The Brat Prince of Vos
Chapter 10
Continuity: Pre- and Post-TF:A, a little bit of AU here and there
Warnings: None, really.
Pairings: Megatron x Starscream, but nothing too slashy yet.
Ohohoho, another cliffhanger. I'm so evil.
'A few words', Cyclonus had said. Yeah. Slagging. Right.
An hour ago, Megatron had walked into the chamber prepared for the bonding, with Cyclonus ushering him in. The King and his Ministers were already there, all eager to complete the century old agreement between Vos and the Decepticons. Starscream had been standing next to his father, beaming up at Megatron, and the Decepticon couldn't help but smile in return at the youngling's enthusiasm.
And then…King Rainmaker had started talking. And hadn't stopped.
Megatron resisted the urge to yawn or stretch his limbs. He couldn't even understand what the King was saying, the ceremony being conducted in the old language of Vos, from before the time when they too had assimilated the common language of Cybertron. Starscream had become fairly restless as well, twitching his wings every few seconds. His gold optics were darting around the room, and Megatron wondered if he was just bored or if he too had no idea what the King was talking about. Fliers were not known for standing still for long periods of time, and it surprised Megatron that the Ministers were still so content to stand silently in witness to the ceremony - not a twitch or shuffle between them.
Suddenly, the King (still talking) flourished his arms, and one of the older, more important Ministers picked up the Decepticon brands and began to charge them. The youngling eyed them warily, but seemed to steel himself, becoming very still. Cyclonus then pulled out a chair as the King continued his speech, which Starscream sat down on - presumably so that he wouldn't fall over from the pain of branding.
It was at this point that Megatron suddenly realized - looking at the wings of the Ministers, they each bore four brands, one each side of their wings. Even the King wore the royal seal on all four sides. Of course - they all had cockpits! There was no space for a single branding. The Decepticon leader was suddenly very grateful that he only had to wear one brand on his chest.
The King moved over to stand beside Starscream, and the Minister handed Megatron the charged brands. Still speaking, almost chanting now, King Rainmaker pointed at a spot on Starscream's right wing. The youngling closed his optics, dental plates gritted. Somehow, Megatron felt more nervous than Starscream appeared to be - he'd branded many mechs, but never a flier's sensitive wings. With a nod, he pressed the brand to Starscream's wing.
The youngling made a strangled noise, as if swallowing a scream, but the King quickly moved over to point at Starscream's other wing. Another brand - another whimper from the trembling youngling. Megatron was ushered around to the other side of the thirteenth, and quickly pressed the last two brands to the wings.
As Cyclonus indicated for Megatron to retake his place on the other side of the King, the Decepticon leader couldn't help but try to comfort the youngling, dragging an apologetic finger along the tip of Starscream's shaking wings. The youngling opened his optics slowly to look up at Megatron - no longer golden, but the blood red of the Decepticons.
"The ceremony is complete," King Rainmaker announced, and the Decepticon leader bit his tongue before he yelled something along the lines of 'thank fragging Primus!'. The Ministers started to file out, each bowing to Megatron and Starscream in turn. "It's time to lock the doors."
With a bow from the King, the heavy doors to the chamber were slammed shut, and the locks outside clicked into place.
Megatron turned to face Starscream, who was still sitting on the chair grimacing. "Does it hurt?" the silver mech asked the youngling, walking over to continue running a finger up and down his wings.
"It just…stings. I'll be fine," Starscream rasped stoically. Megatron stroked the youngling's helm comfortingly, the red-eyed Seeker leaning into the touch.
"Cyclonus finally explained to you what bonding was, then?" the Decepticon leader asked with a smirk.
"Only out of necessity," Starscream smiled bitterly. "I think he still sees me as a sparkling sometimes. They all do, here."
"Not a sparkling," cooed Megatron gently, in his rich voice, "but still very, very young. In Iacon and Polyhex, this whole ceremony would be illegal." The two were silent a while, Megatron continuing to caress Starscream's helm. Then the silver Decepticon pulled a chair closer, and placed it in front of the flier. He took the small claws of the youngling in his, and looked Starscream straight in the optics.
"I have a confession to make," Megatron announced decisively.
The youngling's face fell as the larger black hands gripped his tightly. He gulped. "W…what?"
"I'm not going to bond with you."