Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Megatron was over it. He was done with it all.

The paperwork kept on piling into a tower on top of his desk, one that could rival those that he used to deal with as the once feared Deception leader. He couldn't understand to this day why he thought that agreeing to a copious amount of paperwork was a smart idea. The only good thing about this was the Cybertronian office that came with the job – not forgetting the rows of bookshelves tucked in the corner of the room, covered with books and datapads alike.

The first few to join Megatron’s collection came from Optimus. Simple Earthen literature as well as a datapad filled with some surprisingly old scriptures that date back to before the war. A simpler time. That only motivated Megatron to revisit and expand his already wide knowledge of different Cybertronian scholars – some that inspired his own work – and a few shockingly intuitive human authors. At some point he requested for an additional bookshelf, one that he had filled up in a matter of weeks.

At least he did not need to deal with the politics between the U.S military and their rather infuriating government, that was more Optimus’ jurisdiction. The war between the Autobots and Decepticons had ended and his eyes, so had Cybertron.

With the state of the Allspark still in the air, it didn't ease any of the guilt that stirred within him. Even if by some miracle the Allspark had safely landed on Cybertron and life had once again begun to prosper, it still excluded the survivors left on Earth. The emergence of the Terrans had certainly lifted morale among the Autobots but anyone with a sense could tell that they still continue to mourn the loss of their home.

The people of Earth were a sort of… hit or miss. You could have strong-willed humans like Dorothy and her family or you could end up dealing with Agent Croft and G.H.O.S.T. The organisation nor it’s members didn’t make the urge to fly head first into space any less appealing (he had always been tempted to at least try it out) but Megatron knew he had his role.

To simply sit down and complete tens, if not thousands of pieces of ridiculous paperwork.

Groaning, Megatorn dropped his helm against the only empty spot on his desk and as if Primus wanted to torture him for his list of war-crimes, a knock rang itself against his door. Megatron could tell it wasn't a human, (none dared to ever approach his office, even on a good day) and didn't bother to look up as the door slid open..

“State your business. Don't waste my time more than you already have.” Megatron’s monotone voice stated, half muffled against the wood under him.

The bot in question simply leaned against the door frame, watching what he could describe was a bored sparkling stuck in the frame of an ex-warlord.

“Never thought that I would one day also be on the receiving end of the rather infamous 'Megatron Attitude'”

Megatron snapped his head up to the source of voice, suppressing an urge to groan once more as he looked at Optimus, who was surrounded by a rather smug atmosphere that Megatron could never prove was real.

"And I never thought I'd ever be dealing with your 'Optimus attitude', and yet here we are." Megatron snarked, crossing his arms over his chassis as he sat up properly.

Optimus stepped inside the room without any further permission as Megatron gestured to the empty chair across his desk out of the pure kindness of his spark, the door closing shut behind him. It had been a room he’d come to often, whether it be to borrow (or rather steal) a few items off of Megatron's shelves or to simply interact with the rather lonely bot.

“What do you need, Optimus? I believe you can tell that I’m a bit busy at the moment.” Megatron shifted as rest his chin on a fist, elbow digging into the table as he looked at Optimus with a deadpan stare.

As if it was his own berthroom, Optimus easily relaxed into the seat. "Well unless you want me to bring in more paperwork, we have some things to discuss Megatron"

Megatron felt an optical twitch as he allowed himself the ex-vent, meeting Optimus’ optics as his EM field crackled with irritation, “If this is about the jailbreak then you can walk back to Croft and tell her, for the hundredth time, that I had zero involvement in it!”

“Ah, no… Wait, there was a jailbreak?”

“Out of the loop, Prime?”

“You of all mechs should know well how busy I’ve been.”

If it was someone else, they wouldn't have noticed the irritation that laced Optimus’ tone but he had noticed.

Megatron always noticed.

He had always had a disdain for the lack of emotion Optimus allowed himself to show, always going on about how he had to show his status as a Prime with indifference. Whether it be with humans or other bots, the so-called leader always had his walls up. He could count the amount of times he’d actually seen Optimus express himself on his left servo, it being either with Bumblebee or when Megatron had first denounced Decepticonism.

Optimus shook his head, losing his smile as he straightened his back struts. “Forget about that, if you truly are busy then I could come back later.”

Seeing Optimus's moment of hesitation, Megatron raised his optic ridge, reaching out to grab his arm

"No, no." He waved him off with a shake of his head, servo dropping back down on the desk. "It’s alright, I’m not doing much anyways."

He watched as Optimus fought with himself, that tense look between his optics loosening as he sighed before taking a seat opposite to Megatron. Said bot raised an optics ridge at the Primes behaviour, watching his gaze dart around the room, seemingly nervous.

Optimus Prime nervous? In front of him? Now that only intrigued Megatron further. He leaned back against his seat, digits drumming on his desk as he watched Optimus continue to fidget in his spot for what felt like cycles.

“What’s the matter, Optimus? Has something happened?” Megatron leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. He was running out of patience at this point, not to mention the stack of work currently haunting him from the corner of the room.

“Well it’s a bit of an odd predicament.” Optimus paused, “I’ve recently been informed of certain… rumours circulating regarding the two of us.”

It wasn't uncommon hearing so called ‘rumours’ about Megatron but Optimus being involved was rare. He circled his processor, accessing his memories to find something he’s done wrong. It wasn't the first time this had happened.

“I’m sure whatever I did can be easily corrected-”

“They think we’re romantically involved.”

Megatron’s optics widened. He looked at Optimus with utter bewilderment as he felt embarrassment creep through Optimus’ field before it was pulled back.

“This better not be one of your ‘jokes’ Optimus” Megatron warned, his helm inclining so his face was shrouded by a shadow.

“I assure you Megatron that I am not joking. Elita-One informed me about the situation. We should be glad that it hasn't reached G.H.O.S.T, or worse, Agent Croft.”

Megatron suppressed a flinch, recoiling slightly at the seemingly harmless words. He felt a flicker of hurt through his field before pulling it back, flush against himself. Optimus was right, assuming they were in a relationship was the worst thing that could happen.

“Right, what do you want me to do then? Make an announcement? Or conduct a meeting to confirm that I’m not infatuated with you?” Megatron snapped, crossing his arms over his chassis as he watched Optimus look at him as if he had grown another head.

“Is…Is everything alright Megatron?” Optimus pressed, field laced with a potent sincerity and concern that had Megatron pulling himself back. He couldn't even understand why he was reacting this way, one thing he did know was that Optimus cared too much for his own good. Especially towards Megatron.

It frustrated him to see how forgiving and accepting Optimus was, Megatron wasn’t just any mech, he was a war mongering murderer. A boiling pit of heat flowed through his frame, the impulse to run far, far away. Not in any particular direction – just, anywhere but here. Away from him.

But it was never so easy. The endless guilt, the energon on his hands, none of that ever leaves. It grows inside his spark, dark, consuming, taking over him, until a light envelops his spark. It’s moments like this that he can just pretend that everything is fine, wishful thinking that lingers in the back of his mind. He wants to reach out, to connect with the only semblance of good, but he knows that darkness that lurks within him would only corrupt that glowing light.

“I’m fine, Optimus. I apologise for my outburst.” They both knew that he didn’t mean it.

Optimus simply nodded, eyeing Megatron as he did so. “There’s no need for apologies, I can understand how uncomfortable you may feel with the prospect of others assuming such a relationship between us.”

It wasn’t the first time he’s had a lingering thought about courting or even being conjunxed with one he had considered his enemy for the majority of his existence. The idea was ridiculous, a loving conjunx was the last thing someone like Megatron deserved, especially if it was Optimus. He never had many relationships between writing and opposing against the caste system, those he had lasted only a few hundred vorn before the other released how much effort it took to deal with a partner like him.

But Optimus was the golden trophy he could never reach. He never hated the idea of them being together, he hated the idea that one day Optimus will finally realise that he isn’t worth it.

The Mighty Megatron was known to fear nothing, no being in the universe strike .

but the one thing he did fear was rejection.

Megatron broke out of his train of thought by a rumble opposite him. Optimus’ optics were a brightest blue, looking at Megatron as if he was trying to read into his spark, wanting to reach further into the hole the ex-decepticon had dug himself into. He could feel a wave of worry inching further, slowly, carefully as if he was one scare from running off.

“I’m fine,” The field hesitantly withdrew itself. “You need not worry about anything, I’m the least of your concerns.” Megatron grumbled, looking towards his own pile of work. This was going to end the way it always did. Optimus would understand, nod and then leave him to overthink their conversation for the next few cycles.

“Don’t you dare assume something like that!” Megatron’s helm snapped up at the anger and sadness that flooded itself into Optimus’ field. Usually Optimus was the most neutral between the two, always keeping his temper in check, even in battle. “I care, more than you think.” Optimus pressed his lips in a straight line, faceplates contorting as he looked at anything but Megatron.

He didn’t know what to say. He wasn’t going to apologise for something he believed was true, even if Optimus forced him to believe it. Megatron didn’t bother saying anything, letting the silence do the talking and field strained against his frame.

Optimus wasn’t one to force a conversation, a quality that might have been one of the leading factors to their previous failed peace talks but watching him twitch where he sat, Megatron couldn’t help but sigh in sympathy.

“Look, Optimus,” Megatron paused, waving his hands as he struggled to find the words, “let’s just forget this and move on. No need to dwell on it any longer.”

Hesitating, Optimus sighed before nodding, standing to his pedes.

“I will be off then”

“Goodbye Optimus”

With that the door shut behind Optimus, leaving Megatron alone, holding his helm in his hands – surrounded by the dim light of his office, contemplating every decision he had ever made.

Chapter Text

“Well look who finally showed his face.”

Optimus didn’t bother looking up, leaving Elita to stare at him unamused as she rounded the desk, standing next to him.

“Not even a ‘hello’?” Elita nudged his shoulder–she rolled her optics at the datapad in his hand. Optimus knew how stubborn she was, there was a reason she was his second in command but also one of his closest friends.

Aside from Ratchet–he missed that old mech– Elita had become one of his closest companions, even through their rocky relationship, conflicting feelings that sorted themselves out, she stayed as someone who could read him like an open book. It was ironic, considering his past as an archivist, as someone he can’t even recognise as himself anymore. Optimus knew he had changed, physically and mentally and whether it was a good or bad thing, he didn’t know. Considering the fact that he’d lost the AllSpark and the increased probability of their planet’s destruction, he wouldn’t be surprised if Primus ever regretted giving him the Matrix. Optimus Prime, yet he could easily be compared to the likes of Zeta and his actions against Cybertron.

A simple tap against his table brought him back to reality.

“You’re spiralling again Optimus, what’s wrong?” Elita stepped back, sitting across from him.
Optimus insisted that nothing was wrong but he quickly shut him up with a glare. “It’s only us here, just us.”

Optimus couldn’t help but hesitate. Yes he trusted Elita with his spark, but his emotions were not so easy to share. He’d never been one to have a spark to spark with anybot about his own feelings, as a leader he had a duty to his people first and foremost, above anything else–plus he’s never really known how to express what he felt. So he just gave her a simplified version of the mess in his processor.

“I think there’s something wrong with Megatron.”

“Is it always?”

“It's different this time Elita.” Optimus exasperated, holding his face in his servos as he sighed. “I feel like I might’ve said something that upset him. We were simply discussing a matter and then he blew up and I just can't comprehend why. Was it something I said? Was it something I didn’t say?”

He could feel the pitying frown Elita was giving him, her field wrapping around his frame, laced with sympathy. Optimus gave her a grateful smile before dropping back to a neutral expression. He could hear her sigh, patting a servo down on his desk before leaving without a word.
–

He’s an idiot, a complete buffoon.

Megatron ran a servo down his face as he paced his office, occasionally tripping on strewn objects across his floor. What was he thinking acting like an inexperienced mech? Or worse! A newborn sparkling! He could feel the tension between him and Optimus from a mile away, thick enough to suffocate him but the Prime continued to act like nothing had happened.

Megatron paused mid step, sliding down the wall as he hung his head between his legs. Their conversation had affected him, not Optimus. So why should he expect Optimus to react when he’s the only one having issues between the two of them? Tossing his head back against the wall, Megatron’s engines rumbled mournfully before being interrupted by a knock on his door.

“Megatron?”

“...”

“I know you’re in there.”

“Just come inside Elita.” He sighed.

He didn’t bother onlining his optics as she slid down next to him, the air between them doing most of the talking.

“You know how bad he is at feelings.”

“He’s absolutely horrible at it.”

Megatron opened his optics to meet Elita’s sympathetic expression before turning his head towards anything in his field of view. He couldn’t handle the look she was giving him, as if he was an inexperienced mech, looking down on him.

“So you should also know that he never truly understands what he says sometimes.”

He couldn’t help but sigh, groaning his servos before shaking his helm.

“This is ridiculous. I’m being ridiculous.” Mumbling to himself he stood from the wall, optics cycling. “You can leave, I’ll be fine. I don’t need to be looked after.”

Megatron could feel her gaze stinging against his back struts but he ignored it, opting to sit behind his desk instead. He frowned, optics flickering in irritation as he noticed Elita standing in front of him, arms crossed over her chassis.

“Promise me you’ll at least talk to him? He’s worried that he’s done something wrong.” Elita narrowed her optics, tapping on his desk to grab his attention. “Just, promise me.” She repeated before leaving.

What an absolute mess. For one he couldn’t keep his emotions in control–he dragged Elita of all bots into this–and now he was stuck between actually following the femme’s advice or straight up ignoring it. It all so much simpler when all he had to deal with was Starscream’s amateur assassination attempts.

“What have I gotten myself into…” He groaned into his servos, helm clanking against the desk. His brooding was immediately cut off.

BOOM

The sound echoed through the halls, accompanied by the screams of G.H.O.S.T agents. Megatron felt his battle protocols overrun his instincts, slamming through the halls and sprinting to the centre of the chaos.

“Bumblebee, mission report. What's happening?” He switched his comm on, powering up his fusion cannon.

“We aren’t sure Megatron, last I heard it was a G.H.O.S.T experiment gone wrong. Optimus told me to stay in the canteen with the agents while he went to investigate.” He could hear the scout’s disapproval from here.

“That absolute glitch-head!” Megatron all but growled, breaking into a sprint. What was he thinking not bringing any backup? Yes the Prime could hold his own but if anything but if anything happened, especially with the stuff Mandroid had been throwing their way, he would never forgive himself.

The sound of explosions reached his audials as he entered the centre of base, immediately spotting Optimus, battle mask engaged, fighting off a massive creature amidst the flames, agents shooting from the sidelines.

He connected his comm the moment he got in range.

“Who decided to pay us a visit this time?” He huffed, pointing and shooting as the creature flaunted its tentacles, grunting at every shot he missed. Megatron rolled his optics at the slight smirk the Prime was giving him, watching him cut through the mess with a wave of his axe.

“It seems to be another one of Mandroid’s creations. It emerged from within the base.” Optimus sighed, narrowly dodging an arm, “I am to believe that the enemy has somehow made its way into G.H.O.S.T’s facilities.”

Dr. Meridian was, as much he hated to admit, a cunning and unpredictable foe. If he wasn’t constantly trying to offline the sparklings then Megatron would say he was almost impressed by the human. Right now he wanted to rip those mechanical limbs off of him.

“How much do you want to bet that Croft was involved in this act?”

“Megatron…” He could feel the look Optimus was giving him even as they stood back to back, throwing blows that shook the entire base. “Let's just focus on dealing with this for now, we can deal with G.H.O.S.T after.”

Megatron frowned, but complied. He ran forward, grabbing the tentacle that dared to wrap itself around his cannon arm and ripping it off in one swift motion.

“Get out of here, get to safety.” Megatron heard Optimus order the agents before being cut off by the piercing screech that erupted from the created as it loomed over the two mechs, whipping its arms at both of them while leaving a part of itself vulnerable. An opening.

“NOW!” He yelled powering up a powerful blast alongside Optimus, aiming for the creature’s middle and firing. Screams filled the air as it exploded, guts and fluids covering every part of the room, including them.

It was almost like acid, seeping into his frame. He could feel burn running through his pipes. Megatron squeezed his optics before snapping them open, looking for Optimus who seemed to be in the same state as him, hunched over.

“What is this?!” Megatron snarled, optics blown wide. “Optimus!”

He watched as the mech fell forward with a cry before stilling on the floor. Megatron couldn’t hold himself up for much longer either, feeling whatever this was eating away at his processor. He fell to his knees, trying to claw his way forward through the flames as his servo stretched towards Optimus’ unmoving one.

“Optimus…”

Megatron intertwined their digits together, the toxins flooding his system as his helm fell forward with a clang that echoed through the room. His consciousness withered away as his world turned to darkness. Only a single sense of warmth around his servo.