Chapter Text
When Starscream defected to the Autobots, he did it because he at last decided that Megatron and the Decepticon cause no longer deserved his loyalty, not because he wanted to frag Optimus Prime.
If anything, Optimus Prime wanted to frag him, something that Starscream had become more and more certain of the longer he was among the Autobots. Why else would the Prime be so… kind to him, give him such benefit of the doubt? Starscream, who Megatron had consistently called deceitful, traitorous, and self serving? Oh, Megatron and the Prime were nemesis at the time, but even then, neither Megatron nor Starscream himself had really given Optimus much reason to disbelieve that notion.
That’s not to say that Starscream didn’t see the appeal. So when the Prime finally confirmed Starscream’s suspicions and propositioned him, Starscream found himself wanting to accept. If Starscream’s recollections of Megatron and Orion Pax were any indication, the Prime was a very good frag, but Starscream had his reservations.
Everyone knew that Optimus Prime and Megatron had been conjunxed, and then divorced (their bond severed). Everyone also knew that the Prime had later bonded with Elita-One, and had a sparkling with her (two sparklings, Starscream would later learn during the negotiations of the Peace Accords. Two because the sparklings were twins, but that’s another story). So Starscream had turned Optimus Prime down, and the Prime didn’t push, nor did Starscream get treated that much differently, much to his relief.
Starscream had asked Elita-One if she knew her conjunx was propositioning other bots, and Elita-One had laughed. To Starscream’s surprise, Elita-One and Optimus Prime had also divorced. It was a surprise because unlike Megatron and Optimus, Elita and Optimus had remained close, sharing authority in Autobot High Command, and even still took care of their sparklings together (though, the entirety of Autobot High Command seemed to also be taking part).
Elita-One had given Starscream her full permission, not that she felt Starscream needed to get her permission.
“Optimus is the possessive one, at least when he and another bot are in a committed relationship,” Elita said. “Honestly, I don’t blame you or any other bot. When it comes right down to it, we all have a thing for Optimus.”
Starscream didn’t realize exactly how true Elita’s statement really was at the time.
A couple of human years later, the Peace Accords were settled, and Cybertronians once scattered across the Stars had returned to a Cybertron in the process of rebuilding.
Starscream sat with much of the (former) Autobot and Decepticon High Command in one of their regular meetings. Governance meant a lot of meetings.
Almost everyone required to be here was accounted for: Starscream himself, Megatron (unfortunately), Soundwave, Shockwave, Elita-One, Jazz, and Prowl.
There were also some who did not have to be here, like Starscream’s own trine, who sat on either side of Starscream, Knockout (which, of course, meant Breakdown was here as well), and a couple of younger bots: Windblade, Bumblebee, Hot Rod, and Arcee.
Much to the annoyance of almost everyone present, Starscream especially, Optimus Prime (whose presence is required), was late.
“This is unlike him,” Megatron said.
“It is unlike him. Do you have any idea where Optimus is?” Prowl, the (former) Autobot military strategist, asked Jazz, the (former) Autobot Head of Special Operations, and the last one who walked into the meeting room.
“Don’t worry about it, I just commed him. He said he’s on his way. Shouldn’t be more than a couple minutes,” Jazz said, kicking his pedes up and leaning back in his chair with an easy grin. “I figured I’d let the big guy recharge for a bit longer. Didn’t realize I exhausted him.”
Prowl flushed blue and reset his vocalizer.
“I see, congratulations,” Prowl said.
”Thanks, mech.”
“Are you serious!?” Megatron thundered. “First it’s him conjunxing to you,” Megatron points at Elita.
“Then you and your brother,” Megatron points at Bumblebee, who sighs.
“Then Starscream,” Starscream flinched.
“AND NOW BOTH OF YOU!” Megatron said pointing at Jazz and Prowl.
“Woah, chill out there, Megs!” Jazz said holding his servos up in mock surrender.
Megatron took an in-vent. “Forget it, I shouldn’t even be surprised if most of Autobot High Command and Optimus fragged at one point or another.”
“Can we PLEASE not talk about my carrier’s love life?” Bumblebee said despairingly.
Hot Rod and Arcee snickered, causing Windblade to reach over to smack Hot Rod in the pauldron.
“Knock it off!” Windblade said.
“You’d be right,” Ratchet sighed, dragging a servo over his face. “If I want drama I don’t even need to tune into the holonet.”
“Aren’t you two Amica?,” Megatron asked.
“Love the bot, but I can only take so much of his antics before I’m tempted to whack him on the helm,” Ratchet shrugged.
“You said it,” Elita agreed.
Soundwave audibly sighed.
Megatron and Starscream both balked.
“Really!? I didn’t know you had it in you!” Knockout grinned.
“SOUNDWAVE WHEN IN THE PITS!?” Megatron shouted.
“Soundwave: did not see reason to inform Megatron.”
“Why!?”
“Past Relationship: Irrelevant to Decepticon Cause. Megatron: would not react well. Megatron: Extremely jealous.”
“I am not!” Megatron said.
Starscream rolled his optics as Skywarp snickered and Thundercracker cringed.
Megatron’s left optic twiched. Heat began to warp the air near Megatron’s vents as Megatron cycled air and reset his vocalizer.
Starscream gave Knockout a questioning glance.
“Before Breaky and I met. That’s not to say we haven’t offered since, but alas, big red turned us down” Knockout shrugged.
Megatron turned his gaze to Shockwave. “Please tell me he hasn’t fragged all of Decepticon High command.”
All optics turned to Shockwave. Shockwave stared back at Megatron unblinkingly.
“Well?” Megatron asked.
Shockwave nodded stiffly, “We were once close.”
“SHOCKWAVE!?” Hot Rod shouted. “How does that even happen!?”
“I was wondering when you all would find out,” Ratchet sighed, “luckily it was less disastrous than I expected.”
“Still plenty of time for it to turn into a disaster,” Elita muttered.
“Of course you both knew,” Megatron grumbled.
“That’s right, I know ALL of your dirty secrets and it’s not just because I’m Chief Medical Officer,” Ratchet laughed.
Then the room turned into an uproar as Megatron suddenly rose from his chair and began storming towards the door.
“I’M GOING TO PUMMEL HIM!” Megatron shouted, straining against Soundwave and Elita-One, who had Megatron by either arm.
“Oh no you don’t, sit back down!” Ratchet said, waving a wrench threateningly.
It was at that moment when the door slammed open.
A frazzled Optimus Prime stood in the doorway.
“Apologies everyone, I-“
Optimus shifted nervously as his optics took in the situation.
“PRIMEEEEEE!” Megatron shouted, throwing off Elita and Soundwave.
Immediately, Optimus turned around and sped away in vehicle mode. Megatron took off after him, bellowing at Optimus to face him. From far away, there was the fading sound of a truck engine at maximum speed, as well as a transformation and the familiar blast of Megatron taking flight in hot pursuit.
Starscream guffawed. It had been a long time since he had laughed this hard. “That obsessed fool!”
“He’s hardly the only one bearing an unhealthy obsession with Optimus. He’s hardly the worst case either,” Prowl stated matter-of-factly.
“Don’t remind me,” Jazz muttered darkly.
Starscream privately thought the (former) Autobot military strategist and head of Special Operations weren’t that much better themselves.
Soundwave picked himself back up, his field radiating chagrin.
“Soundwave: Suggests we reschedule.”
“Agreed,” Prowl said, taking the vacated seat next to Soundwave as they and Elita began reorganizing schedules accordingly.
Shockwave nodded, and made his leave.
“Ten shanix Megatron will be at Maccadam’s later today,” Hot Rod said, darting out the door.
“No one’s taking you up on that, that’s a losing bet!” Arcee retorted, chasing after Hot Rod, followed by a sympathetic Windblade, and a Bumblebee that was just as chagrined as Soundwave.
Everyone but Soundwave, Elita, and Prowl dispersed, given that there was no longer a meeting to attend, and they had a couple hours free.
“Well, I suppose the show's over,” Knockout said, strutting out of the room alongside Starscream and his Trine. “Would you three care to catch up?”
“I have time,” Starscream said, and looked towards Skywarp and Thundercracker in question.
“Sure!” Skywarp said.
“I’d be willing.” Thundercracker said.
”Wonderful! Let’s get lunch!”
As the five of them left the building and walked about the local area to select a restaurant, Starscream mentally tallied every bot who admitted to having once gotten involved with Optimus Prime. He added Skyfire to the count, recalling the way Skyfire and Orion Pax interacted with each other when he and Skyfire joined the Decepticon movement.
Optimus Prime was conjunxed and divorced twice, but even Starscream never thought that Optimus Prime would have gotten with at least nine bots over the course of his lifetime. Upon further consideration, Starscream didn’t find that surprising, after all, his own taste was impeccable, even if he regretted Megatron in the end.
Few bots that could pull off red, blue, and silver, as well as Starscream did, but Starscream supposed Optimus did it well enough. There was a reason that Orion Pax, the foot soldier turned commander featured on many posters throughout his service in the Quintesson Wars.
Sure Optimus wasn’t a flight frame, but he was elegantly strong, with a large, warm chassis, tapered waist, and deliciously thick thighs. Starscream has had the delight of seeing the Prime arch beautifully in the throes of pleasure, and it really was a shame that handsome visage was almost always hidden behind a mask.
Starscream internally chastised himself for beginning to sound like Knockout.
Luckily, the Prime didn’t sport a visor, because what really drew Starscream were those kind, but infinitely sad blue optics. Multiple Decepticons have sworn up and down that the Prime’s gaze was a kind of psychological warfare. Loathe as Starscream was to admit it, it had worked on him. He had lain with Optimus, after all.
He didn’t see a reason to say no when the Prime had asked him with that deep, soothing voice, and couldn’t find any reason to regret having done so when he recalled being showered with praise, and slowly thrust into with such care and gentle-ness. One of the best frags of his life. Given the opportunity, Starscream would do it again, especially since it would make Megatron lose his composure.
Starscream overrode his system’s attempt to turn on his fans as he followed his companions into a place that Starscream’s been to at least a couple times before.
Then Starscream realized that many of the things he liked about Optimus only reminded him of Skyfire. In the end, Starscream regrets staying with the Decepticons when the movement had schismed, and when Starscream did eventually defect, he and Skyfire had become acquainted again.
Except, Starscream noticed how Skyfire had kept his distance, and the wariness with which Skyfire regards him. He parsed over the restaurant’s selection of energon additives, but instead of pondering what he’d like to fuel on, Starscream wondered if Skyfire would ever look at him in the same way Optimus had that night.
Starscream shook his helm, told the waiter what he wanted, and then tried to catch up on the conversation.