Ch. 174

"You haven't been refueling much. This concerns me, my second."

"... I... haven't had much of an appetite as of late. I am trying not to aggravate it, my liege."

Megatron chuckled as he and Starscream walked down the halls of the Nemesis together, the larger mech forcing the seeker to hold his arm gently. As though the act of being overly proper negated everything the warlord had done so far.

"My dear Starscream," Megatron purred, "do not stress the formalities of my position above you. Those below us shall address us accordingly; you, however, are exempt from it."

"... Do you wish me to be thankful?"

"I wish you to feel whatever comes naturally. My plans are moving quickly," the warlord admitted, the pair passing by an energon processing distiller; Megatron stopped walking and gestured to the machine, "Allow me the honor of refueling with you?"

Starscream sighed quietly, averting his gaze down the hallway so he wouldn't have to look at the larger mech; he knew this wasn't a request, "I... y-yes, fine..."

Megatron smiled and activated the distiller, allowing the seeker's arm free when he retrieved the first cube and handed it to him, "It must be difficult to manage with your wrists still bound as they are."

Starscream took the cube, staring at the liquid inside, "Funny, I thought that was what was intended."

"Not at all, my dear Starscream," the warlord smirked, taking his own cube, "Perhaps to keep you from causing damage to our soldiers, but never to inhibit you," Megatron carefully pulled the seeker closer and stroked a digit between the connection on the cuffs, "Since you have decided to rejoin me, I think you have earned a little reward."

The cuffs' connection disconnected and Starscream flinched in surprise, nearly dropping his cube at the feeling of such freedom. Despite the release, however, his wrists still felt heavy from the black rings that still laid tight against his wrists. He would've given anything to have them removed.

Megatron smiled and gently patted the seeker's helm, "Better?"

Starscream let out an intake, gripping his cube tighter, "Much... thank you..."

The larger mech drank quietly as he watched his prey stare into the glowing energon, his optics brightening, "You are hesitant. What is troubling you?"

"I... do not have anything to-" Starscream stopped when he felt Megatron's presence lean closer to him and he coughed gently, "I-I mean, you're so busy with so much. My little problems shouldn't be a concern to you."

Megatron chuckled, "All of what ails you is my concern. How can I make your transition back home easier on you? Whatever you desire, I will make it my mission to deliver to you."

The seeker stared up at the warlord and groaned softly. His faceplates couldn't hold back the looks of discomfort he was feeling. He couldn't placate this monster any longer.

"... No."

Megatron blinked, "No, my dear Starscream?"

Starscream looked away and covered his faceplates, groaning again, "I... I can't do this, what do you want from me? Do you think handing me everything material makes all of this acceptable?"

The larger mech smiled, reaching down to stroke his treasure's helm, "How can you say that anything is wrong?"

The seeker flinched back and frowned up at him, his voice shaky, "How can't you?"

Megatron purred, "Because there is nothing wrong. I am here to protect you, my dear Starscream. Dreadwing has been disposed of and C.Y.L.A.S. knows his place; you will not be treated as you were by our enemies, you should know that."

"So I'll not be treated with respect and care?"

"My second," the warlord's tone shifted to something more firm, "they didn't have your interests to spark, only their own agenda."

The seeker took another step back, "Really? And what was that then?"

"Keeping you away from me."

"... What, that's it? Nothing more concrete or revolutionary?"

Megatron finished his energon and set the cube aside, "Must it truly be something deeper?"

Starscream tried to set his cube down, but the warlord stopped him; his frown deepened, "Well, given everything I've had to endure and suffer through, yes, I would have been far more satisfied with a deeper meaning."

The larger mech chuckled and pushed the trembling seeker to drink, "You can be sure that when I find that deeper meaning, it shall be revealed to you. For now, enjoy my company and your energon."

Starscream whimpered, "I don't want to."

"Why not?"

"Because- ... because I just don't want to."

"And yet, you've yet to refuel in quite some time, my dear Starscream. I am growing more concerned for you every passing moment-"

"I'm afraid of you!"

Starscream almost dropped his cube. He hadn't meant to say that. His shaking chassis didn't help the comment either and the confused look upon Megatron's faceplates wasn't scoring him any points.

"I... I-I mean..."

"You're afraid of me?"

'Yes, I am.' "W-well, I just..."

Megatron smirked, "I thought you weren't afraid of me... anymore."

Starscream whimpered again, "I... you've... Y-you've become something else... It's like you're not... you're not Megatron, it's like a whole other person is inside your helm and you're just letting them puppet you around! Y-you're supposed to hate me! Loathe me, even! But you've become this unpredictable mess that just keeps making things worse around me! What's worse is you don't even see it! You're tormenting me and you don't even see! How can you look me in the optic and tell me everything is fine?! You killed them! You killed all of the bots who actually gave a frag about me and now you're keeping me prisoner and holding yourself hostage under the delusion that I want to be here!"

The seeker gripped at his chest plate as he panted, cycling air faster than it could cool him down. Megatron watched him in a curious fashion then gently helped the smaller mech to bring his energon cube to his mouth, tilting it for him. Starscream had little energy to fight back as the glowing liquid invaded his mouth and reminded him of how low his levels were to begin with. When he had finished, his intakes panting softer, the warlord took the cube and set it aside, his faceplates smiling widely.

"Better?"

Starscream glared lightly and shook his helm, "N-no. It won't be until you let me go..."

Megatron tsked, "I do not think I am the one not seeing clearly..." he leaned down close, "My. Dear. St-"

The seeker lashed out with a wide backhand against the larger mech's faceplates as he stumbled back in surprise. The hit hadn't been hard but it was loud and the sound echoed down the eerily quiet and deserted hallway. Starscream tripped over his peds and fell back, staring at the warlord as he shook. Megatron blinked softly, his mouth slowly curling into a sneer, that sick, primal sneer. He stood up straight, rolled his shoulders and took one, large step forward, eliciting a soft whine from his treasure. Resistance engaged; challenge accepted.