Again, thanks for all the positive responses.
I'll be off to do some sightseeing in Berlin for a few days, so the next chapter probably won't be posted until next Tuesday.
Part 2
In the morning, Bluestreak told Prime that he looked much better than in the past few orns. Ironhide glowered at him all the way through a meeting with the Autobot officers.
In the afternoon, Prime called his creators and they agreed to come by the next evening.
xxx
Half a joor after sundown, Starscream turned up at Prime's house, this time with Trailbreaker as an escort.
"I'll take it from here," Prime told the mech. "And I'll walk him back to his quarters later, so you don't have to wait up." They didn't really need someone to listen in on what they were going to discuss.
Trailbreaker saluted and didn't seem too unhappy as he hurried off.
Prime ushered Starscream into his sitting room and offered some high grade.
"Just a little, please." Starscream indicated a miniscule amount by measuring an inch with his thumb and index finger.
So Prime poured the requested amount for Starscream and an entire cube for himself.
Just before the silence became stifling, Starscream shifted in his chair. "Have you thought about my question?"
"I have. Although it's not important, because you were just trying to distract me."
Starscream considered his cube for a moment. "It is important. I wouldn't have offered to be a hostage in the first place if not for it. So?"
"I suppose I would have been too baffled at your appearance to notice you were flirting."
Starscream laughed. It was odd to look at this mech, hero of horror stories, sitting at Prime's table, laughing, optics glowing an amused orange, looking for all the world like an unconcerned youngling.
Prime couldn't help but smile back.
Eventually, Starscream sobered up, though his optics still glowed. "I realized a few things that orn. First, you have a nice face under that battle mask. Second, you are a good leader. I hadn't really understood why they all followed you."
Sometimes, Prime didn't know why they did, either.
"You inspire loyalty and you don't even consider abusing your power. Lastly, you weren't adhering to prejudice. In popular opinion, I shouldn't even be able to generate the feelings I'd need to flirt."
"This is all very flattering." Prime picked at his cube. "But if you tell me now your spark surged and you knew I was your intended, I'm going to hit you."
Starscream laughed again. "Primus beware. You're easy on the optics, and our rapport is better than I dared to hope. But the reason I agreed to come here? You're the only one we consider bright enough to deal with what we hope to achieve. Also, you're reliable to a fault. It fits with my need for a place away from most of my comrades."
And so the Decepticon leaders had done a cost-benefit analysis and decided that Prime's happiness wasn't too big a sacrifice.
"As long as you aren't carrying Megatron's sparkling and expecting me to raise it…"
Starscream blinked and turned away, to the huge windows overlooking the garden.
"I'm sorry. It was a bad joke. I presume it was his sparkling?" Like Prime had feared.
"No. But he thought it was."
Suddenly, a whole drama unfolded in Prime's head. To tell the actual parentage, a spark needed to have a certain age, approximately a quarter of a vorn. Someone had done a routine check, and things hadn't matched up. Prime didn't have it in him to despise Starscream for cheating on Megatron, and right now he wasn't about to pry why Starscream had let Megatron labor under such an illusion. Perhaps he had also thought it was Megatron's. And now it was most certainly dead.
"You said you didn't know the sparkling…"
"I didn't. Don't." Starscream's face froze into an all too familiar sneer, as if it were a battle mask to hide behind. "Megatron deemed me unsafe for his sparkling."
Hang on… "You don't know the sparkling. As in, present tense?"
Starscream sighed, and the sneer made way to something akin to despair. "I like to fool myself into believing he was dumped at a younglings home or with some other well meaning spark."
Unlikely, yes. "I'm sorry. He didn't tell you?"
Starscream smirked. "If not knowing is worse? Soundwave promised to look into it, but he probably killed whomever was the caretaker, too."
Of course. Things made more sense now, especially the fact that Starscream wanted to be away from his faction. And who was Prime to deny a broken mech a place to recover? "I think I understand your reasoning," Prime said at length. "I still don't like it, but I'll try not to make this difficult if you promise the same."
Starscream offered a smile, sad but genuine. "Thank you."
They sipped the rest of their energon in silence, then Prime told Starscream about the upcoming meeting with Override and Coruscate.
There was nothing to discuss after that, so Prime walked Starscream back to the guest house. He'd offered an arm, and Starscream had taken it without protest. However, he was ignoring the prescribed distance. He'd angled his wings so they stuck out to the back – Prime hadn't even been aware Seekers could do that – and used the gained space to snuggle as close to Prime as possible.
They bumped shoulders every so often, but Prime didn't object. Starscream was warm and obviously needed this for reasons unknown. Everything felt right for a change, it was just them walking the dark gardens, no jobs, no bonding getting in the way. If Prime could have frozen this moment, he would have.
"Here," Starscream said as they reached the guest house and stopped. He did not let go of Prime's arm, though. Instead, he just looked up at Prime, optics glowing crimson.
The atmosphere was thick with words unspoken. They were going to kiss now, weren't they? Prime's spark beat against its casing, his knees were threatening to give and for that he felt more idiotic than the first time he'd ever asked someone out.
A breem ticked by as they were just looking at each other. Then Starscream's face softened, making him look young and shy and oh so lost. Now it was the right time to lean down and brush their lips together.
Starscream made a small happy noise and snuck a hand to Prime's neck before starting to respond with gusto, tasting like tangy high grade and the ozone of the upper atmosphere.
It felt nice. A small tingle started to spread from where Starscream's hand lay, but Starscream was employing a lot more enthusiasm than skill.
When their teeth clashed for the third time in less than thirty kliks, Prime ended the kiss.
"This isn't a race."
Starscream frowned. "You didn't like it."
"No! It's just… I'm in no particular hurry to get you into berth. Are you?"
Starscream's frown deepened. "I was going to wait until the night of the ceremony."
Huh. "What about last night?"
"I knew you were going to refuse." Starscream grinned rather cheekily. "Waiting is a Seeker tradition, to emphasize the importance of the event."
"Alright." No point in getting upset about his little deceit. "It's a good tradition. Though I wasn't even aware Seekers still had traditions."
"I had to pry most of my information out of Astrotrain. The triple changers are virtually the only ones left who remember what it was like before the occupation."
How different the look on history could be.
At the defeat of the Quintessons, the Southerners had refused to bow to the Council's rule, and Vector Prime had set out to tame them and unite Cybertron. Or to destroy a culture and deprive them even of the basic right to raise their own sparklings.
"Ending the occupation probably isn't the worst possible outcome of this war."
"Exactly." Starscream drew himself up to his full height. "And I'll prove this to all the arrogant fraggers in this city."
As Prime had thought. "Just don't embarrass me in the process."
In an instant, Starscream lost his playful expression. "Never." He stroked a thumb over Prime's cheek. "We strayed rather off topic."
Indeed. "I gathered you weren't in any particular hurry."
Another stroke. "No."
Then he was either inexperienced, or had had a bad teacher. In any case, a lesson was in order.
"Let me kiss you? With your optics off?"
There was a flicker of panic before Starscream complied.
Prime put his hands on Starscream's shoulders and felt him shiver, though it didn't seem to be anticipation. "Shush. I'll let you use a blindfold on me for this, one orn."
Slowly, he feathered kisses on Starscream's lips, with a closed mouth, until he felt the mech relax, the shoulders under his hands slumping ever so slightly. Then, he flicked his tongue out, asking for entrance. It was granted with a little sound of bliss, and Prime took it from there.
A delicious, almost forgotten heat spread from Prime's spark outwards, demanding that he get closer. He had to make himself take it slow, take the time to explore thoroughly and invite Starscream to do the same in return. Starscream continued to make little mewling noises and didn't help Prime's resolve much.
By the time Prime was sure Starscream had caught on, they were both panting.
"Hmm." Starscream leaned against him, radiating contentment, and Prime drew him closer.
It felt nice, holding him like that. Prime found it rather hard to think about letting him go right now.
There was an incomprehensible murmur from Starscream.
"Excuse me?"
"I said, you are a rock."
Prime smiled. "I'll take that as a compliment."
Starscream just nuzzled his windshield.
They stood there for a few breems more, then Prime slowly disentangled himself. "It's getting late."
Starscream sighed.
Prime offered a last kiss before Starscream went inside.
He had absolutely no trouble recharging that night.
xxx
"You're looking happy," Bluestreak told him the next morning. "Did they cancel the bonding?"
"No. Why?"
Bluestreak frowned. "You're not making sense, sir."
Probably not. "Starscream came over last night. He's not as bad as I thought."
"But he's a Decepticon."
Prime offered a reassuring smile. "He's primarily a Seeker."
"No offense, sir, but that's almost worse."
"Do you even know the definition of the term 'Seeker'?"
Bluestreak leaned back as if Prime had raised a hand to slap him.
It was time for a history lesson, so Prime drew up a visitors chair to Bluestreak's desk and plopped down in it. "I know what propaganda makes of Seekers. Soldiers, sparked to kill and with little regard for the society they were supposed to protect. The media happily repeat that, and stories for sparklings never have them as anything but the villains. The approved history books for basic education all agree that they were raving mad and Vector Prime did us a favor by conquering the South."
"I wouldn't call it propaganda…" Bluestreak protested.
"It is. I did some digging, you see. 'Seeker' was meant as a title, for a Vosian flight-capable mech who'd sworn a certain oath to become part of the city's defense. It implies a strict honor concept."
Bluestreak mouthed wordlessly for a moment. "Oh," he said eventually. "But, why did they do what they did, when-"
"Because they lost their culture, and most of what they remembered was that they were free once. And we were standing in the way of their freedom."
"It's still no excuse. I mean-"
"It's an explanation. There aren't any excuses. Neither for what they did, nor for what we did to make them so desperate." Prime looked at his hands. "It seems the Council has realized this, otherwise they wouldn't have agreed to Starscream's request."
Bluestreak seemed to mull over this for a time. "Alright. It's probably better that you don't hate him, I know I-"
"It's much better."
Bluestreak looked at him oddly, but let it go.
In truth, Prime had no idea what to think about Starscream. He surely didn't resent the flyer anymore, the attraction was there, and Starscream made for decent company… but Prime was deprived of any real choice. No matter how politically sound the reasoning was, it still was nearly unthinkable that anyone would make him do this.
But despite everything, he couldn't wait to kiss Starscream again.
xxx
The chance arose when Ironhide, grumpier than usual, led Starscream into Prime's office two breems after the official work orn had ended. Starscream's entire face lit up when he looked at Prime, and Prime felt an answering smile tug at his lips.
Ironhide left with a salute to convey his annoyance, and Starscream didn't wait for the door to shut before he pounced.
They kissed very, very thoroughly.
Prime had to force himself to disengage after a couple of breems. "We're going to be late if we keep this up."
Starscream pouted but took the proffered arm without protest. That was, until they were halfway through the garden to the West Gate, where they were supposed to meet Prime's creators.
"You know," Starscream began. "This arm holding thing might be quaint and gallant and proper and everything, but it's making me feel rather decadent."
"What?" Prime stopped. "Manners did explain it to you, didn't he?"
"That he did. It doesn't mean I agree with the little blue busybody."
Prime had no idea whether to be amused or scandalized.
Starscream let go of his arm to gesture (which was also looked down upon by the nobles).
"His explanations aren't worth scrap. You were an archivist before you received the Matrix, and I had to work my way up the ranks from the dregs of your society. This makes us more successful than the rest of the population, but it doesn't make us their betters. I doubt anyone wants to be ruled by people who disregard their ways as lowly and sentimental."
Suddenly, Prime's own apprehension towards Manners made sense. He'd never really thought about it, sometimes hadn't even listened. There had been a war to win, after all.
"Manners is a snob," he agreed.
"Ah." Starscream held up a hand. "The entire system is based on snobbery. Only the rich can get into power, and currently they're making sure no one else can get into a position to be rich enough that he might gain influence."
"Yes…"
"So?" Starscream tilted his head.
"I'm beginning to see why you chose me as a victim."
"You didn't sound like a victim last night."
"No." Prime smiled. While Starscream was assertive, to put it politely, he wasn't looking for a victim. More like a partner in crime…
So. Here was the opportunity to take choice back. Prime could retreat inside himself, cursing fate, the Council and his betrothed while things happened to him, or he could make things happen. Prime felt a grin spread on his face, making the corners of his mouth hurt, as elation coursed through him, making him feel light and ready to fly.
Starscream quirked an optic ridge at him.
"Shall we be lowly and sentimental, then?" Prime held out a hand.
Smiling so brightly he nearly glowed, Starscream took it. Starscream's hands were rather delicate, but he had a firm grip nevertheless.
They easily fell into a brisk stride – neither of them was prone to ambling, the only acceptable pace when it came to walking arm in arm – which had the added effect of them being almost on time.
Override and Coruscate were already there, talking quietly under the watchful optics of a guard.
Coruscate waved when he spotted them.
Prime let go of Starscream's hand with a squeeze and went to greet his creators.
Predictably, Coruscate crushed him into a hug for a full breem, gushing how handsome he was and that Coruscate hadn't really thought the reformatting had made him this big, and that he was so glad to seem him.
Override let go of his pride long enough to also accept a hug.
Then, Prime introduced Starscream. He left the three of them for a breem to call the guards off – he didn't want anyone following them too closely.
Finally, they could walk back to Prime's place. Prime went into full tour guide mode, pointing out the archive's glass dome, the windows of his office, and let them inspect the plants.
Starscream was mostly silent, but Prime had the impression he was listening attentively.
As they reached Prime's not so humble abode, he was gently forced to give a tour of that, too.
"There's a lot of unused space here," Override remarked as they returned to the sitting room.
"I suppose the builders expected every Prime to employ a mass of servants."
"And you don't."
"There's a cleaning drone," Prime said.
"Good."
"Indeed," Starscream added.
Override gave him an odd look, but didn't inquire further.
"So," Prime said. "Can I get you anything? Low grade, high grade, treats?"
Starscream perked up at the mention of goodies, and Prime was rather glad he'd asked the kitchen to deliver some earlier in the orn.
As expected, Prime's creators went for high grade. Starscream seemed rather disappointed they didn't want any treats.
"Same as last night and some candies?" Prime asked him to prevent any conflict of interest.
A look of absolute surprise crossed Starscream's face, then he smiled. "Please."
While Prime poured the energon and fetched the plate with the goodies, he listened to their tentative small talk; what Prime's creators were doing, Starscream having attended Iacon Academy.
"Did you two meet there?" Coruscate asked.
"I'm afraid not. I only attended shortly before the war began."
"Oh." Neither asked further. It was too political for small talk, so it was just as well that Prime was able to present everyone with their high grade.
There was a short lull as they settled around the table. Then Starscream surprised Prime by asking about Coruscate's job, followed by a long winding explanation, how, exactly, you could become a specialist for high security doors without ever planning to do so.
Starscream seemed rather perplexed at the non-straightforwardness of it all. "Nobody told you to decide already?"
"I suppose social services would have if I'd ever had been unemployed. But I am pretty much an exception. Orion here knew what he wanted the first time he got his hands on a history text."
"Not that it helped much," Prime said.
Starscream nodded.
"Um…" Coruscate began. "I've always wondered how Vos worked. How do you get your respective jobs? There has to be maintenance personnel and such."
"Are you asking how Vos worked under the occupation, or are you asking how we are working now?"
Override frowned.
"I- both," Coruscate said as a peace offering.
The tale for the first was rather short and depressing – if new personnel was needed, the Emirate would request a fitting spark from Vector Sigma. Occasionally, the ancient computer was able to outsmart the usurpers, and mechs had to change occupations.
"I'm told they asked for an extra fast air fighter, but failed to specify whether they meant processor power or reaction time, so I ended up with both."
"I bet they didn't like that," Override said.
"They found it unsettling. I was the youngest trine leader ever appointed, and they were rather afraid that I would try and work at a career."
Override made a noise of agreement. "What is young for a trine leader?"
"Thirty vorns, in my case."
Coruscate made a little mournful noise. Normal mechs got their youngling frame around that time. "That is awfully young."
"Whatever. According to Soundwave, I'm two hundred going on a million in terms of cynicism, anyway."
"Two hundred," Prime repeated dumbly.
"And four," Starscream deadpanned back.
There was an uncomfortable silence.
"That's rather young for such a commitment," Override eventually said.
Prime himself was barely scraping the acceptable, and he'd started working at the time Starscream had been sparked. The thought made him shift his weight.
"I happen to be the commander of the largest air force on this planet," Starscream said. "I have a good grasp on what responsibility means."
Override showed his palms to indicate surrender. "You're outside the norm, anyway."
Starscream nodded his agreement.
After another half a joor of awkwardness, Coruscate announced that they'd like to retire for the night. Prime walked them back to the gate. He'd left Starscream back at his house so he could talk to them openly.
"Well," Coruscate said after a breem. "He certainly adores you."
It was understood this was the only good thing Coruscate had to say about Starscream.
"He does?" Prime asked.
"Totally love struck," Override agreed. "If he weren't so abrasive, I'd be happy for you."
Prime hummed. Starscream was really good at not being abrasive towards him.
"Are you sure you want to go through with this?" Coruscate asked.
"I gave my word. The peace process is depending on this."
Coruscate made a small, unhappy noise. "There's no alternative?"
"Probably. However, the Council and the Decepticon High Command have decided it would be useful…"
"But you aren't a tool!" Coruscate was obviously distraught at the thought.
"I don't plan on being one."
"Ah," Override said and left it at that.
Prime was guiltily glad when he could see them off at the gate and walk back home without company.
Starscream was waiting for him, sitting at the table with his back too straight.
"You're back." And his voice was too flat.
"Yes." Prime stopped in the middle of the room. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Tell you what?"
"You're barely legal."
"Nobody ever asked!" Starscream screeched back and sprang up from his chair. "You never even bothered to research me!"
Right. The reports had been correct about the short fuse. Prime caught himself, as Jazz had taught him, and counted to ten in his head. He wasn't looking for a shouting match. Not now, not ever.
"No, I didn't research you," he said after he was done counting.
Starscream appeared to be rather dumbfounded.
"You were rather forthcoming with the information so far. I didn't think it necessary."
"That's stupid." Starscream obviously wasn't ready to let his tantrum go.
"Any lie would be rendered pointless by the bond, don't you think?"
"You're talking me down!" Starscream was the very picture of outrage, optics wide, shoulders rolled back for imminent attack.
"Yes. It appears to be working, too."
Starscream opened his mouth, closed it. "How?"
"I chose not to react to your bait."
"But." Starscream frowned. Primus, he was cute when he was confused. "Nobody ever manages to talk me down."
"Didn't they manage or weren't they really trying?"
Starscream shook his head.
"Come here."
Three hasty steps and Starscream practically melted against Prime. Prime tightened his grip and began to rub small circles on the small of Starscream's back.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have reacted so offended at learning your age."
"I just thought you'd done some basic inquiring."
"I didn't. I was too busy with panicking to find your file." Prime offered an embarrassed grin.
Starscream chuckled.
"My creators unsettled you, didn't they?"
"They don't like me."
"I don't know. They were pretty apprehensive in the first place. Adding the usual prejudice… and you weren't really comfortable."
"I've never dated a mech who even had creators."
"Hmm." What a mess they had made of their own people. "You're still pretty young to consider bonding at all. A mech your age should be afraid of it."
"I've never been considered anything but a legal adult," Starscream said. "And I've come to appreciate stability."
Prime remembered Starscream calling him a rock and nuzzled the dark helm. "I hope you won't regret this later."
"That is unlikely." Starscream smiled at him, and Prime took it as an invitation for a kiss.
A breem or so in, Starcream began tracing Prime's helm, finding an antenna and tweaking it. Prime moaned. Those fingers were clever, and he didn't want Starscream to stop.
No. He ended the kiss and withdrew half a step to be rid of those distracting hands on his head. "I'm afraid I won't be able to stop if you continue this."
"Oh. Am I having an effect?" Starscream purred.
"I'm afraid it's mostly your choice of antenna… not that it wasn't a good choice, just, um…"
Starscream chuckled and moved in to hug him. "Don't be so embarrassed. I understand. – Will you walk me home now?"
Prime did, holding his intended's hand, and felt strangely at peace.
xxx
That peace lasted until mid-morning of the next orn, when Bluestreak announced Mirage. The senator strode into Prime's office and didn't seem to hear the invitation to sit. Instead, he actually paced.
"You were seen holding hands with Starscream last night."
"And?"
"And you introduced him to your creators!"
"They won't tell anyone about it. The peace treaty isn't in any danger."
"That's not what I meant. Whatever were you thinking? Have you any idea about the rumors you spawned?"
"Not yet." Prime squared his shoulders. "What are they saying?"
"That you are dating Starscream. And to introduce him to your creators, it must have been going on a while. People think you've been seeing him even before the war ended. I refuse to believe you forgot those implications when you started to behave like some commoner last orn."
"Stop right there." Prime felt unfamiliar anger bubbling up. "I am a commoner. So is Starscream."
Mirage fidgeted slightly.
"Besides, I am dating Starscream, in a way. I'm going to bond with him, out of no desire of my own, so I've decided to at least meet him on a regular basis to get to know him. This means we will be seen together on occasion, so the rumor would have started in two or three orns, anyway."
Mirage sighed. "I won't begrudge you that. I have no idea what I would do in your place. But will you agree this is going to be difficult to explain?"
"That's not my problem. I'm just trying to make the best of a bad situation. If you're so adamant about keeping that part of the peace treaty a secret until it's done, you'll just have to live with the rumors a while longer."
"Would you still, ah, refrain from acting as if you didn't know about etiquette?"
"No," Prime said and leaned back in his chair.
Mirage gaped.
"I have sworn to serve all Cybertronians. I have nothing against etiquette itself, but I find the reasoning behind it unbecoming for a Prime. My creators are both workermechs. I have no business looking down on everyone who is so, too. So Starscream and I have decided to forgo some of it."
Now Mirage found the chair. "That Seeker roped you right into his cause."
"Not quite. His and my cause are overlapping somewhat. He set out to show the world that Seekers aren't mindless brutes. I'm trying to unite Cybertron, as my oath demands."
"How does misbehaving translate into uniting Cybertron?"
Time to play dirty. "How is Jazz?"
Mirage blinked at the sudden turn of conversation. "I- how should I know?"
"I turned a blind optic or two on you, even though he is an officer." But of course everyone had known Mirage wasn't recharging alone when Jazz was on base, or vice versa. "You seemed to be good for each other."
"We're not meeting on a regular basis anymore", Mirage informed him.
"So I thought. What were you afraid of, Mirage?"
"Our parting is none of your business. Now if you'll excuse me?" Mirage rushed out of Prime's office. He only missed a cloak or something similar, to ripple in an ominous way.
Prime sighed and slumped at that exit. They couldn't fire him, and he dared them ordering him about something like this. However, they had it in their power to ostracize him, and while he was rarely attending their almost orn-ly parties and get-togethers, he wasn't enough of a geek not to mind.
"Sir?" Bluestreak's voice over the intercom interrupted his self pity fest. "Jazz would like to speak with you."
Speak of the unmaker. "Put him through."
The comm. crackled, then, "Heya, boss-bot."
There was no visual, so Jazz obviously was neither at home nor at his office.
"Hello, Jazz."
"I got to hear some interesting news this fine morning."
If the tone was any indication, Jazz was grinning from audio to audio.
"Did you now?" Prime just had to smile back.
"You're seeing the Screamer?"
"Starscream," Prime corrected. "And you know very well that he is my intended."
"Betrothed. Someone else picked him for you, so he is your betrothed."
"I know that."
"Interesting slip, wouldn't you say? Raises the question whether your display was caused by giddiness or a plan."
Prime studied his fingers before answering. "Both, I think."
Jazz laughed. "Cool." His voice lost the playful tone. "How are you coping with the fallout?"
"It wasn't that much. Mirage tried to admonish me for it."
"As if he has any room to talk. If there's more unpleasantness, call me. I think I know what the plan is…" Jazz's voice got a quality it only had when he was plotting. "And I like it. Yes. Definitely."
"Thank you."
Jazz veered off to gossip then, and once the call ended, Prime dug into his datapads with something that was almost motivation.
xxx
If Mirage had understood what Prime had tried to imply, he obviously hadn't talked about it to anyone, since no one from higher up rushed into Prime's office for explanations. Maybe Mirage had a bit of a bad conscience. Or was missing Jazz. Or had thought Prime was trying blackmail.
Therefore, Prime managed to get actual work done until Ironhide dropped by sometime in the afternoon. While the red mech wasn't in a good mood, he at least took the invitation to sit.
"What brings you here?"
Ironhide made a face. "I thought you didn't like the bonding thing the Council cooked up."
Ah. Prime leaned forward to look at his old instructor over steepled fingers. "I don't like that I was ordered," he said. "But Starscream has made an effort to be civil, and he's actually quite likeable."
Ironhide snorted.
"There is little point in treating him badly or ignoring him. Also, I've decided I want some normalcy back, so I'm dating Starscream until further notice."
"But he's gotta have an agenda. He's using you."
"In a way. If he is, he certainly isn't disrespecting me for it – unlike the Council. I'm not sure about their agenda, but I thought it wise to pick one for myself, too. It coincides with Starscream's on certain points, which is rather fortunate."
Ironhide frowned. "So that stuff last night was a set up? You're not in love with his Screechiness?"
Prime blinked. Love? Huh. "I like him. Other than that, time will tell."
Ironhide made a thoughtful noise. "It still doesn't sit well with me."
Primus. Being ordered into a sparkbond was creepy beyond description, yes, but it also was Starscream, and if Prime thought about it too closely, it nearly tore him apart. So. Focus on simpler things. "I'm doing it for a reason… when is the last time you voted?"
For a moment, Ironhide seemed dumbstruck. "I'm military. Besides, I'm renting. When do you think was the last time I voted?"
"Exactly."
You're military? You can't vote. You don't own your lodgings? You can't vote. You can't finance you campaign? You can't get elected.
Easy.
"Wouldn't you like to vote?"
Ironhide frowned. "But that's what the Cons wanted…"
"Yes."
"But. You know you can't trust the Seekers, and there's so many uneducated slaggers running about, you can't trust them to decide what's best for Cybertron."
"Hmm. It's quite interesting that any kind of education is extremely expensive, don't you think?"
"Ah." Ironhide suddenly seemed thoughtful. "That's interesting, right."
"There are quite a lot of interesting facts like that."
"And that's why you needed to hold hands with the Screamer."
"Starscream. But yes, it's why I need to show I trust a Seeker."
A hint of a smile spread on Ironhide's face. "I still wish it weren't a Con. But, good luck anyway."
"Thank you." Prime could certainly use it.
After Ironhide had left, a courier dropped by, with an invitation from Starscream to come haunt his quarters for a change.
xxx
In a fit of self-consciousness, Prime procrastinated by using the washracks.
By the time he made it to Starscream's place, Starscream was waiting outside, leaning against the wall beside the door in a picture of nonchalance.
"Hey," he said and smiled.
"Good evening."
Starscream's smile turned mischievous. "You're far too formal."
"Is that so?"
Starscream pushed himself off the wall. "Uh-huh."
"So what are you going to do about it?" Prime found himself grinning.
"Your attempts at innuendo need work," Starscream told him, crossed the distance and drew Prime's head down for a kiss.
When Starscream's tongue flicked against Prime's lips, he retreated, only to have Starscream look as if he'd just been told Prime didn't like him anymore. Prime's fuel tank clenched with guilt.
"Sorry. But I'd rather not give free shows."
"Right." Starscream relaxed and grinned. "Come inside, then."
Prime followed him into the guest house. It had a spacious living area, with a good view of the gardens through floor to ceiling windows. At a round, big table Shockwave sat with a large, stocky flyer whom Prime knew from pictures. He couldn't remember the name, though.
He offered polite greetings and was rewarded with the two actually rising from their seats.
"You know Shockwave," Starscream said. "And this is Astrotrain. He's part of the Senior Trine. Astrotrain, this is Optimus Prime."
The jet looked at Starscream as if to tell him, well, duh.
Some inevitable small talk followed, and Prime got to ask what the triplechanger was doing in Iacon.
"I'm here to discuss the ceremony with your Master Herald."
With Manners? Prime raised his optic ridges. Well. He'd survive it. "As long as we are included in the decision making."
"That is a given," Astrotrain said. "But you will be required to take an oath, because our prodigy here is insisting on one. You might want to research that."
"I will," Prime promised.
A hand tugged at his arm.
"If you'll excuse us," Starscream said. "We still have things to discuss."
Shockwave offered a curt nod, while Astrotrain grinned. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do, scraplet."
Starscream made a rude gesture and dragged Prime down a hallway that led to half a dozen doors, presumably the guest rooms.
Starscream had the one on the far end, resulting in an entire front of windows and a smaller one in the wall left of the door. The berth was on the wall to the right, with a shelf at its foot. It held an ornament and three datapads. A tiny table with a chair was pressed to the windows on the far end.
All in all, there was little room for two grown mechs to stand.
"Have a seat," Starscream said.
Prime did, taking the berth, because the chair seemed like it would break if he just looked at it too closely. A blanket, neatly folded, sat on the end of the berth. It had the same off white color as the memory foam, with hints of some long faded ornament. Prime fingered it, soft but rather thin. If Prime remembered correctly, it had all the markings of being hand made and if it was this soft, it started at fifty decacycle's worth of wages of Prime's old archivist's self.
"I know it's cheap," Starscream snapped. "I still had to save up for vorns."
Prime shook his head. "I was just surprised you liked blankets." Most younglings grew out of them once they didn't need heat-dispersing blankets anymore.
"Whatever. It's just a quirk. I won't make you share."
"I do have one for myself." Prime smiled. It gave him an idea for something to give Starscream, as some kind of house warming present. He hadn't wanted to ask for ideas – Starscream was proud enough to want to make a gift in return, and it was obvious he was bordering on destitute.
"Good." Starscream actually smiled back. "Some energon for you?"
"Thank you."
Starscream produced two cubes from subspace, handed one to Prime and plopped down next to him. "Did you get yelled at, too?"
Prime frowned. "Who did the yelling?"
"Manners."
Ah. There were words to be had, it seemed. "No, I wasn't yelled at. Mirage tried to ream me out, and Jazz called later to cheer me on. I'm afraid he has a plan."
"Did he tell you what he was planning?"
"No. Now tell me about Manners. I can't have my intended be treated like some wayward student."
Starscream shot him an absolutely dazzling smile, then relayed the discussion in great detail. He meandered from the Master Herald to the archives, where he had found Vosian documents from before the occupation, and began waxing poetic about how well preserved they were and about the information they might hold.
Optics wide and gleaming, gestures carefree, Starscream not only looked his age, but also quite innocent.
At any rate, Starscream had found something to do all by himself, if he was serious about the publishing he was talking about. It was also nice to have a potential history geek as a partner.
Eventually, Starscream's enthusiasm ran out.
"What is the Senior Trine?" Prime asked, seeing his chance.
Starscream took a sip from his cube. "They're the oldest trine in Vos. They look to things like ceremonies and keep a watch on the Elder Trine – that's the trine elected to rule Vos."
"The triplechangers keeping a watch on anyone?"
"Arrowhead's trine is doing a remarkably good job, so the triples aren't too busy. But I did leave TC and Skywarp to keep an optic on them all, just in case."
"Are they even allowed to intervene?"
"Heh. We're the Elite Trine."
There was a special name for every trine that had ever existed, no?
Starscream laughed at his face. "You're a historian, shouldn't you be curious about it? Elite Trine is the trine appointed to take care of the city's defense. TC and Warp plan to move to Iacon, too, once I live with you, so we'll relinquish the title then."
Prime nodded. "Speaking of which. Why does Astrotrain need to discuss the ceremony with Manners?"
"I'm a Seeker. I'm bound to the honor code, and they have to see whether it agrees with some parts of the ceremony. Besides, I might as well do it right and have a proper Seeker bonding, and I need Astrotrain to tell me what that is." He grinned as if there were some surprises in store for Prime.
Not wanting to spoil his intended's fun, Prime veered off on a tangent. "Can you tell me about the code? I've only ever found references to it, but not the actual words."
"Basically?" Starscream counted off on his fingers, "Loyalty, courage, and discipline. Astrotrain can lecture you on any of it for orns, but that's the essence."
Hmm. "How does it affect me?"
Starscream blinked in surprise. "Why would it affect you? You have your own oaths that bind you."
Yes. "I'll have to be careful about the oath I will make to you."
"Of course." Starscream leaned in for a kiss, then, and Prime tabled his musings to the next orn.
xxx
He'd also wanted to find Manners for some constructive criticism, but when he arrived at the Palace in the morning, the place was in a veritable uproar, and people looked at him with open curiosity. There was a ninety percent chance Jazz had gone and tried to help with Prime's plan.
"The Council wants to see you in twenty breems," Bluestreak told him when he entered the office.
"Did they say why?"
Bluestreak blinked, obviously out of words for a change. "You don't know?"
"No," Prime said. "I make a point to avoid the news before I come here in the morning. But I have a feeling Jazz had something to do with it."
"I wouldn't know about Jazz, sir. The article says it was an anonymous tip and I wasn't aware Jazz was into photography-"
"What are you talking about, exactly?" Prime interrupted gently.
"Uh. Oh." Bluestreak handed over a datapad. "I think I saw it coming, so I'm not too shocked, and if it were anyone else it'd be actually quite cute, no offense, I know he would hate to be called that…"
Prime tuned the rest of the rant out as he had a look. As Bluestreak had implied, it was a picture, of Prime and Starscream kissing in front of the guest house. It had been taken last night, probably, from an elevated standpoint – such as the Palace's wall, which would be easy to climb for a trained infiltrator and ex-burglar. The palace guard would be reeling from the security breach, too, and Prime was glad Ironhide had had nothing to do with it and couldn't be fired.
Prime shook his head, smiling. He wasn't sure whether to rip the little miscreant's head off or congratulate him.
"I don't think it's so funny," Bluestreak interrupted his thoughts.
"I don't know. Thanks for the heads up, but I better go see the Council now."
xxx
He found them in the round chamber they used when they wanted to intimidate someone. Yellow light shone from a round window in the ceiling, making six of them almost vanish in the shadows of their high backed chairs on the wall.
Xaaron stood underneath the light, nearly glowing from anger. "You know why you are here?"
Prime nodded. "I saw the picture."
"I believed to have sent you a clear message via Senator Mirage last orn."
"I was asked if I would refrain from ignoring etiquette in the future," Prime said. "To which I answered in the negative. But I don't see how the picture has anything to do with my attitude towards etiquette."
Xaaron bristled. "You obviously did not consider that we would have to explain this."
"I usually don't look out for journalists or spy drones on the wall," Prime said. "It's merely an unfortunate coincidence."
"It would not have occurred if you could keep your hands to yourself."
How dare he. "With all due respect, Councilor, but I was kissing my future bondmate in a semi-private setting. There certainly are more incriminating pictures from Senator Cataract's parties."
Xaaron retreated a step, obviously aware he wouldn't win this argument. "You have complicated things immensely."
"I won't apologize for it," Prime said. "Because it is not my fault. It was your decision to not inform the public about this particular part of the treaty."
And indeed, a variation of 'we ordered those two to bond because it suits us' wouldn't have sounded too good. In all likelihood, a public relations expert somewhere was working on a way to explain this so it would sound as if Prime was doing it for the greater good and of his own volition without actually lying. Said expert would need to finish up quickly.
"Do you have any instructions about how you wish to handle this?" Prime asked when no one rose to defend their secrecy.
"We are going to talk this over with Shockwave." The look on Xaaron's face said that having to consult someone for decisions didn't sit well with him. "You will refrain from public statements until we tell you otherwise."
"Of course." Prime bowed, knowing a dismissal when he heard one. "Councilors."
xxx
Back in Bluestreak's office, Starscream was waiting, looking his usual unperturbed self.
"They let you live," Bluestreak exclaimed with a smile. "You had me worried for a while, and there were all those calls…"
"Redirect the media to the PR office," Prime said. "The Council will have to ask Shockwave's opinion before they're making a decision." He turned to Starscream for a quick peck on the cheek. "Good morning. I'm surprised Shockwave let you out of his sight."
"Feh." Starscream grinned. "It wasn't our idea to keep this thing from the general populace. Our media have been informed, but agreed to hold it back. We've only been playing along to see how you'd mess it up."
Prime felt a smile of his own. "How very Decepticon of you."
"Thank you."
Opening the door to his office, Prime beckoned Starscream to follow him.
Starscream took half a breem to appreciate the view and the furnishing, before plopping down on Prime's desk, dangling his feet. "Are you alright?", he asked then.
"I'm fine. I have the moral high ground and they can't do anything, really."
Starscream frowned. "I don't like that your blabbermouth out there had reason to be worried about you."
"They thought it was a ploy on my part," Prime explained. "Probably some act of rebellion."
"Why would you want to rebel?" Starscream looked suddenly suspicious.
Huh. It was somewhat ironic that this was the mech who had caused the predicament in the first place. "They asked me to bond with you for the good of Cybertron," he explained. "Any refusal on my part would have been tantamount to treason."
"You were ordered," Starscream paraphrased and looked slightly disturbed at the prospect. "What happens if you refuse an order?"
"If they couldn't make me relent and if it was important enough, they'd go looking for a new Prime."
"But they only look for a new Prime if the old one is dead…"
"Yes," Prime said.
Understanding dawned on Starscream's face, before it hardened into angry determination. "It was never our intent to force you," he declared. "We'd have settled for less, but we were told you agreed, even though you were a little unsettled by the prospect. Obviously, Xaaron omitted certain facts." Starscream hit the desk. "He will pay."
"Starscream…" This sudden bout of protectiveness couldn't be real.
"Come here," Starscream said, but it sounded more like a question.
Prime complied, standing between Starscream's knees and letting himself be hugged. Starscream tugged him closer, inviting Prime to lean on him. It felt awkward for a few moments, before Prime let himself relax into the embrace. Obviously, Starscream was more accustomed to giving than Prime had thought. And a nagging voice in the back of Prime's CPU told him that maybe he was far too used to giving and maybe had even trouble taking.
"I won't deny that I want this," Starscream rasped. "But I'll ask the Council to find me another mate if you'd rather not bond to me."
Prime blinked and stared at the black helm, hoping Starscream's reasoning would be explained there. "Why can't we, let's say, get registered as mates and take it from there?"
Starscream didn't relinquish his hold on Prime, but he stiffened somewhat. "I… I can't ask anyone to keep tabs on me for that long."
"I'd be there to keep tabs."
Starscream's hands clenched once.
Prime retreated from the embrace. Obviously it meant less than he thought it did. "You don't trust me to protect you." It stung.
Starscream raised his chin to finally look at Prime. "I want to," he said softly and turned his head away. "You're making it too easy sometimes."
Prime considered Starscream for a moment. Safety reasons, he had cited a few orns ago. And, everything considered, he must have meant his safety in the relationship. "What happened to you?"
Starscream shook his head. "Don't make this about me. I know I look vulnerable, but that's not a reason to bond with me. I don't require a savior."
Right. Everyone wanted a bond because he wouldn't trust his mate otherwise. "I really don't want to bond to anyone who thinks he can avoid a therapy that way."
"Therapy!" Starscream pushed at Prime's chest as if to repel the very idea.
Prime took half a step backwards.
"Don't you think they never tried to fix me? But I don't need fixing. There's nothing wrong with me. I don't know why I keep appearing on the list of easy targets. So what if I want off that fragging list!" Starscream's fist hit the table again and, this time, Prime's assorted datapads rattled.
"There should be other ways to keep you out of harm's way," Prime ventured.
Starscream gave him a disdainful glare. "Because this isn't the last resort."
"I'd rather not be considered a last resort."
Starscream huffed. "It's not you that's the last resort, you moron! I told you I'd do this the proper way if I had the time. And you," a blue finger poked Prime on the chest, "as good as admitted that you'd agree."
Had he? Prime replayed their conversation. He had.
He also had the urge to prod himself and see if he woke up. Maybe this entire mess was just a weird, high grade induced dream and he'd wake up and wouldn't have to make a decision.
"Optimus," Starscream began in a small voice. "I've never quite…," he shook his head, "just tell me no already, I can't take this much longer."
Prime considered Starscream's mask like face, how he was gripping the edge of the desk so hard Prime could almost hear the servos creak. Override's words came back to him… "totally love struck". It certainly would explain a few things.
Dry washing his face, Prime tried to approach this logically. Here was a mech who wanted to bond with him. Said mech had extremely convoluted motives, but there was no question he'd be sparkbroken if Prime refused. So.
On the minus side, Starscream was covering up a trauma or several. He was headstrong, proud, had a temper and certainly wasn't the most social creature in the universe.
On the plus side, Starscream was a geek like Prime, he was intelligent, brilliant even, and he certainly wasn't boring. He could be surprisingly sincere, had thought to comfort Prime just now, and he had an absolutely beautiful smile. Just the idea that some other mech would be graced with that smile made Prime bristle.
Slag it all. Prime blinked. Talk about belated revelations. He must have fallen for the Seeker, somewhere along the way. He'd known that he cared, but to care so deeply…
Wow. A stupid grin threatened to spread across Prime's face, but he forced himself into a more neutral expression.
"Starscream." Prime pried Starscream's hands off the desk. "Look at me?"
Starscream wore the face of someone who didn't dare to hope.
"Why me?"
Starscream frowned. "We discussed this already."
"You gave me the political reasoning, so I have to commend you for your honesty, but this can't be the reason why you're acting like this now. Why me?"
Tilting his head, Starscream seemed to consider the request. "You don't have any idea what a catch you are, do you." Starscream squeezed Prime's hands. "You're observant and kind. You're the most gorgeous mech your faction has to offer. You make me smile."
It seemed Prime had forgotten that particular compliment on his own pro list.
Starscream looked at him oddly. "Will you bond with me?"
For a few klicks, Prime could only stare while his spark pulse sped up and made him lightheaded. It was a sad fact of his life that he had despaired of hearing those words long before Mirage had presented the Council's scheme.
"Yes," he said. "Yes."
Starscream's optics shone with happiness. For a moment, he seemed out of a reaction, but then he drew Prime in, wrapped his legs around Prime's hips and proceeded to kiss him senseless.
Eventually, he let him go and they just panted at each other for a while. Prime wanted nothing more than to ravish his new-old intended on the desk right now, but reigned himself in before he could forget the door was transparent.
"Optimus?"
Prime focused on Starscream's face again. Hmm?
"Thank you."
"Don't. This isn't a favor or-"
Starscream silenced him with a quick kiss. "I know. Thanks for existing, then." He offered a smile that was a little more lopsided than usual, probably from embarrassment.
There was an amazing amount of varieties to not say, 'I love you', it seemed.
Finding himself somewhat reluctant to say the words, either, Prime instead opted to kiss Starscream some more and show him instead.
A few breems in, Bluestreak interrupted via the comm. system, sounding horribly flustered. "Um. Prime, sir? Councilor Xaaron and Commander Shockwave wish to meet you and Starscream in the red conference room."
Oh, well. There'd be plenty of time for this later.
xxx
As it turned out, the Council had succumbed to Shockwave's idea to hold a media conference, and it was scheduled for the late afternoon. From some PR mech, they got plenty of instructions on the questions that would be asked, and on what to say or what not to say. Both Xaaron and Shockwave argued with the mech on several occasions about the meaning of some turn of phrase versus another.
The briefing took a while, and Prime and Starscream were only allowed to leave for mid orn break. They collected some energon from the nearest common area and went outside. There was even a free bench in the garden, after a bit of searching, which was a pretty rare commodity during break times.
The first come first serve attitude was so ingrained into Prime from his time as an archivist that he never had the spark to order someone off a bench, even though his rank allowed him to do so. If Starscream found this odd, he didn't comment.
After all the talking from before, they were both content to just sit and enjoy their energon. Occasionally, Prime would catch Starscream watching him, and occasionally, Prime watched back in return. Their optics would meet and Starscream would smile and Prime would find happiness bubbling in his fuel tanks.
On the way back to Prime's office, Starscream collected some datapads from the archives. He then made himself comfortable in Prime's visitor chair, feet on Prime's desk, and began to work.
However, they spent most of the afternoon looking at each other. Prime had a hard time doing anything else, so completely dumbfounded by the knowledge that this beautiful mech actually loved him, and that he found himself loving back.
xxx
Eventually, Starscream was ordered away by Shockwave, who wanted the Seeker to use the wash racks before the media conference. Prime watched his intended being escorted off by Ironhide and wished he could join him.
"Um," Bluestreak said, once they were out of sight, "if you don't mind, would you perhaps, um, take your arguments and um, making up somewhere where I can't see it? I was trying not to listen, really I wasn't, but Starscream's kind of loud when he's angry, isn't he, and I wonder how you stand it at all, but, as I was saying, it was impossible not to overhear what he was yelling about and do you really think it's such a good idea to take up with someone like him?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, sir, apparently you're not disturbed by him being a Decepticon or a Seeker and such, but he's bound to be pretty unstable if he has to yell about things like that, and I don't think it's a good idea to be with someone in order to save him, I mean, it's not like certain mechs didn't try with me and they always were rather disappointed that I wasn't as grateful as they thought I ought to be."
Ah. "I'm sorry you had that kind of experience," Prime said. "If you ever need me to scare some mech off your back, feel free to ask."
Bluestreak nodded.
"As for saving Starscream, he is rather adamant he needs no such thing." Prime smiled. "He is looking for back up, if you will, and so am I. I believe we've come to a mutually beneficial agreement."
"Um. Right, sir. I hope you did a correct assessment."
"So do I," Prime admitted and retreated into his office.