Domestic Disturbance

EDIT: OH FACEPALM TO THE MAX! I'm stupid, and tired and made a mistake during this chapter. I had Prime KISS Starscream. With mentioned LIPS! HE DOESN'T HAVE LIPS! I'm trying to keep it canon enough that Prime will unfortunitly go MOUTHLESS for the entire story. OH GOD I'M DUMB! It's fixed now. He doesn't kiss him. He just lays him down and the next chapter will have the onesided kissing going on... Starscream will try, but will fail....NO LIPS!! LOL!

Chapter 11 : Seduce

Optimus paced the infuriatingly small confines of his cell for hours. Confused, frustrated and worried beyond belief for a prisoner he should have given up on days ago and locked up in stasis. Something had happened in that makeshift cell and something had changed. Optimus couldn't ignore the dreaded feeling in his core that something unexpected was going on between him and the seeker jet. Some where along the line, Prime had become involved. Not just pretend involved for the sake of information. He truly felt sympathy and concern for Starscream.

The other Autobots didn't understand. Of course they wouldn't, though. Prime had kept most of what had passed between him and the Decepticon private. Prowl was getting annoyed with the whole charade, insisting that Starscream be taken off line until they could return him to Cybertron. Every day when Prime left the cell empty handed, the black and white mech would shake his head and inquire as to why they hadn't made the arrangements yet. Optimus needed more time. He wanted more time. They didn't see the progress he had made. They didn't see the proud and stubborn Con disintegrate in front of their very optics. They didn't suspect what he had been suspecting.

Confused by his own motivations, pressured from fellow Autobots and concerned with the unexpected changes in Starscream, the semi was hopelessly trapped in a three way battle to make the right decision. Should he continue to interrogate the seeker? Should he agree with Prowl's requests and lock him up where they wouldn't have to deal with him until they returned home? Or should he focus on aiding the obviously distressed mech who was all but begging him for step in and save him?

There was a knock at his door.

"Yes?" He answered as he was dragged from his thoughts. "Who is it?"

"It's Jazz." The sub commander responded in a cheerful tone. "Mind let'n me in?"

Optimus opened the door to find his officer smiling pleasantly at him, visor glowing a bright blue.

"You've been holed up in here since yesterday, Prime. Got a little worried about you."

Had he really been locked in his chamber for so long? Optimus hadn't realized the time had passed so quickly.

"Oh, I must have lost track of time." He muttered as he invited Jazz in and closed the door behind them. "I've been lost in thought lately."

"I can see that." The white plated mech took a seat in one of the general's conference chairs. Optimus usually invited guests to sit and chat. "I can practically hear yer gears grindin'."

"It's been a confusing couple of hours for me." Optimus shrugged and sat down wearily.

"Starscream drivin' you up the wall?" Jazz grinned. "I know he'd make me bug out after a while too."

Prime shook his head and sighed. "No, he's been exceptionally well behaved. I think I'm starting to make a break through with him."

"Here I thought you were just tormentin' yourself for fun!" The Porsche slapped his hand down on his knee in delight. "Glad ta know that's not the case! Prowl didn't think you could get anythin' out of Screamer! He owes five credits! Did ya get anythin' interestin' from him?"

"That's just the problem, Jazz. I did get him to talk. But it wasn't exactly what I expected."

Jazz's merriment at having won a bet against the Autobot strategist faded when he looked at his friend's tired posture. Optimus didn't seem right.

"Prime, what's wrong? What happened?"

"I'm not sure." Optimus fidgeted with his servos in his lap, optics adverted to the floor. "I got Starscream to talk a little about what happened that day in the canyon. I wanted to exploit his hatred for Megatron and perhaps convince him to give up some information that would help to lead to his downfall. But I lost sight of what I had hoped to achieve. When he started talking, I felt like something was wrong."

"Wrong?" Jazz sat up in his chair, leaning forward. "How so?"

"Wrong, like I shouldn't be pressing the topic. Like I should have left well enough alone. But I was curious. I wasn't thinking about Starscream and how it might affect him."

Prime paused for a moment. He had no intentions of spilling the secrets that the jet had confided in him, but if anyone could understand the issue that he was currently in, Jazz would. He needed the wise mech's advice.

"He told me something personal. Something that hurt him to say aloud." He all but whispered, forcing Jazz to lean closer towards him. "And now I don't know what to do."

"Well what did he tell you?" Jazz asked in the same hushed tone Prime was using.

"I can't tell you. It wouldn't be right."

The other mech nodded his understanding.

"He didn't exactly tell me right out. He was about to, but then something happened and he suddenly asked me to leave. I can't tell you what I'm suspecting, but I can tell you that I am deeply concerned. I don't think I can ignore it."

"If Starscream's telling you this stuff, it's gotta be for a reason, Prime." Jazz sat back in his seat and regarded the concerned mech. "I can't make a guess at what that Con had told you, but you do seem troubled. I trust that you have a good understandin' of what's going on and are justified in your concern."

"So what do you suggest?" Prime looked up at his friend.

"I suggest watchin' yer back for one. He could be tryin' ta suck you in with some sob story to lower yer guard. But again, I trust that you aren't gullible enough to be fooled by his likes. However, if he's tellin' the truth and he's askin' for help, then you have to do what's right in your spark, Prime. You can ignore it. Lock him up in stasis and we can continue this war knowin' Megs is a man down. Or you can help him and know that you're takin' a risk in getting involved in whatever problem he has."

"I can't ignore it, Jazz." Prime stated after a moment. "I was the one who pushed him into talking. And now I feel like he's asking for help."

"Then you do what you have to do." Jazz nodded. "I will support your decision."

"Thank you, Jazz."

~ ~ ~

Starscream knew it was almost time for Prime to show up for his daily visit. Part of him was relieved to have company once more, as being locked up in a cell for hours on end by yourself was very boring, and part of him was worried to see the Autobot again.

Yesterday had been an unfortunate hiccup in the plan. Starscream was even more motivated now to make it work. However his methods would change.

It was obvious by now that Prime was worried about him. Meaning the Autobot would be more then willing to hear anything that Starscream would tell him. He would be like clay in his servos. So easily manipulated. It was also painfully obvious that the seeker was attracted to the Prime. Just a little. A bit. Enough to believe that he could possibly, maybe see himself wanting to seduce the mech. If only to alleviate certain urges that he had intentionally caged up for years. Certain ones that were making themselves very known the last few hours.

While interfacing with Megatron was a horrid experience that he wouldn't wish upon anyone, the bastard always made sure to really rub it in by trying to make Starscream enjoy it. While it was physically possible for one sided interfacing to, well, remain one sided, it took an awful lot of concentration for one in Starscream's position to keep the pleasure of another's core energy merging with your own from overwhelming you. Megatron had particularly, and unfortunately, clever servos that could do just that and the strength of his core and determination could slam through any of the firewalls that the red and white mech had tossed up. The seeker was only able to prevent overload a few times. It had always been mind numbing, jarring and, sadly enough, relieving when it had happened but sentimentally it was crushing. Knowing that Optimus could be had on his terms made it that much more bearable to contemplate. Starscream never did have an overload that was of his own wishes. Megatron had been the first and only.

So yes, seducing Prime would be fun. Not only that, but if he succeeded, then he'd have the Autobot general himself eating out of his servo. He could convince Prime to let him out of the cell, that he would aid them in their battle against Megatron. And then he could escape. Whether or not he killed Prime would depend on his mood at the time. Really, this was all just strategy. Nothing to do with the fact that Optimus was the only mech in his entire life to actually give scrap about him.

And just to add the icing on the cake, 'facing the other mech would no doubt infuriate Megatron. He would beat the tyrant to the prize and recount every last dirty detail before slagging the megalomaniac.

Right on time the door to the cell unlocked and Optimus, carrying an energon cube, walked in.

"About time." Starscream smiled at him and held out his servo for the cube. "I'm starved."

"Feeling....better?" Prime raised an optic ridge at the seeker's mood.

"Actually, I am." The jet took the cube from the confused bot and patted the berth next to him, indicating that Optimus should sit. "I know I freaked out a little yesterday, but I....had come to some realization that I wasn't expecting."

Optimus, still confused sat down on his usual corner and watched as Starscream drank a few sips from the cube. "Realization?"

"Yes." The seeker spoke between sips. "That I had been waiting for an opportunity like this to get some things off my chassis."

"You mean, you still wish to talk to me?"


"I do, and I promise I won't get all flighty on you again." He placed the cube on the floor and leaned back comfortably on the bed, his back arching slightly as he crossed one leg over the other, noticing the Prime's gaze drift along his displayed chest with fascination.

Old habits were hard to break and the former scientist couldn't help but study the humans when and where he could. The monitors back on the Nemesis had one day picked up a television station, and Starscream, along with several other's, took the time to watch it out of bored curiosity. It was entirely too dramatic. Far-fetched and predictable at the same time. However, one of the human females, that was supposedly beautiful and scantily clad in a revealing two piece costume, sat down on a berth and took on a pose much like the one Starscream was now trying on. Her chest pronounced and her legs crossed in a forbidding, yet tantalizing manor that had the human male in such as state that he pushed her to the mattress and they began kissing fiercely.

The jet knew he was pretty enough to capture Megatron's attention, so surely he could catch Prime's optic. Seemed he had already. Strangely enough, from a technique learned by watching that human female.

Optimus tore his gaze away and tried to return his mind to the conversation at hand. Stuttering slightly as he tried to shake off his shock at the other's odd behavior.

"S-so then. Shall we continue?"

Starscream nodded, bracing himself for what was to come. He had to continue gaining Prime's trust. And in order to do that he would need more of the Autobot's pity. He would have tell Prime whatever he wanted to hear. "So...where exactly did we leave off?"

"You were telling me what happened between you and Megatron. Something about him not being patient enough for you."

"Oh....yes of course." The seeker looked a little more forlorn then a moment ago.

"Starscream." Prime suddenly put up his hand to stall the mech. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. I'm not doing this to make fun of you or for any other reason other then to help you."

"I know, Prime. I think that's why I wish to tell you."

The red and white mech sighed and looked over to the Autobot, a small smile tugging at his lips. "You see, being a Decepticon, I'm not exactly allowed to feel this way. I have to be tough and fierce in order to gain respect from those under my command. I can't wallow in self pity or mourn the past. I had to bottle it all up. You are providing me with an opportunity that my kind are seldom given, if at all."

He stretched a little further, angling his hips up and letting his helm fall back to look at the ceiling. He felt the other shift slightly in awkward discomfort.

"Would you believe that I was once very shy?"

Prime made a noise that sounded like someone clearing their throat. He even raised his hand to his face guard in the same manor. Starscream's helm tilted to the side to regard the Autobot. Amusement played along his features.

"I guess not." He grinned.

"No, it's not that." Prime shook his head, denying that he had intended to offend the seeker. "It's just that I am surprised that you were at, one time, shy. But I can believe it."

Still smiling, Starscream continued.

"Well, I was. I guess you could say I was overwhelmed by Megatron when I first met him. I wasn't shy around anyone else. Just him. I only wanted to please him. To make him see my value. My strength. Although his intentions were made very clear in the beginning, I was hesitant. I barely knew him and already he was talking about making me his second in command. Soon he was courting me and, I, practically worshipping the ground he walked on, allowed him to. But it was too fast. He wanted what I wasn't willing to give him yet. I held back on him for a decade. A decade, Prime. Of hidden glances, brushing elbows, quick and feather light touches and small kisses. I was falling for him. I didn't want to ruin it by moving too fast. But he wanted more. And like a fool, I trusted him, and followed him back to his quarters one evening. He managed to convince me to fool around a little. It grew far too hot and heavy for my comfort. And I asked him to stop. I believed he cared enough for me to do so."

Here the mech paused. Glancing over to Prime who was sitting stiff as a board and a look of utter shock written all over his face.

"But sadly the universe cursed me with the ability to make Megatron loss his head. He didn't hear me, or he just didn't care enough to listen. He let his spark go. His energy field ripped through me with such desperate force that I started to scream. Nobody came to help. Nothing I said or did stopped it. And just like that, everything was ruined. So I ran. I ran away for several days before I realized I had to go back. Self pity and mourning are luxuries no Decepticon could afford. I had to go back. I had to face him. When I did, he wasn't sorry. He wasn't even shaken in the slightest. When I told him it was over, he sneered at me and reached for me. He pinned me to that filthy floor and did it all over again. His only excuse was that I belonged to him. From that point on, I swore that I would destroy him. He only laughed and told me to try it. That he would welcome it. I keep fighting. He keeps winning."

"Y-you mean...he still does this?" Prime gasped.

"Of course he does." The seeker growled. "He hasn't stopped. A few times I've managed to fight him off, only to suffer for it later. That's usually when he forces a merge."

"Merge? He...he goes that far?"

"Oh that's right. " Starscream shook his head sympathetically. "You Autobots still cling to old fashion ideas. That merges follow unions."

Optimus was truly in shock now. "Decepticons practiced merging even without unions?"

"Some do. Surprisingly many wait until union is performed before they partake."

Now Prime was confused. While Cybertronians had very little use for traditions as serious as marriage, some did wish to make their relationships and feelings for one another known to others of their kind and acknowledge by authority. Union was created for just such a purpose. It could be as elaborate or as simple as a couple wished. Before the factions split, a Prime was acknowledged as the figure head of Cybertron. The council would make decisions and the Prime would carry them out. He would perform unions as a sign of good faith for his fellow mechs. He would bare witness to the couple's vows and offer his blessings. Optimus himself had bared witness to several unions in his time as Prime. However when the factions split, the Decepticons abandoned the old ways and the Prime as their leader.

"How do Decepticon's perform a union without a Prime?"

"Why, Megatron does it of course." Starscream stated. "He's bared witness to dozens of unions."

"You're lying." The semi would have frowned.

"No, I've seen it." The seeker insisted. "After numerous couples approached him on the subject, he decided it would be easier to just perform the damn things then suffer disgruntled soldiers. Most Decepticons keep it really simple. Depending on Megatron's mood, he will either nod his head in recognition of his blessing or actually state so in words. He once confessed to me, when we were speaking of our own union, that he couldn't find the right words he wished to use as his vows. He's not a very sentimental mech."

"You....were going to exchange vows?" Optimus almost deadpanned the question in his disbelief. "You and Megatron?"

"Yes."

"Who....who would have performed it?"

"He would have had to temporarily relieve his authority to another mech. They, for a brief period in time, would have been the official leader of the Decepticons. A risky move to take just to make an honest mech of me." Starscream mused, then shook his head and sighed. "That's how serious I thought our relationship was. Guess I was wrong."

Prime shook his head. His processor ached from all that he had just taken in. Megatron abusing his second in command. Decepticon unions. How the Hell did he managed to get himself involved in this madness? It was just too unreal to believe. Perhaps Starscream was stretching the truth just a little. Perhaps Jazz was correct in warning him to watch his back.

"You're speaking the truth?"

"Every word, Autobot." The red and white mech nodded. "I wouldn't lie about things of this matter. Even if I was trying to fool you, I'd have thought of something much more kind to the audios."

"I just...can't believe that Megatron has done this to you. That he is...." He drew a blank. Still not fully grasping that his enemy, a mech whom he respected, could be....

"That evil?" Starscream offered. "Are you really that surprised?"

"I am." Prime looked the Decepticon in the optics. "And I am truly sorry to hear all that I have heard today, Starscream. It sounds like you really loved him."

"It's all in the past." The jet muttered. "I have long ago stopped grieving."

"Is there anything I can do, besides promise you that I will stop him at any cost, to help you?"

Starscream watched the Autobot for a moment. The genuine concern that Prime had for him was once again tugging at his spark. Suddenly feeling quite flushed, the seeker realized this could be a perfect opportunity to make a move. If it didn't work, at least it would be entertaining to see. After recounting the worst days of his life to his enemy he also really needed a way to make him forget it.

"I can think of a few things." Starscream shifted and sat up on the berth, pedes touching the floor with a soft click of metal as he stood.

"Yes?" Prime watched as the seeker took a few steps around the small room, turning to face him a second later.

"You can help me...." The seeker then knelt down in front of the Autobot, causing Prime to jump back on the berth, slightly startled by the sudden proximity. "By making me feel normal again."

"H-how...." He stumbled to find the words as the pretty Decepticon moved closer towards his parted legs. "What do you mean?"

Starscream gazed imploringly into blue optics as he slid close enough, wantonly, to rest his servos on either side of the General's, now shut tight, thighs. "Another thing I came to realize yesterday, Autobot. I like it when you are kind to me."

His fingers traced delicately up a seem in the semi's knee joint. Prime shuddered and tried to keep calm as his spark did flips in his chassis. Completely lost for words, he couldn't believe this was happening.

"I've never met another mech who I've felt this comfortable around. It's a nice change of pace from living with Megatron pawing after me."

"S-starscream." Prime almost choked when those blue servos fell flat on his thighs and glided smoothly from his knees to his hips. "I can't...."

"Please, Prime." The seeker all but begged. "Give me what he never did. The chance to say yes."

When the seeker's helm lowered and that pretty mouth could be felt tickling at the delicate seems of his pelvic plating, Optimus jerked away, dragging himself up on to the berth and far from those warm servos that he knew he shouldn't want touching him. He leapt from the berth a second later, moving pasted the still kneeling seeker towards the door.

His dermal plating stinging, his core temperature rising. His processor swimming and fuzzy from that near pleasure he almost felt. This wasn't happening. It couldn't It was a miscommunication. His processor was still confused by the story he had heard. Anything to convince himself this wasn't real. But then, if it was his imagination, why was he suddenly so scared? The only thing that stopped him from darting out of the cell was the sound of his prisoner's voice.

"Huh...you're just like Megatron."

Prime froze. He turned to face the disappointed looking mech, horror washing over him as the words sunk in. Starscream had just tossed back every act of kindness that Optimus had ever given him. Slapped him in the face with it. Even after he offered to help the seeker, after sitting and listening to his story of woe. After trusting him and letting his own guard down. To be insulted in such a manor. That he was just like Megatron? How could the jet say that to him?

"I am NOTHING like him." His voice was horrible as he glared at the Decepticon with utter contempt and disgust. "How dare you?"

"I dare because it's true." Starscream pulled himself onto the berth, suddenly looking less inviting then he did only a moment ago, with his limbs folded in on himself. "He doesn't give me what I want, and now you won't either. I want him to stop, and he goes. I want you to start, and you don't."

"I am NOT LIKE HIM!" Prime almost bellowed and took a few menacing steps towards the seated Con who gazed back unperturbed. "I would never hurt you like he does! The very thought of it breaks my spark in two!"

"You're hurting me now." The seeker mumbled, trying to keep the sudden fear he felt from showing on his face. He hadn't expected Prime to be so defensive. A tiny part of him felt honored to know that Prime didn't think of him as an object that could be used with no repercussions.

"Starscream...." Optimus clenched his fists and tried to calm down. The logical part of him knew anger wasn't going to solve anything. "How could you ask such a thing from me?"

"Because I want it." The seeker gazed up at him, stubbornly trying to convince the other bot that this wasn't as crazy as he was making it. "Is it so horrifying to think that a Decepticon would wish to be with you? Or am I just so hideous that you can't stand the sight of me?"

Optimus felt like he was suddenly floundering in the middle of an ocean. No land in sight and sinking fast. He didn't know how to defuse the situation that he was currently drowning in. It wasn't so farfetched that the seeker could grow fond of him. Maybe it was therapeutic for him to have someone to confide in and was confusing his feelings of being grateful for those of desire. Maybe some how this all made sense. Getting angry and lashing out at the jet wasn't going to help at all. All he knew was that he had to keep the communication going. Starscream was being honest. Perhaps he could figure out what was going on here if he was honest with the red and white bot, and himself, too.

"Of course not." Optimus relaxed and moved to sit next to the seated mech. "Although I am confused as to why you wish for this, I am willing to understand."

Starscream drew away slightly when Prime sat down next to him rather then on his usual corner. Keeping up his act, he regarded Prime curiously.

"And..." Optimus looked back at him. "I don't find you hideous at all. In fact....I think you are beautiful."

The room suddenly grew unbearably hot and small as Starscream let those words sink in. Never had it felt so nice to hear it. Megatron had called him beautiful, but that was different. Prime was driving him up the walls now and this little play he was putting on suddenly felt more real, and surreal, than ever before. Even when he was placing a soft kiss on the red and blue mech's armor.

"You really mean that, don't you, Autobot." The seeker whispered as his cheeks suddenly flushed hotter.

"I do." Prime spoke in a tone that made the jet's spark flip.

"Then prove it." He hissed back in challenge, leaning towards the other mech aspiring in small pants to cool his heated circuits. "Kiss me and tell me you don't want what I want."

"I can't." Prime blurted out in pure instinct, even though his own facial plating stung so hot that he was sure the silver metal was scorched a bright red.

"You can." Starscream whispered seductively, crimson eyes burning. "Show me that you're not like Megatron. Give me what I want."

"I'm NOT like him."

"Then PROVE it, Autobot. You can't hurt me any more then he already did."

It was inconceivable that Optimus was even considering this. Starscream was a Decepticon. An enemy. A known liar and a cheat and a mutinous, treacherous creature who unfortunately hid within the body of such a gorgeous Cybertronian. One that he would, under normal circumstances with no war brewing between them, be more than happy to indulge. But how could he do that now? Starscream had just finished spilling his dark secrets. His vulnerable ones. Being intimate should be the last thing on Starscream's mind. Especially with an Autobot. What if this was taking advantage of a victim?

While part of his processor, the reasonable part, told him to get up and leave, his infuriatingly, immature, libidinous half was ready to toss all caution to the wind and just go for it. He needed a sign. Something to cement his choice.


While weighing the options, Prime didn't notice the seeker leaning in closer to him until he felt the soft kiss upon the side of his helm.

That was enough of an answer.

He turned towards the warm presence next to him and saw those intensely heated crimson optics waiting for him. All sense of reason gone as he placed his servos on those strong shoulders, pushing lightly to guide the seeker back and into the berth.