Chapter Text
Megatron looked over to see you still curled up on the window. Old towel beside you, second-hand sweater, and tights on. Your knees up and a canvas separating you and your legs. Painting again.
He knew that pose would eventually start to hurt your back. He has insisted, multiple times, that you find a different way to paint but your excuse is that it 'Helps you feel more creative.' Megatron would disagree but he couldn't stop you.
Nor would he honestly want to stop you. Your art was perfect and you so rarely made time to indulge in your hobbies. Between helping Swerve at the bar, staff meetings, doing paperwork for your Earth boss, and trying to keep Rodimus from making horrible life decisions; you had your tiny hands full.
Tiny hands that were currently trying to rub skin-safe paint off on a ragged cloth towel. You had gotten the paint from Sunstreaker who you called a friend thought he wasn't sure how you managed it.
Just as he was musing about how strange your choice in friends was he saw you glance up. It was a quick movement and he figured you didn't catch him actively watching you. How many times have you looked over while he was truly trying to work?
He was slightly hunched over the small desk in his hab with a small stack of datapads. You most likely thought he was engrossed in work but actually he had been struggling to get through the reports because he was currently distracted.
Megatron let a sigh out through his vents and decided it was now or never. He looked fully in your direction and called your name. "I've been wondering what you've been working on. Rather diligently this evening if I do say so." He leans more fully onto his forearms. Resting and stretching his backstruts slightly.
The gentle heartfelt smile that you give him is almost enough to stop his spark. "It's a surprise though...its almost done." You break eye contact to look at whatever 'surprise' you've made.
"I started this weeks ago but I've been so busy. Thank you for inviting me to spend the evening in your room." Your looking at him with that look again. It's too tender to be pointed at the likes of him. Before he can apologize for not actually doing anything entertaining you cut him off. "We haven't done anything but I appreciate the quiet. It's such a rarity on this ship!"
"Agreed. The crew acts as if the ship is powered by chaos." He says it so flippantly that it startled a quiet laugh from you. Though you try to cover it with your hand to avoid being too loud.
"If that were the case I'm glad they never seem to stop." You have a satisfied pull to the corners of your mouth. You've left a smear of light blue across your cheek from your painted fingers.
Either you didn't notice or care. It doesn't belong there but you look so pleased and in your element. He can't help but stare. Stunning.
Belatedly he realizes he's come to a stand. Your giving him this curious look. Might as well finish the action then. He rises fully and crosses the small space between his desk and window. Still too tall; he bends down.
You don't look afraid. He realizes you've never looked afraid. Never looked at him with fear in your beautiful eyes. The closest ever would be when you were new to the ship and concerned about getting stepped on. Not like you worry about that at this point in your journey. Everyone had suddenly learned to watch where they stepped (excluding Whirl but who was surprised.)
"What?" It holds no venom but it feels like your challenging him. Megatron knows that you're not but he can't help but feel like your encouraging him. Maybe daring him to act. Though the thought of you doing so is amusing. With your tilted head and the quizzical look your wearing.
You haven't stopped smiling at him.
He reaches for you. Afraid he might scare you off like some kind of skittish animal. You keep watching him. Never breaking eye contact but it doesn't feel bad. He rubs the tip of his digit along the side of your cheek. Pulling up most of the tint. It left a very faint stain on your skin.
Your mouth forms a gentle 'oh' as you see the paint on him. "Thanks."
He nods to you as you glance at your painting. He suspects your worried he's trying to peek at it. "Would you like to see it? I have to render it a bit more but it's pretty much done."
"If you would like me to see it but you do not have to show me if you are not done." He purposely keeps his eyes on you. Not even glancing at the smear of colors you've painted. The most he can gather from his peripheral vision is that it might be a person. Specifically a bot. Frankly he's horribly curious about who has captured your attention. Though if it's Rodimus Megatron isn't sure he'll be as excited to see it.
"I wouldn't offer if I didn't mean it." There's a twinkle in your eye as you turn the canvas. "Paints' still wet. No touching."
He loses his breath. It's slightly abstract color wise and his knowledge on art styles isn't refined enough to pinpoint a style. Instead of harsh grays you've used blues and purples with a splash of soft yellow for the lighting. The background is a swirling mix of dark blues. The whole painting, though colorful, has a somewhat somber yet regal air to it.
And its him.
You've caught him looking slightly down and to the side. Not looking away necessarily but avoiding eye contact perhaps? His spark swells with the knowledge this is what you've been working on. How many times did you sketch him to get the desiered results? Did you keep them? He has so many questions but he can't bring himself to ask.
Your watching him. He knows your watching him and waiting for his response but he's speechless. "I thought going with something Pop Art but with the texture and feel of impressionism would really push what I was going for but...I feel like it might look silly now." You sound upset. Not heartbroken but disappointed. In yourself.
"Never." It's barely a word. More of a breath really. He looks to you then back to the painting. "Thank you."
The shy smile that you give him is perfect.