Part 1

Optimus Prime signed another datapad, placed it into the 'out' tray and leaned back in his chair to stretch. Peace meant more datawork than war.

They had yet to agree on a peace treaty, but it was only a matter of time. It had been in the works for nearly a quarter vorn, and at this conference, things looked more promising than before.

Unlike several predictions had claimed, the Decepticons had not fallen apart at Megatron's demise. There must have been plans for such an occurrence, because Shockwave and Soundwave had taken over seamlessly. The first important thing they had done was offer a cease-fire, and, second, peace, provided Kaon, Polyhex and Vos were acknowledged as their territory, leaving them to rule there as they saw fit.

Given the destruction the war had caused, the Council had agreed, and now there would be two separate states on Cybertron for the first time since the Kaon Rebellion back under Vector Prime's rule.

Nobody had asked Prime's opinion on this, and he hadn't been invited to join the negotiations, either. He was Prime, chosen to unite and lead the Cybertronian people in times of war. A glorified Defense Secretary. With stress on the secretary.

Now that there was no more warring, the senators and the Council were in power once again. Prime had to oversee the disbanding of great parts of his own army, after first recruiting it – given that most of the original standing army of Cybertron had sided with the Decepticons. Because Vos and the Seekers were now out of his reach, he'd be even less busy than Sentinel Prime had been before the Decepticon Uprising.

Just as Prime contemplated leaving a little earlier, Bluestreak, his new assistant (because the youngling didn't have anywhere else to go), announced Mirage.

Senator Mirage, that was, and he did stride into Prime's office as if he owned it. However, his smile hadn't changed, slightly shy and honestly delighted to see Prime.

"Optimus. I'm sorry I have to keep you from your work."

"I was planning to finish for the orn anyway. I gather you're not here for a social call?" Sometimes, he was.

Another smile, more tight now. "The negotiations have hit an impasse, I'm afraid."

"Of course." It wasn't the first time. "Have a seat."

Mirage drew up the visitors chair and plopped down.

"Thank you. Now, as you know, we're considering to leave the southern cities to the Decepticons, provided they'll let everyone go who doesn't wish to live under their rule. They agreed. They also accepted the borders without objection this time, but there's a few of ours who still don't trust them to keep their promises."

So far, this was expected. The talks had been postponed over this twice already. Prime nodded for Mirage to go on.

"Shockwave asked if they'd be appeased if the Decepticons left a pawn of sorts with us."

"A pawn?"

"Starscream."

Prime frowned. "I thought he was dead."

"He's not. He made a short appearance this afternoon, but he's not directly involved with the negotiations. Shockwave said he had to stay grounded for health reasons."

"Hmm. And us holding Starscream hostage is to ensure their docile behavior how?"

Mirage rolled his shoulders, obviously being at the same loss. "Apparently, he's very high up in the Vosian hierarchy. Also, he's still their official Air Commander – his position was never renounced, and they have no strategist to fill the position as well as he did. Acting Commander Thrust left Megatron without air cover on the last battle, remember?"

Prime nodded. Yes, he remembered. With Starscream still active, he'd never have gotten close enough for a fatal hit. The Decepticons owed a lot of their military prowess to Starscream, so obviously he'd be missed if there were new conflicts. "This still doesn't explain why you're telling me this."

Mirage gave another of his tight smiles. "I'm afraid they won't be content to have him be a mere hostage. They've demanded someone bond with Starscream so he'll be treated with respect."

Prime nodded. Seekers weren't well received in Iacon. It was sensible to worry about Starscream being treated decently, but, "why is forcing him into a bond respectful?"

"Shockwave said it was Starscream's demand."

Aha. "I hope I'm not supposed to understand this. Having one of ours bond to him would defy the entire purpose of having him as a hostage."

Mirage made a face. "The Council discussed this for most of the orn. I have little idea what their reasoning is, but they agreed." He paused to study his hands. "So. He needs to bond to someone rather high ranking, obviously. But the Senators are out because we don't hold permanent offices, and the Council, well… the two of them that aren't paired up are ancient, aren't they."

Prime blinked. "So you're asking me."

"Um. Yes. I'm afraid so."

Holy slag. Prime cycled air as he tried to image the outcome. Bonded to Starscream, of all mechs. Starscream. Temperamental, screechy, untrustworthy.

"If I refuse?"

Mirage fidgeted. "They'll probably order you. Xaaron said it would be beneficial to the peace process and further mutual understanding."

Prime sighed. "I thought so." At least they'd asked in a friendly manner first.

There was really no way out, was there. The Council was allowed to order him around as soon as the well-being of the Cybertronian people was concerned. Careful reasoning would allow them to do so in this case. A number of attorneys would be working on this by now.

"I wouldn't mind him living with me," Prime said. There was enough space in the house – mansion – on the edge of the Palace grounds that was the Prime's Residence. "I wouldn't mind acknowledging him as my mate." All that was needed for that was a trip to the city hall to be registered. It was a tedious process to get such a registration annulled, but at least it was reversible. "Would you take that to Shockwave and the Council? A spark bond would deprive both of us of the chance to find someone more suited for this kind of commitment."

Mirage looked at him shrewdly. "That wouldn't be an issue if you bonded."

"I know." He'd be damned to love the mech, he was well aware of that. "It doesn't mean we'd be happy, or wouldn't regret it."

"You're right. And I really can't say you two are a good match." Mirage stood. "I'll see what I can do."

"Thank you."

After Mirage had left, Prime couldn't think of work anymore, but he didn't want to go home, either. A strange unrest was making his spark flutter and his knee joints itch. To escape it, he began striding along the corridors, past the grand doors of the archives – his old workplace – and outside to the gardens. He walked until he hit the pond, where he stopped and took time to look at the offworld greenery there. Trees, he remembered someone tell him, twice as tall as he was, with thousands of tiny leaves rustling in the slight wind.

It was strangely soothing.

Suddenly, he felt as if he were being watched. Turning, he found a Seeker standing on one of the balconies, leaning forward, elbows resting on the banisters. The color scheme was familiar, as Prime zoomed in on him, red and white wings, a dark face. Starscream, yes, maybe taking a break from the negotiations. He was too far up to discern his expression, but as Prime watched, Starscream shifted, arching his back and canting his hips. The mech really was quite attractive.

Prime spun around and walked off.

xxx

The next morning, Prime was ordered to the Council's meeting chamber.

Six ancient Autobots sat in their thrones, watching him impassively from their dais. Only Xaaron was leaning forward, looking at Prime over steepled fingers, looking for all the world like a teacher about to scold a wayward youngling.

"Your suggestion was noted," Xaaron said. "But for a truly united Cybertron, we do need you to bond. For the good of our kind."

There, he'd said it. Any refusal now would mark Prime a traitor.

"Besides, you aren't the first Prime to be asked into a spark bond."

Asked, right.

For a moment, Prime just wanted to turn around and walk away, out of the Palace, out of the city, away from their scheming and his desk job.

But, of course, duty won out. He'd pledged to work for the good of all Cybertronians, and this kind of alliance would probably prove beneficial both for that and the Council's ulterior motives. Only not for Prime, personally.

He listened to himself asking questions about the when and how.

Once the treaty was completed, there would be the standard three orns of celebrations for a state bonding. An orn later, the treaty would be signed. Resulting in more celebrations.

Prime wandered back to his office and spent the rest of the orn failing to concentrate.

xxx

He didn't recharge in the night, and he was too wired for reading, so he alternately paced his study or watched the news. He also didn't recharge the night after that, but no one seemed to notice.

Occasionally, he wondered why he went home in the evening.

It was a big house, four stories above ground, two basement levels. Two major and three small washracks, seven bed rooms, a sitting room, a library, several office spaces plus uncounted more. All for one mech. Or two, in the near future. The place was empty now and would never hold anyone Prime wanted to go home to, either.

It was enough to make a mech turn to high-grade and stimulants.

Again, Prime didn't.

xxx

When Prime returned to work the fourth morning after receiving the news, he found Starscream waiting in Bluestreak's office.

Prime watched through the transparent door. The poor kid stared at the Seeker as if transfixed, while Ironhide was glowering from a corner, obviously being the unwilling guard. Starscream was sitting in one of the chairs reserved for visitors, his back straight, hands folded in his lap, and was studiously ignoring the others' looks.

For a klick, Prime felt his faceguard twitch, wanting to slide out of his helm. He hadn't worn it since Shockwave had asked to parley, yet right now it held the promise of invulnerability. But hiding wouldn't work, not when he'd have to bond to the mech, so Prime shook his head and pushed the button to open the door.

With a miniscule smile Bluestreak sagged, and Ironhide snapped to attention. Starscream lost his bored expression as he rose and didn't look quite so confident anymore. There was a round of greetings, in which Ironhide was extra smart, probably to convey his distaste of the situation.

Prime turned to Starscream then. "What can I do for you?"

"There's a few things we need to discuss," Starscream rasped. His voice was even more grating than Prime remembered.

A bond, at least, would minimize the need for actual conversation.

"You're probably right," Prime conceded. He glanced through the also transparent door to his office at the space inside, too small for comfortable distance. "Walk with me."

Starscream cocked his head. "Lead the way then."

"Sir," Ironhide protested from his corner, "He needs to be overseen at all times."

"I won't let him out of my sight. Now." Prime opened the door to the outside again. "After you."

Starscream slipped past and fell in step beside him. "You've just started a rumor."

"None that won't spread anyway. Whether I lock myself into my office with you or take you for a walk doesn't matter."

Starscream made a non-committal noise, and they strode along the hallways in silence.

It wasn't too bad, really. Starscream was short for a Seeker but still tall enough that he didn't have to hurry to keep up with Prime's longer strides. Also, he seemed content to put off the conversation for a little while.

Eventually, they stepped outside into the garden. It was empty this early in the orn save for a lone drone cleaning the stone tiles of a path. A cool breeze was rustling the leaves of the plants.

"What did you want to discuss?" Prime asked after they'd ambled aimlessly for a breem.

"Heh. You're my betrothed as much as I am yours. Don't tell me you've never thought about the technicalities."

"I've tried to avoid it, to be honest."

Starscream was silent for a few paces. "I was told you were a little apprehensive", he said then.

Even at gunpoint Prime wouldn't have been able to decipher what Starscream intended with that comment. "It's a little rash, don't you think? We've been enemies for vorns."

"It's the only way," Starscream stated.

Was it, really? Still, Prime was curious about the reasoning behind that.

"You will have to move in with me," he allowed for a change of subject.

Starscream threw him a questioning glance. "Yes."

Something about that little word made Prime feel wretched.

"It's a big house. If you wish, you can drop by tonight and pick some rooms."

"Thank you."

"Is there more?" Prime wondered.

"Presents?"

Yeah. That. Prime wasn't looking forward to the occasion, but someone would want to give them something. "I don't need anything," he said. "A vacation, maybe."

Starscream snickered. "Unless we steal a ship and sneak off undetected, we'll have bodyguards underfoot wherever we go."

"Hmm." We. "Is there anything you'd like or need?"

Starscream stopped to consider him. "Something to do. I can't hang around our place all orn, waiting for you to come home."

Of course. Starscream probably bored easily, and it would give them further opportunity to avoid each other.

"Do you have an education?"

"Feh. Don't tell me you never found out about that."

"I never asked about it. It seemed inconsequential."

"It was." Starscream nudged a stray dead leaf with his foot. "I almost graduated in chemistry and xenobiology."

There was a story there. Starscream was probably full of stories, while Prime was comparatively dull.

"Otherwise, I am a successful Air Commander."

"I'm afraid we already have an Air Commander. Besides, no one would trust you with a command, or even a teaching position."

A smirk. "According to Megatron, I was always better at picking holes into other people's plans than at anything else."

Prime smiled at the attempt at levity. "I'll ask around. Maybe there's something in the armory or the labs."

"Thank you."

Well. Starscream was trying to make a good impression by being impeccably polite, wasn't he.

"Don't thank me yet. Now… is there anything else I missed?"

Starscream chuckled. It was a surprisingly deep sound. "If you have any creators left, you should probably tell them before they see it on the news."

"We aren't really talking anymore." As far as Prime knew, they were still angry that their only creation had gone intellectual.

"You should tell them anyway." Starscream folded his arms. "I'm sure I'd want to know."

Hmm? Prime peered at Starscream for further explanation, but he looked away, face totally closed, mouth a thin line. Mirage had said something about health reasons.

"Did you lose a sparkling?"

Starscream's head snapped around, optics narrowed. "Why do you think so?"

"Just some clues." Prime held up his hands in a gesture of surrender. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to."

"Whatever." Starscream looked away again. "It's abstract. I wasn't even aware I was carrying until after the fact."

"I'm sorry, for what it's worth." Prime would never ask whose it had been.

"As I said. It's more abstract knowledge than anything."

Right. As if he'd repeat that if he really weren't hurting. "Let's head back." In a fit of gallantry, Prime offered his arm.

Starscream stared at it and blinked. Of course. It was an upper class thing; he'd have to be explained, like they'd explained it to Prime.

"You place your hand on mine and rest your forearm on mine."

"And what does it mean?"

"It allows us to touch without being unseemly. It's something you may offer to friends, relatives or a lover, but you may offer only to a mech your height or shorter."

"Heh. You're serious about starting that rumor."

"I'd rather bond to a mech I've been seeing secretly for a while than to someone I've never really talked to before the ceremony."

"Of course." Starscream stepped closer and daintily did as instructed.

Sparks did not fly as they touched, but the warmth and the weight on Prime's arm were both disquieting and comfortable. Prime smiled down at his companion, and Starscream grinned back. It was rather lopsided, the right corner of his mouth quicker to move than the other.

In another life, Starscream would have made a good friend.

Prime resumed their walk, and after a bit of tugging and awkwardness, Starscream adjusted and they ambled towards the office wing.

"Doesn't it bother you that I killed Megatron?"

"No. Even a vorn ago it would have, but I've learned to hate him since then. No. If anything, I'm grateful."

"I wish I could say you were welcome." Prime had tried to find another way to end the war, but nothing else had promised to yield actual results. Megatron had been too intoxicated by his military power to be open to negotiations, and had been too good at warfare to be defeated. Prime tried not to fret about it.

"You wouldn't be Optimus Prime if you didn't have a bad conscience. Even if it did end the war."

Prime sighed. "You're probably right."

"Not probably. I'm always right."

They walked the rest of the way in comfortable silence. The passersby gave them curious looks, and Prime could have sworn Starscream preened at the attention.

Bluestreak, however, seemed rather disconcerted by the sight, and Ironhide was obviously still displeased.

"I'll see you tonight," Starscream said before he was ushered out by one disgruntled red mech.

After they'd left, Bluestreak turned to fix Prime with a disappointed look. "What was this about?"

"I'll tell you later," Prime said and fled into his office.

Now. His creators would be at work, so there were a few joors to kill until he had to have that particular conversation. They probably wouldn't despise him more at the news, because he'd already betrayed them, the workers union and every other mech who was doing actual work. Not even his being chosen as Prime had made them proud of him. They'd shrugged at those news, and they'd shrug at the bonding, and Prime had no idea why he even considered humiliating himself so.

The joors dragged by until it was late afternoon, almost time to leave, when Prime finally made himself call his creators.

Override was frowning when the connection came on. "Orion."

It figured they'd conveniently forget his new name.

"Override. Is Coruscate there yet?"

"Just came in. Why?"

"There's something I need to tell you."

"Hmm. Wait a klik."

Override left the area the camera was covering and returned shortly afterwards with Coruscate in tow. They were holding hands, or rather, Coruscate was gripping Override's. Coruscate always worried more… was he worried about Prime?

Prime didn't care if he worried.

He hoped he did.

"Orion. Hello." Coruscate smiled.

"Hello. How are you two doing?"

"Could be worse. There's a lot of work now, with the truce."

"The peace treaty is nearly completed, too."

"Good." Another smile from Coruscate. "Is it true the Decepticons will have their own state?"

"I'm afraid so."

Override made a face. "Isn't it your job to unite all of Cybertron?"

"I'm working on that." Now, here went nothing. "It's why I've accepted a proposal to sparkbond with a high ranking Decepticon."

Override's frown deepened. "A proposal? Are you sure it wasn't an order?"

"Yes..." After all, he'd caved before they had to order him, good little Prime that he was.

"Hrrm. I still don't like it. Doesn't sound like the right reason to bond."

"It's right for Cybertron." And if Prime told this to himself often enough, he might just believe it.

"Who is he?" Coruscate asked.

"Starscream."

They nodded. He'd been on the news quite often.

"That Seeker," Override said. "I thought he was dead."

"No. Just… incapacitated. The medics wouldn't let him fly, for health reasons."

Coruscate looked like he caught the deeper meaning. "He told you what happened?"

"He did. He's also the one who suggested I warn you."

"Yes." Coruscate offered a little smile. "It's good that you two are so close. I'd hate for you to bond to a total stranger."

"He's easy to talk to," Prime said, and it wasn't a lie.

"Good. That's good. Is… is there a chance we could meet him? And I want to be the one to give you away."

Prime hadn't even thought they'd want to attend. "I'm going to ask Starscream about the meeting. But I'll have to talk to the Master Herald about protocol for a state bonding ceremony. I'm Prime. I'm not sure if I can be given away."

Coruscate sighed. "But we'll be invited?"

"Of course."

Override gave a gruff nod, and Coruscate beamed at him.

"Well. I'll call again tomorrow."

He cut the connection and asked Bluestreak in for an overdue explanation.

"They can make you do that?" the kid asked after Prime had finished speaking.

"I chose not to protest. It would only have ended in ugly name-calling, an it wouldn't have changed a thing."

"But," Bluestreak frowned, "aren't you afraid?"

Wasn't he? Prime slumped. "Of course. Of course I'm afraid." The fear crept up at him at night. He didn't recharge because his mind was too busy wondering how it would be to never be alone again. To always have to share mindspace with a mech totally his opposite.

Bluestreak reached over the desk to pat his hand. "And there's nothing we can do?"

"I can't back out now. I gave my word." Unfortunately, Prime's sense of duty forbid him to curl up in a corner and pretend raving madness.

Bluestreak sighed. "I'm sorry. I hope I'll have the bearings to attend the ceremony. But I don't think I could actually celebrate."

"You don't have to. Just don't tell anyone I'm on the verge of a panic."

xxx

After that conversation, Prime found the Master Herald, Manners, who had his office near the archives. Although information was within easy reach, his shelves were nearly breaking from the amount of datapads he had amassed. Manners knew all about etiquette, and about everything else, too. At least, he didn't seem surprised about Prime's problem, and had an answer without having to consult his library.

As Prime had expected, he couldn't be given away, since he was property of the people, and not living at his creators' place anymore, anyway, and Seekers had no creators, so there was no need to rub it in.

"Besides, it's a sentimental custom for the lower classes. I'll put your creators on the guest list, of course, and if you wish to invite anyone else who isn't on the list yet, feel free to contact me. The same goes for your betrothed."

Prime was quite happy to leave after that lecture, and puttered about his house until Starscream arrived. Yet again, Ironhide was the unwilling guard.

Prime presented his loyal officer with a cube of high grade and left him in the living room so he could show Starscream around.

Predictably, Starscream asked for the penthouse-like upper floor, with the large windows and the opportunity to just step outside and fly off – provided you had a license that allowed you to fly over the Palace grounds. Tonight, they only sat on the balcony's lone bench and watched the Palace glitter.

"My creators asked to meet you."

"You're back to talking?"

"They were rather upset by the idea."

"Optimus…"

"Wouldn't you be?"

Starscream sighed. "If I'd had the luxury of time to woo you, I would have."

Prime raised his optic ridges. "What makes you think you could do that?"

Starscream leaned into Prime until their faces nearly touched. "What makes you think I couldn't?" he purred. His optics glowed crimson and he was staring so intently as if he were considering Prime dessert.

It had been a long time ago since anyone had looked at Prime that way. Because Prime's spark remembered what followed if you gave in to such a look, it began to pulse faster and the same anticipation made his ventilation speed up.

Starscream grinned.

Prime withdrew. "This is not a game."

"But you offered a challenge. I've always liked challenges."

And so Starscream would do his damnedest to seduce Prime? Prime's fuel tank went slightly fluttery at the prospect.

"Hmm." Starscream closed the gap to nuzzle Prime's cheek. "Say the word and I'll stay the night."

Prime's spark raged in his chest and demanded he say yes.

But he didn't. Starscream rose with a huff and walked all the way to the banisters, where he was a graceful shadow obscuring the night sky.

"You can try and make me desire you all you want, but this doesn't mean I wish to bond with you."

Starscream looked at him over his shoulder. "But it would make things easier, no? If you knew the act itself wouldn't be a chore?"

Maybe. Not really.

"Your creators," Starscream said out of the blue. "I wouldn't mind meeting them."

Prime blinked. "Good. When?"

"I'll leave that to you." Starscream turned around to face Prime. "I'm to have lessons in etiquette, Xaaron informed me. But I'll be free in the evenings. Just tell me in time."

"Of course."

"Is there anything I should know about them?"

Prime frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Various things. You don't call Soundwave's cassettes drones and you don't insult Skywarp's intellect in front of Thundercracker."

"I can't think of anything like that," Prime said. "Override's been working at the docks since I can remember, and Coruscate is doing construction. They don't have much of an education, and they usually mistrust those who have one."

"So you becoming an archivist must have seemed like a slap in their faces," Starscream drew the conclusion. He inclined his head slightly and his optics had dimmed down a little.

"Something like that."

"Why didn't you bow to their wishes?"

What a question. "I couldn't be a workermech. Not when I knew there was such a wealth of knowledge to be found. I applied for a scholarship without telling them."

He sensed Starscream's smile more than he saw it. "We're both scholarship students, then."

"Yes." Being at the Academy on a scholarship wasn't easy. "So why didn't you stay in Kaon?"

"They hated me. I was too good and I didn't do well with orders. If anything, they were glad to be rid of me. But it was a coincidence Iacon Academy sent their acceptance letter first."

"So what about your choice of subjects? Were they a coincidence, too?"

"More or less." Starscream looked off. "I was fascinated by almost everything."

Yes, Prime could easily imagine that. "So what made you decide?"

"Heh. I developed a crush on a post-grad student during the orientation decacycle."

Prime adjusted his night vision to see Starscream's wistful smile. "What happened?"

"He died. On an offworld expedition."

"I'm sorry."

"It was a long time ago."

"Does that make it hurt less?"

"Shouldn't it?"

"I've experienced it just turns into a different kind of pain."

Starscream jerked his head and turned his back to Prime again. "How would you know that?"

"I've lost quite a few mechs dear to me in the war. Extended family, friends," and someone who might have become more if fate had let them.

"Hmm."

It didn't quite compare. Not to a lover or a creation.

Prime rose and joined Starscream at the banisters. "Why insist on a bond when you've suffered so many losses already?" Because nothing compared to the loss of a bondmate. Everyone knew someone who hadn't pulled through that.

"Safety reasons," Starscream rasped.

"Wouldn't being my bondmate make you more of a target?"

Starscream gave a short laugh. "Not this kind of safety."

"You're not making sense."

"I will."

Prime had a feeling that it was mostly about the exploitation of his sense of duty. "What do I get out of this?"

"Heh. You're talking to your creators again? You get the best looking mech ever as a bondmate? You'll get regular nookie?"

Prime chose not to comment.

"Besides, I wasn't made Air Commander for my looks. There's things in the future that will need someone who thinks on his feet and doesn't fear change."

Hmm. It was a good thing Prime wasn't harboring illusions about Starscream. With or without trauma, this mech was ambitious and clever enough to make everything a ploy. "What are you planning?"

"Nothing much, except living by the true Decepticon ideals."

Indeed. What was it again, their declaration… Prime tapped his fingers on the balustrade.

It is proven that all sparks are equal, with the same capabilities to learn and feel. We therefore believe that all Cybertronians are equal at their creation, and that, thus, all Cybertronians should have equal rights.

It was a short text, but it had made millions set their hope into one gray mech and his ability to lead them to freedom. If the Decepticon concept of a society worked out, the Council would have a major problem on their hands.

It didn't help that Prime thought they were right. They'd only gone about it the wrong way.

Ah. The pieces began to fall into place.

"Living by your declaration doesn't sound like nothing much," Prime said.

"It's not overly much," Starscream said. "Only to those who fear change."

"Is this supposed to reassure me?"

"No. It's an experiment that I beg to Primus will succeed. If you want reassurance, you'll just have to trust that I, as your bondmate, will stick with you, no matter what."

The setting was right, but… "If this was supposed to be romantic, you failed."

Starscream snorted and glared up at Prime. "It was a statement of fact. Like the pledge I will make at the ceremony, only shorter."

"I don't know if this kind of theatrics is appropriate for the setting," or for the cause of the bonding.

Starscream's optics narrowed. "I want it to be. I want you to look at me and know that I mean it."

"I don't get you." Prime pushed himself away from the banisters and began pacing. "You know I don't want this. How can you even consider saying those words to me?"

"Wouldn't you need to hear them even more under those circumstances?"

"I'd rather not be in any circumstances to have to hear them at all."

Starscream turned around to face him. "Optimus…"

"Don't you 'Optimus' me. An explanation, now."

For a moment, Starscream seemed stunned, then he looked away. "Do you remember the first time Shockwave asked for you to parley?"

Prime blinked. "Yes."

"I was there under a guise."

"A guise? Why not come as yourself?"

"TC – Thundercracker, he painted my white parts black. No one seemed to notice it was me. Anyway. We didn't want to announce I wasn't dead, after all."

Prime folded his arms. The memory was easily found, as one particular Seeker Prime had thought a guard had been trying to get Prime's attention. "You were flirting with me."

"You were flirting back." Starscream offered another of his lopsided smiles.

Of course. It had been him, in retrospect. "I was merely curious," Prime said.

"Let's surmise I believe that. Why would you be curious about a totally nondescript Seeker?"

Why indeed. Prime remembered same Seeker – Starscream – ogling him until Prime finally looked. Then he'd smile and look away coyly, only to repeat the game a breem later. It had been highly distracting, but it was also just flirting. Something you'd do at a bar.

"It was… normal?"

Starscream raised his optic ridges. "An enemy flirting with you is normal?"

"No!" Oh, why was this so hard to explain. "It was… normal flirting?"

Starscream tilted his head.

"You weren't trying to garner favor," Prime said. "And, well, if I tried flirting with someone lower in ranks… they'd feel as if they had to."

"Hmm." Starscream shuttered his optics for a moment. "There's those less scrupulous than you are. But I think I know what you're saying. So… would you have flirted back if I'd come as myself?"

"I don't think so." Prime crossed his arms. "Is this explanation going anywhere?"

"Tssk. Just think about the real answer. Now. I'm sure my guard is getting bored. Will you let me retire for the night?"

Of course. Prime called the elevator that took them to the ground level, where Ironhide indeed seemed relieved to see them. For a farewell, Starscream placed a peck on Prime's cheek and promised he'd be back the next night.

Prime watched them walk away, marveling at the paradox that was Starscream, who'd willingly sparkshare with him but avoided revealing his secrets.

Later, Prime had trouble falling into recharge, because his spark was whispering to him. Starscream could be here, in his arms, right now.

Eventually Prime managed to shut down, which he absolutely hadn't expected.