IX.
Orchids
That night, the sparklings slept early.
"Where did you get the bed?" Persephone asked, snuggling underneath the covers. The makeshift bonfire busted into flames as the warlord shot it with his cannon with such precision.
Megatron turns to her.
"What?" He asked, caught off guard.
"This bed," She gestured to the object she sat on. "Where'd ya get it?" Persephone looks at the silver mech with curiosity.
"I took it when I raided a town, I figured you need it when you were unconscious," Megatron answered, looking at her with a raised brow. "From my research, you humans find comfort upon something soft yet firm and prefer to recharge on such. I hope it is to your liking?"
"After days of sleeping on a hard surface, I can assure you, this is by far the best thing I've seen and received," Persephone laughed and the warlord chuckled. He walked over to her, sitting beside her bed.
Her eyes turns from him and onto the flames.
Silence settles between them. The two enjoying each other's company in quiet. The bed was a queen-sized one, but she only had two pillows. But who was she to complain.
It's been too long since she's slept on a bed and waking up to one was a miracle.
"If you want to change the sheets, I took some extras," He told her. "They should be in one of the crates."
"Oh, thank you!" She replied. "Though I don't need to change them. Not yet."
And then it was silent again. The sound of the bonfire filling the cave was relaxing. However. Persephone swore that if she heard the Minecraft cave noises, she would fucking bolt it. No way in hell was she going to mess with that.
"What's wrong?" Megatron asked out of the blue.
"What?"
"You're a little troubled."
"Oh no, it's nothing." She chuckled, waving him off. The young woman didn't really want to tell him what she thought of. "You know what would be good? It'd be great if we could get drunk. I know I just came out of a coma, but as a medic, I am allowing myself to drink... if there was any booze, that is." Persephone huffed, crossing her arms.
He laughed.
"The sparklings are asleep. I know a place where we can get something to drink," Megatron hummed as he touched his chin. "I'm sure it should be no problem for us if we leave them for a short amount of time."
"Great! You have any money?" Persephone asked, beaming at him enthusiastically.
The giant mech looked at her confused, "Money?"
She nodded. "Yeah, we are going to buy some drinks... right?"
Silence.
The two stared at each other quietly. Megatron looks at her and her eyes widened slowly in realization. "Wait, are you suggesting we steal?" She voiced her concern.
He looked at her as if she was the weird one between them. "Of course. The both of us don't exactly carry any currency, no?"
"Megatron, we are not stealing."
"Why not?"
"Because it is immoral."
"What a shame. You and I could go to place I know of and nobody would ever know."
"No! We are not stealing and that is final!"
After driving for who knows how long, Persephone finds Megatron's truck halting to a train station cargo. There was a rickety wooden platform, where workers were seen loading and unloading various crates and barrels to and from the rusty cargo trains. Some locomotives were parked on spare tracks not in use, whilst trains continued to pull in and out of the station.
She noticed some of the locomotives parked on track that obviously hadn't been used, rusting away. A heavy guard fence surrounded the area, several barbed wires curled in a loop on top of it. There were a few foot away and with how dark it is, Persephone isn't surprised that they didn't see a gigantic truck in the middle of nowhere.
"Oh, fuck me," She groaned, frustrated.
"I am not sure the both of us would be able to interface," He replied, coyly.
"Look, I don't like where this is going," Persephone answered, looking to her side on the empty driver's seat. "I mean, come on, is there even a plan to go through this heist that we're gonna do?"
"Do not fret, Persephone." He reassured her. "We shall be swift. We get what we need and then we will be gone by then."
She crossed her arms, leaning on to her crossed legs. "So... care to tell me your plan?"
"You will have to sneak into the facility past the securities, and retrieve the supplies we both require before the transport leaves the station," Megatron instructed. "There will be guards stationed at the eastern section, but it is easy to infiltrate seeing as the pesky humans often get drunk as well. The transport will come to a stop just around the back of the platform. Once no one is in sight, break in under the car I report to you, since I shall be locating which car shall have the supplies we desire. A few of the supplies will be difficult for you on your own to move, so move them first and take them to the far gate in the back for me to retrieve. The rest you will be able to take on your own. Once you have everything, head to the far north corner of the fence. We will rendezvous at that area."
Persephone stared in silence, letting the words sink in. "Are you... have you lost your mind?" She gaped, looking at the area they would steal from. "Megatron, listen. I can't do this, I really can't! They have guards and guns. I've never done something crazy like this."
"Trust me, you can do it," He said and even if she wasn't sure, Persephone felt a sense of comfort washed over her. "I will be watching your every move and keep you alert of any guards throughout the mission. As long as you follow my order, you will not be caught. I assure you, Persephone."
Her gaze faltered. Of course she can do it, right? She had to calm herself down, otherwise panicking would only blow their cover. She bit her lip, wondering if this was really worth it. God, she wasn't an alcoholic but she really wanted to drink.
The Decepticon was silent, save for his idling engine. "Do you trust me?" He questioned.
"Of course," She replied.
"Then have faith that this will all work out in our favor," Megatron insisted. "Have faith in me, Persephone."
The young woman stared, bewildered. Was he really reassuring her like a normal person should? She had to give a mental double take for a moment, and thought about it.
What was she worried about?
If she did got caught, the whole place would be obliterated by Megatron for him to get her out of there. God Persephone hoped that it wouldn't go south.
Besides, it might even be a little fun.
"I still can't believe you managed to convince me," She laughed. " If I get caught the moment I set foot in that place, you're so gonna get scrapped along with me."
"Do you think they will live if they ever laid a single digit on you?" The warlord chuckled darkly. "I would like to see them try."
A moment passed, watching the workers transfer crates and barrels here and there. A hand pushes a strand of hair away from her ear, making her jump. When she turned, she screamed before the man covered her mouth with his hand to silence her.
"Did I startle you, little femme?" He teased, smirking at her. Wait. She knew that voice. It was Megatron's. The human-looking version of the Decepticon warlord released his hold on her mouth.
"Megatron?" She asked, confused. "What the... you have a holoform?"
"A holomatter avatar," He corrected as he booped her nose. "Shockwave had it implanted in our system when we left Cybertron to blend in easily with other life forms. However, calling it holoform does make it easier to do so."
He was... old. Not entirely old like a senior citizen, he was more like around late thirties to early forties. Megatron looked like a retired super-villain, with a lined face resembling the Decepticon insignia. He had two scars on his bottom left jaw and there were hints of wrinkles on his face. His hair was white, slicked back and halfway below it turned black. He wore a long coat over a white shirt and a skull belt buckle.
The warlord had large muscles, based on his clothing, probably from being fit due to the war. His eye, those damn eyes, were still a vivid red.
He's a dilf, Persephone thought.
She shouldn't, she really shouldn't, but her imagination had gone wild. Her face warmed as she took in the sight of him. Her mouth still agape as she did so. He was... really handsome even if he used his holoform.
This was it. This was heaven. Who knew she could reach a state of nirvana just seeing him? Persephone really needed to slap some sense in to herself.
He then grabs her hand. Holy shit, his hands were bigger than hers, that when she looked he could literally crush them. Persephone's cheeks only reddened more, the lewd thoughts drowned her mind. Now, she just wanted to cry. He was too handsome.
And she was too horny and sober for this.
"A-are you alright?" Megatron asked, his cheeks dusting a light shade of red. "You're other hand is gripping the seats too tightly."
Persephone looked down to see her nails digging into the seat, he nails had broke through the fabric and her knuckles had all paled. "Oh, sorry," She smiled sheepishly and pulled her hand away. "I was just... nervous. Yeah, nervous. That's all."
He chuckled. Megatron then pulled a stray of curl behind her ear. Persephone's heart beat swiftly as everything inside her screamed inside in enthusiasm. Is this going to be a kiss? God she wanted to kiss him so bad.
Or perhaps they could make out?
She just... fucking melted. Right there. Persephone was melting in anticipation, being in his presence. God what was he doing to her? It was to-
She yelped in pain, hands cradling her ear as something stabbed at the opening.
"What the hell?!" Persephone yelled, glaring at him.
"I am sorry," Megatron said sincerely. "I did not know that it would hurt. It would have been great if Shockwave told me how it would apply." His hand reaches for her and she flinched away from it. Gently, he cradles her face as his eyes examined her ear.
Something warm dripped from her ear and she didn't feel comfortable with it. Silently, Megatron reaches for his glove compartment where there were some bandages and gauze. "I didn't know you carried any of these." Persephone softly said as she looked at him at the corner of her eyes.
"I didn't, but—stay still—ever since you got hurt," Megatron answered as he softly pressed the gauze underneath her ear. "I decided that it would best of I carried some of that. That way, if you did get hurt, I can at least help you... Does it still hurt?"
"A little," She whimpered. "What the hell did Shockwave tell you, anyway?"
"You know Shockwave?"
"I'm someone from another universe that knows about you guys, remember?"
"Oh... right."
Persephone looks at him. "Say, what's this in my ear anyway?"
"According to Shockwave, that is a Telecommunication link systems designed for an organic," Megatron replied as let go of her face, much to her dismay. "It should attach itself to the person's audio receptor. Afterwards, it would allow me and the organic to communicate."
"Hey, if you can use your holoform... why not get the booze and the things we need yourself?" She asked while pointing at him. "Why are you ordering me around?"
"It is because I need to instruct you. Besides, I cannot power both without risking draining all the energon that is left to power my systems." He replied. "This alone is already taking a toll on me."
There was a pause and Persephone leaned closer to Megatron, she placed a kiss on his cheek before she got out of the truck, slamming the door behind her just as he was about to speak. "Alright, let's get this shit going." She said, cracking her knuckles.
The young woman heard him chuckle, as if he was in her head and beside her.
She runs, trying her best to keep light on her feet. This should be easy, like stealing ice cream from the cafeteria. Except the cafeteria is... heavily guarded. Persephone peered to see the situation.
There were guards, but they were like what? Three? Two? She grins. The young woman hoped this luck of hers would last.
{:Stay low, a vehicle is headed your way.:}
Her head turns to see a military supply truck rolling up by the gates, it's yellow headlights shining in the dark. The guards went up to the driver's side of the window, while the other remained in his cubicle post to man the gate controls.
"Here goes nothing," Persephone murmured and she heard him asked.
{:What are you going to do?:}
She then sprints toward the back of the truck, the warlord telling her to stop. The young woman, seeing as the vehicle has yet to move and the back was filled with boxes and barrels, she climbed up carefully. Persephone hides behind the crates.
"Well that worked pretty well. Don't you agree, Megatron?" She smiled, her voice low as to not alert the driver.
{:Do not make such a foolish choice without telling me, do you understand?!:}
He growled as he scolded her.
{:I... Persephone, they would have fire the moment you were caught and were intending to get in. I cannot afford to lose you... please.:}
Megatron's voice softened at the end, a silent plea.
The young woman sighed. "Look, I'm sorry." She said, looking at the opening of the truck from the inside. "I saw an opportunity to get in, okay? I just want to get this over with."
{:I do as well. And I would like for this to end with you alive and unscathed.:}
She softly laughed but stopped when the vehicle began to move again. "What's the next step?" Persephone asked as she held on to one of the crates as the truck drove. Her eyes watched as the gates were lock shut.
{Wait until I tell you to get off.:}
And so, she waited. They passed by many guards, their flashlights roaming the area as it did so. They stopped for a brief moment, before they moved again. The guards seemed to lessen as well.
This was good.
This should be good.
After a few minutes, the truck stopped.
{:The coast is clear. Get off now.:}
With that, Persephone slowly and carefully got off. Her feet dangled at the edge for a moment and then she plops herself on the ground. Quickly, she ran towards the piled up crates, peeking around the area.
{By the western area, the crates there should be filled with alcohol, yours and mine. It's on those flat trollies. That is our target.:}
Persephone caught sight of a large push cart with humongous crates. There were also crates of medical supplies, food, and barrels the Decepticon also demanded for. She ran towards it, her eyes finding the silhouette of the warlord a little far.
"Oh, so that's North," She muttered before grabbing one of the crates placed on the carts and started shoving it to his direction.
No guards were in the area, so the sound of wheels moving didn't bother her too much. As long as she was swift. God it was too heavy.
"What the fuck is in this?" She groaned, struggling as she moved.
Thank god her willpower was strong enough, must be from all the sleeping she did for the past few days.
{:High-grade energon. Tho I wonder why your kind is carrying these:}
After what seemed like a long time, she finally reached the area, his clawed digit emerged from the darkness briefly, before picking up the crates with ease. And he gestured for her to get more.
So, she did.
Persephone also grabbed the barrels, rolling them out of their place and pushed them out into the abandoned north fence.
She first got the heavy ones, each took a toll on her. A thin layer of sweat forming at her forehead. There was barely any light, it aided her but it didn't help her weak body. She had to stop several times to take a few breaths before continuing.
And after at least several back and forth, and more than at least twenty crates, Persephone can now take the smaller ones. Her limbs ached and they were probably sore. There weren't any guards around, so that was okay. She needed a breather.
Otherwise she would collapse.
{:What are you doing? Be quick so we can get out of here.:}
"I'm fucking exhausted, okay," She snapped, wiping her forehead with her shirt. "Give me a few minutes to breathe."
Afterwards, she grabbed a box and ran towards him. The glass inside made a sound, a grin spreads through her face.
Finally, I can drink!, She thought.
She arrived in no time where the warlord stood, basking in the darkness. Persephone raised the small crate and he took it off her grasps as she beamed at him.
She could've sworn she saw him smile too, but she didn't properly see it because she had already turned to get another crate of alcohol. She repeated this back and fourth, skipping as she did so. It must be the fourth crate at this point when she turned to get one again.
Her arms wrapped around the last crate. Five crates of alcohol? It should last her for weeks, this were the times Persephone was glad that she was a light weight drinker. More booze to last her!
{:Hide! Guards are coming!:}
And she could have sworn she had never been so fast in her life until that moment. After Persephone shoved the crate underneath an abandoned-looking truck, she slid underneath it as well. And a few seconds later, footsteps approached her.
"-wind soldiers. Didn't the American government shut them down?" One of them said. "I mean, come on. There's no way."
"I'm telling you what I saw!" The other insisted. "They were building something apparently."
"Heard from my cousin before she passed away," Another said with a southern accent. "One of the machines came to life after they put all of the barrels' content in it. The thing was a monster before it flew off."
"Great, another alien on the lose." One of them replied. "God help us, what is becoming of this world?"
"Judgement day must be pretty close. I swear on my mama, it is close." Another swore. "That was a great break too. I sure do love me some homemade chicken."
Persephone shifted uncomfortably underneath the vehicle. No wonder there wasn't a guard in sight, it was their break time. This is bad. This is so bad.
"Megatron, did you hear that?" She asked after the footsteps faded away.
{:Of course. Now, you need to get out of there.:}
She chuckled. "No need to tell me twice."
Persephone crawled out of the truck and pulled the wooden crate with her as well. She stood up, her prize in her grasps and walked swiftly. The young woman needed to be careful, otherwise she might run into someone.
As she reached the North fence, relief flooded her.
Thank god, finally she can-
"Don't move a muscle." A voice warned behind her as she heard a riffle being cocked. "Turn around."
She looked up and could see the troubled look on those glowing red eyes of his. Did the human behind her not notice him? Slowly, Persephone turned behind her to see the riffle pointed at her head.
Megatron did not say a word.
"Just let me go, please." She begged. "I just want to get drunk and I am a little frustrated right now."
"You can deal with that later, but your coming with me." The man said, as he made a move to grab her arm.
The next thing Persephone saw was him being snatched and she yelped in surprise.
"I would have spared you, but you made a grave mistake," The warlord growled somewhere above from behind her. " If there is a next time for you, it would do you well before you try and lay your filthy servos upon my femme."
And before she knew it something was tossed somewhere in the middle of the area a little far from her. There was a scream, before it stopped as a sickening crunch replaced it.
"Holy shit!" Persephone yelped as the device on her ear separated itself from her. It crawled down her body, its several metal legs sent goose bumps throughout her body before it planted itself on the ground and proceeded to make a beeping noise.
It was ugly as fuck and she could've sworn there were hints of red on its sharp limbs.
Was that her blood?
Before she can react, Persephone was scooped up in one claw, and shut her eyes as Megatron roared out at approaching armed troops.
"Wait, stop!" She yelled, catching his attention. "We already have what we need. Let's just go."
He stared at her for a moment as the humans below her neared. With that, metal shifted everywhere her and she finds herself in the cockpit of his jet and then he flew away. There was a loud faint explosion behind them, but Persephone couldn't look back as realization sets in.
Holy shit, that insect looking thing on her ear was a fucking bomb?!
She was too shock
A hand pulls her hair to the side, the familiar face of the warlord's avatar peered beside her. She glanced at him as he nursed her ear. A looked of worry evident on his face. "Are you alright?" Megatron asked.
"You didn't have to kill them," Persephone quietly said as she lowered her gaze. "They were just doing their job."
"And by doing their job you would've been hurt," Megatron answered, cupping her face. "You are dear to me, Persephone. Your safety is my priority."
His hands were big and warm and she finds herself nuzzling into his touch while his other hand continued to press on the wound with a gauze. She lets her eyes fluttered close, relishing in his touch.
"What's up with you lately?" She hummed in amusement. "You're... sentimental lately. Calling me by my actual name instead of "femme" or "fleshy"."
She opened her eyes to see him looking so torn. "Are you alright?" Persephone asked, concerned.
He withdrawn his hands from her, the sight of blood on the gauze seemed to disturb him. "Didn't you say you prefer to be called by your name?" Megatron asked, his hands folding the gauze as if to hide the crimson liquid, only for him to cringe as it bled through the material.
"I do," She said, smiling at him as she held his hands. "But I'm worried about you. Since I woke up earlier, you seem off." This time it was her turn to cradle his face, her body moving on its own accord.
He froze as her fingers traced the scars on his face, making eye contact with those crimson eyes of his. They seemed to darken, the color reminding her of wine, as he softened in her touch. Megatron held the hands that pressed against his face, pressing his own face more into them.
"I am alright. Especially knowing that you are... alive," He answered her, looking at her through lidded eyes and she could've sworn she saw brief look of lust and adoration.
Before she can confirm what she saw he had moved closer, his hand leaving hers as it tangled in her hair and moved her head to lower it. He then kisses her forehead, lingering a little before pulling away. Persephone stared at him, surprised. Had he been worried that she might have died?
How?
He... cared about her. Megatron was in front of her telling her that he did care about her well-being, tho not directly. But still. She smiled at him, removing his hand from her hair and giving them a peck. Persephone moved to hug him, wrapping her arms around the warlord.
"Thank you," She said as she buried her face at the crook of his neck. "Thank you... for taking care of me."
Persephone realize that she had been straddling his legs. But when she moved to pull away, Megatron had wrapped his arms around her in a warm comforting hug. The action had dopamine flooding her system as she snuggled closer into his embrace.
"No, Persephone." He cooed, burying his face at the crook of her neck as well and she could feel him smile on her skin. "Thank you."
Her heart melted.
— ixi —
His thoughts wanders to Persephone.
Megatron still couldn't get over the fact that when she first laid her optics on to him once she had woken up from stasis-lock, the femme wanted to mate with him. Obviously she's his sparkmate and who was he to deny her what she desired, but she didn't know that they're bonded. It couldn't have been because of the sparkbond.
Did it meant she wanted to engage in sexual act... with him?
He still held her, his organic-looking digits caught in the fur of her helm. Come to think about it, he did felt a surge of lust from her before their little raid had started. Her grip on him was painful at the time, but the feeling of her wanton desire left him... confused.
Why?
He was expecting to see through a mask. A part of him thought... that maybe, just maybe what she did was an act. That despite her sparkwarming-actions, she was only... that it was only an act.
Foolish as he was for wanting to join the well of the Allspark with her, even if a part of him believed that what she did was for her own gain. However, he did grew attach to her. Who was to blame him of his actions?
A fool.
But to find out that what she felt was genuine...
He didn't know how to process this information. When they arrived, Megatron had helped her off his form. Carrying her petite and organic body and gently setting her down. He was reluctant in doing so, but if he didn't set her down, she would question.
Megatron wasn't ready to tell her
So, he pushed the thoughts away.
He had transformed back into his bipedal form, setting down all of their loot. He gave her the little boxes she had carried earlier and Megatron watched as she rejoiced.
"Fuck! Finally, I can get wasted, again!" Persephone smiled as she kissed the bottle of alcohol.
He laughed at her as he took one of the barrels in the crates they had stolen. How she was able to push all of the crates herself, he didn't know. In the first place she shouldn't have even be able to carry them. It only confirmed Megatron's suspicion of her.
That perhaps she had become the Allspark's vessel.
How it happened, he wasn't sure, but it added to the reasons to keep her close.
But perhaps that was the reason they were both alive. He should have died with her, he knew this. However, she was alive and even went so far as to "fix" him. From her " healing" abilities on the earlier days of their solitude together, he should've known. Now, Megatron can sense a strong change from her, tho it was subtle.
Her strength alone had changed and even her physical appearance seemed to have enhanced as well. It... enhanced her beauty as an organic.
It was interesting.
The sparklings were still asleep, much to Megatron's delight. Persephone settles by her berth as she enthusiastically opened the liquid she was about to consume.
The warlord grabbed a barrel from one of the loots. He grins in delight when he sees that the barrels she had retrieved were indeed energon. He knocked it back like a liquor shot, drinking it all ravenously, some dripping down his chin and trailing to his chassis as if he had been dying of thirst.
"Dear god," He heard her say as he downed all of its contents. "Have some manners, jeez!"
Megatron turns to her with a raised optic brow only to see her gulping down her bottle as well and gulping down a clear flavoured soda. He glares at her. She was doing the exact same thing that he did. How dare she scold him?
"You're literally doing the same," the warlord pointed out, grinning. " Have some manners, jeez!" He mimicked her words.
She merely laughed at him before she gulped down a shot.
He drank the high-grade energon as if it were an oasis. Who could blame him? His tanks had all been emptied after years of starving and only feeding the energon he had saved to the sparklings. It was also a miracle that they had found high-grade energon.
Primus must be smiling upon them.
And he continued to down the energon his servo grabbed. Every now and then he would glance at her and see her drink and laugh to herself, before downing another bottle of alcohol. They both drank in silence and before Megatron knew it, the empty barrels had formed a little hill.
To say that he was overcharged was an understatement.
He turned to Persephone, only to see her sprawled on the ground smiling at him with lidded eyes. Three empty glass bottles as well as green plastic bottles surrounded her, each one of the bottles were at least a litter.
"What?" Megatron slurred as his surroundings seemed to float a little.
She laughed, her smile more broad than ever before. "You're... hic... you drunk!" Persephone giggled before being interrupted with a hiccup.
The warlord finds himself laughing as well, unwinding with her. "Youare as well!"
"I am... m' not drunk!" She slurred, her opticlids looking as if they would shut completely. "Comple... complete sober than you... fwah' sure!"
Persephone's face had reddened and she stumbled upon herself as she attempted to stand, only for her to fall back down on her aft. Megatron didn't know why, but he found it hilarious and cute. She turned to him and laughed, throwing her head back as she did so.
"You can... hic... you play some moozic, right?" Persephone asked.
"Obiouzzzly... m' Megatron," He answered, confidently while pointing at himself. "DidyouforgetwhoIam?"
She just laughed at him.
He wanted to cradle her in his servos like before. Oh no, what if he accidentally hurts her? The thought made him sad. Megatron really wanted to hold her.
His dermas quivered as his eye seemed to blur. Megatron wept as his vision lagged when he turned to look at her. Her smile seemed to fade and when he blinked she had already stumbled onto his face.
Persephone kissed him on his cheek and the action had his spark singing. "Don'... don' crah!" She said as she continued to peck kisses on his metal faceplates.
But what if she hates him because he was a mighty leader of an advanced species and not an organic? Megatron didn't know what to do. "Wool you shtill' luv meh, even eff... even ef m' rike this?" He sobbed as she tried to comfort him
She hiccuped as she began to sob as well. "B-but... but ya aren' uglegh!" Persephone said, wiping her own optics. "You'resohandsomeandIloveyou!" Her words a jumble of sounds he barely understood as she burst into tears.
Megatron cried more.
"Ion' wanna... hic... looze ya," He sobbed and Persephone only nodded. She was touching his face lovingly.
Did she loved him?
She was his sparkmate and she didn't know. Maybe he should tell her? Oh no, that can't be good. What if Persephone hated him? The thought made him cry more.
"Megssss, I kno' how... how two chheeer yaa ap!" She grinned. "Play sumthin'... en' turn yo... en' turn your holofoam."
"What... do you-" He sobbed. "What... da ya want meh to play?"
"Anythingggg!"
He grumbled, annoyed at her lack of choice. Didn't she understand he wanted to know what she preferred. Megatron randomly picks a song from the web, the intro of it echoes in the cave as his holomatter avatar glitches into existence.
It made him dizzy how suddenly he was close to her. Persephone was adorable! She looked so little and she barely reached his chest. After a second attempt of failing, she wiped the tears from his face with her shirt.
He watched as Persephone slowly placed his servo on her waist, the other holding his servo while her free servo held his arm.
She smiles at him, her cheeks red.
"Am' gon' teach you todance!" Persephone slurred, opting to wipe the tears on his face but ended up almost poking his optic.
"Blue jeans, white shirt.
Walked into the room you know you made my eyes burn.
It was like, James Dean, for sure.
You're so fresh to death and sick as cancer."
Persephone lead them, pulling him as he stumbled forward to her. She smiled at him, giggling. Megatron finds himself smiling at her. He was... really admiring her.
How was she so small and cute?
"You were sorta punk rock, I grew up on hip hop.
But you fit me better than my favourite sweater and I know,
That love is mean, and love hurts.
But I still remember that day we met in December, oh baby!"
He looks at her, losing himself in her organic optics as they both danced to the music. There was something about that abyss she possessed. And it drew him in...
Oh, he would do anything for her.
"I will love you 'til the end of time
I would wait a million years
Promise you'll remember that you're mine
Baby can you see through the tears?"
Megatron felt her pressed against him. They both continued to sway and stumble upon themselves. He pulled her close, the thought of letting her go making him cry once more.
He didn't want her to go.
What if she found out that she was supposed to be Prime's sparkmate?
"Love you more than those bitches before!
Say you'll remember, oh baby.
Say you'll remember, oh baby, ooh!
I will love you 'til the end of time."
No, that can't happen. That wouldn't. Persephone would never leave him. She promised she wouldn't and she was his sparkmate, after all! As he held her, he felt a sense of comfort knowing that she would never leave him...
Right?
"Big dreams, gangsta.
Said you had to leave to start your life over
I was like, no please, stay here.
We don't need no money, we can make it all work."
She looks up at him, a dreamy look on her face. He wanted to kiss her. Can he kiss her? What if she slaps him away and get angry? Persephone was looking at him like that again.
There was love and adoration in her eyes and she wipes his tears again.
Why was she so kind to him?
"But he headed out on Sunday, said he'd come home Monday
I stayed up waitin', anticipatin' and pacin'
But he was chasing (uh oh) paper (uh oh)
Caught up in the game, that was the last I heard."
Both his servos went to her waist as she placed hers around his neck. Persephone barely did it and Megatron found it charming. Did he make her happy? When they were together, was she happy spending time with him?
"I will love you 'til the end of time,
I would wait a million years.
Promise you'll remember that you're mine
Baby can you see through the tears?"
She mouths the word of the song. Did she knew this song? Of course she did, she was human and Persephone probably heard it before. Was she saying them to him?
He can sense a feeling of adoration from her, as if enveloping him in them.
...Did she return his feelings?
"Love you more than those bitches before.
Say you'll remember, oh baby.
Say you'll remember, oh baby, ooh!
I will love you 'til the end of time."
She takes his hand, pulling it away from her waist. They stopped dancing and the two of them stood. Persephone buried her face in his servos again. She was soft. So soft.
A feeling of possessiveness took over him as he bent down to touch his forehelm with hers.
He adored her very much.
"You went out every night.
And baby that's alright.
I told you that no matter what you did
I'd be by your side."
The song continued in the background as time seemed to stop for both of them. He pulled his helm away from hers, wanting to carry her in his arms. However, when he did, he merely fell on his back and pulling her with him. A loud thud echoed and when he opened his optics, she was smiling lovingly at him.
Until Persephone was the only thing he can focus on.
"'Cause I'ma ride or die
Whether you fail or fly
Well, shit, at least you tried
But when you walked out that door,"
Megatron smiled at her as he looked up at her. The flames behind her were bright and he could've sworn she was an organic goddess had he not known she was his sparkmate.
Her optics had glowed purple again, a lustful look on her face. Did she want him the same way he wanted her? Oh, Pretty purple, pretty purple! Megatron frowned. Why did her optics changed? Black suited her optics the most.
It was unique.
"Megatron," She called out to him, plopping down on his chest knocking the wind out of the warlord briefly and he laughed. Persephone laughed as well. The two species lay on the ground in a giggling fit.
His vision blurred as she appeared to have multiply.
"A piece of me died I told you I wanted more That's not what I had in mind I just want it like before"
"Persephone," He cooed lovingly, touching her organic faceplates.
The femme laughed as she rested her helm upon his chassis, inching closer to his own faceplates. She's beautiful like this, gazing at him beneath her. Megatron heard her, "Don't leavshe me... okay?"
He holds her face, as she nuzzle into them, kissing his palm. "Ow' can I leave you when I lov' youh!" The warlord answered as he held her.
"We were dancin' all night
Then they took you away
Stole you out of my life
You just need to remember..."
He turned, placing her beside him as he buried his faceplates within the fur of her helm. Had she always smelt this good? Megatron felt her nuzzle against him.
Even if she was almost ripped from his grasps, they have walked this path together until now. Megatron will face anything, be it be Prime or Primus himself, to be with her.
"I will love you 'til the end of time
I would wait a million years
Promise you'll remember that you're mine
Baby can you see through the tears?"
Persephone looks up at him from below and her hand slightly smacks his faceplates as her fingers traced them as if he was a stone sculpture and she an artist, carving the perfection of stars in him.
His brows furrowed.
A part of him despised her very being.
Oh, he hated her, that part of him.
It hated her and her smile, her silly organic antics. Her hair that reminded him of the endless torturous lunar cycles on Earth. Her optics that were as raven as the ocean at night, the same area his form was discarded as if he were nothing.
"Love you more than those bitches before!
Say you'll remember, oh baby.
Say you'll remember, oh baby, ooh!
I will love you 'til the end of time."
But that hatred was nothing compared to when Persephone looked at him with utter adoration. When she kept her promise to never leave him and place all her trust into him. How she was interested in him, not because of the power he wielded, but because she was interested in him as a mech.
He hated all of it.
He hated her.
Oh, but did he love Persephone.
The soft beat of her organic spark catches his attention as he looked at her. She had already gone into recharge, the look of peaceful slumber on her face. He didn't realize how beautiful she was up-close. He lowered his faceplates close to her, closing his optics as well as his dermas landed on her forehelm.
And before he knew it, he slept into recharge.
Megatron bolted, his helm ached as he hunched over. His optics adjusted. The sun had risen and it was morning, but when he looked around he couldn't see his sparkmate.
Why wasn't she on her berth?
The towering barrels and the little bottles on the ground and just like that, the events of last night had came crashing down. The both of them were drunk, but Megatron recalled them not doing anything. He sighed in relief.
He didn't really want to take advantage of her in such a state.
"Persephone!" He called out. The warlord noticed that the sparklings were still asleep. It still must be early, then.
Megatron passed the water fall to see Persephone in the middle of the water, kneeling as she made gagging noises. He immediately rushed beside her, digits held her hair away from her face as he noticed her puke. The bile flowing away from them. The sight of it made him cringed as he continued to soothe her.
Whoever runs across her purged insides would be so unlucky.
"Don't worry, I'm not pregnant," Persephone said, laughing it off before she proceeded to puke again. She shivered as she wiped her dermas and washed it with the flowing water. "Fuck, I really hate this part. God, make it stop! I swear I won't drink again."
Megatron stood, cupping both of his hands on the waterfall briefly before offering the water he collected to her. The human femme drank a little before she sighed, pulling her helm away. He dropped the water away from her and proceeded to dote on her.
"Are you alright?" He asked.
"Peachy," She answered, looking a little pale. "I didn't embarrassed myself last night, right?"
He chuckled. Megatron said, "You taught me how to dance last night." He grins at her as she buried her face in her servos out of embarrassment. "I have yet to learn of your species' antics and I must say, it did caught my attention."
She smacks his pedes lightly. "Don't remind me, I don't want to remember that I embarrassed myself," Persephone laughed. "The perks of being a blackout drunk."
The former gladiator laughed at her.
She truly is adorable.
It seems hangovers lasted longer on humans compared to cybertronians. Then again, their bodies are weak. What a shame Persephone is plagued with such.
He cradles her in his servo, finding pleasure with how small and fragile she is. How she depended on him. A smile graced his faceplates at her and smiled back. "Do cybertronians experience hangovers?" Persephone asked, wincing as she held her helm.
"We do, but only for a brief moment." He told her and she huffed,
"No fair." The human femme crossed her arms.
Megatron laughed at her.
Later that afternoon, the sparklings had all woken up. Playing as they did so. Megatron sat at the top of the waterfalls as Persephone sat on his shoulders, both of them overseeing the view. Persephone held on tight to him, but he didn't sense any discomfort or fear from her.
She was relaxed.
The sun was bright and Megatron saw the area where they once stayed A giant wilting circle of flowers could be seen, it reminded him of a crown. He remembered Persephone's request of wanting countless flowers. That she wanted to stay behind and how that day should have been...
Special.
He wondered what she meant by that.
The warlord glanced at her as he was about to inquire, only to see her dozing off while leaning against one of the spikes on his shoulders. Megatron dares not disturb her slumber. His tanks were refilled, so his cloaking abilities had went back to its original range. Nothing should disturb them for a while. He basked at the feeling of bliss and relaxation he felt from her.
Megatron was quiet. The memory of the two of them dancing by the bonfire together made him flushed. Thank Primus she appeared to not remember last night's events. He let himself be lost in his thoughts, helm filled with nothing but her.
What had she done to him?
— ixi —
When Persephone woke up, she was on the bed. How did she get there? When she turned, she almost jumped in surprise. The warlord's gigantic face was beside the bed as he slept and only then did she notice his servo curled protective around the bed. Did he bring her to here?
How sweet of him.
She smiled at him softly, her cheeks turning a shade of red. But the smile fades into a frown as her thoughts wanders towards a certain Prime. When she had accidentally got shock by him, it wasn't as painful as it did when it happened with Megatron. It left a pleasurable tingly sensation.
Did they find out about her abilities?
No, it couldn't be. It was impossible for that to happen. First, it was only Megatron, the sparklings and her. Lastly, when Bumblebee had stumbled upon them, Persephone clearly remembers not showcasing any of her discovered power.
So, why did they want to take her?
She rested her chin on her knuckles as the gears in her head turned and grind on to each other. Why? Why did they insisted on taking her? Maybe it was because they believed she was brainwashed.
Did they think she had Stockholm Syndrome?
The thought made her laugh quietly. It was so silly! Her? Stockholm Syndrome? That was by far the silliest thing she had concluded.
Her gaze turns to the sparklings who snuggled by the head of her bed and she smiled.
When she looked at the sleeping Decepticon leader, her stomach dropped.
Did she have... Stockholm Syndrome?
For a moment, she panicked and Persephone slapped her face. What the fuck was wrong with her? She didn't have Stockholm Syndrome because it occurred on a victim. It wasn't an abduction because she willingly chose to be with Megatron.
So, that was out of the list.
Why did Prime wanted her to come with him?
The way he insisted her to come with had her almost going with him. After all, who was she to say no to an offer like that? The thought of going on adventures with the Autobots was what almost anyone within the Transformers community could ever dream of. However, if she did come with Optimus, what about Megatron?
The thought of leaving him troubled her.
It should be alright. She may be his friend, but he's a warlord and a powerful being. Megatron can handle things on his own. However, the thought of her first encounter with the former gladiator, he was in a very bad shape.
It was a good thing she was isekai'd with an ability to physically fix him, otherwise he would have definitely died when a certain Prime fought him.
It sent a chill down her spine.
Oh god, not only that. She also remembered her plans of confessing to Megatron. The embarrassment of confessing to a different person made her want the ground swallow her whole. She didn't even want to think about that.
Block it out of her memory, dear god!
The light seemed dull from the opening than it did yesterday, but she wasn't sure. The huge waterfall that hid the cave didn't seem reliable to tell if it was dawn or dusk, that or she just wasn't used to it. Either way, she slowly got out of bed as she carefully made a beeline towards the crates. Grabbing an apple, she walks towards the waterfall, washing eat before she went back to bed.
As she munched on her apple, Persephone looks at the warlord.
She just sat there, looking at Megatron just... taking in the sight of him. Persephone sets down the apple on the bed as she went back to their recent loot, rummaging for a paper and a pen. When she found what she wanted, unused papers on a clipboard and at least two pens, the young woman retreats to her bed as she took a bite off of her food.
The sound of pen gliding across the parchment can be faintly heard, her eyes glancing at the sleeping metal giant as she did so. Her hand drew vertical lines here and there, moving swiftly as if she was writing a gospel. Once she was done, she frowned.
Damn it, she didn't capture him.
Persephone looked at Megatron intensely, before flipping the paper to start a new sketch on a different paper. This time, trying to lay the warlord's image on the paper, displaying him in a glorious pose. Making sure to put focus on his eyes. His optics had always... made her feel things.
How they were like flames that consumed her very being, threatening to turn her into ash; dust that could easily be discarded. Instead, it envelops her in a warm embrace— he envelops her in a warm embrace. Somewhere, deep in the bottom of her heart, thrives the memories she have with him.
The memories she cherished the most. A smile grows on her face, thinking that the impossible things have become possible. Persephone didn't expect to have a family at such a young age.
The sparklings loved her, they clamoured for her attention. However, most of the time, her attention was towards Megatron. A part of her felt bad. She didn't know how to take care of a sparkling, let alone four of them.
The comfort and attention she gave them seemed to be enough, however.
Persephone felt bad for them. Orphaned at such a young age, Megatron was kind to take them in. Her movements stop.
Her head swimming with the possibilities of the future. It was uncertain now and the unknown of what tomorrow may bring made her uncomfortable. Persephone didn't mind living like this, hidden peacefully. However, she worried that... what if Megatron got bored of it?
This... little family they had established out of nowhere. What if he were to grow bore of it and demanded more? What if... he grew bored of her?
The thought conjured a sadness within her.
What if he decided she wasn't worth his time anymore? Persephone didn't care or perhaps hardly care if he did decide to crush her into paste. Her problem was losing a dear friend whom she valued a lot.
Or if this relationship between them was even friendship.
"Why are you weeping?" Her head snaps to him. Megatron's optics casting her in scarlet.
"Weeping? I'm not... I'm not crying," Persephone says as her voice shook.
The edge of her vision does blur and it clears when she blinks. Her fingers touch her cheek only to find that they have been wet. Had she been crying? Apparently.
"Oh," She muttered.
Her hands casually hid both of the clipboard and pen underneath the blanket as she lowered her gaze. Why was she crying? Did the thought of her being insignificant to him one day troubled her? No, she shouldn't!
But her feelings told her otherwise.
"Your cries disturbs me," He rumbled, annoyed at her. Unknown to the young human woman that her sadness had awoken the warlord.
Persephone glared at him.
"Well, I'm sorry that I disturbed you." She snapped at him, wiping her tears roughly. "I just... don't feel good, okay?"
"Oh? Did you catch a sickness?" Megatron asked, more alert. His optic ridges furrowed as he sat up swiftly, examining her. His holoform suddenly appeared in front of her, placing a leather-covered hand on her forehead.
She raised a brow at his actions. "How do you know to do that to check if someone's sick?" Persephone asked. "Also, you won't be able to know if your hand is covered."
He shrugged. "I once came across an information that if you want to check to see if a human is sick, you put a servo on their forehelm'" Megatron answered, worriedly. "However, I do not see how that would tell if you are sick or not."
There was a brief silence that passed between them.
Persephone laughed. She gently takes off his hand from her forehead as her laughter died down, shaking her head.
"You do that to check the temperature," The young woman answered. "You put the back of your hand against their foreheads or their neck, if it's too hot than normal body temperature it usually means that person is sick."
A look of amusement settles on his face. "How fascinating that you're kind can do such a feat," He mused. "Now, tell me what had gotten you so down."
"I'm not down."
"You lie, femme."
She sighed. Persephone really didn't want to tell him. Instead, she threw herself in his arms. Burying her face in his chest as her head once more swam within the thoughts of him discarding her after he had milked whatever entertainment he can get out of her. Her self-worth shouldn't be measured by anyone, but she couldn't help wanting to mean something to him.
Losing worth from him scared her.
Persephone felt him pull her close to him until she was sitting on his lap. The blanket clinging on to her feet. She wasn't sure if it was because of the holomatter avatar's warmth or if she was crying again. But she knew it was more likely the latter when her shoulders shook as she sobbed.
She didn't want to be disregarded.
Who in their right mind would want to be?
Her lips quivered as she quietly sobbed in his chest. Her grip on the shirt underneath his coat was tight as she clung on to him like her life depended on it. Megatron's other hand holds her head close to his chest as he soothed her.
It was probably because she had been touch starved of human contact. And even if Megatron wasn't human, it was perhaps because his holomatter avatar or holoform was one. It felt like a human and it did seem like a human.
Either way, she melts into his touch.
The former warlord might discard her later on. He would probably grow bored of her and tired of how maintenance humans are. He might even decide to kill her if he wished to.
He was Megatron, after all.
But that day is not today, so she lets herself be held by him.
End of Chapter IX
Hello everyone! Just a quick author's note. I wanted to say thank you for everyone who has supported me.
Also, I posted this on AO3 as well! I still go by the same name over there, so feel free to head over there and check it out!
—Stwawbewwy