Too easy

Megatron left to the anteroom and admitted the mech from Kalis, who was going to be Optronix's personal servant and companion. Avara was a foreign sparked bond-servant, meaning that he had to serve the ruling House until his upgrade price was met by his service, but a free mech afterwards. He was promised instant freedom as soon as Megatron judged that Optronix was ready to spark again and the mech knew that it was a rare opportunity to him; instead of hundreds of vorns in servitude, he could be free as soon as Optronix sparked.

With a few parting orders, Megatron left the chambers to let his mate become familiar with his servant and the other, more material changes he ordered to be made. Avara started to cart the supplies left in the anteroom into the berthroom, and stopped when the blue-red mech in there, Optronix stared at him like he saw a ghost – and when he saw it, he turned away shyly, curling in on himself on the berth. He was half in recharge, only woken up a bit by the servant's entrance.

"My Lord? I'm Avara, your servant from now on. I'll be happy to help you in anything, be it a request, service or company, whenever you wish it."

"Avara?" – Optronix looked up at him with something almost like interest, but he was still visibly timid and hasn't moved from the berth yet. The servant was even smaller than him, with the usual, exotic silver optics of the Kalisians, set into a deep green of his frame. – "Interesting designation." – he mumbled, quietly, like to himself.

"Ohh, I know. My carrier was totally into romantic datapads and gave me a designation out of one such story." – the green mech bowed at his new master and motioned respectfully. – "Do you wish to check what I brought? I understand that my lord was somewhat lacking things and bored."

The servant mech was of course enlightened as to exactly how much dejected Optronix was and continued to cheerfully chat inconsequentials, while he sorted the objects and stored them into places around. Optronix was sitting almost unmoving on the berth, looking like still half-recharging, half interested; listening but never answering to him. He tried to make him at ease until the mech actually took interest in the things that he handled and left the berth to have a look at them. So far he only followed his movement from there, but Avara could tell that he was close to moving out of the dejected shell he'd withdrawn into.

When he placed a platter with various energon treats onto the table, Optronix couldn't hold himself back any more. He hasn't seen or ate a treat or candy since the bonding ceremony and he loved them before, like all younglings. The temptation was too great to pass it up and even the uncharacteristic tiredness couldn't stop him. He softly slipped off the berth and sneaking quietly and carefully around the servant, targeted the table with the platter on it, picking one from it as soon as he was close enough.

Avara didn't disturb him and kept his distance, but a quick glance shocked him more than the whole orn's lecture from Lord Megatron and his vizier, Lord Soundwave. Optronix held the gelled candy in his servo like one would a rare treasure and Avara saw even a tear or two glistening in the corner of his optics. He looked far too young and innocent to be here and had endured what he was told about in vague terms. As he moved, the younger mech startled and snatching a few treats, he retreated to the berth hurriedly.

Avara did move the platter to the berthside table but he said nothing, thoroughly shocked by the Iaconian mech's apparent fear. It was even worse than he thought. As a small, clearly nonmilitary mech and a foreign-sparked servant, Avara never before met with any mechs in Kaon who were afraid of him. It was a completely new feeling and he wasn't sure how to act in such a situation. He'd thought that Optronix would be afraid of the warlord Megatron and he was prepared to help him with that – but it seemed that first he himself would have to gain the young mech's trust.

Optronix glanced at the servant timidly when he came closer, but the treat interested him far more. He bit into it and was promptly lost in the sensation. It was even better than he remembered it… someone – Megatron? Must have been… – went into great lengths to present a wide variety of goodies, probably so he could find his favourites among them. The sweetish, tangy taste brought back all sorts of memories that he ruthlessly kept repressed so far, and he blinked back a tear too. Enjoyment and painful memories vied in his meta for breems before the energon treat won and Optonix willfully immersed himself in the so-long missed pleasant sensation of the taste.

He glanced after the retreating servant, Avara and when he disappeared, Optronix looked around at what he brought. If it was the first sign of Megatron's changing his attitude, he wasn't objecting to it. Even if they were just material goods, they proved a little bit of his sincerity. The back wall was now covered with a huge stand, its shelves covered with datapads that he was itching to read. Beside it, a half-opened crate held art supplies and games. Even from the berth, he could see a corner of a new screen in the living room, presumably for watching entertainment or hopefully accessing the cybernet. He might even be able to contact to his siblings…?

He still felt tired though, and picked a datapad randomly to have something while nibbling on the treats. It was, by accident about Kaon itself, the city state and its society mainly – something that actually interested Optronix, even after all this time. He settled at the corner of the berth, his usual spot that now became just a bit more comfortable with the pillows that he used to make a sort of a nest for himself. It gave a sense of security to be shielded from the rest of the room, even as he knew that Avara wasn't a danger – but he had gotten used to being alone and perceiving another mech nearby he associated with unpleasant things.

Tired, sated for the first time in vorns, even if it was just from some comfort food, Optronix fell back into the half-recharge, dropping the datapad after the first few chapters. He'd want to read it, because the topic was interesting, not to mention useful, but this strange tiredness still plagued him. One servo rose to his chest and scratched lightly his chest-plates over the spark-chamber. Had he been more awake, Optronix would have tried to think about it, as the aching void was seriously worrying but recharge claimed him soon now that he had enough fuel in him.

When he onlined it was for some kliks only that he thought all that happened as a hopeful dream – but then he felt the edge of the datapad against his servo, the pillows around and the smell of the energon treats and knew it to be real. Feeling stronger and eager than he did for a vorn Optronix stood and left the berth to see what he had now. Being an active, still very young mech, any kind of activity appealed him more than the apathetic lying on the berth that was only a last resort, not his choice. Given the opportunities now, he gladly left it behind.

Every room he had was restocked with things he missed so far, some he didn't even know to be missing. At least boredom wasn't going to be a danger now. While he gleefully indulged in the amenities that the wash racks now provided, Avara came in to offer his help in washing and polishing too. The small, green mech was so careful not to remind him of anything threatening that after a few, tense breems, he tentatively nodded to him – and he didn't regret it, as he enjoyed getting the first massage in vorns after a thorough wash and polishing.

Tension simply melted out of his frame along with aches that he was so used to that only their absence was noticeable. Avara was truly a professional, knowing well when he had to stay quiet and turn on a soft, relaxing music to spell the quiet from the rooms. He also knew when to leave Optronix again, as the massage and polishing was completed and again he started to glace at him nervously. He brought some energon into the living room, arranging the smaller cubes on the table, in a semi-formal setting to choose from.

"I'll be nearby, My Lord…" – he told only, discreetly withdrawing before he knew Lord Megatron was to come again – "If you have need of me, just signal me from the console and I'll be straight here."

Optronix nodded demurely, watching him to retreat quietly. He still wasn't used to having a servant again who did things around him and helped to wash or polish his armour. Sure, they had many in Iacon, but Optronix was never allowing himself to depend on servants much. Some, who were in his age were more like his friends than servants and he played and trained a lot with them, but mainly met with their services only during formal dinners and occasions. Avara reminded him of a mech he liked way back in Iacon, Greenfield who taught him protocol and etiquette in a way that made the strict and dry subject appealing even to the younglings. He was perceptive in a same way, deducing his mood correctly and conforming to it whenever he could. But this time, he felt the servant's departure wasn't about himself, rather than a visitor he was sure to come soon.

He had a feeling that he'd see Megatron a lot more than before and if he was to be believed in a different way too. He wasn't sure how to take that, how to react to the warlord if he came again. Sure, he decided to make an effort to believe his change, but the mech still caused a strut-deep dread to awaken in him that was hard to hide. And any sign of fear or perceived weakness on Optronix's part still annoyed the warlord, no matter how he tried to hide that reaction the orn before. It was a seemingly unsolvable circle of reactions between them.

Optronix picked up the datapad he'd started before – it was useful as it described Kaon in detail, far more so than he could ever learn in Iacon. The warrior way… it was in fact highly ironic, he mused in himself, as back in the Iacon court he was considered something of an oddity, because he'd always insisted in attending the warrior training, something that most nobles, courtiers and even his Sire disdained as fitting only for the lower caste, the military bots. True, he didn't want to become a warrior, he enjoyed learning diplomacy and the details of running a kingdom too, but servo to servo fighting had a strange appeal to him that he never even tried to repress.

He hoped that Megatron's change in attitude could give him the opportunity to practice again somehow; even with all the new entertainment opportunities, the sedate life in his chambers would be boring in time. After all, he was a Kaonite, he should appreciate Optronix wanting to learn their way, right? He'd just have to be careful in how to tell it to him. This protection from challenges thing complicated matters tremendously and if the datapad was to be believed, it was more widespread and popular than he'd've thought.

His thoughts were shattered by the familiar silver frame entering the living room and after observing him for a few kliks, awkwardly trying to find a place close enough to talk but far enough to avoid intimidating. Optronix decided to go to meet halfway for his efforts and silently he pointed out the arrangement for dinner at the table that Avara left them. It was a good placement with the whole table separating them and the small cubes gave them plenty of excuses to fidgeting servos and nervous processors. Megatron nodded and they took their places silently. Awkward and nervous as the whole thing was it was still a step forward and they both felt it so.

"Optronix. I'm… glad to see you up and…" – Megatron waved around, not quite knowing what he wanted to express exactly that would be polite enough. – "…around."

He recognized the datapad in Optronix's servo and took it as a good omen that he'd pick that one – it meant he was at least open to learn about their way of life. The timid nod was about as much of an answer as he expected, the young mech tensing up at his entrance. Not only he didn't flee back to the berth but actually came out of the berthroom on his own. He looked much better than the orn before, and even though that was just an appearance, he put it down too as a good sign.

"Is there anything else that you would like to have?"

"N-no… thank you." – Optronix hasn't even checked out everything that was brought in the previous orn. He picked up a small, green cube and sipped from it, to give him a bit of a courage. It did have a smell of a lighter kind of high-grade to it and the taste was agreeable too. Megatron lifted a similar cube towards him in a silent salute and Optronix suddenly realized that the warlord was at least as nervous as himself and similarly having trouble to speak up too. Their situation was strange and new to the both of them. Interestingly, the realisation calmed Optronix quite a bit, which, added to the courage from the high—grade made him speak up.

"I'm grateful for the amenities that you've provided." – it never hurt to be polite Optronix learned a long time ago, even if it was a tiny bit false – "I know that I'm not what you'd expected as a life-mate, but I can try to change, to be more like… what you need." – there, and if it came out a bit lame, he didn't mind it. It was what he tried to express from the very beginning, only to have Megatron ignore it all the time. Maybe now he was willing to listen…? He had to know how deep this change was. The small flash of surprise in Megatron's optics was a hopeful sign.

"I… I am glad to hear that… I must admit that I never expected you to be open to our ways." – he was almost confused and Optronix hoped desperately that it wouldn't turn to anger again.

"Because of my Sire? Or you have that low opinion of us, Iaconians?"

"Well… yes. I mean Ultra Magnus has never bent a micrometer during our negotiations and the other Iacon nobles all seemed the same as him. They all behaved like looking down on us, barbarians." – he struggled not to get angry again and tell Optronix with some choice words just how much the overbearing, arrogant attitude of the Iaconians annoyed him these last few vorns. No, that wouldn't do at all to lump him together with those mechs again. That was what caused the problems in the first place.

"I can see now that I should have given you a benefit of doubt. You are… you seem different from your Sire." – there it was. It felt somehow right to say this aloud and he saw Optronix perk up at it too.

"I could never agree with my Sire in virtually anything. His philosophy is that for the good of Iacon and our family any tools, any weapons can be used. Even dishonesty, manipulation, blackmailing… there is nothing he wouldn't do. Including selling his own creations to force an alliance…" – he suddenly felt the spark-ache again and absentmindedly rubbed his chest plates. – "I never liked or agreed with this attitude, but he was the ruler of Iacon and me… just a pawn."

"If I'd known this before… many things would have been different." – Megatron rued now more than ever that he never listened to his mate before. Apparently he could have had a real mate, an ally and more if he had. Well, it might not be too late… - "I seem to have seriously misjudged you."

Could it be this easy, Optronix wondered. Well, not exactly easy, as it took two painfully long vorns and an unknown event to make him listen, but still, Megatron was shockingly receptive now. The young Iaconian was surer by the klik that something major has happened that caused the warlord to change so fast, so completely. Megatron as much as said that such was the case, only refused to elaborate on it so far. He was open with the overall situation, that Kaon had no need of Iacon any more militarily, so his Sire's cooperation – such as it was - was not needed either. So whatever the reason was it probably originated within Kaon, from his Nobles… or personally from him.

"It is never late to… change." – he still didn't dare to use any strong words, anything that could be perceived as criticism. Megatron apparently had a reason to behave differently than before, but as long as he didn't know that reason, he didn't dare to trust him fully. Two vorns was a pretty harsh lesson in that. After all, had he not trusted the warlord in their bonding… and look at how well that had succeeded? He still hasn't opened up their bond and Optronix was deeply afraid of that too.

"I fully intend to avoid the previous mistakes, Optronix, I can promise you that." – Megatron thought that for one sitting they covered quite enough dangerous grounds and tried to change the topic into something lighter. – "I saw that you read about Kaon. Is there anything I can elaborate on, something that datapad didn't cover?"

Optronix weighed carefully what he wanted to ask and where it could lead to, but in the end he decided that it was necessary for him to know more about this topic.

"Are you frequently… challenged by your nobles? It seems such a strange custom to me."

Megatron looked almost affronted by the question and Optronix suddenly doubted that it was such a good idea to ask. But then he couldn't avoid questions forever, especially as it was the warlord telling me to ask them…

"I was called out a few times when I came to power." – he said gruffly after a charged breem of silence. –"These orns no mech would dare to challenge me. Only a weak ruler or one newly in power would be."

His answer, and more than that his tone of voice implied that it was quite insulting to ask such a thing and Optronix was embarrassed at angering him with his first question. But how should he have known…?

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean it that way." – he ducked his helm, hoping that he didn't blow all his chances so soon. – "I thought… I mean… I didn't know how this thing works…"

"I know." – Megatron looked like he was hard put to swallow back his first reaction, but he managed it. – "I proved myself already, so it's unlikely that anyone would dare to call me out. You would be challenged because you look physically weaker and smaller."

"I can fight, you know." – ohh, how he wanted to tell this to him… Optronix didn't even realize how much. He knew that this was probably the only thing about him that Megatron would actually appreciate, but he didn't know why he craved so much for that little glint of pleasant surprise in those red optics. – "Probably not as much as your mechs, but in Iacon, I could hold out in a fight with almost every one of the palace guards."

"I didn't know that…" – Optronix felt the red gaze slid over his frame and felt that deep dread tremble his insides again, old hurts threatening to flood his processor. He tried pushing them back into his memory banks, so as not to show it just right now that they were talking about his worth and abilities. He'd have to be strong or at least outwardly so to be taken seriously.

"I tried to tell."

"But I didn't listen… it was my fault, Optronix, I know. I am listening now." – Megatron sighed a deep ex-vent. This making up was hard work. But he plunged on valiantly. – "I will be interested to see your level of training and arrange to continue it."

The happy flash of those blue optics rewarded him well for the hard work though. As much as he hated to admit his own terrible judgment earlier, Optronix was proving to be quite the opposite of what he'd assumed the smaller mech to be. Of course he can't help being smaller, but there were techniques to counter that disadvantage.

"I'll be glad to show." – ohh, he knew that any Kaonites would probably laugh at his abilities, but still it would be worth to have a physical exercise after being so inactive for vorns. He lifted his last cube towards Megatron and they drained theirs in a silence that was the least awkward so far between them. Still, Megatron couldn't miss his flinch when he stood and suddenly towered over the table. Fortunately the servant came in with a good timing to clear away the empty cubes and gave him a chance to escape without further damaging the headway he made so far.

"Good night cycle, Optronix..."