Here's my Christmas update! I'm finally on break, and eager to write more with the extra time I have. It's been a while since we had a long chapter, so here it is! This is in essence the "date" chapter.
"Starscream, jou're the only mech I know who vould 'accidentally' an alliance out of an attempt to be vindictive."
Blitzwing's tone was teasing, but Starscream was far from the mood to let it slide, "You think this whole thing is funny, don't you? If you're not going to say anything useful, then shut up and get back to work."
"How did it even happen?"
When Skywarp had gone off to tell everyone he could, one of those mechs was Sunstorm, who apparently made his way to the Sovereign's Royal Guard. Starscream was rather sure that Vos had changed rulers at least once since he left. He had no idea what kind of mech the current Sovereign, designation Swiftwing, was, but he was taken aback at how fast the news had stirred Vos into action. Swiftwing had already invited him to Vos for discussions, regardless of his exiled status.
"It's going to be an utter mess," Starscream ex-vented noisily, "Just what I needed at this time."
"Why're jou even upset? Zey can help us beat back ze Omega Sentinels."
He was well aware of that, and knew this opportunity was needed in the middle of war. But the thought of going back, after thousands of stellar cycles of training himself to accept Vos had no relevance to him, was no easy task.
"If jou refuse to do anything, jou might have to convince a whole faction zat's been looking forward to zis alliance."
"Argh, I know! Thanks for reminding me."
"And I vill beat jou to scrap as vell. Jou being stand-in leader won't protect jou!" Blitzwing's optics flared at his sudden outburst.
"I know that too. I'll just distract you with information on what I actually do when I visit Megatron's quarters."
For some reason, that sentence didn't bring out Blitzwing's excitable side that gushed at any mention of a new development between him and Megatron. Instead, Starscream found himself soundly throttled in the next nanoklik.
"Fragging…!" The Seeker wheezed, before managing to dig his claws into the other's servo and forcing Blitzwing to let go, "Get a hold of yourself! You're of no use to me in your current mood!"
Blitzwing looked away, nursing his slightly punctured armor, "... I apologize, Starscream. Jou've put up vith me for so long, but it's getting more difficult to compose myzelf."
"Is there something bothering you? I already got an unresponsive Megatron on my servos. I don't need you to follow suit as well!"
"I'm just put on edge by our recent losses. I vish I can do more."
Starscream suspected it was much more than that, but he had no patience to probe. What was it with mechs around him that refuse to disclose their processes outright?! Then again, maybe some discretion was appreciated. He still needed to slag Skywarp good if he ever got around to visiting Vos.
How would he even begin to plan on presenting himself to Vosian leadership? Winning over scores of mechs was Megatron's expertise as well. Starscream knew he was likely to start snapping at others in outrage before he got to the persuasion part. Perhaps he ought to keep Thundercracker and Skywarp close, or even bring another Decepticon along to consult with. Only one mech, since the Seeker had the instinct that the visit shouldn't be a spectacle.
However, Starscream did not have to spend more time selecting such a mech. The new message that materialized in his communications feed caught him off guard when he was in the middle of obtaining an energon cube.
Will you be going to Vos personally?
It's very likely. You're probably well enough to take charge of Trypticon in my absence. I'll send Hook over to approve your condition this solar cycle.
No, I want to come with you. Megatron said.
Starscream's optics widened. The gesture was especially jarring compared to how distant Megatron was being.
Why?
It can't be good for you to go alone. The situation at Vos would be highly unpredictable.
I was planning on having another mech accompany me, maybe Blitzwing or Skystalker or Scrash. Besides, I have supporters in Vos. Are you so stir-crazy that you'd risk being away from headquarters?
I… Megatron paused, Vos is beyond Autobot territory. You would have to travel past enemy lines if you don't want to detour around the Sonic Canyons.
So? I've had to fight past enemy lines before. Didn't you put me in charge to test if I am worthy as a potential successor? Don't tell me you've forgotten already.
Starscream could have ended this exchange easily with either a yes or no, and many good reasons to back up the latter. This was a covert journey, and he needed as little distraction as possible. Any other mech he chose to accompany him would've been a good choice, even Shockwave (though the Seeker dreaded the interaction at any length). But at least he would have been kept on his pedes with constant paranoia.
Megatron tended to have an entirely opposite effect, but Starscream couldn't seem to stop himself from pushing the warlord to distract him further.
I only wish to support you, Starscream. I have been—You were exiled from Vos, weren't you? To return there afterwards and discuss an alliance isn't an easy position to be in.
The Seeker found himself unable to look at the message any longer without keeping his faceplates straight. Slagging Megatron and his aggravating way of wording his concern in such an abstruse statement!
You… I-I'm going to be too busy worrying about anything else, or to look after you for the matter. And I don't want to deal with your silent treatment the whole time!
Was that the impression you had of me recently?
I can't believe it! Are you that much of a thickbolted dunce?!
I will accompany you to Vos, Starscream. That is final.
Megatron's tone did not allow for further argument. Starscream slumped against the wall, suddenly weary beyond belief. He never thought he would be missing the old version of his leader who was overly touchy, never serious, and always tried to gain his attention in highly inappropriate ways. Megatron would've teased him about the exchange with Thundercracker and Skywarp far longer and made a lecherous comment about a "reward". Then Starscream would punch him in his smug faceplates, and Megatron would pull him close instead, his large servos pressing firmly around his waist…
Slag it, he's already getting distracted. Megatron wasn't the worst mech he could get stuck with, and the warlord would help greatly in bouncing strategies off of. But Starscream really needed to consider what he was getting into. The possibilities didn't exactly reassure him. The silence, the distance, the half-there longing with a hint of restlessness. Perhaps if he took Megatron along, the journey would be enough to snap him out of his self-imposed isolation.
If Starscream got past the S Team, that was.
Megatron had already made his intentions known to the other officers, who surprisingly had no further comments. Instead their attention turned to Starscream. Strika had the audacity to suggest that he should leave the alliance discussions to Megatron, and concentrate his attention on the colonies.
Starscream had to bite back a slew of outraged comebacks. Vos asked him to speak to the Sovereign, and only he knew its customs better than anyone. See how far any other Decepticon would get without accidentally declaring war on the entire city!
To his surprise, Straxus took his side, "Vos invited Starscream, one of their own. It'll look bad if we send another mech. They may not move forward with discussions if he's not there."
Strika was unmoved, "Only if he could get past his self-serving tendencies to negotiate such an important alliance. I don't trust him to do it successfully."
"I'm right here," Starscream snapped, "At least pretend that I exist, won't you?"
He still made little headway with the S Team even after orbital cycles. Straxus' support was relieving, but how much longer did he have to work to win over everyone else?! The Seeker was just about ready to bash some sense into every single one of those mechs.
"Look, I'm not asking for you all to like me, but can't you at least accept that I act for the best interests of the faction? Why do you think I'm still here for? We're in the middle of a critical point in the war, and I've spent every online solar cycle planning our way out of it! For spark's sake, can't you cooperate with me on anything?"
Silence met his tirade, but Starscream continued on regardless.
"If any of you say 'no', then you ought to reexamine why you joined the Decepticons in the first place! There's no room for petty grievances. If you have anything against me, bring it up to me personally. Don't drag down everyone else who has given their energon in battle so that we could have another solar cycle to squabble pointlessly."
Strika looked pointedly off to one side. Shockwave was unreadable as usual, but his antennas lowered slightly.
"Well then, that was refreshing," Skystalker piped up, "I've never been castigated during a strategy meeting. I see nothing wrong in sending Starscream over. Perhaps he's got what it takes to convince Vos to join us."
"Lord Megatron could use some of that fire." Hook snorted.
And with Shockwave's matter-of-fact statement that knowledge of Vosian culture was critical to peace talks, the issue was dropped. Megacycles after the meeting ended, Starscream was still reeling somewhat from yet another instance of mechs listening to him, the S Team no less. His pedes threatened to fold from under him when he returned to his quarters. The Seeker collapsed onto his berth faceplates down and released a long groan.
He was so tired. There was the journey to think of as well, and Starscream was already wanting to shut himself back into his personal lab, which was somewhat disused recently. Being second-in-command and now leader wasn't providing opportunities to work on his projects, or to be alone in his thoughts long enough to come up with new ideas.
And now with Megatron traveling with him and everything else going on in Vos, Starscream knew there was only more chaos to come.
The overhanging sky, crimson and fractured by patches of heavy black clouds, felt almost too wide open for comfort. Even with the roar of their engines drowning out all other sound, Megatron couldn't stop himself from running a scan every couple of cycles to make sure they were alone. The last one had yielded nothing. But the sense of yawning vertigo refused to recede. He had really spent too much time indoors.
The journey to Vos would take two solar cycles by air at most. Starscream wasn't taking any chances, and had suggested the detour to throw any watching optics off their trail. He'd even made preparations to change their paintjobs so no mech could recognize them in their alt-modes. His second went for a white, red and blue palette, although the warlord had barely caught a glance before the Seeker had transformed almost immediately and took off.
Again, Starscream continued to excel in his new role, learning the ins and outs of leadership with astonishing alacrity. He approached matters so very differently from Megatron, but was somehow able to win the S Team's cooperation nonetheless. When Hook had stopped by to clear him for travel, the medic recounted Starscream's rant in its entirety, and admonished Megatron for holding back excessively when he should have "put those upstarts in their place".
He stifled a chuckle. Of course Starscream could do many things he could not. It was the proper quality of a worthy second-in-command Megatron chose. Look at him, already managing to secure a chance to negotiate a much-needed alliance. The Seeker would make an excellent leader and successor who will do even more for the Decepticons when the time comes.
Megatron was suddenly back in his quarters, holding his second-in-command close, shuttering his optics as Starscream leaned into him with a small sigh. A single suspended cycle of peace, their frames so close together that he could hear the faint clicks and hums of the Seeker's internal systems at work and every minute shift of the ailerons on his wings. Starscream content to lay at rest in his arms, until he had to put an end to it for duty's sake.
Starscream as leader, Starscream as his successor, an idea that Megatron liked less and less. It sounded awry the longer he thought about it. To head into battle without the Seeker at his side, to strategize without his second pointing out every flaw, and to spend an entire solar cycle without Starscream being there in some way seemed intensely wrong. If Megatron could help it, he will work to ensure under no circumstances that his second will succeed him.
Perhaps not will. Starscream must never replace him.
He accelerated, his engines whining under the strain as his targeting systems flickered all over the place for lack of anything to shoot at. For once Megatron wished he was in battle right now, where he could channel his growing frustration into plowing through as many Autobots as he could.
Did you detect something? Starscream queried.
No. All coasts are clear. Carry on, Lord Starscream.
Don't—The Seeker sputtered, Don't call me that! Why do you even have mechs referring to you as "Lord" anyways? Does it flatter your ego when you get called by a fancy title?
The Decepticons who once served under Megazarak were the first to do so, namely as a sign of conferring their loyalty to him. Eventually he adopted the title when he traveled around, trying to recruit more mechs, even entire cities, to the faction. Higher up mechs respected titles, liked to negotiate one-sided deals and were not above switching loyalties to whoever offered more.
Perhaps it was this reason why Megatron knew he had to accompany Starscream to Vos. He once met with the city leadership of Praxus alone to maintain secrecy of the mission. But it had been a trap; those mechs attempted to capture him to be turned over to the Autobots. Megatron spent solar cycles trying to find a way out of Praxus, cut off from all communications while evading an entire city determined to hunt him down.
They had to land and take cover under an overhanging edge once they were within five-hundred mechanometers from Autobot territory. It covered the entrance to the underground energon pipelines that ran across most of the planet. The passageway was sealed off by debris, but was large enough for them to remain out of sight as they waited for patrolling Autobot ships to leave the area.
Starscream had squeezed himself under two supporting beams. The position looked uncomfortable for his wings, but he was examining his scanner readout with great concentration.
"We should be able to move again after two megacycles." The Seeker concluded.
"It's plenty of time to discuss your plan for approaching the Sovereign. You must always assume that he has his own agenda," Megatron said, "You must under no circumstances give the impression that we need their aid more than they need ours. Do not reveal more about the Decepticons than is necessary. It'll also help if you can force him to disclose his goals early on—"
"For spark's sake, I know what's at stake! Why are you so nagging all of a sudden? Were you always this much of a controlling afthead and somehow I was never aware of it?!"
"Negotiation is my area of expertise, Starscream."
"And I know the culture of my own city! Is that why you're really here, to keep an optic on me and make sure I don't screw up?"
"What? No. I believe I already made my motives clear—"
"Ha, making motives clear my aft! You've always been a smooth talker, Megatron. You want to support me? Then tell me your actual reason for coming along."
"Why are you getting upset?" Megatron was becoming more bewildered by the nanoklik, "I don't intend to interfere while you talk to the Sovereign…"
Again his thoughts crept back to Praxus. A warframe trying to hide himself in a city built primarily by and for civilian models was no easy task. It was one of the few times when Megatron wished he had at least taken two or three other mechs so they would have fought out. It would be simple to tell Starscream about all this, that he didn't want the Seeker to be trapped in a difficult spot, that he needed some form of backup as a precaution.
But Megatron knew Starscream wouldn't be satisfied either way. He would demand more of an explanation, one that he couldn't put into words without feeling guilt curdle his spark.
"So you're going to leave negotiations up to me?" Starscream asked quietly.
"Of course," He said, "They invited you, didn't they? If you demand to know the purpose of me being here, you can see me as a tourist. I've never been to Vos."
Starscream scoffed, "Oh, so now you're pulling out the bad excuses. Next will be the silence, and then the sulking—"
The Seeker suddenly bolted up, his readout flashing. He grasped Megatron by the shoulder, yanking him further into the small space. The warlord toppled over with an exclamation, and Starscream promptly shushed him.
"Patrol ship passing up ahead. Put your systems in low power mode."
He lay with bated intakes, his optics tracking the pinpoint of light streaking above. When it passed by without incident, Megatron realized he had accidentally pinned Starscream beneath him. The smaller mech slapped his chest armor with a scowl.
"Get up! You're crushing me."
It had been orbital cycles since he last allowed this kind of proximity to Starscream. Megatron gazed at the other, taking in his new paint job, his wings now white with a red stripe on each, blue servos and red chest armor. He wanted to reach and cradle Starscream's helm in both servos, before leaning in to kiss him until their intakes stuttured.
"Get off me!"
"You're beautiful in whatever colors you wear." The words slipped out before Megatron could stop them.
Starscream looked away, his faceplates noticeably flushed, "S-Shut up! How dare you—Don't say that with a straight expression!"
The Seeker sat as far away from him as he could. Megatron thought about teasing him for not being able to take a compliment, but he knew there was something more to it. In fact, there was something more to everything Starscream did towards him recently, something new and utterly disarming.
The shame seemed to grow tenfold. Megatron suppressed that line of thought with vehemence and looked away from his second. Silence stretched on for cycles between them. The two-megacycle long wait suddenly seemed an inordinate amount of time.
The sound of shifting armor plating came from Starscream's direction, "I'm not looking forward to returning."
"Is that so?" Megatron kept his gaze pointedly fixed on a line of distant buildings, "Is it because you resent the circumstances of your exile?"
"... No, I don't think so. It's been millions of stellar cycles. I've moved past it."
"It's been that long since…?"
"I've left mechs behind," Starscream muttered, "And I cut them off for so many stellar cycles. If I could spend the rest of my functioning cycle without any ties to Vos, I would. But here I am, about to convince my city to enter into an alliance, and to maintain that connection for who knows how long."
"And yet you were so determined to convince the S Team that you had to be there."
"I… It was necessary. I don't know if anyone else could do it. As a stand-in-leader, I was—I had to. But I entertained the idea of refusing. You alone probably could've forced me to do it regardless."
The Seeker was learning to think and make decisions despite his personal sentiments, which Megatron highly suspected was the key that had the other officers listening to him. It was an area that the warlord admittedly struggled with at times, and yet another example of the other proving his excellence.
"I know it wouldn't come to that. I trust your judgement, Starscream. You know what choices are necessary." He said.
"What about you? What is necessary about you coming along?"
"Will you accept that I wanted to come along because I wanted to see a part of your past?"
"I thought you asked all Decepticons to leave behind their pasts upon joining."
The statement seemed deliberate, as if Starscream was trying to lead him towards a certain response. Megatron finally gave in and met the other's optics. The Seeker's expression was pensive, with no small amount of determination.
"Perhaps I make an exception for some." Megatron said.
"Isn't that a problem?" Starscream countered, "Seems like a leader should be as fair as they could."
How to respond to that pointed question? By pointing out the fact that he hadn't been fair from the first solar cycle with the Seeker? He was already aware of the absolute irony of his response, considering what he had already disclosed in his sedated delirium and that disastrous attempt to convince Starscream that it never happened. Megatron grasped for his next words with difficulty.
"I suppose—I wasn't… You've got me there." He admitted.
"Why have you been distancing yourself from me?" Starscream's voice was quiet.
He was a fool to have hoped that the Seeker wouldn't notice, and pretending that he knew nothing of it, "Does it bother you that much?"
"You're still..." The Seeker trailed off, "Why are you so slagging stubborn, Megatron? I already confronted you about how you really feel about me. Am I really going to have to ask Hook to put you on sedatives again for you to be honest for once?"
The warlord's first instinct was to deflect again with another question, but the notion tired him before he could formulate it. Honesty had been refreshing. To say what was in his processor and pay no attention to his duty to address his uncontrolled fits of madness, to pretend that everything around them was going fine and he had every right to find solace in Starscream's company…
He couldn't, not after he knew what his second's neck felt like in his crushing grip, after having torn into the other officers with his blades.
"You've been quick putting that whole incident behind," Megatron shuttered his optics, "You shouldn't have been so swift to forgive."
"I decide when and how I forgive, not you! If you're still wallowing about that—"
"You aren't responsible for shouldering my recovery, Starscream, despite what I…"
Despite how he felt about having the Seeker close, and the fact that he could forget everything that was bothering him every time Starscream stopped by to spend the rest of the solar cycle with him. Megatron clenched his servos tight until they creaked.
"Don't be ridiculous. I'm your second-in-command," Starscream snapped, jabbing a digit somewhat painfully into his chestplates, "Disregarding the dubious rationale of granting that rank to me in the first place, I'm responsible for your wellbeing to some degree. You really are a stubborn afthead."
And with that, all perturbing thoughts vanished from his processor. Megatron wanted to laugh at the mock outrage on the Seeker's faceplates. So it seemed like Starscream wasn't willing to be honest either. He briefly entertained the idea of spending the rest of the journey coaxing his second to disclose himself. Was it going to be a battle of wits between the two of them where the winner was the last to admit his true thoughts?
But for how long would this last? Megatron looked away again towards the horizon. He knew Starscream was likely to press him again on his motives for coming along. As for how much he could admit to the other, it was going to be defined by how much he was willing to stick by what he knew was his duty.
Of which he was failing spectacularly at without a doubt.
"You are former second-in-command," Megatron corrected, "You represent the Decepticons now in Vos. I will act as your backup and your advisor if necessary when negotiations are in progress."
Starscream heaved a sigh, "I have to teach you about Vosian customs as much as I could. And don't try to argue your way out. Charisma alone isn't enough to carry you over."
"You sure about that? I spent the past few thousands of stellar cycles getting along with a Seeker, after all."
"No no no! Seekers are not a type of Cybertronian! I don't know why everyone outside of Vos thinks so. Only members of Cybertronian Air Command are named as such, and it doesn't help that those who pass the criteria are usually of a similar frame type—But first of all, you need to stop flying like a slagging tank with thrusters. You'll embarrass me in front of the entire population!"
"What else am I supposed to do?"
"Oh for spark's sake… At this point it'll be easier for me to pretend I don't know you!"
Megatron laughed, "How cold of you, Starscream. Are you the same mech who claimed you are responsible for my wellbeing to some degree? What happened to that individual?"
"Oh shut up!"
Eventually they were able to move again and continue their journey to Vos. Starscream gave him an informational lecture with his customary bite, but Megatron could sense that the other was much more at ease. He admitted that his own spark felt somewhat lighter as well.
Vos gleamed against the landscape like a jewel even mechanometers away, its signature towers stretching high into the sky. Starscream immediately felt a pang of familiarity as soon as he saw the city. Thousands of stellar cycles since he last set step in Vos, and he both dreaded and welcomed how his home might have changed while he was away.
Sovereign Swiftwing had promised to send an envoy to welcome them in, but first they had to pass entrance control and verify their identities. Vos had always been quite strict on who entered the city. Surprisingly enough, there were no detailed checks for banned weapons, viruses and contraband. Megatron noted this too with a frown as they were approved to pass.
"An ongoing war is a good reason for caution. We could be carrying explosives." He said.
The flier who just confirmed their identity check scoffed dismissively, "War has no place in Vos. Besides, if you were actually planning to plot something against us, Air Command would be the first to put you down."
Starscream had almost forgotten about Vos' pompous confidence in what used to be Cybertron's planetary air defense division. But it wasn't without good reason. If they ever got the city-state to side with the Decepticons, the tides of war will turn for certain.
That is, if they took the war seriously.
Once he entered the city proper, Starscream was taken back by how little had changed. Vos' thin gleaming towers were as polished and well-kept as ever, stacked into layers with dizzying complexity. The sky rails that the city used for transporting goods and raw materials arched and looped among the buildings as far as the optic could see. Fliers of all types and sizes streaked through the sky in neat lanes, their engines creating a steady thrum through the entire area. It was such a drastic contrast with the landscape of Kaon, which was frequently shrouded in industrial haze and the faint light from Hadeen that seemed to be absorbed by the dark buildings. Befitting its reputation as the city of light, Vos built large reflective mirrors in almost every surface, which reflected the star with almost blinding intensity. Starscream felt as if he had stepped on an entirely different planet.
Once his vision had adjusted to the change, he could see two winged figures waiting beyond the exit. One was noticeably taller with a bulkier build and blue armor plating. The other, shorter and sporting a black and purple paint job, ran forwards as soon as he saw Starscream. It was the only warning he got before the mech tackled him in a crushing hug.
"Screamer! You made it!" Skywarp gushed, "I was trying to persuade TC to let me fly out to see if you needed a flight escort, but this stuckup said it's too risky."
Thundercracker approached as well with an exasperated sigh, "The Sovereign sent us as envoys, and Starscream wanted to be discreet. I do tend to take his word slightly more than yours."
"TC! How could you?"
"He's right to do so. You're still an idiot, Skywarp." Starscream huffed, "I'm only here because you have no self-control."
"Nine thousand stellar cycles since we last saw each other, and you're as affectionate as we remember you to be. I suppose it's a bit too much to expect you to be a little happy to see us." Thundercracker remarked.
Starscream wasn't going to try to explain how he was feeling at the moment to be reunited with his former trinemates, to see that they had moved on as well without him and to note their personalities were as familiar as the last solar cycle they were together. But when Skywarp tightened his grip and pulled a protesting Thundercracker over with one servo, he sank against their frames. A profound kind of tension seemed to leave him as their EM fields mingled and resonated against each other.
"I suppose I'm not opposed to seeing you two again in this lifetime." He muttered.
"Good enough. Welcome home, Starscream." Thundercracker said quietly.
Megatron had been watching the whole exchange with clear intrigue when Starscream finally turned to introduce him to his trinemates. To his abject horror, Skywarp proceeded to study the warlord with a growing smirk that always meant nothing good.
"I didn't know the Decepticon leader was such a looker. Is he taken?" He whispered.
"For spark's sake, Skywarp!" Starscream hissed, "This is not appropriate. Aren't you supposed to escort us in?"
"I don't hear a yes~"
"He's not interested! Now knock it off—"
"How d'you know that, Screamer? Unless you've—"
"Alright, time to do escort duties," Thundercracker pinched Skywarp at the tip of a wing, "His Grace is waiting. My apologies for keeping you waiting, Lord Megatron."
"No need for titles here. Your familiarity with Starscream is quite reassuring." The warlord stated, "He mentioned you two were his… trinemates? How exactly does that work?"
Starscream had explained the whole concept of trinemates to the other on their way here. But he supposed the question was a good segue into starting a conversation as Thundercracker answered with the occasional quippy input from Skywarp.
All newly-sparked Vosians were grouped into units and trained in flight until they mastered the basics. Then each mech was assigned to a mentor to pursue in a specialized skill according to their frame type. The three of them, who all transformed into fighter jets, had spent many stellar cycles flying together and training in combat. Admittedly Thundercracker and Skywarp were the only ones who spent more than a cycle around him ("Starscream has an award-winning personality!" Skywarp beamed.), and Starscream supposed they were tolerable company ("Suppose? Suppose? You need to stop using that word." Thundercracker reproached.).
It didn't escape Starscream's notice that there was a new sense of intimacy between them. Skywarp was entirely too happy to lean against Thundercracker when laughing at some inane thing, and the blue Seeker allowed his servos to linger a split nanoklik too long.
"We're bonding next orbital cycle." Thundercracker said when Starscream pointed it out.
"Wait… what?" He did a double take, "What?"
"That's why I've been more active in sending messages to you. We were prepared to hold the ceremony outside of Vos if you came."
Starscream was still having trouble processing this new bombshell of a news, "You're bonding with Skywarp?"
"Is there a problem?" Thundercracker raised an optic ridge.
"But he's an idiot."
"Hey! I resent that!" Skywarp exclaimed, "I am a top-tier partner! TC enjoys it when I—"
"Skywarp! We really must get going. We can talk all we want about this once Starscream has paid his greetings."
Skywarp made a protesting whine, but Thundercracker transformed and took to the skies. The rest of them followed suit. Starscream had to swallow the rest of his disbelieving comments and file it away for later grilling. Stringent unyielding Thundercracker and ditzy hyperactive Skywarp as a couple? Thundercracker had spent most of their time together rebuking and holding Skywarp back from his antics with tired exasperation. What exactly did he miss?
It was strange to give thought to frivolous matters unrelated to war like this, as if the Decepticon Autobot conflict never existed. In fact, there were no signs of the war in the city. Starscream could see mechs going about their daily business as usual at the many landing platforms and balconies. The city had no roads, but the Seeker also noted a surprising number of figures moving about the rocky foundations of many buildings. Energon flowed freely, with Vos' famed Fountain of Abundance spouting the glowing fuel between three towers.
What would've happened if he never left? Would he have joined the Decepticons, or lived in peace while the rest of Cybertron rained fire on each other?
If those thoughts had shown itself in some form on his faceplates, Megatron noticed it. When Thundercracker and Skywarp escorted them to Skywards Tower and into the Sovereign's throne room, the warlord lingered by his side perhaps a little too close. He followed Starscreams' instructions in offering the seven Empyrean Salutations once the two of them stood in front of the Sovereign himself. Megatron reluctantly stood back when Starscream stepped forward to begin discussions, but he could feel the other's unwavering gaze on him.
Swiftwing was a flier of the same height as Starscream, with white armor plating streaked through with gold. For some reason he looked vaguely familiar, although Starscream couldn't quite place why yet. But so far he seemed quite reasonable to speak with, which was more than he could say about the row of city council members who sat behind the Sovereign. The amount of disdainful looks that was aimed at him neared almost lethal levels. Slagging Vosian leadership and their prejudices towards a mech's background.
Starscream spoke about the Decepticons' founding principles and their stand against the mistreatment of Cybertronian warbuilds. He made sure to focus on this particular point, since Vos was a city of warbuilds. But for some reason this didn't exactly resonate. All he got was unimpressed looks.
"What about warbuilds? You and the Decepticons are tearing up Cybertron over mistreatment? In what way does that concern Vos?" One of the council members commented.
Of course. He'd forgotten about how closed off Vos was. They cared less on what anyone outside suffered. Starscream needed to shift priorities and somehow convince everyone that there was a good reason for the city-state to commit their resources—
"It's not an easy decision," Swiftwing said, "Vos has already seen Autobot attempts at an alliance. Whoever we ally ourselves with, the other side is very likely to prioritize attacks on our city. Air Command is a strategic advantage that any commander would want to take out as fast as they could. Will you force all Vosians to risk their lives?"
Autobots trying to win over Vos despite all that was done against warbuilds? Starscream filed that unsettling piece of information away as he replied, "I didn't come with the intention to ask all of Vos to fight. But I am also here to tell you that you may no longer have the luxury to stay out of it."
"Tarn, Helex, Protihex and Rodion are in ruins. Half of Cybertron is rationing fuel. The AllSpark is gone. How are we to know that your war is worth joining forces on? So far the results have been lackluster." Another council member parried.
Now this was familiar territory, mechs determined to make things difficult. Starscream proceeded to explain the Autobots' new superweapon and detail their encounters in battle. But even as he did so, he couldn't deny a certain amount of truth in that question. What was the war heading towards? How long can they expect to fight? What cost would victory bring? Was it worth dragging Thundercracker and Skywarp into the conflict?
Megatron remained silent for the entirety of the discussion, but his features were taut. When the assembly was over, Starscream went to him and sat by his side. The warlord allowed a wry smile and leaned a fraction closer.
"You did well." He murmured.
"You don't get to say that until the results are clear," Starscream shot back, "Those mechs who were so fond of rebutting me have a large part in the final decision."
"At least they are equally as reserved towards the Autobots… The Sovereign seems to be looking in your direction. Is there something he wants?"
Starscream got up and approached Swiftwing with some trepidation. The white Seeker regarded him with a look that seemed entirely too warm than was proper, and motioned for Starscream to join him as the other council members spoke amongst themselves.
"It's good to see you again, Starscream." Swiftwing stated.
"Have I known you? I'm sure I would've remembered that I was acquaintances with royalty."
Swiftwing chuckled, "I was with the aerial assault division. You worked with my squadron once to analyze Thuvia's atmospheric conditions before we carried out an operation. Though we didn't interact as much afterwards, your work ethic left its impressions."
"Clearly I did a good enough job—" Starscream began to scoff, before remembering he stood before the Sovereign, not a thick-bolted Decepticon who knew nothing of courtesy. He caught himself with no small amount of awkward gesticulating.
"I'm not going to punish any mech for breach of courtesy," Swiftwing said, "Besides, you've lived outside for Vos for so long. Coming back must have been quite the experience."
"Why did you ask for me to return? Why are you considering an alliance now, of all times? Skywarp passed on the news that I was leading the Decepticon war effort, but what does that have to do with you?"
It was a question that had been gnawing away at Starscream's processor for a while. He knew that Vos had no reason to get excited just because an idiot trinemate revealed he was leading the Decepticons. Vos always had little interest in any events outside the city, and this should have been no exception. His confusion only grew when he received the personal invitation for an audience from Swiftwing.
Swiftwing glanced over at the huddled council members, and back again at Starscream with the same warm expression as before, "I'll admit that some of my personal biases came into the decision. You are a capable mech whom I would like to welcome back to Vos. Your exile was unneeded and baseless. I am prepared to make you air commander of all Seekers who join the Decepticons if the rest of the council approves of the alliance. Even if they don't, I will revoke your exile permanently. If you wish to stay in Vos and rejoin Cybertronian Air Command, I will also make that happen."
Starscream stared at the other, dumbfounded. The outpouring of offers seemed almost too good to be true. He'd done nothing to earn it. The Sovereign really had no reason to favor him so much, unless…
The growing realization hit him a cycle too late.
"I'll… I'll think about it. Please excuse me, your Grace." Starscream bowed and left to rejoin Megatron, his spark hammering inside of its chamber.
"Learn anything new?" Megatron asked.
"I'm only here because of personal bias," The Seeker sighed, "Looks like the Sovereign has a soft spot for me. I wonder if I can use it to my advantage."
"Not above a little manipulation, I see. Should I be cautious?"
"You're not worth the effort! What exactly can you offer me? However, you should know that it's unlikely we'd receive an answer today. Vosian leadership values confidentiality and likes to take their sweet time with every decision."
Sure enough, Swiftwing reconvened the assembly to state they would need to spend more time in discussion. He also requested the two of them to be on standby for the rest of the solar cycle, which Megatron was immediately opposed to. They had to get back to the front lines soon, for they had been away long enough. But Starscream struck a compromise. They would stay for a couple of megacycles, just enough for them to discuss among themselves and summon them back if needed.
Skywarp was immediately dragging them out for a tour of Vos. The black and purple Seeker hung around Megatron in particular, his wings flicking with enthusiastic vigor. Starscream sighed, knowing that allowing him to get it out of his system was the best option.
"Your intended is flirting with someone else. Shouldn't you be concerned?"
"I'm not," Thundercracker admitted, "For many reasons. Skywarp isn't serious about it, and neither is…"
He trailed off as he examined the two mechs up ahead. Megatron was noticeably reserved even as Skywarp flitted around him excitedly.
"It's clear that Megatron only has optics for you." Thundercracker said.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Starscream scowled, even as his spark gave a jolt in response.
"He doesn't treat you like a ranked officer, and hasn't left your side since your arrival. You're also nicer to him than you ever managed with any mech that isn't us. What is the nature of your acquaintance with the leader of the Decepticons? "
"How am I nice to him? You're just seeing things, Thundercracker."
"Fine, don't admit anything if you don't want to," The blue Seeker huffed, "But Megatron still concerns me, especially with how close you are to him. Now before you say it's none of your—"
"It is none of your fragging business."
"Of course, Starscream. But you've had a first row seat to the war. You've seen the destruction that increases the longer the fighting continues. Megatron tried to force the Autobots to give up the AllSpark by firebombing several neutral city states, and they tossed it into regions unknown. I am concerned by the fact that he was fine with that course of action in the first place. What cause is worth attacking the neutral cities? What end justifies offlining civilians in the thousands?"
Starscream couldn't find a prompt reply to that, even though he wanted to say it had been a necessary attempt to force a turning point. But it hadn't worked. The AllSpark was gone, along with any chance of seeing new Cybertronians sparked. Megatron had been driven to his breaking point because of it. Those civilians had offlined in their desperate attempt to end the war.
"We won't let it end this way," Starscream ground out, "We won't allow the war to be for naught. Vos knows nothing of what warbuilds suffer outside of the city. I joined the Decepticons because I didn't have much of a choice. Exiled and denied a scientific career, I have personal stakes in fighting to see the solar cycle when we get our basic rights. So what of the AllSpark? When we win, I'll send every mech I can to retrieve it."
Thundercracker lowered his helm, "I hope you can make a distinction between means and their ends."
"If you have a problem with the Decepticon cause, then you can stay out of it. You've always thought too much about what you should and shouldn't do. Stay in Vos then. I have no need for mechs who cannot commit."
"Starscream…" Thundercracker began, but he trailed off again as he looked at him steadily in the optic. Starscream flinched and turned away.
"You're worried about the war too. Seems like you know that it isn't going well and you'd rather not see us join the fighting. Honestly, Starscream. It's fine to just say that outright."
"Could you convince Skywarp then?"
"Probably not." Thundercracker admitted.
"At this rate he'd join just because Megatron asked," Starscream grumbled. "Doesn't take much to impress him."
"Doesn't take too much from you to impress Megatron either. Ever since the audience ended, he's been looking at you with nothing but awe."
"You're reading too much into things again, Thundercracker."
Or was he? When Skywarp doubled back to berate him and Thundercracker for falling behind, Megatron's gaze met Starscream's right away. His expression was still unreadable, but the intensity was clear, as if he were trying to commit every part of his image to memory.
"Having fun?" Starscream snapped as he forcibly suppressed his surge of embarrassment.
"Thundercracker is a lucky mech," Megatron said, "I'm afraid Skywarp is more suited to his long-suffering temperament."
"What? C'mon! What does Starscream have that I don't?"
Starscream sputtered in protest, but Skywarp paid him no attention.
"You like him, don't you?" He pouted, "Why else would you put him in charge of the Decepticons? Hang on, how did you even get past his winsome personality? Screamer can't charm a rock if he tried—"
"Alright, you can shut up now." Starscream whacked Skywarp over the helm with a loud clang.
Why the slag was everyone under the impression that Megatron was closer to him than he actually was?! Starscream was sure that he showed nothing, so it meant it was all that fragger's fault. Can't he control himself even a little? So Megatron had finally broken his distant unresponsive demeanor, only to replace it with something much worse.
The Seeker refused to even begin to describe what all this did to him.
"So are you coming back to Vos, Screamer?" Skywarp suddenly asked, slinging an arm over his shoulder plating.
"What? This trip was meant as a short meeting with Sovereign Swiftwing—"
"But I heard him offering to revoke your exile! That means you can come back whenever you want, right? What're you waiting for? You can become a scientist in Air Command again. It's everything you've ever wanted!"
Starscream had yet to process what Swiftwing's offer meant to him. He hadn't expected it at all, and realized that it meant a complete restoration of who he was before. If he accepted and returned, he was no longer an exile, or a shunned warbuild without a scientific degree. Everything he'd gone through for the past thousands of stellar cycles since he left Vos would be nullified. He would be with his trine again, and live without the anxiety of survival in a war.
"Become a Seeker of Vos again, and you don't have to worry about the ends of this conflict," Thundercracker had joined them, "Let another handle the difficult decisions, and fly with us through the tricolored skies until the stars rise."
The familiar trine epithet made his spark twinge. Starscream didn't deny that he would've accepted the offer at another point in his life. But even as he entertained the thought, he knew his answer already without having to debate it internally. He'd chosen his path long ago, and he was going to see it through.
"I have a duty to the Decepticons," He said, "As a commanding officer, I can't just leave whenever I want to."
"What about after the war's over?" Skywarp pressed.
"First I'll try to survive for that long, then I'll think about it." Starscream snorted.
"Don't say that, Starscream," Thundercracker disapproved, "Besides, I want you to be present for our bonding. You still should think about what you should do in the long term."
"Not playing third wheel to you two, that's for sure."
"No you wouldn't! Just bring Megatron along too!" Skywarp exclaimed before dodging another whack. He stuck out his glossa at Starscream as he ducked behind Thundercracker.
Fortunately, Megatron missed that part of the exchange as he approached them, "You three should go catch up. I'll be waiting in this plaza if the Sovereign summons us again."
"And leave you twiddling your digits for megacycles? You're in Vos! Starscream is the expert on best sightseeing flight routes and vantage points. He'll show you around!"
"I'm not—"
"TC and I… uh… we were just summoned back to Air Command! We'll be back soon!"
Starscream doubted that was true. So did Thundercracker, but Skywarp whispered a few words into the blue Seeker's audio. He gave Starscream a wry smirk, waved and took off with the other.
Who's the third wheel now? We'll leave you two some time alone. And Starscream, a bit of honesty never offlined anyone. Thundercracker sent a parting message. If you can stay a little longer, you should visit the others as well. Sunstorm was upset that he's sent away on a security detail mission. As for Nightstrike… he's still around. Maybe you can put his part in your exile behind you.
Starscream grimaced. He wasn't about to make this trip a full-on reunion with everyone he ever knew. Even so, he'd take Thrust and Ramjet's attitudes than face the mentor he once trusted to support his career choices, who would rather see him exiled rather than a scientist.
It felt strange to be left alone again after the whirlwind of activity since arriving in Vos. He'd done so much, though much of it was surprisingly not as unpleasant as he expected. Perhaps he would make plans to be present for his trinemate's bonding if time allowed, though right now he wanted nothing more than to shut himself in a room for the rest of the solar cycle.
"You look tired," Megatron agreed, "You don't have to do anything if you don't want to."
"No thanks to my trinemates and that audience with city leadership—!"
The warlord suddenly turned around, his frame tense. He surveyed the plaza for a few nanokliks.
"I could've sworn someone was watching us. I've had that feeling for a while." He said in a low voice.
"Then let's get out of here."
Starscream transformed and led Megatron on a roundabout path through the city. They flew past a densely packed intersection of sky rails, and through a multi-leveled shopping center that led back to the energon fountain, and then past the circular structure that was the Cybertronian Air Command headquarters. Then he made their way back to Skywards Tower, though Starscream didn't head for the main entrance. Instead he took them upwards, past the audience chamber and the embassy levels and higher still up the tower.
The deck that jutted out from a maintenance entrance and shadowed by the building's rooftop ledge was still there. Though Starscream denied Skywarp's claim that he knew Vos better than the two of them, he did have a collection of favorite spots where he liked to be alone.
They transformed and landed on the platform. Megatron moved to stand at his side as they overlooked the city. Skywards Tower was the highest structure in Vos, which meant it offered a spectacular view of the skyline. As the sky darkened, glowing lights illuminated much of the buildings one by one.
Megatron's attention was transfixed by the view. Neither of them spoke for a while, but Starscream could feel the warlord's tense frame relax by the cycle.
"I haven't been here long, but I already want to spend more time in Vos." Megatron admitted.
"Then do it as a tourist. Any longer and you'd want to escape the stifling culture."
"I won't stop you if you wish to rejoin Cybertronian Air Command."
"You heard the Sovereign's offer?" Starscream sighed, "Then you should've heard my response to my trinemates as well. I'm not leaving just because of that."
Megatron glanced at him, "You're unexpectedly popular here. Thundercracker and Skywarp were glad to have you back. You have a network of companions. Even the Sovereign is somewhat fond of you."
"I don't need you to join the gaggle of mechs who want me back in Vos. Didn't you hear what I said?"
"Yes, I did."
The warlord was looking at him again with that undefined intensity. This time Starscream forced himself to meet it. The conflict that had fomented in the other's optics for the past orbital cycle was mostly gone. Thundercracker said the look had been of awe, and Starscream was beginning to realize his trinemate wasn't wrong.
"S-Stop looking at me like that." He managed to stammer, "I'm not—I let you come along because I'd—I'd rather not deal with the idiocy of any other Decepticon. I s-suppose… I could count on your support… more than anyone else..."
"I didn't do that much. It was all you, Starscream. Leadership has brought out your best qualities. I was prepared to speak up when the council members questioned you. But I didn't need to. You handled yourself so well. You adapted and appealed to their interests better than I could have managed. You did all this in a setting that holds old memories for you, and prioritized your duty above your personal feelings."
Honest open praise from Megatron was rare, but so much more affecting than Starscream could ever expect. He had to turn away to hide the sudden warmth that rose in his faceplates. Even then, the Seeker knew that his reactions likely gave him away. Why this embarrassed him much more than Megatron groping at him was perplexing without reason.
"Stop it!" Starscream tried one last time to snap Megatron out of his strange mood.
"Stop what?" Megatron's voice turned soft, "I am only stating facts about an absolutely exemplary leader. Is there a problem with that?"
Starscream clenched his servos into fists, which trembled the tighter he squeezed. What was happening to him? Was the orbital cycle of communication lapse between them enough to undo him so easily like this? He knew that his frustration grew to a breaking point during that time. But why? Starscream had wanted honesty, but in what? What had he been expecting from his leader? Why was he so bothered by Megatron not offering it?
"... What are you trying to say?" The Seeker managed to force out.
Megatron paused. Starscream felt his frame shift ever so slightly towards him.
"Your presence among the Decepticons is not easily replaced. I said earlier that I won't stop you if you decided to rejoin your companions in Vos, but... it's reassuring to hear that you have decided to count us in your future."
"Still using fancy words to cover up? Just spit it out already—!"
"You're not a mech I could stay away from, Starscream."
The declaration snapped the Seeker's helm up and back to look at Megatron. His regal features were in shadow but tender in expression. His crimson optics were bright against the dimming light, looking at Starscream as if he mattered more than anything else on the planet.
"You asked why I wanted to come," Megatron averted his gaze, as if he were unsure again, "I suppose… that is my answer."
The ground suddenly felt unsteady under Starscream's pedes, and his spark seemed to swell larger than its chamber. He couldn't look away, or resort to his usual biting remarks. Was this it then? An answer to his expectations that he still couldn't put into words? An entire solar cycle of comments from his trinemates about how he was partial to Megatron and vice versa. Starscream denying that any of that existed, because he could not for the life of him understand what was happening between them right now.
But Starscream knew that it felt right when he reached up to grasp the sides of Megatron's helm and press their lips together.
The warlord's surprise was clear. His frame stiffened again, a telltale sign that he was holding himself back. Starscream wanted to smack him for being so stubbornly persistent in his own hangups. Instead he leaned in closer until he could feel Megatron's spark thrumming against him, and closed his optics.
All tension suddenly seemed to leave Megatron at this. His servos came alive to grasp one of Starscream's. He laced their digits together as he pulled back slightly to nuzzle at the Seeker's cheekplates. Then Megatron was pressing kiss after kiss on him until Starscream gasped for intake. Unlike the previous times, the other made no move to make things more heated. Megatron simply kissed him with nothing but affection and simple unadulterated reverence.
Starscream melted against the larger mech's frame. He was trembling, and his audio receptors were filled with a dull roar. One of Megatron's large servos came to cradle his helm as he continued to work at his lips. The kisses began to linger more, as if Megatron couldn't stop himself from pulling away. And at this point Starscream couldn't either. Megatron had never been like this before. The Seeker knew that once this ended, he would have to process what it meant for both of them going forward.
The dull roar turned into a series of muffled booms, and the platform beneath them shook. Starscream's optics snapped online, realizing that their darkening surroundings was suddenly lit in a bright orange glow. He turned away to look out towards the city, only to stifle an appalled exclamation.
Vos burned in the night, the once radiant landscape now a sea of fire.
I love writing relationship dynamics where neither party is willing to admit anything. What will it take for these two lovestruck idiots to be honest with each other? As always, comments are much appreciated.