Chapter 5

"You're too slow on your left side." Slipstream informed as she hovered on her thruster heels while holding a sword. "Now, try again, but do not come straight at me."

Dawnstar did as instructed, swinging her sword at the other Seeker femme only to have it deflected.

"Better. Again."

"Slipstream, we've been at this for joors. Can't I rest?" Dawnstar moaned.

"When you succeed in defeating me. Now, again."

Dawnstar moved in, the femmes' swords clashing loudly with sparks flying. Like a deadly dance, they moved around each other, swinging, twisting, and stabbing their weapons, trying to strike the other but to no avail. Dawnstar blocked her instructor's attacks, and Slipstream returned the gesture. It was several kliks before Slipstream managed to make a move against her student and smack the blunt end of her weapon against Dawnstar's side.

"That would be a fatal wound if not immediately treated. Straight through your fuel pump." Slipstream commented.

"Took you longer to defeat me this time." Dawnstar smirked.

"Yes. You are certainly improving. It won't be long before you can wrestle your sire and win."

"I don't wrestle with him anymore." Dawnstar grunted.

Slipstream eyed her for a moment before speaking. "Better get home before he starts to worry. We will meet same time tomorrow."

"Alright. See you them, 'Stream."

"Be safe, Dawn."

Dawnstar subspaced her weapon and transformed into her new Cybertronian jet mode. She flew off in the direction of her home, but once she was out of Slipstream's sight, she banked to the right and headed out of the Decepticon base.

The young Seeker soared for almost a breem before descending. She transformed and gracefully landed in the dark, ruined streets. Her thin thruster heels clipping with every footfall as she passed Empties huddling on the street side. Their optics following her curvaceous form, her hips swaying so perfectly. Her wings were raised high, and her gate was as prideful as a peacock and commanding… Exactly as her sire walked.

She entered a bar, optics staring at her as she made her way to the counter. She sat on a stool, her wings raising as she smiled seductively at the bartender.

"And what can I get a beautiful femme such as yourself?" The grounder inquired, his own coquettish smirk.

"I'll have my usual." She replied.

"Coming right up."

A silver and black mech sat at a small table nursing his cube of high grade. He was heavier built, sporting two thin, wing-like appendages on his back and longer limbs than most grounders. His optics were red and he had a few red highlights, but no insignia.

The mech had watched the Seeker femme enter the bar and simply couldn't pry his optics from that perfect frame. The way she walked, how she held her wings, how her hips swayed, and the most perfect aft a femme could have. He quickly finished his high grade and stood up.

Dawnstar was taking a sip of her high grade when the silver mech sat beside her. She paid him no mind, as if he didn't exist.

"Bartender, can I have whatever the fine Seeker femme is having?" He said with a sly smile.

Dawnstar smiled slightly, her optics barely looking at him from the corners. The bartender gave the silver mech a cube of the same blue high grade, which was quickly plucked up.

"I know it has been used many times, but, come here often?" The young mech inquired of the Seeker.

"Hmm, when I am able." She replied smoothly.

"Decepticon, right?"

"Actually, I have not taken the oath to be one, despite living with them."

"Oh? I thought Decepticons only cared for their own kind?"

"Well, yes, but my creators' are both Decepticons. Well, now I only have one."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

Dawnstar just looked down at her cube, silent. The mech took a sip of his high grade before speaking again.

"So, what is a beautiful Seeker like yourself doing in a place like this?"

She smiled, her optics still not looking at him. "Needed some time alone. Things can be stressful back at home."

"I hear you. This war doesn't help either."

"No, it doesn't." She vented a soft sigh. "And neither does having an aft as a sire."

"Ah, sire issues. Don't feel bad. I think we all have dealt with that before."

"Not like me. My sire is kind of different from everyone else."

"How so?"

"Well, he is the Second in Command and Air Commander of the Decepticons."

The silver mech's optics widened. "He's what?"

She finally turned to look at him. "He get's to tell everyone, but Megatron, what to do. And thinks he can still treat me like a sparkling."

"Starscream is your sire?" He asked almost in disbelief.

"Yeah…"

"Starscream, the leader of the Seekers and Megatron's right servo, Starscream?"

"Yes. Why does everyone find that so hard to believe?" She said slightly annoyed.

"Sooooo, what is he like?"

"He's a slagger. He let my carrier get deactivated by Autobots, he never lets me do what I want, and is a complete dictator on everything! He is selfish, annoying, and only thinks about himself."

"I'm sorry he treats you like that. You deserve someone better in your life. Someone who will love you, treat you right, and let you do what you want." He said with honeyed words, a smile on his fine visage.

"That's the problem. He chases away anyone I try to get close to. He just wants me to suffer alone and lock me away." She grunted.

"He does sound like a slagger. I would never treat you like that. A beautiful femme like you deserves the world, and then some. You need someone who will always be there for you, protect you, and love you right."

"Yeah…" She said softly, looking back at her high grade.

"Hey, wanna take a stroll and just talk it out? I'm a good listener and it does help."

She looked back at him, her optics a little wide. "Really? No one has ever asked me to just talk with them."

"You're a sweet femme. You deserve only good things in your life. Come on, I know some cool places we can look at."

She smiled at him. "Alright, let's go."

"Awesome. Oh, and what's your designation, again?"

"Dawnstar."

"A beautiful designation for a beautiful femme. I'm Silverstorm."

"Drink it all."

"I am drinking it…"

"I am this close to having 'Warp hold you down as I pour it into your mouth."

"I just don't feel like drinking."

"Star, drink or else we will use negative reinforcement."

"So violent."

"Drink."

"I'm drinking!" Starscream exclaimed, thoroughly exasperated with Thundercracker's mothering.

The Elite Trine were sitting on a couch in their entertainment room, Thundercracker to Starscream's left while Skywarp was to his right. The trineleader held a barely touched energon cube and his faceplates seemed less-than-pleased with how he was being treated.

"I don't see any drinking going on." Thundercracker stated sternly, his optics narrowed and arms crossed.

"Primus, you guys are slaggers." Starscream vented before forcing himself to take a sip of his energon.

"You barely touched it! Chug it, Screamer." Thundercracker almost growled.

"Drink it and we'll give you an energon treat." Skywarp smiled as he held a box of energon goodies.

"Can't I have just the energon goodies…?" Starscream grunted.

"I am about to turn you over my knee." Thundercracker snapped.

"Thunder, I already had three cubes this orbital cycle. I'm fine."

"You did a slagheap of flying just a bit ago. That means you need to drink three more cubes at least."

"I don't feel like consuming anymore."

"Screamer, please? For us?" Skywarp said as he gave his "puppy eyes" to his tri-colored trinemate.

"You guys are being ridiculous." Starscream grunted.

"Star, drink." Thundercracker ordered with clenched jaws.

"I have work to do. I'll drink it while I do that."

"No, because you will end up ignoring it. Drink it here and we will leave you alone for a couple of joors before making you drink anymore."

"This is a slagging waste of my time…"

"Starscream…" Thundercracker growled threateningly.

"I'm not going to finish this." Starscream stated.

"Alright, fine. Get over my knee." Thundercracker snapped.

"That is completely unnecessary." Starscream said with narrowed optics.

"I am about to use force on you. Sling yourself over my knee. Now." Thundercracker's tone made it clear he was not debating the issue.

Starscream vented a dramatic sigh as he handed the energon cube to Skywarp. He then crawled over his blue trinemate's lap and lied down. Thundercracker placed an ebony servo between his trineleader's wings to hold him in place as he delivered several hard smacks to his red aft. Starscream just gritted his denta and silently took his punishment.

When Thundercracker deemed he had been properly punished, he removed his servos and allowed Starscream to return to his place between his trinemates. Skywarp handed the energon cube back to the Air Commander, who grumpily accepted it. With narrowed optics, the Decepticon SIC took several swigs of the pinkish liquid before lowering the cube back down.

"You have a little left, still." Thundercracker said strictly.

"This is slagging stupid…"

"I'll use a metal switch on you."

Starscream rolled his optics before finishing off his cube. "There, done. Happy now?"

"Ecstatic." Thundercracker replied sarcastically as he took the empty cube from Starscream.

"Now may I go do work?" Starscream grumbled as he crossed his arms.

"You are dismissed for now."

Starscream stood up and stomped away. The two other Seekers just silently listened to their trineleader climb the stairs and then shut the door to his room. Skywarp then turned to Thundercracker.

"Do you think we're being too harsh on him?" The black and purple Seeker asked softly.

"I don't know what else to do with him. He's such a stubborn glitch-head. He only seems to respond to pain so, fine, I'll do what I have to in order to get it through his thick processor." Thundercracker grunted.

"I wish there was something we could do to make him at least a little bit happy." Skywarp sighed.

"I do too, 'Warp."

"He's worse than how he was before meeting Moonie." Skywarp pointed out sadly.

"I know. And Dawnstar's attitude is not helping."

"Did you hear that they got into another fight?"

"No. What happened this time? And who told you?"

"Apparently he's been talking with Soundwave. 'Wave said that they argued over Dawn bringing another mech to the house. Star scared him off and Dawn screamed at Star." He swallowed. "She also kicked him."

Thundercracker's optics momentarily widened before narrowing again. "She kicked Starscream for what? Protecting her ungrateful aft?" He crossed his arms and glared angrily at the wall. "If Screamer would just let me handle her for one breem I'd teach her some respect towards her sire." He grumbled with gritted denta.

"You know how Star feels about disciplining her." Skywarp said softly.

"I get not hitting your sparkling. I totally agree with his method of never striking, yelling at, or threatening his creation. She was the perfect creation, but now… Now things have changed. She is a grown-aft femme who treats Star - my trineleader - like scrap. I am through dealing with her disrespect towards him. The only one who has the right to hit him is us. And that's only when he truly deserves it. Not even Megatron should be allowed to strike him."

"Well, Screamer does misbehave and needs to be punished. I don't like how harsh the punishments are, but, Megatron is still in charge and-"

"I am not having this conversation with you again, 'Warp." Thundercracker snapped.

Skywarp was silent for a moment before speaking in a low voice. "Sorry, TC. I didn't mean to make you mad."

Thundercracker turned to look at his trinemate. Skywarp was never good at handling drama, and the loss of Moonstar, Starscream falling into severe depression, and Dawnstar's horrible attitude was just too much for the black and purple Seeker. He had stopped his pranks completely after Moonstar died, and rarely laughed. He was caught between being loyal to Megatron and loyal to his trinemates, all the while dealing with the arguing, fighting, and screaming between Dawnstar and her sire - not that Starscream ever raised his vocalizer at her. He just wanted everyone to be happy, but didn't know how to achieve that anymore. He was scared, even though he tried hiding it, but Thundercracker had known him for so long that he could read him like a datapad.

The blue Seeker vented a heavy sigh before holding his arm out. "Come here, Sky."

Skywarp scooted closer and cuddled against his trinemate as he was lovingly hugged. Thundercracker gently stroked his back with one servo, just listening to him cycle air.

"I'm sorry for getting mad at you, sweetspark." Thundercracker said softly. "I'm just stressed, not that that's an excuse for treating you so."

"It's okay, TC. Everything is just slag right now. We're trinemates. We're gonna argue every now and then."

"Yeah, but I rather we didn't."

"Maybe we should do more things together? We've kinda stopped over the last few decacycles." Skywarp quietly suggested.

"Yeah, maybe. Maybe we can get Star into berth with us tonight."

"A reward for drinking his energon?"

"Yeah, we can try that tactic."

"I wish Dawnstar would hang out with us like she used to. I just wish none of this had ever happened."

"Me too, 'Warp." He vented a sigh. "We just gotta do what we can to make it through this, now."

Skywarp was silent for a bit before speaking again. "I love you, TC."

"Love you too, 'Warp."

"I just wish Dawnstar loved us still, too."

Thundercracker swallowed. "Me too, 'Warp. Me too."

Dawnstar and Silverstorm walked back towards the Decepticon base. They were smiling and laughing as they joked. Dawnstar stopped just as the outer defenses came into view and turned to face the silver mech.

"Well, this is my stop." She smiled at him.

"Ever need someone to walk you home again just give me a call." He smirked.

She took his servo in hers before speaking again. "I had a really great time, Silverstorm. And thanks for just listening. I needed someone to vent to."

"Anytime, sweetie."

"We should hang out again sometime."

"When are you next free?"

"I can sneak out tomorrow. Here, let me give you my comm. line."

"And I shall give you mine."

They quickly traded the data before Dawnstar spoke again.

"Bye. I'll see you tomorrow."

He leaned in closer and pecked a kiss to her cheekplates. If she had been human she would have been red from blushing.

"See you then, beautiful."

Dawnstar just smiled. She took a step back, transformed, and flew back to the protection of the Decepticon base. Silverstorm watched her go with predatory optics.

Thundercracker sat on Starscream's desk, his arms wrapped around his trineleader's neck as he passionately kissed him on the lip plates. His legs were wrapped around Starscream's waist, the blue servos of the Air Commander holding them as he thrust into his blue trinemate. Thundercracker quietly moaned into Starscream's mouth, their glossas playing with each other.

Their overload came, but their chest plates didn't retract. They grunted with gritted denta as the surplus energy surged through their systems. They rested their brows against each others and just panted as their systems cooled off.

Starscream pulled out of Thundercracker and approached the berth where Skywarp sat. The black and purple Seeker was just staring into space his helm and wings lowered. Starscream sat beside him and wrapped an arm around his shoulders.

"What's wrong, Sky?" Starscream asked gently.

He shrugged before answering in a low voice. "I just miss Moonie and the way things used to be." He vented a soft sigh. "Interfacing doesn't even feel as good as it used to."

Starscream held him a little closer and leaned his helm against Skywarp's. "Yeah, it doesn't. I wish things were different, too." He was silent for a moment before continuing. "I'm sorry I haven't been around as much lately, and for being a complete slagging aft. I have not been fulfilling my obligation as trineleader, and apologize for that."

"You're sad. I understand if you need time alone."

"Yes, but I have been pushing you guys away. That's not right of me." Starscream waited for Skywarp to say something, but the black Seeker remained silent. "I love you, 'Warp. I will do whatever I must in order to protect you and take care of you."

"And so will I." Thundercracker stated from where he still sat on the desk.

Skywarp just nodded his helm before speaking. "You guys are the best." He managed a weak smile.

"We try." Starscream said, kissing his trinemate on the lip plates.

Skywarp took a few astroseconds before he returned the kiss, his servos caressing his trineleader's frame as he slowly lied on his back. Starscream crawled on top of him and positioned himself to enter the black Seeker. Skywarp almost clung to his superior, as if he would leave him if he let go. He moaned as Starscream penetrated him, but didn't make anymore noise as he was humped. He just silently kissed back, his glossa playing with Starscream's.

Thundercracker swallowed. The orbital cycle that Skywarp wasn't excited about interfacing was a very sad orbital cycle. He always would be giggling like an idiot, trying to wrestle as he was pinned down, make some vulgar jokes, or demand to get into bondage. Now, he was simply submitting, silent in his sadness, and no longer enthusiastic about anything.

Thundercracker vented a sad sigh. They had witnessed and caused so much death and suffering to so many without thought… without hesitation. But the deactivation of a single, particular femme and their entire lives had been forever changed.

Dawnstar walked down the stairs the next morning, her thruster heels clipping with more zest than usual. Her wings raised when she saw her sire sitting on a chair reading a datapad.

"Morning, princess." He greeted softly, a faint smile on his faceplates as he looked at her.

"Hey," She muttered without sparing him a glance.

He swallowed. "What have you been up to, sweetie?"

"Nothing that is your concern." Was the curt reply.

His wings lowered. "Do… do you want to do anything this orbital cycle? I could take you to explore some of the safer regions of Cybertron, or the abandoned cities? Maybe we could-"

"Dad, I don't want to do anything with you. Okay?" She said harshly as she finished filling a cube at the energon dispenser.

"Sweetie, please don't be mad at me. I never intended to hurt you. I only want what's best for you."

"Uh huh, sure."

"I did everything that I could to save Moonstar. I flew so hard and fast to get to her that I had to get my thrusters repaired by Hook and couldn't fly for several orbital cycles." He exhaled deeply before venting it out slowly, his optics beginning to turn white with static. "I loved your carrier. I loved her more than anything. More than I thought myself capable of loving. I never wanted her to be deactivated." He swallowed. "Never to be hurt. And I don't want you to share the same fate."

She gave him the dirtiest glare her magenta optics could generate. "You can write all your petty excuses on a datapad and shove it up your tailpipe." She paused to take a sip of her energon. "You let her die. You left her behind and let her be deactivated."

"Dawn, sweetspark, I never-"

"You know what; I am beginning to believe that you can't even fight. All those stories you used to tell have to be made up. A slagging idiot like yourself could never do what you claim to have done."

"Dawnstar," His vocalizer was a little stronger, his optics momentarily offlining. "I never lied to you about those stories. We live in a very dangerous time and I've done what I must to survive. To protect you."

"You are so full of slag, Starscream."

Starscream felt as if someone had just stabbed him through the spark. "Sweetie, can we just talk this out? I'll do what I must in order-"

"Stop. Just… stop." She snapped as she held a servo up to emphasize. "I don't care about what you have to say. You only want to save your own aft and keep me under control. You know what would make me happy? If you left me the slag alone! I am a grown femme, not your sparkling!"

"You will always be my sparkling. My little femmling." He stated firmly despite his voice beginning to become brittle. "And I will do what I must to protect you. I have been around a hell lot longer than you could possibly fathom, and I have seen the horrors this world is capable of committing. Especially to young femmes like yourself." I should know. I've done plenty of it. He added in his processor. "Those mechs you bring home would only use you before throwing your beaten frame out onto the streets. You're a Seeker. Seekers have a false reputation of only being good for two things: Fighting and interfacing. I will not stand by and watch you be preyed upon, when I can be protecting you."

She rolled her optics. "Whatever. You keep telling yourself that. And maybe when you actually do go out and fight, an Autobot will get a lucky shot straight through that empty helm of yours. I'll be sure to thank them."

Starscream offlined his optics. His spark felt as if it had just been torn out of its casing and stomped on. "Maybe I will be deactivated in the next battle." He barely managed to choke out as sobs threatened to break free from his vocalizer. "And if I do go, recall every harsh word you said to me as your life goes to hell. For if I go, my trinemates won't be long behind me. And then you will be alone. The other Seekers wouldn't put up with you and your attitude. Megatron certainly wouldn't. No, you will be forced to either become a soldier and fight on the front lines, followings orders or else be severely disciplined, and never be able to have the freedom that you do now, or…" He swallowed. "You would be kicked out. Thrown into the streets with nothing. Having to sell your own frame in order to make enough credits to survive. I highly doubt you would enjoy either option."

Dawnstar just looked at him for a long, silent moment as she finished off her cube. "Or, I could join the Autobots. I'm sure they would be willing to take in an innocent femme. I bet there are plenty of handsome grounders there, too."

"They would never take a Seeker in. You're a Decepticon even if you have not taken the oath, and you are my daughter. They would execute you before you could even process the thought of fighting back."

"Hmm," She shrugged. "I'll take my chances. Now, if you don't mind, I am going to go out and be away from you."

"Dawnstar, why won't you just realize that I love you and am doing my best to-"

"I'm muting you, alright? I've had enough of your sniveling for an orn. Aaaaaaand, muted! Frag you." She finished as she gave him a rude Vosian hand gesture before walking away.

Starscream just watched her walk out of the house, not knowing what to do or say. He subspaced his datapad, rested his elbows on his knees, and covered his faceplates with his servos. He couldn't hold it any longer; he cried. Coolant poured from his optics, his wings as low as they could go, and an almost nauseating feeling pulsating from his systems from how much his spark was broken.

He didn't hear Skywarp approach him. Didn't realize that his trinemate was still in the house until the purple servos gently touched his shoulder. Starscream jerked his helm up and looked at his brother, quickly wiping away coolant tears from his cheekplates.

"'Warp? I-I thought you already left for patrol." The Air Commander said between quiet sobs.

"I couldn't get myself out of berth until I heard you guys talking." He replied softly.

"You heard all of that?" Skywarp nodded his helm. "I don't know what to do, 'Warp." Starscream said as he looked down. "I don't know what to say to her. I don't know what she needs. I'm trying to just protect her, but I don't know if I'm going about it all wrong or what? I just want my little, happy femmling back. I just want to see her smile… hear her laugh. I feel so stupid!"

"I don't know, Star. I wish I was as smart as you and could tell you what you should do. I wish that Moonie was here and Dawn still loved you. I wish you were happy." He shrugged. "Maybe she'll just realize that you only mean well and will stop treating you like that."

"Maybe…" Starscream said almost inaudibly.

"Have you refueled yet?"

Starscream shook his helm. Skywarp walked over to the energon dispenser and filled a cube before returning. He handed it to Starscream and sat on the chair next to his trineleader.

"Please, Star. I just don't want to see you suffering anymore."

Starscream swallowed. Skywarp's innocence made him so hard to deny at times. He looked at the black Seeker, seeing only his brother's saddened faceplates. Starscream hated seeing that. If drinking energon brought a smile to those faceplates than he would do just that. His trinemates still loved him and would always be there for him. Unlike his daughter, who obviously wouldn't stay around if he was dying.

Starscream raised the cube to his lip plates and drank. The smallest of smiles crept over Skywarp's visage when his trineleader had finished.

"Thanks, Star." Skywarp said in almost a whisper as he took the empty cube from Starscream's servo.

Starscream nodded his helm slowly. He turned to his trinemate and swallowed. "Thanks 'Warp. For… Just being there for me always."

Skywarp's smile grew a little larger. "Of course, Star. What are trinemates for? I couldn't leave you if I wanted to."

Starscream looked away, quickly wiping away fresh coolant that was leaking from his optics. "Sorry, 'Warp. I'm not exactly emotionally stable right now." He said quickly with a faint smile.

"It's alright. I won't think any less of you. You're too awesome a trineleader to hate."

"Primus, stop! I need to regain my composer before seeing Megatron." Starscream said quickly as he tried to cease his crying.

"Do you have to see him immediately?"

"No, just sometime later."

"Then there's no rush. Sometimes it's good to just let it out."

"I don't want to 'just let it out.' I have to be strong. I have to be able to take care of you and TC… and Dawnstar."

"You are strong, even if you cry." Skywarp said softly. Starscream turned to look at him. "Just because you cry doesn't mean you're weak. You're the strongest mech I know, Screamer. You never falter in battle or the face of adversary. You always keep your cool no matter how panic-worthy the situation is. You survived such a horrible sparkling-hood and didn't let it ruin your life. You fought against the government in more than one way in order to achieve your goals of becoming a scientist, and fighting for freedom for everyone. And no matter what Megatron or anyone has done to you, you have never been broken. You have never been conquered. And you've put up with my slag for thousands of vorns without going insane or deactivating me." Starscream managed a weak smile at that. "And even with Moonie gone and Dawn acting like that you continue to be strong. You may have depression and cry a bit more, but who wouldn't? You still do your work, still fight just as well as always, and still refuse to let anyone control your life." Skywarp paused for a moment before continuing. "I wish I was like you. Strong like that… Smart like you. You're the best trineleader, trinemate, brother, and friend I could ask for. And even if you are an aft at times, well, I kinda need someone like that in order to keep me from doing something stupid and seriously hurting myself." He paused a second time, closely watching his trineleader's reaction. "And even if Moonie was only here for a short time with us, you deserved every astrosecond with her. She was lucky to have had you in her life. Me and TC are both lucky. Dawnstar is lucky, even if she won't realize it. You're the best, Screamer."

Starscream just looked away, cycling air heavily in order to control his emotions. He failed miserably. He began to sob, covering his faceplates as coolant poured out of his optics. Skywarp reached forward and lovingly stroked the Air Commander on the back between the wings. It took a few kliks before Starscream calmed himself down enough to speak.

"Now I can say that you've made me cry." He managed with a faint smile.

"But, it was happy tears, right?"

Starscream inhaled quickly, trying to cool his systems. "Yes," His smile was a little larger. "Yes, it was happy tears. Primus, why do I have the best slaggers as trinemates?"

"Because you deserve to be happy." Skywarp grinned at him.

"Don't. You're gonna make me start up again."

"Want me to make you happy another way?"

"Hmm?"

Skywarp stood up and stepped in front of Starscream. He placed a violet servo under Starscream's chin plates and lifted his helm before capturing his lip plates in a searing kiss. It took Starscream a moment to return the kiss, their glossas soon dancing together. The Air Commander stood up, his servos caressing his trinemate's frame as the gesture was returned to him. Starscream took a step forward, and Skywarp stepped back. The tri colored Seeker kept walking, leading the black and purple Seeker until he was pushed against a wall. Their kissing only became more intense, their servos almost clawing at each other as they tried to get closer, almost trying to merge into the same being. Their codpieces slid away and Starscream grabbed one of Skywarp's legs and lifted it up to his waist, holding it there. Skywarp moaned when Starscream slid inside and started to thrust, quickly gaining speed and ferocity. Skywarp's arms wrapped around Starscream's helm, holding him close as he was humped, moaning softly with every thrust.

It didn't take long for their chest plates to part revealing their pulsing sparks. The raw tendrils of energy wrapping, twisting, and entangling together just before releasing a powerful surge of energy through the two Seekers as they reached their epic climax. They had to break the kiss in order to cry out their ecstasy, their servos tightening as they clutched each other.

Their brows rested against each other as they panted heavily, their inner fans working hard to cool off their systems. Then, Starscream smiled. A true, genuine smile at his trinemate who returned the grin.

"I needed that." Starscream said softly between pants.

"Yeah, me too." Skywarp replied in the same voice as his trineleader.

"You're beautiful, 'Warp. A complete slagger, but a beautiful slagger."

"Heh, I try my best."

"Wanna go for another round?"

"Why not?" He smiled before his optics suddenly became a bit wide. "Won't TC get mad at us for bonding without him?"

"He doesn't need to know. We can bond with him later tonight. Right now, let's just try to make ourselves feel a bit better and forget about everything else."

Skywarp smirked. "Alright. I think another five overloads will do my systems some good."

"Only five more? How about we go for nine more?" Starscream chuckled.

"Insatiable, slut."

"You know it." Starscream whispered before silencing his trinemate with a kiss.

"He just keeps trying to hold me back, keep me from doing what I want, and being a complete aft about it." Dawnstar groused as she sat on the remains of a wall with Silverstorm. "I can defend myself, and if I can't, well, I can fly away. No one can catch me when in the skies. Only him and Skywarp. I always carry a gun and my swords in my subspace pocket, so it's not like I'm just wandering unarmed in the streets. And he's so stupid sometimes! I mean, like, he acts like he's all tough and in control, but I've never seen him fight, never seen him do anything of actual worth, and all he does these orbital cycles is cry. He was the one who left my carrier behind and let her get deactivated. He doesn't have the right to act like he's a victim. He always left us all the time, too. Always with these 'business trips' of his which would either be from two orbital cycles to several stellar cycles. And most of the time when he returned he looked like he got an entire new frame, like, he was out partying and was trying to hide the fact. I don't know. He's just… I'm just done with him."

Silverstorm nodded his helm slowly in acknowledgment. "He does sound like a control freak. You have the right to do whatever you want. You're a grown femme and no longer have to seek out his permission to do slag."

"Thank you! You're like the only one who understands this."

"But, he is right about creeps being out there who would hurt you. Now, they would never get around you as long as I'm around. A pretty femme like yourself deserves to have a happy life away from crazies like your sire. Ever thought about simply leaving him?"

"Yes, but, I figure if I stay I get free energon and living space without worrying about a job or anything. And, besides, if the Decepticons do win this war won't that mean I get to be like super rich or something? I don't know."

"Makes sense. It can be hard living out here. Having a faction certainly helps." He replied.

"Hmm, I suppose it does."

"Well, we better get you home. It will be getting dark soon and I don't want your psychotic sire yelling at you."

"He never yells. Just bawls like a newborn sparkling or try and put on his tough-guy routine. I'm not scared of him. I doubt he even has the brass bearings to strike a femme."

"I don't know. I've heard some crazy stories about him in battle."

"He makes up that slag. Trust me, if you knew him like I do you'll see that he's just a coward who tries to make a name for himself with manipulation and lies."

"Oh, I believe you. But, still, I better walk you home, sweetie." He said as he smiled at her.

She smirked. "Alright, let's go."

The two hopped off the wall and began to walk towards the Decepticon base. When they arrived just in view of the outer defenses they stopped.

"Thanks for listening, Silverstorm." Dawnstar smiled at him. "It helps."

"Anytime, sweetspark. See you again tomorrow?"

"Yeah. I'll see you then."

He then leaned forward and pressed a kiss on her cheekplates. She giggled before transforming and flying away.

One Decacycle Later:

Dawnstar never missed an orbital cycle in seeing Silverstorm. Every chance she got she escaped the Decepticon base, him, and hung out with him for cycles. The two would talk, explore the destroyed cities, and drink together. Dawnstar felt so happy with Silverstorm. He seemed to connect with her on every level, and understood her for who she was. He agreed that Starscream was cracked and that she deserved better than what he claimed he could give her. He also agreed that Starscream obviously allowed her carrier to be deactivated.

Dawnstar and Silverstorm were sitting outside of a club drinking high grade together as they just engaged in palaver. They were both smiling, ignoring everyone who walked by and eyed the gorgeous Seeker.

"Yeah, and then I ended up walking in on them. It was disturbing as slag. I walked in on them twice." Dawnstar was saying as she gestured her servos to emphasize her words. "Not as disturbing as walking in on my sire while he's fragging his trinemates. Now that… That is terror."

"Seekers. They have a thing for interfacing, don't they?" Silverstorm chuckled.

"Well, not necessarily. I mean, it's mostly for bonding purposes between trinemates. At least, that's what my dad says. But, Seekers don't shy away from doing it in public. I think it has something to do with like claiming each other and showing everyone that they belong to one other. He never fragged mom in public, but I think that was because she told him not too, but he certainly fragged 'Warp and TC in public. I think they still will occasionally do it. So, yeah, that's probably why everyone thinks we're interface crazed 'bots. I mean, I'm still a virgin!"

"A pretty thing like yourself is still a virgin?" He said almost in disbelief.

"Yeah, I haven't done it because, well, I haven't found the right mech yet, and dad said I should only lose my virginity to my trinemates when I find them."

"How long will that be?"

"Pshhhh, who knows. When the war is over? I don't know. May not be for vorns."

"Well, that's not fair that you have to wait so long just to lose your virginity."

"Dad said he was several vorns old before he lost his."

"Yeah, but that's his choice. If you want to interface you have the right to interface with whoever the slag you want to, whenever, wherever." He said matter-of-factly.

"Yeah, I suppose. I do wonder what it must feel like. I mean, it has to be nice if everyone does it all the time, right?"

"Yeah, it does feels nice. Want me to show you?"

"What?" She asked quickly, her optics slightly large.

"Only if you want to, of course. But, if you don't want to wait to find out, we can interface right here, right now. We already have the high grade." He smiled seductively.

"I don't know. I-"

"No one will know. Trust me, your sire will never find out."

She swallowed, debating the issue. She really didn't want to wait for vorns to find out what it was like, but she also didn't want to risk her sire finding out. But, Silverstorm was really nice and handsome…

"Alright," She smiled faintly. "Let's do it. But, I'm a bit nervous."

"Don't be. With me, you will only want more." He replied erotically.

The two set aside their remaining high grade and Silverstorm leaned in closer to her faceplates.

"I've never kissed before, either." She almost whispered.

"Just follow my lead."

His lip plates captured hers and slowly began to mouth. She was hesitant at first, but tried to return the gesture. His one servo grasped the back of her helm as their kiss deepened, ignoring everyone passing by. Dawnstar got the feel for the kiss and tried to make it more passionate without messing up. His glossa entered her mouth, making her startle, but quickly relax again. Her glossa was soon playing his, their systems beginning to heat up.

His servos roamed over her perfect frame, caressing and pleasuring her with small, electric shocks. She moaned into his mouth, never feeling such a wonderful sensation before. She awkwardly tried to return the gesture, her thin digits slipping between transformation seams and eliciting quiet moans from him causing her to smile.

His one servo lowered and began to rub over her codpiece, quickly making it warm up. Dawnstar never felt like that before, and her optics widened at the feeling of her trans fluid leaking out. Her codpiece folded away out of its own accord revealing her ready valve. Silverstorm smiled, never breaking the kiss as he forced her off the garbage dumpster they had been sitting on and onto the ground. He crawled on top of her, positioning her legs over his hips and removing his own codpiece.

She yelped in surprise when he quickly entered her, but never ceased kissing. He gave her a moment before thrusting into her, slow at first but quickly gaining speed. She moaned loudly, getting use to this strange sensation.

Some Empties stopped and watched them, while most just gave them a passing glance before walking on. Silverstorm continued thrusting into her on the cold, trash littered ground, as if nothing else mattered or existed.

Their overload came quickly, Dawnstar crying out as the powerful surge of surplus energy coursed through her systems. They just looked at each other, panting as their systems cooled off.

"Liked that?" He asked between pants.

She couldn't answer right away. "Wow, that felt… That felt great! Now I see why everyone is so obsessed with it." She smiled, panting heavily still.

"Want to go again?"

"Yes!"

"Want to try a different position?"

"Sure, why not?" She just shrugged.

He pulled out of her, causing her to gasp. He crawled off her and turned her around, forcing her onto her servos and knees. He positioned himself behind her, placing a servo between her wings and making her lower her front so only her aft was in the air. He entered her and immediately began to hump hard as his servos grasped her hips. She gasped out moans as her servos dug into the ground and wings twitched.

Their overload came and again she loudly cried out. Silverstorm wasted no time in pulling out of her, grabbing her by the arm, and forcing her to stand. He pushed her against the dumpster and made her lean over it as his servos rested on the top. His servos tightly gripped her waist as he ferociously thrust into her, even harder than the last two times.

She just kept moaning, her helm jerking up and down from the force of his humping. He pushed her back down so her torso was lying flat on the top of the dumpster, never ceasing in his thrusting.

Their overload came again, and they both cried with it. Silverstorm only paused long enough for the excess energy to dissipate before resuming his thrusting.

He smiled, enjoying every astrosecond of this. Her valve was new, fresh, and tight, but all the rumors concerning Seeker valves were certainly true. She felt wonderful, moaned so perfectly, and overloaded like a divine being. He didn't want to stop. Couldn't stop.

He had worked hard to get her to this point and didn't plan on letting it go so easily. No, he would make sure she loved it so she would keep wanting it and he would keep giving it. He could just take her without her consent, but if her sire really was the Decepticon Air Commander, he rather not risk her tattling and he getting deactivated by a mob of pissed off Seekers. No, best to play it safe, make her think that he cared for her, and get all the valve he wanted.

Dawnstar finally pushed him away after their seventh overload and took several steps away from him. "Alright, that's enough. I'm tired." She panted.

He smiled at her. "Liked it?"

"Yes, yes, I really did. Primus, that was amazing! We have to do that more often." She almost squealed.

His sexy smirk grew. "Damn straight we will. Now, how about I take you to my place to get cleaned up before you go and see your sire."

"Alright. Sounds good." She smiled, quickly folding her codpiece back into place before following after him.

His place was small, and part of the wall was missing, but it still felt cozy. It was a single room on the second level of an abandoned building, with only a berth, a small table, a few chairs, and some storage containers.

The grounder pulled out some cloths from one of the storage containers and handed them to her. The two cleaned themselves up, hiding all the evidence of their forbidden act.

"This is it?" Dawnstar inquired as she looked around.

"Yep, this is all I have. Not too bad once you get use to the constant drafts." He replied with a shrug.

"Hmm, you need something better than this."

"Well, this is all I could find. The war makes it hard to live unless you're a member of a faction."

"I need to take you to my place sometime. When dad isn't around, of course. I have a nice berth we could interface on." She smiled coquettishly.

"I would love to see your place. Bet there's some good high grade there too."

"I haven't tried any of dad's high grade. Well, none in a long time. I'm not sure what he has right now."

"I look forward to finding out with you." He grinned.

She chuckled. "I'll let you know the moment the slagger and his trinemates aren't around."

Dawnstar skipped back to the house, a large smile on her faceplates as she stopped by the door and put in her code. She trotted inside and entered the entertainment room.

"Hey, daddy." She said unusually happy.

He jerked his helm up from where he sat on the couch reading a datapad, his optics a little wide from surprise. She never talked to him like that these orbital cycles.

"Hey, princess." He smirked at her, his wings raising slightly in hope that this conversation wouldn't end as badly as all the others. "How are you?"

"I'm feeling great! You?" She smiled at him. Actually smiled at him.

"I'm alright." He swallowed, not sure if his next question would make her turn into a venomous serpent or not. "You seem happy. Did something happen?"

"Oh, just the usual slag." She shrugged. "I just feel like things will get better."

His smile grew a little larger. "I'm glad, sweetie. I want you to be happy."

"Mhmm, well, I'm gonna go recharge now." She approached him and pecked a kiss to his cheekplates. "See ya later, daddy!"

His optics were wide as he watched her frisk up the stairs. His servo touched where she had kissed him. Primus, it had been so long since she had done that to him. He smiled to himself.

Perhaps Skywarp was right. Maybe she would just realize that he meant well and would stop lashing out her frustrations at him. Maybe she was finally ready to forgive him of a crime he never committed and ready to move on. Maybe she just wanted things to be like they used to be.

He could only hope.

Dawnstar spun herself around on a thruster heel smiling stupidly. Everything was going to be so much better. She felt wonderful, had a mech-friend who truly loved her, and maybe she could just forget about her sire and his stupidity for once. Maybe he might even let her join as Conjuges Endurae with Silverstorm now since they had interfaced. She wouldn't risk him finding out so soon, maybe in a few decacycles or even stellar cycles, but he couldn't deny or from her one-true-love. No, if that bolts for a processor truly cared about her he would allow her to be with Silverstorm and be happy. Maybe she could have Silverstorm move into her house before joining so he wouldn't have to recharge in that horrible place.

She lied down on her berth still smiling, just thinking about how wonderful it had felt. She couldn't wait to get back to him and interface again. And if her sire ever did find out and disapprove she would just run away as Silverstorm had suggested. Starscream couldn't control her anymore. She was her own person, not a slave, and damn him to the Pit if he tried.

He was a pathetic moron who never left his desk anyway. He could never enforce anything on her. Not now, not ever.

Yeah, Screamer ain't gonna be happy when he finds out. I think his reaction will be most... satisfying for everyone. :P

Dammit, Dawnstar! Being a virgin is not bad! You don't need a guy in your life! Just do what I plan on doing and die an unmarried virgin with 90 cats! Maybe not that many... But certainly a lot! :D

So, parent abuse is a real thing. A lot of the time it's when the child is like a really big, strong guy beating on like his single mom or something, but it also can happen when the child is violent or verbally abusive to the parent. A good parent would not strike back, like Screamer, but unless you get like a therapist or someone involved to help out the situation things can get nasty. Poor Screamer doesn't have a therapist and so is all on his own. :/

Don't worry. Thundercracker WILL get his chance to "teach respect towards your sire" to Dawnstar. And by then you guys will only be angrier with her. :P