Chapter Text
The echo of metal on metal filled the small sand pit, two sets of peds danced elegantly around one another, kicking up small clouds of dust. The sparks flew off the dull swords, flashing off their optics. Red met blue and the two frames collided, their swords locked in a heated battle of tension between them.
The gray frame shoved the blue and red one back, he stumbled but regained his footing. Moving far faster than his foe, kicking the knee struts of the gray frame, he landed on his aft, but his sword still pointed up in a defensive position.
Their frames vented, fans filling the training room, their session ended kilks ago, and yet neither wanted to admit who won. The gray frame was the first to break from his stone cold personal, grinning. “Smart using my own weight against me.” He shoved his sword into the sand pit and heaved himself up, shaking the sand out from his plates.
The blue and red mech huffed grabbing both weapons. “I’m glad that you can throw mechs off like their nothing.” He set the blades back and removed a few protective plates off his own. He rolled his shoulder joints, knowing they were stiff from the training. “Any poor assassin that tries to kill you is going to have one pit of a time.”
There was a slap on his back. “Please, Orion you know that you’ll cut anyone down who dares to even glare at me.”
Orion rolled his optics. “It’s wise of your sire to train you in self defence, you are the prince of a nation and should be prepared for anything.”
He laughed. “Well I think we’ll be prepared for anything.” His arm wove under his garuds, pulling him away from the wall of weapons. “A few oil cakes?”
Orion yanked his arm away from the prince. “Megatronus,” He hissed pulling the teller mech down. “Not in public.” He snapped.
Megatronus frowned, no more like pouted. “Orion.” He whined, his fans still roaring.
“Fine,” Orion yanked him down, cupping his helm and pulling him in for a kiss. His engines roared and his digits squirmed between plates. Finally he released Megatronus, watching the prince’s handsome face melt into a pleased doopy smile. “Happy now?”
Megatronus vented. “More than you’ll ever know.”
They crossed the crystal gardens, waving at a few of the servants who tended to the purple amethysts. Orion always alert, sword and blaster on his hips, finals always twitching. To most mechs he seemed ready to pounce on anything that moved. But to Megatronus Orions was only half paying attention, one final was always cocked towards him, Orion had a slower pace, and his struts weren’t tight.
“Sire says I’ll be inheriting the throne before I’m to be bonded, his spark is weakening.” Megatronus shrugged rubbing his neck wires. He was too young to lead, much too young to even think about bonding, and far too young to lose his sire.
Orion paused and rested a servo on Megatronus’ shoulder. “Trust me, you’re ready.”
He hadn’t moved since the send off, finding himself in his sire’s study and hanging his head over the desk. The whole room smelled of his sire, and now it was his room. His spark chamber felt cold and hollow, and the silver and red crown stared at him. A new weight was placed on his neck, much like a chain, perfectly fitted for him.
There was a soft knock on the door before Orion stepped in, carrying energon in one servo. He didn’t say anything as he set the cubes down, pouring two to the brim and pushing one into Megatronus servo. He pulled a chair around to sit next to Megatronus, resting an arm around the pri-king’s shoulders.
Megatronus downed the energon, staring at the crown. “It’s going to be heavy.”
“I know, but you’re made of stronger stuff.” Orion took his servo and held it in his own, like many times before. “You’re not alone in this.” Orion kissed the side of Megatronus’ neck, trying to comfort him.
Megatronus turned towards him, kissing him. “I know, I’m glad that I have you by my side.”
It was only 2 cycles into his rain and everything was falling apart. He ran the kingdom far better than his sire, ensuring mech that they would never have to worry about starvation, or shelter. He repaired long forgotten trusts with other nations, such as Vos. And yet his personal life was crumbling under his peds.
A servant has started a rumor that he and his personal guard were interfacing. Normally that wouldn’t bother a ruler, but here it wasn’t a rumor. His kingdom was in an uproar at the rumor, mechs didn’t trust him, and the new found relationship with Vos was strained at the news. If only prince Starscream was ruling now, then that fragger could finally bond with that shuttle and Megatronus wouldn’t be facing this alone. Who says rulers can’t bond with common folk? It’s a dumb rule and everyone knew it.
Who cares if he was sharing his berth?
Orion was there for him and supported every choice he made, point out the flaws in his plans and reinforcing the final products. If Megatronus died right then and there, there was only one mech he would trust with the kingdom, Orion.
He huffed closing the door to his hab. “Orion?” He called out, he asked Orion to lay low for awhile until the rumors died down. Megatronus poured himself a small cube and paced through the hab. “Orion?” he called once again, stepping into the berthroom, finding the berth well made a few items missing. In the center of the berth was a datapad, he unlocked it and dropped his cube.
He felt sick.
Orion’s engines roared and he fled the city he called home, his struts aching from tearing over the harsh terrain. He didn’t dare stop until he reached the small village on the border, the peaceful settlement of all sorts of mechs, a trading post.
His spark ached, he knew Megatronus read the note now, and he knew this was wrong, but it was all he could do. Spread another rumor, then another, make himself the bad guy and the kingdom will be in Megatronus’ favor once again.
Orion drove all night, stopping at the lights that defied the darkness. He ached entering the traveler’s village. They would be gone in a few days, finding another place to set up and trade. He waved to a few mechs and stepped into a medical tent. “I need mods.”
His spark ached.