Okay, this chapter was a little difficult to write, since I can't seem to find the correct mood to set between Megatron and Starscream. Anyways, I hope the wait was worth it!

It seems like I cannot update that frequently during the summer, since I must prepare for my SAT's and a dozen other activities. But I'll try my best. Until then, please enjoy this chapter!

Thanks to Guest, zrexheartz, DeceptiCop647, Anonymoose, fan girl 666, and 314 for reviewing!

He wasn't sure what was happening. One cycle he was drifting in his own subconscious, a chaotic muddle of his thoughts and recollections, and the next thing he knew he was leaning on something cozily warm against him.

He was seated on someone's lap with his legs wrapped around the other's waist. Though he couldn't really see the mech, he could feel his large arms encircling his lithe frame protectively. Normally he would have sprung out in horror if a mech had dared to touch him like this. But right now his processor was pleasantly fuzzy with drowsiness, so that warmth was particularly heavenly.

The Seeker wriggled a little in the embrace, and one of the other's hands moved up to stroke the back of helm softly. Starscream purred in content as he lazily looped his arms around the other's helm.

"I hope you are recovering well. If you had perished in the tunnels back there, I would have blamed myself for eternity." The mech's rich deep voice held a mournful tone.

"…?!" The Seeker immediately looked up. That voice was so familiar, and yet he couldn't exactly place it. But mysteriously enough, he couldn't get a clear visual of the other's faceplates. For some reason his optics refused to focus on the unrecognizable blur that was his features. The only thing visible was his two slanted crimson optics.

"Who are you?" Starscream whispered.

The mech didn't reply, but the Seeker's vision cleared just a little to reveal the bitter smile on his lips.

Starscream onlined before he could see more in that dream. For a long cycle he lay in his berth without moving, staring at the bare ceiling of his quarters as he recalled. He often cursed the fact that he was much slower to think in his dreams than in reality. He should have known it was Megatron even when he felt the other's bulky frame against his.

He also cursed that it was always his leader who turned up in his dreams for the last few solar cycles. What was it about him that had his subconscious' attention like this?! The dreams' interpretation of his leader was hardly correct either. Megatron was far from the incarnation of the warlord he had seen in them, in which he became solemnly thoughtful and mysterious. Besides, he would never let Megatron that close to him, nor would that insufferable pervert become serious for once. He would never hold the Seeker in a warm embrace without groping at his frame―

Starscream suddenly swung out of his berth, out the door and into the empty hallways of the base. He needed to get out and think clearly before he started to admit that he actually liked the feeling of being held like that.

Reaching the entrance, he activated his pede thrusters and flew towards the top to his favorite ledge. Once there, Starscream set down again with his pedes hanging over the edge. The place was large enough for at least five mechs to stand side by side, and that was why he loved it. He had found the area on one of his relaxation flight around the base, and no other mech knew of it. For a cycle he simply watched the indigo night sky dotted sparsely with stars and occasionally, the brighter light of a nearby planet.

Starscream fell back into his troubling thoughts again. He thought of the reason about why he left. He had hoped that he would be safe from opposition, that he would be happier without all those complicated emotions. He would be relieving a great burden. But everything he was experiencing so far went against this hope. Starscream grew progressively anxious these past few solar cycles. His thoughts always wandered back to Megatron no matter how hard he tried to wrench them back. His leader's constant messaging, which he ignored, also did not help at all. And those dreams at night which left him sleepless for so many times...

Starscream gritted his dentas. Why? Why couldn't he completely cut himself off? His logic wanted to do it, but his subconscious said otherwise. What was it about Megatron that he couldn't bring himself to separate from? There was absolutely nothing about him, even his admittedly pleasurable touch, that was worth risking his life like this.

He thought about the warlord, whom he found to be completely irritating at first. Megatron had always appeared when he least wanted him to show up, gave him so much unwanted attention and acted so immaturely smug at all times even as he made his futile attempts to court the Seeker. But lately his leader had been toning it down since the war had started up again, and Starscream was able to see a little more on what kind of mech Megatron was apart from his initial perception. Then there were the seemly unimportant events that had made him hesitate before trying to rage at the warlord, like the time when Megatron had apparently took it upon himself to install a database organizing program in his console that Starscream found extremely useful, when he suddenly found managing the budget for his research work much easier recently and many more.

It was as if Megatron had started to take it more seriously by doing these things. The more Starscream dwelt upon it, the more he began to think that it was rather sweet of his leader. If Megatron had tried to approach him in the same way at the beginning, maybe the Seeker would have actually considered―

Starscream allowed his helm to droop into both of his hands. He was going to kill himself if he kept thinking like this.

"Cheer up, Starscream." A voice spoke lightly behind him.

He almost leapt out of his pedes from surprise when he turned to face Megatron emerging from the shadows behind. The warlord took no notice and merely sat down beside him. Starscream longed to snarl in irritation when he had recovered from this unexpected turn of events. Why did Megatron have to always turn up at the worst possible time? First at the drinking party and now this! And how did he know he was going to be here in his private space?

"I knew you were still on base somewhere. If not in the inside, why not on the outside? I've been lingering around for awhile, so don't try to run after so many solar cycles I'd managed to find you."

Starscream wasn't planning to run. He was tired of it, and he decided to just face this without emotion. Perhaps if he ignored Megatron long enough, he would eventually leave.

"You've being acting odd recently," The other continued, "Is there something you wish to tell me?"

"..."

"Don't give me the silent treatment. If it was about that surprise attack in the tunnels, I have to know more about it."

"Why can't you leave me alone?" Starscream was unable to keep his silence any longer, now that the incident was mentioned, "Steelstreak's attack happened because of you, and it nearly cost me the lives of my team. It placed the entire Kalis operation at risk!"

"I never meant for that to happen, and I apologize for it." Megatron lowered his helm, "I should have kept better discipline among the Decepticons."

"Slag right you should."

There was a long silence, and Starscream could literally feel his leader's discomfort radiating from him. But he was a little surprised though. He hadn't expected Megatron to seek him out just to apologize.

"I am going to make you my second-in-command." Megatron said abruptly.

Starscream whipped around to stare at his leader. Wait, what? Why would that fragger choose such a time to bring this up? Was this even relevant?

"What are you trying to do, Megatron? If you're seeking for my forgiveness, you would have to do better!"

"I thought you wanted to be promoted," The warlord's tone turned sardonic, "If I recall, you were the one who messaged me first."

Unable to find a remark to shoot back, Starscream fell silent again. The anxiety of his promotion that had been nagging at his mind back then started to surface. He suddenly remembered something Megatron had mentioned when they met privately to discuss the promotion.

"What happened to your test of my loyalty?"

"Your own protection is more important now. As my second, the Decepticons would not be so bold to attempt an assassination on you."

Protection? Starscream had to shove down his immediate thought that how sweet Megatron was to think of that. But when he remembered why the attack happened in the first place, his temper flared up again.

"You who put me in danger now offer me protection instead? Do you have any idea how many times I regretted getting swept up in your game? You've brought me nothing but trouble so far!" The Seeker accused.

"Nothing but trouble?" Megatron pretended to look offended, "Surely not. Admit it; you liked it when I kissed you."

"Argh!" Starscream let out a frustrated snarl. That Megatron! He couldn't stand him anymore. "I don't even know why I went through the trouble of associating with you. You're not worth it! You are a disgusting glitch-headed pervert, a pompous aft-head and a leader who thinks he could do anything just because he could boss over everyone and sit back while everyone does the hard work…!"

Megatron's hand suddenly shot out, grasped him by the chin and effectively prevented him from speaking. For a nanoklik Starscream thought his leader was going to kiss him again, and that thought alone made his frame tingle in anticipation despite his earlier words. But Megatron's optics were smoldering with an inner fire, his expression grim and unyielding. The Seeker froze. He had never seen his leader act like this. Perhaps he did go over the line this time.

"I am able to take insults without angering easily, Starscream," Megatron said in a low voice, "But you are not to direct them at my leadership. I am not about to allow my position for which I shed too much energon and sacrifices to be put into question."

Starscream was completely speechless by now. He had never seen this side of Megatron before. Previously he always thought his leader to be flamboyant and casual, but now it seemed like he had another personality to him. A much darker personality he kept hidden. For the first time Starscream was actually scared of the warlord, that he might actually harm him.

But Megatron sighed instead, released his grip and allowed his frame to slump dejectedly.

"I'm sorry, Starscream. My fatigue is finally beginning to catch up with me." And just like that, it was over.

"Becoming the leader of all Decepticons was a long and hard path for me. I am ready to dedicate my life to my cause and see to it that we achieve our goal," Megatron said wistfully, "I know you would aid me greatly as my second, and I want you to stand by my side as my trusted advisor after we took Kalis and Altihex. You proved your capability in our success."

Starscream didn't buy the other's words so easily, for Megatron had spoken the same words while he was calling the Decepticons to arms. He didn't want to believe that he had already proved himself and was now considered capable despite the higher ups' objections.

But what about the offer? Megatron had definitely wanted to make him his second. What good would come out of it, other than the power and possible protection? Starscream would be closer to Megatron than ever, at the same time becoming even more distanced from the others. He would be an outcast.

What happened to his desire to prove himself and to receive authority? It was as if since the taking of Kalis and Altihex, Starscream had lost his intense desire to be promoted. He had once struggled between this desire and the disgust in being groped by his leader. But things were no longer like this anymore.

He wanted to scream in frustration. Why? Why did he get caught up in the first place? Everything was so simple back then when he first joined the Decepticons. And now getting involved in this game with Megatron was giving him more mood swings than he had in an entire stellar cycle.

What feelings did Starscream hold for his leader anyways? Infatuation? Slight interest? Intrigue? The desire to be touched more intimately? He wasn't even sure anymore.

"Starscream." Megatron's concerned voice reached him, and the tone of it caught his attention. The other seemed to be completely serious for once while speaking to him.

"You seem to imply that I am the one who forced you into this so-called 'game'. Fine, I admit that I first gave you the invitation. But you were the one who chose to accept it."

"Hmph…" Starscream sulked. Megatron had a point there.

"I will give you the protection you need. I am also willing to be responsible for all harm that befalls you. Whether you like it or not, I am responsible for you, Starscream. I will not allow you to be injured because of me… not again." The last words were whispered, so the Seeker failed to hear them.

"I don't need your protection, if you can even call it that." Starscream returned bitterly, "If I leave you alone and you do the same, I would be safer."

Suddenly in a flash, he was pressed against the other's larger frame in a crushing embrace from Megatron. Starscream immediately stiffened, expecting any moment now his leader would start groping him. But Megatron simply held him without moving with his arms wrapped securely the Seeker.

"I will apologize as many times as it will take to rectify this," He murmured, "But I must ask you not to leave, Starscream. It was my own fault that you had suffered so much among the Decepticons; I should have done something sooner, and in that I have failed my duty as the leader of the Decepticons."

Starscream was struck by how tender the warlord sounded when he spoke those words and how his spark threatened to melt in its chamber because of them. His confusion increased though. Why was Megatron suddenly acting like this, like he genuinely cared about what had happened in the tunnels and wanted to prevent further harm to the Seeker? He wanted to believe that it was a trick trying to lure him to his leader's good side, back to the danger that he should have known better to avoid. But it sure didn't look like it; there was none of Megatron's usual inappropriate innuendos and ridiculous attempts to gain his attention.

Try as he might, Starscream couldn't force himself to deny the warmth that blossomed in his spark when he thought upon the other's words, that Megatron was actually sorry for placing him into this situation. Being held close by the larger mech did not help at all, for Megatron's frame was comfortingly warm to lean against. At that moment all his uncertainty, frustration and inner conflict was forgotten. Megatron wanted him to stay, and Starscream was loath to disagree.

Still, there was a part of him that demanded an explanation for all this. He managed to straighten himself up and look at his leader directly.

"What do you want with me?" Starscream asked in a quiet voice, "Why did you pick me out of all the mechs here?"

Why indeed, the Seeker had wondered many times. Apart from interest in his appealing frame, there had to be another reason. Megatron should have given up as soon as Starscream had harshly rejected his advances, which obviously wasn't the case if he had decided to seek him out like this. Starscream doubted it was done out of the simple desire to exchange words, and his curiosity increased when he saw brief hesitation flash across his leader's countenance.

Megatron didn't reply straight away. He merely fixed Starscream with an unfathomable look in his optics that made him slightly uncomfortable, so much that he didn't notice how close their faceplates now were. For a cycle time had frozen for him, for both of them. Starscream found himself mesmerized by the close up view of his leader and discovered that the larger mech was stunningly attractive when he wasn't acting like an immature pervert. His features were boldly outlined by the black markings that framed the sides of his faceplates and chin, giving him a refined and sophisticated look. However, Starscream noticed for the first time that Megatron also wore a strangely melancholy expression when he was being serious. It was as if he had a heavy burden he had never managed to shed or a regret he always remembered despite the passing of stellar cycles.

For some reason, this observation served to dissolve his will as he realized that Megatron yet another side to him, one that intrigued him more than anything else so far out of him. The close contact with his leader furthermore seemed to weaken his limbs.

Starscream wanted to shove him aside, fire up his thrusters and flee from the scene, but he couldn't summon strength to even move. This was wrong; he shouldn't be indulging in this when he had obviously made up his mind to distance. Megatron may have caught him off guard by his apparent concern, but it wasn't enough.

The silence stretched on, and the warlord finally broke it as he leaned in until all Starscream could see were his crimson optics. This time, there seemed to be an inexpressible hunger in them.

"I don't need a reason, Starscream." Was all Megatron said before he fastened his mouth onto the Seeker's.

He swallowed his gasp of surprise as he accepted the kiss almost desperately. Since Megatron first claimed him in one orbital cycles ago, Starscream had been secretly hoping that he would do it again. Having this desire fulfilled combined with his longing for the intimate contact with his leader, Starscream was instantly reduced to moaning into the lip lock. His frame burned with a heat more intense than he had ever felt before, which worsened when Megatron tilted his helm with one hand to deepen the kiss. The next second the warlord's glossa was intertwining with Starscream's, sliding against his and exploring the Seeker's mouth thoroughly. By now he could do nothing but to whine in pleasure and cling to Megatron hard.

Why couldn't Starscream push him away, especially now that his leader had finally made a move? Instead he found his arms wrapped around Megatron's helm as he responded with almost as much as enthusiasm as the other. The Seeker had shifted his frame until he was half-straddling the larger mech, and Megatron slid his palm down his waist and rubbed heavily. His other hand continued to press against the back of his helm as they repeatedly locked lips.

Did Megatron's hands always feel this good against his heated plating? Starscream had almost forgotten that his leader's touch was ever repulsive in the first place, considering that all sensible thinking fled his mind. He cared about nothing, not even the fact that they were on an outside ledge of the base and were visible to anyone flying by. At that moment all Starscream wanted was for his leader to pin him underneath and ravish his frame until he overloaded howling Megatron's designation.

Megatron separated first, and Starscream nearly cried out in protest at the cease of the pleasurable sensations.

"You taste exquisite," He said huskily, "From the way you responded to me, I take that you had agreed."

"Agreed… to what?" Starscream managed to gather his scattered self together to ask.

In response Megatron pinned him with one hand onto the hard surface of the ledge and shifted himself until he loomed over the smaller mech. He began to trail harsh nips and kisses down the other's neck as his large hands caressed his chestplates roughly, occasionally reaching to tweak at Starscream's wings. The Seeker writhed at the mix of pleasure and pain, his mouth open in a silent cry.

"You will be my new second," Megatron murmured, "Together we can achieve so much... isn't this what you wanted?"

"I used to… until I was almost offlined because of that desire. For all I know, your apologies and my promotion are useless." Starscream's mind started to think straight again, and naturally his worries surfaced.

"It will work. The others will see that I have... already... claimed... you..." Megatron punctuated his last three words with crushing kisses against the Seeker's lips and after that, bit down hard on his neck. Starscream promptly shrieked at the sudden pain and tried to scratch at the larger mech. But Megatron merely seized the erring hand, allowing a lecherous grin to stretch his faceplates.

"What was that for, you glitch-headed fragger?!" While he was previously moaning under Megatron's touches, Starscream was now infuriated instead.

"Mine..." The warlord purred in response, dragging his glossa across the wound he had caused and lapping up the leaking energon. Starscream hitched his breath sharply and had to bite his lip to muffle a whimper. He couldn't help but think this as strangely arousing, with Megatron claiming him as his own and marking him...

His leader then pulled him close again to nuzzle at the Seeker's helm. Starscream once more melted on the inside as he fell limp against the larger mech's frame, a small sigh escaping him.

"Starscream..." The warlord's voice whispered into his right audio, "You have avoided my question for so long, but I shall ask you again. Are you willing to become my second-in-command, to stand at my right hand as my most trusted advisor?"

The Seeker was becoming progressively drowsy as time wore on. The sleepless nights and his troubling thoughts were taking their toll on him. Combined with his comfortable position against Megatron, Starscream's mind was less alert than usual. It was in this sleepy haze that he thought Megatron as sweet and caring. His leader had sought him out, tried to apologize and appoint him as his second. He sincerely offered Starscream his protection, whether he thought he needed it or not, and downright admitted that he was at fault for everything the Seeker had suffered so far. All in all, Megatron had done almost everything he had expected him to do to make up for causing him so much trouble.

Starscream's more sentimental self outright swooned dramatically and discarded all qualms concerning Megatron's inappropriate behavior and his perverseness. In his current state, he saw nothing wrong in agreeing. Megatron had all but confessed his inappropriate behavior so sincerely that Starscream didn't even consider it done out of ulterior motives.

"Very well..." Starscream mumbled, "I'll be your second-in-command… as long as you don't make me regret it, that is."

"You won't," Megatron sounded genuinely delighted, "You will have all the privileges and authority as the second-in-command of the Deceptions and are eligible to attend the S Team meetings..."

Starscream tuned out the rest of the other's words as he continued to lie against the larger mech. Megatron rattled on, but a part of Starscream had already begun to regret his decision. Now that he was next to Megatron himself in turns of military rank, he would be more disliked than ever. True that no mech would attempt to offline him again, but Starscream had doomed himself to a life of solitude, as an outcast among the Decepticons. As long as he remained as second, few mechs would call themselves acquainted with the Seeker.

It wasn't just about his leader. Many times a commanding officer no part in companionship, and it was only then when Starscream realized as if for the first time that such authority also had its price. Why he had never thought of this back then while he was still longing to be promoted was beyond him. Now as the impact of his decision slowly made sense to him, Starscream felt a hollow chill permeate his spark.

There were many times when he thought back to this moment and wondered what had made him agree in the first place. Maybe it was because Megatron had presented this position in such a solemn and almost-sincere way, that he saw he couldn't exactly refuse or that he saw the need for a mech to serve as second-in-command. Eventually Starscream figured it out when he discovered that he subconsciously wished for all this complexity and his own anxieties to end by accepting.

It had been foolish of him to hope, Starscream eventually concluded. Whatever misgivings he had were inconsolable, no matter how high the promotion or how sincere Megatron had been. But there was still a part of him that slightly warmed at the fact that his leader taken the first step.

Feedback for the extremely busy author? Maybe I'll be encouraged enough to write faster if this gets enough attention!