No comments for this one, except more thank yous.

Edit: Typo fixed. Thanks to Wol Lo and Baird Crevan.

Part 4

Prime had planned to call Jazz first thing in the morning to apologize, but when he arrived at his office, he found Starscream pacing in front of Bluestreak's desk.

Bluestreak, who always was too early for reasons he didn't explain, looked rather aggravated, so it must have been going on a while. The aggravation was certainly a step up, too, given how Bluestreak had been afraid of Starscream not long ago.

Starscream stopped in his rounds as Prime entered, and accepted a small kiss.

"Where did you leave your guard?"

"Heh. The red grouch and I had a talk last night. He decided to up my security clearance."

"Good." Prime grinned at Starscream's apparent smugness. "But that isn't what you want to talk to me about."

"No. Can we?" He indicated Prime's office with a tilt of his head.

"Of course."

Starscream resumed his pacing once they were inside, so Prime leaned against his desk and tried to wait him out.

"You've not decided to call the bonding off, have you?" he asked eventually.

"What?" Starscream stopped short. "Why do you think so?"

"You look like you've bad news to deliver."

"No… but it's utterly ridiculous, and I shouldn't have to bring it up with you in the first place."

"Why don't you let me be the judge of that."

Starscream offered a tiny smile. "It's downright pathetic. You remember how I told you my trine was planning on moving here?"

"Yes. Have they decided against it?"

"No. But they've been looking for jobs for decacycles now, and nobody will hire them."

Prime rubbed his chin. "This isn't ridiculous at all. I'd rate this as serious."

"We're grown mechs. We shouldn't need help for that kind of thing."

"Starscream… I trust they're intelligent enough not to apply for jobs they're not qualified for."

Starscream raised an optic ridge.

"And the job situation is currently not that dire. Especially when it comes to construction."

Starscream nodded.

"So you probably came to the same ugly conclusion as I did, otherwise you wouldn't be here."

"They expected some difficulties. Of course. But we've been getting good publicity lately, and it obviously met blind optics."

"We're trying to counteract twenty vorns of war and kilovorns of misinformation. It's one thing to have you sitting safely behind the new border, but it's entirely different to actually have to interact with you on an ornly basis."

"Don't you dare defending those aftheads!" Starscream's optics had narrowed dangerously.

"I'm just trying to understand their reasoning. It would make sense to place your trine somewhere where they are seen. As a show of confidence. I'd have to talk to a few people."

"You'd do that?"

"I can't order anyone to hire them, but I might find an open minded employer by asking around."

Starscream hugged him hard enough to leave bruises.

xxx

After Starscream had bustled off to do some research in the archives, Prime called Jazz at his office.

The mech nearly glowed, and even the slight frown he had for Prime couldn't hide that.

"What do you want?"

"I'd like to apologize. It wasn't very nice to set you up like that, and I'm sorry I caused you discomfort."

Jazz wriggled his nose.

"I shouldn't have gone behind your back, but I didn't see any other option given Mirage's opinion on the matter."

This time, Jazz's mouth twitched. "I really didn't think you had it in you."

"Starscream made the plan. He wasn't exactly pleased you started flirting with him to anger Mirage."

"I see. Apology accepted. Did you tell Starscream about the outcome?"

"No. I don't know the outcome, and I didn't want to spread assumptions."

Jazz smiled in earnest now. "Good. We're not official yet. We really didn't talk all that much back then, because we were under the delusion that the little time we had was better spent with other things."

Prime nodded. "I guess you've seen the error of that way."

"So you could say. We'll just date some and try to get to know each other before we go all serious again."

Prime raised an optic ridge.

"Last night was… we needed to see if we weren't just kicking a dead turbofox."

"I don't think you should put yourself under duress about that kind of thing in either way."

Jazz must have sensed the wistful look Prime was hiding. "Hang on – you and Screamer…"

Prime offered a smile he knew to be self-deprecating. "He insists that we wait, because of some tradition, and I really can't blame him."

Jazz laughed. "Boss, you are whipped, and don't deny it. Seriously, you didn't argue it with him even once?"

"No." Prime was only surprised now that he thought about it. "I want him. But the tradition isn't the real reason… I think he's afraid he'd scare me off."

"Whoa. Well. I didn't get a sense he was this messed up."

"He is. He's not told me what happened, exactly, but I think he wanted me to know something did happen before having to show me."

"Right. That's reasonable. Why didn't you run screaming?"

"He does have endearing qualities." Prime grinned as evasion. Starscream seemed rather together for someone who should be a gibbering mess. Prime would just have to hope that he could deal with whatever had happened as well as Starscream did when the time came.

"That aside, I need you for some brainstorming."

"Ah." Jazz grinned. "Go on."

"You're aware that Seekers come in trines. It happens that Starscream's better two thirds have decided to move to Iacon for him, which dictates they'll have to earn their livelihood somehow."

"And they're not finding work," Jazz concluded for him.

"Exactly. I'd like them to be seen, too, not slave away at some construction site on the night shifts."

"You realize you can't make anyone employ them."

"I know. But I need people I can ask who'd be open to such an idea."

"Hmm." Jazz assumed his plotting expression. "What did you come up with?"

"As far as I know, they're not stupid, but are lacking formal education. I know Seekers were used for policing purposes sometimes, so this might be a start. Something that uses their programming."

"Yeah… I doubt they'd be happy as construction workers. I can't exactly see Starscream taking up with idiots either, so career opportunities would be a nice bonus. Hmm. Maybe you should call Red Alert. I hear he's back to chief of police for Unity Arch district."

Prime frowned. "He's paranoid."

"He's a mistrustful aft, is what he is. But he's had direct contact with Seekers before, and you can count on it that he's going to make his decision fully informed and not based on prejudice."

"Granted. I'll try."

"Do that. If he refuses, call me again, huh?"

xxx

And so it happened Prime tried to contact Red Alert. It took a joor until his secretary managed to dig him up and made call him back.

Red Alert didn't bother to hide his confusion. "To what do I owe the honor?"

"I have a request." Prime tried his best winning smile. "It will sound outrageous at first, but promise you'll hear me out."

Red frowned. "The last time you called your planning outrageous, you announced you'd decided to kill Megatron."

"I assure you it's much less violent. If maybe on the same level of world-changing."

"Indeed. Now what do you want me to do?"

"Starscream's two trinemates are looking for jobs in Iacon. I know I could just call in some favors and place them with the palace's maintenance or so, but they wouldn't be happy as menial workers."

"So you've decided to bully me? About Seekers? Our not-quite ex-enemies?"

"I'm not going to bully you. And they are my future in-laws, history aside." Prime cycled air for a klick. "I wanted to know if you could use some new cadets and if so, whether you'd be open to view their applications looking not at what they are, but at who they are."

Red harrumphed. "You don't want them anywhere where they can be hidden, right?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Try to compare what you were told about Seekers to what you actually know about them."

"Hmm." Out of range of the camera, Red drummed his fingers on some surface. "They're more dangerous than we thought, because they aren't mindless brutes. They have more feelings than popular opinion grants them, which is also making them more dangerous. They've been driven past breaking point, if Starscream's allegations are true."

"Yes. Do you understand I wish to prove this entire war wouldn't have been necessary if we hadn't fallen prey to our supposed superiority?"

"Yes. But how do you know they wouldn't be spying or sabotaging us?"

Prime dry washed his face. "Starscream is going to be my bondmate. They'd hurt his standing and they'd hurt him."

"Unless he's in on the plan."

"I don't think so. He wouldn't be able to hide it from me."

"Granted. – Did you really mean what you said in the interview? About him asking?"

"Yes."

Red Alert leaned back and looked off to a spot far above the camera, as if asking Primus for guidance. "Alright," he said eventually. "The next training program is going to begin in twenty decacycles. Have them fill out the standard application forms, and if they're up to par, they'll be invited for an interview… They are of age, aren't they?"

"As far as I know."

"Good. We can't hire anyone under two hundred, even if they're their own legal guardians."

"Thank you."

Red waved that off.

Prime just had to find Starscream in the reading hall of the archives after that. Starscream actually squealed at the news and then placed a sound kiss on Prime's mouth.

Huh. He offered an embarrassed grin to those mechs who had looked up from their work to stare.

"He just said he'd look at the applications," Prime then whispered.

"It's something. I need to tell them now, so… see you." Another kiss, and Starscream was off. In a motion that would have been called 'skipping' in a lesser mech.

One of the senior archivists, sorting datapads into the shelves, raised an optic ridge at Prime. Prime tried to hide his self-consciousness with another smile.

xxx

Red Alert had been true to his word, and faster than Prime had expected. It wasn't even a decacycle after their talk that Starscream came bounding into Prime's office early one morning and draped himself over the desk.

"You're a miracle worker."

Prime tried to hide his smile at the undeserved compliment. "Am I?"

"They were invited for an interview. Next decacycle."

"That's wonderful." Prime smiled. He'd feared Red would find them lacking. Idiotic, of course – Starscream had been a successful commander and wouldn't waste time on stupid lieutenants.

"It's too good to be true. Um… do you think they could stay in the guest house until they start working? If they get the jobs."

"Hmm." No sane Iaconian landlord would let an apartment to two unemployed mechs. And if Starscream didn't have credits to spare for an inn, then his trine wouldn't have them, either. "I'd love to tell you yes, but I'm not the right mech to make that decision. Why don't you ask Bluestreak to point you to the people in charge of those things."

Starscream sighed and straightened. "If you insist. I hope I won't give the kid a processor freeze."

"He's two vorns older than you are."

"You don't have to rub it in," Starscream snarled.

Blinking, Prime leaned back and spent a few clicks trying to figure out what had prompted that outburst. "If it's any consolation, you feel older than him to me, too. It was just funny, you calling him a kid."

Starscream brightened. "I suppose it would be."

"So… as long as you don't consider yourself crèche-robbed, I don't have a problem with your age."

"Good. You know there's an ongoing discussion on some psychologists' journals about me, and if they shouldn't file a complaint to the council for the sake of my mental health."

"Even if they did, it wouldn't amount to anything. You're an adult, and you asked me." Prime reached for Starscream's hands and squeezed.

"Good. I knew that, it's just…" Starscream shook his head. "You're my rock."

Prime knew he should probably be afraid at such a confession. Instead he stood to hug Starscream.

xxx

The next three orns, Starscream was busy running around the palace to requisition a room and basic security clearance for his trine, as well as flight licenses for Iaconian airspace for all three of them. To that end he actually ventured outside to the city hall on his own, and came back flying, drawing a lazy circle just outside the palace walls.

Prime watched from his office and felt relieved. The exuberance proved that Starscream was getting better, and the comparison to a rock gained a whole new meaning.

xxx

And then, the trine was due to arrive. Prime and Starscream were waiting for them outside the southern gate one evening. Prime had wanted to bow out, feeling such a reunion was better left private, but Starscream had insisted he be there.

Now, Starscream was alternately pacing or snuggling up to Prime as if worried they wouldn't come after all. This went on for a good thirty breems.

Eventually, Starscream did perk up some. "They've entered Iaconian airspace."

He had such a broad smile on his face, Prime wanted to kiss him. He barely heard the guards' comm. announcing that indeed their guests were now inside the outer walls.

Not a breem later, the roar of jet engines could be heard, and after another half breem they appeared, two shapes of shimmering flame color in the light of the setting sun. Majestic.

They did a honor lap of sorts just outside the palace's walls, making Starscream bounce on his toes again. When they finally landed, he stormed forward to first tackle the purple jet into a hug, and then the blue one. They looked faintly surprised by the welcome, but bore it with good grace and smiles of their own.

This was the former Elite Trine of Vos, masters of the sky, who'd struck fear into most Autobots' sparks at least once. It was hard to reunite that notion with the image of the purple one's goofy grin and the worried, but relieved face of the blue one, and Starscream's repeated assertions that he was fine, really.

Prime scolded himself for never bothering to learn which was which.

Eventually, the three were done with their hugging, and Starscream beckoned Prime over for introductions.

Being in close proximity of the two felt awkward. Prime smiled nevertheless when Starscream finally clarified their names for him.

Skywarp shifted somewhat, as if tempted to hug Prime.

"It's nice to finally meet you. Starscream talks about you often," Thundercracker said.

"Indeed," Prime deadpanned. "As long as it's not blackmail material."

Starscream offered a half grin and a glance at Prime, obviously glad for the save. He was not talking about them much, at least.

"How was your journey?" Prime continued.

"Alright," Skywarp said.

"Not too bad, but long," Thundercracker amended. "We didn't have a stopover."

Starscream tutted.

"I guessed you'd be tired." Prime ignored Starscream. No point in starting a discussion about prejudice or money now. "If you'd follow me, I'd like to show you to the guest quarters."

They were going to be one house over from the official Decepticon delegation. The walk was, again, filled with explanations about the garden and the palace's layout. On arrival, Prime had the distinct feeling the Seekers wanted to do their catching up without him, so he kissed Starscream good night and left.

xxx

The next orn, Starscream whirled into Prime's office just once, to deliver an invitation to come meet everyone in the evening.

As Prime made his way to the guest quarters, there was a familiar shape waiting outside, but as he came closer, it turned out to be the wrong color.

Thundercracker left his spot in the shadows and stood in the middle of the path, arms loose at his side as if ready for an attack.

Prime stopped and tried to appear non-threatening. "Good evening."

"Evening," Thundercracker said. "There's some things I need to know before I'll let you go on."

Prime tried not to bristle. "Ask away, then."

The Seeker gave him a shrewd look. "I need to know why you said yes when Screamer asked you to bond."

Huh. That was about the last question he'd expected. "Isn't it enough that I did?"

"In any other couple, maybe. But I also know he presented you with an alternative that was totally justified in his mind and probably had you question his sanity."

"And?"

"And I need to know that you didn't do it just to spare him from what you'd consider a worse fate, or because you thought you could save him."

Prime folded his arms in front of his chest and tried to puzzle out a suitable answer. "I never thought about what would have happened if I'd refused… I'd more or less forgotten about that when he asked. He was wrong anyway. I'd come to terms with the situation a lot earlier."

"That's not what I was asking." Thundercracker watched him through narrow optics.

"And I told you I didn't even think about that. It was a stroke of genius to spring the question, and I'm sure he knew what the answer would be."

Thundercracker sighed. "I should have known you'd be stubborn. I'll just have you know that in there is a mech who thinks you're honestly in love with him. I'll also have you know that the sweet, exuberant kid from last night hasn't made an appearance in decavorns. It takes a bit of getting used to having him around again. So if you hurt him, Skywarp and I will make sure you'll die a very slow death, and that even your creators won't recognize the body. You understand?"

Prime nodded. "I understand."

"Good." Thundercracker pivoted and let Prime follow him into the guest quarters.

Starscream latched onto Prime as soon as he was through the door. The common room was full, as the entire Decepticon delegation had made an appearance. There was a round of introductions, Prime was presented with high grade, and then sat with everyone at the table.

The conversation started out on the interview Skywarp and Thundercracker were going to have with Red Alert in two orns, and meandered to the lack of qualified workers in the south and other trouble they were having. While the near future didn't look too bright, the sheer enthusiasm and creativity with which the issues were tackled left Prime invigorated and positive that things would work out.

As the conversation finally hit a lull, Starscream leaned over to Prime. "Can we talk?"

"Of course."

Starscream excused them, which garnered a few lewd comments. Just to spite everyone, Prime took Starscream's hand and let himself be dragged down the hallway to Starscream's room. He took the invitation to sit on the berth, which left Starscream pacing.

"What did TC say to you?"

"The customary threats, mostly. About how I was going to die a very painful death if I hurt you."

Starscream stopped. "He did?" His face was indecipherable.

"It's not going to be an issue. I plan to do right by you."

Starscream sighed and sat down next to Prime. "I know." A small kiss on Prime's cheek followed that statement. "I just wish they wouldn't fuss so."

"I had the impression he was genuinely worried about you."

Starscream huffed. "It's never helped me in the past."

"Would you really prefer if they were indifferent?"

Starscream leaned into Prime. "No. I guess I'm just an ungrateful slagger."

"Perhaps. I'd guess you have reason to be one."

"Yeah. It's just – I know that I'll get fragged over whether they're fussing or not."

Prime stared at Starscream's helm for a moment. "You make it sound as if it were a character flaw."

"Or a bad habit, maybe."

"Hmm." It certainly explained a few things. "I'm the break in that habit, huh?"

"I'm praying for it."

Prime hummed and tried not to be offended. They had a ways to go yet.

xxx

Two orns after that, there was another party at the guest quarters, because the job interviews at the police station had gone well. Prime brought goodies, and was able to tease any Seeker present about their penchant for sweets.

Red Alert called early the next morning.

"I've taken them both on," he informed Prime. "I just wanted you to know I've already caught flak about it."

Prime nodded. "I'm sorry about that. Are they really up to your standards?"

"I wouldn't risk doubt pertaining my integrity over someone who wasn't worth it. They're both officer material. We'll see how it goes, if we can maybe send them to school."

"If there's anything I can do to call off the critics, let me know."

"I shall do that." Red smirked. "However, those critics will alert the media, so expect some uproar."

"Oh yahoo."

Red laughed.

Indeed, around mid-orn the uproar struck, with Prime accused of nepotism and Red accused of corruption. Prime issued a statement he'd merely recommended the Seekers apply with Red Alert's district. Red issued a statement that any grown mech on Cybertron was free to apply, but he rarely had a full class per vorn because he was lacking suitable candidates.

People were clamoring to speak to Red, to Prime and to the two Seekers, and the next morning, Prime was called to Xaaron's office.

Xaaron was sitting in his throne-like chair, the massive desk between them like a barricade, as if he were expecting to be attacked.

Prime wasn't asked to take a seat, so he merely stood to attention. "You wished to speak to me, Councilor."

"Yes." Xaaron drummed his fingers on the armrest. "As you did issue a non-authorized statement after your newest… stunt, I think you're aware of the situation."

"I wouldn't exactly call it a situation yet."

"That is not yours to decide. I demand a thorough explanation."

So Prime explained. He'd just given some mechs some pointers, for frag's sake. Besides, his oath had a passage concerning favoritism.

Xaaron made a noise that couldn't have been a grunt, because he was nobility, and nobility didn't grunt. "Somehow, I find it unlikely that they'd be accepted as police cadets after being turned down by other employers who surely had fewer expectations?"

"Maybe Red was the only one who actually read the entire application," Prime suggested.

"I don't like what you're saying here."

"I don't like that I have to say it. But I did get the blow-by-blow account of their job hunt."

"What if they just forged it to make you work for them?" Xaaron had a shrew look about him.

"I'd have found out about it at the bonding. Starscream has good reason to be honest with me."

Xaaron harrumphed. This was a point he couldn't beat, therefore he circled back, "You're accusing honest Iaconian citizens of being ruled by prejudice."

"I can't say, really, but I refuse to take generic rejections at face value. Also, I'd like to point out that we wouldn't be having this conversation if it were, let's say, some of my officers' nephews or so."

Blinking, Xaaron leaned back in his chair. "I don't like your attitude."

Well, Prime didn't like Xaaron's attitude, either. "With all due respect sir, I knew there was going to be some excitement over this. Thundercracker and Skywarp will be in visible positions and carry some responsibility. It's on their shoulders to prove Seekers are indeed worthy of trust. I did refer them to Red Alert with that in mind, too. However, if I had wanted to go the easy way, I could have called in some favors to place them with our maintenance crews."

"And?"

"I understand the public uproar, but I find it very telling that I have to defend myself, after all that talk about furthering mutual understanding."

Xaaron made a disgusted noise.

Prime marveled again at how much the council had shot up their ultimate goal behind the arranged bonding. There was no question both the council and the general public would have loved to go back to where both raw materials and the planetary defense were cheap.

Eventually, Xaaron sighed. "It was a very… unlucky move on your part, to let them apply with one of your old officers. We can't hinder them to work here. Very well. The council will refrain from any response to the queries."

So, there would be no support either, however flimsy.

"I expect, however, that you'll refrain from causing us further trouble," Xaaron added

"I'll do my best," Prime lied.

xxx

Some new topic caught the public's interest in a timely fashion, and life went on more quietly after that. Prime felt honored when Mirage and Jazz actually used him and Starscream as testing grounds for their new relationship. Thundercracker and Skywarp were apartment hunting, Starscream was busy doing his research. The only hitch arrived when Prime's creators refused to be ignored any longer.

Override had invited Prime over to their place in his usual gruff manner, and had forbidden him to bring Starscream. Prime decided to comply, although there was little they could have done against it – Prime was already disowned, after all.

Prime went to see them on the night exactly six decacycles from his bonding ceremony. Starscream had dutifully reminded him of that before he left, and also asked that Prime hold himself back so he'd return alive. With that in mind, Prime pressed the button for the door chime.

Coruscate opened, looking somehow smaller than usual. "Orion. Come in."

Prime followed him inside, and found that the place hadn't changed much. They'd removed all pictures that showed him in his adult frame, as if their youngling had died a long time ago. He blinked and tried not to be upset.

"You've got a new couch," he observed after greeting Override, who was standing behind it.

"Yes. We wanted something smaller," Coruscate said.

"Hmm." The thing was purplish gray, and the one before that had been dark blue. The mechs living in this place had always been far more colorful than any furniture they'd ever bought.

"Why don't you take the chair – it's height-adaptable. And can I get you something? Some high grade, maybe."

"Thanks."

Prime, however, didn't take a seat while Coruscate was busy in their small kitchen. Override's brooding form didn't allow to be comfortable.

"You did invite me here," Prime said when he couldn't take it any longer.

"Coruscate put me up to it. He's not happy with the situation."

"And you are?"

"I've accepted that slag happens."

Just how Coruscate was putting up with Override, Prime had no idea. Their sometimes troubled relationship was why he'd always fantasized about bonding one orn. He didn't think he could stand being so at odds with anyone he loved.

Coruscate's return, with the high grade and a closed look on his face, saved Prime from becoming too maudlin.

"So," Coruscate said, "how are you, Orion?"

"Fine. I still have some trouble believing I'm going to be bonded soon. It feels somewhat unreal."

"Hmm." Coruscate seemed to have doubts. "They are making you do it."

"No. No. That's not it. I am looking forward to it."

"That sounds a bit like you're trying to make yourself believe that," Override said.

"It does, doesn't it." He never really thought about it anymore. Everyone else just accepted that he was in love with Starscream and didn't poke further. "But… I did have the choice between making both my life and Starscream's miserable, or actually giving him a chance." Prime watched the energon in his cube for a klick. "He took it. After becoming Prime – I despaired of anyone ever having the ball bearings to propose to me."

"So it's true, what you said in that interview," Coruscate concluded.

"Yes. It was… fortunate."

"Indeed." Override obviously still didn't like it.

"Do you love him?" asked Coruscate.

Did he? Prime was certainly in love. It was too early to tell if it ran deeper than that. Besides, if someone was going to hear him finally confess, it was Starscream. "I will. But I don't think you called me here to discuss my love life."

"No." Coruscate looked off at the far wall for a moment. "I thought I was over it. Until you called. I realized how very little we know about you. I don't really want to attend the bonding ceremony of a near stranger."

"Yes. But what do you want me to do? I wouldn't be where I am now if I'd bowed to your wishes." The Matrix had no use for cowards.

"You…" Coruscate stopped and shook his head. "We had dreams for you. We never wanted you to be anything but happy."

"It didn't feel that way, back then." Prime cycled air to draw up courage not to shout. They didn't need a repeat of the fights. An apology was lurking somewhere behind Coruscate's attempt to explain instead of just repeating Override's assertions that they knew what was best for their creation. "It's not that I didn't like building things, using my hands, but I never drew the same satisfaction from it that you did."

Coruscate sighed. "It was our type of happiness we wanted for you. I realize that now. Your own company, a family with a nice mech. We cooped you up with that."

"You did," Prime said. "I was on a mission." It wasn't hard to remember his youthful enthusiasm. "I wanted to teach. I thought that if we could just learn from our history, Cybertron would become a better place."

"You're still on that mission," Override threw in.

"Yes." Different approach, same objective.

"You've certainly shaken up the place by following it."

"Good."

"I never know if I should be proud of you or smack you for putting yourself into danger," Override said.

Prime blinked. Where had that come from?

"I guess," Coruscate said, sounding timid, "what we want to say is that we're sorry. We should have gotten over our pride and supported you."

Prime shuttered his optics. He had hoped for that when he'd come here, but to actually hear it… it was nice, not having to carry a grudge anymore. Being able to look forward to having his parents at the ceremony instead of being afraid of awkwardness.

"You're forgiven."

Coruscate moved in for a hug, and Prime felt something inside him melt. He didn't have to pretend he didn't miss this anymore.

After some fidgeting, Override hugged Prime, too – very briefly, but at least he did – and then, finally, they sat down and just talked late into the night.

xxx

Starscream was sitting on Prime's front steps when Prime returned to the palace. Getting over his surprise, Prime gave him a hand up and let himself be kissed in greeting.

"Did something come up?" Prime asked when he'd ushered Starscream inside.

"No." There was an odd glitter in Starscream's optics. "I was waiting for you."

"You were waiting up for me," Prime translated.

"Wouldn't you have?" Starscream's optics narrowed.

"I- yes. Of course."

"So why are you surprised when I worry?"

Prime cycled air for a moment. There were a million wrong answers to this. "I knew you were worried. I'm just not used to someone being concerned."

"You're not allowing yourself to be selfish," Starscream said. "It's good to see I'm not the only one with issues." He didn't wait for Prime's answer to this quip, just directed Prime to the couch and made him sit down, then snuggled up close. "What did they want?"

So Prime told him. Starscream made humming noises sometimes, indicating he was listening, and poked for more when Prime stopped to think. When Prime finished, Starscream kissed his cheek once. "This is good news. I knew you were hurting."

Prime sighed. "I have trouble wrapping my mind around it."

"Heh. I doubt they're off much better."

"Probably." Prime knew apologies didn't make things magically all right again. "Would you mind if I invited them here again?"

Starscream twitched his nose. "I should probably stay away from that, at least for a while. I know they don't like me, so they probably don't want to discuss private things with me listening."

"They'll have to get used to it. And I want them to meet Thundercracker and Skywarp at least once. There won't be anyone at the ceremony they know, otherwise. Except us."

"Hrrm. And they won't be comfortable around all those high and mighty in the first place. Maybe you should introduce them to Mirage and Jazz, too."

That was, actually, a good idea. "We'll probably have to introduce your trine to those two first."

"Hmm." Starscream nuzzled Prime's shoulder.

"You're tired, aren't you."

"A little."

"You can have the couch if you'd like."

"But you're such a comfy pillow."

Prime stared down at Starscream, but he had his optics shuttered. Primus knew he wanted to carry Starscream up to his berth, recharge next to him and make love to him when they woke in the morning.

"I know someone is keeping tabs on you. What happens if you don't return to the guest quarters for the night?"

Starscream sighed. "Frag, you're right." He looked at Prime for a moment. "I can't wait."

"Neither can I." Prime looked back, and had sincere trouble to tear his gaze away from the mech who had finally, blatantly, admitted he wanted him.

Starscream grinned, kissed him softly. "Walk me home?"

Of course.

xxx

Two orns later, Starscream finally remembered he would have to move in with Prime soon. Therefore he dug up some paint for the walls of his chosen rooms and got his trinemates to help him. Then he went looking for furniture in the palace's stores.

In the end, he had transformed his penthouse into some friendly office space and a lab where he could tinker when the mood struck him. Prime decided he wouldn't remark upon the fact that there was no recharge berth. He'd assumed Starscream would want his own berth, but that had been back when Prime had been forcing himself to be friendly.

Now, Starscream felt less like an intruder. It was more like Prime was missing something when Starscream wasn't around.

xxx

The respective introductions went over well, even though it was clear Prime's creators and Starscream's trinemates had little to say to each other.

And then it was only one decacycle, and Prime started to have trouble recharging again. He endlessly agonized over the oath he was going to make, even tested it on Jazz, who said it was fine, but what if it wasn't enough? What if Starscream didn't like it?

The only comfort was that Starscream didn't seem to fare much better.

"Can't we just elope?" he asked, when there were only four more nights to go.

They were out on the roof of Prime's house, watching the stars. Out of anatomical necessity, it was Prime who had his head in Starscream's lap.

"I wish," Prime said. "But I don't think we'd survive long, given the number of people who'd be after our heads."

"Unfortunately."

"Yes. At least we don't have to bother about anything but being on time. I had a look at several sites about bonding ceremonies," all due to his insomnia, "and it's nearly given me a CPU freeze."

"I don't know. It might have been nice to have a say about some of those things they are discussing."

Prime blinked but decided not to comment on that revelation.

"Maybe," Starscream continued, "we could have a more private party once the formal parts are over. Soundwave's cassettes are disappointed they won't be allowed to be there, and the Elder trine is miffed they won't be able to bring their little one."

"Hmm." The same would be true for one of Prime's old friends from the archives, too.

"Also, Sunstreaker and Sideswipe aren't on the guest list. They'll be traveling here for the favor Sunstreaker owes me… What do you think?" Starscream stared down at him.

"I'm not sure. Another party after three orns of having to make nice?"

"A way to kick back and relax with friends after three orns of following protocol, then. Besides, the schedules aren't that busy."

Prime smiled. "I intend to keep you busy outside of schedules."

Starscream laughed. "So, can we have the party?"

"Let's call it a housewarming."

xxx

One orn before, there was a rehearsal for the bonding ceremony, about who would be sitting where and how to get onto the dais without looking stupid.

The night before the celebrations were to begin, Prime couldn't power down at all. He paced. He practiced the vow, made some last breem changes and edited them out again. He tidied up his already impeccable berthroom.

In the very early joors of the morning, Jazz called in.

"I saw there's still lights on at your place."

"You shouldn't even be awake to notice."

"I guess I have the same problem you have, boss-bot. Jitters."

Prime allowed himself to chuckle. "You have no reason to worry."

"As if it were that easy. What's eating at you, boss?"

Sighing, Prime decided to be honest. "I know Starscream's worried he's not good enough for me. But what if I'm not good enough for him? What if he thinks I'm not caring enough? Don't love him enough?"

"He won't. You are pretty obvious about the fact that you care. Besides, give the mech some credit. He'd have found a way out if he thought you didn't care."

"Probably." Prime sighed again. "Thank you. So how are you?"

Jazz made a small sound of dread. "We'll steal the headlines, I'm sure. Besides, I know Mirage is afraid of being ostracized. He never comes out and says it, but sometimes it makes me doubt the wisdom of getting back together with him."

Prime resisted the urge to make an exasperated noise. "To quote you, give the mech some credit. He is willing to show you off later. He'll stand up for you if you behave accordingly. And support him. His social circle will probably diminish somewhat."

"That's a tactful way of saying he's got too many acquaintances who only like him for his power."

"Maybe. You'll be good for him. You can help him sort friends from kiss-ups."

Jazz laughed. "Thanks. Now that we've both had a reality check, go lie down for a bit, huh. You'll need to concentrate later."

"If you promise you'll do the same."

Prime did recharge a little, after all.

xxx

And then the sun was up. Prime fetched Starscream to head into the palace's lower levels, where the clinic was located. Ratchet, under the watchful optics of a Decepticon medic, would read both Starscream's and Prime's spark frequencies and do so again after the celebrations, in order to make sure they had, in fact, bonded.

Starscream didn't talk much on the way, and didn't loosen up when they had to wait for Ratchet in the hallway, either. Prime wasn't in the mood for conversation anyway, so he just took Starscream's hand and didn't let go.

Eventually, the door to the small examination room slid open and Ratchet pointed at Starscream. "You first."

"Of course. Good morning to you, too."

Ratchet just snorted. "Get moving."

Starscream was in there for what seemed like forever. After a while, Prime thought he heard raised voices, but he couldn't discern what the argument was about.

Then, the door slid open and Ratchet stepped out. "You!"

"Yes?" Prime wanted to bolt. What had he done to warrant Ratchet's wrath?

Ratchet paused while the door closed behind him. "That Seeker in there tells me a rather preposterous story."

"Most of them seem to be true, though," Prime quipped.

"This is not a joking matter. Prime, that mech had a sparkling not quite a vorn ago."

"Yes," Prime said.

"So it's true. You know."

"He told me about it."

"You utter fool! Do you know how low the chance is you'll ever have a creation with such a mech? And who knows whose brat it is, and when he'll produce it and make you care for it? He's damaged goods and the council never knew. They wouldn't have agreed to this farce if they had known!"

"Stop right there, Ratchet." Prime was shaking, fighting the urge to punch the medic. If this was how Ratchet addressed his Prime, then what had he said to Starscream?

"He's using you!"

"I told you already that I know about his history. I know about the sparkling, and I certainly won't mind being a step-parent if it's needed." Prime advanced, hoping Ratchet would let him into the examination room.

Ratchet didn't budge, and still looked mutinous. "So you'll just let it go? You'll never have a sparkling of your own and you just accept it?"

"There are no statistics for this particular situation. I have no idea of the odds." Prime sighed. Half-brothers rarely happened in their society. "But I've never really thought about it. I don't measure my bondmate's worth by his ability to produce a sparkling. He's more to me than that."

Ratchet narrowed his optics.

"Let me through. I don't have to take your insults, as you well know."

Finally, Ratchet stepped aside.

Starscream wasn't the quivering wreck Prime's imagination had come up with. He was sitting on the examination table, wings folded back, and the Decepticon medic, a white and dark blue Seeker stood next to him. The medic smiled secretively and was off after squeezing Starscream's shoulder.

Starscream wouldn't even meet Prime's optics, so Prime sat down next to him and took one unresisting hand in his.

"Ratchet is a good medic," Prime said eventually. "But he sometimes oversteps his boundaries. He had no right to insult you."

"He did it anyway," Starscream whispered.

"I'm sorry." Prime leaned over to press a kiss to Starscream's helm. "If I had known he would fritz over this, I would have talked to him beforehand."

"Why do you even care?"

"You're my intended, Starscream. Of course I care."

Starscream's head snapped around, and finally Prime could see his face, so full of surprise.

"He told you I'd cancel, didn't he."

"Yes."

"He was wrong." Prime leaned in, so their foreheads touched. "I want you in my life."

Starscream shuttered his optics, released a sigh, and finally relaxed against Prime.

"So we'll both be there for the ceremony later?"

"You bet." Starscream grinned and kissed Prime. "I have to go now."

Ratchet was very silent when both he and the Decepticon returned to the room. He shot Prime dark looks, but Prime let it go. Five more joors.