(COMMISSION) A Speedster and His Seeker

by The Robotic Dragon

Starscream is accidentally sparked by Megatron, which leads to him being kicked out. In desperation, he moves in with his old friend, Knock Out. But after putting his son in danger, Starscream finds himself in a nasty custody battle with Knock Out over the sparkling. Good friends become nasty enemies, which leads to pain and drama for the both of them. (THIS IS A COMMISSION)

2. Saving Fracture

"I got you."

Starscream grunted when Knock Out grabbed his elbow, helping him balance as they walked down the hallway of the hospital. The Seeker held his recharging son in his arms, still exhausted from the birth, but wanting to leave this place. Despite Knock Out demanding he stay for at least the night, Starscream wanted to go back home. He wanted to be alone, in his room, and process all that had happened.

He was determined to walk on his own, regardless of the fact he literally pushed out a sparkling only seven joors ago. So long as no energon was leaking he was fine… At least he told himself that.

"Why don't I carry you?" Breakdown offered so sweetly, as he always did.

"No." Starscream growled.

"We'll get you home and you're going to recharge." Knock Out said firmly, never releasing the jet's arm. "You need to rest after labor."

"I am fine. The incision is fine."

"Uh huh."

It was uneventful, the trip back home, and the drugs certainly made the incision less noticeable. It should be fully healed in a few orbital cycles. Breakdown helped Starscream up the stairs and to his berth. Knock Out assisted him in lying down as Breakdown held Fracture.

"There you go." Knock Out said softly as he lay Fracture down on the berth beside Starscream. "Recharge, Stars. If you need anything don't hesitate to call either of us. I'll bring you some energon in a bit."

Starscream swallowed, watching his sparkling, not looking up at the two grounders who were hovering over him. Knock Out patted his shoulder, then he and his mate left the room, closing the door behind them.

Starscream finally reached over and stroked Fracture's cheekplates with a claw, studying that miniscule visage. Everyone said sparklings look the same, but… He was positive he could see Megatron in that face.

And that's when those last words returned to his processor. He swallowed as his neck cables tightened, feeling the coolant leaking from his optics.

Knock Out knocked on the door with two knuckles before palming it open. "Hey, Stars, I hope you recharged well!" He greeted as he walked in carrying a try with energon, sheets of metal, and goodies on it.

Starscream didn't look up at him, still lying on his berth with a recharging Fracture beside him. Knock Out set down the tray on the nightstand, then sat on the berth.

"How much did you recharge?"

"A few joors… I don't know." Starscream replied quietly.

"At least you got some rest in." Knock Out looked over at Fracture. "How about him? Has he onlined?"

"No…"

"Sparklings can recharge a while after birth. I'm sure he'll be onlining soon and ready to annoy his carrier." He smirked over at Starscream, it soon fading when he noticed the Seeker was leaking coolant. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"You're crying."

"I'm fine."

Knock Out vented a sigh. "Stars… Forget about him. He's an aft. You don't need him. You have Fracture to think about now. And you have me and Breakdown to help you. You know we care about you. I wouldn't open my home to someone I hated."

Starscream didn't say anything.

"He said some really fragged up things…"

"I can't believe I thought he ever cared about me…" Starscream finally choked out, his crying renewing.

Knock Out placed a servo on Starscream's shoulder. "I would say, 'I told you so,' but that's not what you need to hear right now."

"No… N-no it is… I-I was a blind fool."

"A fool alright… I don't understand why you thought he cared about you… He was such a jerk to you. A bully…"

"I just… Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why did I think h-he cared?"

"It is a mystery… Especially since he beat you constantly…"

Starscream swallowed, thinking for a moment before he responded. "He… also would… force me to interface him."

Knock Out vented a sigh. "I'm sorry, Stars. He shouldn't have done that… You should have had a say in it… You should have found your own Breakdown."

"He sometimes would… Hit me if I said no… Most of the time when we interfaced it just… It hurt. He never even pleasured me." He paused. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't tell you-"

"No, no, let it out. You need to talk about these things."

"Yeah, but interface…"

"Stars, we're adults who both have fragged a lot in our lives. We know about this stuff. No point in hiding it." He was silent for a moment. "While it's not… As graphic as what you've been through… A long time ago when I was stationed on the planet Yulgaren… There was a mech there who couldn't take a hint. Kept harassing me… He was really annoying and then… One orbital cycle he started to touch me. Grabbed my aft a few times… One night he… Tried to rape me. It was… It was terrifying. I barely managed to get away from him. I was damaged and scared. I hadn't told Breakdown about this moron because I didn't want to worry him. But… I finally did after the assault and… You think Breakdown is incapable of being angry...? You're wrong. Never seen him so furious… Had to talk him down from killing the guy…" He paused to study the Seeker. "We all have baggage that's too heavy for us to carry… But we have friends who can help us carry it… I have Breakdown… And you have me."

Starscream finally looked up at him. "You've been hurt?"

Knock Out faintly smiled. "Yeah… Hard to find anyone who hasn't been… With the war and all… I can't share names because doctor-patient confidentiality, but… Sexual assault is extremely common in the ranks. I had to see so many bots who need rape kits or repairs… And most were too scared to even report it. The doctors are the only ones who have those files, and we can't do anything with it.

"I'm not trying to lessen what happened to you, just letting you know that you're not the only one who's been hurt in that way. Not everyone was violently grabbed by a stranger and hurt. Most were hurt by friends, by partners… By the people they trusted."

"I… Don't even know if I ever trusted Megatron…"

"I sometimes wonder if Soundwave even trusted him… Surely that creep knew what Megatron was doing to you behind closed doors?"

"I think he did… Just stayed silent about it… He knew about the forced interface, the beatings… How Megatron shoved my face into a waste disposal while it was still…. Full of waste… All of the beatings that left me in the hospital… He walked in on Megatron strangling me all because I tried making a joke… He didn't like the joke…"

"He is just an evil, selfish, and ugly bully. You're safe now. I have legally adopted you so will make sure you get all that you need."

Starscream smiled at that. "Adopted me?"

"Don't question it." Knock Out smiled back.

"I won't. Just no one has-"

Fracture woke up, crying softly as his tiny arms reached out, searching for his carrier. Starscream hesitated before pulling the sparkling closer, trying to comfort him.

"What do I do?" His wings lowered as he looked up at the grounder.

"I think it's time to fuel him."

"How?"

"Here, open your chest plates."

Starscream bit his lower lip plate before anxiously folding them away. He had only ever removed them for Megatron whenever he demanded to spark bond…

"Okay, see, this right here." Knock Out pointed, making sure not to touch Starscream. "That's the fuel line. Yours may not be as long as a grounder's, so see if you can pull it out."

Starscream took it and gently pulled it out, only getting it to come out a little.

"So, you will place the end in his mouth, but don't let him be lying on his back. He could intake took quickly. Either sit up and hold him or keep him on his side."

Starscream sat up, picking up the sparkling and holding him in one arm, the other servo holding the feeding tube. He carefully placed the end of it in the sparkling's mouth.

"Ok, search through your fuel files. See the one for fuel pump? Open it and you'll find a file for weakened energon."

"Manufactured energon?"

"Yeah, that one. Ok, allow that to operate."

Starscream bit his lip plate. "That… Ow."

"Yeah, it can hurt a little as the fuel is processed and pumped in. But, now the line has energon in it. So, once the sparkling sucks the tube will automatically release energon. The fuel processor should have plenty of weakened energon already made since it automatically onlines at five decacycles into carrying."

Starscream held up his son, holding him against his chestplates as he helped the little one keep the tube in his mouth. He waited, but all Fracture did was cry and not clasp onto the tube.

"I'm not sure if I'm doing this right…" He said with some frustration.

"Sometimes they have trouble latching on. Here, let me..." Knock Out reached over and placed one servo on the back of Fracture's helm, and the other he took the tube. He helped guide Fracture's mouth into the right shape, pressed the tube in, and gave it a few pinches, getting the energon to flow. Soon, Fracture was contently nursing. "There you go. Just like that."

"How did you know how to do that?"

"I had to learn a lot of things when I was the only doctor at a base. Lots of people were making sparklings instead of patrolling and someone had to know how to keep those sparklings alive."

Starscream was silent as he watched his sparkling feed, feeling this new sensation. Fracture kicked his little legs in joy, his miniscule servos clenching and unclenching on nothing. Such a tiny, helpless being, and he was somehow supposed to raise this thing into an adult Cybertronian.

"Thanks, Knock Out." He finally said, quietly.

Knock Out smiled. "Anytime, Stars. If he has trouble latching again, come get me. Even if it's the middle of the night."

"You sure?"

"I can catch up on recharge later. I'll be fine."

"Okay…"

"Come here, big guy." Knock Out smiled as he led Breakdown into their berthroom by a servo.

Breakdown was smiling like an idiot, knowing what his mate wanted. He allowed the speedster to push him to the berth, then watched as he closed the door.

"I am ready to be rrrravaged by my big, strong truck." The red one purred as he poked a single claw into his mate's chest with each word.

"I prefer to 'lovingly cuddle' than 'ravaging' you." Breakdown said slowly.

"Oh, gosh, shut up and plow me, you big idiot." Knock Out rolled his optics before falling back on the berth.

"I don't want to 'plow' you. That sounds violent." He winked as he started to get over Knock Out.

"Tear me apart!" Knock Out reached up and began to pleasure his Conjunx Endura.

"Aw, but you're so tiny."

"And you're so stupid." Knock Out grabbed the orange cheekplates and squished them. "I fragging love this stupid face of yours!"

"And I love your perfect face." Breakdown kissed him on the lip plates.

"It is, isn't it?" Knock Out smiled.

"Mhmm," Breakdown started to rub over Knock Out's codpiece as he opened his own.

"I should get manacles. The fluffy pink kind."

"I don't want to tie you up."

"I'll tie you up."

"And I'll just kiss you more."

Knock Out stuck his glossa out at the truck, only to receive a nuzzle on the faceplates.

"You are so ridiculous sometimes. I want to do more in the berth and you just want the same thi-oh! Hahhh."

Breakdown smiled. "You were saying?"

"Could still be more exciting." He winked.

"You love the way I treat you." He then began to kiss Knock Out on the neck.

"Mmm, I do. I love everything about you." He offlined his optics, allowing Breakdown to have his way with him.

Breakdown continued to kiss his mate as he thrust into him, the smaller one moaning beneath him. The door slowly opened and they were interrupted by the wails of a sparkling.

"I-I'm sorry, Knock Out…" Starscream said anxiously. "H-he isn't latching and I-I can't-"

Breakdown was frozen, mortified someone had just walked in on them, but Knock Out didn't even seem bothered.

"No, no, it's fine." Knock Out replied quickly, pushing at Breakdown. "Sparklings come first! Get out!"

"Oh, sorry." Breakdown said still in his confused daze, quickly removing himself but making sure Starscream didn't see anything.

Knock Out stood up, closing his plates, and trotted over to the Seeker. He took Starscream's servo and led him back to the jet's room. Starscream swallowed, his wings low.

"I'm sorry… I shouldn't have interrupted you two…" He softly apologized, not able to even look at Knock Out.

"It's fine, Stars. I can frag him anytime." Knock Out gave him a dismissive wave. "I'm more sorry for you having to hear us." He winked, trying to make the Seeker feel better. Starscream did faintly smile at that, which made Knock Out smile back. "Okay, let me see him."

Knock Out reached over, and just as before, helped Fracture latch onto the feeding tube and begin to contently nurse. The sparkling, finally able to feed, ceased his screaming and instead curled into his carrier's chassis, content.

Starscream studied those little faceplates, then vented a sigh. "Will this be a constant thing?"

"Nah, they eventually get it. Good thing you're interrupting me during interface and not that jerk."

"Megatron would not be as kind, that's for sure." Breakdown spoke from where he had been watching in the doorway.

Starscream bit his lower lip plate, the memories of that brute and what he said returning to his processor. They were right… Megatron would not be nice at all had Fracture caused him to have to stop interfacing.

"You alright?" Knock Out asked gently when he noticed coolant pooling in Starscream's optics.

"I-I just…" Starscream stopped, the sobs returning with the memories.

"Come here." Knock Out made him sit on the berth and then sat beside him. "How can I help?"

"I just… I don't know…"

Knock Out leaned over and hugged him, which Starscream returned with his free arm, the other holding the still nursing Fracture.

Breakdown looked anxiously at his mate. "So… Um… Are we finishing or…?"

Knock Out looked over with a "are you serious" look. "I'm not in the mood anymore. I have to take care of Starscream."

"But…. I am still…"

"Finish yourself off then! I'm busy."

Breakdown narrowed his optics. "Fine." He grunted before leaving, his pedfalls a little louder than usual.

Starscream swallowed. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset him, or-"

"Stars, stop. He's fine. You know how some mechs are when they get told 'no.' He'll get over himself. Stop thinking about me and Breakdown so much. We need to focus on you and Fracture."

"You sure everything is okay?"

"Positive." He resumed hugging the Seeker.

---

"If Starscream needs anything from me just give me a call." Knock Out then kissed his mate on the cheekplates. "Love you!"

"Love you, too!" Breakdown smiled at him.

Knock Out walked out the front door, leaving the truck alone on the couch. Starscream swallowed from where he stood at the top of the stairs, holding a recharging Fracture. He hesitated before walking down the stairs.

"Hey, Breakdown…?"

The mentioned mech looked up. "Hey, what's up?"

"I… Just wanted to apologize for bothering you and Knock Out last night. I didn't mean to anger you…"

"I'm not angry Starscream. I was just being a grouch. You know what they say, post overload clarity. Once I got it out I realized I had been the silly one. You're all good." He smiled at him. "Need me to get you anything? Knock Out just left for work."

Starscream slowly nodded. Megatron certainly never seemed to have post overload clarity… Just eternal grumpiness…

"Can I hold him?"

"Oh, yeah, here." Starscream handed over the sparkling.

"Hey, there tiny." Breakdown grinned broadly at the little one. "You are so adorable I could dip you in my energon and eat you right up!"

"You can keep him…" Starscream grunted.

"Maybe I will."

"Please do… He woke me up twice last night…"

"Aw, that's just him being a sparkling. They get better, then they get independent, then they leave you and you're left wondering where the time has gone."

"I look forward to that stage…"

"I look forward to the first stage. One orbital cycle I'll have my own."

"Knock Out doesn't seem keen on having any of his own."

"Never say never. He's been great with Fracture."

"He can have him, too."

Breakdown chuckled.

---

"Look up for me."

Starscream did so as he sat with crossed legs on his berth, Knock Out doing the same in front of him. The doctor carefully leaned forward, focusing on his work as he applied paint to the bottom of Starscream's left optic lid. Fracture lied on the berth beside them, recharging peacefully as he was bundled in a blanket.

"I know you insist on being a winter, but I'm kind of thinking maybe a summer look for you." Knock Out mused out loud.

"I could never pull off that look."

"Please, I didn't think I'd look so good in red, and yet here I am… Killing it." He smirked.

"That's you. I am a Seeker."

"Yes, but you have a similar facial structure as me. So…"

"I don't know…"

"Well, I think your optics look lovely." He removed the brush and grabbed a small mirror, holding it up to the jet.

"Oh, wow…" Starscream took the mirror to look better at his newly polished, waxed, and painted faceplates. "That black optic liner really does make my optics pop."

"See?! Told you. Now you look more like me." The speedster winked. "I think… You need just a little contour on your ridge plates…" He said as he grabbed the necessary paints to do so. "If you don't think you'll look good as a summer… What if we added some blue?"

"Like where?"

"Servos. Not on the digits, I think those look best black. Just back and palms."

"I'd have to think about it. I was trined to a blue Seeker…"

"Painful memories?"

Starscream chose not to answer that.

"Well," Knock Out leaned back in and dabbed a dry brush to the ridge lines, adding a slightly darker grey paint to it. "Anything done can be undone."

Breakdown walked into the room; the door being left open. "Hey, do you two need anything? I'm going to run a couple of errands."

"Yes! Get me a glass of energon before you leave." Knock Out ordered without even looking away from his canvass.

"Got you, babe." Breakdown smiled. "But do you need anything from outside the house? Like, more paint, wax, oil…. Cake….?"

Knock Out rolled his optics. "No cake. That makes you fat. They put so much metal shavings in it…."

"Okay…. Starscream, do you need anything? Anything for Fracture?"

"Uh, not that I can think of…" Starscream replied, trying not to move for Knock Out.

"Okay, but I better not get back and either of you yell at me for 'forgetting' to grab you something…" The truck grunted as he approached his mate. He leaned over and kissed Knock Out on the lip plates. "Be good while I'm away."

"No." Knock Out said it like a fact, still keeping his attention on Starscream's face.

"At least don't get arrested."

"I make no promises."

"Mhmm." Breakdown kissed his mate's cheekplates before walking out of the room.

"And there we are. Beautiful!" Knock Out smiled, admiring his work. "Let's do those claws."

At that moment Fracture decided to online with a loud scream, causing them both to startle. Starscream vented a sigh, picking his son up and trying to comfort him.

"Well, silence was nice while it lasted." Knock Out sardonically remarked, setting down his paints. "You need me to help you?"

Starscream was trying to get the sparkling to latch, but he simply screamed and flung his little arms around. Defeatedly, Starscream nodded. Knock Out reached over, and like many times before, helped the carrier with his creation.

"You need to learn to do this yourself, Fracture." Knock Out chastised him as he finally got the little one to latch and begin to nurse.

"I'm sorry…." Starscream swallowed, feeling anxious over how Fracture kept bothering his hosts. They wouldn't want to keep him around if this was all Fracture did.

"It's not your fault, Stars." Knock Out took the jet's free servo. "I am thinking… A nice ebony." He then began to file the claws, smoothing them out in preparation for buffing and painting.

Starscream bit his lower lip plate, not sure how honest Knock Out was being over this all being "fine."

---

Starscream lied awake that night, trying to ignore the sounds of Breakdown desperately trying to convince Knock Out for interface, while Knock Out kept telling him he couldn't because he just did his claws.

Just keep your claws away… It's not that hard… Starscream thought, annoyed that they were having somewhat of an argument over something dumb like that. And why did he have to hear them be stupid with each other? Why couldn't they shut up and let him recharge in peace? Why was Breakdown so horny lately? Go to recharge you idiots!

Starscream rolled onto his side, looking forward to when Knock Out would go to work in the morning leaving the house nice and quiet… Fracture was mouthing the air as he dreamed, unbothered by any of this. Of course, he didn't know what they were saying so didn't realize just how stupid they were.

Starscream reached over and gently traced the back of a digit along his son's cheekplates, studying how much they took after his sire. And that thought reminded him of those hurtful final words, which reminded him of the past beatings, the fear, the pain…

Starscream swallowed, coolant pooling in his optics. That was behind him. He was better now. At least, he hoped he was better… Was he better being here with Knock Out and Breakdown and a whiny sparkling, or was he better with Megatron without the sparkling? Maybe Megatron would have changed had he never gotten sparked… Maybe he would have fallen in love with him and then everything would have been so different…

But, no! This dumb sparkling had to come along and ruin everything. Now, he was stuck dealing with it and listening to those two idiots in the other room. Like, oh my gosh, Knock Out, let him take you from behind and keep your servos up if you don't want them damaged! Make the idiot stop complaining about you not "prioritizing" him or whatever the slag he was saying earlier…

Idiots… He hated idiots… Everyone was an idiot and they all could eat slag and die. He could care less what happened to any of them…

Fracture suddenly yawned, his tiny limbs stretching. Then, his optics onlined for the first time. He looked up at his carrier, confused, not sure what was happening with this new experience called sight. Starscream found himself smiling, seeing those optics. They were his optics, not that brute's.

"What are you looking at?" The Seeker demanded of the sparkling.

Fracture immediately recognized his carrier's voice and giggled, a large smile etching itself over his chubby faceplates. It was his first smile and his first giggle. And that broke the Seeker. Starscream didn't see some stupid sparkling that shrieked all night and orbital cycle, and was a nuisance… He saw him in this being. This was his. He made this. This little being was part of him.

He reached over and pulled Fracture closer, letting the tiny one grasp onto his chestplates and snuggle. Fracture kicked those chubby legs, mouthed the Decepticon insignia on his carrier's chest plate, and giggled, so excited about finally seeing his carrier.

Starscream wiped away the fresh coolant tears, smiling down at his son.

---

"Morning, lovely. I brought you your energon." Knock Out greeted as he entered Starscream's room the next morning, carrying a tray with said energon on it.

Starscream looked up, smiling. "Hey, so… Look." He gestured to Fracture who was lying beside him, mouthing a toy, his optics brightly lit.

"Oh, Primus… He looks even more like you." Knock Out grunted, setting down the tray, and then picking Fracture up. "You, little stinker, are going to cause so much sparkache in the future. Yes, you are!" He then nuzzled Fracture's faceplates, eliciting a giggle. "Babe! Get in here!"

"What is it?" Breakdown inquired, looking in, and then widening his optics. "Eeeee! His optics are online! Gimme!"

He practically snatched the sparkling away before showering him with kisses. Without saying anything, he simply left the room with Fracture.

"And we lost him." Knock Out said it like it was a fact as he sat beside Starscream on the berth. "How is carrier feeling?"

"Tired, as usual, but better." Starscream replied, his optics offlining as he relaxed.

"We should schedule you an appointment to make sure everything is healing properly and to check on Fracture."

"Can't you do it?"

"I can… But again, I didn't go to medical school for sparklings or gestation tank care. I rather entrust you with someone who did." He patted Starscream's arm almost lovingly. "I will go retrieve your creation from my mate."

The speedster stood and exited the room, leaving the Seeker to try and return to recharge. Knock Out went into his berthroom where Breakdown was sitting on the berth kissing and nuzzling Fracture still. The sparkling giggled and screamed with glee, his little servos trying to grasp at Breakdown's faceplates. Knock Out sat beside the truck, silent a moment before speaking.

"You probably should return that to the rightful owner."

"Aw, let me have some fun with him. I've been waiting to hold a sparkling forever." Breakdown sighed, giving his mate a sideways glance.

Knock Out watched him play with Fracture a bit more before continuing once more. "You are really happy with him."

"You know I've always wanted one…" Breakdown said it slowly, some sadness in his vocalizer.

Knock Out was silent for a moment. "Yeah… I know. They're a lot of responsibility. They need someone caring for them all the time."

"I'm home all orbital cycle…"

"They keep you up at night."

"I'm used to being woken up early."

"They grow up and get sassy."

"I literally told everyone I'm okay with sassy when I joined with you." Breakdown looked down at his mate.

"That you did…"

"Knock Out…." Breakdown vented a sigh before placing a servo on his mate's knee. "I know I've asked you a million times before… But that was all during the war so it made sense why you said no… But now with the war over…." He made optic contact with the speedster. "Can we please, please, have a sparkling? I've been ready for vorns. I've waited for vorns…. I really want this…"

Knock Out looked from those pleading, yellow optics to the giggling sparkling. He didn't want to, but he forced himself to look back at those desperate, pleading, and painfully hopeful optics. He noticed Breakdown was biting his lip plate, preparing for more disappointment. Breakdown really did want to be a creator so badly… He talked about it when they were still dating, throughout the entire war, and was so jealous of his friends who did have sparklings… Jealous of Starscream of all people…

They were in the best position for creations. Knock Out worked while Breakdown was home all orbital cycle. They had enough Shanix, and energon wasn't rare anymore. Most importantly the war was over.

If they were going to do this… Now was the time. Plus, Starscream was now getting all the attention with his sparkling… He couldn't let Starscream's Metagram get more followers because he had a cute sparkling to post on it! That is something that simply could not happen. His newly done claws be damned, he had to get more followers than that damn Seeker….

"Okay."

Breakdown eyed him. "Okay….?"

"Okay, let's have a sparkling."

"… Really? You're not playing with me?"

Knock Out rolled his optics. "Would I 'play' with you if it concerned risking damage to my perfect figure?"

"I never suggested you be the carrier…"

"No sparkling of mine is gestating in you. No offense, babe, I love you more than anything, but you don't take care of yourself well enough to produce the perfect Metagram sparkling. I need them cute and model worthy." He waved a servo dismissively.

A smile slowly swept across Breakdown's faceplates. "You're being serious? You'll get sparked? W-we'll have a sparkling?"

Knock Out smiled at him. "Yes, you big idiot. Let's have a sparkling."

"A-and a second?"

Knock Out pressed a digit against Breakdown's lip plates. "Let's not rush ahead. Start out with one and see how it goes."

"W-when can we start?" Breakdown was beginning to tremble with excitement.

"Let me get the tube pinch removed. Then sparkling factory will be open for business." He winked.

"I will remove it right now."

"I'll get it removed at work. Slow down. You're going to ruin my finish if you go at me like a turbofox." He reached over and plucked Fracture out of Breakdown's servo. "I shall return this to the rightful owner."

"I am so excited!" The truck bounced on the berth, barely containing himself.

"Why do I feel like I'm going to be very sore the next few orbital cycles…?" Knock Out moaned as he exited the room. He returned to Starscream who had fallen back into recharge. "You're not getting more attention than me." He pointed an accusing digit at Starscream, saying it firmly as if the Seeker was now his enemy.

---

3 Decacycles Later:

Starscream sat on the floor of his room, arms outstretched, his digits gesturing for Fracture to approach. The sparkling giggled, carefully crawling over, trying not to fall over as his legs wobbled behind him.

"Come on, you can do it." Starscream smiled, his wings perking. "You are almost there."

Fracture screamed when his servo finally touched his carrier's leg. He giggled when Starscream picked him up and kissed his cheekplates.

Knock Out appeared in the doorway. "Hey, you busy?"

"No, what's up?" Starscream stood up, holding Fracture against his chestplates.

Knock Out smiled, taking Starscream's servo in his own. "Okay, so… No, sit down." He then quickly sat down on the berth and waited for Starscream to do the same. "I… Um, so…"

"What is it?" Starscream raised an optical ridge, confused why Knock Out was stuttering.

"Mmm! I don't know how to say it so it… I don't know. Okay, so…" He paused, seemingly about to explode with excitement. "I… Breakdown and I have been like… It just took a while… Why am I unable to talk!? Dammit. Just…" He then produced a scanner and showed it to Starscream.

Starscream took it and read the screen, his optics widening. He looked over at Knock Out, glancing down for a moment. "Is this real?"

"Shhh! Don't be loud. I need to surprise the big guy. He doesn't know…!" He said it almost frantically, grabbing Starscream's arm with both of his servos, allowing the Seeker to feel that he was trembling.

"Why are you shaking?" Starscream grunted.

"I-I honestly don't know. I'm like… Excited and scared and like… I can't believe I did this…!" His smile was so large, and his back wheels spinning. "I'm an orn along. I'm just… Gotta stay calm." He began to control his cycling to calm down. "Can't risk losing it. Did you feel like this when you found out?"

"No…" Was the deadpanned response.

"Bah bah!" Fracture interjected, his miniscule servos grasping at his carrier's arm as he sat between them.

"Yes, Fracture, you're getting a sibling! Of sorts. Not like… An actual sibling. But you guys will get to hang out and be friends and, oh my gosh, Starscream, we have to get them matching paint schemes!"

"You are jumping way ahead." Starscream handed him back the scanner.

"I'm allowed to. Stars, come on, be happy for me." He said with a firmer vocalizer, some of his excitement dying down. "I'm really happy here. I know I said a million times I didn't want sparklings, but now since it's happening, and with my Breakdown… I'm like… Really happy."

Starscream vented a sigh. "I'm not trying to rain on your parade. I am happy for you. I just… Kind of remember when I found out and my situation wasn't… So happy."

Knock Out hugged him. "I know. But you're here, and mini Knock Out is also here, and so is mini Starscream. It's one big dysfunctional family!" He gave Starscream an extra hard squeeze. "I-I can't wait anymore. I need to tell my mate!"

He stood up, pausing to calm himself, and carefully walked out as if he was made of glass.

Starscream watched him leave, his wings lowering. Soon he heard Breakdown shouting, "ARE YOU FRAGGING KIDDING ME?! NO WAY! YES!" And a lot of other excited screams and shouting from the both of them.

He looked at Fracture, venting a sigh. "They are not going to want us around while they are raising their sparkling…" He rubbed over his faceplates. "I'm going to need to find somewhere else for us to stay… Just as well… I'm sure we both have annoyed them and they want us gone anyway…"

"Bah eeth!" Fracture then squealed loudly before rolling onto his back.

"And your banshee shrieks certainly have not helped…" Starscream rolled his optics. "And thus my bad luck continues…."

---

2 Decacycles Later:

"Blllrrrrrrhhhh!"

Starscream winced, watching as Knock Out leaned over the waste disposal, practically hugging it. He had been unable to keep his energon down for several orbital cycles now and was pretty weak from it. He couldn't go in to work, so was stuck at home, recharging a lot, and also vomiting up his insides.

"My carrying was not this bad…" Starscream grunted, glancing down at the sparkling who was using his leg to help himself stand on his wobbly, stubby ones.

"Please…" Knock Out groaned, his misery evident in his strained vocalizer. "Don't… I-I don't want to hear…"

"Are you okay? You sound like you're dying…"

"I am…"

Breakdown arrived, having left to get more clean towels. "Do you want to take a bath? Maybe the warm water will sooth your gestation tank?"

"I just really want to die…" Knock Out said it so pathetically, coolant now pooling in his optics. Starscream wasn't sure if the crying was because his programming was out of wrack, or he was in that much pain.

Breakdown was on the floor beside his mate, loving wiping clean his face with a warm, damp towel. He also began to clean Knock Out's chestplates where he had accidentally purged on himself in his rush to the washroom.

"Hey, it's okay." Breakdown soothed him. "It's only temporary. I told you I should have been sparked…"

"No, if you were the sick one you'd have died for real… I-I can do this." Knock Out rested his elbows on the rim of the waste disposal as he covered his faceplates. "I can do this." He said it more to himself. "I'm going to have this sparkling… And we will laugh about this… And it will be a terrible memory…" He exhaled loudly. "I can do this…"

"Maybe we should go back to the doctor…"

"No…" Knock Out shook his head, optics offline, trying to control his emotions. "It's normal. This is my first carrying. My body is just confused… It'll learn and the next carrying will be better."

Breakdown's face lit up. "We're having a second?!"

"Primus…" Kock Out covered his faceplates again. "No loud noises. I can't han-bleerrrrrrrrrrrhhh" He suddenly vomited once more, his body beginning to tremble as he wrenched.

Starscream had to look away, the sight making him start to feel queasy. He bent down and picked up Fracture, who was busy chewing on the toy Breakdown had gotten him. He placed the little one on a hip and walked away, trying to ignore the sound of Knock Out finally losing control and having a mental breakdown.

"I am so thankful you did not do that to me…" Starscream commented to his son.

Fracture just watched his carrier with those massive red optics of his, not entirely sure what his carrier was saying, but determined to not miss any of it.

Starscream set the youngling down on the floor of his room, and watched as he crawled away, ready to conquer the other sparkling toys scattered on the floor. The Seeker closed the door and sat on the berth, venting a sigh.

He had been thinking about what he would do when Knock Out inevitably kicked him out. Surely Knock Out and Breakdown wouldn't want him around when the sparkling arrived… Or any other sparklings they would pump out… He would be forced to leave.

Maybe he could find an apartment on the south side of town. It was a little nicer over there… He would be closer to Megatron than Knock Out, though. He wasn't sure if he should keep Knock Out too close. He probably would want his space…

"Bishah!"

Starscream looked down to see Fracture offering him a red cube. He was busy chewing on the corner of a yellow cube, so clearly his carrier had to join him with the teething. It was only natural!

Starscream accepted the proffered cube, smiling when his son giggled in approval.

"How can you be so cute and yet cause so much trouble?" The former Decepticon inquired of the non-verbal one.

Fracture laughed, biting his cube with more fervor as his stubby legs kicked. Starscream reached down, plucked him up, and hugged him. He may be a stinky sparkling who somehow needed his waste tank cleaned once again, but he was so comforting to hold.

---

Starscream stood in the doorway of Knock Out's room, his wings perking. "Hey,"

Knock Out looked over from where he lay on the berth, obviously exhausted despite not doing anything all orbital cycle. "Hey…" He said it so weakly.

"You doing alright?" Starscream dared to come closer, wary of potential vomit attacks.

"Better than yesterday…"

"No purging?"

"Don't jinx me."

"I won't." Starscream sat on the edge of the berth. "You look awful."

"I feel awful…" Knock Out rubbed his faceplates. "I honestly didn't expect my systems to react this poorly to carrying. I thought I'd be one of those who enjoyed being sparked and it's all easy…"

"Why did you expect that?"

"I don't know… I take good care of myself, so I thought I was so healthy and fit and… I thought carrying would be a breeze…" He looked over at the Seeker. "And it's actually murder."

"But it's all worth it, as they say." Starscream smirked.

"This sparkling better fragging be worth it." Knock Out rolled his optics. "He better be beautiful, and smart, and never disobey me ever…"

"If he's taking after you he'll only be one of those."

"Har har." Knock Out grunted. "It does scare me that I'm so sick because something isn't right."

"Like what?"

"That my sparkling isn't forming right… That something isn't right about my gestation tank. I checked. I went to the doctor and we did the scans and I was cleared to go. But what if something was missed?"

"I'm sure everything is fine. Some people just get sick."

"Mmmmrrrgh." Knock Out groaned. "Where's Fracture?"

"He's napping."

"I'm sure he'll be happy to have a playmate." Knock Out faintly smiled. "It's going to be so adorable seeing our sparklings playing together. I wonder if they will be friends for life?"

"Most likely they will become mortal enemies and start another vorns long war." Starscream teased with a smile.

"If they do I'm going to march to their rooms and put a stop to it. I'm going to be like that hard aft carrier who is super sweet to his creation until he's an idiot. Then I'm terrifying."

"You're not terrifying when you're vomiting over a waste disposal."

"Be nice to me. I suffer." Knock Out reach down to take Starscream's servo in his. "I need to be spoiled."

"Breakdown is spoiling you."

"I need more."

Starscream was silent a moment before speaking. "Want me to get you energon?"

"Thanks, but no… I'm scared I'll purge it up… But I could use someone to talk to about the idiots on this show I'm watching."

Starscream slid off the berth, circled around it, and climbed on the opposite side. He lay beside Knock Out, enjoying some peace with his sick friend.

---

2 Decacycles Later:

"SHUT UP! No! I don't want green energon, you idiot!"

Starscream watched as Knock Out threw the platter at his mate, striking him in the thigh, causing energon chips to be flung all over the living room.

Breakdown, like a beaten puppy, didn't say anything, just began to clean up the mess.

"I just wanted normal energon." Knock Out's vocalizer began to become brittle, as coolant filled his optics. "Why is that so hard to ask for? Am I meant to suffer?"

"I'll get you something else, sweetie." Breakdown stood up and tried to kiss his Conjunx Endura, only to get slapped in the face instead.

"What the frag!? Do I look like I want a kiss?!" Knock Out bellowed furiously as coolant was now pouring from his optics. "Just leave me alone!" And now he was crying as if he just lost someone he loved.

Breakdown wisely backed away and headed back to the energon room.

Starscream flicked his wings. This hostile environment was becoming more hostile with each passing orbital cycle. He was grouchy during his carrying, but this… Knock Out was a monster.

"Nuk uht!" Fracture screamed as he hobbled from nowhere, almost losing his balance. He was still very wobbly, but he was walking on his legs now… Somewhat.

Knock Out reached down and picked up the sparkling, hugging him. Fracture was the only person alive who could get close to the beast without risk of injury. Sometimes, they used the sparkling as the messenger to ensure the safety of their own lives. Fracture enjoyed the extra attention. Most of the time he was told not to carry around glasses because of spilling the contents. But recently he would be gifted a glass and directed in the direction of the angry monster, as his carrier and Breakdown hid behind furniture and walls as if they were in the midst of a fire fight. Breakdown referred to Fracture as the "bomb disposal bot." So far, the only mission he failed was when he drank Knock Out's energon rather than deliver it to him.

"They just don't understand." Knock Out cried to the sparkling he hugged against his chestplates. "They don't love me. Look at me! I'm so ugly!"

Starscream's optics rolled so far back he was sure he saw his own brain module.

"Psssh ruh bah!" Fracture proclaimed.

"That's exactly right." Knock Out nodded.

Fracture reached up, wiping his miniscule servos over Knock Out's cheekplates, trying to help him remove the leaking coolant.

Breakdown timidly returned from the energon room, being careful to not be in the direct eyeline of the dangerous creature. He set the energon on a cart with wheels, and pushed it hard enough so it rolled close to the speedster. Fracture knew his job, and climbed off Knock Out's lap, pulled the cart closer, then climbed back up with the help of the doctor.

"Are you appeased!?" Breakdown called from a safe distance.

Knock Out didn't answer, simply taking the energon and eating it. Breakdown exhaled tiredly, thankful that, for now, the monster wouldn't murder him.

Fracture hugged Knock Out, smiling so broadly. Starscream's wings flicked, his optics narrowing. How dare his own son love on that aft and not him. He wasn't the one throwing things around the house…

"While he's sated, do you need anything?" Breakdown inquired of the Seeker.

"I'm fine." Starscream grunted.

"Okay, I'm going upstairs then."

Starscream watched the truck leave, then turned back to his son. Fracture was standing on the couch now, snickering about something. He looked up and saw his carrier, his face instantly beaming.

"Cuh-cuh!" He shrieked, reaching out to his carrier with both of his little arms. He laughed, squealing as only a sparkling does when so excited.

Starscream couldn't help but smile, someone was actually thrilled to see him and want him. Without hesitating, he approached and picked up the sparkling, giving him a quick hug. Fracture giggled, his arms wrapping around his carrier's neck.

"Don't take him away." Knock Out snapped.

Starscream glared at him, his wings flaring. "This is my son. I can take him if I want. You can do whatever you want with yours."

"He was happy with me." Knock Out glared back.

"He is happier with me."

"No one is happy with you." Was the harsh response.

Starscream's wings lowered slightly, but he reminded himself that Knock Out was just mean because of his carrying. "Fracture is. Just watch your stupid TV." He grumbled, shifting Fracture to a hip.

"It's not as stupid as you are." The speedster snapped back.

"You're the stupid one."

Knock Out grabbed his glass of energon and threw it at Starscream, striking the Seeker in the chestplates, it shattering. Fracture cried out, then began to bawl as he clung to his carrier.

"LOOK AT WHAT YOU DID!" Starscream shrieked, gesturing to the energon all over his chest and Fracture. "You slagging idiot!"

"Don't yell at me!" Knock Out shouted back before beginning to cry himself.

"Ugh!" Starscream flicked his wings and turned to leave. "You are utterly worthless."

"You're a jerk!"

Starscream flicked him off as he began to walk away.

"No wonder Megatron beat you."

Starscream stopped, those words feeling like someone had just stabbed him. Slowly, he set Fracture down.

Breakdown looked up when he heard a loud bang followed by screaming. He ran out of his room and down the stairs, his optics widening when he saw the jet wrestling with the car.

"Stop it!" He raced over, grasped Starscream by the wings, and yanked him off.

As if the Seeker weighed nothing, he threw him across the room, then quickly picked up his mate. Starscream crashed into the floor and slid into a wall. He shook his helm, wings flicking.

"What the hell is wrong with you!?" Breakdown roared, carrying Knock Out bridal style.

"What is wrong with me?!" Starscream quickly got to his peds, noticing Fracture bawling on the floor by the stairs. "He fragging said that I deserve to be beaten by Megatron!"

"That doesn't give you the right to attack him!"

"Let me at him!" Knock Out exclaimed, clawing at Starscream as he weakly struggled for freedom.

Breakdown growled something under his breath. "Starscream… Take care of Fracture." He then stomped away and up the stairs with his partner who kept punching his arm for freedom.

Starscream flicked his wings one last time, then drooped them. He approached Fracture, picked him up, and gently bounced him. Fracture only continued his wails, clinging to his carrier. Starscream then noticed he had energon leaking from his cheekplates. Knock Out did get at least one hit on him, but he managed a couple back at him.

"Owie." Fracture whimpered, pausing in his crying to acknowledge the cut on his carrier's face. He pressed a digit tip to it and gave his carrier a concerned look.

"I've been through worse." Starscream sighed.

He took Fracture to his room and closed the door. He was sure Breakdown would be kicking him out soon…

Breakdown did come to his door, and palmed it open a joor later.

"Hey," He greeted. "Listen, I know things got heated earlier. Knock Out certainly is not… In a normal mood these orbital cycles. I'm mad it happened, but…" He shrugged. "Just please come to me next time he is being a jerk."

"That's it? No… Kicking me out?" Starscream looked at him incredulously.

"Why would I kick you out? You guys had a fight. Not like you killed him. Isn't it the Decepticon way to fight?" He smirked. "It's forgiven, Starscream. I'll get you some energon."

Starscream watched him leave, not sure if he trusted him forgiving the incident. He would need to just avoid Knock Out. The idiot was not mentally stable…

---

2 Decacycles later:

Starscream lied on his berth watching videos on the vidscreens with Fracture. Fracture was curled against his carrier, holding a stuffed toy with one arm while the other was wrapped around his carrier's shoulders.

Suddenly, the door was opened and Breakdown entered. "Starscream!" His optics were wide. "Knock Out is in labor. I'm taking him to the hospital."

Starscream looked at him. "Is it the start of labor or…?"

"His contractions are two kliks apart."

Starscream turned off the vidscreen. "I'm coming."

Breakdown carried Knock Out as Starscream carried Fracture. They arrived at the hospital soon enough and were put in a delivery room. The Seeker sat on a chair with Fracture on his lap as Knock Out paced the room, in obvious pain.

"You doing alright?" Breakdown anxiously asked, his servos trembling with excitement and anxiety.

"I'm not dying." Knock Out hissed, a servo on his abdominal plating. "This sucks…" He groaned, his other servo grasping a counter corner and squeezing. "Is it supposed to hurt to this degree? I think I'm in more pain than I'm supposed to be in."

"You have had a bad carrying…"

"I think I'm going to die…"

"Don't say that." Breakdown placed a servo on his mate's shoulder, only for it to be shoved away.

"I can't believe I'll die in sparkling birth…"

"You won't."

"I leave everything to you… Starscream, you can have my detail kit. Heaven knows you need it."

Starscream's optics narrowed. "Gee, thanks…" Was the sarcastic response.

Knock Out shook his helm and went to the berth. He moaned loudly, slowly getting to his knees. "I can do this… I can do this…"

"Do you want pain dampeners?" Breakdown asked gently.

"I said I would do this naturally…" He swallowed, gripping the edge of the berth before him. "I'm gonna do it naturally."

Starscream chuckled. "See how long that lasts."

"I can do this!" Knock Out exclaimed, more to himself. "I ate natural this entire carrying, I didn't take any medication… I'm going to give birth naturally."

"Would something homeopathic help?"

"I want nothing!" Knock Out offlined his optics. "Please…. I will use the bragging rights against all other carriers I come across…. Including Starscream."

"I have no regrets about using drugs." Starscream grunted.

"I'm not-Ow! Ughhhhhhhh!" He tore his claws into the berth. "Breakdown…" He said it in a different tone. "I think…"

"Need the doctor?"

"Probably." Knock Out then folded away his codpiece allowing liquid to gush out. "My gestation tank just released."

"I'll be back with the doctor!" Breakdown then rushed out of the room.

"Sure you don't want to lie down?" Starscream inquired.

"NATURAL!" Knock Out bellowed, positioning himself on his knees. "It's easier this way… The way Primus intended… Oh gosh… As… intended…" He said each word softer, coolant beginning to pool in his optics.

Starscream shrugged. "Good luck."

Breakdown soon returned with a couple of nurses. Knock Out stayed on his knees, grasping the berth side, whining every so often between pained groans. It was not a fast labor. And it certainly was more painful than Starscream's.

Starscream hugged Fracture close as he listened to Knock Out screaming from the pain, the nurses trying to help him, and Breakdown babbling like some idiot completely worried about Knock Out.

He was doing fine, all things considered, for almost a joor when energon began to leak out. That's when the doctor came in, and tried to convince Knock Out to take something, but he still refused. Starscream thought he was just being an idiot.

Breakdown was holding Knock Out's servo, ignoring how he was denting it from squeezing so hard, when the sparkling breached.

"Helm is out." A nurse announced.

Knock Out looked up and locked optics with Breakdown. The truck smiled, stroking Knock Out's helm with his free servo.

"Almost there." He encouraged his mate. "And you did it naturally!"

Knock Out grit his denta, then cried out as he gave another push. Suddenly, the pressure was gone, and he felt so much weaker.

"Sparkling is out." The doctor announced, taking the newborn.

Knock Out began to collapse, but Breakdown caught him and lifted him up. He was placed on the berth, and the nurses were quickly over him. Starscream watched as they scanned the speedster, and soon had him on an energon drip and finally were able to convince him that he needed something else. He wasn't able to say much before offlining, his body thoroughly exhausted, weak, and needing repairs.

The doctor was struggling with the sparkling, but finally got him to begin to move and whimper. Starscream bit his lip plate, silently thankful that the sparkling was revived. Who knows how Knock Out would have handled losing him.

Breakdown was trembling when he took his son in his servos for the first time, the little one whimpering as he was tightly bundled in a blanket. He sat beside Knock Out and took his mate's servo.

"Hey," He said softly. "Love, online." He kissed Knock Out on the cheekplates.

Knock Out slowly did online, his optics dim, the lack of energon in his systems evident.

"Look at what we made." Breakdown's smile was so large, coolant beginning to fill his optics. "This is ours." He then placed the newborn on Knock Out's chest plates and helped him move his servo to rest on the sparkling. Knock Out could only faintly smile, too weak to do anything else. "I love you, so much." Breakdown kissed his mate on the lip plates, then wiped at his optics as the coolant began to leak down. "You make me so happy… And right now… Being with you and our son… I'm the happiest I've ever been."

Knock Out smiled back at him. "I love you, too." He said softly. "I'm sorry…"

"No, don't be sorry. You rest. You did all of this for me… And I… I love you so much." He kissed Knock Out again.

Starscream swallowed, watching the sire of this sparkling love on the carrier. He didn't have that when he gave birth… Or anytime before or after that… He was dumped the orbital cycle he gave birth…

"You want to meet my son?"

Starscream looked up, noticing Breakdown was smiling at him, still having to wipe away coolant. Knock Out had passed back out, and the nurses and doctor had left to give them space.

"Uh, yeah." Starscream stood, picking up Fracture who was playing a game on the datapad he had been given.

The Seeker approached, glancing at the monitor hooked up the Knock Out. He was very low on energon, having lost a lot from the tear caused by the birth, and his systems were in shock from the event. He had a terrible carrying so no surprise the labor was also so bad.

Starscream sat on the chair beside the truck and set Fracture on the berth beside Knock Out. "Don't touch that." He pointed at the drip that was connected to Knock Out's arm.

Breakdown handed Starscream the sparkling, which he carefully took. Fracture was watching, curious about this little one. The newborn was recharging, but Starscream could clearly tell he was Breakdown's with how orange his faceplates were.

"He's so beautiful." Breakdown was starting to sob harder now.

"Huggie!" Fracture reached out for Breakdown, not sure why he was crying, but determined to make him feel better.

Breakdown picked him up and hugged him. "Thank you."

Starscream studied those tiny faceplates, then looked over at Knock Out, then to Breakdown who was kissing the back of Knock Out's servo. He imagined that was him lying on the berth and Megatron kissing his servo. He quickly forced that out of his processor. Megatron hated him… He would never have him back…. Right?

---

Starscream returned to the house a little later, fed Fracture, and returned to watching videos with his son. He looked over at Fracture, seeing Megatron in his son, and then thinking back about Breakdown and Knock Out. They were still at the hospital as Knock Out was too sick to return home… And Breakdown was there beside him loving on him…

Starscream picked up the datapad, took a picture of Fracture, then paused. He opened the file, selected "send to," then typed in Megatron's info. He bit his lip plate, staring at the comment section. Then, he slowly typed, "In case you were wondering how much he looks like you."

He then hit "send."

He quickly set the datapad down, feeling he made a mistake. Why did he do that? Megatron wouldn't even look at it let alone respond….

But half a joor later he did get a response. He opened the datapad, hesitated, then opened the message.

"He looks healthy."

Starscream sat up, debating, then typed a reply, "He is. He refuels and recharges all orbital cycle. He is very smart, too."

He sent it and waited. He didn't receive a reply for a couple of kliks, but then he got, "How are you?"

His wings perked. Megatron was asking how he was?

"I am well. What about you?"

Another reply, "I am alive. Been thinking about you."

Starscream's optics widened, his wings fluttering. "Oh?"

"Yes. Have you been laid since we last saw each other?"

"I admit I have not. I could use a good frag."

"Same."

"Are you asking?"

"Only if you're offering."

Starscream bit his lower lip plate. He did want a frag… And one from Megatron could either be nice… Or not nice.

He set down the datapad. He would need to think about it before deciding.

---

Knock Out was home the next orbital cycle. Breakdown carried him inside and up the stairs, the sparkling held in the arms of the speedster. Starscream watched as Breakdown put Knock Out in his berth, gave him energon, and helped bottle feed the sparkling, as Knock Out was still too sick to nurse.

"You rest, love." Breakdown said it with so much love as he placed the sparkling beside Knock Out on the berth.

"I'm sorry…" Knock Out said softly, his optics still dim.

"No, sweetie. Don't be sorry. You'll get better." He kissed him on the cheekplates. "Rest. You and Wildbreak both need lots of recharge. I'll get you more energon when you online."

Knock Out faintly smiled at him. "How did I find such a perfect mech like you?"

"You're the perfect one."

"I am." Knock Out offlined his optics, still smiling. "When I am no longer dying… I'm going to make it up to you."

"How so? And you are making up for just the after-birth care or everything you did to me for the entire carrying?"

"All of it."

"Oof, that's gonna be a lot."

"I know… That's why I am going to please my mech like he's never been pleased before."

Breakdown giggled excitedly. "I look forward to it."

Starscream rolled his optics and stomped back to his room. He wasn't getting cuddled or laid after all he went through… He paused and eyed the datapad. He picked it up, onlined it, and opened the chat.

"I could use a frag." He replied.

It didn't take long before Megatron answered back. "I would love to hold you again."

"Hold me how?"

"In my arms… As I make love to you. Slowly."

Starscream's wings fluttered. "Make love? You don't hate me?"

"Why would I?"

"Last thing you said to me kind of indicated you had a distaste for me…"

"You must have misunderstood me. You were on medication from just giving birth, correct?"

"I don't think I misheard you…"

"Mistakes happen. I do want to see you again."

"How soon?"

"Tonight. My place."

Starscream bit his lower lip plate, then looked at Fracture. "Fracture, want to go out?"

---

Starscream walked up the steps to the front door, Fracture on his hip. The little one was playing with his datapad, not paying attention to what was going on around him. Starscream knocked on the door and waited. It soon opened.

"Hello, Starscream."

Fracture finally looked up, his optics widening. "No!" He screamed, then hugged his carrier tightly.

Starscream smiled, part of him nervous, but the other part really hopeful. "Hey, Megatron. Uh, this is our son, Fracture." He made Fracture face his sire. "Fracture, this is your sire."

"No…" Fracture hugged his carrier again. "Cuhreeor, go home!"

"He's shy." Starscream quickly apologized.

Megatron stepped aside, gesturing for the Seeker to enter. "Come in, Starscream."

Starscream did so, setting Fracture down once the door was closed. Fracture hugged his carrier's leg, watching the former gladiator closely.

"You look well." Megatron commented, his optics soaking up every detail of the jet's body.

Starscream sheepishly smiled, feeling those optics on his frame. "I feel great. I've been staying with Knock Out and Breakdown. They really push the energon."

"Knock Out? And how is he?" Megatron continued with the palaver, despite his optics clearly wanting something more intimate.

"He actually just gave birth yesterday. His sparkling is Wildbreak."

"Hmm," Megatron stepped closer, which elicited a nervous step backwards from the smaller mech. "Did you get a new paint job?" His servo reached out, lifting the Seeker's chin.

Starscream swallowed. "Y-yes, actually, Knock Out did everything."

"You look amazing." A large servo snaked around Starscream's waist and clasped onto his aft.

Starscream squeaked, not expecting that. At least, not so soon. They hadn't even gotten into the berthroom yet!

"Perhaps I should put Fracture to recharge?"

"He's fine. He has his game." Megatron's lustful smile grew.

"Right." Starscream looked down at his son. "Fracture, go play your games on the couch. I need to speak to Megatron in private for a bit."

Fracture looked up at him in confusion and worry. "But, cuhreeor..?"

"Now, Fracture!" Starscream suddenly barked.

Fracture looked at him with the saddest expression but did as he was told. He released his carrier and wobbled over to the couch before climbing onto it. He watched as Megatron led his carrier into the berthroom and closed the door behind them.

Starscream squeaked when he was suddenly shoved onto the berth. Megatron was on the berth almost instantly, and on top of the smaller being. Starscream swallowed, nervous if Megatron would be a brute about this.

"You need to relax." Megatron spoke, pushing Starscream's legs apart.

"I'm relaxed. I'm simply thinking about Fracture. He usually isn't alone."

"He'll be fine." Megatron began to rub Starscream's codpiece, sending electric currents into it.

Starscream moaned softly, then looked into those large, lustful optics before him. To his surprise, Megatron leaned forward and kissed him on the lip plates. His optics widened, but then his wings fluttered as he kissed back. He reached up, wrapping his arms around Megatron's neck, and opened his codpiece. He shouldn't have been surprised with how fast it took for Megatron to be inside of him. The old bastard must have been hard the moment the Seeker entered the apartment…

"Oh! Mmm!" Starscream gasped, lolling his helm back as Megatron began to thrust, but not painfully. "Oh, Megatron...! Hah, you have no patience, oh, do you?"

"Not when I need inside you." Megatron purred, his servo grasping Starscream's neck, but not choking him.

Starscream grabbed onto the arm that held his neck, looking into those red optics above him. He gasped from each thrust, never looking away. Megatron smiled, before leaning back over and kissing Starscream on the lip plates once more. The Seeker fluttered his wings, moaning into his firmer commander's mouth.

"Open." Megatron ordered as he tapped Starscream's chestplates.

Starscream did so, and Megatron followed suit. The grounder began to thrust harder and faster into the Seeker, his heated exhales beating down on the flyer's faceplates. Starscream moaned louder, feeling that servo still grasping his neck. Megatron leaned forward, their spark's energy reaching for each other in long tendrils. Starscream gasped when he felt Megatron's very being connecting with his. Then, their sparks angrily bonded, sending them both into overload. Megatron growled through his as Starscream yelped, whining softly as the excess energy coursed through his systems before fading.

"That was great, Megatron." He panted.

Megatron smirked as he panted over the Seeker. He pulled out, flipped Starscream over, and raised the jet's aft before penetrating him again. His servo pressed on the back of Starscream's helm, keeping it down, as the other servo grasped the flier's hip. Starscream grasped at the berth as Megatron began to thrust, being harder and faster about it this time. But it still wasn't bad. He moaned between pants, his optics offlining as his sensations were overwhelmed with what Megatron was doing to his body.

Megatron leaned forward and bit the Seeker on the nape, eliciting a hiss. Starscream pushed back against his former leader, which only earned him more biting. He yelped when the unexpected slap across his aft came.

Megatron grasped his neck and lifted his helm up, biting him on the shoulder. Starscream whimpered, his claws scraping into the berthtop. Then Megatron pulled his helm back and kissed him over the shoulder, his glossa entering the Seeker's mouth. The jet moaned, wings fluttering, reaching back to cup Megatron's faceplates. He yelped when his aft was slapped again, this time even harder.

"Will you, hah, stop that." He growled.

"No." Megatron deepened the kiss.

Starscream only fluttered his wings more, loving this. "Do it again and I'll, hah, bite back."

There wasn't even hesitation from Megatron. He slapped Starscream's aft, chuckling at the yelp the smaller mech made. Starscream flicked his wings and snapped his denta at Megatron.

Megatron loved the feisty display, and bit the Seeker on the nape. Starscream winced, but then purred when the biting was replaced by kisses.

Fracture sat on the couch, hugging his datapad as he heard the strange noises from the other room. A lot of clanging and his carrier yelping in pain. It scared him. Was his carrier okay? Was he going to be hurt next? Where was Knock Out or Breakdown?

He wiped at the coolant leaking from his optics, just wanting to go home.

Starscream found himself in several positions as the night progressed. From turbofox, to leaning over the berth, to against the wall, and finally leaning over the desk, grasping it tightly as Megatron absolutely railed him to finish the session. He was exhausted by the end of it, his aft, neck, and valve sore, but feeling so satisfied. Megatron, too, was pleased, and lay on the berth, panting as his cooling fans worked hard to cool him off.

Starscream cleaned himself off in the washroom, his legs wobbly. He opened the door and walked over to the couch.

"What's wrong?"

Fracture looked up at him, then quickly hopped off the berth and ran over. Starscream picked him up, grinning as his son wrapped his arms around him tightly.

"Cuhreeor hurt?" Fractured inquired as he noticed the dents around his carrier's neck and shoulders.

"No, not hurt." He kissed him on the cheekplates. "I'm wonderful."

He walked back into the berthroom, his legs a little bowl legged, and sat on the berth. He lay down next to Megatron, and pulled Fracture close to him. Fracture anxiously glanced at Megatron, curling into his carrier's chassis for protection. Starscream offlined his optics, ready for a good recharge after what he just went through. They onlined when he felt Megatron grabbing his waist, pulled him closer, then wrap his arm around that tiny waist. His smile grew, and he rolled over to curl into Megatron's chassis, leaving Fracture alone. The sparkling snuggled into his carrier's backplates, not sure what else to do.

He wanted to go home.

---

Starscream onlined the next orbital cycle. His engine purred when he saw Megatron was still holding him. Maybe what Megatron had said during that call was just Megatron in a foul mood. If Megatron didn't care about him then why would he be holding him like this all night? And the fragging before that… That was loving making! It wasn't lust, nope! Megatron cared about him.

He snuggled against Megatron, thinking about how he'll need to go back to Knock Out's and get his belongings, and where he would set up Fracture's berth. They'll be able to raise their sparkling together!

Fracture onlined, stretched, then sat up. "Cuhreeor!"

Starscream was use to this greeting, so didn't react. But Megatron wasn't. The former Decepticon leader startled online, fist raised, ready to strike, but quickly realized there was no danger. He narrowed his optics at the sparkling who was looking up at him.

"What is that doing in my berth?" He growled.

Starscream onlined his optics. "Hmm? What? Our son?" He sat up, pulling Fracture onto his lap. "He just needs energon."

"He's not my son…" Megatron grumbled.

Starscream looked at him incredulously. "Seriously? He looks just like you."

"He's not mine. You got sparked by one of the many others you recharge with…" He grunted.

"I only recharge with you!"

"You have been living with Knock Out and Breakdown for decacycles. There's a reason for that…"

"What are you implying?"

"That that is Breakdown's sparkling." Megatron pointed as he stood up.

"I have never fragged Breakdown!"

"Do not raise your vocalizer at me!"

Fracture clung to his carrier as he began to cry. "Why are you like this?" Starscream growled, his wings flaring. "Why can't you just accept that you sparked me, and this is the result of your irresponsibility? We have a son, Megatron."

"Not. Mine." He growled with gritted denta, leering over the Seeker.

"Yes. Yours." Starscream gritted his denta back, his wings flaring.

"Get out."

"What?"

"I said get out." Megatron ordered as he started to walk towards the washroom.

Starscream quickly got off the berth, set Fracture down, and took a couple of steps closer to Megatron. "No. No! You do not make me some booty call because you're horny, Megatron! I am not leaving!"

Megatron turned around, his optics filled with such rage. "And here you are, again, being a nuisance. Always disobeying me!"

"I am not! You will not degrade me like I'm some whore! I thought you cared about me!"

"I care about everything that's not your mind."

Starscream's servos clenched into fists at his sides as he stomped a ped. "Why are you such a selfish, slagging fragger?!"

"You do not speak to me like that!"

Fracture was beside his carrier, hugging his leg as he began to cry. Megatron had it. He took three steps forward and then kicked Fracture, sending him flying a ways. Starscream's optics widened in horror, then they narrowed. Without thinking, he swung, his claws tearing across Megatron's faceplates leaving four gashes. Megatron growled, touching the cuts, then checking his digits, seeing them covered in energon. Those cold, furious optics turned onto the Seeker.

"You miserable, little-"

Starscream leaped back as Megatron lunged, but the room was too small for him to transform or do anything to escape. Megatron quickly had him and punched him in the face. Fracture cried louder as he sat on the floor, watching.

Starscream struggled to get free, but Megatron's grip on his arm was far stronger. Megatron had done this same routine many times before. He knew how to keep the Seeker from escaping.

The ex-gladiator dragged his victim to the desk, opened a drawer, and pulled out a pair of manacles. Starscream's wings dropped, his free servo desperately clawing at the hand that held him.

"Megatron, please!"

But he didn't listen. Megatron dragged him to the berth, placed the manacles on one wrist, wrapped the chain around a berth post, and slapped the other manacle onto the other wrist. Starscream struggled, trying to pull his wrist out from the cuffs that bound him to the berth, but they weren't giving. Megatron grasped him and pushed him onto the berth, then tied his ankles to the foot of the berth, securing him in place.

"Megatron, I-I apologize! I was in the wrong! Please, Megatron… Master?"

Megatron ignored his pleas and went into the closet. He walked out with a thick, metal cable. Starscream's optics widened, desperately pulling at the restraints.

"Megatron, please! Don't!"

But he didn't listen. He raised his arm and lashed the cable across Starscream's lower back hard. Starscream screamed, his body jerking from the horrible pain tearing through his systems. He didn't even have time to recover before another lash landed across his backside, then another over his aft, one over his wing, then his thighs. He could only scream, frantically beg, and jerk with every evil strike.

Fracture was a bawling mess, watching as his carrier was hurt. He kept looking at the door, hoping Breakdown or Knock Out would appear and stop the bad mech, but they never did.

Megatron was not merciful. He brutally lashed the Seeker over his entire backside and wings, denting his plates, and even causing some energon to leak. Starscream tore his claws into the berth post he was tied too, coolant pouring from his optics as he could only shriek from each brutal blow.

It felt like an eternity, and he was certain he was at least lashed a hundred times, before Megatron finally ceased. The grounder untied him, grabbed him by the neck, and dragged him out of the room. Fracture quickly got up and ran after, still crying as he clutched his datapad.

Megatron opened the front door, threw Starscream out like garbage, waited for Fracture to run out, then slammed the door closed. The sparkling sat beside his carrier, crying as he hugged him. The Seeker slowly sat up, every movement bringing searing pain to his body. He wiped the coolant away from his optics, dusted the dirt from his frame, and picked up Fracture. He sat there, hugging his son, his wings drooping.

"I wunna go home." Fracture managed through his whimpers.

Starscream bit his lip plate, slowly nodded, and stood up. Painfully, he limped down the road, his wings still low, fighting back the fresh coolant pooling in his optics.

---

He palmed the door open and walked into the house. He was hoping he could make it to the washroom and shower in peace without being detected, but nothing gets by Breakdown.

"Oh my gosh!" Breakdown rushed over, dropping the plate of energon cubes he had been taking to the couch where Knock Out was with Wildbreak. "Starscream, what happened?!"

"I'm fine." Starscream grunted, pushing Breakdown away.

"You were gone all night and come home looking like this! Who attacked you?!"

"No one attacked me!" Starscream snapped, painfully making his way to the stairs.

Knock Out was watching, his optics narrowing as the Seeker neared him. He set Wildbreak down on the couch, then carefully stood up, needing to use the couch as support. He circled around it, one servo on the couch as the other rested over his abdominal plates, still sore inside from the labor.

"Let me see." He ordered, his vocalizer softer than usual, obviously from not being fully recovered from the labor.

Starscream simply limped by him, which allowed the doctor to get a good look at his backside.

"I've seen that before." His optics narrowed. "Only one miserable creep hurts you like that." He released the couch to cautiously step closer to the retreating jet. "You…" He pointed an accusing digit at Starscream. "You visited Megatron, didn't you? Looks like he had his usual fun with you."

Starscream stopped, his ped on the first step on the staircase. He looked back at Knock Out, his optics narrowed and glowing brighter. "I am not in the mood, Knock Out." He growled.

"What happened to Fracture?" Knock Out approached, wincing from the pain between his legs and abdomen. "What did he do to him?"

"Fracture is fine."

"He is not. I can see damage to his frame. He's dented, and he has been crying. What did Megatron do to him?" The speedster said it sterner, his engine revving some.

Starscream turned so Knock Out could fully see the youngling. "He was kicked! Okay?! That's it!"

"That's it?! He was kicked! You took him to a waving lunatic who is a fragging sociopath! He could have been killed! What kind of carrier are you!?"

"Clearly not one up to your standards!"

"And not to the standards of ANY decent creator! Does Fracture's life not mean anything to you!?"

"He means everything to me!"

"Clearly not! You took him to someone who has tried to KILL YOU MORE THAN ONCE!"

"He has not!"

"Are you seriously saying that to the one who saved you on the operation table more than once because of Megatron?!"

"This is none of your business. It's my life and my son." Starscream growled, his wings flicking, which he instantly regretted with a loud hiss.

"None of my-" Knock Out then jabbed a furious claw at him. "If you DARE take Fracture back to that monster… I will get custody of him!"

"HE IS NOT YOURS!"

"YOU'RE NOT TREATING HIM LIKE HE'S YOURS!"

Fracture began to cry, then reached out for Breakdown who was standing nearby, anxiously watching. "Brehkee!" He cried.

Breakdown started to approach to take the sparkling, but Starscream turned away, flaring his wings and growling his engine.

"HE IS NOT YOURS!"

"Starscream…" Breakdown said soothingly, holding his servos up to placate the Seeker. "He just wants me to hold him. Why don't you go shower and I'll give Fracture a bath. There's no need for-"

"You are trying to take him away from me!"

"We're not! You live here!"

"I'll take him away if you go back to Megatron!" Knock Out shouted, grabbing onto the banister before he lost balance. "Why did you even go to him?!"

Starscream glared at him, trying to think of an answer that didn't make him sound like a whore. "I… He wanted to meet Fracture."

"That's slag and you know it." Knock Out snapped. "You went over there and spent the night, Starscream." He paused. "You miserable whore! You went for interface!" He threw his servo in the air as he rolled his optics incredulously. "SERIOUSLY!? Did you go because he manipulated you or were you just horny?! For Primus' sake, Starscream, if you needed a frag we could have a threesome!"

"Wait, what?" Breakdown shook his helm in confusion as he turned to his mate, but he was ignored.

"So what if I wanted to frag him! H-he Didn't hurt me during it! In fact, he was amazing. He made me feel nice." Starscream said resolutely.

"Oh, did he pleasure you and make you feel loved, or just used you?" Knock Out attempted to cross his arms but started to lose balance so had to grab the banister again.

"I felt wonderful." Starscream snapped.

"And then he beat you."

"That had nothing to do with the interface!"

"But it had to do with that fact he doesn't care about you!"

"You don't know our relationship!"

"BUT I KNOW OURS!" Knock Out shrieked. "I care about you! I care about Fracture! I've helped you with y-your carrying, and Fracture! I've helped you even before the war ended! I've been by your side since the first orbital cycle we met!" Coolant began to pool in Knock Out's optics. "Does our friendship mean nothing to you?! Do I mean nothing to you?!" He paused, waiting for Starscream to respond, but the Seeker didn't. "I was so happy you were there with me yesterday when I gave birth, even if I don't remember half of what happened that orbital cycle, I remember you were there… And that means a lot to me."

Starscream swallowed, feeling coolant pool in his own optics. He was silent a moment before speaking. "I can't be the person you want me to be…"

"I just want you to be Starscream… My friend who understands that Megatron is dangerous."

"He is Fracture's sire. I can't just throw him out of my life."

"You can! If Breakdown beat me or hurt Wildbreak I'd leave him and never speak to him! It would suck, but I would do what I had to to protect myself and my son! You can ignore Megatron. You have us to help you." Knock Out gripped the banister tighter as his legs wobbled, his body weakening from the energy he was exerting.

Starscream eyed Knock Out, seeing how weak he was, his optics dim, and yet here he was… Pleading for him to leave Megatron for good.

"Starscream..." Breakdown spoke. "You should take a shower and rest. Knock Out, you need to rest, too. You're not well."

"I'm fine." Knock Out winced, coolant now leaking from his optics. Starscream wasn't sure if he was crying from the conversation or because he was in pain.

"You should rest." Starscream finally spoke.

"I'll rest when you promise me you will never see that monster again!" Knock Out snapped, starting to become irritated.

Starscream bit his lip plate debating. "I… I can't make that promise."

"What is wrong with you?! LOOK WHAT HE HAS DONE TO YOU!" Knock Out shook his helm. "Why did he beat you this time?!"

Starscream glared at him. "He… He just was annoyed by Fracture."

"He did this to you because of Fracture?! No, you can NOT EVER take Fracture near him."

"You don't tell me what I can and can't do with my own son."

"THEN I'LL GET CUSTODY OF HIM! I WON'T LET YOU GET HIM KILLED BECAUSE YOU'RE AN IDIOT!" Knock Out shrieked.

Fracture was bawling now, desperately looking at Breakdown for him to stop the fighting.

"YOU WILL NOT TAKE HIM FROM ME!"

"I WILL TO PROTECT HIM!"

Starscream had it. He shoved Knock Out, almost causing the speedster to fall over, but he had a type grip on the banister still.

"You do not touch me!" Knock Out screamed, not having full control of his emotions still. He shoved back at Starscream.

Starscream set Fracture down on the steps before shoving Knock Out again, this time much harder. Knock Out fell to the floor, yelping.

"Hey!" Breakdown ran forward, but he wasn't as fast as a Seeker. "AH!" He cried out, his servos clutching his faceplates as energon oozed out of the four scratches Starscream's claws left.

"YOU BASTARD!" Knock Out shrieked, somehow leaping to his peds despite how weak his systems were and tackling Starscream.

The flyer cried out from the horrible pain piercing through his frame, but he could fight through it to focus on the speedster. Claws rained down on each other, the two tearing into each other's faces, chests,. arms, and sides. Knock Out fought back best he could, but his burst of energy quickly began to fade away. He soon was left feebly trying to block Starscream's punches, but they kept landing on his faceplates. Energon was oozing out of his dented plates, and he soon was coughing it up. Starscream finally landed an extra hard blow to Knock Out's abdomen, his already sick body not able to handle that. The speedster vomited, unable to do anything more but roll to his side as he clutched his abdomen.

Starscream was suddenly yanked off and thrown into a wall. He looked up to see Breakdown over Knock Out, holding him close, his one optic damaged from Starscream's claw striking it. Fracture was screaming as he cried, looking from his carrier to the conjunxes endurae.

"BAD!" He yelled, pointing at Starscream, then he began to climb up the stairs.

Starscream's wings lowered, beginning to realize what he had done.

"You fragging idiot...!" Knock Out groaned, still holding his abdomen as he sat up. "This is why you have no friends...!"

Starscream bit his lip plate, then ran up the stairs after his son. He closed the door to his room, noticing Fracture hiding under the berth crying. He rubbed his faceplates, then punched the wall, leaving a dent. Knock Out would not let this one go.

He opened the drawer and began to subspace his property. He paused when he heard Breakdown carrying Knock Out by the closed door, taking the doctor to his berth. He resumed once they passed.

He finished subspacing his things, then grabbed Fracture. He went downstairs and to the energon room where he began to subspace energon and additives. As he was doing so he heard heavy pedfalls behind him.

"What are you doing?" Breakdown's vocalizer sounded.

"I'm leaving." Was the gruff reply.

"Leaving? Where to?" Breakdown said quickly.

"Not to Megatron, if that's what you're thinking." He grunted.

"Starscream, don't leave."

"Two fights." Starscream held up two claws to him. "We have gotten into two fights, physically, and many verbal altercations. He's been a complete slagger to me this past stellar cycle, and… I can't Breakdown."

"Starscream, the carrying made him a jerk. He's on medication now. He'll stop being mean soon. And the fights…" He gestured to anything and everything. "It happens! What you expect from people who have been in a war most of their lives and never been to therapy!? I got into fights a lot with other Decepticons! You know how many people I punched because they hit on Knock Out?" He vented a sigh. "Starscream, please, don't go. Knock Out doesn't want you to leave."

"He seemed pretty intent on taking away Fracture." Starscream snapped, subspacing the last cube, then picking Fracture back up.

"We worry about him, and you."

"You won't need to worry about us any longer." Starscream started for the front door.

"Starscream… Please, stay. If you need space I will gladly pay for a hotel for you."

"I don't need your charity."

"I want to help you."

"I can help myself." Starscream snapped, palming the door open.

Breakdown grabbed his arm. "Please, don't go. We will work this out."

Starscream pulled his arm free. "And get into another fight or be yelled at? No thank you."

"What will you do for Shanix?"

"I am fully capable of finding work."

"And take care of Fracture?"

"There are many single creators…"

"At least let us sparkling sit him…"

"And have you take him from me?"

"Starscream…"

Starscream flicked his wings, wincing from the pain, then stomped out of the house. He didn't get far before Breakdown ran over and grabbed his arm again.

"At least take this." Breakdown handed him a bag of Shanix.

"I don't need your Shanix."

"You're not giving it back." Breakdown said it so harshly, so unlike him, which made Starscream know he definitely could not give it back. "Stay safe. And, please, come back. We will help you with Fracture and anything else."

"We'll be fine." Starscream jerked his arm free once more and stomped away.

Fracture watched Breakdown over Starscream's shoulder, dried coolant coating his cheekplates, and his optics so scared. Breakdown watched them leave, venting a heavy sigh.

Starscream had been looking for a place to stay almost constantly since that first fight with Knock Out. He looked through his datapad and began to call the places he could get into the soonest. Only one could see him tomorrow.

He would need to spend the night on the street. He could go back to that shelter, but he didn't feel safe there. No, he could just hold up in one of the many abandoned buildings until he got a proper apartment.

He found one abandoned place that wasn't too dismal or had homeless all over it. He had to push some rubble out of the way to get through a window, but he was inside. The only decent room was on the fourth floor. Possibly were others on higher floors, but he wasn't in the mood for carrying Fracture up anymore stairs.

He settled down on the berth in the selected room, Fracture lying beside him, anxiously looking around.

"Where home?" The little one inquired, his optics so round.

"This is temporary home until we find something else." Starscream grunted.

"I want ta go home." Fracture began to whimper.

"That's no longer our home."

"Why?"

"Because Knock Out hates me."

"I want Knock uht." He wiped at his optics.

"Just go to recharge." Starscream abruptly ordered before shutting himself off for the night.

Fracture softly cried, thinking about home.

---

The next orbital cycle Starscream refueled himself and Fracture with the energon he had taken from Knock Out and Breakdown. He then went out to find this new apartment. Meeting the landlord he didn't feel like the guy wasn't up to something shady behind closed doors, but he needed the place.

It was small, a little dirty, but it had electricity, running water, and some furniture. Much better than the abandoned places that only had one of those…

Fracture didn't like it, but he soon sat on the couch and played games on his datapad, allowing Starscream to work on cleaning up the place.

It was the afternoon when there was a knock on the door. His wings perked, hesitating, but then answered it. His wings drooped when he saw it was a police officer.

"What do you want?" He scoffed, wings flicking.

"You were not easy to find." The grounder replied, pulling out a datapad and filing through it. "Seeker Starscream of Vos… An emergency order for youngling custody was filed this morning. The judge has issued that the hearing be in two orbital cycles due to the nature of the danger the sparkling is in."

Starscream's wings flicked, his optics narrowing, and engine growling. "That miserable slag pile!"

The cop handed him a datapad. "This is your copy. And I need you to sign this as well." He held up his own datapad. "If you fail to show up you will be arrested and the sparkling taken."

"I'll be there." He growled, signing the datapad and then shoving it back into the officer's chestplates. "And tell Knock Out to shove it up his tailpipe.

"I need to see the sparkling before I can leave."

Starscream rolled his optics. "Fracture, come here for a klik."

Fracture slid off the couch and walked over. The officer looked him over, inspecting for any signs of dents or other signs of abuse. He noted the dents from when Megatron kicked him.

"I didn't do those." Starscream snapped.

"Do you feel safe?" The officer inquired of Fracture, ignoring Starscream.

Fracture didn't even look at him. "I wanna go home."

"He's upset about moving to a new place." Starscream quickly explained.

"Mhmm."

Fracture glanced at the officer, then walked back to the couch. The cop turned to Starscream.

"You have a good orbital cycle."

Starscream closed and locked the door on him. He spun around, shrieked in absolute fury, and kicked the wall.

"I WILL KILL HIM!"

Fracture hugged his datapad, scared of what was happening.

---

2 Orbital Cycles Later

Starscream stomped into the courtroom, having left Fracture just outside in the hallway with a deputy. He was silently cursing not being allowed to bring his sparkling inside, but apparently it was to "reduce stress" on the sparkling. Slag.

His wings flicked and he felt the fires of hell burning inside him when he spotted the reason for this entire hearing. Knock Out was sitting beside Breakdown and another grounder. He sat at the defendant's table, flicking his wings once more.

Knock Out glanced at him, his optics still dimmer than usual, but looking a little better than when he last saw him. Oh, how he wanted to make him look worse again…

The judge eventually entered the room and sat down at his desk.

"This is an emergency order for custody of a…" He paused to read his datapad. "One stellar cycle old sparkling. Defendant is the biological carrier of said sparkling, and prosecutor is a family friend." He looked up at those gathered in the court room. "Alright, what is the concern for the sparkling's welfare?"

"Yes, your honor," That other grounder spoke as he stood, holding a datapad in one servo. "The sparkling is the son of Seeker Starscream of Vos, former Air Commander and First Lieutenant of Decepticon founder and leader, Megatron of Tarn. Starscream, three orbital cycles ago, took his son to visit Megatron for interface. While there, Megatron assaulted both him and the sparkling causing physical injuries. When Starscream returned to my client's home, where he had been residing for over one stellar cycle, he became aggressive and assaulted both my client and his mate. As you can see the injuries are still present on both of them." He gestured to the mated couple.

He continued. "The damage inflicted by Megatron is also present on Starscream. But after his attack, Starscream fled the house with Fracture, the sparkling, without anywhere to go or any Shanix. He did not stay at a shelter during the night, as my clients called them all. He possibly returned to Megatron for the night or stayed outside for the night.

"Starscream does not have a job, nor Shanix saved up. My client has not only a job but is a doctor working at the Iacon Hospital and Emergency Center. His mate is a homemaker and is already providing care to their newborn son. They have no communications or contact with Megatron, Soundwave, Shockwave, or any Decepticon High Command minus when they tried to help Starscream. The only other Decepticons they are regularly in contact with are friends of theirs, all grunts from the Decepticon Army, medical division, or scientific research branch.

"My clients are not only financially stable with a house they own and a well-paying job, but have vorns of experience caring for younglings, and do not believe in ever striking a sparkling. They do not interact with the dangerous Decepticons who would kill a sparkling, nor would they ever knowingly put a sparkling in danger.

"They seek to have full custody of Fracture as he has lived in their home since even before he was born, he knows and trusts them, and would be safest in their care. They love him and are deeply concerned for his safety and wellbeing. We ask for immediate custody of Fracture of Iacon, limited visitations of the carrier, Seeker Starscream of Vos, and a protective order against Megatron of Tarn to ensure he doesn't come near my client's home and harm his son."

The lawyer then sat down.

Starscream flicked his wings, glaring daggers at Knock Out and Breakdown. Breakdown wrapped his arm around Knock Out's shoulders and pulled him close, making sure he didn't look at Starscream.

The judge was writing down notes before turning to Starscream. "Where is your counsel, Starscream of Vos?"

"I am representing myself." Starscream grunted.

"Then, Starscream of Vos, explain to me why your son should remain in your custody."

Starscream stood. "He is my son. I sacrificed everything to have him. I do not put him in danger like this liar claims!" He flicked his wings, pointing an accusing digit at Knock Out. "Fracture is happiest and safest with me."

"Your honor, may I question the defendant?" That slagging grounder lawyer inquired.

"I'll allow it."

"Starscream of Vos, if you may take to the witness stand?" The lawyer gestured to it.

Starscream rolled his optics but went to it anyway. At least now he could directly glare his unadulterated fury at Knock Out. Which he did. Oh, if there weren't armed deputies in the courtroom right now he would rip off Knock Out's head!

"Starscream," That miserable lawyer spoke. "You say Fracture is 'safest' with you. Where do you currently reside?"

"I have an apartment." Starscream grunted, wings flicking.

"But do you have a job?"

"If you rusty Autobots made it easy for Decepticons to get jobs I would have one by now."

"So, how do you plan on caring for Fracture until you get a job?"

"I have sources available."

"The shelter?"

"That's one."

"Megatron?"

"No."

"Starscream," The lawyer paused. "You visited Megatron for a night of interface. You brought Fracture along with you knowing you were specifically going for interface. Was Fracture in the room with you?"

"Are you implying I had him in the room while I fragged? Absolutely not!"

"But he was in the room when Megatron attacked you, correct?"

"Fracture was barely touched."

"Fracture had a serious dent that was observed by my client, and you admitted he was kicked."

"He might have been accidentally kicked during my argument with Megatron."

"Starscream, you have no job, you have taken Fracture to see a very dangerous sociopath, and you are quick to violence. How can we be so sure you won't strike Fracture out of frustration? Sparklings are loud and damage property. You may become angry and hit him."

"Is this because I'm a Seeker? You think we beat our Seekerlets?" He growled.

"On the contrary," The lawyer replied. "The fact you attacked my client twice speaks volumes of how you handle stress." He then turned to the judge. "If I may direct your attention to the vid screen, your honor." He pulled out his datapad and pressed some buttons, having what was on the datapad appear on the larger vid screen so all could see. "These are images of my client after he was attacked by Starscream during his carrying when he and Starscream got into an argument." He explained as those images appeared, showing the wounds to Knock Out's body. "And here are the injures directly after Starscream attacked my client the other orbital cycle."

"Are there any of the sparkling?" the judge asked.

"The sparkling was taken away before pictures could be taken, but I believe the sparkling is in the hallway."

"Bring him in."

A deputy left to do so, soon bringing Fracture into the room. He was escorted over to the judge, and the lawyer pointed out the large dent from Megatron's kick, and the other dent from hitting the wall.

Fracture was taken back out to the hallway, glancing over his shoulders at Knock Out and not Starscream.

The judge vented a sigh. "I think it's clear in this case that the relationship between Starscream and Megatron is the main issue. I cannot in good faith allow a sparkling to be around him. And given the fact Starscream doesn't have a job, while they do." He gestured to Knock Out and Breakdown. "I rule in favor of the prosecution. Speedster Knock Out of Navitas, Velocitron and Truck Breakdown of Delta, Velocitron, are to have immediate custody of Fracture of Iacon, son of Seeker Starscream of Vos. Visitations of the biological carrier, Seeker Starscream of Vos, are to be non-existent until a future court date rules him safe enough for supervised visitations. Megatron is never allowed to interact or visit with Fracture of Iacon." He then slammed his gavel before standing up.

"What?" Starscream's wings flared. "You can't just hand over my son to these lying grounders!"

"Watch your tone or else I'll hold you in contempt of court." The judge ordered harshly. "I suggest you say your goodbyes, Decepticon."

Starscream narrowed his optics, seeing this was Decepticon vs Autobot and nothing to do with his abilities to be a carrier. He stood and stormed out of the room. He grabbed Fracture by the arm and forcibly led him out of the courthouse.

He quickly returned to the apartment, sat on the couch, and held Fracture on his lap, hugging him. He didn't know how much time they had together before that idiot and his fat mate would be there to take his son away.

It was a joor.

A knock at the door announced their arrival. He hugged Fracture tighter, not ready to have him taken away. There was more knocking, then some shouting. Eventually, the door was hacked open, and armed police entered.

"Get out of here!" Starscream roared, wings flaring and engine growling as he protectively hugged Fracture.

"The sparkling is no longer in your custody. Hand him over." One of the officers ordered.

"Over my dead body." Starscream flicked his wings.

"Starscream,"

Starscream turned to the voice of his now most hated enemy. "Get out of here before I kill you, Knock Out!"

Knock Out didn't change his expression, knowing this was going to be difficult. He set his jaw, looked hard at the Seeker, and spoke firmly. "Starscream, hand over Fracture. He doesn't need to be traumatized."

"You are taking him away from me! That is traumatizing!"

Fracture began to cry, looking from his carrier to Knock Out frantically.

"Staying with you is too dangerous! Starscream… You know he'll be safe with me."

"HE'S SAFE WITH ME!"

"Release the sparkling, Seeker." One of the cops ordered.

Starscream stood, holding Fracture tightly, then stepped backwards. The police stepped forward, beginning to circle around him, batons in their servos, and their guns ready for quick draw on their hips.

"Last warning, Seeker."

Starscream didn't obey.

The police neared, Starscream flicked his wings, then one reached for his arm. Starscream lashed at that officer, slashing him across the faceplates. The others lunged, grabbing him, and wrestling him as he kicked and struggled. One officer got a hold of Fracture, as another pried at Starscream's arms to release. Fracture was screaming and bawling, but eventually yanked free of his carrier's arms. The other officers held Starscream back as the one delivered Fracture to Knock Out. The doctor gently took the crying Sparkling, holding him firmly against his chestplates. Fracture wrapped his arms around Knock Out's neck, trembling from how scared he was.

"I'LL SLAGGING KILL YOU!" Starscream shrieked, still struggling against the cops. "I'LL TEAR YOU APART AND MAKE THAT BUMBLING, FAT IDIOT YOU FRAG WATCH!"

Knock Out quickly turned and started to leave, stopping only to grab Fracture's datapad from the couch. He placed one servo on Fracture's bottom to support him, the other holding the back of the sparkling's helm to his chestplates so he wouldn't see what was happening.

"KNOCK OUT! YOU'RE A DEAD MECH! I WILL TAKE FRACTURE BACK AND KILL YOU! THERE WILL BE NOWHERE FOR YOU TO HIDE YOU MISERABLE, LYING, LIVING SACK OF SLAG!"

Knock Out hastily walked out of the apartment and approached Breakdown who was standing on the sidewalk, waiting. He pulled Knock Out closed and hugged him.

"We have him. He's safe now." He soothed his mate.

"Let's get back home." Knock Out said quickly, wiping away the coolant beginning to leak from his optics.

---

They soon got back home, Breakdown thanked their neighbor for watching Wildbreak, and soon they were alone. Knock Out carried Fracture to the berthroom Starscream used to stay in and set him down.

"It's your old-new room." Knock Out smiled, presenting the room to Fracture.

It now had many more toys, the berth had a berth rail, small steps so he could get into berth on his own, and many more videogames.

Fracture looked up at Knock Out with large optics, silently asking for approval.

"Go ahead, it's all yours." He gave him a loving nudge forward.

Fracture squealed before running over and hugging the new stuffed toys and jumping from one new thing to another. Knock Out sighed. Maybe the transition wouldn't be so hard for him.

Later that night Knock Out lay in berth next to Breakdown, exhausted from the long orbital cycle. Wildbreak was recharging in the crib beside the berth, close enough that Knock Out could reach in and pick him up without leaving the berth.

"Doing alright?" Breakdown asked as he wrapped an arm around Knock Out's waist, holding him closer to him.

Knock Out didn't look back at his mate, focusing on the crib in front of him, watching his son recharging peacefully. "I'm upset. I don't know why he couldn't have simply stayed with us and avoided all of this."

"He's stubborn." Breakdown kissed the back of Knock Out's neck, his optics offlining as he settled for recharge. "This is a huge wakeup call for him."

"I don't think he'll ever be safe enough to have a sparkling. He won't stay away from Megatron."

"There's not much more we can do. We gave him a home, Shanix, energon… Don't say we didn't try everything." He lowered his servo to rest over Knock Out's abdominal plates. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine. Tired… Pain is gone… I'm just tired…"

"You can focus on getting better now. We have two sparklings to take care of."

Knock Out vented a sigh, placing a servo over his mate's. He offlined his optics and allowed himself to drift into recharge. It didn't last long before being onlined by a small vocalizer.

"Knock Out?"

Knock Out online his optics and saw a tiny pair of red optics in front of him. The doctor quickly propped himself on an elbow.

"Fracture? What is it sweetie?"

"I had a nightmare…" Fracture whimpered, coolant in his optics.

Knock Out reached over and picked the little one up onto the berth. Fracture lay beside him, clutching one of his new stuffed toys. Knock Out wrapped his arms around the sparkling, protectively holding him close. Breakdown grunted in his recharge, holding Knock Out's waist a little tighter. He looked down and saw that Fracture had fallen back into recharge, already feeling so much safer.

He was safe. He was safe from Megatron and anything stupid Starscream may do. And he would do everything he had to to ensure Fracture would never be in danger again.

---

Originally, my friend had envisioned Starscream always having Fracture and never being separated. I pitched the idea of Knock Out getting custody of Fracture because, well, who wouldn't want to keep a baby away from psycho Megatron? And thus she gave it her blessing and the most chaotic, dramatic, friends-turned-enemies story was born. Things will get MUCH crazier from here on out.

At the time I wrote this we hadn't made certain decisions, but there was some accidental foreshadowing here.

I decided to make Knock Out have a hard time with pregnancy because he's so arrogant and thinks himself so perfect, so him having trouble with anything is ironic. Also, he is one of those who wants to do an all natural pregnancy for bragging rights. We all know he would.

Fracture is a good baby. But I must say, Fracture from RiD 2015 is very ugly. I disagree with the theory of him being the son of Starscream and Megatron, but some of y'all wanna make that claim. That's fine. He's ugly, tho. :P