Summary: Optimus's point of view from the Starscream waking up scene in Chapter 10 of 'Falling Stars.'
Notes:
This chapter can technically be considered canon, as it is only an alternate POV. But I may go over some statements again later in the real fic. I wrote this because a lot of comments from that chapter got mad at OP, and I wanted to word it differently to show how in character it is for him.
Danny is also very clearly biased, no matter what he says. And the Autobots have never seen him interact with a human other than Agent Fowler that one time where Starscream literally tortured him with an electric prod, and he also kidnapped June (Which to her was a traumatizing experience, and Starscream threatened to kill her).
Anyway, here's the chapter. I also did a few calls with my beta, who is like the number one OP fangirl, so we tried our best to get the Optimus-isms right. :)
Optimus was standing next to Ratchet when suddenly, the scanners attached to Starscream started beeping erratically. Ratchet's Optics widened as he rushed to the table side to check over the systems. The Seeker was waking up.
One second, Starscream was deep in recharge, and the next, he was frantically yanking at the restraints on the berth, thrashing around in a desperate attempt to free himself. His ventilations were uneven and harsh. Metal screeched as his claws raked against the berth, his normally smothered field flooding with distress.
Optimus noticed some much-needed cables getting torn out of the lines in his arms, and he reacted instantly. His servo pressed down firmly against Starscream's chest, trying to hold him still before he could risk any more damage. "Starscream, stay down." He commanded.
Starscream froze as if only just registering Optimus' voice. The calm only lasted for a second before his thrashing renewed, almost stronger than before. "Le–/t go/oo— ksrt. O —f me!" His broken vocalizer crackled out a burst of garbled static. Optimus winced at the sound.
"You're about to undo all of the work I did to keep you online, Starscream!" Ratchet snapped as he hurriedly checked the medical equipment that had been jostled by the Seeker's struggle. "If you rip out your spark support cables, I am not putting them back in for you!"
Starscream froze suddenly at the medic's words, optics finally flickering online as his gaze darted from the unfamiliar ceiling to the restraints bolting him down. "W–her— krrrrk — st," Starscream rasped, his vocalizer sparking wildly as he tried to form words. His optics snapped up, locking onto Optimus with a mix of fury and terror. "Whe/re is—krt, he?" The seeker tried again, but Optimus still couldn't understand.
Before Optimus could respond, a blur of movement caught his attention. He glanced at the door just as Danny came running in. "Starscream!" The human's voice rang through the medbay. Starscream tried to rise off of the berth, and Optimus slammed him back down before he could hurt himself.
The Seeker made a snarling noise as panic flared again in his field. An overwhelming sense of 'I'm in danger, help, stop, DANGER!' Starscream tried to transform his servo into a blaster. Optimus's optics widened at the weapon. It didn't fully transform, but it was still an attempt at a weapon.
Danny ran closer; whether he was friends with Starscream or not, the Seeker was in a very volatile state right now and could hurt Danny with his thrashing or a blaster misfire. Optimus crouched down, snatching the fragile human up in his servo before he could get too close.
"Hey! Put me down!" Danny yelled, squirming in his grip.
Starscream's reaction was immediate and visceral. His damaged vocalizer sputtered out a garbled, furious screech, his frame jerking violently against the restraints. "Rel–/se. Akkkk – hi-m."
Optimus grimaced. The situation was spiraling out of control.
"Enough!" Ratchet barked. "If he keeps this up, his spark is going to give out. Hold him still, Optimus!"
Optimus pressed down harder, using his full weight to keep Starscream pinned. He didn't like this—hated restraining an injured mech—but there was no other option. Starscream's wild thrashing would only cause his own destruction.
Danny was still struggling in his other servo. "Stop it! He's terrified!" He shouted, his voice cracking. "You're making it worse! Let me go!"
Optimus adjusted his grip just slightly to prevent Danny from slipping free. "Starscream is disoriented," Optimus stated. "He needs time to—" A particularly violent thrash cut him off. He ex-vented sharply, adjusting his hold. "—stabilize." This was much harder with only one servo available. But he knew the second he put the human down, Danny would throw himself into danger.
"No, what he needs," the human snapped, fury blazing off of him in waves, "-is for you to stop pinning him down! He's scared out of his processor! You're not helping!"
Starscream's frame jerked violently, his optics flickering in and out of focus. The seeker's trembling only worsened, his claws scraping futilely against the restraints as he arched against the berth.
"Optimus, please!" Danny's voice was hoarse now. "Let me help him. You don't understand. He's not going to calm down until he knows it's okay."
Optimus hesitated, his optics narrowing. Starscream let out another pained hiss, his thrashing slowing as energon loss began to take its toll. If he was to lose any more, it could become deadly. He didn't want to risk Danny's life like this.
"Optimus, we're running out of time!" Ratchet barked from the other side of the berth, tools in servo. "If he doesn't stop moving, I can't reconnect the cables. Either we let the human try, or Starscream's going to offline himself!"
Optimus looked at Starscream, then at Danny, who was staring at him with an intensity that rivaled even his own soldiers. With a deep ex-vent, Optimus slowly lowered Danny toward the berth. "Starscream is unpredictable. Be cautious—"
Danny didn't wait for him to finish, pushing himself out of the prime's hand before he even reached the berth. The moment he was free, he sprinted forward, clambering up Starscream's frame.
"Starscream," Danny said lightly, pressing a hand against the Seeker's shoulder. "Hey, it's me. It's Danny. Look at me."
Starscream's frame shuddered, his optics struggling to focus. Optimus watched as Danny kept speaking, his voice steady despite the raw emotion behind it. Optimus kept his one servo ready to grab Danny if need be. "I'm here. You're safe." The human continued.
It was working . Starscream's wild movements slowed, his ventilations still ragged but no longer frantic. His servo twitched, as if trying to reach for the human. "Starscream, no one's going to hurt you. I promise. I wouldn't let them hurt you."
Optimus remained still, observing as Danny leaned forward, resting his forehead lightly against the Seeker's chest plating. "It's okay," Danny whispered. "I've got you."
Starscream's tension finally gave way to exhaustion. His optics dimmed, and his frame sagged against the berth. Optimus slowly lifted his servo from where it was pressing against the seeker's chest. Starscream didn't try and rise off the berth again.
Ratchet wasted no time. He moved in swiftly, reattaching the loose cables, stabilizing Starscream's energon flow with practiced efficiency. Danny remained at Starscream's side, his small hand never leaving the Seeker's plating. His voice dropped into a whisper, too quiet for Optimus to hear.
Starscream's optics flickered once before going dark completely. Optimus ex-vented, finally easing back. The tension in the room remained, but the immediate danger had passed.
"Ratchet?" Danny's voice was unsteady. "Is he…?"
Ratchet finished securing the last connection before answering. "Fallen into recharge, but stable."
Danny exhaled, relief flowing over his body, but he did not move. His fingers ghosted over the Seeker's plating. "This should've never happened." Danny's voice was low, bitter. His shoulders tensed as he turned to look at Optimus, his eyes burning with emotion. The Prime met his gaze steadily, already anticipating the human's ire.
"You!" Danny's voice snapped. He surged to his feet, fists clenched. "You didn't listen to me! You almost got him killed!" He yelled at Optimus.
Optimus's optics narrowed slightly, though his expression remained calm, he didn't want this situation to escalate any further. "Danny, I understand your frustration, but—"
"No, you don't understand!" Danny cut him off, stepping closer. His voice cracked, raw with emotion, as he gestured toward Starscream. "How many times do I have to convince you? How many times do I have to defend him before you stop treating him like he's out to kill me?"
"Starscream is unpredictable. My priority is your safety—"
"My safety?" Danny's laugh was sharp and humorless. "I don't care about my safety! You think I'm scared of him? After everything?" It staggered Optimus, how much the human claimed to not care about his own well-being when it came to defending others.
"Danny," Optimus began, voice even, but Danny wasn't finished.
Danny's chest heaved, his glare unwavering. "Don't you ever dare try to keep me away from him again. I don't care what kind of logic or excuses you throw at me. I won't let you."
Optimus observed him carefully, weighing his next words. Optimus knew the danger Starscream could pose. He had seen it countless times in the battlefield, and he still was not convinced that Danny fully understood the ramifications that came with that. But the Prime could also clearly see how much the human cares. And given Starscream's reaction to simply hearing the boy's voice, it could very well be possible that Starscream has changed in some way. But until the Seeker can prove his lack of intent to harm anyone, Optimus will be putting the lives of his Autobots and innocent people first.
"I will take your words into consideration." Optimus decided on. He can't promise he wouldn't defend Danny again, that he wouldn't keep him from harm's way again. But he can try his best to honor the human's wishes.
Danny narrowed his eyes up at the mech. "You better," he muttered, turning his back on him and returning his focus on the unconscious Seeker.
Optimus ex-vented quietly, casting a glance over the two of them before looking back to Ratchet, who simply shook his helm.