Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers.

Author's notes: About Hellscream's optic color: There's no particular reason why I wanted them to be blue. I just have noticed that in the cartoon, they have sometimes drawn Starscream's optics with blue. That's pretty much where I got the idea. Also I thought that maybe he would seem more 'cold' with ice blue optics :D Maybe not.

The Moon And The Sun

Thundercracker's hands were shaking. "Are you sure about this, 'Warp?" Skywarp grasped the blue jet's hand.

"Yes. Come along now, honey. You have nothing to be afraid of." The black and purple Seeker tugged the blue jet after him. He pressed the button on the control panel and the door to the space bridge opened. Together, holding hands, they stepped inside and the door hissed shut.

The whirling began. "Hold on to me, Thunder'." Skywarp said as they began to lift from the ground. "I've travelled through a space bridge before, don't take me for a coward."

They were transported over the space bridge quickly. "We're here." Skywarp whispered. The door opened. Shockwave was sitting on a chair, staring at the screen and typing something.

Instinctively, he turned around to face the two Seekers. If he was surprised to see them, he didn't show it. The lack of facial features made it almost impossible to know what he was thinking.

He stood up and moved across the room to them.

"What is your business on Cybertron?" The mech asked. He didn't point his gun at them and that was a good sign. Thundercracker was still nervous.

"We, uhm... We're here to... Uhm..." Thundercracker stuttered.

"State your business quickly, I'm busy." Shockwave said rudely. Skywarp pushed Thundercracker aside.

"Remember when you asked me for a favor?"

Shockwave's optic gleamed and Skywarp had the feeling that he was slightly surprised. But the feeling was quickly washed away.

"Yes. I remember. What about it?"

Skywarp cleared his throat. "I came here to ask you a favor in return."

"What favor?"

"We need a sanctuary. Will you arrange us a safe place to live?"

The guardian winced only slightly. "Why do you need one? I don't suffer betrayers or Autobot lackeys on Cybertron." Now the mech raised his weapon. Thundercracker whimpered behind Skywarp and grabbed his wings.

"We are not Autobot lackeys or betrayers. We just... We made a mistake and Megatron is not happy with us." Skywarp hoped that Shockwave didn't know what had happened on Earth. He would immediately report to Megatron. He had such a strong sense of responsibility.

Shockwave lowered his weapon. "What did you do?" Skywarp almost sighed in relief but stopped himself in time. He felt how Thundercracker began to relax behind him. The blue jet was glued to his back.

"It's a long story... Please, you have to help us."

If there was something Shockwave didn't understand, it was compassion and empathy. He was a cold and calculative mech and Skywarp knew it. But he was also an honorable mech, he would never betray a vow, or his promise. The guardian probably felt that he owed Skywarp.

"Are you neutrals?" Shockwave asked next. That was no surprise. He was a Decepticon from head to feet.

"No. We're loyal Decepticons and always will be. We just need to lay low for a while. We'll return to Megatron's side once he's appeased." Skywarp wasn't sure if they ever would. It depended on many things.

Shockwave nodded. "Alright. I'll arrange you a safe place from here." Thundercracker released a happy squeal from his throat and Shockwave glanced at him, tilting his head. The blue jet blushed. Skywarp had to suppress his laughter. He took a deep breath.

"Shockwave, don't tell anyone that we're here." The black and purple Seeker pleaded. Shockwave turned to look at him again. That was probably much asked from the loyal guardian, he usually reported everything right away to Megatron. But after a moment of awkward silence, Shockwave nodded.

"Agreed."

XXX

Starscream sniffled in Hellscream's arms, the pain made him almost immobile. Hellscream pulled his head up and kissed his lips. Starscream didn't respond. The black Seeker tugged his glossa inside Starscream's mouth, forcing the smaller Seeker to open his mouth.

Starscream whimpered.

Hellscream pulled back from the kiss and smiled tenderly. "It's alright, Starling. Soon you'll feel better. Now let's go to our quarters and wash that paint off."

Hellscream put the Seeker down.

"You have some spare null-rays, dear? I need weapons."

"In there." Starscream said and pointed at his desk. "The code is-"

"I know what it is." The black and red Seeker went to the desk and punched the code in. He picked up two null-rays and measured them against his arms. "These are too small. But they'll have to do for now."

Hellscream moved across the room to the door and glanced back at Starscream.

"Are you coming or not?"

Starscream hesitated a while. Crimson red optics and a raspy voice haunted his mind.

"I love you."

Starscream shook his head to clear it. "I'm coming..." Starscream muttered and followed Hellscream to the corridor.

XXX

Starscream opened the door to his quarters with caution, for once he was glad that no one else lived in this corridor. Hellscream locked the door behind him and followed Starscream to the shower room.

Starscream turned the water as hot as it could get and sat on the floor. He rubbed his arms and hands, watching the paint pour into the sewer system with the water. He sighed and leaned on the wall.

Hellscream stood on the doorway, leaning on the wall.

"What will we do about Soundwave?" He asked. Starscream shrugged. "I don't know... Maybe we shouldn't kill him. I mean, he's a victim as well, like me. Megatron used him just like he used me."

Hellscream snorted. "Compassion, my dear, is for the Autobots. Soundwave won't let us kill his leader, he will get in the way. And even if he doesn't, he'll be there to challenge our leadership. And don't you think he couldn't defeat us, he can."

Starscream powered off his optics. "I don't think he wants to challenge us when Megatron's dead. He's not the type to avenge, I think. And he has never asked for more power. He won't stand in our way when Megatron's defeated."

Hellscream smiled and sat beside his little Seeker. "Perhaps. But can you be sure? I don't want to take chances."

"I'm sure." No he wasn't. But somehow, he felt sorry for the tape player now. Maybe he was hurting just like Starscream. And all because of Megatron.

Hellscream pulled the small Seeker closer. "Alright, if that's what you wish. We'll leave Soundwave alone. But, if he gets in our way, we'll kill him." Starscream leaned on Hellscream's arm. "Thank you, my love."

Why did he feel so wrong saying that?

"And Megatron? What will we do to him? He won't go down that easily, or without a fight. He's a tough one. We need a perfect plan. I don't want you to get hurt, my Starling." Starscream watched the paint rub off his chassis.

"We could spike his energon." He whispered quietly. It would be a painless death.

Hellscream turned to look at him. "You know what, Starscream? I think I love you more by every minute. You're a genius. He won't notice anything, and we can take him down easily. Now we only need to think how we'll get to his quarters unnoticed. First we need the code and then-"

"I have the code already." Starscream reminded the big Seeker. Hellscream chuckled. "This is going to be a piece of oil cake! You should begin to dig your grave, Megatron, 'cause your practically dead already!"

Starscream listened to Hellscream's laughter, with a fake smile on his lips.

"And once he's dead, we'll hang him on the ceiling of the throne hall of Cybertron! Now that's humiliation. Maybe we'll even leave his spark casing open and-"

"You know what? I think we should just dig him a grave. What will our troops say if we disrespect and humiliate his body? They wouldn't be loyal to us." Starscream said quietly. Hellscream rubbed his chin.

"You might be right. Slag! And I was looking forward to throw him with scrap." Starscream caressed Hellscream's back. The black and red Seeker leaned down and kissed Starscream's helm gently.

"Why don't we just forget about him for a moment? There's still that other thing to do before we're ready... Remember darling?" Hellscream's hand rubbed Starscream's canopy.

Starscream looked up. "Are you sure you want to bond with me? I'm weak and insecure. I am so unlike you." Starscream didn't know if he wanted this anymore. But Hellscream sure did. The big Seeker lifted the smaller one onto his lap.

"That is exactly why I want you. We are each other's opposites, we complete each other, we always did. Do you want this, my love?"

Thoughts raced in Starscream's head. Pictures, voices...

"Is this you first time, Starscream?"

Tender hands, slick glossa, passionate optics...

"You and your pretty little wings can dominate me whenever you like."

This was the last chance to turn back, Starscream knew it.

"I love you, Starscream."

'No. You don't love me, Megatron. But I love you...' Starscream thought. 'As I once said; sometimes you have to sacrifice one love so that the other could blossom. Our days are gone, Megatron. My future is with Hellscream. You did this to yourself, you shouldn't have betrayed me.'

Starscream made a small whimper.

'We could have been so happy together, you and me. We could have left this place together, leave all this slag behind. But it was me you left behind. You saved the best for last and now it's too late for us. If I can't have you, nobody can. You shall die.'

Starscream looked up to Hellscream's face.

"I want to bond with you, Hellscream. I love you." Did he really? Perhaps not, but it didn't matter anymore.

The black and red Seeker smiled and gave a quick kiss to his lover. "That's exactly what I wanted to hear..."

In a split Second, Starscream's back was against the wall and a big body scraped against his smaller one. "I have waited for so long..." Hellscream's optics glowed with passion as he opened his own golden canopy. He was already panting as his casing came forth.

Starscream's hands were shaking. He looked at the glowing orb in front of him.

Hellscream's blue spark whirled and pulsed strongly in the steamy room. He even leaned back and let the hot water hit his spark. He cried out in ecstacy and Starscream couldn't resist the temptation any longer. He leaned forward and opened his own canopy.

"Seekers are meant to bond with Seekers..." He muttered to himself and reached for Hellscream's spark. It was so warm, so full of life. Hellscream looked up on him and then at his casing. He reached out and touched it tenderly. Starscream moaned and leaned on the hand.

His own hands went to Hellscream's wings and fondled them with care. Hellscream then rose up and pushed Starscream back against the wall. His head bowed as he reached for Starscream's casing. Starscream gasped as a wet, silvery glossa wiped over his casing. Hands teased his thighs with talent, making him moan.

"Oh... Just...Uhhh..." It felt so incredible. Starscream arched his back and touched his own crotch. He caressed it, hoping that Hellscream would soon replace his hand with his own. He did. Starscream retracted his crotch plating, giving away his body.

"Hellscream... Let's interface first... Then we can bond..." The black and red Seeker grabbed Starscream's aft and pulled his crotch against his own. "Why not..." He rumbled dangerously. Starscream powered off his optics and let out a cry as his left wing was attacked by a pair of fangs.

Hellscream pulled the Seeker under the water pour. Starscream moaned as the water hit his sensitive circuitry. They were both ready.

Starscream felt the familiar sensation of interface connection and leaned firmly against the wall again. He powered on his optics and watched the mech before him. Hellscream leaned against Starscream's smaller body and sent the first surge of energy.

Starscream cried out. Hellscream was so strong!

That was the last coherent thought of Starscream, before he was attacked by strong waves of energy. Not surges, but waves. And it didn't stop. Starscream grabbed Hellscream's wings, moaning out loud and from time to time he screamed as he overloaded again and again.

Hellscream was far from finished. "Take it!" He shouted and sent a strong wave on Starscream. The smaller Seeker cried out again. "More!" Starscream screamed.

"Yes, more!" Hellscream sent another wave and Starscream collapsed. The black and red Seeker gathered him in his arms, and sent more waves.

Starscream's spark casing opened by itself and his red spark pulsed and whirled in front of Hellscream's optics.

"Take me..." Starscream moaned. "Make me yours..."

Hellscream kept sending the waves as he leaned down on Starscream and connected their sparks.

Starscream cried out. The first connection hurt like hell. Hellscream pulled back and took a deep breath. Then he leaned down again, and the two Seekers' sparks connected again. It didn't hurt this time. With a strong pulse of energy, Hellscream leaned his whole weight on the smaller Seeker, connecting their sparks all the way.

Starscream felt Hellscream's life force entangle with his. For a short moment he understood the mech completely. Everything he had done, everything he was going to do, it all had a reason. His thoughts were all clear before Starscream.

He saw all of Hellscream's dreams like they were his own. Starscream was there too. He saw Cybertron's throne room, two thrones and Starscream sitting on the other, Hellscream on the other. They had crowns on their helms.

Then Starscream felt Hellscream flip his memories, from before the time when the bigger Seeker came into the picture. Starscream felt no compassion from the bigger Seeker's part as he watched Starscream's life like a movie. The giant soon left Starscream's memories alone and concentrated on the smaller Seeker's presence.

As they came together, their bodies overloaded in unison. Their sparks tangled, establishing a link. They became closer and closer until there was no Starscream and no Hellscream. They were entwined, a one soul. Starscream was Hellscream. A link between their sparks was now established and complete.

'We are one.' Hellscream rumbled through their new connection. 'The Moon and the Sun.' Starscream finished.

It felt good. He wasn't alone anymore. There was someone right inside his spark casing. They stayed like that for several minutes, until Hellscream pulled back.

Starscream slowly powered on his optics and smiled lazily. Hellscream disconnected them and closed their canopies. Then he pulled Starscream back into his arms, right under the water pour.

"Vengeance is ours, my love. We will poison him, and then we'll take over."

XXX

"Wheeljack, I know you're hurting. Please, talk to me."

The mech was still holding Ratchet in his arms, a blank look on his face. He didn't cry and Optimus understood completely why. Sometimes the pain was too much to handle, sometimes the tears just didn't come. Optimus had encountered that pain once himself. Not for a bonded, but for his brother.

"Wheeljack, he's gone. But I am here. So talk to me."

"Words won't bring him back." Wheeljack finally answered. Optimus sighed in relief. At least Wheeljack heard him.

"No. But talking about it will ease your pain."

Now the mech fell silent again. Optimus placed his hand on Wheeljack's shoulder. "We'll take him to Cybertron tomorrow. Omega Supreme can-"

"Don't you get it? I am not letting him go."

Optimus sighed. "But you'll have no other choice. He's dead. And we have to bury him like he deserves. A funeral to his honor."

"I am not letting him go. You'll have to bury me with him." Wheeljack was stubborn. Was that madness that talked in him? Optimus was scared to lose the mech.

"We won't do that. You are part of our team. And you're not dead."

"Then kill me."

Optimus winced. Wheeljack was in an unstable condition. 'Just keep talking to him...' Optimus gave instructions to himself.

"We are not going to kill you. We care about you. And we need you here."

"Ratchet needs me more! Do I have to ask my mortal enemies to ease my pain?! I will if you won't. Or I can just shoot myself."

Optimus was glad the mech didn't have his weapons with him right now.

"Calm down. Everything's going to be alright."

"How could you know it?! You have never lost anyone! You have never even been bonded to anyone!"

Optimus nodded. "True. I have never lost a bondmate. But I understand your pain, and I know that it will ease in time. I have felt the same grief once, a long time ago, when I lost someone I loved."

Wheeljack looked up to his leader, with a sceptical look on his face.

"What could be a bigger loss than a bondmate? What could feel as terrible as losing a mech who has been linked to you for millenias?"

Optimus sighed. He didn't want to talk about it. But, if it would help Wheeljack in any way, he would tell him everything.

"I once had a brother. He was linked to me, almost like a bondmate. I lost him."

Wheeljack's optics widened.

"I didn't know you had a brother..." Optimus smiled softly.

"No one else knows that we're brothers. I never told anyone and neither did him."

"Is he still... Out there?"

"He's not dead, if that's what you mean. But in a way, our brotherhood is dead. We are too different, so unalike, we look at the world through different optics." Optimus made a small pause and glanced at Wheeljack.

"Cybertron was turning into a planet of social problems and differences. Kaon was the worst of all, and that's where we lived. My brother said it was wrong that some Transformers lived like kings while others had to fight for their lives everyday. We were amongst the poor people too. I was a messenger boy and he..."

Optimus smiled. "My brother was a proud and honorable gladiator. Anyway, I agreed with him, things needed to change. So I joined him and together we talked to the Senate about the social problems our planet was going through. We asked for financial support." Optimus rubbed his hands together nervously.

"The Senate refused our request. My brother was very upset. I remember how he talked about a certain female that had to... Ahem, sell her body for living. I don't know who she was, or whether my brother had something going on with her, but for months she was the main subject in his speeches. I never got to meet her..."

Optimus shrugged.

"Anyway, I gave all my support to my brother, I was by his side, until... Until he murdered the Senate."

Wheeljack's optics widened. "That means that Megatron is-"

"My brother, yes. He murdered the Senate, right under my nose. I never found out where he got those bombs... Anyway, the people of Kaon needed a leader to show them the way. That was when Megatron took his crown, the people declared him the 'King of Kaon' and gave him their support. That's why most of the Seekers are Decepticons nowadays, they all lived in Kaon or in it's outer towns and villages."

Optimus hung his head sadly. "Megatron talked to me about a new conquest, about his future as Cybertron's ruler, about conquering new worlds. And he asked me to join him. He wanted us to rule Cybertron and later the whole universe together."

Wheeljack didn't say anything, so Optimus went on.

"I refused him and he accused me of betrayal. 'War,' he said to me, 'is inevitable.' And he cut our connection. In time I got followers and so did he, the Autobots and the Decepticons were born. I'd never say it in public, but the Decepticons didn't start the war. It just happened, mostly because of the social differences, but also because of me and my brother. We are the leaders of the opposing sides, we started the whole civil war." Optimus sighed.

"I was devastated when he walked out of my life. He cut the connection between us the best he could. But..." Optimus swallowed his tears.

"Even today, I can feel him. Sometimes we dream together at night. I see glimpses of his life and he sees glimpses of mine. Sometimes we even talk to each other. He still tries to convince me to join him and I refuse everytime. I can feel his sorrow and his love for me and he can feel mine. But we both know that it's over. Eventually, one of us will die."

Optimus smiled to Wheeljack. "I have accepted it. And you must accept that Ratchet is dead. Nothing will ever bring him back. You need to go on with your life without him, you must continue the fight. He would be proud of you. And one day you'll meet again. Don't let it be today."

A tear ran down Wheeljack's cheek as he looked at his dead mate.

"Not all tears are bad, Wheeljack. Some tears need to fall. And you need to handle your grief, just like I did. Help us bury him tomorrow, give him peace. Let him go to Primus."

Wheeljack let out a whimper and he nodded. "I will give him peace..." Optimus smiled as he grasped the mech's shoulder gently.

"That's it, Wheeljack. I'm proud of you." Wheeljack looked up to him and smiled softly.

"And we're proud of you, Prime. You're the best leader in the universe. Thank you."

"You're welcome, my friend."