Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Jazz lay on his office couch, bouncing a ball off the wall. “Aw, c'mon, Prowler. Have a spark. Nothing’s going on, we can afford to indulge them a bit.”

“I think we've been very indulgent. Dare I say overly indulgent.”

“Those two had a rough go of it. And it was partially our frag up that caused the whole mess. Primus knows they've earned some time together to recover.”

“It's been a week! Not counting time in the medbay.”

Jazz caught the ball. “Damn, a week already?”

“They've barely left Optimus' quarters.” Prowl sounded agitated. “We've practically had to set up a quarantine zone to avoid other bots hearing things.”

Damn, Optimus. Good for him. Jazz smiled but figured it would be better not to voice that thought. 

“I’m scheduling a proper command meeting,” Prowl said. “I expect Optimus to be there.”

Jazz was about to try and get his friend another day or two with his sweetspark, but he noticed someone in the camera feeds approaching his office.  

“I got an appointment,” Jazz said. “We’ll figure this out later.”

“I’ve already figured this out. Command meeting. First thing tomorrow morning.”

Prowl disconnected. Well. That would turn out however it turned out. Jazz caught the ball again and stowed it, then sat up. Might as well try to look a little professional for this.

Mirage knocked on the door. Jazz gave the command for it to open.

“You wanted to see me?” Mirage said.

“Sure did.” Jazz gestured for Mirage to take a seat, He ex-vented. Hopefully this chat didn’t go south.

“Am I being sent back to the brig?” Mirage asked.

“Nah,” Jazz said. “Prowl said you did well out there.”

“I did my best.”

“Coulda used your best the first time we ordered you to scout the Nemesis.” 

To Mirage’s credit, he looked abashed, but didn’t back down. “I was not going to risk my life getting an unashamed murderer back on the Ark. You’ve already told me that wasn’t my decision to make. But I made it and I accepted that there would be consequences.”

Jazz rubbed his jaw. “Is this seriously the hill you want to die on? The hill that ends up with Hound out in the field without your backup? That’s getting you into fights in the mess? You’re classier than that, Raj.”

“I didn’t start the fight—”

“I don’t care who started it.” Jazz said, though he took a moment to soften his field. “I get it. I really, really get it. Watching our Optimus cozy up to a Con isn’t exactly fun for me either. He’s been my friend for a long time. It feels personal. Cuz it kind of is personal.”

Mirage stared at him. “Then why are you defending him?”

“Because if we play the ‘it’s personal’ game, I have to acknowledge that without Starscream, Optimus might not be alive. Red Alert definitely wouldn’t be alive, and much as I hate to say it, I wouldn’t be alive either.”

“That…” Mirage shook his helm. “That doesn’t cancel out what he’s done.”

“No.” Jazz shrugged. “It doesn’t. Please, hate him all you want, no one will stop you. In fact, I kinda encourage it. Consequences. Act like a conniving little killing machine and folks won't like you much. I’m just telling you to follow orders. Because this,” he pointed between them, “can’t happen again. I think you know that.”

Mirage pinched his nasal ridge. Jazz gave him a minute. Not like he was in a hurry. Unlike Prowl.

“It won’t happen again,” Mirage finally said.

Jazz's spark settled. “Thank you. I’m glad to hear it. Now, there is the issue of your punishment detail.”

“I’ll report to Ironhide.” Mirage winced. “I’m sure something on the hull needs cleaning.”

“Oh, no, no, no.” Jazz grinned. “You’re not reporting to Ironhide. We got a new work duty. Mostly indoors. Very detail oriented. Perfect for you.”

Unease seeped into Mirage’s field.

“You, lucky bot,” Jazz said. “Are gonna be the first to help with our new, enhanced security sweeps. Report to Red Alert. He'll be very excited to have you.”

###

Optimus gasped and arched his back as Starscream sucked on the end of a cable. The one that had just been inside the port at Starscream’s hips. The charge Optimus had just dispelled in his last overload came shooting back up his lines. Starscream’s clever glossa gliding over the overly-sensitive prong was pure torment. Sweet and agonizing. 

His vision whited-out as he overloaded again.

“Mercy,” he chuckled when he managed to get his systems back online. “I yield.”

Starscream smirked and rolled the cable between his fingers. His hands were still cuffed together, something he’d requested when they’d started. A request that had startled Optimus, but Starscream was…persuasive. It had certainly allowed for some delightful creativity and pleasure shared over deepening interfaces. Pleasure that might actually start to cause some damage to Optimus’ electrical systems if they didn’t stop now.

Thankfully Starscream relented, allowing Optimus to retract his cable. Starscream closed his ports, then climbed down from his position across Optimus’ thighs, nestling beside him while Optimus found the key to the stasis cuffs.

“You never did tell me why you carry those around in your subspace,” Starscream said.

“To nonlethally disable an opponent.” Optimus removed the restraints and began massaging Starscream’s wrists, which earned him a hum of satisfaction. “Despite what you might choose to believe, they were not originally intended for this type of activity.”

“Then it’s a good thing you have me to give you ideas.”

Optimus rubbed the kinks from Starscream’s delicate servos. “Are you sure you’re alright?”

Starscream rolled his optics. “Obviously I am. It felt good. I knew it would feel good because…well, you already know.”

“Do I?” Optimus said. “I’m not sure I do.”

“Ugh.” Starscream’s glare could peel paint. “Because I trust you. Happy?”

“Very.”

Starcream scrunched his olfactories. Optimus kissed his wrinkled faceplate, then sat up to stretch his struts. He checked his fuel levels. Low, unsurprisingly. He figured Starscream was probably even lower, so he slowly rose from the berth. Starscream grabbed his arm, trying to drag him back.

“I’m just grabbing some cubes for us,” Optimus said. 

He’d stocked up during his last trip to the dispenser. Several energon cubes were stacked in the living area. Optimus drank from one and immediately felt it coat his sore intake. He brought a second cube back to Starscream, who accepted it and took a sip.

“Is that all you’ll drink?” Optimus asked when Starscream set the barely-touched cube down.

“I’m fine,” Starscream said. “Quit fussing.”

Optimus’ face fell. Just as he was about to say something, a message pinged in his HUD. From Prowl. Marked urgent.

Command meeting. This afternoon. I expect you to be there.

He frowned. Then checked his chronometer. Oh. Oh he had been here longer than he’d thought. Keeping track of time had not been a priority.

“What is it?” Starscream asked, worry flickering in his EM field.

Optimus stroked his wings until he felt Starscream relax. “Just a meeting of high command. I’ve been a little absent, as you might have noticed.”

“Naturally. You were injured. Whatever they want can clearly wait.”

Optimus wasn’t sure about that. Besides, Ratchet had long since cleared both of them. He didn’t think there was a true emergency, but as much as he wanted to, he couldn’t stay here with Starscream forever. Eventually, he had to face the war once again.

“They need me,” Optimus said. “But if you want me to stay with you a little longer—”

Starscream tensed again. “I already said I’m fine. If anything, I’ve been looking after you. This is probably the most recharge you’ve gotten in years.”

“I wouldn’t exactly say we’ve been getting much recharge.”

“Besides the point.” Starscream waved his hand. “Point is, if I must finally share you with the rest of these louts, I can accept that.”

Optimus’ fuel pump twisted uneasily. He had to attend to his duties and his mechs. But it still felt wrong to leave when he had seen the anxiety lingering in the shadows of Starscream’s processor. Optimus knew what he’d faced. Those horrors weren’t simple to overcome.

“You don’t have to be alright,” Optimus said. “You don’t have to be strong right now.”

“We both know that isn’t true.”

Optimus pulled Starscream back onto his lap. Hugged him. Felt the hum of his spark. Starscream squirmed, but he didn’t truly try to get away. 

Starscream suddenly flinched. His wings flared and he in-vented sharply.

Immediately, Optimus released him. “Starscream?”

“It’s nothing,” he said, unconvincingly. “A message from…Skyfire. The ping startled me.”

Before Optimus could challenge him, Starscream wrapped Optimus’ arm around his waist again. He released the air held in his systems, relaxing into him. Optimus pressed his lips to the crook of his neck.

“I still have a few hours,” Optimus said. “Recharge with me?”

“Hm. You’ll need to wash. Polish up,” Starscream said. “I could help with that.”

Optimus’ lips quirks upwards. “I know a trap when I hear one, Starscream.”

“Damn. You’re on to me.”

They fell back onto the berth. Tangling their legs and finding a comfortable position. Starscream’s EM field was still pulled close. Optimus tried not to let the thread of guilt in his chest flow between them.

“I have some business of my own to attend to, I’ll have you know,” Starscream said. “If you’re imagining me in here, sadly pining after you, don’t worry yourself on my behalf.”

Optimus paused. “What kind of business?”

Starscream stroked his chest, lingering over the warm spot above his spark.

“Scientific business.”

###

Boredom was the worst part of Autobot custody. Shockwave had not anticipated that. His cell was austere, but there was enough room between the force wall and the thin berth for him to stretch and walk. He had a secured datapad with reading materials. A clamp around his wrist disabled his arm cannon, but he had not been treated poorly, all things considered. Not yet.

His only visitor was the guard that brought him his daily ration. They came at the same time every day. Which was why Shockwave was surprised to hear pedesteps approaching his cell roughly two hours early.

The guard called, “Are you sure you’re supposed to—”

“Step aside,” a familiar voice ordered. “This is a command matter.”

Starscream’s frame came into view., repaired and repainted. He waved off the hapless guard then stopped in front Shockwave’s cell. Though perhaps Shockwave imagined the slight hesitation in Starscream’s steps.

“You look comfortable,” Starscream said.

“The accommodations are adequate,” Shockwave said. “What do you want?”

Starscream paused, likely hoping to build some sort of anticipation. Shockwave did not care much. At least this was a break from his routine.

“Have they decided to kill you yet?”

“I do not know,” Shockwave replied. “I would have thought you’d possess more insight into that matter.”

“Optimus and I have been busy with other business.” He smirked. “He’s very concerned about my well-being at the moment. You could probably have guessed that. Considering the lengths he went to rescue me from you.”

Shockwave narrowed his optic. “Is this going somewhere? Or is this an attempt to gloat?”

“Both,” Starscream said. “I’m gloating because not only do I have Optimus’ audial, I can put in a word with nearly all of high command. The mechs deciding your fate. If I say you deserve to die, you die. With all your work unfulfilled.”

Shockwave’s first instinct was to call Starscream’s bluff. Then again, Starscream was clever. Arrogant, foolhardy, but clever when he wanted to be. Either way, there was nothing to be lost by hearing him out.

“However,” Starscream continued, oblivious to Shockwave’s doubts. “If I can persuade them of your usefulness, you live. You live as a prisoner, preferably as far away from me as possible, but you live. And,” he said. “Maybe you can help Cybertron reignite.”

Shockwave did not need to do much to hide his surprise. He only needed to stay still. But he was surprised.

“You would see me continue my work?” Shockwave said. “At the risk of your own spark?”

”Ha! Absolutely not.” Starscream folded his arms. “I intend to take a different approach. But, I’d rather not start from scratch. You have research and probably more hidden labs. I have influence and the ability to keep on working to save our planet. We can help each other.”

With Starscream there was certainly a catch. Shockwave needed to be aware of it, however he did not want to die. Not yet. He could not stand to return to the All-Spark with his mission unfulfilled. He refused to let that be taken from him. He’d already lost everything else. From the way Starscream was looking at him, he knew it.

Shockwave stepped forward, just to watch Starscream squirm, failing to hide his fear behind a half-sparked cough.

“Very well. What do you want?” Shockwave demanded.

###

Optimus knocked on the medbay’s doorframe. “Ratchet?”

“Hang on.” Optimus heard shuffling from the back before Ratchet appeared. “What’d you break this time?”

“Nothing, old friend.” Optimus stepped inside, checking that the place was empty. For once, it was.

Ratchet cycled his optics in surprise. “Damn. Just coming to visit? And here I didn’t even tidy up.”

“Your medbay is immaculate as always.” Optimus pulled up a chair near Ratchet’s desk and sat down. They had some time before Prowl’s high command meeting. Optimus intended to use it.

Ratchet took his own seat, then removed two cubes from beneath his desk. He offered one to Optimus, who gratefully accepted.

“Surprised to see you without your sweetspark,” Ratchet said. “Figured we wouldn’t get you two back for at least another week.”

Optimus’ face grew warm. “Prowl insisted on calling all of high command, myself included.”

“Aft,” Ratchet muttered. “If you want a medical leave slip, I know a doctor with dubious ethics.”

“Unfortunately, I only know a doctor with impeccable honor,” Optimus said. “Who is entirely too forgiving of his friends. And who is owed an apology.”

Ratchet tilted his helm. “What are you on about?”

“I’m sorry,” Optimus said. “For lying to you. For taking the immunosuppressants behind your back. I should have trusted you enough to tell you what I intended. Instead I damaged your faith.”

Ratchet gripped his cube tighter. “Yeah. Yeah that was…that scared me, Optimus. Seeing you like that. Knowing the consequences are ones I can’t fix. How are you feeling?”

“Good.” Optimus rubbed his arm. “Though I can’t exactly say the last several days have included a usual amount of activity.”

“Right.” Ratchet grinned. “Well. Keep me posted. And thanks. For apologizing. I get why you did it, I really do. Just don’t do it again.”

“I won’t,” Optimus promised. “You have my word.”

Ratchet lifted his energon and offered a toast. Optimus tapped their cubes together. Optimus fuel indicator ticked up nearly to full for the first time in weeks. He worried again about Starscream. Had he fueled since Optimus left him in the habsuite?

As if reading his mind, Ratchet asked, “How’s he doing?”

Optimus almost said fine, but Ratchet would immediately sense the lie. Instead Optimus replied, “I don’t know. He’s here. He’s safe. But after what happened, I don’t believe he’s recovered as much as he pretends.”

“I wouldn’t buy it either.” Ratchet’s jaw twitched. “I don’t know exactly what happened, but his spark chamber was bent badly out of shape. Damage to the systems around it too.”

Optimus’ gaze fell to the floor. Starscream didn’t want the others to know what had happened to him, but part of Optimus had hoped Starscream would tell Ratchet something about the source of his injuries. Apparently he hadn’t. 

He was about to ask Ratchet what to do when another alert from Prowl interrupted him. Ratchet appeared to get a similar comm.

“Nosy glitch,” Ratchet said. “Just told me to get you to the meeting on time.”

Optimus ex-vented. “Then I suppose we should not keep him waiting.”

###

Starscream strode through the ugly halls of the Ark feeling quite good about himself. As he should, considering what he’d managed to get out of Shockwave in just a few hours of conversation.Conversation that certainly did not leave him wanting to crawl back into the berth and recharge for a week.

He was fine. At least fine enough not to give his enemies the satisfaction of breaking him. He’d won, dammit. Shockwave was an Autobot prisoner, and Megatron had been humiliated. Starscream had a memory file of Optimus punching Megatron in the face, which almost made the whole mess worth it.

Optimus. Starscream had Optimus. And more Autobot allies than ever. He should be gloating over his victory, not jumping at shadows. 

Starscream’s mind was stuck on an unread message in his comms. He gritted his dentae. He shouldn’t be jumping at that either. He should just delete it and never think about it again.

He pushed the notification aside and marched into the command room.

Prowl stopped talking mid-sentence. Then gave a resigned vent.

“Can we help you?”

Starscream huffed. “After all I’ve done for you all, you’d think I’d get a warmer welcome.”

Actually, it was probably the warmest welcome he’d gotten yet. No one around the table looked like they were about to assault him. Not even Ironhide, although it was clearly taking him plenty of effort to keep his expression neutral. Jazz leaned back and waved. Ratchet and Blaster simply looked puzzled. Red Alert wasn’t there, which was mildly concerning. Perhaps he was still in the medbay?

Optimus frowned with worry. “Starscream, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” he said. “Quite the opposite. I’ve managed to extract some useful guarantees from your prisoner. Don’t rush to thank me at once.”

He dropped two datapads on the table. Prowl snatched them up, optics quickly scanning the contents.

“You had no authority to do this,” he snapped.

“No authority to speak with an old colleague?” Starscream said innocently. “I only discussed what he wants for information on his work. It’s not much, really. Guarantee his life and you’ll be light years ahead of the Decepticon scientists. You’ll be closer to reigniting Cybertron’s core. Or don’t do anything. It’s not within my authority to tell you what to do, just offer options.”

Jazz said, “You seriously want us not to kill Shockwave?” 

“I am magnanimously overlooking my own suffering for the greater good,” Starscream said. “Don’t fall over yourselves to thank me at once.”

“We have our own interrogation processes,” Prowl said. “If you’ve disrupted them—”

“Prowl,” Optimus interrupted. “Please.”

He rose and stood in front of Starscream, optics soft. Large warm hands settled on Starscream’s upper arms.

“You didn’t have to do this,” Optimus said.

“Yes I did.” Starscream replied. “I know this Shockwave better than you all. I used that understanding. Hopefully this will put any worries about my condition to rest.” 

He pulled free of Optimus’ hold.

“Starscream—”

“Finish your meeting, darling.” Starscream kissed his mask lightly. “I’ll see you tonight.”

He left before Optimus could try to stop him, relying on Prowl and the others to keep him occupied instead of chasing after him. Starscream’s spark ached. It was spinning too fast. That stupid message was like a weight in his processor.

Starscrem made it about halfway to the labs before his legs felt like they were going to collapse beneath him. He pressed his hand over his optics. Scrap. He leaned his back against the wall, trying to stay upright.

He heard someone walking towards him.

“Yes, Mirage, when I said every tile I meant every tile. You think the Decepticons are going to make it easy on us? And don’t forget to check the cargo bay next.”

Starscream shot up. Red Alert rounded the corner, speaking over comms. He shook his helm, looked up, then froze when he saw Starscream standing in front of him.

“Starscream.” He paused. “I didn’t see you leave the officers’ quarters.”

“Were you watching to see if I had?” Starscream frowned.

“Of course. I’m not going to get complacent now of all times. I just had to show Mirage how to perform a proper security sweep and can you believe they’re calling it a punishment duty? Honestly.”

Starscream rolled his optics. “Shocking.”

“Well, little steps are still steps. At least they’re starting to understand the problem. So we won’t…um…have a repeat of what happened. To you.”

Something curled in Starscream’s tanks. He tried not to think too hard about the intensity of Red Alert’s guilt when their sparks had been linked.

“I didn’t get a chance to thank you.” Red Alert glanced around at everything but Starscream. “For saving my life.”

“I—” Starscream cleared his intake. “Far be it from me not to accept some thanks around here. Frankly, it’s about time I was appreciated.”

Red Alert smiled. “Yeah. I know the feeling.” 

Great. Now Starscream felt guilty himself. He’d ruined—no Megatron and Soundwave—had ruined the plans Red Alert had worked so hard on. Surely he’d guessed they were compromised? Not that it was Starscream’s fault but…

“I assume you’ve made changes in light of events,” Starscream said. “Any of those plans we discussed. Not that I would ever intentionally expose your efforts, however, I assume standard protocol is—”

“It’s okay,” Red Alert said. “I know.”

Starscream paused. There was something entirely too understanding in his tone.

“You know…what?”

“That we needed to change our plans,” Red Alert said. “I know they were potentially exposed, but it wasn’t your fault. I know that.”

A pit opened in Starscream’s core. 

“What did you see?” Starscream demanded. “When our sparks were hooked together, what did you see?”

Red Alert shifted from pede to pede. Starscream bit his glossa, resisting the urge to shout. But damn it, did the bot have to keep him waiting?

“I saw Megatron starting the one way connection. A few flashes of the merge. Some other things with Shockwave and the big piledriver. A little bit of Optimus.” He quickly added, “Nothing personal! Nothing like, uh, that. But, uh, yeah. I know how the Cons saw some of my plans. I’m sorry.”

Starscream shivered once. Then he couldn’t stop. His struts were shaking and he suddenly had no control. This was bad. He couldn’t quite pinpoint why it was bad, but it absolutely was. No one could see how weak he had been. How exposed. If they knew he’d allowed it once, it could happen again.

“Are you okay?” Red Alert reached for him.

Starscream waved him away. “I’m fine. I…I’m fine!”

He wasn’t fine. Red Alert knew it. Starscream hated that. But maybe not as much as he’d thought he would.

“I won’t say anything about what I saw,” Red Alert assured him. “I promise. Couln’t torture it out of me. Except that you love Optimus. A lot. Anyone doubts that, I’ll set them straight.”

Well, that was useful. And oddly appreciated. 

“Heh. I knew there was a reason I saved your life,” Starscream said.

Red Alert folded his arms. Tried to scowl, but a twitch in the corner of his mouth betrayed him.  

“The Ark is going to be the most secure place on this planet,” Red Alert said. “Any planet. Especially once I get your help?”

Starscream flashed a questioning glyph.

Red Alert continued, “This is the moment to implement all the security procedures I have been arguing for for years. I’ve made progress, but there’s going to be pushback. I need someone to put a word in with Optimus. And who knows the Cons. Right now, you could probably ask for a wall around the whole ship and Optimus would build it himself.”

Now that was an excellent point. Starscream said, “How devious. I didn’t know you had it in you.”

Red Alert shrugged. “Whatever it takes to keep us all safe.”

Us. That sounded strange. It probably always would, although Starscream took some comfort in the fact the vast majority of Autobots would not agree. The universe had not totally turned on its head.

Starscream hated being afraid. Though he was starting to realize he’d been afraid for a long time. Of Megatron, of the Autobots, of treachery from within his own ranks. And then Optimus showed up and made him feel safe. Optimus promised not to hurt him and, frag him, he had kept his word. 

Now here was Red Alert, head of autobot security, also promising to keep Starscream safe. It was bizarre. It was not unwelcome, and that was even stranger.

“I suppose it would be in all of our best interests for me to help you with this endeavor.” Starscream pulled himself up straight. “Although I must ask a favor in exchange.”

“A favor?”

Starsscream’s intake tightened as he checked his comms again. The message was still there. He couldn’t ignore it, no matter how hard he tried. Fear threatened to freeze him in place. He refused to let it.

With Red Alert and Optimus on his side, he didn’t have to.

Starscream pulled up the message and replied, “Hello, Thundercracker. Yes. Let’s meet”  

###

Of course Skywarp and Thundercracker had to keep him waiting. 

Starscream tapped his pede against the grass. He stood in the clearing near the Ark, spark thudding uncomfortably against his chest. This might be a trap. To what end, he wasn’t sure, but he could not afford to ignore the possibility.

Which was why he had come prepared.

Familiar engines sounded in the distance. Starscream stood his ground, refusing to show any of the anxiety he felt as his former trine appeared in the sky.

Skywarp landed first, transforming as he fell. Thundercracker followed. Neither drew any weapons. Starscaream resisted the urge to power his null rays anyway.

“Hey,” Thundercracker said.

“What do you want?” Starscream asked.

“Come on.” Skywarp said. “Don’t be an aft. We’re trying to get like…closure or something. I don’t know, this was all TC’s idea.”

Thundercracker glared, but didn’t deny it. Starscream turned up his sensor net, to see if any other Decepticons were sneaking around. Nothing so far. A breeze stirred the surrounding trees, knocking loose a few red and yellow leaves. One landed on Skywarp’s shoulder, and he started before brushing it off.

“Just tell me what you want to tell me,” Starscream said. “I don’t have all day.”

“Okay,” Thundercracker said. “It’s official. I’m the new Air Commander. I just wanted you to know. And say I’m glad you’re okay.”

Starscream’s mouth fell open. Free intel on the new Decepticon command structure. That was worth the trip in and of itself.

I’m glad you’re okay. That took a moment to register.

“I’m more than okay. I’m the best I’ve been in ages,” Starscream insisted. “I don’t have to deal with Megatron, for one thing. Or…”

He trailed off as Thundercracker’s optics fell. Shame lanced through his lines. Which wasn’t fair, but his helm was a jumbled mess these days.

“In any case,” Starscream said. “I suppose I ought to congratulate you on your promotion.”

Skywarp snorted. “Condolences, more like. He hates it.”

Thundercracker pressed his palm into his forehelm. “Warp.”

“What? It’s true.”

At least Skywarp was refreshingly direct. Of course no one could handle the position like Starscream had. Letting him go had been a major strategic blunder.

Except Thundercracker had still been trine. He was here in shockingly good faith. There might be some benefit to meeting him there. Strategically speaking.

“It’s not going to be easy,” Starscream said. “Half the fraggers in the Air Force want your job, the other half barely care who they follow as long as they get rations. You have to figure out who’s who.”

Thundercracker’s optics widened.

“Remember,” Starscream continued. “That if you have to do anything Megatron doesn’t like, make sure he doesn’t find out. And you will have to do something he doesn’t like. If you have to do something Soundwave doesn’t like, he already knows. So deal with it. That said, as long as you can prove you’ll get results, the Decepticons will ultimately follow you. They won’t have a choice.”

“T-thank you,” Thundercracker stammered. “I’ll remember that.”

Starscream waved his hand. “Do what you will. But I’d prefer you both continue to survive. While we’ve had our differences, you both have been more reliable than not over the years. I can always use future allies.”

“Screamer, what the frag are you talking about?” Skywarp said.

“Are you so short-sighted that you can’t imagine the end of the war?” Starscream said. “Luckily for you, I’m not. Play your cards right, and I will ensure you see yourselves in very advantageous positions.”

Skywarp and Thundercracker traded a look. Then they stared at Starscream. Assessing, doubting.

“I did it once, didn’t I?” Starscream said. “I promised that if you remained at my right and left wing we would be unstoppable. We’ve had some turbulence,” he admitted. “However, I’m looking towards the future. I have plans.”

Thundercracker replie, “Of course you do.”

The three went quiet. Even Skywarp, though he kept tightening and loosening his lips like he wanted to speak but even he couldn’t find the words.

“You could join me, you know,” Starscream said. “The Autobots are exhausting, but you’d be an asset. I can ensure high command realizes that.”

And then Skywarp started laughing.

He did not stop.

Typical.

Thundercracker ex-vented. “I think you can tell the answer is no. We can’t follow you this time. But I am glad you asked.”

Starscream’s wings fell. Not that he’d expected anything else. At least there was no hostility between them. Starscream was patient. He could win them over one day. He was confident of that.

Thundercracker smirked at him.

“You still haven’t answered my question,” he said. “About Prime.”

Starscream’s servos locked. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Yes you do,” Thundercracker teased.

Oh no. This was not where he wanted the conversation to go.

“That is not—” Starscream sputtered. “That is none of your business.”

They both fixed him with knowing stares. Like the worse interrogators. They were trying to peel his armor back with the optics.

“The interfacing has to be good, right?” Skywarp said with a lascivious grin. “Come on, you owe us some details. Trine code. Does he do that thing you like where—‘

“Okay, fine!” Starscream exclaimed. “Yes. I am in love with Optimus Prime. Madly, ridiculously in love. He is good. Better than anyone deserves, much less me, but I can’t do anything about it now. I don’t want to. I want him. More than I’ve wanted anything in my entire functioning.” To Skywarp he added, “And the interfacing is fantastic, you have no idea.”

Starscream wanted the ground to open up and swallow him. Primus, how humiliating, baring his feelings like that. Those two better be grateful.

He was surprised when Skywarp didn’t laugh in his face. He actually looked shockingly contemplative.

“Don’t think too hard,” Starscream said. “Or you’ll burn out a circuit.”

Skywarp made a rude gesture. Starscream couldn’t help but let some amusement show on his face.

“I’m glad,” Thundercracker said. “I’m still angry with you. It just helps to understand, I guess.”

“Not that I care,” Starscream said. “But. Good.”

There wasn’t much more to say. Yet for some reason Starscream didn’t want them to go. The familiar camaraderie, the trust, albeit uneasy and tinged with bitterness. He still wanted it. He hated being forced to choose.

He suddenly felt a pang of sympathy for Optimus’ position, though he shoved it down quickly.

“I’ll try not to kill you if we see each other on the battlefield,” Thundercracker said.

Skywarp said, “I don’t give a frag, I’ll shoot you down.”

“Ha!” Starscream scoffed. “As if either of you have a chance against me.”

That was it. There was no more to say. The pair saluted and transformed, shooting back into the sky. Back to the Nemesis and the Decepticons. A faction Starscream would never belong to again, despite the brands still on his wings. He should get rid of them.

He didn’t want to. He had helped create this movement, just as much as Megatron. He’d been there at the beginning. He had his own claim to the movement, and no one could take that from him.

Strong arms embraced him from behind. Starscream leaned back, into Optimus’ chest.

“How do you feel?” Optimus asked.

“Better,” Starscream said. “Closure. That’s all.”

He was impressed Optimus had managed to stay hidden in the trees during all of that. He was even more impressed he hadn’t needed his aid. Or Red Alert’s. Who emerged from the forest, scanner in hand.

“No sign of an ambush,” he said. “I’m going to do another sweep just in case.”

He scurried off, leaving Starscream and Optimus in the clearing under a slowly setting sun.

”So,” Optimus said, smugness radiating from his field. “I hear you’re in love with Optimus Prime. Madly, ridiculously in love?”

Starscream groaned, embarrassment flooding his systems. “Don’t get a big helm. I was trying to get Thundercracker off my back. You’ve been in my processor plenty, you already know how I feel.”

“I know.” He kissed the side of Starscream’s helm. “But I like hearing you say it.”

Starscream’s tanks twisted in nervous, giddy excitement. He turned and let Optimus lift him into a kiss. It started soft, but soon grew needy. Starscream wrapped his arms around Optimus’ waist to pull him closer, bringing their frames flush. He parted his lips to invite Optimus’ glossa into his mouth.

Optimus kissed the air from his vents, and Starscream loved every second of it.

Unfortunately, Optimus stopped and muttered, “Should I be nervous about these plans you keep mentioning?”

Starscream smiled innocently. “Not at all, darling. Though they do involve you. I’ll explain once we get back to the lab.”

Optimus gave him an apprehensive look.

Starscream kissed away whatever objection Optimus might have tried to voice.

###

Thundercracker nervously clenched his fists as the elevator down into the Nemesis stopped. No one had commented on his and Skywarp’s absence. They’d gotten no challenge upon their return. Maybe no one has noticed. Maybe no one cared.

The doors slid away. Soundwave stood right in front of them.

Scrap.

“I see you have returned safely,” Soundwave said. “Would you care to explain where you have been?”

Thundercracker had thought of plenty of excuses. But his processor went blank, staring at Soundwave’s unreadable face. He turned to Skywarp. 

“Hey.” Skywarp lifted his hands. “Wouldn’t want to interrupt a conversation of high command. See ya.”

Vop.

He vanished. That little scraplet. If Thundercracker survived this encounter, he was giving Skywarp barnacle-scraping duty for the next decade.

Soundwave continued to pin him in place with his glare.

He already knows, Thundercracker reminded himself. Starscream had just warned him of that. Thundercracker spread his wings. 

“I’m the Air Commander,” he said. “I don’t need your permission to leave the base.”

“No,” Soundwave said. “However, when you fly in the direction of the Ark, it does raise questions.”

“I…” He steadied himself. “I went to meet Starscream. It’s the last time, but it had to happen. If that’s a problem for you, then take it up with Megatron.”

Primus, let him sound more confident than he felt. Soundwave just kept staring. As if waiting for Thundercracker to break. 

He didn’t. He stared back into Soundwave’s visor, daring him to respond.

“Very well,” Soundwave said. “Megatron need not get involved.”

“Huh?”

Was it really that easy? It couldn’t be that easy. He had to be missing something. Some plot or secret offense.

No, if he went down that route he’d wind up as paranoid as Starscream.

As Soundwave turned to go, Thundercracker called him back.

“I still don’t understand,” he said. “Why make me Air Commander when I told you so many times I didn’t want it?”

Soundwave stopped. He released a pulse from his field. Thundercracker recoiled in shock. Soundwave never exposed his EM field. It took Thundercracker a moment to parse that this wave was oddly reassuring. As if trying to convince Thundercracker that his next words would be genuine.

“You convinced me of your loyalty to the Decepticons,” Soundwave said. “You remember our cause in a way Starscream did not. In a way even Megatron at times forgets.”

Thundercracker tried and failed to force out a response. Words fled his mind, leaving him standing around like a fool.

“One day there must be peace,” Soundwave continued. “Which means we require mechs who will put the good of the cause over their personal grievances, violent urges, or desire for advantage. I believe you will do so. Am I incorrect?”

“No,” Thundercracker managed to say. “No, you aren’t.”

Soundwave nodded and left Thundercracker standing in front of the elevator. Peace. Somehow that had become a foreign concept. A dream, not something he’d ever see in reality. 

Then again, he would never have guessed he’d strike a deal with Jazz. Or see Megatron back down from a fight with the Autobots. Or hear Starscream openly admit to being in love with anyone, much less Optimus Prime.

If those two could make something work, anything must be possible.

Would Megatron ever accept a truce?  Thundercracker wasn’t so sure. Soundwave believed in the possibility, though. And he knew their leader better than anyone.

What was so wrong with hoping for a future? Thundercracker smiled. It would not come today. Nor tomorrow. But maybe one day.

Definitely one day.

###

The training dummy flew off its stand and crashed to the ground, broken into pieces. Megatron shook out his fist. They ached from the constant barrage to which he’d been subjecting them. Attempting to quiet his processor with physical exertion had only resulted in smashed training equipment. His mind was no more settled.

“I am grateful for the chance to love him in all the ways you couldn’t.”

Megatron sank down onto a bench pressed against the wall. He buried his face in his hands. He’d made his choice. He’d surrendered. The only choice he could make while sustaining any part of himself, yet it still felt like swallowing knives. 

He truly had grown so accustomed to destruction. So much had needed to be destroyed. He stood by that, but the cost had been higher than he’d realized. There should have been no price too high for a free Cybertron. That was what he’d told himself at the outset of all this, but could he have been wrong?

At this point, did it even matter? Megatron was too far down the path to change course now. He had left too much in his wake. His world, his friend, his lover, his spark. 

Megatron touched his chest just to feel the hum, faster thanks to hours of exertion. The spark was still there. It would be easier if it had just gone cold. Instead of tormenting him with every mistake he’d made and all that he’d lost because of it.

He’d once dreamed of ruling a united Cybertron with Starscream at his side. He could only mourn that now. Except they had no funerals for dreams or ambitions. They simply sat as greying corpses littering his mind.

That sounded like something he would have written in a poem once. Megatron gave a mirthless laugh. Something else he’d lost.

The sound of ocean currents against the ship’s hull settled around him. It got him in the mood to think. Nothing was stopping him from jotting the line down. Only his own reluctance. His own fear.

Why should he let cowardice steal this away? The world had taken its due, his wrath even more. Terror should not be the next thing to exact a price from him.

He left the training room and headed for his hab, stopping to grab a stylus and datapad along the way.

###

“Hold still,” Starscream scolded. “I need to make sure these readings are accurate.”

Skyfire glanced over from his workbench. “Has Ratchet approved this?”

“Please,” Starscream waved dismissively. “As if Optimus is so delicate that he can’t handle a few sensors.”

Optimus, lying on his back in the lab, refrained from pointing out that Starscream had placed the sensors inside his chest, some directly on the Matrix. It was not uncomfortable, aside from feeling slightly exposed. Skyfire had taken care to avert his optics. And Optimus had only opened his chest plates slightly. It was nothing Starscream had not seen before.

“It would help if these machines didn’t keep giving me errors.” Starscream grumbled. “How have you been working under these conditions?”

Skyfire nudged him. “It’s tricky. But it is home. Isn’t it, Starscream?”

Starscream bristled. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. And even if I did, do recall I was delirious. I don’t remember what nonsense I was spouting.” 

Optimus grinned behind his mask.

“You’re doing it again,” a familiar voice said with a gentle hint of mockery.

Optimus glanced over. Alpha Trion, hazy, visible only to him.

“Doing what?” Optimus asked, silently, so as not to bother Starscream or Skyfire, who were discussing how to adjust their equipment.

“Staring,” Alpha Trion said. “You’re a lech, Optimus Prime.”

“I consider myself justified,” Optimus said. “He’s beautiful.”

Aphal Trion chuckled. “Mind explaining what all this is?” He gestured to the wires coming out of Optimus’ chest. 

“Theoretically, the Matrix has the ability to relight Cybertron’s core,” Optimus replied. “Starscream has some of Shockwave’s work now. He seems convinced he can make this work.” Pride swelled in Optimus’ spark. “If anyone can do it, I believe it’s him. And Skyfire and Wheeljack. All of our scientists.”

Assuming Starscream let anyone besides Skyfire near the project. That was likely to be a work in progress. One step at a time. Optimus was in no hurry.

“I see,” Alpha Trion said. “Then you would give up the Matrix? You would no longer be a Prime?”

Optimus said nothing.

“How do you feel about that?” 

He was almost surprised to be asked. Optimus looked back at Starscream and Skyfire, still absorbed in their work. Necessary work. Work for the greater good of all of them. It felt wrong to even be considering the question. What were his desires in the face of their planet’s revival?

That sounded alarmingly like what Shockwave had argued. Selfishness, he reminded himself. He was still practicing.

“I wish to be free of this burden,” Optimus said. “But then I recall that I will lose all the knowledge the Matrix contains. I’ll never be able to see our history so clearly ever again. I won’t be able to speak to you.”

Old grief wrapped its hands around his throat. Alpha Trion nodded in understanding. A ghostly hand touched his.

Suddenly the door flew open. Bumblebee skidded to a halt just inside the lab. 

Optimus shot up. “What is it?”

“Sky!” Bumblebee said. “Emergency. We’re outside playing soccer and we’re getting thrashed by the twins’ team. Can you be our goalie?”

Skyfire’s optics widened. He started to say something, but Starscream cut him off.

“Are you seriously trying to distract us from important work for some game?” Starscream demanded.

“Please,” Bumblebee begged. “I’ll never live it down if we lose three games in a row.”

“I guess…” Skyfire said. “I mean if you need the help. I just need to know the rules.”

“Yes!” Bumblebee ran in and grabbed Skyfire’s arm. “I’ll tell you how to play on the way. Starscream you want to join too? There’s no rule against flying. They’ll never see it coming.”

Starcream folded his arms. “As if I’d ever waste my talents on something so frivolous."

“Suit yourself. Optimus?”

Optimus shook his helm. “I’ll pass this time.”

“Okay. You should at least come watch though. It’s a nice night. Ratchet says we all need the fresh air.”

Bumblebee dragged Skyfire away with impressive strength for a bot half Skyfire’s size. Leaving Optimus and Starscream standing in the lab. Starscream exvented.

“Yet again, I am surrounded by fools.”

Optimus started removing the sensors. “Fools with a point. You’ve been working hard. You deserve a break.”

Starscream scowled. So Optimus took his hand, to move him along. Resignation dragged his wings downwards.

“If you insist.”

###

Optimus pulled Starcream closer against his side as they lay on the cliff above the Ark, staring at the stars. Shouting from the game rose from below, soft and indistinct, but still joyful.

“Look,” Optimus said. “At that constellation there. The three stars.”

Starscream looked up. “What about them?”

“That constellation is called Orion,” Optimus said.

“Is it now?” Starscream draped an arm across Optimus’ chest. “What an odd quirk of language.”

“It is. Orion was a hunter. An archer. In some versions of his legend, he loved the moon, a goddess, out of reach.”

“How lucky for you that you aren’t suffering the same fate as that idiot human.”

A cool breeze caressed their plates. Starscream pressed his cheek into Optimus’ shoulder. His engines were warm. Optimus basked in the heat, admiring how moonlight reflected off Starcream’s armor. 

“Don’t be too harsh,” he said. “Love is not so easily controlled. There are also stories of a god who shoots arrows into the hearts of humans to make them fall in love.”

Starscream smirked at him. “Are you trying to say you shot me down? A hunter with love’s arrow?”

“I did catch you, did I not?” Optimus kissed Starscream as he squirmed indignantly. “But not until after you shot me, as well. During our first encounter with the sparkeaters. A nullray blast to the side? You give as good as you get.”

Starscream considered that, before settling down with a nod. 

Someone below cheered. Followed by what seemed like a spirited argument. Optimus felt no desire to intervene. Nothing short of a full Decepticon ambush could convince him to move from his position, softly entwined with Starscream under the sky.

“You were distracted by something back in the lab,” Starscream said after a long stretch of quiet. 

Optimus cocked his helm. “I’m surprised you noticed.”

“Of course I noticed. I was literally monitoring your spark. So what was it?”

It took Optimus a moment to clear the block in his vocalizer. “Thinking about giving up the Matrix. I was asking myself if that is indeed something I want.”

Starscream’s field prodded his with surprise, though not anger as Optimus had feared.

“You certainly treat it as enough of a trial. I thought you’d be eager to get rid of the thing.” Starscream shrugged. “Still, if you want to keep it, that changes little. Only the scope of my work.”

“You’d be willing to use something other than a Matrix?” 

“Obviously,” Starscream said. “Who do you think I am? Shockwave? I’m far more broad minded. And skilled. If he can only accomplish a goal with one tool, he’s not much of an engineer, now is he?”

Optimus leaned his head back, gratitude pouring from his field. He had a choice. He truly had a choice. 

“I may still wish to give it up. But thank you for understanding.”

Starscream stroked his windshield glass. “So long as you aren’t trying to hold on to your political standing. I’ll accept you holding its power and knowledge, but I’m afraid once this war is over, I have plans for my own position, and I’d rather we not compete. Much as I adore you, I won’t go easy.”

“Now that you won’t have to worry about,” Optimus said, running his fingers up and down Starscream’s arm. “Although I’m curious how you intend to acquire your position. And a bit apprehensive, I’ll admit.”

“I’m hurt, Optimus.” Starscream did not sound particularly offended. “Who besides me has connections to both factions? I still have some who are sympathetic to me in the Decepticons. I’m currently working on the Autobots. That will make me the perfect compromise candidate. Not to mention I will have led the effort to restore Cybertron. Who could possibly challenge me, especially with your endorsement?”

“You speak about the end of the war so easily,” he said.

“Naturally. As I said before, I get what I want. I want Cybertron, I want power, and I want you. How that all happens matters to me far less than the result. But I will achieve it.”

The certainty in Starscream’s voice made Optimus’ core ache with longing. A future without a war. A future where he had control over his own fate. It seemed too good to be true, but part of him could not help but believe it was possible.

“You know,” Starscream said, voice lowering almost to a purr. “Once I’m in charge I will need a Head Archivist. Recovering and reorganizing what history remains to us will be vitally important. I can hardly think of anyone more qualified.” He leaned towards Optimus’ audial. “How does that sound? Me as your lord and you as my lovely librarian. Plenty of times to meet and discuss the business of our planet in the private stacks.”

Optimus loved seeing Starscream like this. Building instead of destroying. He rolled over and kissed Starscream hard, pouring affirmation and affection into his field. Starscream moaned. He pushed on top of him, lying on his chest and holding Optimus’ face in both hands. Optimus pushed his glossa forward and curled his hand around the back of Starsscream’s helm to deepen the kiss even more.

Until he felt a tremor of uncertainty in Starscream’s field. He broke away. Optimus wrinkled his brow.

“What’s wrong?” he asked softly.

At first, Starscream said nothing. He looked towards the sound of the soccer game. Then towards the sky. Then at Optimus.

“I’m waiting for this to end,” Starscream said, vents hitching. “Everything good does. Nothing is permanent. Not for me.”

Optimus sat up slowly, letting Starscream lean back and settle in his lap. Starscream’s optics shimmered in the starlight. He flinched when Optimus placed a hand on his chest.

“This spark is permanent,” Optimus said. “If this is permanent, why not my love for you and yours for me?”

Starscream’s brows shot up. His chest fell. He touched Optimus’ shoulders, delicately, like he was afraid of shattering something.

Optimus pressed their forehelms together. “Stay with me. Make the future with me. The one you made me believe I could have when I had given up.”

Color dusted Starscream’s cheeks. He studied Optimus as carefully as he would one of his projects, until he saw what he needed to see. He lifted his chin.

“Hmph. If I leave you, who knows how much trouble you’ll get into? You’re stuck with me. For your own good. I…” he cleared his intake. “I suppose I love you enough to keep you around.”

Optimus embraced Starscream, burying his face in the crook of his neck to inhale his scent. Crisp along with the nighttime air. Starscream hugged him back. So tightly it almost hurt, but Optimus welcomed the pain. It felt like holding hope in his arms. Strong and fragile and sweet.

“I’m yours,” Optimus murmured. “Always.”

For maybe the first time since Optimus had met him, Starscream truly and willingly relaxed.

“Yes. Yours.”