Chapter Text
Megatron was quite honestly bored already. He was not the one who made trade agreements for the Decepticons, but at an event such as this it was not enough to send ambassadors. A gathering on this scale required the leaders, warlords, kings, queens, ministers and whatever else planetary empires called their rulers. There were some fairly fantastical titles out there…
“It is quite an excellent energon,” he nodded to the buzzing creature who had inquired about his drink, “but I don’t know if your kind is able to digest it. I have never met an organic species that could.”
Optimus felt nervous, over large and too small at the same time, as well as very alone even though he had a guide with him. The creature would stay with him until the rest of the Autobot delegation arrived.
Sentinel would have an even worse time, a lot of the races were organic, Optimus found he could cope with that, but Sentinel hated anything even remotely organic since the training incident where they lost Elita one.
The hall was huge, and he kept to the edges hoping to avoid… well everyone.
“No, it was my pleasure, and be sure to avoid the refreshment hall coded with yellow,” what was the name again? Viridanings, yes, from the Viridan cluster… A queen probably, considering it, she, was decked out in silver and platinum. Possibly a lesser queen, but he had yet to see one decked out any fancier so maybe not. Insectoids at least made a certain kind of sense, it was much harder with the smaller and more squishy organic species. Most of which employed hover platforms so they could converse with the larger life forms.
A Dragonian warlord lumbered past, the huge six limbed beast inclined its leftmost head to him with the respect of one warrior to another and Megatron paid it back. Dragonians were also organic, but neither smaller than him nor particularly squishy. He was looking after the warlord with consideration when a gong sounded, the boom so deep he felt it in his very struts.
The dance… wonderful, with a partner picked out to compliment him. Megatron could hardly wait for that!
Optimus swallowed the lump in his throat when he heard the gong. His guide chittering, looking around before pulling him along even though it was smaller than him and techno organic. Of course it… he? knew who his partner was for the dance. All Optimus knew was they were a technological race and large.
“Yes, meeting new beings is always interesting,” Megatron answered gravely, the deep booming clacks of the rather terrifying techno organic crustacean from V-lord making him want to shift away. T’Claclak, the name was almost impossible to pronounce, was actually a very pleasant conversationalist and a much accomplished tactician. But the clacks made his plating vibrate almost unpleasantly, and also made him heat slightly in arousal.
“Oh, I fear my name is up, thank you kindly for your conversation,” he turned and stepped around a few others to walk up to the ‘matchmaker’.
Oh, that was right, he had been told this. They would be brought before the ‘matchmaker’ in pairs until all were paired up. For various reasons the pairing was never random. It made sense with so many different races, they had to choose partners who were compatible and whose races were not at war or enemies with each other.
“I will be fine,” Optimus forced a smile as his guide seemed reluctant to leave him just yet. The Halyon were very dedicated to their given duty and Hal’rym was no exception.
His first inkling that something was wrong was when the name Optimus Prime rang out. ‘Prime’ was not a uniquely Autobot term, but it still made him stiffen. The small, cheerfully colored mech that arrived not too much later, looking awfully young and like he wanted to be a million miles away… was the second and much more blatant clue. Not only was it clearly a Cybertronian, but he was very clearly marked as an Elite Guard Prime.
The Cybertronian civil war was technically at a standstill, a peace treaty was in existence. But still… to expect him to… Megatron very much wanted to kill someone, but that would not precisely be the best political image to project. So instead he smiled cooly and bowed to his dance partner.
Optimus stepped further forwards when his name was announced looking around then freezing on the spot when he spotted the Decepticon leader at the same time as the mech’s designation was announced again, proclaiming them to be partners for the dance.
A little frantically he looked around for his guide, but the creature was already out of sight. With a sense of dread he slowly turned back to lock optics with Megatron. Scrap!
“A… pleasure to meet a young Prime,” if there was an edge to his tone Megatron didn’t think most would catch what it held. He offered a hand to the smaller mech, rather a lot smaller, and kept his cool smile up.
“If you will, we are expected to join the dance floor now.”
Optimus nearly balked, looking at the outstretched hand with a lot of trepidation. Looking back up he squared his shoulders and lifted his chin.
“I am sorry if I can not repeat the sentiments. However you are correct, it is expected,” he said tightly, placing his hand in the offered much larger one.
“At least you are honest, little Prime,” Megatron didn’t close his hand around the smaller one, but instead turned half way to lead them both onto the dance floor.
“Do you know how to dance?” many did not after all.
Optimus found himself ridiculously grateful that Megatron did not ‘capture’ his hand. Steeling himself he walked with Megatron to the dance floor where other pairs were already gathering.
“I was given some lessons before arriving. In both leading and following,” He replied on automatics, trying to still the slight trembling. Some of the dances had seemed rather intimate, something he really did not want right now.
“And you know I am expected to lead as I am the biggest?” Megatron noted the trembling but chose not to comment.
“And likely far more experienced,” Optimus nodded, “I was informed of protocols.”
Despite his words he made no move to take the proper position. He simply could not make sense of the fact that he would be dancing with the leader of the Decepticons, the Slag maker himself!
“It would help if you moved, little mech, I cannot dance alone,” Megatron rumbled as soothingly as he could, “I promise not to step on you. I have done this before.”
Optimus huffed a little, he knew that and could guess at the rest! Shifting he frowned, there really was quite a large size difference, there was no way they would be able to take a traditional hold.
“I hope you know how to compensate for such a difference in size,” Optimus finally gave in, completely uncertain for how to proceed.
“I do,” but the whole dance was sedate and slow just for that reason anyway. All he would have to do was make sure he did not step on the smaller mech’s pedes or yanked him around when he was unprepared.
And it did go without much of a hitch as they started the smooth, slow and even steps of the dance.
“So, little mech, I did not anticipate that the Autobots would leave Cybertron to participate in the galactic trade meeting. You haven’t for vorn. What has changed?”
“It is not good that we have isolated ourselves so much from such events. It is beginning to show in trade relations,” Optimus kept his answer as vague as he could while still telling the truth.
He was more than a little surprised at how smoothly and easily they managed to dance, despite the size difference. He could not help but notice how graceful Megatron was.
“Well, that is a deduction I didn’t need spelled out, little mech, something must have changed drastically for the Autobots to lower themselves to hubnub with organics,” Megatron kept a snort in by pure will. The Decepticons had been sceptic of organics in the past, but trading with them had offered much… Autobots took that reservation to a whole different level!
“Classified information,” Optimus retorted, the Decepticons didn’t need to know any of this, it was bad enough that they were forced to dance with each other. The last thing he needed was Megatron of all mech digging for information.
“I am not at liberty to discuss our trading arrangements. If you truly wish to know Ultra Magnus will be arriving in the next few orn,” Optimus quickly amended. The last thing he needed was to anger the Decepticon warlord.
Well, well, the little thing could peck. Megatron was more amused than anything, especially when the little Autobot seemed to realize he might have made a mistake and amended his words.
“Thank you for the warning, I shall make sure to make it known that my delegation and UItra’s are not housed together. It would be bad form to fight at this meeting.”
Optimus relaxed a little of the tension he had not realised had been there from his, almost, possible mistake.
“I agree, that would be for the best. Likewise I shall warn of your presence so the rest of the Autobot delegation will not cause a scene in public upon finding out.”
“Sense from an Autobot? Perhaps you are not quite as hopeless a code strain as certain of my officers believe,” well, Starscream had called them worse, and probably had more insults in store for them if he ever got the chance.
Optimus glared and bristled his armour at that insult… well very backwards compliment. He chose not to dignify it with a comment, not wanting to start an argument and certain that is what responding would lead to.
“Sore subject? Well, it is little different than what we are labled as on Cybertron. Monsters, protoform eaters, bad code… to mention a few,” Megatron rumbled with amusement. It was quite fun to needle the smaller mech. Certainly more fun than he usually had at these events. However…
“I believe you will now get a respite, little mech, for as long as you want it,” stepping back he let go of the small hands, slowly, and bowed deeply.
“It has been a honor, Optimus Prime.”
Optimus wanted to make a retort back but did not get a chance, likely a good thing. He returned a polite bow on automatics.
“Wish I could say the same,” he replied honestly. He felt quite shaken and uncertain of what exactly had happened. He had felt honoured to be sent on ahead of the rest of the delegation, but now he was not so sure.
Megatron just smiled, wondering if the little mech would be at the negotiating tables or not. He seemed a little too… honest to make a good politician.
“Unless you're Magnus hides you away for his own pleasure I am sure we shall see each other again,” the parting comment could be taken a good number of ways, and he meant it to be so.
Optimus gaped after Megatron for a moment before remembering himself and schooling his expression. Had he just implied...? Rather shaken he went to find his guide again. The quadruped finding him as he hugged the walls searching.
The chittering speech which had seemed so strange to him before now was a comfort and he answered the inquiries as best as he could.