Chapter Text
The fortress of Darkmount was without a doubt Megatron's greatest achievement on the planet of Earth. Dominating the landscape around it, it was a clear statement of the military might of the Decepticons. It had been so long since he had had a fortress instead of the Nemesis, and Megatron was rather enjoying the familiarity. With Cybertron lost, this fortress - an exact replica of Darkmount on Cybertron - was the closest thing to home they were going to get.
He was in his element. He was a warlord and a conqueror, not someone who particularly enjoyed hiding away on a ship and making attacks when he could, but that had become the standard when they pursued the Ark away from Cybertron. This, however, was the part of the job that Megatron thoroughly enjoyed. The strict, challenging upkeep of a fortress, keeping the troops disciplined and motivated, the demonstrations of power - it all reminded him of the better days on their home world. Everyone seemed to feel the same way. Spirits were high, efficiency was up, and for the first time in eons Megatron could practically feel the Decepticons' sparks beating as one once more. They were united at last.
Even his lieutenants were getting along, which had been a rarity practically since the war began. Knockout was certainly happy to have Darkmount's medical supplies at his disposal, but the medic was proving just as useful outside of the med bay. He was good at commanding the troops and taking care of smaller things, such as searching through the rubble and bringing back anything of worth. Soundwave spent most of their time on the bridge of the Nemesis monitoring for any sign of Autobot activity, but there was a subtle change in how they carried themself that implied great happiness. Laserbeak had detached from Soundwave a couple of times to circle the room triumphantly after their victory, which was a rare sight from the Minicon. The victorious circling was usually followed by Laserbeak landing on his head, sharp little claws tapping incessantly until he had to ask them to go back to Soundwave.
Starscream had had the most drastic change of all. Megatron didn't think there had been a single time in the war where he didn't have to watch his back whenever the Seeker was around. It was a small part of the reason he kept the seeker as his commander even after his repeated attempts to kill him - Starscream kept him sharp. Now, his second in command seemed to be utterly loyal. Not that that was a bad thing, of course. In fact, now the he and his second weren't constantly at each other's throats, they made quite a formidable team.
Right now, he was going give a speech to the troops about their actions moving forward. Soundwave followed him down the hallway, silent as a shadow and nearly as invisible. Starscream and Knockout met them as they apporached the doors, and he greeted both mechs with a curt nod. Megatron stepped out onto a platform, standing above the entire army.
The speech flowed easily over his glossa. It had been long time since he had given a proper, eloquent speech, and the warlord had forgotten how enjoyable it could be. He hadn't lost his talent, and it was easy to get caught up in the passion of it. Out of the corner of his optic, Megatron noticed Starscream was watching him intently. His second looked... well, admiring, which was unexpected. It made his spark warm in a frustratingly familiar way.
Now? Really? he thought. Of all the times for a silly little crush to rear it's ugly head...
Starscream had always been frustratingly attractive. He was tall, strong, and lean in a way that never failed to catch the warlord's eye. His wide, swooping wings accentuated his slim figure and their cocky tilt made him unmistakable. His optics were piercing, and always had a sly look in them that both put Megatron on edge and drew him in. Additionally, the silver seeker was shrewd, merciless, and cunning. He had always admired Starscream's wit even though it was being used again him most of the time. The seeker's deadliness and grace was practically unmatched. It really didn't help that his voice was surprisingly pleasing to listen to on the rare occasions when he wasn't screeching. He couldn't help but remember the way Starscream had purred his title into his audio while he was floating among the wreckage of the space bridge. Oh, how he would like him to do that again-
Megatron cut off that train of thought quickly when he realized he was about to stumble over his words. He never fumbled his speeches, and he wasn't about to let it happen now.
After the speech, the warlord got back to his duties, attempting to keep his mind busy. He didn't really want to reflect on what had happened earlier. Yes, his second in command was attractive. But he had been dealing with these feelings for the past couple of eons, and he wasn't about to let some silly, insignificant crush get in his way. He had an army to command and a planet to conquer for Primus' sake! He had no time for such things. He would ignore those feelings until they left his attention, as he always did. And it worked. For a time, anyways.
______ ______ ______
Megatron was seated in his throne, plotting how he was going to take over the human government inhabiting this country, followed by all the others. Starscream was standing at his side, watching him out of the corner of his eye. He had noticed the seeker tended to hang around him more, as if awaiting orders. Starscream was always watching him now, with that strange little gleam in his optic.
"What is it?" he finally asked, turning to gaze at the seeker.
"What?" Starscream responded, wings fluttering innocently.
"You keep glancing at me," Megatron stated.
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Yes you do. You've been doing it since you rejoined our ranks."
His second huffed and shifted from pede to pede. "...maybe I find it interesting to see you in your element," he said.
Megatron blinked. "I'm certain you've seen it before."
"Yes, well... not for a long time."
They fell into silence again, and Megatron resumed his plotting.
______ ______ ______
Ah, humans. So easy to bend to my will, the warlord thought. He had recently discussed what would happen if the human military attempted another pitiful attack on Darkmount with Agent Fowler, who seemed to be the human ambassador for now. He could tell that the humans who knew about the situation were terrified, as they should be. But so long as he kept up a diplomatic appearance, perhaps he could have a less messy takeover.
Megatron gazed out over the smoking wasteland that remained of the earlier battle with the humans. Well, if you could even call it a battle. It was more a skirmish, really. It didn't really matter, though. All that mattered was that the humans understood the might of the Decepticons, and that he officially had a stranglehold on their government.
Starscream stood next to the throne, also staring at the battlefield with a sadistic little smirk on his face. He was clearly enjoying their newfound power as well, but he also seemed to enjoy watching Megatron work. He kept sneaking glances and offering compliments. The warlord didn't think he had ever recieved this much genuine praise from him.
"Shall I address the troops?" Megatron mused. "Let them know what happened and what we will do in case of another attack?"
"Of course, my lord," Starscream agreed. "They need to know."
So, Megatron stood and opened his comm to the fortress wide intercom. He explained the treachery of the humans to the troops, as well as potential weapons they might use and how to defend against them. Soundwave had given him that information, which was very helpful. Then, he told them how the Decepticons were going to conquer this world and make it their own.
"There is no limit to our power, and humanity cannot stand against our united force," he finished. There was a dull roar from within the fortress as the Decepticons thundered their approval.
Starscream was staring again. Megatron realized he had probably been making the motions he always did while he was making a speech despite the seeker being the only one who could see him. He supposed it was a little odd to do that in front of an audience of one, but it was habit. He had been a performer, after all. Starscream's wings fluttered as he stepped closer.
"Is there something you want to say?" he asked.
The look in the seeker's optics was a lot more intense than it usually was, and he stepped closer. He reached up, and his claws hooked Megatron's jaw and pulled him down. Before the warlord could even register what was happening, Starscream's lips pressed to his. His optics went wide with shock, and after a couple of seconds the seeker pulled away.
"You are magnificent, my liege," he purred. Despite his confident tone, he seemed uncertain and a little shocked at his own actions.
Megatron was speechless. Which was quite a feat, really. Not much could rob him of his voice. He stared at the Starscream, unable to believe what had just happened.
The seeker coughed and flushed with embarrassment. "Well, I should probably be going. I have duties to get to," he muttered, swiftly turning to leave. "And, ah, I apolo-"
Starscream yelped as he was spun around, but was cut off when Megatron's lips pressed to his. The seeker melted into his grasp and wrapped his arms around his neck. One of the warlord's servos slid around his slim waist while the other one cupped the back of his neck to pull him in tighter.
"Don't apologize," Megatron murmered when they separated. His thumb rubbed small circles into the base of his second's spinal struts. Starscream smiled and leaned into his touch.
"I thought I had made a mistake," he admitted.
The larger mech shook his head. "You didn't," he assured him. "Why did you kiss me, anyways?"
Starscream chuckled and nuzzled under his chin. "You have a very powerful voice. I just couldn't help myself."
"Hm. Is that all?"
"Oh, now you're just fishing for compliments."
Megatron huffed in amusement. "Just answer the question."
"Fine, fine," the seeker sighed. "It was rather pleasing to see you speak when only I could have the pleasure of seeing you. It felt like you were for my eyes only for a little while."
The warlord felt his spark speed up a little.
"And you are also infuriatingly attractive."
He huffed out a laugh and scooped Starscream up. "Is that so?"
His second frowned playfully at him. "I am not repeating myself to boost your ego,"
Megatron settled on his throne and set him in his lap, turning the seeker to face him. He immediately leaned forwards to lean against his chest and stare up at him. He stared back, optics closing halfway in an expression of contentment. Starscream pressed another long, sweet, lingering kiss to his lips, which he gladly returned.
"Would you consider your voice one of your most powerful weapons?" the seeker asked suddenly.
Megatron opened his eyes to look at him quizzically. "I... suppose so,"
"So if you were speechless, doesn't that mean I disarmed the leader of the Decepticons with a mere kiss?"
The warlord spluttered. "What? No, you- I wasn't speechless!"
Starscream snickered and leaned close to his face. "Mmmm... lying, are we?"
Megatron bared his teeth. "What are you getting at?"
"I think that if I can disarm you so easily, I am a more capable leader of the Decepticons," his second teased.
"So you are as mutinous as ever," the warlord rumbled. "Well, by that logic, how are you going to be an effective leader if seeing me.... how did you put it.... 'in my element' is distracting to you?"
Starscream frowned playfully at him. "Fine, I won't take your title,"
"Good," Megatron hummed, settling back in his throne. He began stroking his second's back, enjoying how it made the seeker relax against him.
"I still think it's noteworthy that I defeated you with something as simple as a kiss."
"Quiet, you."