There's not much plot development in this chapter, since I took time to explore both Megatron's and Starscream's thought processes once more. So faster update this time, and next time as well!

Oh, and I once read this somewhere. Argh, it seems to apply to me more than I like!

READERS: NEVER FAVE, REVIEW OR KUDOS A WIP

AUTHOR: NEVER FINISH BECAUSE NOBODY SEEMS TO LIKE FIC

Come on, readers! I am a shy individual with low self-esteem. Tell me what you like/dislike (Don't worry. I take criticism well enough by trying to improve my future work). I have to be concerned since this fic used to clock about 5-8 reviews a chapter and has been dropping steadily ever since. Is it the (current) lack of truly juicy content or what, or am I missing something else?

Still, thanks to Guest and fan girl 666 for reviewing!

When Megatron finally finished reviewing Strika's report and was back in the refuge of his quarters, he let out a frustrated snarl and slammed the door shut so hard that the entire room seemed to shake at the resounding bang.

Why did Starscream continue to bring out his vulnerable side? Megatron had been planning to discuss his idea with his second, who hopefully would come up with a plan that would work in order to obtain the AllSpark. However, the Seeker thwarted him every time, so the things that happened during each meeting were no longer expected. In the end Megatron had to send him away again, because he knew he would continue to do reckless things with his second around. All in all, Megatron had control of the entire army, his highest council of advisors and could just about analyze any mech he spoke to, but he could not understand his second-in-command or the influence the other had over him.

He sank into a nearby chair and allowed his helm to rest against a hand wearily. Megatron hadn't expected Starscream to react so negatively to his plan. Explaining its necessity hadn't convinced the other one bit, so he tried a different approach. The warlord noted with a pang of guilt he had broken his personal promise of never taking advantage the fact that Starscream was much more easily moved by whatever sincerity he could conjure.

Except this time, most of it was true.

Megatron did want the war to end as soon as possible in the Decepticons' favor. The fact that many mechs who fought in the beginning were now no longer online was also real.

As well as his admittance that he did not want to lose his second. Megatron had begun to see what such a loss would do to him alone, the very real possibility that Starscream might enter combat one solar cycle and never return. It might happen any cycle from now on as the stakes of the Great War rose.

Before he knew it, he had allowed his spark to speak for him. The words that emerged from his mouth surprised even him, forcing him to confront the nature of his attraction to the Seeker. Megatron wasn't sure where that came from, though one thing was certain. He wanted more out of Starscream than sessions in the berth.

That kiss wasn't planned either. However, it was the first time Starscream had willingly gave himself into it. Not because of pleasure or desire, but because he had wanted… almost needed it.

He wanted Starscream, Megatron realized. He now wanted him in more ways than one. And right after he made the decision to distance himself too. He couldn't leave Starscream alone in his thoughts. How could Megatron even try to do so in reality?

The warlord had never wished for a lover and a potential bondmate. He was fine with mechs courting him in vain attempt, for he never took it seriously and nor would he allow them to gain what they wanted. Megatron liked to play hard-to-get. He had a good reason to never commit himself to any mech. Megatron had a faction to lead, an army to manage and a war to win. In his attempt to rid himself of any weaknesses, he had resigned to a life of solitude along with sealing away his past.

Truly he did not have time for such processor-consuming activities as considering an actual bondmate. He cannot afford to be concerned over a mech he cared greatly for in battle, or allow the leadership he had gained through so much toil and trial to be called into question. He could not focus his attentions on a faction, a war, a bright future and a lover all at once, because he reminded himself again and again that the Decepticons deserved a better life under a wise and discerning leader.

It was what Megatron should have been.

It was what he always aspired to be when he saw how the Decepticons suffered under his predecessor. He had felt empathy with them even as he spoke to them about the possibility of a better life.

Megazarak had laughed at him instead when he confronted the psychotic leader, "That is why you would not survive long in the coming conflict. You allow your emotions free reign when they should be discarded in favor of your goals. Empathy indeed. I would not stop you, but on the solar cycle when you finally collapse from your self-imposed burdens I will be watching, knowing I was right all along."

Megatron would never acknowledge that these words had bothered him much more than he thought, haunting his mind even now. It was almost as if the other had named himself as an empathetic watcher, when he had nothing in him that resembled kindness. Megatron remembered his example though even he had sealed everything else away, and strove to become the leader Megazarak never was.

But the warlord knew that of all the falsifications the other uttered, this was the only one that was true. He was the living proof, a leader who had seemly laid aside all sentiments to better fulfill his duties. Megatron had unknowingly taken his predecessor's advice, because though in the end he had dueled the other to the death for the Decepticon leadership, Megazarak remained the only mech who knew him better than anyone else.

Enough, stop! He shouted at himself, clenching his fists tightly as he sprang up from his seat.

Each time when this happened, it was getting harder and harder to pull himself out. Once Megatron could simply dismiss such recallings by turning his attention to other matters, but even doing this became an arduous task in itself. He could literally feel the walls he had built against these memories weaken so that he was forced to remember more and more in the most unexpected times, often when he was alone.

He was losing control of himself.

Megatron didn't want to hold anyone responsible but himself. He wanted to say that it was because of stress and the pressures of war. Yet he knew when this had started despite making a previous conclusion that he would not blame Starscream. Ever since his second confronted him after that eventful battle at Altihex, the warlord kept making connections. This in turn brought up the undesired memories, through which Megatron realized that his second reminded him greatly of himself, and of the many failed attempts at companionship in his life.

Megatron saw so much of himself in the Seeker; the young rash mech he had been before he seized the leadership of the Decepticons. Both were stubborn to a fault, persistent in their goals and determined to choose what they felt was right. It was after so many hard lessons learnt when Megatron finally became the calm collected leader he always wished to be. He wouldn't let Starscream experience what he had gone through. No mech deserved to do so, and that was exactly why Megatron wished he could put an end to this war.

As for the failed attempts at companionship, the warlord had once believed that he bore a curse on him after seeing how mechs he associated always ended up offlining in terrible ways. Megatron later found out his every activity was tracked by a malevolent pursuer during his wanderings in Kaon, but these experiences had left its permanent mark on him…

The warlord had to shake his helm in an attempt to dispel this new realization and insight into his secret fears. He didn't want to go down this particular path so soon after remembering, yet he could not deny that his second had a definite hold on him.

"Starscream, you continue to influence me even when you are not present." Megatron murmured softly, "You really are something, aren't you? I knew it since the solar cycle we met in the throne room that you are someone different."

Silence answered him, although the warlord knew if Starscream was present, he would have snapped something back good-naturally.

Megatron sighed again. He hoped that talking to himself wasn't a sign that revealed he was a sociopath by nature. There were enough things for him to worry about already.

"No, that wouldn't work… it's too risky. This wouldn't work either… needs too many resources we don't have and causes too much destruction. Nor this… it's impossible. Arrgghhh! That Megatron! How does he hope to carry out such a presumptuous plan?! That fragger! What is he even thinking?!" Starscream started to rant once again as he went over the plans he had devised for the taking of the AllSpark. None of them seemed to work out, and the Seeker found this strange. He usually had an idea that would work the war in the Decepticons' favor, whether it be the taking of a city-state or a resource. But as for one working plan concerning the AllSpark, he had none at all.

Starscream slammed the datapad he held down hard on the table and scowled darkly. For the first time, he felt that he did not agree with Megatron at all. There were plenty of other options that did not involve the mysterious relics, all of them with the same amount of success in winning the war. To dabble with the AllSpark with the purpose to destroy would not bode well for everyone at all, be it Autobot or Decepticon.

It contrasted so much with what happened earlier. A part of the Seeker was still blissfully enjoying being in Megatron's embrace, locked in an intimate kiss with his leader. The warlord's hands had been tender, one curled around Starscream's waist and the other stroking his helm gently. It was almost like the touch of a mech who held him in his highest affections, the touch of a lover…

We can actually consider something between us.

A long time ago Starscream would have scoffed at such words, for it was not below Megatron to say anything that might win his second over. However, he had seen too many examples that showed his leader wanting something more. If Megatron had wanted Starscream solely as an interfacing partner, he should have given up the cycle Starscream chewed him out furiously. Either way, the warlord's interest should have worn off as soon as the war started again.

The fact that it didn't spoke of new implications.

Starscream found his spark constricting with an uncharacteristic longing at the possibility that his leader desired him as a lover. When he remembered his rather vehement decision that he would never engage in a relationship, he hesitated for the first time after pondering about his true reason. The Seeker disliked the blatantly sentimental behavior it often brought, but he never really thought about why this was so.

What did it feel like to be held in the highest regard, to have someone's care and devoted attachment directed at him? What was it like to have a mech willing to give up everything he had, should he ever face this choice, just to be with the Seeker? The logical part of Starscream mocked the sheer irrationality of it all; making decisions while guided by emotions rarely turned out wise.

He shuttered his optics and sighed. In a flash he was back again during that single memorable cycle with his leader's large warm hand wrapped around his, their frames so close that he could hear the faint thrumming of the warlord's spark. Again his optics met with Megatron's, and he had been taken aback by the look of unguarded vulnerability in them. In a sudden instant Megatron had turned from a bitterly determined superior to a desperate mech tormented by his own conflicts.

Part of the reason why Starscream submitted so easily to the other's kiss was because he wanted to understand what bothered his leader. He wanted the warlord to open himself up the way he never could in words, to elaborate on what he had promised.

Something between us…

However, Megatron became withdrawn again right afterwards as if nothing ever happened. Then why did he even bother to make a promise that he probably wouldn't even keep?

Why would Megatron resort to such an unthinkable plan in the first place?

Starscream tossed another datapad aside and went over another one. He reminded himself to stop trying to guess his leader's unfathomable thinking. He would never know why Megatron was acting so distant, but yet strangely desperate at the same time. Starscream had an impossible mission to complete first, then he can worry about Megatron.

In the end, Starscream came up with a plan with the help of Blitzwing, who had expressed horror at Megatron's idea to use the AllSpark as a weapon but nevertheless helped in brainstorming, and a few other officials. He even messaged Shockwave and spent several cycles inquiring of his health, flattering, and apologizing for the other's unexpected demotion before asking his advice in the subtlest way possible without revealing the idea in whole. However Starscream was not pleased with his final plan. There was a high chance that it might work, with an equal amount of chance that it might fail.

The AllSpark was being kept in Protihex, one of the Autobots' highest-guarded faculty, underneath the ground near the core of Cybertron, which was nigh impossible to infiltrate. They couldn't blow up the entire place without making sure the AllSpark remained unharmed. Neither could they unleash a full assault, for the Decepticons were at a disadvantage on the ground and underneath.

In fact there was only one strategy that had the highest chance of succeeding. The Decepticons were to present a threat with terms that must be fulfilled (in this case, the handing of the AllSpark over) by bombing the Autobot city-states. As the loss of civilian life and structural damage accumulated, the enemy would eventually be forced to give the artifact up.

Starscream knew Megatron would ask him to think of a better alternative if he presented this costly strategy. Although he was the one who led the Decepticons to war, Megatron made it a strict regulation that no civilians were to be harmed if their city-state was taken. He would not take well at a bombing targeted at these civilians, even if it gained him the AllSpark.

Nevertheless, Starscream brought his strategy to his leader, who listened to it with a strange tight-lipped expression on his faceplates. To the Seeker's utmost and horrified surprise, Megatron agreed to it.

"I knew I could trust you to think up something that would work," For some reason Starscream thought the warlord's spark wasn't in his praise, "Yes, I had hoped the mass loss of civilian lives could be prevented. If that was the cost to win us the war, would you not pay it?"

"But this does not concern the citizens of only one city-state—" Starscream tried to argue.

"Starscream, you were the one who planned this strategy and after going through my approval, I expect you to see the end of it. What is the loss of a few thousand civilian lives compared to the continuing perishing of soldiers from both sides?" Megatron was firm.

"But—"

"The war will be won with the taking of the AllSpark. Don't you want to be credited with the ending of the stellar-cycle long Great War? Become a renowned figure in Cybertron's long history? Receive the recognition you have always longed for?"

Now that Megatron mentioned it, Starscream was tempted yet again. Slag him and his rhetorics! The prices to pay now seemed to pale in comparison to the results the Seeker would receive. Fame, recognition and even more respect than Starscream had right now.

And also something to consider between us. Megatron had mentioned earlier. Starscream shook his helm furiously. He would not give up on his ideals for a vague promise appealing to the more emotional part of him.

"I'm not sure whether the strategy will succeed or not. The Autobots might think of something else to counter our attacks and maybe reveal their so-called Project Omega!" Starscream tried to reason one last time.

Megatron was silent for a while as he studied the datapad containing Starscream's strategy in his hand. Eventually he spoke again, his voice clipped and controlled,

"Then make it succeed."

With that, Megatron left the command center, leaving Starscream again feeling confused by his coldness.

The war will end with the taking of the AllSpark. Starscream's strategy will work. The memories would eventually be overcome in times of peace. He could sort out his strange fascination with his second-in-command.

Megatron could only hope.

It was a hope that was not felt for so long. He knew the war would go on for quite some time before any major turning point would happen. At first when the Decepticons took over the colonies, Megatron had hoped that the conflict would end soon that most of the Autobots' allies were cut off. Instead, they proved strangely resistant for a long time.

All in all, the Great War went on longer than it should.

Megatron had lost his hope that it would end anytime soon as the fighting continued, especially after the Autobots had developed space bridges. But out of the blue came the idea to bring the AllSpark into the war, the hope that the Decepticons would triumph by the power of the supernatural. Megatron clung to it as a lifeline out of this muddle of battles and tension. In reality he longed for the war to end. For the majority of his life was spent on fighting, either in duels or battles. A long-time secret desire of his was to one day settle down peacefully after his goal of reforming the Cybertronian government was completed. There were many things he previously shunned that could be embraced once again after the war was won. Megatron hadn't intended to live with his tormented past for the rest of his life or remain celibate. He had made plans to enter therapy for a few thousand stellar cycles; if everything went well, maybe he would even consider finding a potential bondmate.

Though Megatron was adverse to such efforts during the war, he was not against the concept of sharing his life with another mech. Had he not seen the way his close ones perished brutally, he might have openly looked for a mech to share his personal thoughts and inmost feelings with.

The possibility that he longed for such a bond with Starscream… filled him with dismay as well as a bitter yearning. He believed it may never be come to be, thus rendering anything he felt towards the other useless. The warlord doubted he could ever be open with another mech right now, not to mention his age-old fear of dealing with yet another loss of a close one.

Yet the longing refused to fade no matter how many times Megatron tried to convince himself that it didn't exist. Before he knew it, he began to entertain the idea of having Starscream as a committed partner. The other would probably be a challenging mech to live with daily with his unmovable stubbornness and short patience; Megatron had a suspicion that Starscream would be having his way more often that he.

Then there were the qualities that captured his attention so quickly, a daringness to try the impossible and a determination to fulfill his goals. Both were qualities encouraged in every senior officer, so Megatron was left at a loss once again to describe what exactly had drawn him to Starscream other than his appealing frame. Was it the times when he bantered with the witty mech? The way the Seeker had reacted as soon as he realized that he had to distance himself from Megatron? Starscream's decision to protect his leader at the risk of losing Altihex? His immediate visit to check on Megatron's wounds afterwards?

He longer knew anymore.

He imagined his second leaning over him, the smaller mech's fingertips gently stroking his faceplates as he assured him that everything would work out in the end. The warlord could almost feel Starscream's lips pressing against his left cheek; trailing light kisses down until they met Megatron's. The lip lock would be tender with nothing more than simple affection, just like the one they shared solar cycles ago—

No! The AllSpark had to be obtained first! Anything else comes afterwards.

But Megatron wanted… so much that the desire had begun to eat away at his spark, wanted a deeper bond with his second. Almost as much as he wanted the war to end, almost as much he needed to sort himself out first. He almost wanted to disregard the risk of his memories surfacing and weakening him just to have a chance with his second, to gain a supporter instead of a hindrance.

Still, it would be best to wait, for Starscream hopefully wouldn't be going anywhere during the war. Megatron must temporarily place his anxieties aside and focus on the AllSpark for now. After the war is won, he could deal with them more easily than in the middle of one. If not—

What was he thinking?!

Concentrate on the AllSpark, the artifact which would save the Decepticons from the war. At first it was the desire to triumph that drove them on. Now the war was only a matter of survival, and the odds were not on their side.

The AllSpark will save them all.

It was no longer a considering idea that gave the slightest bit of hope, but a desperate last resort that offered the faintest chance of victory. Megatron couldn't bear to even think what would happen if Starscream's plan failed and the Decepticons lost the war. Eventually they would be overrun by the Autobots and wiped out by their superior weaponry.

It wasn't just about Megatron's desires and his second-in-command. It concerned the entire faction. The Decepticons were more than a group of fierce warriors; they were also a society by itself like the Autobots, with the same concept of families, friends and more. If Megatron caused the war to be lost, he would be dooming this entire society. In addition to providing the faction with unimaginable power, the AllSpark would enable the Decepticons to procreate again. The last time a new Decepticon was sparked was approximately two million stellar cycles ago; Megatron needed the artifact if he didn't want his faction to die out.

The AllSpark must be taken, and the war won at all costs.

Later that solar cycle Megatron made his announcement. He wasn't surprised at the sudden torrent of horror and outrage from the Decepticons at base and the mass in-pouring of messages from the ones based in other city-states. Megatron simply presented his argument he previously did before Starscream, and soon all of them were clamoring for the AllSpark. The warlord was relieved at the majority support of his plan, for almost every Decepticon agreed that they needed the artifact to turn the tides of war. However, Starscream remained disapproving along with a doubtful Hook.

"You are not the first mech to plan this, Lord Megatron. I shall not remind you who it was, but your knowledge on the usage of the AllSpark does not exceed the other's."

Megatron had winced inwardly. He didn't need a second reminder.

"Then I will learn how to bend it to my will. Unlike the mech who tried before me, I have valid cause to borrow its power."

In the end Hook finally conceded, though not before leaving Megatron a warning to be careful in dabbling with the unknown powers.

Now that the warlord remembered this, a little part of him faltered. There was some truth in Starscream's words about the AllSpark being a sentient object. If the AllSpark denied him access, there was a high chance that he would be driven insane as a punishment for even daring to think about using it as a weapon. With his sanity gone, the Decepticons would either be torn apart by infighting once again and lose the war. It was a great risk for Megatron to take; he would be lying if he said that he wasn't the least bit fearful.

Megatron didn't know why it rejected the first mech who had attempted to, and yet accepted several others that tried to communicate with it. In fact, that mech was probably the only recorded case of AllSpark rejection. There was a high chance that he might accomplish his intentions…

Still…

First things first. The artifact must be obtained before he attempted to use its powers. Megatron was ready to sacrifice all he had to ensure this final gambit would succeed.

There's nothing I love more than character exploration, intrigue and maybe some fluff between our favorite pair. Thank you for reading!