"Starscream! Come here at once!" Megatron bellowed. There was silence over their shared comm link. What was that idiot up to? He was supposed to be reporting to him about the current activity in the newly found energon mines.
"Starscream!" He yelled as he went to a nearby screen and pulled up Starscream's quarters. It was empty. His right optic twitched at the sight. Where was he? He had important tasks for him.
"Soundwave! Is Starscream on board the Nemesis?" Megatron said as he turned to glare at Soundwave who had just walked into the chamber. He nodded and his visor came to life with information. It quickly grew blank and Soundwave shook his head.
"Where could that idiot be?" Megatron questioned. Soundwave was unresponsive. Megatron growled as he began to pace back and forth. Starscream was going too far. If he saw him again, he wouldn't back down in punishing him. He had been becoming more of a nuisance over the past few solar cycles. All these extended searches for such small energon veins along with him destroying those machines were becoming increasingly suspicious. He was up to something that clearly distracted him from his work.
"Soundwave, I want you to find Starscream and bring him back to me. If he has truly abandoned us, I will snuff out his spark," he ordered. Soundwave nodded and released Laserbeak who quickly flew out in search of Starscream. Megatron watched them go and let out a tired sigh.
What was Starscream up to? He was certain it all had to do with this mystery person he was supposedly infatuated with. He would find out who it could be when Laserbeak returned.
"You can't keep your secrets from me any longer, Starscream," Megatron grumbled. He would find out who Starscream left the Decepticon cause for and when he did, he would personally destroy them both. He chuckled darkly at the thought of making Starscream watch as he tortured and destroyed the one he loved. It would be wonderful to torture him using the one he loved the most.
"Simply wonderful," he crowed.
Starscream took in the sight of the lake cave and sighed softly. Terra had been acting strange before he left. It was like she was holding something back and he could only assume she was hiding her feelings. That had to be it.
Would he be confessing his feelings sooner than later? Time would only tell with him being closer to her.
The throbbing in his chest got all the more intense as he thought of her. He groaned softly and glanced behind him. He could go back and just sit by the house until morning.
"No. Leave her be," he whispered to himself. He went to the edge of the lake and looked into the water. He noticed his reflection and thought of Megatron's words from before.
"I am capable of love, Megatron. I...I love her. I love Terra," he murmured, digging his claws into the ground as he thought of killing him if he dared harm Terra. It would be glorious. Absolutely glorious. That day would come. He looked forward to it, but for now, he just wanted to spend some time with Terra.
He grunted and stepped away from the edge. He found a large rock and went to sit against it. He was surprisingly exhausted, especially after being mass displaced. He would have to learn to get used it if he was going to use it for Terra. He recalled what it was like to properly hug her and smiled. She was so soft and being so close to her...he loved everything about it.
"You have no idea how much I love you, my little bird," he whispered, smiling as he closed his optics. Hopefully he wouldn't have any nightmares involving Megatron. He wanted a dream of Terra where she wasn't in any danger. He remembered his last dream of her and wished nothing like that happened again.
"Nothing like that," he said as he drifted away.
Terra groaned softly as she opened her eyes to the early morning light coming in from the balcony. Why didn't she close the drapes before falling asleep?
"Mmm, you know why," she murmured with a sleepy smile. She sat up in bed, stretching her arms as she thought of what to do next. She had to change her sheets at some point, but right now, she wanted to get dressed and get some breakfast before visiting Starscream.
"Let's do this," she chimed as she hopped out of bed and went to get dressed. She undressed and got out a simple outfit for the day. A black tank top and some jeans. She got dressed and smiled at herself in the mirror. She was sure Starscream would like her outfit.
She went downstairs and proceeded to make herself a bowl of cereal. She ate fast since she was so eager to see Starscream again. Once finished, she paused to think for a moment.
Did she want to confess to him today? A frown formed on her lips as she thought of some outcomes that would prove disastrous. He could reject her or worse, leave her and tell Megatron about where she was located.
"No, he wouldn't do that. He worked too damn hard to get you out of there," she said. She let out a sigh as she thought of how this could go. She would wait for the right moment to tell him how she felt. She wasn't going to wait around like she did last time with her ex.
She gazed down at her robotic hands and imagined what it would be like to hold hands with him. The thought made her blush harder than the thoughts she had last night. God, she was a mess.
She looked over at the door leading outside. Should she wait before going out to see him? Her chest began to pound in anticipation of seeing him again. She couldn't wait any longer.
"Hopefully he's awake now," she said as she went to leave the house, grabbing a flashlight in the process. She was immediately hit by the cool mountain air when she opened the door. She smiled at the wonderful feeling before walking off in the direction of the caves. What would they do today? Anything was fine as long as she was with him. They could just hang out in the caves and she would be happy.
It wasn't long before she came across the cave opening. Her smile grew as she imagined Starscream waiting for her inside.
"Let's not keep him waiting," she said before going into the cave. She turned the flashlight on, lighting the way. It felt extra dark inside, but after making a few turns, she could see the blue glow of energon at the end of a tunnel. She picked up the pace, growing more eager by the second. She ran out into the open area that contained the lake and the large amounts of energon. It looked the same as before, but where was Starscream?
"Starscream?" She called out, turning her flashlight off and putting it in her pocket. She went to the edge of the lake and smiled down at her reflection.
A low groan filled the air. Terra turned and saw him fast asleep while sitting by some rocks. His arms were crossed as he frowned in his sleep. He let out another groan, shifting in his sleep.
"No...Don't touch her…," he murmured in his sleep. Terra slowly approached him, her concern for him growing the more he moved and talked in his sleep. He was having a nightmare.
"No...No! Let her go! Terra!" Starscream exclaimed, uncrossing his arms and waving one in front of himself as if defending himself from someone. Terra was unsure of what to do. She could go and crawl on him in order to calm him down, but with his arm waving around, she could get hurt in the process.
"Starscream. You're okay. It's a nightmare," Terra said while slowly approaching him. The waving had started, but he was still panicking.
"Terra! Run now!" He cried out, his entire frame was shaking now. Terra was going to take her chances in helping him. She rushed forward and crawled up his leg and stopped on his chest. It glowed so brightly now and was very warm to the touch.
"You're okay, Starscream. Wake up," she cooed while crawling up to his face and placing her hands on either side of his face. She was going to be the first thing he would see when he woke up.
Terra saw the agonized look on his face before his optics snapped open. He gasped softly when he saw how close she was to him. Terra smiled sadly at him as she slowly pulled her hands away from his face.
"You were having a nightmare, Starscream," she said while sitting on his heaving chest.
"A...A terrible one, Terra. Truly dreadful," Starscream murmured, rubbing at his eyes with a groan before adding, "But I feel much better now that you're here."
Terra tried to hide her blush by resting her head on his chest, sighing softly. Why was he so damn charming?
"I'm glad you feel better. Do...Do you want to talk about it?" She asked.
"It was just the usual with Megatron...but you were there, Terra. He knew about you and he was...he was hurting you," he said, resting a hand on her back. A shiver ran down her spine at the sensation of his claws on her back. They felt wonderful.
"God, that sounds awful. Someday you'll have better dreams that won't turn bad," she said.
"In time, my...friend. Only time will tell," Starscream replied. He closed his optics with an exhausted sigh, breathing a small cloud of steam on Terra.
"You're gonna be okay, Starscream. We're both going to be okay," Terra said. Her heart felt like it was pounding out of chest. Could Starscream feel it?
"I hope you're right about that, Terra," Starscream said, opening his optics to gaze at her with a tender look.
"Could you distract me with a story, Terra? I want to forget this dreadful nightmare," he said while moving his hand away from her.
"What kind of story do you want?" Terra replied, sitting up on his chest.
"Anything," he said moving into a position that was comfortable for the both of them.
Terra thought for a moment before she decided to tell him the story of Beauty and the Beast. Starscream listened intently to the story, smiling pleasantly at the way she told it. When talking about how Belle fell in love with the Beast despite his looks, she couldn't help but notice the knowing look in Starscream's optics. Was this her way of confessing to him? It certainly felt like it.
"And then Belle and her prince who was formerly the Beast lived happily ever after. What did you think?" Terra asked, looking up at Starscream with a hopeful look in her eyes.
"I love it, Terra. You're wonderful at telling stories," he replied, running a claw along her back, making her shiver a bit.
"I...I thought you would enjoy it. It's a classic story and one of my favorites," she said. The back of her mind was screaming at her to confess, but she tried to ignore that urge.
"Tell him, you idiot! You love him!" Her inner voice yelled at her.
"I...uh...Starscream. I'm pretty sure I've told you this about a thousand times by now, but I...I really appreciate all you did for me. I want to properly thank you, but I...don't know how. What would be a great way for me to show you my thanks?" Terra asked. Starscream was silent for a moment before letting out a chuckle as he continued running his claws along her back.
"Just being with you is enough to make me happy, my little bird-" he stopped short, his optics going wide as if realizing what he just said. Terra perked up at the nickname, her eyes going wide as well.
"Your little bird? What's that supposed to mean?" Terra asked. Was it happening now? Was this her moment to tell him how she felt? Starscream grunted, looking away and breathing another cloud of steam.
"Well, it's...it's what I like to call you. You remind me of a cute little bird," Starscream explained after composing himself. His chest was glowing and humming with life. Terra looked down at it in awe before turning her attention back to him.
"That...That's so sweet of you, Starscream," Terra replied, unsure of what to say next. He looked like he was holding something back.
"Do it, you idiot! This could be your only chance!" That voice screamed. It sounded a lot like Starscream to her surprise.
"You know, I never expected to...to care so much for a human like yourself, Terra. I...must confess that I have really enjoyed spending so much time with you. You...You make me so incredibly happy," Starscream said.
"You make me happy too, Starscream. I haven't been this happy in quite a long time and it's...all because of you," Terra replied, feeling her cheeks grow hot from blushing. She turned her head away, letting her hair cover her face.
"Terra, please look at me. Don't be so shy," Starscream crowed while reaching forward to push some of the hair away from her face with a claw. Terra did as she was told and smiled up at him, tears of happiness welling up in her cheeks. God, this was really happening.
"I...I'm sorry. It's just...been a while since….I last...last felt like this," she said, sniffling a bit while crawling closer to his face.
"What are you feeling, my little bird?" He asked while gently holding her chin up with the tip of a claw so she could look him in the optic. She was sure she was a red-faced mess right now, but she honestly didn't care as she smiled like an idiot at him. The time to confess was now.
"I...well...I...I love you, Starscream," she stammered, her heart feeling like it was going to burst out of her chest. Starscream grew silent, his smile growing as he pulled his claw away from her chin. Another cloud of steam poured from his mouth which he lazily blew away with a soft yet nervous chuckle.
"That's...wonderful. Absolutely wonderful, Terra. I love you as well. My spark has drawn me to you ever since...ever since I heard your lovely voice so long ago. See how it glows for you, my little bird? That's how much I...I want to be with you," Starscream replied while pointing to his chest as it glowed all the more intense. Terra gazed at it in wonder and touched the plating above it. It was very warm and it felt so...welcoming.
"God, it's beautiful," Terra murmured, resting her head against his plating and listening to the sounds from within. It was a steady hum, but when she rested her head against his chest, she swore it sounded like a heartbeat.
"It's a strange sensation, Terra. Being in love," Starscream said while petting the top of her head with a claw.
"You haven't felt anything like this? Surely you must have felt something like this before since you've lived so long," Terra replied while trying to compose herself. The head scratches felt amazing.
"Falling in love is hard when you're too busy fighting a seemingly endless war, Terra. I had been so focused on the war and thinking of ways to overthrow Megatron in order to be the rightful leader of the Decepticons," he explained.
"That's true," Terra replied. She could only imagine what he had been through during the war and the horrible things he probably did, but that was in the past. She wasn't going to ask about the things he did.
"Have you ever been in love, Terra?" Starscream asked, gazing at her with a curious expression on his faceplates. Terra looked back at him with wide eyes. Why would he want to know that? She let out a nervous laugh, rubbing the back of her neck as she tried to think of a way to explain her ex girlfriend.
"I...well...I thought I was. I was with this one girl a few years ago and she was just wonderful. Absolutely wonderful, but...she broke my heart. I guess I wasn't enough for her since she was seeing someone else behind my back," Terra said, frowning as painful memories started crawling back. Starscream's chest rumbled as he let out a low growl. He placed a hand over her, pulling her closer.
"She sounds awful, Terra. It's her loss though. She doesn't deserve someone as wonderful as you," he crowed. He grew silent for a moment before a devilish smile formed on his face.
"Starscream?" Terra asked, unsure of how to feel about that smile. It was intimidating, but also...kinda hot.
"Shall I pay this girl a visit, little bird?" He purred. Terra was taken aback at the request. She knew the obvious answer was to say no, but why did something within her want to accept his request? Sure she wished all sorts of awful things on Agnes when she broke up with her, but wanting her dead wasn't one of those things.
"Um...Please don't do...that, Starscream. We can't just...kill her," Terra stammered. She was sure she was a red-faced mess at the moment.
"Why not? She hurt you and I can tell from the way you talked about this other woman that you would love to have your revenge," Starscream replied. She wanted to argue that killing was wrong no matter what, but did any of that matter to an alien who probably killed thousands?
"Things are just different here, Starscream. Can we...just….talk about or do something else? I don't want to think about her anymore," she said while resting her head on his chest again. He ran a few fingers along her back while humming to himself. She was fine with just staying here and just talking, but she wanted to be out in the sun at some point.
"I will let it go. I'd rather see you happy and I do so love your smile, Terra," Starscream said with a chuckle. Terra felt her heart flip around in her chest at that.
"Quit being so damn charming. If you do that, I'll blush real hard and I'll look like a red-faced mess," she said with a giggle.
"But you look so cute when your face is all red like that. It makes me love you even more," Starscream crowed. Terra squealed softly in response, unsure of what to say next. She could lie on him and listen to him talk and be sweet for hours.
She remembered the flower he had gifted her and wondered if there were more somewhere in this cave. She kind of wanted to make a flower crown for him with those flowers, but they probably wouldn't be able to bend properly.
"What are you thinking about, little bird?" Starscream asked, bringing her out of her thoughts.
"Where did you find that energon flower? I'd like to see more," she said.
"Mmm, I'd get up and show you, but I'm just so comfortable like this," Starscream said while letting out a dramatic sigh and breathing warm steam on her face.
"We have plenty of time together, love. We can do anything you want after this," Terra chimed, smiling at the little pet name. She would have to think of something more unique soon.
"Anything?" Starscream asked, a mischievous glint in his optics. Terra was unsure what he had in mind, but she was down for whatever he came up with. She smiled and gave him a little nod before crawling off him. She stretched her arms, watching as Starscream slowly got to his feet with a groan.
"There's a little patch right beyond that giant energon crystal, Terra," he said while pointing to a rather large crystal that wasn't too far from where they were sitting together. Terra went to the crystal and walked around it. A soft gasp escaped her lips when she saw the patch of energon flowers. It wasn't much, but it was still a beautiful sight to behold.
"How pretty! I'd make a flower crown for you, but I don't think they can bend like regular flowers," she said while walking to the patch and touching one of the flowers. She tried to put pressure on it, but it wouldn't bend like the one Starscream left by her bed.
"I'd do it, but I need practice. Lots and lots of practice. It's a good thing I have such a lovely teacher," Starscream crowed, bending down and offering his hand. Terra smiled up at him sweetly and crawled on, sitting as she was raised to chest level.
"Would you like to practice in that flower field?" Terra asked, resting her head against one of his claws.
"I'd love to, little bird," Starscream replied while making his way out of the cavern. Terra felt like her heart was racing as Starscream walked through the cave. There was still so much she wanted to tell him, but she didn't know where to even start. She glanced up at him and blushed as she imagined what it would be like to kiss him. She would have to teach him along with many other things and she looked forward to it all. God, she was so lucky.
Terra sighed softly. She hadn't been this happy and full of genuine love in such a long time. Things would change eventually if danger ever came, but she would enjoy every second of her time with him.
"I love you," she chimed up at him.
"I love you too," Starscream replied. There was a strange look in his optics.
Starscream found the exit to the cave and looked down at her with that strange look again. Terra cocked her head, unsure of what he could be thinking about.
"Terra, I'd like to try something with you," he said while raising her to eye level. Her chest was pounding. Was he going to ask to kiss her?
"Y-Yes?" She stammered.
"I'd...like to show you how we Cybertronians often show their affection to their sparkmates. I've seen it done plenty of times and I just remembered it. I think you might enjoy it," Starscream said. Sparkmate. That sounded like such a sweet term for a significant other.
"Show me," Terra said, eager to see what he would do next.
Starscream smiled and leaned forward, gently pressing his forehead against hers. Terra held onto the sides of his head to prevent herself from falling before giggling softly as she pressed back, gazing into his optics. She had expected a kiss of some sorts, but this was just as nice.
Time seemed to slow down as she continued to gaze into those blood-red optics. She couldn't help but wonder what the future had in store for the two of them. Good things hopefully. She had a lot of explaining to do when the Autobots discovered Starscream hiding away in the mountains with her, but hopefully they would understand.
After what felt like an eternity, Starscream reluctantly pulled away from her, grinning pleasantly at her. Terra sat back with a happy sigh.
"That was wonderful, Starscream. I love it," she said as Starscream began to walk out of the cave and into the surrounding forest.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it, Terra. I was a bit worried that I would push you over, but you're a fast learner. Strong too," Starscream replied with a faint smirk on his faceplates. Terra thought for a moment until a wonderful idea came to her.
"Can...we do that again?" She asked, gazing up at him with pleading eyes.
"Hmm, yes," Starscream crowed while bringing her close. Terra stood up and wrapped her arms around the sides of his head. She then pressed her forehead against his and planted a kiss between his optics. Starscream quickly pulled her away with a surprised look on his face. A cloud of steam escaped his mouth as he opened it to make a strained grunt. Terra held back the urge to laugh at his reaction.
"I...almost forgot you humans did that with your mates," Starscream grumbled while lowering her to chest level.
"What did you think?" Terra asked, resting her head against his chest as he began to walk through the forest.
"I think I can get used to this, little dove. It surprised me, but it felt...nice. It's just been so long since I have seen acts of affection. The only couple on board the Nemesis are Knockout and Breakdown, but they keep their more...affectionate moments in private," Starscream explained, breathing more steam. Terra nodded as she listened. She was sure cybertronians had very different ways of being affectionate and she looked forward to witnessing the differences with Starscream soon.
Terra felt a claw slowly run through her hair as a low chuckle filled the air. She leaned into his touch with a hum, looking up at him adoringly. There was so much to talk about. So much to do. She was unsure of how much time they would have together until their relationship was discovered by the Autobots or the Decepticons, but she would make every moment count.