Atonement

Chapter 5-Slip

Disclaimer: I don't own the Transformers. They officially belong to Hasbro and Takara. I'm taking them for a short spin.

Vos, Cybertron

Starscream sat perched on a spire, overlooking the city spread out below. Vast parts of the metroplex were dark, the swaths that were abandoned or purposefully neglected of power and resources to enable the civilian defense forces to weed out rogue Decepticons. Those areas were the ones no sane mech or femme would venture, too damaged for habitation, but that didn't stop some of them from taking up residence. Some did need help. Those were the ones they needed find and relocate someplace safe. The rest, well, Starscream felt carpet-bombing them from orbit was a suitable fate. They were halting the restoration of his city.

He couldn't get back to something as simple as his joy in flight or scientific discovery as long as he was overseeing the reconstruction efforts. Optimus Prime decided it would be a worth vocation, and keep him out of trouble. The Prime was correct, and Starscream was grateful he was still functioning. Oh, and Optimus made sure Galvatron was so busy he couldn't meddle in his affairs. Or so he thought.

:Starscream, where are you?:

Slag, Starscream thought. Galvatron. He considered ignoring the comm, but decided against it. Maybe his former lord and master would provide a suitable distraction.

:I'll meet you at the Citadel.:

:Fine.: Galvatron answered.

Minutes later, Starscream was in his quarters, not knowing what to do with the former Decepticon leader.

"What do you want?" Starscream finally asked.

"I came to talk," Galvatron said.

"Why?" Starscream said, crossing his arms.

"When do I ever need a reason?" Galvatron said. "Maybe I've just missed the endless amusement your antics used to provide."

"You consider assassination attempts amusing? Maybe Hatchet needs to examine your processor," Starscream said.

"Silence, Starscream."

"You can't just show up and think you can order me around," Starscream said. "Things have changed. The Decepticons no longer exist. I see you no longer wear the brand of which you were once so proud."

"Neither do you," Galvatron said. "I actually came to offer you an apology."

Galvatron smirked at the expression on the Seeker's face—the hanging jaw and disbelief were more than worth the effort.

"You can't be serious," Starscream said.

"I am," Galvatron said. "I'm sorry for so many things Starscream, foremost among them the way I treated you."

"You've gone mad," Starscream said, incredulous.

"Starscream, I'm in my right mind at the moment," he said, chiding his former second in command.

"I don't need to be patronized, and if you're planning something, Prime will find out, and it will be the end of us both," Starscream said.

"We both know how hard you are to kill," Galvatron said.

"And as I said, you're mad," Starscream insisted.

"I came to discuss the fact we still have a chance to help shape the face of our homeworld," Galvatron said. "A different way than I ever considered. Why do you think I accepted Prime's offer of becoming High Protector of our planet?"

"I don't know," Starscream said.

"Your ambition knows no bounds, and your cunning, with guidance of course, could impact our world in ways neither of us could imagine," Galvatron said. "Think about that Starscream—giving up running this city, when you could be working with the scientific division in Iacon, where your true interest lies. You could be among your Seeker-kin. Or you could consider an offer that I think we would find mutually beneficial."

"I'm not helping with your rebellion, if that's what you're planning," Starscream said.

"Hardly," Galvatron said. "I've come to make an offer of courtship."

88888

Autobot City

Hot Rod followed Optimus Prime down the corridor, heading for Prowl's office. Once there, they found the door open, and Prowl going through a stack of reports.

"Prowl, what do you think you're doing?" Optimus asked.

"Catching up on what I've missed," Prowl said, not looking up at his leader.

"You should be in the med bay with your daughter," Optimus said.

"I'll go later," Prowl replied.

"No, you're going now," Optimus said. "Prowl, I'm removing you from duty until further notice."

That got Prowl's attention.

"I understand I've broken protocol, creating an unauthorized sparkling, and I'll face whatever punishment you decide upon," Prowl said.

"That sounds rehearsed," Hot Rod said.

"I know," Optimus said. "Prowl, I don't care at the moment you broke protocol. This is a command decision based on how your personal life is going to impact your ability to carry out your duties effectively. That's why I'm staying on for a while. Now get out of here before I physically remove you. Or I'll get Ratchet involved."

Prowl set down his data pad, stood up, and walked out of the office.

"That went well," Hot Rod said.

"For now," Optimus said. "How is Echo this morning?"

"Better," Hot Rod said. "Spring is struggling, but First Aid was with him, and he's more patient than Ratchet."

"That's good to hear," Optimus said.

"Yeah," Hot Rod said. "So what now?"

"I'll be meeting with Jazz this afternoon to go over the progress report on the city expansion and personnel needs," Optimus said. "You can sit in if you'd like."

"Sit in? I'm the city security director and Prowl's second in command, not Jazz," Hot Rod snapped. "I'm working my aft off trying to prove myself. You're just going to write me off because of my age and lack of experience?"

Optimus was expecting a reaction with his choice of words, but this was new. "What brought this on?" he asked, curious.

"Don't tell me you haven't heard the rumors—from the some of the EDC personnel to the old Ark crew—I'm too young and inexperienced for my current duty assignment, being chosen as Prime was a fluke, and oh, by the way, let's not forget the fact I got you killed."

Optimus raised an optic ridge in exasperation, wondering just how much stress Hot Rod had actually been under lately, and if Jazz had left out any details during their discussion about the younger mech.

"Hot Rod, it's gossip," Optimus said. "Don't pay attention. You are young and inexperienced in some aspects, but you are a Prime. You're the Prime who did what I could not—you ended the war."

"Sheer luck, that," Hot Rod said. "It could have been you instead of me, if I hadn't gotten in the way. . ."

So, that was possibly the root of the problem. "You blame yourself for my death? It wasn't your fault."

"I keep telling myself, and I finally get to hear you say the words, and I don't believe it," Hot Rod said.

"Would you rather have traded places?" Optimus asked.

"I've watched you die twice. Twice. Once was bad enough, but I don't think I could live through that again," Hot Rod said, leaning up against the wall for support. "Primus, and you go and make Galvatron your High Protector. We both know how that's going to end. You and your damn martyr complex. You know, you might accomplish more by living."

"My death paved the way for the war's end," Optimus said.

"If you believe that, you're crazier than I am," Hot Rod said.

Optimus could feel the distress coming off Hot Rod in waves. He'd never meant to cause the other mech any distress. He closed the distance between them, pulling Hot Rod against his own frame, wrapping his arms around the slender mech. He flared his own field against Hot Rod's, sending reassurance and comfort, seeking to synch his field with the other mech. Hot Rod's energy field evened out, and Optimus retracted his battle mask, placing a chaste kiss against Hot Rod's helm, another on his jaw, and finally his lips. There was no turning back now.