Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Starscream sighed and rubbed his optics. 

Everything was too noisy and fuzzy in his head. His spark was beating a little too loudly and it felt as if there was sludge in his vents. 

Trying his best to calm down and ignore the stiff feeling in his spinal struts, the seeker punched a nearby tree and flopped hard onto the grassy ground. 

There we go. That will help. 

Focus on the pain, focus on the ground.

Breathe… Ignore it all… 

What was he doing here anyways?

…

Oh that’s right. 

He was supposed to be in a meeting of some sorts with the Autobots and Megatron.

Something about “peace talks.”

How there is “no more war”, “it's time for peace”, “we shouldn’t be fighting", “ we need to rebuild and band together” and “no longer fight for leadership”, blah, blah, blah. 

And it’s supposed to be a peaceful meeting of all things?

Great Plan. 

Excellent idea…

…Whatever. 

In reality the seeker wanted nothing to do with Megatron, GHOST, the Decepticons or the Autobots.

He didn't even want to be the leader of anything anymore.

What was the point?

He only showed up because Shockwave had asked him to. Well, that and Starscream did not want to give up a chance at seeing Megatron squirm. A war-mech who hurt and intimidated his subordinates, being confronted with the consequences of his actions? Confronted with an uncomfortable discussion? Who wouldn’t like to see that outcome? 

Definitely not Megatron. Knowing him, he’d probably start yelling,  take out his cannon and start shooting or swinging at whoever offended him.

From experience, most likely Starscream would be on the receiving end of the former Decepticon’s ire.

Starscream snorted at the thought and closed his optics. Hitting his forehelm lightly with a fist. 

Don’t think about it. 

Megatron was a fool. 

Megatron was always a fool. He probably was the one who orchestrated this entire mess. 

What a great plan.

Let’s gather all the cybertronians in the state to gather in one spot.  

The spot being the former G.H.O.S.T base that housed, experimented and tortured the majority of said cybertronians. 

The hosts being the same humans that helped capture and imprison cybertronians that did not conform or comply with them.

A Prime of all things. A Prime, who helped doom them all by also inspiring said war, continuing the war, working with corrupt humans that tortured the victims and participants of the war and doomed them all to live permanently on this primus forsaken planet. .

And worst of all was Megatron. The traitor, who was supporting Prime and inspired this whole mess to begin with. 

Megatron. The former leader of a warparty who inspired and started a global conflict on their home planet, convinced the faction to invade a new planet once the old one was dying, only to betray said faction and abandon his loyal soldiers to imprisonment and torture. 

And now he wants to talk. 

For what? For redemption? Some sick form of atonement? Consolidation? 

Also, all the meeting parties hate each other, do not trust each other, and have underlying or blatant prejudices against each other. 

What a joke. 

What is worse, Megatron had insisted, (with Optimus Prime’s encouragement) that his human pet and the new cyberformed sparklings should attend said meeting and be an active part of discussions. 

Something about them being the “new hope of the future” and whatnot. 

How stupid. 

The Terrans were still sparklings, only a few months old. That is barely a cycle. 

They just got their alt-modes too. 

Starscream let a frustrated growl escape past his lips as he ground his denta. 

The sparkli- a-hem. Terrans were not old enough to be a part of such discussions. But then again, they have already gone through so much…Even without the war, the Terrans had seen conflict, danger, prejudice and violence. Things that they should have never been exposed to in the first place. 

Children are supposed to be safe and have the opportunity to learn, grow and experience joy. 

Not all the awful things these terrans had been exposed to or have experienced on this planet. 

Starscream hated to admit it, but all of them. Decepticons, Autobots and even some humans created this mess and perpetuated the atrocities of this war, leaving nothing but a mess and consequences behind. 

Starscream frowned at the thought and tried his best not to let the sadness sink into his spark. 

But it was true. 

Despite everything, and he is sure some of the others felt this way when it came to their species and to the Terrans themselves, Starscream did not want the new generation of transformers to deal with all the problems his own generation went through. 

But actions have consequences. Anger, ignorance and hatred had great consequences. 

And now whoever was left and whatever was to come had to deal with what the adults had left behind. 

The Terrans deserved better. 

Hashtag deserved better.

Starcream sighed again and covered his eyes with his servo, trying not to think about the whole situation. 

He shouldn’t be worrying about the Terrans or anything at all right now. Starscream should have instead been focusing on trying to calm himself down.. 

Who was he kidding?

One of the reasons Starscream had come at all was because he wanted to see Hashtag. 

Maybe spend some time with the young ‘bot and her siblings. 

Not that Starscream would never admit that he felt a connection to the young terran, or that he wanted to actually spend time with them and their siblings. Nope. Not him. 

Besides it’s not like anyone would ever believe such a nonsensical thing. Or even allow him to go near the Terrans. 

And it’s not like Hashtag or her siblings would even want to “hang out” with him. 

He was a monster. 

That’s why he’d been pushing Hashtag away and ignoring her messages. 

It was better that way. 

Starscream and kids? Nuh - uh. Bad combo. That was asking for a disaster to happen.

Starscream as stupid to think that was a possibility. 

Starscream was dangerous. Starscream was terrible, traitorous, manipulative. He was not at all a good mech. 

The worst of the Decepticons. That’s what everyone says. 

Truly a bad influence. 

Besides, Starscream had no time for meaningful frien- connections . 

Starscream had no time for meaningful connections.

That’s right.

Connections were a liability. 

Connections won't help you.

Even his sisters were held at arm's length. 

…

But Hashtag helped him. Listened and believed him when no one else would. Saved his own life and the life of his sisters and fellow soldiers. 

No. 

Connections, companions and camaraderie will fail you. 

Hashtag did all that for the sake of her family. 

Everyone has a price, and Hashtag was no different. 

Starscream repaid that debt by helping the Terrans in their time of need. 

Don’t read too much into it. You are alone. And you will always be alone. 

It’s better that way. 

Besides, Starscream was used to being on his own, relying on himself and getting away from certain uncomfortable and/or unfavorable situations that did not benefit him by himself and for himself. 

Like earlier today.

It was bad enough that the seeker had to share a space with people that did not like him or wanted him dead, he had to be an active part in the discussion. 

Everytime he spoke it felt like there was a weight on his wings. He could feel all the glares, every optic both cybernetic and organic scrutinizing his every action and reaction, dissecting every word that came out of his mouth. 

The air was so heavy. 

Don’t stutter. Don’t falter. Don’t show any weakness. 

Ignore Megatron’s glare. Ignore Megatron’s tone. Ignore his growls, his shouts, his gestures. 

Ignore Megatron’s fists hitting the table or the walls. 

Ignore the cannon. 

Ignore the too-bright buzzing lights. 

Too bright. Too bright. Too bright!

Starscream hissed through his denta and dug his fingers into his arms, scraping paint and leaving scuffs. 

Get it together. 

You are Starscream! Second in command to the Decepticons!

Except there is nothing left to command. No one even wants to listen to you. 

“Arrgh SHUT UP!” Starscream hissed to himself, punching the ground hard enough to hurt and biting his lip to silence the pained whimper that almost came up. 

Primus what was wrong with him. 

Starscream used to revel in the spotlight. Now he didn’t want anything to do with it. 

Why did he need to speak? He didn’t even want to be in this stupid meeting! Everything was pointless! 

Everything was too TENSE. 

It’s too much, it’s too much!

It was like waiting for a bomb to go off. 

Tick, tick tick. 

Every second was tense, every second was unbearable, the walls were closing in, the air was too heavy and it was too. Fragging. COLD. 

Primus’ beard. 

Things got out of hand earlier when Megatron and Soundwave had gotten into a very tense and very loud argument over the cassettes.

It was too tense for Starscream’s liking.

Insults were thrown around and everyone practically either had a hand on their weapons or was getting ready to defend themselves if necessary. Optimus prime himself had to physically get in between the two angry mechs and practically beg everyone to take a moment and cool off. 

That’s the moment Frenzy decided to be “helpful” and call for a physical fight via chant. 

Lazerbeak, ever the team player, also decided at that moment  to join in the chant and play brawl music through his speakers. 

All hell broke loose. 

Fists went flying and there was a lot of arguing and shoving. 

A lot of yelling, growling and insults.

It became too much when Novastorm crashed into him after Arcee had given her a good punch. 

Skywarp had taken aim and -

*BOOM* 

Supernova.

For a moment Starscream believed that his sister had perished or that the room was collapsing. But no. 

Megatron had had enough and reverted to his old tactic of leading through intimidation.  Lighting his cannon and shooting above their heads to get the desired attention. 

The lights had dimmed and all you could see was the smoke, Megatron’s scorching, glaring red eyes and the glow of his cannon.

Fearsome. Powerful. Frightening. 

Everyone was paying attention to Megatron now, as he growled out his demands and made his intentions clear. 

But all Starscream could hear at the moment was the pounding of his spark and static in his audials. At Least no one was paying attention to him. 

They were all too distracted by Megatron’s speech. Just like when they were on cybertron. 

This was his chance.

Starscream could escape. 

Taking advantage of the distraction, and with his spark in his intake, the seeker snuck out, and ended up here. 

Wait… Where was “here”?

Srap. 

He was so focused on getting himself away from the others that he completely forgot to check his surroundings. See exactly where he was and if anyone had followed him.

Stupid. 

No matter, at least he was out of there.   

Starscream exhaled and looked around.

No one had followed him. Which means, no one had noticed that he left.

Yet. 

Good. 

That’s good. 

Now where was he? Oh right.

It seemed that he was somewhere in the forests of Witwicky, in a quiet patch of soft grass. with nothing but the animals and trees for company.

Far away from all the boring, tense meetings and explosive conflicts. 

The leaves were starting to change at this time of year, and the weather was starting to change to a cooler and less humid state. But the vegetation and the flowers had not disappeared yet and the sun had not lost its shine or its comforting warmth.  

Perfect.

No muggy heat, no overwhelming noise or threats, no Decepticons, no Autobots, no GHOST and the greatest thing of all; No Megatron. 

Just a lovely and quiet afternoon in one of Witwicky's many forests, the animals and trees, himself and the sun. 

Warm, wonderful, shiny… sun.

Perfect.

Starscream enjoyed the sun. It fascinated him. 

The sun was important. It was bright, giving daylight and energy to the planet. It provided warmth. It was even worshiped. 

To Starscream, the sun’s warmth often felt like a loving embrace, something safe and cozy. A rewarding feeling after a long day of labor. 

The sun’s warmth would even become gentle and soothing in the late evenings, like the love one would receive from a protector. Painting the sky in pinks, oranges and purples. Or just a simple dimming shine on the horizon. 

Other times it felt like a lover, giving gentle kisses on his wings and cheeks when the weather was cold. 

It was amazing. 

Perfectly warm. 

Yes, that’s it. Focus on that. 

It’s warm.

Starcream liked being warm. 

Despite popular belief, liking warm things isn’t a seeker or an aerial thing.

Starscream just enjoyed being warm. Whether it was being warmed up by the sun, a nice shower, the weather itself or a hot spring. 

Usually, it was the sun. 

Starscream liked its warmth almost as much as he enjoyed shutting down and recharging. Or “napping” as the humans would call it.

Back in the early days when the Decepticon’s arrived on earth, Skywarp would laugh and say that Starscream did not need energon since he could easily survive on solar power. 

Starscream quietly chuckled to himself at the memory.

It was calming him down. 

It was not uncommon to find the air commander standing, even on the hottest days, in the noon-light and openly taking in the sun's rays, wings splayed as if it would help soak in more light. If he were human he’d have a significant tan. Like those humans that liked to lay on the beach. 

It was relaxing, and it would often make him drowsy. 

Giving a great yawn, Starscream stretched his arms and back, feeling the soft grass tickle his armor. 

No diplomacy or discussions. 

Just calm.

He felt safe. He was safe. 

Starscream closed his optics and took a deep breath, letting the air into his vents as he felt the sun's rays warm his frame. 

Yes, he loved the sun…

But the sun was also dangerous.

“Starscream it’s Shockwave, where are you? Megatron and his team are looking for you. Come back to the base, NOW.”

“Slag!” cried Starscream, jumping quickly to his pedes,  frightened and tensed up as Shockwave’s message cut through the silence. Trying to calm his turbulent spark, Starscream turned his quickly comm off. Maybe if he ignored it it would go away, like the current burning in his wings. 

Burning like the heat, or a bomb or a cannon blast. 

Ignore it. 

Focus, what were you thinking about… It’s warm. The birds are singing, the sun is shining. 

Yes…

The sun is shining and it is unmerciful and powerful. 

In the summer or in the desert areas of the earth, the sun’s rays would be scalding; hot, harsh and biting. Much like Starscream’s former Lord and Master.

Dangerous.

“I know you’re ignoring me, answer-” 

*click* 

Before Starscream could even be aware of it, the sun would do its damage, heating and melting wires, burning metal, peeling protoform and paint. 

Suffocating, muggy, humid, or dry and dusty weather accompanied by an unending amount of heat. 

In those moments it felt as if the sun was trying to teach Starcream the same lessons that Megatron had so graciously taught him throughout the war.

Only for Starscream to ignore said lesson and persevere through the stinging pain and unbearable heat as it beat down from above. 

Love the sun, admire its power, but fear and respect it as well, because it can and will harm you if you are not careful. 

What rubbish. 

Starscream was better than that. 

Burns? What burns? Flaking paint? HA! This rust? It’s nothing! This weather won't break the great Starscream! That’s impossible!

“But it still hurts…” Starcream mumbled to himself, trying his best to ignore Shockwave’s barrage of digital messages.

Ping. 

Ping. 

Ping!

Starscream winced and stumbled back onto the grass, punching his knees and hitting his helm to try and clear his mind. 

Beat it out of himself. 

Ignore the panic. 

Ignore his rushing spark and the need to purge. 

Ignore the booming pede-steps coming towards you… 

Wait… 

No…

He found you. 

He’s found you. 

He’ll hurt you. It’ll burn you. It will leave you. 

“I-I can’t…breathe…” 

“Starscream?” 

It hurts. It hurts. IT HURTS! 

“G-go away. Just..” 

Stop. 

Stop. 

Stop. 

“Starscream? It’s -” 

Help. 

“Just, leave. Me. Alone!” 

“Fight! Fight! Figh-”

* BOOM *

The entire room erupted into a series of gasps, yelps and frightened screams. Everyone scrambled around each other before becoming still and staring mouths agape and the intimidating warlord standing in the middle of the room. 

Megatron had used his cannon to shoot at  the ceiling, leaving a wide scorching and smokey hole. 

“Megatron! For pete’s sake, you could have brought the whole roof on our heads!” Jon shouted angrily.

“Hush,” Megatron barked, ignoring agent Schloder’s grumbling.

“Listen up! All of you!” yelled Megatron, giving his most intimidating glare, “I’ve had enough of these pointless discussions. Either we resolve ourselves and band together or we fight until our entire species is eliminated! Right now we are standing on the edge of an abyss. If we do not wake up to the issues at hand, we will fall and not recover-” 

Twitch groaned and covered her face with her servos, she was trying her best to calm down and clear her aching intake, blocking out Megatron’s speech. It has been going on for over 30 minutes. 

The loud boom, smoke and ash reminded her of the previous battle she had with Megatron while trying to confront Meridian. 

All those missiles, the adrenaline and the smoke. 

Twitch couldn’t help but scream loudly when the cannon went off. She knew that Megatron would most likely apologize for scaring her and her siblings but it did not stop the fact that Twitch was now fearful of the mech and a little embarrassed. 

Looking over to the Autobot side she noticed that Jawbreaker was having a hard time too. 

The dinobot  was trying to block out everything by covering his audials and burying his face into Grimlock’s hip. While the giant dinobot looked to be struggling as well, Grimlock was more focused on  trying his best to comfort Jawbreaker by stoking the young terrans back.

Nightshade was struggling too by the looks of it, keeping themselves occupied by playing with some of Tarantulas’ webs in a corner of the room. While they were busy weaving a cat’s cradle, Twitch noticed the owlets trembling fingers. 

This entire ordeal was hard on all of them. 

“You ok sis?” 

“Yeah, I’ll be fine,” Twitch sighed, smiling reassuringly at her siblings,“I just need some fresh air and fluffy’s kisses to get this funk off me.” 

“Yeah, Mr. Megatron can be scary. And these feels I’m getting from everybody are not bueno,” said Thrash, bouncing on his pedes in an effort to move around and “shake off" the bad feelings, “It feels like I’m sick and there’s something stuck in my throat. I wish I were at school with Robbie and Mo.” 

Twitch hummed in agreement before noticing that one of her siblings was missing, “Hey, Thrash? Where’s Hashtag?”

The motorbike shrugged and pointed a thumb to the exit, “She left with Starscream earlier. I don’t know what she sees in that guy. He’s literally the worst.” 

“Wait. Thrash you knew she left and didn’t say anything? I wanna get out of here too!” Twitch huffed, jabbing Thrash on the side with her elbow. 

“Ow! Twitch!” 

“Shh! Children behave. Pay attention. This is important.” 

Twitch and Thrash immediately stood at attention at Elita’s request. 

Megatron was still talking, and everyone was hanging on his every word. 

Except for Twitch. 

“Arrgh, why didn’t you say anything about Hashtag leaving?” Twitch whispered, “We could have gone with her.” 

“I didn’t want us to get in trouble. Megatron said it was important for us to attend, if we leave we’re being rude,” Thrash explained, trying his best to pay attention, “This is really important grown up stuff. I don’t wanna disappoint anyone.” 

Twitch sucked on her denta and quietly sighed, crossing her arms across her chest in irritation. 

After about a minute Twitch pinched the space between her optics, “Maybe if we asked Mom to let us have a break? I-I don’t. I can’t be in here any longer,” she mumbled, her voice cracking. 

“Wait until the others start talking, then ask. Tell mom it was my idea,” Thrash said, pushing Twitch towards the table where their human parents were seated along with agent Schloder and his colleagues. 

“Right, I’ll be back. Wish me luck.” 

Thrash tried his best not to let his worry show as Twitch quietly snuck up towards the edge of the table. Her helm barely made it above the table top as she stood on the very tips of her pedes, holding on to the table’s edge as she waited for an opportunity  to speak. 

Twitch sucked in some air through his denta nervously as he noticed a few of the bots giving his sister a puzzled look.

“Good luck, Twitch,” Thrash mumbled under his breath.

“ - But If we choose to put aside our quarrels, to preserve our species, to band together and learn from our previous mistakes, maybe we can for once in our lives achieve the very thing this war prevented. Peace, freedom and equality for all Transformers. Regardless of class, rank or make. A new golden age where we can heal and make a better home for everyone. Including the new generation of sparklings that Primus has gifted us.”

Megatron's expression softened as he was nearing the end of speech, “Please, make peace. Put aside your grudges and join together, or we will all end up killing what little we have left. Every spark is precious and finite. Will you join me?”  

The room was quiet for a moment, before Skywarp tentatively raised a servo. 

“Yes? You may speak.” 

“W-Well. The last time we joined you. You promised the same thing,” said Skywarp, her wings lowering. 

“Instead we got into a war and we lost our big brother Thundercracker!” said Novastorm, hugging Skywarp from the side.

“You abandoned us.” said Hardtop, holding his shoulder, where his arm used to be, “Left us for scrap with the enemy.” 

“They treated us like animals!” Skullcruncher growled, “Kept me in a cage!” 

“We were tortured and humiliated,”Breakdown frowned, “Experimented on and punished. Even when we did nothing wrong.” 

“Yeah, how do we know this isn’t gonna end up like the first time, eh?” Swindle huffed, “You promised us a lotta things. We demand compensation!” 

There was a noise of agreement from the Decepticon’s side. 

“We need to know that we won’t go through the same things again, and that these Human’s will not be a threat to us or our livelihoods,” Tarantulas stepped forward, clicking his mandibles, 

“If you can even call it that at this point. For such a fragile species the humans have caused us the most pain. You allowed that to happen. How will we know that you won’t abandon us, your soldiers and comrades who followed you for millenia, over these organics? Over her ?” Tarantulas said, pointing a finger at Dot. 

Megatron immediately stood in defense, stepping between Tarantulas and the humans on the table, cementing what the decepticons were already thinking. 

“Tssh. See?” the spiderbot clicked, rolling his optics, “You’ve already chosen. These creatures are more important to you than we will ever be. Your little human will be more important.” 

Megatron sneered and was about to retort when Shockwave let out a bitter and emotionless laugh.  

“Megatron of Tarn, Lord of the Decepticon’s made a slave by these little fleshlings ,” grumbled Shockwave. 

“I am no one's slave,” Megatron hissed, 

Shockwave glared at the GHOST symbol that decorated Megatron’s shoulders, “I disagree.” 

“Listen here, you pompous -” 

“Enough,” said Optimus, getting in between the two mechs, “Yes, it’s true. We value human lives, but like Primus and the All-Spark we value the life of all sentient beings. While some humans are hostile others have welcomed us into this planet and have even helped save our lives.” 

“We owe these humans nothing.” 

“You owe ‘these humans’ everything!” cried Dot, glaring up at Shockwave while pointing her thumb at her chest, “ This human family saved your lives when we did not  have to! Humanity could have gotten rid of you, all of you , for good , but by the grace of my family, for the love and compassion we have for you and your kind, you are here,” Dot stretched her arms and gestured to both factions, “Because of a few good humans and the Terrans who I proudly call my children you are all alive! The least you can do is shut up and be grateful!” 

Shockwave glared at Dot for a good moment before letting a noise of frustration escape him, “They should be fearing and serving us instead of the other way around,” he huffed, “I refuse to be grateful to such a weak and inferior species, We are gods compared to them.” 

“Then by your logic you should be serving humans!” Bumblebee said with a snort, “Instead you’re all butthurt because you were bested by them. You refuse to see reason because you think all of us are weak, but in reality you are just too stubborn to admit you’re wrong.” 

“The strong should rule the weak!” said Shockwave, raising his voice, “That is one of the things we all learned before the war! Those with power must make use of  it and the weak should serve the strong!

“ We were wrong! ” cried Megatron as his fist hit the table, causing everyone in the room to jump or wince, “It is the responsibility of the strong to protect the weak. Strength does not make one capable of rule - it makes one capable of service. Humans, as flawed as they may be, know that power and oppression breeds resentment and those who suffer will hurt and rage until everything and everyone is destroyed. That happened to us! We killed our planet with that belief. I can not allow you to kill this one too. I can’t allow us to go extinct! We can not keep on in this path of destruction!” 

“If we learn from our mistakes, if we learn from the weak, we can be stronger than ever and have the life that we could not have on cybertron,” said Optimus, placing a hand on Megatron’s shoulder to calm him down.

“United we stand,” Elita quoted, “Divided we fall. Human’s came up with that, and I believe that we all can benefit from that. Here on earth we can have a second chance, one where we can all potentially have the life we always wanted.” 

“That is a lie.” 

Everyone’s attention  turned to Soundwave, who was sitting in a corner.

“We will never have that chance we wanted. Cybertron is gone. We Decepticons were robbed of our chance to achieve our ambitions. What we fought for. Our hope,” said Soundwave, petting Ravage’s helm while she lounged on his shoulders, “Never had the chance to show that we are superior .” 

“That we all will be equals,” clicked Bombshell from his spot on the ceiling, “No form being greater than the other.”

“No longer subservient,” clicked Lazerbeak, stretching his wings out as Frenzy stared at their former custodian, “No longer tools for someone else’s gain,” she added.

“You tell us not to take it personally, but this was always personal. There is no second chance, the life we wanted was on cybertron, and we can never have it back,” Soundwave rumbled, looking down at his pedes.

Elita frowned and looked down in embarrassment, “Y-you’re right. I apologize, that was callous of me.” 

“We won't even have a chance to raise sparklings,” said Tarantulas quietly. 

Skywarp sniffed sadly at that statement, “I can’t have…I’ll never be a mentor to anyone… ke a matem e sa'nok,” she said, her voice breaking. 

Novastorm shushed and soothed her, petting Skywarps wings and helm, “It’s okay ‘Warp.” 

Megatron frowned as he stared at the sparkbroken seeker, “I’m…Sorry Skywarp. I…” he was at a loss. 

“But there is hope,” said Optimus, “Quintus Prime left us a legacy to hope for. The terr-”

“Don’t! Don’t try and place our hopes on those things! We will never have the opportunity to pass on our teachings to the new generation, because there won't ever be one. Because of you ,” Shockwave hissed, poking Megatron in the chest with a finger. 

“Once you used us for your gain and poisoned the planet, sequestered the allspark you turned on us! Betrayed us and joined the enemy!” said Shockwave, his servo balling up into a fist, “You joined the very ‘bots that supported our oppressors, who hindered our progress; and you expect us to follow you again? For what? And what future ? Our planet, our home is dead . The allspark is gone and we may never have the chance to rebuild,  never have a chance to go home, to progress or succeed.. You and Prime, destroyed that chance. The war may have ended for you and your autobot lackeys that day, but it never ended for us .”

Megatron stood silent as his former soldiers agreed with Shockwave. 

“This war will continue, as long as we stand to oppose you!” Shockwave said, his voice trembling with rage, “It will end when you cease to be!” 

“And what of them?” Megatron asked, gesturing to the Terrans with his helm, “what of their future? Will you really turn away and rage war while Quintus Prime blessed us with a second chance?”

“I don’t care if you consider these cybrids, these Terrans to be the new hope of our kind. They’re not ours,” said Shockwave, his optic narrowing, “I’d rather take my chances in the pit than raise an abomination.” 

“Hey!” Twitch growled as she openly glared at Shockwave,“ How dare you insult us like that you big meanie! We helped save your lives!”

The Autobots and Decepticons seemed taken aback by Twitche’s remark. Though to be fair, most of the adults had forgotten that the terrans were even present. 

Shockwave included. 

Shaking off the uncomfortable feeling, Shockwave waved dismissively, “Stay out of matters you don’t understand you spoiled brat -” 

Before Twitch could even speak, an incensed Bumblebee and Dot came to her defense. 

“You take that back!” 

“Now see here you sack of bolts - No one insults my babies!”

“Dorothy!” 

“Bumblebee!” 

Optimus and Megatron said in unison, trying their best to calm their friends down. 

“Don’t try and lecture me human, you are not a part of this discussion -” 

“Don’t talk to her that way! You slag!” said Bumblebee, waving a fist at Shockwave.

“Bumblebee, language!” 

“Frag off!” Bumblebee growled, swiping Optimus’ servo from his shoulder, “You can’t blame us and Megatron for everything! Cybertron died because you all decided to poison its core! You all decided that taking the allspark was a good idea! So if anyone should take the blame for killing our species it’s all of you!”

“How dare you -”  

“Bring it on decepti-creep!” 

“We was only following orders!” 

“Fight! Fight! Fight! Fi-” 

“Will you shut the frag up already?!” 

“Language! There are sparklings in here!” 

“Those classless cybrids? We should -” 

“Don’t call them that you classist piece of sla-”

“ STOP IT!!!! ” 

Everyone winced and got quiet at the sudden and high pitched shout. 

Agent Schloder cleared his throat and tried his best to ignore everyone's shocked expressions. 

“A-hem. Thank you! Now I need everyone to calm down!” 

“She started it!” said Hardtop, pointing at Frenzy.

“What?!” 

“Nope! Nope! I’m ending it, enough!” shouted Jon, trying his best to exert some authority over the giant beings currently inhabiting the meeting room, “You’re all acting like a bunch of toddlers! You are Transformers for pete’s sake not teething babies! Pull your helms out of your afts and talk!” 

“Jon’s right, we all need to take a deep breath and calm down,” said Alex, trying his best to keep his composure and using the same tone he would use when talking to his children.

“When we are trying to communicate, we teach our children to use their words. Let’s try that here. Use your words, not your fists. Talk, don’t yell. Listen to one another,” he pleaded, looking around the room, “Don’t interrupt, just listen. When the person talking is done, then you can share your ideas and your feelings on the matter.” 

“Don’t talk to us as if-” 

“Hey! What did the gent just say?” 

“Skywarp no hitting!” 

The humans and a good handful of the autobots all pinched their noses or facepalmed simultaneously in frustration.

The room erupted into another cacophony of arguing. 

This was not like wrestling, where the crowd was cheering or the fight was entertaining. 

This whole ordeal was, as Alex would say, “like pulling teeth.” Whatever that meant. 

Twitch groaned and figured it was now or never. Everyone was unwilling to cooperate or come to any meaningful conclusion, so might as well do the thing she wanted. 

Ask and pray to primus that Dot would say yes to the Terrans leaving.

“Psst, Mom?  can we please go?” Twitch stage whispered to Dot, “I don’t wanna be here anymore. All this funk is too much for us to handle.” 

“Yes, that describes the feeling precisely. It seems that all this arguing is making us all anxious and fatigued,” said Nightshade, appearing next to their sister. Seems like they had the same idea, “Please Mother can we go?” 

“In a moment sweetie, let me help calm the crowd first ok? We’ll take a break soon,” Dot tried her best to give a reassuring smile to her children before returning her attention to the rowdy crowd. 

Twitch huffed and made her way back to Thrash’s side, covering her audials with her servos. Nightshade joined Twitch and tried their best not to look upset. 

“I say that we walk out anyway,” said Thrash, “I don’t care if we get grounded.” 

“I agree,” said Nightshade, “Hashtag had the right idea following Starscream out. I suggest we do the same before things become more unpleasant.” 

Thrash nodded and made his way to Jawbreaker, ignoring the adults as much as possible.  

Twitch winced when there was a sudden crash. 

 It seemed that Swindle took a swing at Arcee, only to accidentally hit Skullcruncher. 

Then there was another crash. More metal clanging against metal. Then yelling. 

It was overwhelming. 

Too much for anyone to take. 

“UGH!!!! I can’t take it anymore! I want this meeting to be over already!” Twitch shouted, hovering angrily in place, her propellers whirring loudly, “How come Starscream and Hashtag get to leave but we can’t?! This is going nowhere! I’m tired of just standing here, I’m tired of being insulted, I feel like I need to barf! This is all so dumb! I HATE THIS!!!! ” she screamed at the top of her vents before crashing down onto the floor with her knees and breaking down into a fit of sobs. 

“I want this to stop,” Twitch hiccupped, pounding the floor with her fists, “I wanna go home.” 

The room suddenly got quiet.

“Optimus please, end this,” Grimlock begged, holding Thrash and Jawbreaker close, “This is too much. We can’t solve all our issues in one day, we are going in circles.” 

The Dinobot patted the two terrans on the back as they too started crying, overstimulated by the environment around them and Twitch's own overwhelming emotions. 

“It was a mistake to include the terrans, they can’t handle all this conflict,” Grimlock said in a tired tone, “And frankly, neither can I.”

“I should have never allowed this to happen,” Dot said to herself, “Grimlock honey, help me down, I should have put an end to this madness a long time ago. Come on - We’re going home.” 

Dot nodded to her husband as she made her way to the table’s edge, “I’m done here, resolve your issues yourselves.” 

Picking himself up, Grimlock quietly helped Dot and Alex Malto off the table and onto the ground, “Come on kids, let's get out of here,” he said quietly, taking Jawbreaker’s servo into his own as Alex took Thrash’s. 

“It’s okay Thrash, I got you.” 

“I wanna go home.” 

“I know, I’m sorry.”

Dot made a beeline towards Nightshade and Twitch.

Nightshade sniffed as Dot approached, “Mom. I’m sorry,” they sniffed, kneeling to receive a hug.

“No. I’m sorry,” Dot whispered in their audials, “Oh my sweet child, I should have listened to you,” 

Noticing Nightshade’s tears, Dot frowned, she moaned sadly, wiping away the tears from Nightshade’s cheeks, “Forgive me.” 

Nightshade made a noise of acknowledgement and let go of Dot before turning to Twitch.

“Twitch,” Nightshade said as they stood, blinking away their tears as they approached their sister, “Sis come on, we can leave now.” 

“Good, I don’t want to be a part of this stupid fragging meeting,” Twitch hiccuped, dusting herself off as Nightshade helped pick herself up, “I don’t care how grown up it is, I’d rather be outside playing than here. Hashtag was smart to follow Starscream out of here,” she sniffed, wiping her cheeks with her servos. 

The room went quiet again.

“What?” said Dot, staring at Twitch, jaw slack. 

“Oh..Did I say that a little too loud?” Twitch cringed before straightening herself out and lifting her chin defiantly despite the tears that were gathering in her optics, “I don’t care if it’s rude, but it’s true! This is a stupid fragging meeting, and I am going outside!”

“What did you say?” Elita asked her optics wide with sudden worry. 

“I said frag and I’m getting out of here!” cried Twitch defiantly, “I don’t care if I get grounded! I’m tired and I want to go home!” 

“No, you said Starscream left with Hashtag?” Elita said, trying her best not to look overly concerned, “Optimus, we need to go.” 

“We need to go after them, Hashtag could be in danger,” Arcee whispered to Optimus. 

“Forget this peace summit, we can talk another time, we need to go now,” said Bumblebee. 

“Twitch, honey, I need you to tell me. Where did Starcream take Hashtag?” Alex asked carefully, letting go of Twitch’s servo to approach Twitch, Nightshade and Dot. 

Shaking out of her shock Dot cleared her throat before taking a deep breath,“Please honey, we need to know.”

“Mom?” Twitch felt her spark sink, “What are you saying?” 

Dot frowned as she took out her cellphone, “I’m saying I think your sister is in trouble,” she replied, tone serious. Biting her thumbnail Dot mumbled as the dial tone in her phone droned on, “come on baby pick up.”

*click*

“Baby? Hashtag it’s mom -” 

“ The phone number you have reached is currently unavailable. Please hang up and try - ”

“I can’t reach her on my phone either, the messages aren’t going through,” said Alex, holding his own phone up for Dot to see. 

“She turned off her phone,” Dot whispered, sudden terror for her child taking over her heart. 

“Mom? I’m sorry. I really don’t know where she went,” Twitch said, her optics welling with tears. 

“Megs, you have to help me find my baby,” Dot said, turning to look back at Megatron, “Help me find Hashtag!”

“Dottie calm down, we don’t know what happened yet.” 

Alex approached his wife, putting his hand on her shoulder. Dot shrugged it off as she nervously started to pace. 

“Don’t tell me to calm down Alex, my baby is out there with one of the most dangerous Decepticons!”

“This is Starscream we are talking about, my most conniving commander,” Megatron said with a sneer, “I will not stand by as he kidnaps a child,” 

Jon took out his communicator, “All remaining units, this is Agent Schloder, we have a dangerous Decepticon on the loose. Goes by the designation Starscream,” he said, walking over to the edge of the table and signaling for Optimus to help him down, “Starscream is to be neutralized on sight, do you understand? Neutralized on sight!” 

“Hey! Screamer would never hurt a sparkling! He may be a psycho when fighting but he’s not a monster!” said Skywarp, “He probably just took off to cool his jets. He doesn’t like noise either! Kid probably followed him out! I’m his sister - I know him best!

“That’s enough Skywarp,” said Megatron, tone harsh, “Starscream is known to be schemer and manipulator. This is most likely some elaborate plan to make himself ruler or something. I won’t stand by while he harms our children for his own gain.” 

“That is logical, he did not wish to attend this summit to begin with,” said Shockwave, opening his communications hub, “He only agreed to attend for a “chance to see that bucket head get his comeuppance’,” Shockwave hummed in thought, “He always received satisfaction at a chance to see you be irritated. I think today was about seeing you fail or at least be humbled. I confess I also wanted to see that for myself.” 

Megatron exhaled slowly and tried his best to ignore Shockwaves last statement before turning to the scientist. 

“Shockwave, I know this is too much to ask, but please help us find them. Can we put aside our qualms for now and work together?,” Megatron asked quietly. 

“If only to find the commander,” said Shockwave begrudgingly, “Not for the sake of your terran.” 

“Thank you Shockwave,” sighed Megatron. A victory is a victory, no matter how small. 

“Screamer never mentioned anything about a plan or nothin’” Nova growled, “He’d never keep quiet about it if this was his plan!” 

“Starscream is far from predictable,” Optimus said, bringing out his ax, “He may have acted on impulse.” 

“Starscream would never hurt Hashtag!” Skywarp groaned, annoyed, “He actually likes her! He threw himself in front of the dweller to help her! He doesn’t do stuff like that for free you know!”

“He was the one who got us Decepticons together to fight that Mandroid guy  too!” said Novastorm with a stomp of her pede, “He wanted to fight when none of us wanted to!” 

“Starscream is not as bad as you make him to be!” Nightshade raised their voice, “I know my sister and I trust her judgment of character! If she felt unsafe she would send us a message by now!” the owlet cried, only to be ignored by the adults. 

Even Dot and Alex were occupied with Jon and his team. 

Shockwave, Megatron, Optimus and Elita were too busy organizing a plan to look for the missing seeker and spy-van. 

“We have to find Hashtag and Starscream first,” said Twitch, “They’ll hurt Starscream if they find him!” 

“Then we better get moving,” Nightshade said with a nod, reaching into their subspace and taking out two bumblebee walkie-talkies and handing them to Twitch and Thrash.

“Wait! Where’s Jawbreaker?” asked Thrash, looking around for his brother.

“They already left with Grimlock,” Nightshade said while inputting some information into a datapad, “Have your communications open, and spread out, we’ll cover more ground that way. I’ll bring Jawbreaker and Grimlock in the loop. If you find them first, send us the coordinates.”

“Alright then, Maltobots roll out,” said Twitch, as she and her siblings transformed and left before anyone could stop them. 

“Starscream it’s Shockwave, where are you? Megatron and his team are looking for you. Come back to the base, NOW.”

Static.

“Starscream, answer immediately!” 

Static.

“I know you’re ignoring me, answer-” 

*click* 

“He’s ignoring and declining my comms,” Shockwave said in a frustrated tone, “I could not get a lock on his coordinates.” 

“Then we shall communicate to him in the only way he knows how,” growled Megatron, his servos balling into fists. 

“Now Megatron -” 

“Don’t!” Megatron spat, walking past Optimus and out of the room,  “Spread out! Find that seeker!” 

“Megs!” 

The former warlord paused and looked down, “Dorothy.” 

“The kids are gone,” Dot said with worry in her voice, “If they are truly in danger, then take me with you.” 

“You don’t even have to ask,” Megatron nodded, kneeling to pick up his companion, “Do you have your shock rifle?” 

“You don’t keep them with you anymore?”

“Just leave. Me. Alone!” 

The seeker lashed out, claws out and denta bared, he swiped catching a tree in his fit of rage. 

Blind to what he was doing, Starscream’s claws tore at bark and wood.

Hashtag could back away as the seeker rampaged, wincing at every crunch and scrape. She decided it would be wise to stay back and wait for the Seeker to calm down.

After a few moments, Starscream had collapsed onto his knees, nursing the wounds he had created on his knuckles. Breathing ragged and wings trembling, the seeker kept mumbling, “I just want this to be over. I want this to be over.” 

“Starscream? It’s me, Hashtag. It’s okay,” Hashtag said, cautiously approaching the seeker, “I won’t hurt you. You remember me right?” 

Starscream shook his helm and hissed through his teeth, shaking his right servo in an attempt to relieve the pain. 

“Starscream?” Hashtag called again, making her steps deliberately loud, “I’m behind you, are you… alright?” 

“Hashtag?” the Seeker asked tentatively, slowly becoming aware of the world around him. The pounding in his audials diminishing. 

“Yeah,” Hashtag laughed softly in relief, “you had me worried for a bit there.” 

Starscream blinked a few times before taking in his surroundings again, “I didn’t… What happened?” 

“You were having a violent outburst,” said Hashtag, giving the seeker a sympathetic look, “Come on, why don’t you sit and breathe with me?” 

The spy-van slowly sat down, patting the patch of grass next to her, “Come on, you’ll feel better I promise.” 

Starscream blinked again as if in a daze and followed Hashtag’s suggestion, “How did you find me?” he asked quietly while sitting down. 

Hashtag let a puff of air escape her vents,“I followed you,” she said as she slowly reached over to take the seeker’s servo, “I didn’t want to deal with all that noise and to be honest I was worried about you. You looked upset. Consent to touch? Are you ok with holding my hand?” 

Starscream sighed tiredly and nodded, suddenly feeling very exhausted. Hashtag smiled gently as she took his servos into her own.

“Squeeze my fingers and breathe in for four seconds, ready? Breathe in.” 

1…2... 3…4

“Breathe out.” 

1…2…3..4

“Good, again.” 

Starscream breathed in unison with Hashtag, slowly taking in air into his vents and finally letting his mind quiet down. 

After a few minutes, Starscream’s wings finally stopped trembling and his shoulders felt a little lighter. 

“Feel better?” asked Hashtag, tilting her helm to the side. 

“Yes. Thank you, Hashtag.” 

Starscream tried his best to smile back, but he felt so tired, “What made you follow me out? I could have handled this on my own, you know. I’ve done it before.”

“Just because you’ve done it before doesn’t mean you have to do it now,” Hashtag huffed, squeezing the seekers fingers with her own, “you’re not alone anymore.” 

Starscream tsked and looked away from Hashtag, “You barely know me. How could you possibly know what I’m going through?”

“You know the answer to that,” Hashtag said with a smile, “But I can’t help you if you don't talk.”

Starscream stubbornly kept his gaze away from the spy-van.

“Starscream, talk to me,” Hashtag said in a sing-song voice, “tell me what you're feeling.”

The seeker sighed and rolled his optics, “Okay. I…It felt… Bad. Like I was being suffocated. I couldn’t…I could barely hear or see what was going on. I just needed to get out of there.”

Hashtag gave Starscream a sad look, “Did it bring back bad memories?” 

“Yes,” the Seeker sighed, pinching the space between his optics, “I don’t like being around Megatron. He…He’s so…” 

Starscream sighed angrily and shook his helm in frustration. 

“Take your time,” Hashtag smiled encouragingly, “How is Megatron?” 

There was a quiet pause. 

“Overwhelming,” Starcream finally said, “He is overwhelming. He overpowers and - and dominates everything! He’s always in control and he - He makes things s-so unnecessarily complicated.” 

“I see, and was that the reason why you left?” Hashtag asked, squeezing Starcream’s servos again, “Was his presence becoming too much? Did  he make you feel unsafe?” 

Starscream scoffed, “Of course he did. His little threatening display wasn’t helping either. He always loved to use intimidation to get his way. He loved to use that trick on me the most. It was... very effective.”

“Do you feel safe now?” Hashtag asked, adjusting herself so that she was sitting a little closer to the seeker. 

Starscream shrugged his shoulders as his wings twitched uncomfortably, “No...No, I don’t feel safe. Even now I’m not safe.  Nowhere is safe when it’s with him . Nowhere is safe when it's with me!” 

Hashtag seemed taken aback at Starscream’s exclamation, “What do you mean?” 

Starscream frowned and let go of Hashtag's servos to rub at his arms, almost as if he was trying to ward off a chill, “I’m not a good person Hashtag.No one is safe with me, and I am not safe with anyone. I will never be safe, period. Megatron always made that clear...No matter what, whenever I even felt even just a mili-second of security, any form of happiness, he would and could - Take. That. Away…And it was my fault for thinking that I ever could be. He took my youth. My hopes. My strength. That’s why I am the way I am, Hashtag. I can never afford to be at peace, because I'm a Monster. A monster of my own creation....” 

“Is that why you’ve been avoiding me?” asked Hashtag, causing Starscream to flinch,"Because you think you will hurt me? Betray me? or that Megatron will take me away? Or is it that you think you can't trust me?"

Starscream remained quiet, his wings twitching restlessly. He did not want to answer those questions. 

“I’m not dumb Starscream,” Hashtag said plainly, “I know, you won't hurt me. And I’m not going to hurt you either. Do you feel unsafe with me? Or are you afraid that I’m not safe with you? 

“I never meant to imply that, and I don’t…I just…” Starscream swallowed the lump that had suddenly formed in his intake, “I am not good with affection or relationships. I’m not a team player. I am paranoid, a traitor, as selfish as they come and I -” 

The seeker shook his helm and squeezed his optics shut, making a gesture that seemed to point at everything around him, “I just… Can’t ,” Starscream grit out, hitting his knee with a fist, “I’m not…Good.” 

“That’s not true!” cried Hashtag, “I know you have good in you Starscream, I feel it in my spark. You showed me that day when you helped us. You saved us and got the others to join-” 

“Hashtag, please,” Starscream begged, scratching at the wound on his knuckles, “I was repaying my debt to you. It’s better if I -”

“Stop hurting yourself.” 

“What?” 

Hashtag took Starscream’s injured servo, “Stop hurting yourself,” she commanded, giving him a stern look. 

The seeker blinked, dumbfounded, “I…” 

“When you hurt yourself you are not just doing damage to yourself,” Hashtag interrupted, tenderly wiping away some dirt from Starscream’s wound, “You are hurting yourself and those around you.” 

The spy-van pointed at a fallen tree, full of scratches and energon. Its trunk split open and mangled. And then he saw the baby birds. 

“Oh…” 

The seeker felt something akin to sadness in his spark, before it transformed into embarrassment and then anger. 

“I don’t care,” the seeker snarled, “I don’t care about the organic life on this planet!” 

Hashtag gave Starscream a knowing look, “I know you’re lying.” 

“I'm not lying!” Starscream growled, “I don’t care! I don’t!” he cried, getting up and walking away from the spy-van. 

“Just go away! I don’t need you to lecture me. I don’t need you to help me. I am Starscream! Commander of the Decepticon army!” the seeker shouted to the skies, “ I am - I am…” 

Starscream fell onto his knees, clutching his helm as he felt static fill his audials again. 

He barely heard Hashtag approach him and barely felt as she took his face into her servos. 

“Starscream look at me.” 

The seeker did not dare disobey. His optics focused on Hashtag’s own. She looked so sad and determined at the same time. 

“Starscream, I know that you not caring is a lie,” Hashtag said, wiping away the tears that had fallen on the seeker’s cheeks, “I know that you feel alone and that no matter what, someway, somehow, you will get hurt. So you act like you don’t care, you push people away and don’t realize that, that very thing is what's hurting you the most.” 

Carefully the spy fan let her servos fall on the seeker’s shoulders, “I care about you. No matter what anyone says or what they think of you. I’m your friend Star. You will always be safe with me and I know I will be safe with you. We can protect each other. I am here for you. Let me care for you.” 

Slowly, Hashtag wrapped her arms around the seekers shoulders, going into his space for a hug, “Please Star.”

Starscream stilled and looked down at the spy-van, feeling a little awkward. Slowly he brought his own arms up and tentatively hugged back, “Okay…I’ll try… I’ll try for you .”

Hashtag made a quiet noise as she buried her face in Starscream’s shoulder.

“You are so strong Starscream,” Hashtag whispered, “ You are not the monster others say you are. You are smart and I know you are caring.You need to use that to count for something. To serve life and be better. Not death and not the past. Megatron is not going to take that away. Not if I can help it.”

“That’s not your task,” Starscream said with a sneer, “I won't let you burden yourself -”

“I’ll protect you,” Hashtag said stubbornly, “Even if you don’t want me to.” 

Starscream let a little laugh of disbelief escape his lips. Hashtag as wise as she may be was also very naive. She was a sparkling after all.

“It should be me protecting you, my little sparkling,” Starscream snorted, petting Hashtags helm, “You and your sentimental siblings are something else, you know that? You sure you’re not a cyber-mite getting under my armor?”

Hashtag laughed and hugged the seeker even tighter, “No. I just don’t want you to be upset.” 

Slowly the seeker pulled away, and tsked, “I don’t like closed spaces,” he sighed, “I don’t like being near Megatron because I’m…afraid of what he will do. I’m afraid to get close to you and your siblings...I'm afraid that I'll hurt you...and I’m scared that I'll become...attached and that he will take it all away, like he did my home and my dreams.” 

Starsrcream put a servo over his spark, before looking at Hashtag seriously, “When I joined the decepticons, it was because I wanted something better. For myself and for the future. I…I don’t like that you and your siblings have to deal with all these adult problems. That is not your designation or your purpose. Sparklings are meant to be taught, to be loved and not be burdened by adult’s feelings or petty grievances.” 

Starscream’s face softened, “But now you have to deal with all the problems we left behind,” the seeker took a deep breath, “Hopefully, you won't repeat our mistakes. And… Hopefully…We can obtain peace through passing on our teachings to you…Mentor you all as we never could on cybertron.” 

“Mentor?” Hashtag asked, tilting her helm, "What does that mean?"

Starscream blinked slowly, “Mentor. To teach, to parent and raise children or young ones,” said the seeker, looking down at the grass before looking at Hashtag in the optics, "We forge and adopt. It's how we make our families."

“Hey! Just like us and mom and dad,” Hashtag said, pinching her chin in thought, "Does that mean that they're like my mentors? My siblings mentors?"

Starscream nodded, "Yes, in a way." 

"Hmm," Hashtag hummed, her nasal ridge scrunching up as she contemplated her next words, "So...That means that Wheeljack and Grimlock are mentors too? They're Twitch and Jawbreaker's Dad 2's and then there is Tarantulus. I mean Optimus doesn't feel much like a dad, and Megatron doesn't feel like one either. Though I think Twitch sees him like a Dad three or something... I don't Know..."

Starscream let a huff pass through his nose. 

When Hashtag got on a subject she really did get on that subject. 

"Oh, sorry. I get way into my head sometimes," Hashtag giggled.

"It's alright, I'm just not used to so much conversation," Stascream admitted, clearing his intake, "Not that I don't mind it." 

"I don't know," Hashtag shrugged,"I mean I like Bumblebee, and everyone. I love mom and dad but...I wish I had a Dad 2 at times. I can see the appeal. Sorry, I'm rambling again."

"Oh no...uh..Don't worry about it," Starscream coughed, feeling something warm in his spark. 

"Thanks," Hashtag sighed, giving the Seeker a smile, "I just... I'm trying to get my head around it. I don't know much about cybertron or anything like that really. It does sound nice though. Having a mentor."

Starscream nodded slowly, "Yes. It is nice."

"Well...Anyways... I'm glad you feel better, though. I'm sure things will calm down and eventually you guys will be able to have your families, like we did!" Hashtag giggled, "I'm just glad we're friends. I mean't what I said earlier. You can trust me, Starscream, I will protect you and I'll be here for you."

Starscream laughed breathlessly at the terrans statement. 

Primus this child was endearing.

That's when Starscream made a decision.

It was insane...but it felt right.

Taking in a deep breath before speaking, Starscream steeled himself.

“I don’t want you to protect me,” he said sternly, his optics staring deep into Hashtags optics , “And I don’t want to be your friend.”

Hashtag gaped at the seeker, looking hurt, “You don’t mean that.” 

“I do,” said Starscream with a nod, “I don’t want to be your friend, I want to be more, for you and your siblings. I want to be your mentor, your guardian and protector. If you want me to be better, then I need a reason to fight for. To care for, again. I want to fight for you.”

Hashtag looked confused for a moment as Starscream adjusted himself, sitting up so that his knees were beneath him,“I know I am not the best option, but I want to ask just the same. I want to hope again and not be afraid.”

Slowly the seeker squared his shoulders and bowed, wings low and helm touching the earth as he asked, “Will you accept me as your mentor?” 

Hashtag swallowed as she felt her spark jump, her mind racing a million miles an hour. 

Was this the right thing to do? They barely knew each other, really. 

But deep in her spark she could feel it. 

That connection, that want and need. 

Hashtag loved seekers. In her mind, they were so cool! And now she gets to have one as a teacher? And Starscream of all mechs? Amazing! She was going to learn from Starcream, learn as much as she could. And she would be able to help him, teach him and protect him in return.

The thought alone made her spark swell with pride and admiration. He was letting her into his world. 

“So… You will be my family?” Hashtag asked, her optics wide, “I will be your family?”

Starscream nodded. 

Hashtag made a high pitched noise before covering her face with her servos, occasionally bouncing on her knees a little before peeking through her fingers to stare at the seeker for a moment. 

Starscream bit his glossa nervously as Hashtag stared at him, the silence was driving him crazy. 

What he did was a very presumptuous and bold move. 

Maybe that was a mistake. Who was he kidding? This was wholly inappropriate. Hashtag already had a family, and who was he to even ask? She couldn’t possibly - 

“Yes.” 

Starscream blinked, “Huh?” 

“Yes,” Hashtag repeated. 

“Are you sure?” the seeker asked, eyes wide in disbelief, “This is absolute. Once done it cannot be undone.”

“I can feel it in my spark. If this means that I can learn from you, if we can help each other. If I can be your family…Then…Yes. That is my choice. I choose you.”

The seeker sighed in relief and pressed his forehelm on Hashtag's own, earning a little noise of surprise from the spy-van. 

“Thank you, my spark,” Starscream said quietly, letting the warmth of Hashtag's presence wash over him, “I swear upon the primes, on Primus, on your life giver Quintus, on our mother Solus and Xal the first,” the seeker spoke, his voice trembling with emotions he thought were long gone. 

“I Starscream of vos, take on the mantle of responsibility for you, Hashtag Malto of earth,” he said with reverence, almost as if saying a prayer. 

“As your mentor I will try to be better for you. I shall protect you, support you and your family, and will do my best to listen to you, respect you, and guide you. I will be there for you when you need me, and I will in Primus’ name cherish you unconditionally. I will be your gateway to the world and you shall be mine. Until all are one, until the end of my time,” Starscream felt the tears fall before he could do anything to stop them, “Oel ngati kameie 'ite.  Oe lu sempul. May Quintus bless you, my child. My filia. Ma ‘ite,” Starscream concluded, giving Hashtags forehelm a gentle kiss. A promise of a father to his daughter. 

Hashtag sniffed and wiped away her own tears, her spark filling with something so …warm and wonderful. Something safe, quiet and warm. She couldn’t help but project that feeling onto her siblings, her bond swelling and overflowing with absolute love and security. 

Hashtag couldn’t help herself any longer and launched herself onto Starscream, enveloping him in a tight hug. 

This time Starscream didn’t hesitate to hug back. 

The seeker did not know how long they stayed there, embracing one another, wiping away tears and talking. 

“We need to head back,” said Starcream eventually, “Primus knows what they are all doing now. Or if they are even looking for us. But first…I need to take care of…that.”

“Take care of - Oh,” Hashtag frowned as she looked towards the tree the seeker had mangled earlier in the day, and the dead baby birds. 

“I am not familiar with the customs here on earth, but I believe I am supposed to bury them. So that they may return to the earth the same way we become immersant when it’s the end of our time ” Starscream said sadly, “I’m sorry…I didn’t mean to harm them.” 

Hashtag patted the Seeker’s servo and stood up, “Come on, let's give them a proper burial then.” 

After burying the birds and giving them a little makeshift headstone (upon Hashtag’s request). Starscream spoke under his breath, apologizing again to the creatures for his actions and giving a silent plea to the universe that somehow he could be better for his new ward. 

After a few moments of silence and a moment of shy awkwardness, Hashtag decided to ask a question.

“So… A mentor is like a parent right?” Hashtag asked, pinching her chin with a servo, "Like my human Mom andDad?"

“That is correct,” Starscream answered, looking back at the pensive Hashtag, “I made a vow, and I have full intention on maintaining it. Celebrations and blessings be da- uh…Darned.” 

Hashtag hummed and nodded, “I see.” 

Starscream felt his spark race again. 

She doesn’t want you. Who would ever want you? It’s not even official! You are not a real Mentor!

No. Don’t think that. She accepted. That must mean you have value to her somehow.

Starscream took a deep breath, “Are…Are you regretting it?” 

“Oh, no,” Hashtag said in carefree tone, “I’m just wondering what I should call you? I mean, Twitch calls Wheeljack Dad two. If you are going to be a parent to me, I want to give you a good title.” 

Hashtag kicked the ground bashfully, “Like with Alex. He’s my Dad,” she said quietly, “you’ll be like, my dad two.” 

Starscream felt his spark swell up with pride and an emotion he thought long gone.

“Very well my spark. On cybertron, depending on the city or region, a sparkling may call their mentors by a similar title like pater, matem, or even by their names. I am okay with whatever you wish to call me,” Starscream hesitated for a moment before continuing, “Although I am…really fond of the term Sempu or Pater. Sempu is what we called mech mentors on vos. My mentor Cryak I used to call sa’nok.” 

“Sam pull,” Hashtag said slowly, “You are my Sample.” 

Starscream snorted and laughed, “Sehm pu. You say it with your chest, Sempu.” 

“Sempu,” Hashtag tried again, “My sempu.” 

Starscream smiled warmly and nodded at his ward, “Ma ‘ite. My filia. My spark.” 

Hashtag laughed and hugged Starscream once again before stepping back and rooting around in her subspace, “I think I still prefer Dad. Feels more natural, you know?”

“Whatever you wish, my spark.” 

The seeker only wished he wasn’t so tense and awkward whenever he received a positive touch. He was not very used to affection. Megatron made sure of that years ago. 

Starscream sighed as he tried to remember a time before the war, before he met Megatron, where he would revel in the affection he received from his peers and his mentor. 

Seekers were affectionate by nature, they touched each other platonically and lovingly. 

And though Cryak was not the affectionate type, she did hug Starscream occasionally. 

It wasn’t until after Megatron started hurting him that Starscream learned to reject any form of touch. Reject friendly pats on his shoulders, handshakes or preening of any kind, no matter how painful the loss of affection may be. 

The only touch available was always unwilling, unwanted and always in some form painful. 

Burning. 

‘Primus,’ Starscream prayed internally, ‘Please don’t let me mess up this child like Megatron did me.’ 

“Sempu?”

Starscream snapped out of his thoughts at Hashtags call, “Yes my spark?”

“Do we really need to go back?” asked Hashtag, taking out her comically large phone and turning it on. 

“The sun will be setting soon,” Starscream replied, “besides, they will most likely believe that I kidnapped you or something stupid like that.” 

Hashtag hummed thoughtfully before looking down at the device in her hands, “Oh no!” she squeaked, bringing a servo to her mouth as the messages began pouring in. 

“What? What’s wrong?” 

Hashtag tried her best to quiet the torrent of chimes coming from her phone, “I think I’m in trouble. 27 missed calls from Mom! Ugh I’m sooo grounded!” 

Starscream looked at Hashtag in confusion, “I thought you were already a grounder?”

“Wha? No, no. Not like that,” the spy-van said quickly, trying to text her family back and share her location, “She’s going to ground me. You know, no internet, no phone, no computer. ACK! She’s gonna make me go to bed early! And no video games!” 

 “I’m sorry, Hashtag.” 

Hashtag looked confused at the seeker’s apology, “Huh? What for? You didn’t do anything.”

“You followed me out here and I kept you here instead of immediately taking you back,” the seeker grunted, getting up from the ground and dusting himself off, “ It’s my fault that you are going to be grounded.”

“No, Star,” Hashtag huffed, shaking her head and waving the seeker off, “I chose to come here and I chose to turn off my phone so that no one would follow us. I’ll deal with the consequences. That’s the responsible thing to do.” 

Starscream let out a concerned groan, “Mmm.” 

“Don’t worry about it,” Hashtag shrugged, sending a message to her siblings and human parents, “Besides, I don’t regret following you and I’d rather be grounded and not play video games for a hundred years if it means I get to keep you as my Mentor.” 

Starscream’s mouth clicked shut as he blushed, feeling suddenly overwhelmed but at the same time so very happy, ‘She called me Mentor!’ he thought, his wings fluttering.  

Realizing what she had just said, Hashtag groaned loudly and covered her face with a servo, “Aw man, that was so corny! Hashtag you dummy!” 

Starscream frowned, “You’re not a dummy, Hashtag,” he said sternly. 

“Well I sure feel like one,” Hashtag sighed, “Whatever. I meant what I said. You are my Mentor. My Sempu. My Dad. And No one messes with my Dad! And if anyone has a complaint about it, who cares?  There's nothing anyone can do about it! Hmph !” 

Starscream felt tears form in his optics once again before quickly shaking his helm and clearing his intake, “Well,” he said shakily, “Let us go back to base.” 

“Can we go slow? I like to watch the sunsets,” said Hashtag, taking a hold of Starscream's servo, “I like the sun. It’s all warm and bright, you know? I love feeling it on my armor!” 

“Yes. Yes, I know.” Starscream laughed and squeezed Hashtag’s fingers affectionately, “I really like the sun too.” 

“Hi! Mom?” 

“Robbie! Hi honey, are you home? I’m with Megatron, you’re on speaker!”

“Hi kids!”  

Robbie took off his shoes as he entered his home, phone pressed to his ear, “Yeah Bumblebee picked us up from the library, what’s going on?” he asked, sitting down on the living room couch.

“Our cyber sleeves have been acting up all day!” Mo said, voice raised so that Dot could hear. Robbie could hear her struggling to take her own shoes off before bounding over to where he was sitting, “Everyone’s been feeling awful all day! I had to go to the nurses office!” 

“I know sweetie, I’m sorry,” Dot sighed through the phone, “I never should have involved your siblings. This entire day has been too stressful for them and now your sister -” 

“I heard,” Robbie interrupted, putting his phone on speaker so that Mo could hear, “You’re on speaker by the way - Bumblebee says she was kidnapped by Starscream?”

“I don’t know,” replied Dot, “But your sister isn’t answering her phone and her location is off.” 

“Why would Mr.Starscream do that?It doesn’t make sense. ” Mo frowned, getting up to open a window for Bumblebee to join in, “I thought he liked her. We need more facts. This doesn’t sound right.”

“Fact: Starscream is a very dangerous mech, kids,” said Bumblebee, “He most likely took her to get back at Megatron somehow, or to get something he wants.”

“Huh? But why?” asked Mo, looking confused, “Last time we saw him he said he wanted nothing to do with Mr. Megatron.”

“Besides, he doesn’t seem that bad. He helped us beat Mandroid,” said Robbie, moving over to the open window.

 “He even gave us his private comms in case of an emergency too!” Mo said, leaning on the wall.

“Yeah, he told us if we ever needed help with beating “Lord Megadork '' to call him,” said Robbie, mimicking Starcream’s voice. 

“He what ?!” 

Robbie, Mo and Bumblebee all winced at Megatron’s tone.

“S-Sorry. I was kidding about the Megatron part, but yeah,” Robbie shrugged, “I don’t think we’re in any danger, this morning maybe, but since 3rd period we haven’t felt - Woah!” 

Robbie dropped his phone as he froze, his cyber sleeve glowing brightly. Mo stilled too, her eyes wide with shock as she put her sleeved hand over her heart.

“Robbie? Mo? What happened?” Dot’s voice rang through the phone. 

“Kids?” Bumblebee asked, reaching out to wave his servo in front of Robbies blank face. 

“Oh,” Mo gasped suddenly.

“Mo? Hey are you alright? Woah, woah, woah why are you crying?” Bumblebee panicked, looking back and forth between the two kids, “Robbie?” 

“Bumblebee, what is going on? What’s happening? Hello?!” Dot shouted, her voice breaking into static, “Robbie? Morgan?” 

Bumblebee nearly jumped out of his armor when he heard Mo sob. Glancing over her he looked for any sign of injury or even a reason for distress, but she didn’t look hurt. In fact, she was smiling. 

Robie wiped his eyes as he bent down to pick up the phone, “Mom?” he said, clearing his throat, his voice wobbly.

“Robbie! Oh thank heaven. What’s wrong baby?” 

Robbie sniffed and smiled, “I d-don’t know what happened but… It’s Hashtag, we felt -” 

 “What did that stupid slag-heap do?!” Megatron’s booming voice rang, causing static, “I should have known he was up to something. If he’s trying to get under my armor with this stunt -”

“NO!” Robbie yelled into the receiver, “Stop assuming! If you keep assuming you make an ass out of you, not me! Get all the facts, remember?” 

“Robert Aster Malto you watch your mouth! Apologize, right now!” 

“No Mom,” Robbie sniffed, “You two aren’t listening! You tell us to use our words, but what good is that if we keep getting interrupted? I ain't apologizing for calling Megatron out.” 

There was a stunned silence from the other end of the line. Robbie humphed and sat down on the couch, “Sorry Mom, I get you’re worried but please - you need to start trusting us. We’re not crying because we’re upset.” 

Mo started giggling, wiping away her tears, “We’re happy crying. Something really, really good just happened.” 

“It feels like,” Robbie struggled to find the right words for what he was feeling, “It feels…” 

“Safe,” said Mo, hugging her shoulders, “Warm. Like when you and Dad give us hugs after a nightmare.”

“Or when you tell us you love us,” Robbie continued. 

Dot remained quiet on the other end of the line, the wind and the sound of megatron’s propellers occasionally cutting through the silence. 

“So… Hashtag is okay? She’s not hurt?” Dot finally asked, “She feels…Safe?” 

“Yeah,” Mo coughed, “She’s safe.” 

Bumblebee crossed his arms and tapped his fingers on his armor,, “How do we even know if she is with Starcream? What if he just left and she is hanging out somewhere?” 

“No she’s with Starscream,” said Robbie, “All those good feels were because of him.” 

There was a pause before Dot spoke again, “And you are sure she is safe?” 

*ping* 

“Yeah, we’re sure,” said Mo, giving her brother’s arm a hug.

Robbie nuzzled his sister’s head with his cheek, opening the messages on his phone, “Hey Mom -” 

“Dorothy, we have an incoming message.” 

“Hang on Baby,” said Dot, “This is Malto.” 

“Hey, it's Jon. We got a location on Hashtag and she’s moving. Seems like the ‘Con has taken her, there was some debris on her last stop, knocked down branches, a tree that’s been ripped up. Looks like a struggle, we found some energon and tracked its energy signature - we have a bot team on standby -” 

“ I knew it! ” roared Megatron, causing the phone line to break into static again. 

“Send me the coordinates and meet me there! Do not shoot her, do not engage until I get there, you understand?” Dot ordered “Looks like your sister’s been in a fight - I need to go baby, keep an eye on eachother!” 

“Mom wait -” 

Dot hung up before Robbie could even speak. The boy gave Bumblebee and Mo a concerned look, showing the message Hashtag had just sent. 

• I’m safe! Srry 4 worrying every1 😣 Im turning on my location and heading 🏠  😀
• FYI Im bringing a guest 🎉 - b NICE to him ✈️  k? No fighting!!  I got some g8 news!
• ILY ❣️ 🗺️

Bumblebee’s optics widened as he read the message, “She’s bringing Starscream…As a guest?” 

“We need to go find them before Mom does!” cried Mo, “Robbie we need to do something!” 

*ping* 

“Nightshade, Thrash and Jawbreaker already left, they are heading over there now -”

*ping* 

“Twitch found them first, ‘cmon!”

Robbie and Mo ran for the door, grabbing their helmets and  ignoring Bumblebee’s protests they ran to the barn. That is until Bumblebee’s alt-mode screeched in front of them. 

“Don’t even think about taking your bikes. Come on, we’ll get there faster if we drive.” 

Robbie and Mo smiled as they got into Bumblebee’s backseats. 

“You’re the best Bee!” said Robbie, putting on his seatbelt and then helping his sister with hers. 

“Bumblebee?” Mo spoke, touching Bumblebee’s door. 

“Yes?” Bumblebee answered, his engine revving. 

“Promise that you won't hurt Mr.Starscream. Not until we got all the facts okay?” 

Bumblebee stayed quiet as he revved his engines up again, “I’ll…I’ll try,” he said before driving off.

“Hashtag!” 

“Huh?” 

“Hashtaaaaaag!” squealed Twitch, diving and pouncing on Hashtag, sending both sisters to the ground.

 “Oof!” 

“Ow! Twitch!” Hashtag complained as Twitch clung to her neck and shoulders, “Ew, now I’m all muddy.” 

“Sorry! I was just so worried about you! You just left without saying anything and everything was so loud and then there was a fight and UGH!” 

“Woah, woah, Twitch slow down. Breathe, tell us what happened,” Hashtag grunted, trying to get up while holding on to her crying sibling.

“Are you two alright?”

Twitch blinked and looked up to see none other than Starscream, “Oh it’s you!” she cried pointing a finger at the seeker. 

“Everyone is looking for you! They think you kidnapped my sister! Mom and Megatron are going nuts!” Twitch cried, her propellers whirring, “I’m scared they’re going to hurt you!” 

Starscream sucked in a breath through his denta, “Scrap. I knew this was going to happen,” he huffed, “Hashtag my spark, you sent your family a message with your location, yes?” 

“Well yeah,” Hashtag said bewildered, “Hang on, did anyone get my message?” 

Twitch shrugged and wiped her optics dry with a servo, “I got your message and I relayed it back to the others. They’re on their way now. I don’t know if mom got it though, she was very upset.” 

“Oh no.” Hashtag let out a frustrated sigh, “We need to get back to the base - but I don’t want anyone to hurt my Sempu.” 

“Your what?” Twitch asked, confused. 

“I’ll tell you more later, but right now we need to think,” said Hashtag pacing back and forth, “Argh! Think, Hashtag think!” 

“What if we tried talking to them?” Twitch said, nervously pinching her fingers, “Maybe if we talked - “

“You saw how they were this morning,” Hashtag huffed with a roll of her optics, “No one was listening to each other. They just assumed the worst out of one another without looking at any of the facts or actually trying to listen to one another.” 

Hashtag sighed, frustrated and kicked the dirt under her pedes, “They’re going to attack regardless of what I say - Just because they think that Starcream is the bad guy.”

Starcream frowned and placed a servo on Hashtag’s shoulder in an effort to comfort her, “I’m sorry Hashtag. It takes time for people to change their minds.” 

The spy-van put her servo on the seekers, giving his fingers an affectionate squeeze, “I know, Sempu.”

“But we need to at least try!” said Twitch, a look of determination on her face, “Maybe if we all stick together and we all defend Starscream, they’d be willing to listen. That’s what you did for us,” she said, flying over to Starscream, and wrapping her little arms around his waist in a hug, “Let us help you.” 

Starscream made a noise of surprise when he felt Twitch hug him, his wings flaring a bit. He was so not used to sudden acts of affection. It was a little overwhelming.

“Twitch, consent, remember?” Hashtag whispered harshly, “Not everyone likes hugs!” 

“Oh! Sorry!” Twitch squeaked, immediately letting go, “I forgot!” 

Starscream cleared his intake awkwardly and looked away from the terrans, “I…I don’t mind. Just give me a warning please and don’t make it last too long. I’m not used to…receiving unsolicited hugs.” 

Twitch happily bounced on her pedes, “Can I hug you?” 

Starscream avoided Twitch’s gaze awkwardly, lifting his arm up in invitation. With that Twitch squealed happily and went in for another hug, knocking a little air out of the seeker and nearly making him lose balance. 

Hashtag laughed and also went for a hug when Starscream motioned for her to do so. 

Both femmes hummed as they nuzzled into the seeker’s armor, causing him to tense up before rolling his optics, patting their heads awkwardly as he tried his best not to grimace at the new mud stains on his canopy. 

“I promise I’ll help you like you helped us, I’ll make them listen,” Twitch said, looking up at the seeker, “and if they don’t I’ll make sure to scream so loud their audios will pop off.” 

Starscream’s wings fluttered at the femme’s earnesty, feeling his spark swell once again with an emotion he was once familiar with.

Hashtag giggled as the seeker’s wings moved. ‘He’s like a giant bird’ she thought to herself. 

“Hashtag Malto!” 

“Eek!”

“Thrash?” 

Speeding down on the path ahead, the motorbike transformed and ran the rest of the way to his sisters. His other siblings, Jawbreaker and Nightshade were not far behind. 

“You two are in so much trouble,” said Trash pointing at Hashtag and Starscream “The adults are going nuts!”

“Thrash!” Twitch squealed, “Thank goodness you're here!”

Thrash grunted as Twitch let go of Starscream and pounced on him, “Ew Twitch you're getting mud on me!” 

“Sorry Thrash,” Twitch frowned, “But we need to talk.”

“I'll say,” Thrash snorted, looking at Hashtag and Starscream, “You all have some explaining to do.”

“Nightshade, Jawbreaker!” Twitch called, waving her other two siblings over.

“It would be helpful if you filled us in,” Nightshade panted, looking over at Hashtag, who was still holding on to Starscream, looking ready to defend the seeker, “It seems that something major has taken place. Both here and with the others, everyone is on high alert and heading this way.” 

“We also got this weird feeling,” Thrash said, putting a servo over his spark, “The last time I felt something like this was on Mother’s day.”

“Yeah!,” said Jawbreaker, still in his alt-mode, “It felt like…Really, really warm?” 

Hashtag gasped, “Oh! That was me. You guys, there’s something I need to tell you, but first we need to go back to the barn -” 

Starscream made a sudden noise, his wings up and alert, “Wait. Something’s coming.” 

In the distance there was the sound of rotors, it was approaching quickly. 

“Oh no,” Hashtag breathed, “We're out of time.”

Out in the distance, blocking the light of the setting sun, was the menacing figure of Megatron.

“He’s found me,” the Seeker gasped, making a few worried noises as his wings lowered, “I-I need to go. I need to hide!” he said in a panic. 

“Sempu.” 

Starscream paused and looked down. 

Hashtag placed her servo over his spark, “Breathe,” she said, “I promise, I'll protect you.”

Starscream stilled and stared at his ward. He should be protecting her. Not the other way around….That’s right. He’d made a vow. He has a sparkling to look after. 

Stop being a coward and fight for your sparkling, you fool! 

Something inside Starscream clicked. 

That’s right. Hashtag is your sparkling. These terrans are your sparklings. 

Defend. Defend. Defend your family from that fiend!  

“No…I…Will. I will protect you. I will protect all of you,” the seeker growled in conviction. 

No longer feeling afraid, the seeker schooled his features and made his decision, ignoring the racing of his spark and the tremble in his knees. Herding the terrans behind him, he readied his weapons.

With as much authority as possible, the seeker spoke.

“All of you, get behind me, no matter what happens. Stay low and stay out of the fight.” 

“But sempu -” 

“No buts my spark. This is not your fight.” 

“I want to help,” Hashtag said sadly, tensing up as the sound of rotors and transformation became too much to ignore. 

“Guys! I have an idea,” Twitch gasped, “Stay close! We can-”

A loud thump interrupted Twitch.

Megatron was here and he was angry. 

With Dot on his shoulder, the former Gladiator glared darkly at the Seeker.

“Starscream!” Dot shouted, her blaster rifle trained on the seeker, “Step away from my Babies!”

“On the ground!” Megatron barked.

Starscream bared his denta and loudly growled, engines roaring in warning, spreading his wings to cover the terrans as he aimed a single null ray at his former master. 

Megatron’s eyes widened at the seeker's display, giving him pause. Seekers only did that when- 

“He didn’t hurt us!” Hashtag shouted, stepping under the seekers wing, “We don’t want to fight!” 

“Behind me youngling,” Starscream hissed, using his servo to push Hashtag back, “He won’t hesitate to attack. Even if you are here with me.” 

“Don’t you dare touch her,” Megatron roared, his cannon aimed at the seeker’s chest, “Get away from the Terrans and you may survive to see the next day!” 

A sharp noise escaped the seekers throat, his eyes glowing white in anger, denta bared, the seeker hissed. A loud, snarling, gravelly sound that would make any living being freeze. 

But not Megatron. Revving his own engine in response, the former warlord charged up his cannon.

“No!” Dot gasped, “Megs, stand down - Your shot will hit the kids!” 

Megatron grit his denta as he caught sight of the other terrans. They too were muddy, paint chipping in places and black scuff marks tainting their protoform. They looked scared. 

“We can’t just let him take the children hostage,” Megatron shouted, “I will deal with him in a manner I know he’ll understand.” 

“Wait! He didn’t do anything!” Twitch screamed. Her entire frame was shaking in fear as she hovered above everyone's helms, “He’s protecting us!” 

“Twitch!” 

“Twitch, get back down here!” 

“No! He has to listen - You need to listen!”

Megatron was barely paying attention to what was being said. All he could see was Twitch, his little bird trembling.  Scuffs and mud littering her fame. 

“You hurt her,” Megatron whispered, “How dare you!” he roared, baring his own denta at the seeker and raising his cannon. 

“Megs, what are you doing?!” Dot screamed, “Stop!”

The whole world erupted into chaos.

Starscream blinked a few times, his audials ringing from the blast, his intakes and back struts burning from the smoke and the dust. 

Breathing heavily the seeker coughed and focused on the Terrans. 

They all looked horrified, their muffled screams cutting through the ringing. Hashtag, his spark was holding his face in her servos and shouting, tears falling from her optics.

Starscream wanted so desperately to respond, to comfort his sparkling but he froze. His injured wings twitched as felt the air move, the rumbling of heavy pede steps vibrating through his heel struts. 

“Run,”  Starscream croaked, pushing the Hashtag away, panic for the terrans rising in his spark, “ RUN! ” he screamed, turning to meet Megatron's fist. 

Pain blurred Starscream’s vision and made his helm spin, but it didn’t stop him from doing his best to protect what he had sworn to protect. With a heated growl the seeker unsheathed his sawblade and swiped at the former gladiator. 

Shots fired, fists hit metal, denta snapped and engines roared as the two fought, sending dirt and sparks flying. 

Hashtag screamed as Megatron openly attacked the seeker. 

The sound of metal clashing and gunfire triggering horrible memories for her. 

“Hashtag! Hashtag we need to go! Get up!” 

Hashtag sobbed as she felt someone grab her arms and lift her up, her spark felt like it was being crushed. 

“Hashtag, baby I need you to move, everything is going to be ok! You'll be ok!”

Hashtag’s mind was in a haze as she was dragged, her pede steps heavy and uncoordinated, “We need to go back,” she sobbed, pulling back from whoever was dragging her, “I need to go back to my Dad.”

“Hashtag, focus. We need to run, we'll be with Dad soon. But right now we need to run.”

“Mom?” Hashtag sobbed, her eyes focusing. Twitch, Nightshade and Thrash were the ones pulling her along, while Dot was riding Jawbreaker. 

Dot looked terrible, she was covered in scrapes and dirt, her hair was loose. From the looks of it, even her prosthetic leg was damaged. 

“Hashtag, we need to go,” Dot repeated, “Megatron is on a rampage, we're not safe here!”

Hashtag shook her head and continued to struggle, the sounds of metal and gunfire booming behind her. 

“We have to go back, I can't leave him,” the spy van gasped, “He's my mentor, Mom.”

"What?" Dot looked at Hashtag confused.

Before Hashtag could even speak, the sound of multiple vehicles screeching and transforming took her attention.

“Dottie!”

“Mom!”

“Kids?!” Dot gasped, “Alex?!”

“Everyone get down!”

Hashtag felt something hot fly past her helm. In an instant she felt the earth shake as there was a loud boom. Everyone was down on the ground, covering their heads as dirt and sparks flew through the air. 

A stray beam from Megatron’s cannon had almost hit them.

Hashtag barely noticed Bumblebee’s frame covering her human family, or the legion of transformers arriving and shouting, instead she was staring at the fight behind her. 

Megatron had the seeker pinned. 

“Get off him,” Hashtag said, her voice increasing in volume, “Get off of him! GET OFF MY DAD!” 

“Hashtag!”

Before she even knew what she was doing, Hashtag got up and ran.

“ DAD! ” 

“Hashtag what are you doing?” 

“Get off of him! He did nothing wrong! You didn’t need to attack him!” 

Starscream coughed as he felt a heavy amount of pressure disappear from his back. 

Where was he? 

Blinking, Starscream’s vision cleared up enough to catch sight of what was happening around him. 

The world was too bright and too disorienting. 

“Dad? Please get up.” 

Starscream’s optics squinted as he caught sight of his ward. Her helm shielding the brightness of the setting sun as she looked down at him in concern. Her servos frantically shaking the seeker’s shoulders. 

“Hashtag?” the seeker rasped, his voice laced with worry “ My spark, no. You need to get out of here.” 

“Absolutely not! I’m not going anywhere!” Hashtag said determined before turning to glare at Megatron. 

Starscream huffed and kept quiet. He couldn’t argue if he tried. He felt sore and extremely exhausted.  Looking around he noticed the rest of the Autobots and Decepticons, standing to the side, chatting amongst themselves or simply staring at him and Hashtag. 

Feeling a little self conscious Starscream cleared his throat and sat up with a pained groan, “Where is your family? Your siblings?” he asked. 

Hashtag patted his shoulder and smiled, “Bumblebee got here just in time with Dad, Mo and Robbie. He was able to give them cover and keep them safe.” 

Starscream looked over to where the scout was standing.

Bumblebee looked a little uncomfortable as the Malto's were arguing with the human they called ‘Mom’ and a few others that had just arrived.. 

Starscream tensed as he caught sight of Optimus Prime, Jon Schloder and his G.H.O.S.T. agents. 

Panicking the seeker scrambled to get up, “Ghost! We need to get out of here! We -”

“Easy!” Hashtag said, taking a hold of Starscream’s face with her servos, “Look at me. Breathe. It’s ok. They’re our friends. They’re here to help. Look around. No one is fighting. You’re safe Dad. My Sempu. I’m here, I got you.” 

Starscream took a deep breath and shuddered, feeling a little lightheaded as his ward embraced him. 

Hesitating the seeker pat Hashtags back, the feeling of comfort slowly making its way into his spark. 

“What do you have to say for yourself?!” 

Starscream flinched at the sudden shout, “I didn’t -” the seeker’s protest immediately died as he saw what was going on. 

Megatron. Former Tyrant and Leader of the Decepticons. Gladiator of Kaon. Bane of the Primes.  Was currently being berated by Twitch. 

Starscream had to bite his glossa at the funny scene. Megatron, a large and intimidating mech was trying to shrink and appease a femme no larger than a minicon. 

The little drone was currently hovering at Megatron’s optic level, a finger pointing accusingly in his face as she scolded the former warlord. 

“Why would you even attack him?” Twitch snapped, “He didn’t even attack us! You saw him! He was defending us from you! ” 

“We thought you were in danger,” said Megatron, trying his best to keep his voice even, “Tensions were high and we were exposed. Our Peace summit was taken advantage of by him .” 

Megatron glared at the Seeker, who was too busy mumbling things to Hashtag, “Starscream kidnapped your sister. It was an effort for him to seize control over us and get rid of our factions. Make himself leader or emperor. I can’t comprehend why -”

“He wouldn’t do anything like that!” Hashtag shouted, “I left with him willingly - We were together the whole time! Please, it was my fault - I just wanted fresh air, we didn’t do anything.”

“The only one who put us in danger was you Megatron,” Thrash huffed, dusting himself off, “You and Mom!” 

“Hashtag,” Optimus spoke, his tone serious, “Did he hurt you? Did he say or do anything -” 

“We left because of you ,” Hashtag interrupted, glaring at Megatron and Optimus with all her might, “We left because you scared us. You triggered our anxieties and we left. Starscream never hurt me.” 

“Hash -” 

“No!” Twitch interrupted, “No more talking! Listen only!” she shouted, “Tell them Hashtag. He promised to protect us!” 

“He promised to protect me and my family,” Hashtag continued, “He asked to be my Mentor.”

“What?” Megatron whispered, optics widening.

Optimus stilled, his face growing serious, “Hashtag, do you understand the implications?” 

“I said yes. He cares about me. He understands what I’ve been through and I get him,” Hashtag said quietly, placing a servo on Starscream’s shoulder, "I need him and he needs me. I am his 

Starscream felt his spark swell and grow heavy at the same time. ‘Primus this child’ he thought to himself, closing his optics to try and recollect himself before he broke down again. 

“Starscream?” Optimus asked, “are you still with us?” 

The seeker was breathing heavily, “I hear you, Prime,” he coughed, “I don’t care what you lot think about me. I don’t care if you or my master give me your blessings. I took a vow before Primus and his primes, upon Xal the first. I…I intend to honor it and I have adopted Hashtag as my own.” 

Optimus stood there quietly, taking in Starscream’s words. 

“You…Care for this child? This Terran?” the Prime asked, “Even though she is not of our home and she is a hybrid of human and cybertronian make?” 

Starscream swallowed and looked at his fellow Decepticons, all who were staring intently at him and Hashtag. 

Megatron was staring too. Wide eyed and unbelieving. 

Taking a deep breath. Starscream counted. 

1…2…3…4…

Deep Breath. 

Feel the warmth. The sun is setting. Birds are chirping. 

Feel. 

“I know that our Mentorship is illegitimate in your eyes.” 

Optimus looked taken aback. 

Starscream swallowed and shook his helm in an effort to recollect himself. 

“Our home , our beloved cybertron is gone. There is no coming back from it… We destroyed it…We did this to ourselves. Even if the war went on, if the allspark hadn’t been destroyed. We killed it…and we had no hopes of preserving our species…Of ever finding peace or even freedom. All we had was destruction. All we bring is destruction. No wonder the humans on this planet hate us.” 

Starscream sucked in a breath and looked over at the Malto family. 

“We all lost…But then Primus above, they appeared. After suffering in cages, after the loss of our home our freedoms, after being tortured by the humans Primus gave us a gift . Quintus Prime gave us the first bridge between this planet and cybertron. He gave us all a chance to hope and be better for this new generation and showed us that this planet, for all its faults, is our new home. A new forge brought forth these blessings. These children, these sparklings deserve a better example to follow. I am begging you and all of my brethren to please consider it. I know it will take time. I know that we may never fully get along but Primus…Primus please, look around. We’ve been blessed. There is no more senate, there are no more classes, no energy crisis, no slavery. We have a chance to rebuild. We are alive because of them. We can be better. I can hope again, because of her.”

Starscream steeled himself and embraced Hashtag, his chin resting on the Terrans helm as he stared down the Prime before him. 

“Optimus Prime of Iocon, ma olo’eyktan. I know you and your subordinates will never believe me. I know that I am unforgivable and unworthy of even asking. But I wish to raise this sparkling. Protect her and her siblings. I…I want to…I want to feel again. I thought…That maybe this could be my chance even though I’m…Broken,” Starscream spoke, trying to keep his voice even and his wings high, “I want to learn what it means to be a part of a team. A family. I know I’m a monster.” 

“Dad, you’re not -” 

Starscream swallowed and ignored Hashtag. 

“I am one. Primus knows I am. I can’t…I don’t remember what it is to feel…Truly…Valued? Appreciated? I don’t know. I do know that in the past I was desperate. Desperate to feel adoration, to feel some sort of validation even though I did not deserve it. I know I am entitled, I am paranoid and I am as selfish as they come. I am violent, manipulative, a liar and an egomaniac. I'm stupid. I have no good qualities. I can't do anything right and I knos I am the last person that should be asking for a ward. The worst of the Decepticons...That's what I am.”

Starscream’s wings trembled as he let go of his ward, got on his knees and bowed, helm to the earth at the Prime’s pedes. 


Starscream swallowed hard as he heard Megatron quietly suck in a breath. 

It was no wonder the former Warlord was taken back. 

Starscream bowed to no one. Yet here he was. Bowing, helm to the earth...and begging. 

For Hashtag. 

A Terran. 

“But I want to try…If…If you believe that I shouldn’t. If you want to keep me away from her. Then curse me and strike me down. Take my wings and mark me. I don’t care what you think of me. But don’t think for a second that I will not try my damndest for her,”  Starscream sucked in a breath,“ With or without the proper protocols and ceremony, legitimate or not…I want to try…I want to try for her. I…I care for her…I appreciate her and I…I want to…learn to love her as a Mentor should love their ward. I was not there during her forge. I did not gather sentio metallico from our home to give to her. She isn’t even from Cybertron. My home. But by the will of Primus. I beg of you my Prime. Give me your blessing, make this adoption legitimate in your optics and in the eyes of Primus…Please.”

Optimus Prime looked down at the bowing seeker, his battle mask hiding his emotions. 

Megatron on the other hand looked so very somber. 


"Dad..." Hashtag sniffed, her optics darting between Optimus and the Seeker. 

Starscream trembled under their gazes. The silence seemed to go on forever.

“Starscream I…I’m so sorry,” Optimus finally said, his voice quiet and mournful, "I can't..." 

Starscream flinched and bit back a wail , feeling his spark sink at the apology.

The Prime was rejecting the mentorship, he won't give his blessing. 

"What do you mean you can't?! No! He's -"

"Hush Hashtag," Gritting his denta, Starsream tried his best to stifle his spark’s sudden ache, and the urge to hurt himself to distract from the pain. 

 "Dad - "

"It's okay," Starscream sniffed and slowly got up. It took everything in him not to break, “I understand. If that is your judgment. I will still care for her in spite of it - Come Hashtag, lets go-” 

“I am not rejecting you.” 

Starscream stilled. 

“What?” 

“I am not rejecting your plea,” Optimus repeated, “I am apologizing because…I…I never…Forgive me, Starscream.” 

Starscream stiffened as he felt the Prime’s hand on his shoulder. It was warm and gentle. Encouraging and oh so frightening all at once. 

“I apologize for being so judgemental and suspicious of you - But I can see that you truly mean no harm to the terrans, and I can see you truly care for Hashtag,” The Prime rumbled, lowering himself to meet Starscream’s optic level.

The seeker was so small compared to him. 

Optimus smiled and placed his other servo on Starscream's chest, right over the seeker's spark. 

He could feel the seeker gasp.

“I, Optimus Prime, bearer of the Matrix of Primes hereby give you my blessing. May Primus and his children bless you and your newspark. May your bond never falter and may your sparks never break.” 

Starscream gasped as he felt Optimus press his forhelm on to his own. 

“Go in peace, Starscream of Vos,” Optimus whispered, “Until all are one.” 

Starscream let out a gasp of relief, feeling his tears fall onto his cheeks, the seeker let out a breathy laugh, “Thank you, my prime.” 

“So…Does that mean…?” 

“Yes, my spark. You are in the eyes of Primus and Cybertron my sparkling,” Starscream sniffed, wiping at his optics with the back of his servo. 

Hashtag loudly squealed in happiness and hugged both the seeker and the prime, only to be promptly joined by squealing Twitch and Nightshade.. 

“Oh okay, I guess this is happening now,” Starscream grunted as he felt himself be squeezed by all sides. 

“Oh yeah! I want some of that action!” Thrash laughed as he joined the group hug. 

“JB stop standing there, get in here!” 

“Oh uh, okay!”

“Does that mean you're officially Hashtag’s Dad two? Oh my gosh! I have a Dad two!” 

“So is that what caused that fuzzy feeling earlier?” 

* voip *

“Skywarp?” 

“Does that mean I’m a matera Sreamer?!”

“Oh my gosh, can I call you auntie now?!”

Starscream groaned as his face was crushed up against Optimus’ windshield, his pedes felt unsteady, “ Okay , I think that’s enough affection. Getting hard to breathe.” 

“One last squeeze,” Hashtag giggled. 

“Oh Screamer my tsumukan, I’m so happy!” Skywarp sobbed. 

“Oh for the love of Solus, okay! Everyone off! Nova come get your conjux already!” 

“A-hem!” 

Starscream flinched as Dot Malto coughed and marched up to the dispersing group. 

“I believe you are also supposed to ask me permission to adopt my already adopted daughter?” 

“I didn’t need to ask permission for Wheeljack,” Twitch mumbled, only to be shushed by Thrash. 

“O-Oh forgive me, I -” Starscream stammered, “I did not mean to impose I-” 

“Mom,” Hashtag said seriously, kneeling so that her human Mother could look at her in the optics, “Mom this…This is what I want. I love you and dad, but I want to have Starscream in my life. He is my link to my culture, my Transformer culture and this feels…right. Is it okay that he be my Dad too?” she said with a smile. 

“Are you sure about this Baby? What if he’s using you? Or -” 

“Mom,” Robbie interrupted, “Listen, remember, don’t assume. We all felt it. She was happy and safe. Listen to her.” 

“Mr. Starscream promised to protect us too,” Mo said, putting a hand to her heart, “You told us to give everyone a chance. You let Mr. Megatron in our lives, and even though he makes mistakes we still love him.” 

Dot stared up at the seeker and gave him a scrutinizing look, “ I won't ever forget how you attacked us, or how you put my family in danger today. I don’t trust you.” 

Starscream tensed and bit his glossa in an effort to not insult the human. Hashtag wouldn’t like that. 

“Not yet anyway. You have a lot of making up to do. You better treat my baby well, or I will go after you - Got it?” Dot huffed, glaring up at the seeker. 

Starscream nodded and raised his wings, “I understand. I will do my utmost to do right by your daughter.” 

“Co-Parenting, that’s something new to try out!” Alex said, putting away his notepad and pen. 

“You were taking notes this whole time?” asked Jon, pulling down his sunglasses to look at Alex questioningly. 

“Of course! Wouldn’t you? We just witnessed a huge cultural event!” 

Starscream ignored the humans and noticed the rest of the Autobot crew approaching. The Decepticon’s however all seemed to be mumbling amongst themselves, some looked disappointed others perplexed. 

“Who would have thought you would pick up a mentorship, Starscream,” Bumblebee laughed, nudging the seeker with his shoulder, “I guess you people do change.” 

“What do we do with the others? Do we restrain them and take them back to headquarters or do we go back to schedule another peace summit?” Jon asked, approaching Optimus.  

“Ew no! I don’t ever want to be trapped in a room with all of you ever again! I felt like I was suffocating in there!” Twitch whined, “No offense but you all are terrible at talking to one another.” 

Starscream chuckled at Twitch's antics and noticed Megatron. The grey mech was trying his best to look content but Starscream could see right through his facade. 

Megatron was sad and exhausted. Years of guilt had finally caught up to him.

“Prime, if I may?” Starscream asked, gesturing to the decepticons, “Gather your autobots and let’s group up. Give the Maltos a break. I have a proposal for you.” 

Optimus nodded and motioned his faction to gather, Megatron included. 

“Shockwave, gather your men. We have a proposal from Starscream.” 

Shockwave turned his attention to the approaching Autobots and seeker. 

“You were always the traitor Starscream,” Shockwave rumbled, his optic narrowed, “Although I never thought I’d see the day where you’d stand with Megatron, let alone the Autobots.”

“I’m not standing with the Autobots, I could never join them. Not really,” Starscream scoffed, “And I will never join Megatron again. Never in a million years and for many reasons.” 

Starscream blinked away the tears that had gathered in his optics and clenched his denta as  he looked pointedly at Megatron. 

“There are so many things I wish to say about Megatron. But I don’t think there will ever be enough time in the universe for me to properly explain it. For the longest time I felt angry… I am still angry that Megatron abandoned us and joined the Autobots side. I felt betrayed. Ironic coming from me but…Not only did they forgive him . He never even apologized to us. He only apologized to the humans and to Optimus Prime for his crimes.They let him join their ranks. He was redeemed, forgiven without consequence while we were all punished for his as well as our own sins.” 

Starscream huffed and turned to Optimus, eyes burning, “And You let him . Him! Of all mechs!  And he gets to  go near the Terrans, to teach them, raise them and care for them. When he has done so much worse than I…And…He has done horrible things… and he walks free.” 

Starscream’s voice broke at the last word, as he looked to the Prime. 

“I don’t deserve it. I shouldn’t even ask about myself, but I have to ask for my brothers in arms.  Why can he have a chance at peace but not them ?” 

Starscream gestured to the gathered Decepticons, 

“The Decepticons. You never gave them the chance to grieve or to explore our unfortunate circumstances. Instead you and your Autobots imprisoned them to be put into cells, experimented on or tortured. Our parts ripped from us and brothers lost. Decepticons who were fighting in a galactic war due to circumstance, because they didn’t have anywhere else to go, let alone have a choice o-or who were truly fighting for something so much better ? We were fighting for freedom from the castes. To be what we wanted to be, not our frames or our class. Yet we were let astray. And now that we are trapped here, that tyrant , the one who led us into battle, skewed our views, intimidated us, threatened us and…brought so much destruction gets a chance? Why not them?”

Optimus nodded at the Seeker’s words but chose to stay silent as Starscream continued his plea.

“You both preach peace and we all gathered here for it. For him …A-And I came here because…despite everything ,  a part of me, the stupidest part of me is still seeking his approval…Seeking retribution… And you both... You two destroyed our only means for having a future. At least give them a true chance at being free, a true chance of laying down our weapons and to speak freely, air out our grievances and be heard.. Can you and your Autobots give us that?” 

Optimus Prime nodded, “Are those your terms for negotiation? Or are they simply your personal requests and not of your fellow soldiers?” 

“I don’t know what Shockwave’s terms are, or what the others want. I do know that for the entirety of our faction, that is my request for them. Even if they do not want it, I wish for them to have that chance anyways.” 

Optimus nodded and turned to Shockwave and the gathered faction, “Shockwave, do you agree with this request?” 

Shockwave kept still as he contemplated, “There will always be a war as long as I stand to oppose Megatron. However, that sentiment does not extend and will not be applied to all Decepticons. Those who wish to leave, may do so.” 

“Well that’s as close to a yes we’ll get out of him,” Megatron muttered. 

“Very well. Act as you wish, the rest of you. Do you agree with Starscream? Do you wish to grieve, to change and be given the freedom and resources to live here on earth?” 

The crowd was silent for a moment before Tarantulus stepped forward, “I wish to live the way I wish. I have no hope for cybertron, but I have found console in Nightshade. I enjoy their company and I wish to continue to work on my experiments, to learn from this planet.” 

Breakdown raised his servo, “I want to race! I want to be free to race and… And I want to be able to hang out with my Brother Bumblebee, without watching over my shoulder and without the threat of someone attacking me just for existing!” 

There was a noise of agreement between the rest of the Decepticons. 

“Then I see no reason to hold you back,” Shockwave stated. 

“Does that mean you will join us, Shockwave. Not as an autobot but just as you are, a transformer?” Optimus asked, extending his servo, “Will you give us the peace we ask, and lay down your weapon.” 

Shockwave stared at the Prime for a moment before quietly, responding, “I do not have an answer for you at this time. I must…contemplate.” 

“That is more than I could ever ask of you, my friend,” said Megatron, giving the scientist a salute. 

After a completely exhausting day of negotiations, anxiety attacks, surprise adoptions and even more discussions and a late night full of celebrations. 

Starscream was still up and early. Wings spread and facing the east, eager to catch the first rays of sunshine.

“Still enjoying the sunshine I see.” 

“Megatron."

"You should be resting. Those injuries are still -" 

"I know about the state of my injuries. I know how they got there."

"Starscream -"

"Now, I’d prefer to go about my morning routine alone…So either tell me what you want or leave."

"I...I just -" 

"What do you want, Megatron?” 

“I see you are still angry with me.” 

“Don’t try to small talk me... We’re all angry at you. I think a part of us will always be.” 

“And you?” 

“I don’t know. What good has being angry with you ever done for me?”

“I..” 

“I meant it when I asked earlier. What do you want, Megatron? Why are you here?” 

“...” 

“...”

“...” 

“Well?” 

“I…I wanted to apologize, I never -”

“ Don’t . Not today. I’m not ready to speak to you and I know you have not really thought about your apology. You are only doing it because you feel guilty and obligated, especially after yesterday's events.” 

"..." 

"Stop looking so damn guilty. You deserve that guilt and you know it. Tell me that you at least apologized to the Terrans for scaring them and for coaxing them to attend that stupid peace summit of yours. What were you thinking? Confining all of us in that space? Really?" 

"Yes, I apologized to them. Twitch especially. I triggered their anxieties and PTSD. We're going to work through some therapy soon."

"Good. At least you are doing right by them."

"I was foolish. I never should have done that to them. To any of you. Starscream I nev-" 

"Well at least we both agree on something. You are foolish. Now shoo, I want to bask."

“Very well, Starscream. I’ll leave you be…Congratulations on your mentorship with Hashtag. I wish you well and…I hope you two are happy…”

“Thank you.” 

“…I…a-hem...Nevermind- I’ll just -”  

“I wish things could have been different.”

“What?”

“I wish I could be that person you thought I was-” 

“No, that was never your burden, I - ” 

“Then why did you always make me feel like it was?” 

“...”

“When you’ve truly thought about everything, and no longer feel that obligation to apologize. Come back to me. For now…I…Let me enjoy the sunrise.” 

“I need to tell you…” 

“ Megatron .” 

“No, I need to tell you that…” 

“...” 

“I ...” 

“Go home, Megatron. I want to enjoy the sunrise.” 

“Hmph. If you weren't a Transformer I’d assume you were a ‘bot that  ran on solar power.” 

“Oh - Ha ha so funny.” 

“No need for sarchasm.”

“...” 

“Though you were always beautiful. Basking in the sunlight. You still are beautiful.” 

“ What? ” 

“Nothing. Forget I said anything.” 

“Goodbye Megatron.” 

“Goodbye…Starscream.” 

Taking a deep breath, the seeker let the morning air linger in his vents before slowly exhaling. Letting the warm sun embrace his frame. 

For the first time in a long time, he felt content.. 

Starscream loved the sun and its warmth. 

“Dad!” 

Starscream smiled as he turned to see his ward, skating her way towards him. 

It had been a few months since he’d adopted Hashtag as his filia - or daughter as humans would say. 

 “Good morning my spark, you ready to start the day?” 

“Yeah! What are you doing anyways?” Hashtag asked, the sunlight illuminating her beautiful smile. 

“Just enjoying the morning my dearest,” Starscream hummed, taking in another deep breath, “It’s something I like to do from time to time. Come, it’s time I showed you and your siblings how to properly hiss.” 

“I almost got it last night, hang on - Wheesh!” Hashtag “hissed”, it sounded more like a whistling sizzle than a proper Seeker’s hiss. 

Starscream tried and failed to hold in his laughter. 

“Oh come on, no fair, I’m not a seeker, this is harder than it looks okay?” Hashtag frowned, pursing her lips. 

“N-No, no it’s fine,” Starscream snickered, “You just need to practice more.You’ll be more ferocious than I in no time. Come - We should get the day started.” 

“Okay Dad,” Hashtag chuckled, taking Starscream’s servo on her own, “Hmmm the sun does feel nice…Like a warm hug.” 

“Yes it does,” the Seeker happily sighed, "Hugs?" he asked.

“Aw, Dad,” Hashtag snorted, nuzzling the seekers canopy while pulling him into an embrace, “Ma Sempu.” 

Nuzzling his daughter’s helm Starscream hummed contentedly, basking in the warmth of his daughter's positive touch. Slowly, he was starting to like affection again. 

Letting go of his daughter, Starscream smiled mischeviously before transforming and dashing away. 

“Come now my Spark, I'll race you to the barn!” 

“Oh no fair you had a head start!” 

“Ha ha ha!”  

To Starscream, the sun’s warmth often felt like a loving embrace, something safe and cozy.

A rewarding feeling after a long day of labor. 

The sun’s warmth would even become gentle and soothing in the late evenings, like the love one would receive from a protector. 

Painting the sky in pinks, oranges and purples. Or just a simple dimming shine on the horizon. 

Other times it felt like a lover, giving gentle kisses on his wings and cheeks when the weather was cold. 

It was amazing. 

Perfectly warm. 

But The warmth of the sunrise was the greatest of all. As it would illuminate the start of a new dawn. The sunlight would feel hopeful, loving, welcoming and wonderful. 

Like his daughter Hashtag Malto.  

His legacy.

His hope. 

His Sun.