Author's note. Starscream and Skyfire talk but how does it go. Read on to find out.
Suggestions welcome.
Enjoy and please review.
Starscream skulked outside the Autobot base, nervously pacing back and forth. It had been several cycles since the battle and he hadn't heard or seen Skyfire since. After the mild beating Megatron had given him, he'd decided it would be safer if he didn't go near the Ark for a while.
His leader wasn't stupid and he was already suspicious. If Starscream wanted to keep his secret, he'd have to tread very carefully from now on, especially after everyone had witnessed that scene between him and Skyfire. All it would take would be another incident like that, and he'd probably have his Trine mates on his case, never mind Megatron and Soundwave.
But how were they going to resolve this?
He hadn't even contacted his mate to see if it was still okay to come and visit and Skyfire hadn't contacted him either. A part of him felt indignant at the very idea of asking to see his son but another knew it might come to that if he couldn't reconcile with Skyfire.
"Primus," Starscream moaned as an incredible desire to see his son welled up inside of him.
All he wanted to do was hold his son, kiss him and tell him that everything was going to be alright. That he would protect him and never let anyone harm him? Was that too much to ask for?
Damn it, he'd nearly lost both of them to the ice, how dare Skyfire give him the cold shoulder.
Starscream winced at the pun but his emotions were just in utter turmoil, he could barely think straight. He felt anger at the injustice off it all, he felt fear that Megatron would find out, that he'd never see his Sparkling again. He felt indignation, contempt, loathing and...sadness.
Icefire didn't deserve Creators who fought and were on opposite sides of a war but for now, there was nothing he could do about that. Things would just have to remain this way for now.
He heard a sound and looked up to see Bumblebee exiting the Ark, little Icefire in his arms. As soon as the little Sparkling saw him, he gurgled delightedly and reached out eagerly. Starscream smiled and approached.
The yellow Autobot looked nervous at the sight of the tall Seeker but he still carefully held Icefire out to his Sire.
"Hello my little Fire," Starscream cooed as he took Icefire into his arms.
The Sparkling chirped happily and buried himself against the warm Chassis of his Sire. Starscream chuckled, his Spark swelling with happiness. He loved how Icefire was always so ecstatic to see him. It gave him a huge sense of pride at how he could inspire such emotion in his offspring.
"Yes, Sparkling Mech, your baba's here and he's not going anywhere."
"I'll, uh, just go," Bumblebee said with a small smile, backing away.
Starscream suddenly looked at him sharply.
"Where's Skyfire?"
"Umm, he said he thought it would be nice if you spent some proper time with little Icefire," Bumblebee said softly, glancing back into the entrance of the base.
Starscream suddenly realised what was happening.
Either his mate was still angry at him or just couldn't face him. He suspected the latter, his mate was never one for holding grudges. Unlike him.
"Very well," he said stiffly. "Tell him I'll just be outside if he wishes to see me at all."
He almost wasn't sure whether he wanted to see his mate, he didn't know what would happen. Would they argue, rage, shout at each other? Would they even be able to say anything to each other? Primus, he couldn't stand the thought of them being awkward with each other.
"I'll do that," Bumblebee said softly and after shooting a small smile at Icefire, departed.
Starscream walked a little from the Ark but just out into the sunshine. The day was still warming up, so he didn't need to worry about over heating his Sparkling yet. Though of course, he'd keep and optic on that and take Icefire into the shade when necessary.
Sitting on a flat boulder, he popped Icefire onto the ground to watch him.
Icefire sat on his little bottom for a moment, looking around with a lot of interest. He then examined the dusty ground, with its scattered stones and the odd lizard. After finding nothing of much note, he pushed himself onto his feet and staggered a few paces before falling onto his hands and knees.
Starscream chuckled as Icefire started crawling around, still giggling and chirping.
"Come to me, little Seeker," Starscream now said, offering his hands but Icefire merely blew a raspberry and kept crawling around.
"Hmpth, a wise guy," Starscream said teasingly, getting up before squatting on the ground near his Sparkling.
"I think you get that from me, I can't imagine Skyfire ever being a wise guy."
Icefire merely chirped and started moving even further away. He squealed when Starscream's hands shot out and tickled his sides, and quickly started crawling even faster. Starscream laughed and went after him, saying.
"I'm going to get you, Seekerling, yes I am."
Icefire giggled and did his best to go even faster, to get away from his tickling Sire. Starscream chased the little Mech all over the place until he finally decided that it was enough. Jumping to his feet, he seized his naughty Sparklings and tossed him into the air.
Icefire shrieked with delight, his tiny legs kicking as he was briefly airborne. He was caught, tickled and then tossed back into the air. Starscream laughed with his beloved Sparkling, loving every moment.
Eventually they had to stop, Sparklings sometimes purged if they were over excited. Starscream critically eyed the dusty Sparkling now chirping loudly in his arms.
"Hmm, you're going to need a bath, Icefire," he said firmly.
He glanced towards the Ark again. He wasn't sure if Skyfire was watching but he had a feeling he was. So he took a few steps towards it and said in a clear voice.
"Our son could do with a bath."
He then stood back and waited, a happily chirping and very dusty Sparkling in his arms. A minute passed and then the sound of footsteps could be heard. Starscream drew himself up, putting an impassive expression on his face as his mate emerged from the Ark.
"Starscream," Skyfire greeted as he came over.
"Skyfire," Starscream said softly even as Icefire joyfully squealed at the sight of his beloved Amma.
Skyfire chuckled as he took in Icefire's appearance.
"You're right, Starscream, he does need a bath."
He caught Starscream's optic and smiled.
"And the same could be said for you."
Starscream glanced down and realised he was just as dusty and dirty as his offspring. Icefire made a noise that sounded like a snicker, as though he agreed with his Creator about the state of his Sire.
Starscream raised an optic brow.
"And what do you suggest I do?"
"You could have a bath with Icefire," Skyfire offered gently.
Starscream hesitated. So far, they hadn't started shouting at each other which was a good sign. On the other hand, they were being very formal with each other and he didn't like that. However, he knew they needed to talk, now rather than later.
"That's sounds good," he said softly and Skyfire smile widened.
"Come on then, I'll take you inside."
He indicated the entrance and with a nod, Starscream followed him inside, still holding Icefire. Starscream concentrated on walking behind his mate and carefully stroking his son's back. He hated the silence that had sprung up between them but didn't feel like talking while wandering the Autobot base's corridors.
Finally, they reached a door and Skyfire indicated that Starscream go in.
It was a very spacious room with soft blue tiles lining the walls. It looked like a normal wash room with benches, shower heads and shelves lined with various bottles and wash cloths. But what made this room different from other wash rooms was the massive tub sunk into the floor which looked like it could hold several Skyfire's with ease.
In fact, a normal sized Mech like him could probably use it like a human swimming pool Starscream mused thoughtfully as he examined it. He looked around at Skyfire who grinned almost sheepishly.
"This was built for me so that I could easily enjoy a bath," he said with a small shrug before saying.
"Could you fill it up while I get Icefire's bath tub?"
"Sure," Starscream said and with one last smile, Skyfire departed the room.
Sighing, Starscream carefully sat Icefire down on a bench before going over to the tub and switching on several taps. Hot water spewed out and started to rapidly fill the large basin. Starscream paused and then grabbed a few bottled of scented oil and poured them in.
"We might as well enjoy ourselves," he remarked to his curious Sparkling who was watching eagerly.
He did hope Skyfire would join them, maybe the soothing water would help them both open up to the other. There were so many things he wanted to say but he was almost afraid to make the first move.
All these thoughts swirled around his processor and he was very relieved when Skyfire returned. As well as a little bath tub, Skyfire was holding what looked like a stand. At his raised brow, Skyfire quickly explained.
"It to place Icefire's bath tub on, so I can take a bath at the same time."
"Oh," Starscream said, picking up Icefire again as the little Sparkling looked like he was about to crawl away.
Skyfire nodded and got into the nearly full tub, setting the stand into the pool's bottom before filling up the Sparkling tub. He then set it on top before beckoning to Starscream.
"Pass him to me Starscream, he can't go in ours, it's too hot."
Starscream did as asked and Icefire was popped into the tub. He happily splashed before sinking up to his chest in the lovely warm water, chirping with content. The red Seeker then carefully stepped into the tub, there were several steps built into the side. As he did this, Skyfire suddenly took hold of him and drew him between his legs.
Starscream felt himself heating up as Skyfire loosely placed his arms around him, they hadn't been this intimate in ages. For a while, the pair of them took care of Icefire, cleaning him gently with a cloth, mock splashing him until the Sparkling grew drowsy and settled down for a nap.
Starscream heard Skyfire clear his throat and knew the moment had come.
"We need to talk Starscream, we can't just keep ignoring the position we're in," Skyfire began to which Starscream nodded his agreement.
"At that last battle," Skyfire began, his voice cracking slightly.
"You hurt me Starscream, by the way you acted and your words."
Starscream swallowed.
"I know," he said softly.
"I don't understand why you do those things," Skyfire burst out, his voice high before he lowered it so as not to disturb Icefire.
"What did those humans do to you?"
Starscream felt himself blush.
"They're not worth getting worked up about," he mumbled but Skyfire snorted.
"That no excuse for the way you acted to them. You know, not all the Autobots actually like humans, some of them outright dislike them. But they understand that they simply have to stay away from them and not let themselves be bothered."
"You make it sound so easy," Starscream spat. "They are primitive bags of fleshy meat, who barely last a hundred Stellar Cycles."
"And that gives you the right to bully, torture and main, even kill them?" Skyfire demanded.
"We're stronger..."
"And you demonstrate that by picking on those weaker than you?" Skyfire said in a voice of ice.
His grip tightened around Starscream and the Seeker had to resist panicking.
"By that logic, I should simply take you to my berth and tie you down, I could you know."
"I know," Starscream whimpered, hating how menacing his mate sounded, he wasn't like that at all.
"But you know I'm not like that," Skyfire said, in his usual soft voice.
"I don't judge by physical strength, I never have. I value other things, like intelligence or skill. But even for those weaker than myself and my kind, I still admire them. They overcome incredible odds that we would find easy."
"I prefer to see the good in people," Skyfire said softly. "Now, that may sound naive but it's why I fell in love with you, Starscream. I chose to see the best in you, rather than the worst."
Starscream trembled as he remembered this, how so many judged him because he was a Seeker model, designed for war. But Skyfire had seen all past that and gotten to know the real him. He'd courted the stubborn Seeker and eventually won his Spark. They'd mated and become partners in exploration. And of course, created a beautiful Sparkling, their beloved Icefire.
Skyfire sighed heavily.
"You used to admire other life forms, not scorn them," he said softly.
"What changed Starscream?"
"I changed," Starscream said softly. "You haven't dearest but I have. Time and this War have done that to me. That and mourning your loss has hardened me I think."
He sighed and stroked Icefire's cheek.
"But I still love you Skyfire, I just don't know if I can understand your point of view anymore."
Skyfire sighed as well, and kissed Starscream's helm.
"Then will you do me a favour Starscream?"
Starscream nodded.
"I'm not asking you to change your views on humans," Skyfire began and Starscream tensed.
"But will you promise me not to ill treat them? To act like the kind of brutish thug you despise."
Starscream considered this request. It wasn't that much, all he really had to do was to leave the humans well enough alone. He still thought they needed to be taught a good lesson, especially the ones that hung around with the Autobots. But still, considering what Skyfire could have asked of him, it wasn't much.
"I will do as you ask," Starscream said quietly. "I will not harm another human nor torment them past what those Autobots do. And I will encourage my Trine to do the same."
Skyfire knew this was as much as he was likely to get and in fact it was more than he'd hoped for. He smiled warmly and kissed Starscream's helm again.
"Thank you my love, this means the world to me."
"You're welcome," Starscream said stiffly.
Skyfire chuckled before leaning down and nuzzling his mate's neck. Starscream grumbled, ignoring his mate's affections. But as the Shuttle's arms began to massage his body, the Seeker started to unwind.
"Mmm, Skyfire," Starscream murmured as his mate kissed his neck and wing tips.
"Uh, our son...," Starscream started to say as things got more heated.
"What a mind you have," Skyfire laughed. "We're not going to do anything like that in front of him but we can still show each other affection."
"Ha," Starscream snorted but he started to rub against Skyfire, purring loudly.
Icefire continued to dose happily in the warm water while his Creators showed each other their affection. They didn't go as far as they wanted but for now, it was enough.
Meanwhile in the Nemesis.
"Soundwave, you have news?"
The dark blue coloured tape player nodded as his leader asked this question.
"I have my lord, allow me to show you."
Megatron nodded and Soundwave sat at the console and uploaded what he had found. He quickly shifted through the stuff Megatron would not be interested until he came to what he was looking for.
"There my lord," Soundwave said softly, moving so that Megatron would have a clear view.
It was a scene of the Ark's Rec Room with several Autobots drinking Energon, laughing and generally having a good time. It wasn't a party, just some down time for the Autobot soldiers. The main focus of the room however, was the pretty blue Femme relaxing on a couch while her mate cooed over her swelling abdomen.
Megatron sneered at the sight, the pregnant Autobot Femme with her twin Sparks. He couldn't wait to take them and she out of the Autobots clutches. But he wondered what is was Soundwave had found out.
Suddenly, a new Mech entered the room, that pathetic Shuttle Skyfire. He walked over to where Chromia and Ironhide were and starting to converse with them. But Megatron soon realised that the Shuttle was holding something, something alive.
Soundwave casually turned down his audio senses, knowing that he was going to need them like this in a few moments.
Because as Megatron watched, a small face with bright blue optics suddenly appeared over Skyfire's arm. In the next moment, a small white form was deposited into Chromia's lap and with a laugh, she hugged it. This form had tiny little wing nubs, had a white colouring with red and blue highlights. And was affectingly chirping up at the goofily grinning Shuttle.
You could almost see the cogs turning in Megatron head as he put added Skyfire to Sparkling with greatly resembled Starscream equals.
"STARSCREAM!"
Author's note. Has Megatron truly found out Starscream's secret? And what is he planning to do about it? Find out next time, until then.