Chapter Text
Starscream lay curled up on his berth. The previous cycle’s emotional storm had blown itself out. He had cried, again, and Optimus had held him and mumbled meaningless apologies until he had fallen silent and exhausted. Eventually Optimus had given him a cube of very sweet energon and carried him to his berth. He told himself he had been too tired to protest at the treatment, but a treacherous voice in the back of his helm told him how nice it was to have someone take care of him for once.
Optimus sounded like he was still recharging in his own berth, but he had started shifting around and was probably going to come online soon. Starscream offlined his optics and deliberately evened his own venting out. He didn't want to come face to face with the Autobot just yet, not until he had had a chance to process the apology he had been given. Very few mechs had ever apologised to him and it was a novelty, however insincere it had been.
He heard the big Autobot sit up and swing his peds off the berth. The Prime paused beside him and he avoided curling up tighter under the scrutiny, but he couldn't avoid the flinch when one of the big servos stroked his helm.
“Sorry, I thought you were still recharging,” Optimus said softly as he hurried to online his optics again. “Do you want to get up?” Starscream rolled off the berth, making sure to keep it between him and the Autobot. Optimus smiled and unlocked the door, gesturing for him to follow.
Starscream did so, determined not to let his guard down again, and dropped onto the couch with a huff. A cube of energon was placed in front of him, and he picked it up and swirled it around gently before taking a sip.
“I’ve had the feedback from all the mechs we sent the new law information to,” Optimus told him. “Reactions have been mixed, as you suspected.” Starscream kept his face blank, but inwardly preened. “We will have a few cycles free while they debate and work out alternative proposals. Prowl thinks the bits you put together were excellent, by the way.”
“Naturally.” Starscream lifted his chin and sneered. The Prime chuckled tolerantly, making him scowl. The Autobot laughed harder.
“You have a great range of expressions.” The comment made him scowl harder and turn his helm away. “Don’t be like that. I’m teasing you.” Optimus sat next to him, putting an arm around his shoulders. Starscream hunched over, angry expression still firmly in place. “I won’t tease you again. What do you want to do this cycle?” Starscream didn’t respond. The Prime gave his shoulders a brief squeeze before standing again. “I’ll ask you again when you stop sulking, then.”
Starscream refused to look at his caretaker, glaring at the wall again, but the Prime just gave a soft snort of amusement and picked up a data pad.
As it was, Starscream wasn’t left to enjoy his sulk for long, because the door chime sounded. Optimus looked surprised, glancing over at the seeker before standing and moving to the door. Starscream stood as well, moving so that he could see who was requesting entry.
Skywarp stood outside, apparently unaccompanied and looking very nervous. The Prime smiled at him, and Skywarp took a small step backwards.
“Hello, Skywarp. Do you want to see Starscream?” Starscream came closer to the open door so his trine mate could see him. “Would you like to come in?”
“Yeah.” Skywarp’s voice was soft, and Optimus stood aside to let him in, giving him plenty of room. Skywarp hurried to Starscream and both seekers watched the Prime lock the door again. Bright crimson optics stared, taking in his actions. Starscream could feel Skywarp shaking beside him.
“Do you want some energon?” Optimus offered. Skywarp shook his helm. “Okay. I’ll just be over here if you need anything.” He sat on the furthest chair, picking his data pad up again and appearing not to pay further attention to the two seekers. Starscream tugged Skywarp’s servo, pulling him down behind the couch where the Prime couldn’t see them.
“What’s wrong, why are you here?” he asked in short, worried, clicks.
“Needed to see you!” Skywarp’s voice was soft, trying to keep the conversation too soft for the Prime to hear. “You were really upset. I got scared for you!” He huffed unhappily. “Needed to see you!”
“I’m sorry.” Starscream curled closer to the black seeker, chirring reassuringly. “I had a bad flux and he kept talking to me.” Skywarp leant in, and briefly nuzzled his helm. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
They both froze when they heard the Prime move, and approach their hiding place. The heavy tread stopped short of the couch though.
“I’m going to get you both some pillows and blankets so you can be more comfortable back there,” the deep voice warned them, and they heard the big Autobot move away and the swoosh of a door opening.
Skywarp looked at his trine leader. Starscream didn’t appear overly worried, but he had shifted slightly to a more defensive position. He did stiffen when the Prime came back, but the mech simply put something on the couch with a soft, “There you go,” before retreating back to his chair. Starscream waited for a click before poking his helm over the back of the couch. The Prime was sitting quietly and reading, and as promised the blankets and pillows were in a heap on the couch. He grabbed them, passing them down to Skywarp, and the two began creating a nest in the small space.
They settled together, Skywarp cradling Starscream against his chest and his servo’s reaching for the white wings, picking dirt out of the seams and from around the tension cables. Starscream hummed gently in pleasure, wings relaxing under the patient attention.
“What was the flux ‘bout?” Skywarp asked when Starscream was purring. “You felt really sad, and angry.”
“Yeah.” Starscream sighed, weighing up the pros and cons of telling his trine mate the truth. It would make him feel better, but it would almost certainly upset Skywarp. “It was just memories from when I got captured.” He settled on a half truth.
“‘M sorry,” Skywarp mumbled, field suddenly guilty. “I should’ve come and found you no matter what Megatron said. Me an’ TC.”
“Not your fault.” Starscream shrugged. “It was Megatron.” He sighed. “It was always Megatron’s fault.”
“Still, 'm sorry.”
“I know.” Skywarp slid his arms around Starscream's waist, resting his cheek on his trine leader's shoulder. They sat like that for a long time, fields syncing and engines purring.
The sound of the Prime moving made both young mechs stiffen and break apart. The Autobot didn't attempt to come and peer at them, so they both crouched, listening intently.
“Do the two of you want to come out? I’ve got some good news for you.” His tone was light and pleasant. Skywarp looked to Starscream for his cue. The white seeker stayed still and silent, listening intently, then slowly began to move. Skywarp wanted to stay hidden in the illusion of safety, but followed his trine leader out. The Prime was smiling at them, and Starscream watched him suspiciously. He beckoned them closer but Skywarp hung back, uncomfortable under the blue gaze.
“Come and sit down.” Optimus gestured to the couch, seating himself and beckoning the seekers to join him. Skywarp perched right on the edge, ready to spring away if the Prime made a move. Starscream sat between them, wanting to buffer his trine mate. “Ratchet has agreed to turn your thrusters back on so you can fly. He thinks you are healed enough to be in the air for short periods. If you want, I can comm Prowl and Thundercracker to meet us in the medbay and the three of you can fly together.”
“When?” Starscream couldn't banish the longing from his voice or his field. He wanted to fly so badly it was like a physical ache. After his escape attempt, he hadn't believed that the Autobots would ever let him fly.
“Now, if you like,” The Prime offered, putting a servo on his shoulder. “Ratchet said whenever you are ready he’ll be available.”
“Fine!” Starscream stood abruptly, extending a servo to pull Skywarp to his peds as well. He stared at Optimus challengingly, but the Prime just chuckled.
“Come on then.” He gestured them to the door, not missing the way that Skywarp gripped his trine leader's servo in excitement. The black seeker was practically bouncing as the door was unlocked.
Starscream stalked down the corridor with his wings and helm held high, for once not dragging his peds or trying to break the hold Optimus had on his arm. He really wanted to fly. He knew that the Autobots would have plenty of restrictions for him, and that there was a long range tracker somewhere on his frame, but once he was in the air and able to think clearly he was sure he could figure something out.
Skywarp had picked up something from him because he kept glancing at him out of the corner of his optics. He was being unsubtle enough that the Prime was obviously aware as well. He kept his own field and expression blank.
Ratchet was waiting for them in the medbay, Skywarp hung back warily, but the Prime led Starscream over to a medberth as the medic approached.
“So, I’m turning your thrusters back on am I?” He asked, gesturing for Starscream to hold his wrist out for a scan. “Are you going to behave if I do?”
“Of course.” Starscream gave him a sweet, innocent, smile and the medic barked a laugh. The Prime stroked Starscream's wing soothingly.
“Do you need me for anything?”
“No. I’ll do what I need to, you go sit out there.” He waved Optimus off as he plugged into Starscream's systems, and the Prime left, giving the seeker's wing a parting stroke.
*************************************************
Optimus saw Skywarp hovering nervously by the medbay entrance. Deciding it would be the best time to approach the young mech, he stepped forward, trying to appear unthreatening. Crimson optics brightened in fear, telling him he had not really been successful.
“Skywarp, can I talk to you?” The seeker backed away. “I need your help.” His confession arrested the movement and he decided to capitalise on it, moving closer and gesturing for Skywarp to accompany him to a free medberth. He sat, encouraging Skywarp to do the same, but making sure the young mech had plenty of escape routes. “I want Starscream to fly,” he started, voice soft. “But I think he is going to try to run when he does.” The seeker looked away and Optimus realised that he had come to the same conclusion. “How can I stop that? I'm worried he will get hurt.”
“He’s fast,” Skywarp admitted. “Faster’n me, faster’n TC. Can't catch 'im.”
That was what Optimus had thought. “What if you could teleport?” he asked gently.
“Only 'f he doesn't know.” Skywarp shrugged. “Been trine a long time.”
“If we fix your warp drive, would you tell him?” Optimus knew it was a big ask. “I don't think you want him to be out there alone with no energon and no shelter.”
“C’n I still have it after?” There was a calculating look in Skywarp's optics, and a small part of Optimus started running through all the ways the young mech could cause havoc with his ability.
“Would you behave?” Skywarp gave him an angelic look, which he didn't believe for an instant. He vividly remembered the glitter. “If you are good I don't see why not, but if you start causing problems, I don't think Ironhide will let you keep it.”
“'K.” Skywarp definitely sounded speculative, and Optimus had a feeling that Ironhide might be less than impressed by a seeker able to teleport at will. He pinged Ratchet who acknowledged the comm with a wordless blip of static.
The medbay office door opened, and Hoist was leading another seeker over, Ratchet must have pinged them. The medical markings on his shoulder suggested that this was Bitstream, so he stood to give the former slave as much room as possible. The seeker froze when he moved, and Hoist put a careful servo on his shoulder. Optimus could see how badly he was shaking so smiled down at Skywarp, who was also watching him.
“I'm going to wait outside for Prowl. Will you be alright?” Skywarp nodded. “Alright, I’ll see you later.” He nodded to the two medics, and slipped through the main door, into the corridor.
“Hey Prahm.” Ironhide greeted him with a smile and Optimus felt a bit of his tension ease. “Ya left 'em to it?”
“Yeah.” He sighed softly. “The medic, Bitstream, is really uncomfortable around me. I don't want to overwhelm him. Skywarp is not exactly happy around me either.” Ironhide gripped his forearm in a gesture of solidarity and he gave a small smile. “Can’t say I blame them.”
“Give 'em all time.” Ironhide counselled. “They’ll come ‘round. They’re fightin’ 'gainst a lotta mistrust here, but Sky’s much better already.”
“I know.” He gave his old friend a bigger smile. “You might want to go in and give Skywarp a little talk about responsible use of his warp drive before they get done.”
“Yeah, yeah. If tha’ kid starts doin’ crazy things ah’m blamin’ you, ya realise!” He gave the Prime a friendly slap on the back, and headed through the door. Optimus chuckled. Skywarp seemed happy enough with Ironhide that a gentle reminder from the older mech would probably be all it took to encourage him to behave.
Pedsteps rounding the corner made him look up as Thundercracker and Prowl appeared. Both mechs were impassive, but Thundercracker's wings were twitching ever so slightly. Whether it was anxiety or anticipation the Prime could not tell. Prowl nodded to him as they came up, and Thundercracker hung back slightly.
“Prime.” Prowl's greeting was clipped and calm. “I take it you want to talk to Thundercracker before we see Starscream?” Optimus had not thought about it, but he realised, as Prowl obviously had, that making an ally of both Starscream's trine mates would be beneficial.
“I do. Thank you.” Thundercracker cocked his helm, watching the Prime. “I am worried about what Starscream is going to do when you fly. I expect he will try and run, and he doesn't have any energon or tools. I really hope you are going to look after him.” Thundercracker didn't even twitch.
Prowl put a servo on Thundercracker's wrist, bringing his attention back to his caretaker.
“Starscream could be badly hurt,” Prowl warned him. “I don't think you want that. Are you going to be able to look after him?”
“He's much faster than me,” Thundercracker muttered. “And Sky. I can't keep up if he decides to take off.”
“Can you keep him from doing anything foolish?” Optimus asked, hopefully. “I'm really worried about him. If he does decide to run, we might not be able to get to him before he is seriously injured, or deactivated.” He could see that his words had struck home as Thundercracker's field flickered unhappily.
“I can try.”
“Thank you.” Optimus put his servo on the closest wing. “That's all we can ask. I want him to be safe.” Thundercracker didn't pull away, but he didn't seem to like the contact, so Optimus removed his servo.
“Do you want to go in and see Starscream?” Prowl asked, indicating the medbay door. Thundercracker nodded shortly, turning and heading in to the room. Prowl looked up at Optimus, who was looking pensive. “If it helps, I calculate a fifty two percent chance that Thundercracker will be able to ensure Starscream's good behaviour alone, rising to seventy eight percent if, as I suspect, you have encouraged Skywarp to have his warp drive reactivated.”
*******************************************************
Thundercracker shifted nervously from ped to ped. Beside him, Skywarp watched their trine leader. Starscream seemed calm, but they could both feel his excitement. He was undoubtedly plotting to escape and Thundercracker worried that, if he did, none of them would be allowed to fly again. The Prime was talking to them, holding Starscream's shoulders. Prowl had a servo on his own wrist, and Ironhide was petting Skywarp's wings.
“This is your flight area.” A map was pinged to their comms. Thundercracker acknowledged it and looked at the area. It was smaller than they were usually allowed when he flew with just Skywarp. “You have twenty clicks.” Skywarp made a little noise of protest. “I know it isn't much, but Ratchet insists.” Optimus stroked a servo across Starscream's cheek. “You need to land when I tell you, alright?”
Starscream snorted in disgust, jerking his helm away. Optimus sighed, putting his servo back on the young mech's shoulder.
“Go on.” He let go, taking a step back. Starscream took off, engine howling, Skywarp and Thundercracker hot on his thrusters.
Starscream's emotions were almost painful in their intensity as he streaked towards the perimeter of their flight area. His trine mates were hard pressed to keep up. Thundercracker started to worry. Not only was the white seeker clearly intending to run as far as he could, he was pushing his flight systems far too hard after they had been dormant for too long.
::Star, wait!:: The Prime’s warning that Starscream could be injured or worse rang in his audials, but he had very little hope that his trine leader would listen to reason. ::Please.:: Starscream didn't respond, but he did slow his frantic pace, allowing the other two seekers to catch up.
:: We're getting close to the perimeter.:: Skywarp warned, but he didn't deviate from his flight path, following on Starscream's left wing.
:: So?:: Starscream sent sharply, and Thundercracker could feel his field was full of irritation. :: This is our best chance to escape!:: The perimeter flashed past, and there was a warning ping on their comms. Thundercracker could feel Skywarp starting to get distressed, and reached for Starscream.
::Star, stop please. This is a stupid idea.:: Starscream started angling to land, obviously deciding that he needed to conserve his energy to shout at his trine mates. Thundercracker sent a quick query to Skywarp, and the two followed him down.
“What the frag do you think you are doing?” Starscream shouted in Standard as he touched down. “We need to get as far away as possible, before they come looking for us!”
“Why?” Skywarp was shaking, but his wings were held high and stiff. “No energon out there ‘n no shelter. 'S not safe!” Thundercracker moved to stand between them, aware that both his trine mates were becoming angry.
“We’re prisoners!” Starscream countered. “We have to escape!”
“Why?” Skywarp was shouting now, and both seekers engines were revving angrily. “Get energon, get’t fly, get’t do stuff, 'n no-one hurtin’ us! Don’ wanna 'scape!” Starscream shoved past Thundercracker, who put a restraining servo on his wing. The white seeker didn't seem to notice.
“Coward!” he hissed venomously. “What about your oath as Decepticon? What about your oath to Megatron?” Skywarp snarled, closing the distance and facing off against his trine leader.
“Megatron's dead!” He switched to Vosian. “He never took care of us, he wanted to use us. He let Shockwave torture us and he hurt you and now he's dead and—and I don't have to obey him any more!”
Starscream let out a shriek of fury and leapt for him, capped claws outstretched. Thundercracker grabbed him around the waist, and Skywarp caught the reaching servos, holding them firmly.
“I don't want to leave either, Star,” Thundercracker rumbled softly, surprised at himself. “I did, but Sky is right. We are safer here than hiding and trying to survive. I thought we would get hurt, but no one has hurt us, or done what Megatron did.” He paused, thinking about some of the things Smokescreen had said. “I don't think anyone will. I think the idea upsets them. Please, Star. I don't want you to get hurt out here.”
Starscream sagged in his hold, and Thundercracker held him tighter, burying his face in Starscream's neck. Skywarp stepped forward, dropping his servos to wrap his arms around Starscream and Thundercracker. They could both feel Starscream's indignation and bewilderment, and behind that his hurt, and how tired he was of fighting.
“I still hate the Autobots,” he mumbled, offlining his optics. “I can't just forgive them, not for Vos or any of the other things they did.”
“I haven't forgiven them, either,” Thundercracker assured him sadly. “I don't think I will. But I can still live with them while they protect us, and keep us all safe.”
“Don’ think I know how t’live on my own,” Skywarp confessed. “Even wi’ th’ 'Cons someone was always lookin’ out 'f us.” He chuckled weakly. “'S easier t’obey orders.”
They stood together for several more clicks before Prowl pinged Thundercracker's comm.
::Are you alright?:: The idea that his caretaker would be concerned about him was still a new one, but it made him hopeful all the same.
::Yeah.::
::Good. Do you want to start making your way back now? I promise you are not in any trouble.::
“They want us to come back,” he told his trine mates, sending Prowl a simple acknowledgement. Skywarp looked worried. “Prowl says we are not in trouble.” The black seeker's expression cleared, but Starscream still looked unhappy.
“Easy for him to say,” he grumbled. “Autobots lie, you know that.” His trine mates both twitched at the reminder.
“I don't think they'll really hurt us.” Thundercracker said, trying to reassure himself as much as the other two. “Not like Megatron would.”
“Still got no energon or anythin’ out 'ere,” Skywarp pointed out reasonably. “Even if they do punish us. Still better'n deactivatin’.”
“Please come back, Star,” Thundercracker begged. “I don't want you to get hurt out here.” Starscream looked muleish, making Skywarp cling more tightly. “Please Star, we need you. It's not right being just two of us.”
“I hate it!” Starscream confessed, wings slumping from their angry arch. “I feel like a sparkling and I can't do anything to show I'm not.”
“They think we are sparklings,” Thundercracker voiced the unspoken opinion. “They say we shouldn't have been upgraded so young and that we never had the chance to learn about anything except war.” He hummed when Starscream stiffened in offence. “They say we missed out on lots of things we should have had, that we now need.” He sighed. “Like programs that they couldn't upload when we got upgraded.” The white wings lowered again and Skywarp and Thundercracker felt Starscream's defeat. “I don't like it either, but there is stuff we need to know still. Come on Star, please, let's go back.”
“Fine, just...ugh fine!” Starscream wriggled in his trine mates hold and they both released him. He looked longingly at the horizon, but leapt into the air, flying a slower, more meandering flight path back the way they had come. Skywarp and Thundercracker fell into formation behind him.
Starscream almost turned tail when he saw the Prime, Prowl and Ironhide waiting for them. Thundercracker felt Skywarp tense, but Starscream swooped in for a landing. Prowl was as impassive as always, but the Prime looked worried and Ironhide was frowning slightly. Skywarp had ducked behind his wing, clearly worried what his caretaker would do.
The Prime stepped forward, putting both servos on Starscream’s shoulders, and Ironhide indicated that Skywarp should come over to him. Prowl simply nodded to Thundercracker, gesturing for him to follow.
*****************************************
Ironhide and Skywarp watched Optimus lead Starscream back inside, and Prowl and Thundercracker leave. Skywarp looked over at his caretaker. Ironhide didn’t appear angry, but Skywarp was guiltily aware that he had broken a lot of the rules set out for his flight time.
“‘M sorry,” he attempted. Ironhide was funny about apologies, so it might spare him some punishment if he did it without being prompted.
“What for?” Ironhide was looking at him with a curious expression. “Ya’ve not done anythin’ wrong have ya?”
“Di’n’t stay in th’ perimeter,” Skywarp admitted. “‘N di’n’t come back when y’said.” He hung his helm, not wanting to see his caretaker’s expression. He didn’t expect Ironhide to close the distance between them and fold him in a hug.
“Sky, ya didn’t do anythin’ wrong. Ah said ya should look after Starscream, an’ ya did. Ya did well kiddo.”
“Star di’n’t want t’come back. He wanted t’run. Said he doesn’t like being treated like a sparklin’.” Ironhide held the young seeker at arms length, looking at him with a sad smile.
“We know ya not really sparklin’s kid. Not really, not any more, but ya still young, an’ vulnerable, an’ we wanna protect ya. We feel bad ‘cos ya never got ta grow up normally.” Skywarp shrugged. “Ya gonna get a chance ta be an adult soon anyway.”
“Why?” Skywarp was excited.
“Prahm an’ Starscream’ve finished wi’ writin’ new laws. When they’ve been vetted by a load of other mechs we’re gonna have a big vote ta accept them, or not, an’ everyone gets a say.”
“Even ‘Cons?”
“Yeah, everyone! You, me, Thundercracker, Ratchet, everyone.” He looked at the black seeker. Skywarp was thinking hard about the information. “Ah’ve seen wha’ they’ve done. No more slavery, no more takin’ sparklin’s from their creators, no more inequality. Proper elections, where any mech can vote or get elected.” Skywarp seemed slightly poleaxed by the information. “Ya okay, kiddo?”
Skywarp thought about the question for a click, really thought about it. He thought about being safe, and the war being over. About Megatron and Shockwave being dead, and his trine being alive. About not being a slave, and being looked after, and getting energon and medical treatment and his trine. Ironhide watched him calmly.
“Yeah,” he said eventually. “Yeah, ‘m okay.”
Ironhide gave him another hug. “Come on then kiddo, let's go home.”
~fin~