested. Carefully I withdraw it hoping not to tear it.

I can see the triangles of the insignia I branded my faction with. And I see the ancient language we used for our codes. But what throws me are the words. "Commander Shockwave, Mission Accomplished?" What the hell is that supposed to mean? Hearts? Date located at a church? What the fuck is going on?! I will have to wait until the former commander is ready to explain this. Great a few more things for this poor battle trod processor to comprehend. Ugh, I hate being sick. I can't think straight.

Soon enough he settles beside me with his cup of hot tea pressing one into me as well. He doesn't settle, he snuggles. Shockwave settling with sicky me? I will not deny him. I will never deny him anything. He is my life. My love. My eternity. So I pull him closer and hum, "So what is going on, Commander?"

"The scars on my back."

My hand stills on those healed over holes. One of the lucky mechs with perfect protoform skin, that heals nicely and rarely scars. Unlike some of the rest of us who end up wearing each one as a badge. But I remember those almost invisible scars on my love's back had something to do with phosphorous charges that easily could have killed him and taken out our whole med bay-

"The two bots that saved my life, are them." He flicks a finger to the paper.

I look down at him and gape, "And they waited until now to be bonded? Or is this their rededication vows?"

The warm frame leaning on mine chuckles, "No, it's not like that. See, he was infatuated with her during the war but couldn't do anything about it." He reads the pang of guilt over my face. He smiles, "Actually, it's kind of my fault."

"Excuse me?" How could Shockwave ever be to blame for keeping two bots from bonding. Sure, I know there were members of my troops that were bonded, some even secretly, but what would he-

He hems…., "See … she had her optic on another mech who didn't reciprocate the ummm, feelings because he had his own optic on another?"

At this point I have to adjust him so I can look into that guilty golden optic of his, "Uh?" Maybe it was the coming-on fever, but I was so confused. Why is he tiptoeing around this?

He wiggles his deft fingers, "Hello?" Then pokes me in the spark.

Man if someone had hit me with a seismic cannon I would be less stunned.

Just to top that off, cocks his antenna at me and crosses his arms across his well muscled chest, "Umph! You're not the only one femmes were drooling after, hot stuff!" Just for that, gets up and strides away to refill his tea rolling those damn beautiful hips of his. Healthy I can't think straight when he moves that way, but frying right now I just want to grab him and take him up on all that sexiness he is exposing! His armor covered aft isn't going to save him as I rip it off and -

I have to shake my head and figure out what the hell is going on. I'll fuck him twice over later. "Hold the phone! You're telling me I HAVE to got to a bonding ceremony for two bots stuck in a love triangle around you? WHY ME?" I can feel my head spinning and have to grab my crest prongs to keep it from taking off.

Did he really have to do that adorable thing that melts me every time? Did he really have to stoop that low with that damned sexy tone, "Please? They asked me to come and I think it would be fitting for me to be seen with my mate. Unless…"

He just had to say it and I kneeeew it was coming too, "You're embarrassed to be seen with me?"

We have already been over that. That issue is beyond dead and buried. Twice over when we bore a sparkling more than publicly proclaiming my love and bond hood to the purple mech.

Oh now I get it. He just wants me to actually say this. Fine! I growl out at him, "Do I have to dress up?"

There it is that cheeky smirk of his with the cute little cant of his snow white antenna. Man, I wish I could just swipe that smug look off him and twist those antenna into pretzels! Instead I roll my optics and huff.

Now now, I wasn't the Decepticon leader for nothing. I can get myself out of difficult situations. And most certainly being buffed up like some cake topper and being all polite and on my best behavior certainly classifies as a hellatious situation. I give my best fake cough and try rasping my throat deeper, "Can't too sick."

SLAP! Ow! Shit he can hit hard even if it was only in the shoulder. "Two weeks. You will be perfectly healthy by then."

Fuck. Guess I'm not getting out of this so easily.

~~~Two weeks later~~

"Will you hold still!"

I hate being fussed over! I just lights nightmares in me again. He must have sensed my bristling, because he steps back and lets go. Not touching me, he comes back into my line of sight so I can clearly see it's him, not her .

Even his tone drops softer, "You had an extra splotch of wax on your nape. I'm sorry."

I hate it when he apologizes. He has never done anything wrong and yet he constantly apologizes. No, it's my turn. I pull him back by cupping his cheek and soothing my posture, "I've been bonded to you longer than I lived in her house. I should apologize. Fuss all you want. This is your moment to shine. Make me presentable to stand by your side."

His perfectly glossed antenna wilt at the flushed heat from his cheeks. I know he always sees it the other way round, but I was invited as HIS date not the other way. Just to see how far I can make him melt, I lean in and soothe, "Beloved," and smile. He loves to see my fangs and I love to give them to him. He does melt further. I stroke his cheek again, "You are such a romantic making me get all dolled up. And you know I will do anything for you."

Numbly he nods. I have to do it, I kiss him. The feel of those soft holographic lips on mine are my own undoing. So tender, so sweet and graceful just like everything else he does against me.

"Mum! Dad! How do I look?"

I pull back feeling Shockwave is complete goo in my arms. I can't help but give a light laugh at my son wearing his bow tie on his hem instead of his neck. Lowering my cracking knee, I proudly get my son situated into a young gentle-bot. As handsome as myself capped with his mother's grace and dignity, he will be a spark breaker, no doubt about it. Femmes be warned.

And then I feel the touch to the sides of my neck. Oh Primus he really did put cologne on me?! And then just for that, puts a tiny dab on our young mech. He beams and preens thinking he is all big and hot stuff. Well… he is, he's mine. Ours.

"Go get your bag. Make sure it has your tablet and markers," Shockwave sends him off. Obediently, he does.

Straightening my own tie in the mirror I just have to ask again, "Why again is this so important to you?"

Putting the polishing wax and cologne away, he shrugs, "I just … like the thought that there are other couples from our ranks still finding happiness."

"You're a hopeless romantic for a supposedly cold sparked mech," I chuckle back to him in bewilderment. I might have been blind to his attraction to me during the war, but I was not blind to him having emotions. I knew when 'mix-breed' jabs stung him. I knew when 'cold sparked prick' was shoved towards him. I know that he was just a proper mech that left emotions out of the equations. That impressed me. But I had no idea at the time how passionate the mech really was. And let me tell you, when that vibrant mech lets go, he is quite passionate and unrestrained!

A light palm slides around my waist reminding me of his passionate love for me, "Hum, well I felt a bit guilt when I found out neither of them were bonded. Sweet they both are. Good bots. But yet she passed out when she found out I was a bonded-mother."

Okay that catches my full attention. I slip my own hand over his on my hip not wanting him to pull away until I get more information about this couple we are going to watch bond their lives together forever. He does keep going, "We have a fairytale romance and after everything we fought and struggled through, it kills me when I see love not taking a risk."

I have to scoff. I just had to. Holding that hand tight to my side, I tap the other one on his helm top, "Fairytale romance? Oh suuuuuure! You were infatuated with a murdering rapist who turned his wrath in to a war that nearly destroyed our planet and then I abandon you leaving you locked in a tower? All for what? Sometimes I think you need the therapy more than me." I huff again, "Oh yeah that's just the kind of mech all the femme's in Ayreon's class are dreaming about spending the rest of their life with!"

He tries to pull away at the scoff, but I won't let him. Taking that hand that held mine during my transformation from warlord to patient, I kiss the palm center. The taste of his healing grace always brings me comfort. I can never get enough of the taste of him on my lips or his warmth at my side. "And then you asked me to take your spark and your body and make it mine. And what did you get in return? Most certainly not a fair trade. You got a monster struggling with detoxification, blood lust, insanity and a sexual appetite-"

He presses closer and comforts, "That matches my own. You needed some one to care for you. I needed some one who needed me. You needed someone beneath you, I needed someone above me. You needed healing, I needed to fix something. I needed you, you wanted me. I wanted you, you needed me."

How can I argue with his logic? The mech is always right. "Always my perfect Shockwave. Forever." I kisses him again. This time to consume all the love he has to give me. Like an oasis, Shockwave keeps me alive. My life giving solace.

"Ewwww, again? Really?"

That's right, leave it to a youngling to break a romantic moment. I tug his antenna bud and smirk, "Get use to it kid, you're going to see a lot of it today." My mate buries his flaming face in my chest.

"Gross." And his little lilac tongue purges out of his mouth complete with strangling palms to his throat and sickly optics. Primus the kid is such a clown! I have no idea where he gets it from. I laugh and catch him before he falls to the floor in his over dramatics, thus ruining his waxing.

Leave to my mate to blame me, "Stop encouraging him." Say what?!

Some how we made it to the church on time without me being accused of much more. This couple has decided to have it outside under a gazebo. Cute. I have to admit, it's cute the way they have the place decorated. Purple triangles and red/white crosses. To some the triangles have a trinity motif (bride, groom and Primus) but looking around at several of the other guests (former Decepticon soldiers) we all know what the triangles really mean. For they are cut in a certain angle. I can't help but rub my chest were my own brand hides.

Something did come out of this war. A couple met. I look over to my mate, and together they saved a life. By saving his, they saved mine too. Wriggling into my lap, a new life. Hopefully this couple will start a family too. From what I have been told, they will be fine parents. Patience is most certainly on their side.

Soon enough, the ceremony starts with a burst of romantic music. Blessing from their deacon, vows exchanged and a candle lit….

I can't help but ask him softly once more, "Did I deny you this?" A chance to publicly claim me as his.

He looks around at the guests who really are Sprinter and View's friends. At the time of our own bonding, I had more enemies on both sides of the factions than allies. The only allies I actually had were Shockwave, Ratchet and incredibly, Prime. And even the document Prime signed making our bond official, I don't need.

Softly my bondmate shakes his head entwining our fingers. And I have to agree. The only vow that matters is the one I have made to my mate. We did not need witnesses to our commitment or some stupid official document stating we are legally bound. But that's just us. We just needed each other. He leans on me. Releasing his hand, I wrap my arm around his shoulder pulling him even closer to my side. Mine. And looking up into my optics with his mother's golden ones, ours. For eternity. Yes, out here in public, I lightly kiss the top of each of their helms while the couple up front takes their own vows of commitment.

Now that I actually have friends and a normal life, I can see how this is important for this couple to have friends and family gather and join in their celebration. It is very sweet of them to ask their former Drill Instructor to come share their celebration. I can see the irony of how my mate has been the tie that brought them together. Yes, the mech is more romantic that he realizes.

As soon as the ceremony is over, the party begins. This I'm not sure how long I can last in this social situation. In the past I used to be the center of a party, but now, being the center of my son's quite life is what I crave. That's right, you heard me. The former arrogant leader would much rather crawl on the floor in a tickle fest with his son than whooping it up with a pile of writhing naked femmes. Crazy? Nah, just took the right bot in my life. And so help me if Shockwave starts drinking in front of others and Ayreon. That mech who used to be so reserved, has become a bit more relaxed in the social situations. I will have to keep close tabs on his flutes. Sometimes he just gets a little too into a celebration. At home is one thing, but in public, the mech can be down right embarrassing!

I guide Ayreon to a back corner table while Shockwave gathers some treats. Getting out his markers and tablet, we try drawing some of the silly adornments the attendants have stuck on their helms. "Silly femmes," we giggle together, tugging at our own ties.

"Megatron," my mate gives my name a soft tug in his alluring accent drawing me to look up.

I turn and see the bride and groom pale. Three times the femme tries to find something to say gaping her mouth. Clearly she did not know I was the father of Shockwave's sparkling. Compounded with my old title… I know that look on both of their faces. They have no idea what to say to me or how to act or what to call me. Before, everyone was to bow down and pay homage to me. And now… I want none of that.

Leave it to my son to save us all, "You're pretty in all those sparkles!"

I have to admit he is right. The former supply runner does look femmely-pretty all decked in sparkling glass dots scattered all over her chassis and a tiara on her helm. The yellow mech is highly polished with something very expensive as well.

And to the femme's grace, she acknowledges the young compliment with a blush, "Why thank you…."

"Ayreon," my young gentlemech sticks his hand out shaking the bride's hand. "And this is my dad Megatron and my Mummy Shockwave." Pushy little twerp doesn't give me the dignity to introduce myself.

I can't help but shake my head with a soft smirk when he looks to me for confirmation as to how he handled the introduction. Saving the moment, I stick my own callused hand out, "Congratulations, View." Then I turn to Sprinter, "And you too, Medic Sprinter."

His voice hitches, "Uh, um.. Thank you.. Uh.. ?"

I knew I had to do something to drop the uncomfortable tension, "I remember the amazing fast thinking you did to save a coman-, uhh, Shockwave's life." Man that was close, almost blew it in front of my own son. Shit, I must be loosing it.

Ayreon's optics go wide, "Mummy? What does Daddy mean?"

View kneels down and takes my son's hands in her sparkled ones, "Your parents and I worked together a long time ago. Your mother saved my life by putting his own in danger."

Ayreon swiftly looks to his beloved mother, who is trying to look away at the compliment blushing. I know it was war and there were a lot of bots in my ranks, and now it comes rushing back….

Oh, shit. I banished the femme to a mining asteroid because I thought she had fucked up a mission putting a Commander's life in jeopardy. And Shockwave couldn't tell me what happened until it was too late. By then, I was too arrogant to resend the order. I was one of the reasons Sprinter and View couldn't get to know each other any sooner. Primus what an aft I was!

"I'm sorry, View." I finally choke out. I might be too many vorns late but, still. I had to apologize.

To her credit she smiles and shakes her head, "Primus works in his own time frame. It wasn't meant to be at that time. It helped me actually to get some things in perspective." To that she looks over to Shockwave. To his credit, he just looks stunned. Then she rises and looks straight at me dropping to very soft warm tone, "Are you happy, Sir?"

It was not a simple frivolous question. No, my soldier is asking for how my soul feels. I slip one hand into my bondmate's and another to my son's shoulder, "Very much."

She beams banishing all the rest of the tension, "Good. Then all is well and there are no regrets, hum?"

Sprinter nods and looks us all over. I can see, he is hoping to have what I have. A family. A home. Peace.

Sprinter sticks his hand out and I take it, "Thank you for giving me an opportunity to be someone…. Megatron" I have no idea what that means, but by the look on Shockwave, he will explain later. He finishes, "I'm glad you are both here to help us celebrate. If it wasn't for Primus putting both of you in our lives…"

Oh, he's onea thooooose. Ah, he thinks Primus guides all his direction. Uh, oookay. What ever float his shuttlecraft. I would not get into that debate with him, but will just nod respectfully. "Hum, yeah, something like that," hoping to end that piece of the conversation.

With that, their names are called and soon drawn away. Shockwave leans into me. After all this time, it's instinct for me to slip an arm around his waist and hold him closer. The most peaceful I have ever felt is when he is next to me.

"I love you," he whispers those three little words.

And that is all I will ever need. My fate has been sealed. We watch as View is taken in Sprinter's arms and let into dance. That look they share is one so rare and so precious. One that I am lucky enough to have.

Taking Shockwave's hands, I lead him into that first dance I gave him just after we bonded. The way he melts into mine perfectly, he knows what I'm doing. He remembers that moment too. The moment that I let him know, our bonding night was no mistake. I gave my spark freely and with him here and now, publicly I am restating it. Cupping his cheek, kiss him.

I am happily bound to Shockwave. My fate is perfectly sealed. "I love you, Shockwave."

~~00~~

a/n a few more chapters coming:

One {confirmed}

A Morning View {thinking}

And Afternoon Sprint {?}

A View of Evening {?}