Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers.
Author's notes: Sorry for the delay... Anyway, in this chapter Thundercracker, Skywarp and Megatron move on with their lives. I wonder if anyone notices the little problem Megatron has, it's only implied.
Turn The Page
"Ok, 'Warp. Keep your fingers crossed..."
Shockwave snorted at Thundercracker and opened the door with a special card key. He stepped in first and the Seekers followed him obediently. The lights came on automaticly. Thundercracker pushed the guardian aside and glared around in the room.
"This is perfect! And so clean... Look, 'Warp! No dust!" The blue jet wiped his finger over a drawer.
"I've kept this place clean in case I need it someday for..." The guardian trailed off. Skywarp snickered and Shockwave shot him a glare. "Anyway, there's more rooms behind that door. And if you need anything just call on my comm. link." Shockwave left the card key on the table.
Skywarp gave him the thumbs up. The guardian shook his head and went to the door.
"I will deliver you energon every morning. You should be fine."
"Thanks, Shockwave."
"Yeah. Whatever." The guardian left them alone in the apartment. Skywarp turned around. Thundercracker was gone. "TC?" He found the blue Seeker from the other room. He was lying on the berth. Skywarp smiled.
"Already at home?" He went to his mate and lied down beside him.
"I'm glad I did that favor to him all those years ago. This sure beats our quarters back on Earth." Thundercracker smiled. "Yeah. This is bigger and we don't have to work at all!" Skywarp shrugged.
"I'm pretty sure Shockwave can figure something we can do around here. He won't let us live in here for free." Thundercracker wrapped his arms around his mate. "You think Megatron will ever find us? What if Shockwave lied?"
"It's not like him to lie. I hope. Don't worry. Megs wouldn't trash his favorite pair of Seekers." Thundercracker snorted. "We're not his favorite Seekers. You forgot about Screams."
Skywarp snickered. "Oh yeah. Maybe we should do the same, you know, give him a piece of us? I bet he knows what Seekers like and little threesome would make wonders to our relationship."
Thundercracker pinched Skywarp's aft. "I'd rather keep you to myself." Skywarp smiled. He sighed contently and leaned his head on Thundercracker's shoulder.
"I love you, TC. You know, I think I have forgiven you already."
Thundercracker looked at him. "Really?"
"Yeah. You are precious to me. I wouldn't want us to... I didn't mean what I said then. You're not a whore, you were upset. And we were suppose to lay low and act as if we were merely friends. It was only a mistake. We all make mistakes sometimes. I know you didn't mean to hurt me. You love me."
Thundercracker kissed the black and purple mech's helm.
"That's right, 'Warp. I love you, very very much. You are precious to me too. Oh, look at us. We sound like an old couple! And how long have we been together, three days?" Skywarp crawled closer to Thundercracker.
"I'd like to grow old with you, TC. Have sparklings and-"
"I said I don't want sparklings."
"I know, I was just teasing you. But really, you're a mech I could spend my whole life with. Besides, I think we have been together from the day we met. Remember that, Thunder'?"
The blue jet growled. "You played a prank on me!"
"But only because I liked you." Skywarp defended himself. Thundercracker snorted.
"You played pranks on many mechs. You liked them all?"
"Of course not. They were different. I played a prank on you to get your attention."
"Just like a sparkling..."
"Yeah, but it worked, didn't it? You noticed me. And look at us now. Would you prefer that I wouldn't have done that prank to you?"
"I'm glad we're together, but I think you could have gotten my attention some other way. I really didn't like the 'push downstairs'- thing..."
Skywarp laughed. "That was one of my favorites. I used it on Screamer too. He got pretty upset when his books scattered on the floor. The geek, hehe."
Thundercracker slapped Skywarp's helm. "Screamer's not a geek, he's smart. Besides, I had a crush on him back then." Skywarp's optics widened.
"On Screams? On the geeky Seeker? The primus of the Academy? You're kidding me."
"No I'm not! I thought he was cute. That was of course before he told me I was an idiot..." Thundercracker trailed off sadly.
"Oh, come on. He called me stupid once a day, in every class. We had all the same classes. Except that science slag. I didn't take that."
Thundercracker sighed. "I really wish Starscream will be alright... What if something happens to him? He doesn't have us to back him up, to protect him like back in the good old times. If Megatron leaves him behind in a battle, there won't be anyone to pick him up. I'm worried."
"Don't be. Screamer will be just fine. He doesn't need us, he's got Megatron. Besides, we can't always look after his aft. He's a grown mech, he should be able to take care of himself."
Thundercracker sighed again. "I guess you're right, 'Warp..."
XXX
Megatron sat on the edge of the hot tub, swinging his legs in the warm water and glaring up through the skylight. There was not much to see through the water, just fishes.
He sighed. The trip had been too long and unpleasant. The sand was still irritating his joints and Soundwave was still not answering to his comm. link. Why didn't he understand it? Megatron was the Decepticon leader, his responsibilities always came first.
Of course Soundwave was his number one Decepticon, especially now when Starscream was dead, but the telepath shouldn't think too much of himself. The cause came first.
But still... Who was the one always at his side? Soundwave. He was loyal and... And kind. Megatron recalled last night. It still gave him the surges when he thought about Soundwave making love to him. It had been perfect.
Maybe he should give the tape player a visit and apologize to him?
No. Not yet.
Megatron glanced at the high grade in his cube. It looked so tempting; lilac liquid, it was cold and slightly bubbling. It smelled good too. The silver mech teased himself with the cube, bringing it right under his nose and tugging the tip of his glossa in the purple liquid. The temptation was too much for him, he took a long swig, enjoying every gulp and bubble.
Finally he climbed in the tub, sitting down on the thin edge and drinking. It was funny how he drank so often nowadays, when he remembered where he started from, where he came from. Kaon was a city of the poor, 'unimportant' people. Back then Megatron couldn't afford to drink high grade at all.
And now he rewarded himself with the tempting liquid almost every night. The silver mech recalled how Soundwave had once warned him about his habit, the tape player had said that it was dangerous in the long run to drink every day. But what would Soundwave know about it? The mech almost never had a drink.
Still, Megatron had noticed that high grade sometimes made him aggressive. He recalled how he had once hurt Starscream severely, almost killing the Seeker when drunk.
Starscream... That name made Megatron shiver with cold, even though surrounded with hot water.
The silver mech snarled as he thought about his god, Primus hated him for sure. He had taken everything Megatron had ever cared about away from him; his brother, his love, and now Soundwave was mad at him too. What else would he lose before the end? His leadership?
Megatron chuckled. Like that would ever happen.
He started to feel a little dizzy. "Must be the high grade..." He muttered and glanced at the cube. Empty, already? He put the cube aside and dove deeper in the tub, underwater. The bubbling made it hard to see, but he hit the bottom of the tub with his foot. He stayed there, glaring up in the surface.
Through all the water, he thought he saw a familiar figure.
'Starscream?' He wondered. But when he peered more closely, the figure was gone.
'It was only the high grade and my slagging imagination...' He told himself. He felt the throbbing pain in his spark again.
'Why can't you just leave me alone...' The Seeker haunted his mind. Was he really dead?
Megatron knew he had to find Thundercracker and Skywarp to find out. He needed to hear what happened to Starscream, if he was still alive. But even if Starscream was alive he would never be back to normal. The silver mech knew he couldn't bear to see the beautiful Seeker in that state again.
He had loved Starscream, perhaps from the first time they met. He recalled how his knees had threatened to buckle. It was true that every Seeker looked exactly the same, besides the paint job. But in Starscream, Megatron had seen something unique, something beautiful.
Starscream had always been unique, special to the silver mech's optics. Starscream had been the only one to ever question his leadership. The only one who dared that much.
And still, everytime the silver mech's fist hit the jaw of the Seeker, there was mutual fear and uncertainty. Weakness.
It was true. Starscream's presence made Megatron feel weak and insecure. And when he had noticed the same weakness in Starscream, there was no going back.
That was the final thing to light the flame in Megatron's spark. He had fallen hard. The abuse was the only way to see that weakness, he had grown addicted to it, and then it became a routine.
Starscream's begging and whimpering only made it worse. Megatron's desire had grown more powerful, almost unresistable. He had lost his self-control more than once, but the Seeker never saw the real reasons, he thought it was only another way to humiliate him. One particular time though, Megatron was sure the Seeker had kissed him back...
FLASHBACK:
Megatron's fist felt sore after all the punches he had delivered. Starscream lied on the floor, holding his arm. He whimpered when the silver mech lifted him up by his neck.
"You miserable traitor..." Megatron snarled and brought their faces close to each other. His desire took control of him and he pressed their lips together and tugged his glossa inside that delicious mouth.
He pulled back a second later and glared at the Seeker.
Starscream stared deep into his optics. Megatron saw the tears on his cheeks. A sudden feeling of remorse hit him hard. Starscream probably noticed his insecurity, the Seeker's optics widened a little.
Megatron mouthed the words he was't ready to speak.
'I'm sorry.'
Starscream nodded. Slowly the Decepticon leader put the smaller mech down and turned around. He was close to losing his self-control.
"You are dismissed." He said and walked to the window. Cybertron's streets were always dark and quiet this time of the night.
He felt a sudden breeze of warm air on the nape of his neck. A pair of lips gently, almost fearfully touched it. Then the feeling passed.
Megatron stared out the window for a moment and swallowed hard, then he slowly turned around.
There was no one in the room.
Megatron touched the nape of his neck, right where the lips had been. Did it really happen or was it just his imagination?
END OF FLASHBACK.
Megatron briefly wondered if everything would be different now if he had revealed his feelings to Starscream back then. When he finally had said the precious words, it had already been too late. He hesitated for too long and lost what he desired the most.
He wouldn't hesitate with Soundwave.
The telepath wanted to bond with him. It would be only logical after all the years of loyalty, but Megatron didn't love the tape player, not yet anyway. Caring wasn't enough reason to bond. Or was it?
Starscream had given life to a brand new Megatron, one he didn't know himself. A tender, caring mech. It was a side of the silver mech he wanted to show to Soundwave.
Megatron knew he needed to move on with his life, forget about Starscream and start again with Soundwave. Starscream would never come back. He had lost the Seeker, ordered him dead. But still his spark told him to wait for him.
'I must have lost my mind.' Megatron thought. 'Just stop thinking about the stupid glitch. Now.'
Oh, it didn't work. It never did. He only thought about the Seeker even more, as always.
Megatron rubbed his temples. 'I need to come up with new battle plans soon.' He reminded himself. Perhaps work would make him forget about Starscream.
Megatron began to swim his way back to the surface. He got up from the tub and took a pile of high grade energon cubes in his hand.
On the way to his recharging chamber, he grabbed a towel and swang it lazily around his shoulders.
Megatron knew he had a long and lonely night ahead of him, Soundwave wouldn't answer to his comm. link, and the others were spending the rest of the night celebrating their victory. Megatron smiled. He knew the Combaticons were throwing a party in their quarters, the others were probably there too.
The silver mech had no attention to deny their celebrating, he knew he needed to keep his soldiers' moral high. Nothing was more important. The door hissed closed behind him as he moved in his recharging chamber. He sat on the edge of his berth and sipped from his cube.
Megatron wasn't used to being alone. Usually he had company, entertainment, to keep his mind off the things and people he didn't want to think about. Nowadays it was Soundwave who kept him company, kept him happy and content.
It was wrong, Megatron knew it. Soundwave would jump off a bridge if he told him to.
He recalled how their affair had begun. The first time, Megatron had found Soundwave. That had been only a day before he left for battles again. And millenias later, Soundwave had searched him out again.
Soundwave wasn't a confident mech, Megatron remembered seeing his cheeks redden as he spoke of his desire. The silver mech smiled softly at the memory.
Megatron had followed the mech to his personal quarters on Cybertron. Soundwave had been the only one to stay the whole night with him. And after that night, Megatron had promoted him.
He was a little ashamed of it now. He had promoted Soundwave merely because of his personal interests. Though the telepath had proven to be more useful than the rest he had brought back to Earth with him.
Megatron was quite surprised that the telepath had been so upset earlier. Maybe he should apologize to him after all? He could use the mech around now. Megatron glanced at the pile of cubes in his hand. Maybe high grade was better company right now. He took one cube and put the others aside.
Primus did it taste good...
Maybe he ought to get trashed and celebrate with his troops, Soundwave was probably there too. This cat and mouse-game wasn't into Megatron's liking, maybe Soundwave would come back with him after a few cubes of high grade? Though, the telepath usually didn't drink at all.
Megatron took another sip from his cube.
Soundwave was so unlike Starscream. The little Seeker had always been the first one to pass out in the Decepticon celebrations, and Soundwave had always been the one to literally carry Megatron to his quarters to recover.
Yes, Soundwave had always been loyal, so unwavering and trustworthy. Megatron took a long swig from his cube. It was time to take their relationship to the next level. It would make Soundwave happy and Megatron forget about Starscream.
'It's only logical.'
XXX
Soundwave sat down on his berth, depressed. He knew he should be happy about their victory, but somehow he couldn't smile. He had a terrible feeling that something was going to happen. Something bad. He glanced at his creations. They were sleeping soundly.
The telepath sighed. Maybe he would feel better if he went to see Megatron.
No. He was not a toy. He wouldn't come back until Megatron begged him to. Suddenly he felt a tug on his comm. link. Megatron.
Soundwave accepted the connection but didn't say anything. He was still mad at the silver mech.
"Oh, Soundwave..." Megatron called out. "Are you still mad at me?" Soundwave snorted.
"Would you let me make it up to you? I want to give something very special to my very special mech..." The Communications Officer killed the smile that tried to reach his lips.
"C'mon, honey... I'm lonely. What do I have to do to get you here?" Soundwave's oil began to boil.
"I am not a sex toy. You can't summon me to your quarters whenever you feel like interfacing." The telepath snarled.
"You're not a toy. You're... My partner. My mate. I thought that's what you wanted to be."
"It is. But I don't feel like I'm you're mate. You keep thinking about Starscream, even though he's not here anymore. I want a mate who only cares about me. I don't want to share you with a dead Seeker."
Starscream wasn't really dead but Megatron didn't need to know that. Starscream would soon be dead...
"You're not sharing me with anyone. I know Starscream is dead, and I don't miss him a bit. I called you to tell you that."
"And? What, am I suppose to run to you now? Just because you don't miss Starscream at all? I don't think so."
"But Soundwave, that's not all. I want to be with you. For real. In public."
"What does 'public' mean?"
Megatron was silent for a moment.
"I want you to live with me. I want you by my side, day and night, whether I was on Earth or on Cybertron... I want everyone to know about us."
Soundwave held his intakes.
"Are you serious?"
"Very. I might be slightly drunk now, but I mean it. You don't know how jealous I was today when you were talking to Scavenger. I just wanted to shoot his head off... That's why I want our relationship to be public, I want to show you my caring whenever I feel like it. I want everyone to know that you're mine."
"So, you want to own me?"
"That's not what I meant! I didn't mean it like that, I-"
"It's alright. I want to own you too." Soundwave smiled and he knew that Megatron was smiling too. The telepath cleared his throat.
"But first we need to discuss this further. Come to my quarters and we'll talk."
"To your quarters? But... Your creations are there too."
Soundwave glanced at the cassetticons. "I could send them away, but..."
The cassettes seemed so peaceful.
"Maybe I'll come to your quarters after all. But don't think of me as a toy that can be summoned there whenever you like."
"I don't. Give me fifteen minutes. I'll be waiting for you."
Megatron cut the connection.
Smiling, Soundwave collapsed on his berth, hardly missing his creations, and wrapped his arms around himself. Ravage crawled near to his face and gave his audio a lick. Absent-mindedly, Soundwave petted the panthercon's head.
XXX
"Slag this mess..." Megatron glared around in his recharge chamber. The broken glass was still all around the floor. He got up and began to clean up.
'Tonight has to be perfect... Soundwave deserves it, I deserve it.'
Megatron had to admit it to himself; he was scared. It was that stupid fear with no reasons, he couldn't help it. What if he would lose Soundwave? What if Soundwave didn't want it anymore? Would he walk out the door forever?
'Shut up, Megatron. He loves you.' He told himself. He felt guilty for denying the words from the telepath. But that was in the past. Tonight they would start a new chapter. Tonight he would leave Starscream in the past and take Soundwave to his rightful place; beside his throne.
Megatron felt a twist in his spark, he was still afraid. This all was new to him. Never before had he seen any effort for someone, he had never cleaned up for someone. The fear was understandable. But at the same time Megatron knew he had to do this.
He needed a mate beside him. Starscream had left an empty space in his spark, it needed to be filled. And Soundwave was... Perfect. A perfect mate. A perfect bondmate. Yes, Soundwave was everything Megatron needed.
Still, the thought of bonding scared the silver mech alot. Perhaps more than anything in the world.
What he knew about bonding was that it should be formed upon mutual love and trust. They would be able to see each other's past, feelings, everything. But Soundwave probably knew everything about the Decepticon leader's past already. If that hadn't scared the mech away, nothing ever would.
Megatron smiled. This was the right decision. He turned the lights off, left the room and headed for his bathroom. He turned the hot tub on again and water began to pour into it. Megatron dimmed the lights and turned the radio on. He switched on a radio station that played only soft songs.
He smirked. "Slag you Starscream for making me soft. Or should I say thank you?"
He glanced up through the skylight and sighed contently.
"This is it. No more playing around. No more Seekers. No more drinking and partying all night. Just him and me. And his creations."
Megatron had considered the cassetticons already. If he bonded with Soundwave, they would be a part of their relationship. Megatron was ready to take them under his wing too. They were a part of Soundwave, therefore important.
But what would he become to them? A father? In a way, maybe. And if they didn't accept the silver mech as a part of their family? Then what?
The fear came back.
Soundwave would listen to his creations. And Megatron would be alone again. The Decepticon leader shook his head to clear it.
The tub was ready. But he needed a drink first, to make him more confident. He went to his storage unit and grabbed a cube in his hands.
'Soundwave will get mad if I drink too much...' He thought and sat on the edge of the tub. He took a swig from the cube.
If they bonded and made their relationship public, there would be alot of complications. Soundwave would be in constant danger. And Megatron would have a weak spot. There was alot of risks.
But Megatron was ready to face his fears, he knew he could protect Soundwave. Soundwave would live here with him and his cassettes would live right next to them. Yes, it sounded good.
Megatron climbed in the tub and touched his chest plates gently. Would it hurt?
He checked his inner clock. Five more minutes.
Then he would find out.