Freedom
Chapter 36: Optimus' Freedom: Part 4

After dinner, Starscream surprised Optimus yet again. Instead of walking home, he picked Optimus up bridal-style and they flew home.

It was an amazing experience. One of Optimus' greatest desires was to know what it was like to fly. He loved how smoothly Starscream flew and how easily his wings seemed to slice through the night air and clouds. And that night was perfect for flight. There was a wonderful breeze, the stars were shining brightly, and the twin moons were both full. Optimus loved it.

When they got home, Starscream carried his lover to their room and laid him on the berth. But instead of climbing ontop of his lover and ravishing him, he went to the bathroom and told Optimus to get ready for a bath. Then he closed the door so the Autobot wouldn't be able to see inside.

At first Optimus was confused, but he did as his lover requested and undressed and put on a bathrobe. He took the small box with Starscream's gift inside under his pillow. It was childish, he knew, but he also knew Starscream wouldn't think of anything being hidden there.

He heard water running on the other side of the door, along with ped steps. He wondered what Starscream was up to for several moments before abandoning the thought and just sitting on the berth. He would learn soon enough.

He didn't have to wait very long.

The door to the bathroom opened and there stood Starscream in his bare protoform and without his mask. He smirked at the deep blush that came to his lover's features and raised his servo in order to make a come hither gesture with his index claw.

Optimus stood up and, optics locked on Starscream, walked the short distance to his lover. The Seeker stood aside to allow Optimus in and the mech physically paused at what he saw and what he smelled.

The Seeker had the sunken tub filled with steaming water and beside the tub was a box of Optimus' favorite energon and oil treats and two cubes of the finest high grade. He sniffed the air and looked at the water. It wasn't clear, it was a dim misty blue; meaning that something had been added to it. Like humans, Cybertronians liked to add things to their baths that eased some ailments.

He looked up at Starscream and asked, "What did you put in the water?"

Starscream stood in front of Optimus, his smirk still on his features. "A special concoction that loosens joints and proto-muscle. A great stress reliever."

He purred and undid the tied knot on Optimus' robe. It opened and slid off the Autobot's form easily at Starscream's coaxing. Optimus stared up at his lover as he stroked his shoulders, upper arms, and sides. Starscream chuckled at the shiver he caused and leaned down to whisper in an audio. "Care to join me, my angel?"

Optimus could do nothing but nod and allow Starscream to lead him to the tub and help him in. He moaned as tension, he hadn't even known settle into him, bled out from his form. Starscream followed in and had almost the same reaction.

The Seeker took a breath then submerged himself. He shot up and shook the water from his helm. "Primus, that feels good!" he stated.

Optimus giggled as the Seeker's wings twitched in delight; the noise catching Starscream's attention. He looked at Optimus and smiled. "Try it."

Optimus did as asked and took a breath then dunked himself under the water. He came up, a breathy groan escaping his vocalizer. That did feel good.

Starscream laughed then backed him up to the edge of the huge tub before picking the smaller mech up by the waist and seating him on an incline jutting from the edge. Starscream grabbed a cube of high grade and gave it to Optimus then took the other for himself. Optimus smiled at his lover and raised his cube a bit.

"To us," he stated.

Starscream smiled and tapped the edge of his cube to Optimus'. "To you."

The younger blushed at Starscream's comment, but still took a sip of his high-grade as Starscream did. They spent an uncertain amount of time just talking, drinking their high-grade, and feeding each other the energon and oil treats. When the water started getting cold, Starscream activated the tub's heating unit and warmed it back up.

Optimus giggled uncontrollably when he finished his high-grade. His head was swimming and a nice tingling sensation spread throughout his body. He was over-energized, but not to the point where he would have a splitting processor ach and not remember anything tomorrow.

Starscream chuckled deep in his chest and took Optimus' empty cube from him. He sat both cubes to the side and gave Optimus the last treat in the box. The younger purred as the sweet, oily confection slid down his throat.

Starscream smiled down lovingly at Optimus and caressed his cheek. "Enjoying yourself?"

Optimus nodded. "I always enjoy myself when I'm with you."

Starscream leaned down and lightly kissed the younger's full lips. The Seeker purred as he parted and stated, "I love kissing you." He gently pecked the younger's lips again. "Your lips are so soft and your taste…mmm…so perfect."

Optimus put his servos on either side of the Seeker's face and pulled him in to kiss his scared lips. "I love being kissed by you," he returned.

Starscream touched his forehead to Optimus' and off-lined his optics, the Autobot doing the same. For several moments, they remained still and quiet. Starscream wanted to enjoy the warmth of his lover's body and the gentle caresses to his scarred cheeks for as long as he could.

He smiled. He once thought that no one would ever see him as beautiful after Megatron had finished with him. He thought everyone who would see the tyrant's handy work would only see him as ugly and scarred…

Optimus didn't. He saw past the disfigurations and saw the mech underneath…The Seeker that had been lost for so long and had desperately wanted to find his way…Had desperately searched for escape from the pain the warlord had caused him…Optimus had given him freedom from the pain…Had helped him find his way once again….

Starscream on-lined his optics again and moved his servo to the slave collar around Optimus' neck. He caressed the edge of it, getting Optimus to on-line his optics and release his face. They said nothing and Starscream continued his absent minded stroking.

"Optimus…" he trailed of, not really knowing what to say.

"Yes?" Optimus prompted gently.

Starscream remained silent. For several long klicks he didn't say or do anything. He finally decided that actions were better than words in this case and reached for the empty box of treats. He lifted it up to reveal the remote control to the slave collar and Optimus stared. He hadn't seen it since the day Megatron gave it to the Seeker.

Optimus looked from the device to his lover, whom was staring at it as well. "…Starscream?"

The Seeker finally moved. He pressed a button and a feeling of betrayal welled up in Optimus' spark. He off-lined his optics and prepared himself for the shock.

None came.

Instead he heard a sharp click and the slave collar around his neck, for the first time in vorns, opened. He on-lined his optics and watched as Starscream removed the device. The Seeker placed it and the remote on the edge of the tub and brought his fist down on both, destroying them.

"You'll never have to fear someone hurting or controlling you again," Starscream stated firmly. He looked into Optimus' optics and smiled at him. "You're free."

Optimus stared at his lover for several long klicks; his servo moved to his neck and felt the scar the collar had left behind, but not the collar. "What are you talking about?"

"You're no longer my slave," Starscream answered. "You're just my lover now. My equal."

Optimus had no idea what to say. A smile slowly came to his lips and a feeling of elation and utter joy engulfed his spark. He suddenly launched himself at Starscream and wrapped his arms around the Seeker's neck.

"Thank you," he whispered as tears streamed down his face. "Thank you."

"Optimus," Starscream began shocked. He pulled the other away to look at him. "You're crying. Why?"

Optimus laughed breathlessly as his Seeker wiped his tears away. "Because I'm happy," he answered.

Starscream still appeared confused. Being a Decepticon, it was rare for him to cry when he was sad. But to cry when he was happy? He didn't understand it. Optimus giggled at the Seeker's still perplexed expression. "It's an Autobot thing," he explained.

Starscream smiled lovingly at the younger and stated, "I suppose so."

Optimus laughed again then kissed his lover. Starscream smiled into the kiss then pressed his body against Optimus'. "I love you," the younger mech whispered between kisses. "I love you." Kiss. "So." Kiss. "Much."

Starscream moaned at hearing those words and his glossa slipped in the Autobot's mouth. Optimus grabbed the back of Starscream's helm and pulled him forward to deepen the kiss. Their glossas slid against each other's and their servos groped any place they could reach. Optimus released Starscream's helm and instead wrapped his arms around the winged-mech's neck.

When the Seeker groped his aft, he broke the kiss by throwing his helm back and releasing a throaty moan. Starscream kept his lips busy by moving down to Optimus' neck and kissing the circular scar left by the slave collar.

Optimus groaned and caressed the back of the Seeker's helm. "Ungh!...Starscream?"

"Hm?"

The younger pried the other from his neck and looked into his deep scarlet optics. There was a slight flush to Starscream's cheeks, but not nearly as dark as Optimus'.

"Take me," the Prime whispered.

Starscream smiled and moved in to kiss Optimus' soft, full lips. He brushed his thin lips against the Autobot's as he answered, "As you wish my angel."

Hey guys, as you may have guessed from the way I've ended this chapter, the next one may be a little while, but I promise to post it as soon as possible. Until then, enjoy this one. :)