A/N: Sorry it took so long to finish this chapter... (or did it..?) I've been pretty sick, seeing as jolly old winter is here in full force, AND I've been stressing a lot over work, what with my damn Manager threatening to fire anyone who calls in sick this weekend, (we have 360 people coming to the bar in one day) and he is ALWAYS second-guessing me, doesn't trust me, checks up on what I've been doing when my back is turned, and OH MY GODS, HE'S MEGATRON.
...Except not nearly awesome enough. XD
This chapter is inspired by Pax Psychosis by Grendel. "Head high, march forth, don't ask, don't talk, kneel down, conform, decay, forlorn- Pax psychosis is just a matter of time, with a cold steel logo pointing to the sky..."
-/-
Pax
-/-
Feeling giddy from the combination of tension and too much energon, Starscream struggled to keep up with Megatron's long, purposeful strides.
From the very core of his spark, he knew he had taken an enormous risk- it was deeply unwise to provoke Megatron, who was infamous for his lack of mercy and was dangerous for a reason. It dawned on the Seeker that he may have just squandered his last modicum of leniency.
Starscream's faceplates creased in anxiety. Was Megatron going to frag him, or kill him? He had seemed so sure before, but now...
He didn't have to wait long to find out. As soon as he'd dutifully followed Megatron into his quarters, the doors locked behind him with an audible click, and Starscream found himself being thrown against a wall, staring straight into burning red optics.
"Your pathetic attempt to antagonise me was both laughable and pointless," Megatron snarled, thumping a black servo at either side of Starscream's helm.
"It got your attention though, which was the intended... effect," Starscream enunciated, inwardly cringing as soon as his half-baked processor caught up and realised what he was saying.
Megatron reacted as expected, optics flaring up further as he leaned perilously close. "Yes, Starscream. You have my attention. Do you even comprehend the danger you are in?"
"For what? Showing my Trine some rarely seen appreciation? It's hard for them, you know... functioning in my shadow," Starscream quipped, giggling nervously in drunken pseudo-confidence.
Megatron's narrowed optics flickered in response to Starscream's vanity. "What you do with your Trine is of no interest to me. Your intention, as you put it yourself, was to get my attention: Now what are you going to do with it, you worthless assemblage of scrap?"
Starscream's cocky smile abruptly left his face. "You want me to decide?" he uttered in a repine that was mostly static.
"And wouldn't you enjoy that? A chance to gain some of that longed-for power over me," Megatron let out an indulgent chuff of laughter. "Fool. When have I ever entrusted such important decisions to you?"
Starscream scowled at the insult. "Then why even bother asking, you rust-encrusted old- what are you doing?" he gasped, as one of Megatron's hands suddenly shot down to pry at his interface panel.
"Evidently, you're not as prepared as you ought to be," Megatron barked, a condescending smirk forming on his features.
The Seeker had to bite his glossa to prevent the retort that he never knew what to expect, at times like this. He wouldn't have been able to speak anyway, it seemed, as Megatron grabbed the back of his helm and crushed their lips together with enough force to scrape.
Starscream's mouth fell open in shock, which Megatron naturally exploited by slipping in his glossa, languidly twining it with his Second's.
Megatron had never kissed him. Starscream had never expected him to. All he had ever anticipated was a quick, impersonal interface with no kissing, and no caressing. The reality of how it actually felt was beginning to make him overheat, and he responded to the kiss with fervour.
"Open your damn panel, you slag-heap, or I'll force it open," Megatron growled against Starscream's mouth.
Starscream hastily ran a command to do so, crying out in startled pleasure when two large fingers plunged directly into his valve without any warning whatsoever. "Megatron!" he wailed, already aware of the lubricant seeping out to coat his inner walls and Megatron's digits.
"What's the matter, Starscream? Too over-energised to feel me?" Megatron scorned, expertly pressing harder and deeper. He seemed to know exactly where Starscream's neural nodes were.
"Ohhh, no..! I just... you just... oh..." Starscream moaned, writhing against the wall. He had been wrong, before, in doubting Megatron's ability as a lover. He was skilled, and was definitely no novice. The Seeker panted, reaching out to touch the silver mech.
Megatron's other hand snapped up and clamped around Starscream's wrist. "Don't even think about it," he warned, before delivering another brutal but provocative kiss.
-/-
Starscream squirmed pleasantly against him, turbofans thrumming loudly in clear indication of his frustration. Megatron grinned at that, tightening his grip on his disobedient SIC's wrist. His other hand thrust continuously into Starscream's thoroughly soaking valve, seeking out the most sensitive nodes and sensors. The urge to throw him down and ravage him was causing Megatron's entire frame to vibrate with lust, but he kept his own desires firmly in check: He hadn't waited this long to spend all his pent-up tension in one shot... and especially not on Starscream's whim.
"I must confess, I had wondered if you were even capable of pleasure, Starscream," Megatron said in a mocking tone, nipping at the Seeker's throat cables.
"Hah...! Speak for yourself... I'm beginning to, mm... think your own interface panel has rusted over... Is that why you won't let me touch you?" Starscream hissed out with typical venom, optics fading on and off in barely-restrained ecstasy.
"You're not getting any more than I decide to give you," Megatron grit out, inserting a third finger.
"Oh, just frag me already!" Starscream cried, clawing at Megatron's chest with his free hand.
To see that unguarded look of pleasure on the Seeker's becoming faceplates, for once lacking in pride, Megatron lapsed into satisfied silence, focusing solely on his efforts to make his Second overload. Starscream was far too tempting, like this. "No," the Warlord replied curtly.
Starscream whined loudly at that, wrapping one leg around Megatron's waist as wantonly as a mech could get.
Megatron growled softly, thrusting his digits more violently. If he didn't finish this soon, he wouldn't be able to resist the opportunity that lay before him- he refused to give in so easily to his Second's winsome ways, even though that dripping valve was thrumming for him, begging to be merged with Megatron's own systems.
The silver mech grunted, hydraulics hissing quietly as he lowered onto one knee, knowing his submissive stance would probably heighten the rebellious Seeker's euphoria to critical levels. He lavished the rim of Starscream's valve with his glossa as his fingers worked from the inside, and as predicted, the jet's wails took on an almost-deafening new pitch.
"D-Damn you, Megatron, I want your spike...! But oh, that feels so good..." Starscream trailed off into contented murmurs, frame beginning to spark and spasm as he neared overload.
"Consider this a reward for all of your hard work..." Megatron stopped to rumble, "Though I will make one thing perfectly clear: I do not do this for just any mech..."
"This doesn't change anything!" Starscream cried, optics completely offline as he lost himself in the moment. One of his hands coiled around Megatron's throat and gave it a mock-affectionate squeeze. "It doesn't justify your stupid, stubborn refusal to appreciate me, as you... ahhh... showed so eloquently earlier."
Megatron smiled smugly at that. Starscream's ability to argue with and provoke him even whilst having his valve pummelled was impressive, if not aggravating. "Don't you ever shut up?" the silver mech growled, once again tracing his tongue around the sticky valve.
With that final surge of pleasure, Starscream's frame seized up, his mouth falling open in a silent gasp. Waves of electricity rippled down his chassis and pooled between his thighs, and the Seeker finally let out a piercing shriek that did his name justice, body trembling from the force of the overload.
"Yesss," Megatron groaned, optics greedily drinking in the sight of his Second so completely vulnerable. If he was ever to dispose of the traitor, a situation like this would be an ideal time to do so.
Megatron tilted his helm slightly, considering this, as he continued to watch Starscream vibrate against the wall, uttering soft little moans and sighs here and there.
As if aware of his Leader's thoughts, Starscream's optics flickered back online, and he regarded Megatron with wary admiration. "...Thinking about how easy it would be to deactivate me, right now?" he said in a surprisingly coherent vocaliser.
Megatron rose to his feet, brushing a black servo over his own mouth. "Don't get presumptuous with me, you fool. If I wanted you permanently offline, you would be," he warned menacingly, leaning close to the Seeker's face. "But, it has to be said... that mouth of yours isn't so infuriating when put to good use," Megatron pressed a forceful kiss to his still-trembling Second's lips.
"Mm," Starscream intoned in agreement, before pulling back. "And what would you know about what my mouth can do?" He made to reach for Megatron's interface panel, but the former gladiator thwarted him again, smacking his eager hands to the side.
"You think I'll let you do as you please, on your own terms? Again, you forget your place," Megatron snarled, and made a show of examining his glistening phalanges. "...Even after I have just shown you."
Starscream cursed angrily, his interface panel snapping shut. "You're the fool, if you think I'm oblivious to your plan! You want to reduce me to a snivelling, begging, desperate and malfunctioning mess!"
"Very observant!" Megatron boomed sarcastically, turning away from the incensed Seeker. "But you make it so easy for me, when you already are those things," The silver mech braced himself against his desk, frowning. Starscream was sometimes so far off the mark that it was pitiful. The Seeker was intelligent, yet failed to see what was right in front of him: Megatron would never give Starscream everything until he was winning their little game of 'cat and mouse,' as those nauseating humans called it.
Even Megatron could be patient, when it came to his own enjoyment.
"You are the most infuriating old clunker I have ever-"
"Starscream, this is when you leave," Megatron cut in, vocaliser cold and serious. He knew from the silence that the Air Commander was furious beyond words. Showing his back to him, as he was doing, was particularly dangerous but he paid it no heed.
"Too good to interface with me, Oh Great Leader?" Starscream spat derisively, taking an audible step towards Megatron. "Either that, or you can't remember how to! I know you want me, Megatron," another step, "But every time I open up for you, you tell me to leave! Don't expect me to offer again, if you-"
Megatron spun around, making the shocked Seeker jump back with a loud burst of his thrusters. "Starscream, if you do not get out this instant, I will throw you over my desk and frag your over-sensitised valve until you beg me to stop, and when I don't, and you continue to scream for mercy, I'll be sure to pound you even harder, and you'll have no feasible way to explain the dents I create in your aft, or the lack of wings upon your back!"
Starscream hastily made for the recently unlocked door, his pedes making a satisfying clattering sound as he went. He shot Megatron an offended glare, but as the Decepticon Leader watched, it slowly turned into a knowing, provocative smirk. "...So crude..." came the sly comment, as he left Megatron's field of vision.
The silver mech grunted, turning to face the desk once more. He could visualise his Second sprawled over it right now, wheedling and begging to be taken.
Focusing on this, Megatron re-locked the door, and lowered one servo to his over-heating interface panel. "Soon, you little glitch, when I want it most."
-/-
Starscream stomped angrily down the corridor, feeling yet again humiliated and unsatisfied, thanks to that old slagger. Well... perhaps 'unsatisfied' was less than true, considering how powerful his overload had been. He hadn't ever expected Megatron to be so talented, much less to actually get down on his knees and... with his mouth...
But to withdraw like that, without even letting Starscream touch him in the slightest- That was irritating. Frustrating.
The Seeker wanted nothing more than to hide himself in his quarters, perhaps plot some kind of revenge against Megatron, or conjure up new ways to defy him... But it seemed nothing was ever simple, as Starscream's Trine-mates appeared around the corner, both mechs wearing matching expressions of surprise and intrigue.
"That wouldn't happen to be Megatron's room you just left, would it?" Thundercracker asked shrewdly, running his optics up and down his Commander's form.
Starscream straightened impassively, putting on his most authoritative tone. "None of your business."
Skywarp just beamed. "We've heard that one before. Did you get everything you ever hoped for?"
Starscream snarled at the purple Seeker, shaking a sky-blue fist. "When do I ever get what I want, Skywarp?"
"Well... Now that you mention it, we had a bit of a proposal," Skywarp said far too flippantly, sidling up to Starscream and tracing his digits over the tri-coloured jet's canopy. "What we did earlier was... nice. Doing things as a Trine is... nice."
Starscream looked at Thundercracker expectantly, knowing he would get straight to the point.
"What Skywarp's trying to say is: You know where we are if you need anything," Thundercracker said on cue, a hint of a smirk ghosting over his lips.
Starscream's mouth fell open in disbelief. "If I 'need anything?'" he repeated incredulously.
"Anything," Skywarp confirmed, finally drawing back to stand next to Thundercracker.
Starscream shook his helm rapidly. "I... appreciate the gesture. For now, though, I'd rather be alone." His neural hub was reacting strangely to the admission from his Trine-mates, and he realised with sickening clarity that it was because he only wanted to interface with Megatron now. Before, the offer to interface with his Trine would have been enough to tempt him, but now... now he could only focus on one mech.
As if reading Starscream's thoughts, Thundercracker sighed. "You're acting just like he wants you to, you know."
Annoyed, Starscream narrowed his optics at the blue Seeker. "I do not need your insight, either."
"Geez, TC, you were right about him being touchy on this subject," Skywarp observed, successfully increasing the irritation of his Trine-Leader.
With a noise of dismissal, Starscream pushed past them and continued his plight to get to his quarters undisturbed.
"Oh, and 'Screamer," Thundercracker called after him.
Starscream stopped in his tracks and turned around, whole frame rigid with tension. "What?"
Thundercracker laughed. "You might want to stop by the med-bay for more lube- Judging from the creaking noises your hydraulics are making, you used it all up in that encounter with Megatron."
"Oh, so he must be good!" Skywarp chuckled.
Feeling his faceplates heat up, Starscream abruptly stormed away before he was mortified further.
-/-
When Starscream awoke from recharge the next morning, he was more than startled to see Megatron looming over his berth, frowning in the usual disapproval.
"Did you enjoy your rest? I'm ever so glad for you, but there is business that required your attention several breems ago," came the abrasive, dripping-with-sarcasm greeting.
So, he'd spent a little too long in recharge, it seemed. However, Starscream wasn't about to leap up and give Megatron the satisfaction of seeing him scurry around. He made sure to take his sweet time in stretching, joints clicking and grating together, before he lazily sat up and swung his legs over the side of the berth. "Oh, then I must have needed the extra time."
Megatron's frown deepened, and he looked down his nose at the Seeker in displeasure. "How dare you keep me waiting, Starscream? Don't make the foolish assumption that I will show you mercy just because I enjoy violating you. To the Command Centre, now."
Starscream idly set about calibrating his systems, all but ignoring his Leader's presence. "It's hardly a motivational sight, waking up to see your grumpy faceplates."
Megatron leaned over him menacingly, a low growl vibrating from his chest. "If you were fit for duty on time, I wouldn't have to be here at all, you heap of slag."
"Then why didn't you send someone else? Someone... lower in rank?" Starscream asked curiously, incredibly proud of himself for not backing down.
His audacious words were having an adverse effect on Megatron. "I warn you, you treacherous fool, do not toy with me. I won't hesitate to scrap you myself, if you do not show some respect!" The silver mech grabbed one of Starscream's wings and yanked him up. "Now. get. to. work."
The Seeker winced at the pain racing down his circuits. "Fine, I'm going, I'm going!" he whined, letting Megatron drag him out the door.
He was once again caught off-guard when Megatron suddenly pushed him against a wall and kissed him fiercely, lingering for the briefest moment before walking on as if nothing had transpired.
Starscream stood where he'd been pushed, for a nanoklik, confused and aroused at the same time, before running after Megatron.
"You know, Great Leader, your energy signature is particularly hard to read," Starscream said quirkily as he caught up.
Megatron snorted, casting the briefest glance at his Second while striding on. "It would be more accurate to say that you're just utterly useless at reading it," he said gruffly.
"Oh?" Starscream snickered, "I happen to know for a fact that you're still dying to frag me."
"Aren't you dying to know why I haven't, yet?" Megatron stopped to say, a hint of humour in his vocaliser.
Starscream tilted his head to the side coquettishly. "Because you enjoy making me work for it, oh Mighty Elusive Megatron?"
The silver mech regarded the Seeker with an unreadable expression. "If so, then you're not nearly working hard enough."
Starscream pressed himself up against Megatron brazenly, noting gleefully that the former gladiator didn't push him away. "Do you enjoy playing this game? I can do it too, you know," the Seeker purred, licking a slow trail up the other mech's face. "Hah. I can still taste myself on you, which proves you're in no hurry to wash yourself of me!"
"Shut up," Megatron growled in a strangled tone, unable to disguise the low humming of coolers that indicated he was aroused.
"So frustrated," Starscream went on cajolingly, running dexterous servos over the Warlord's arms. "Why not just procrastinate today's duties a little longer, and we can settle this back in my quarters?"
Megatron finally pushed the Seeker away, faceplates stormy. "I won't tolerate that attitude. It's time you started acting like my Second, lest I take that privilege away from you!"
"You're in command, Lord Megatron, you can be late if you want to," Starscream went on, thrilled by the heat Megatron was emanating. There was nothing more gratifying than that feeling of power, small as it was, over his superior.
Megatron slowly lifted his Fusion canon and levelled it at Starscream's spark-chamber. "I am in command, which is exactly why you should do as I say!"
Starscream held his hands up in mock-defeat, doing his best to conceal the fear that was beginning to well up in him. "Yes, Lord Megatron. I'll do as you say."
Megatron squinted at him suspiciously, clearly gauging whether or not Starscream was being sincere. "Then get your aft to the Command Centre, and stop wasting my precious time."
"Wouldn't dream of it," Starscream smirked, proceeding Megatron into the CC. "I know how much you love to stare at my aft, anyway."
He heard a vicious utterance of his name, and shuddered with involuntary pleasure.
-/-
"From this morning's aerial patrol, we ascertained that the Autobots are heavily guarding a certain facility," Megatron's rough vocaliser carried easily through the large room as he paced, giving a cursory nod to the Coneheads.
Starscream vented quietly in disgust. The Coneheads performing a simple patrol earned them an indication of gratitude, yet when he accomplished something a hundred times greater, he got insulted instead. The Seeker quelled his annoyance, doing his best to look attentive as Megatron's optics swept over him.
"Starscream. Late as you are, perhaps you can offer some no-doubt invaluable insight about how best to proceed?" Megatron said, turning to face his Second.
Ramjet, Thrust and Dirge also looked to him expectantly, wearing insouciant little smiles that indicated they remembered last night's party all too well.
Starscream glowered, finding himself to be the centre of attention, and feeling unusually awkward about it. "I would suggest, naturally, that we send in an aerial assault unit to destroy them, and investigate whatever they're guarding."
Megatron snorted. "And what if it's merely a trap?" He began pacing a circle around the Seeker.
Starscream shrugged nonchalantly. "If so, have another unit standing by in a concealed position. Ground-pounders, if necessary."
Megatron frowned at that. "Knowing you, you'll find a way to jeopardise the whole thing. No, I will send in a scout team to assess the situation. You, Starscream, will lead the unit on standby. You will be situated in the wooded area nearby."
Starscream's fists clenched. "As you wish. I suppose you will be leading the assault, then?"
"Naturally," Megatron said in an icy tone.
"Fine," Starscream crossed his arms over his chest. He added in a quieter voice, "...Then from my position, I will gladly watch you fail."
If Megatron heard him, he pretended not to, and stopped to stand next to Soundwave. "You will lead the recon unit, Soundwave. You will contact me immediately if a situation arises," He looked at Starscream again, optics narrowed. "And only then, will I give you the order to move in with aerial support, Starscream. Am I understood?"
"As you command, Megatron," Soundwave replied immediately.
Starscream chewed on his lower lip component, to curb his temper. "...Understood."
Megatron clasped his servos behind his back. "Then you are all dismissed."
The Decepticons began to file out of the Command Centre, leaving Starscream alone with Megatron. He stared at his Leader bitterly, trying to surmise what he'd done to deserve such punishment this time.
"I said, dismissed," Megatron repeated coldly, turning his back to Starscream in order to peruse the map coordinates on the large monitor before him.
"You'll regret this plan," Starscream bit out before he could stop himself.
Megatron visibly stiffened, before spinning around with astonishing speed and firing a blast from his Fusion Canon.
Starscream dived out of the way, hissing in protest as debris showered him from behind, the wall now sporting a blackened, smouldering blast-mark.
"Do not question me!" Megatron roared, canon still fixed on the prone Air Commander.
"Slag you, Megatron! My idea was more efficient, and you know it!" Starscream wailed, shielding himself from any further shots.
"We shall see," the silver mech said dryly, finally lowering his weapon. "If you can even manage to follow your simples orders, I will be impressed. If you disobey me again, there will be consequences."
Somehow, Starscream believed him. He rose to his feet with as much dignity as he could muster. "Choosing to waste my talents will cost you. You'll see," the Seeker said angrily, before marching from the room.
Sitting around in a forest with his Trine was an embarrassing assignment, especially considering the likelihood of them being needed at all. Even Thundercracker and Skywarp would be disappointed at the lack of action.
Starscream grimaced as he made for the flight deck. Being alone with them wasn't entirely appealing, either, in light of their recent proposition. He wasn't sure he wanted the extra attention. Perhaps if he could send them out discreetly to see what was going on, he could at least sulk in peace.
With a soft sigh, he opened the Trine-link. "Meet me on the flight deck. We have work to do."
-/-
A/N: R&R, peeps. You know you want to...