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With a sigh, Optimus looked down at Starscream, who was sitting down, his back towards the Prime, leaning against the barrier that separated the Decepticon from the rest of the free world.
“Why do you keep coming here, Prime?” Starscream murmured, and there was a tone of resentment when he said ‘Prime’.
“There’s nothing for me here, and there’s definitely nothing for you.”
“Not a day goes by I don’t wish that things had turned out different-” Optimus started, but was interrupted by Starscream, who stood up and turned towards Optimus.
“I told you that I don’t want to see you. What we had- what you think we had-” Starscream pointed his digit at Optimus; “- we do not! We have nothing. Never did, never will.”
“You wouldn't be here if you didn't want to see me, and you wouldn't point it out, if it was nothing. Listen to me, Starscream-” Optimus tried, but the mentioned lifted his servo up with a sharp; “Shut up!”
“You are so relentless, Optimus, it is so annoying. You’re naive, thinking that everyone can be saved. Not everyone wants to be, or needs to be saved!”
“A year ago you didn’t think like this-” Optimus began again, only to be cut short by the Decepticon; “A year ago I was lost, but now I am found- by me! I know my worth, Prime, my birthright! Megatron didn’t have what I have to become the supreme leader of the Decepticons.”
Optimus was tired of hearing about the Decepticon faction being an enemy to the Autobots. Starscream turned his back on Optimus.
“You couldn’t save me, Optimus, because I didn’t need to be saved. I didn’t need anything from you-”
“No, Starscream, you’re lying to yourself. You did need me before- and maybe you still do- deep down, you do. You shouldn't deny it”, Optimus stated, but Starscream wouldn’t admit it, not now, maybe not in a long time.
“It was never about saving you, Starscream”, sighing, Optimus considered his next words for a moment.
“It was about love, and kindness. Home, and family”, Optimus confided, sounding sparkbroken and disappointed about the situation they had ended up in. Optimus sighed and closed his optics. He was about to turn around and leave, but Starscream didn’t let him.
The Seeker pressed towards the barrier and hit his fists against it.
“Don’t you dare preach to me about love and kindness, and- and family!” he screamed, hurt and resentment in his tone.
“I do NOT want to hear anything else from you! You might not be a savage like Megatron, but your nauseous kindness is its own kind of evil.”
“Don’t come back here, Prime. I won’t be here for you to find and save”, Starscream said as he began leaving.
“I will always be there for you, Starscream”, Optimus called after him. Starscream stopped, but only for a second, before he picked up the pace.
“I won’t lose hope for you.”
“You should, Optimus. I do not need your hope.”