Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Starscream crouched lower into the tall silver grass, practically dragging his belly across the jagged ground. His armor had been purposely dulled for the hunt lest the gleam of his finish catch the light of the stars. Clad in ion-buffalo leather straps decorated with bones and rough-cut gems, he knew he would be intimidating to his prey and was not quite ready to be seen yet.

He kept his wings low and at an angle, as their bright red stripes would give him away. But luckily, most of his gray plating could blend in with the ground and grasses around him. The winds were favorable to carry the noise of his venting away from his prey, and the stars in the sky would not betray him tonight with their dim and distant twinkling.

His optics narrowed.

The white aerial had not noticed him. He was clearly one of the self-important “wizard-folk,” belonging to a fringe clan who were less interested in war and glory and more into discovering the world they lived in. He was well-fed and big, and showing no signs of worry about being out in the open like this, the naïve and foolish thing. Wizard-folk tended to live in their closed-off cities, and many mechs crowded together in tight spaces, with loud machines and spurious progress. Starscream knew the people from the cities usually avoided the wilds for fear of the harsh environment and violent mecha who resided there.

Starscream smirked. This one had an important lesson to learn, yet.

The aerial turned, and Starscream took the opportunity. He surged forward, using his thrusters to propel him and give him speed. He threw a looped metal rope, catching the mech’s arm. Starscream then threw the other end to the ground, and the autonomous drill dug into the ground, holding the aerial fast.

His prey gave a noise of confused surprise, looking down at his arm and pulling it as if trying to get away. To Starscream’s shock, the drill strained under the force of the mech’s strength but could bury itself deep into the ground and root him.

Starscream wasted no time, jumping and flipping over the mech’s helm. He quickly looped the mech’s other arm on the opposite side. The mech noticed him this time, and they locked optics as Starscream threw the other drill to the ground.

The mech’s shock was evident. But there was something else there, something Starscream could not understand. It looked like… excitement?

The mech must be… nervous. Perhaps he’d heard stories of the barbarian wildlings taking prisoners and using them for their pleasure? That wasn’t Starscream’s plan, but his fear could be useful in keeping him docile.

The drill whined as it bore into the ground, pulling taut on the metal rope. The aerial was dragged down to his knees with his arms stretched away from him on either side. He stared at Starscream with wide optics and heaving vents.

“Don't be frightened. I won't hurt you as long as you don't resist."

The mech tilted his helm, his optics brightening. He appeared to be puzzling out the words but unable to fully understand them.

Starscream narrowed his optics, noting the aerial's puzzlement. Frustration rose within him; had their dialect drifted so far from the languages spoken in Iacon? He spoke slower.

“I said, don’t resist ,” Starscream hissed, his voice a low whisper carried on the wind. He kept his wings angled low, ready to flare into motion if the mech showed any resistance.

The white mech’s optics dimmed momentarily before flickering back to life. His mouth moved, and he spoke, his voice rich but soft, like a breeze through rustling leaves. "I understand, somewhat," he murmured, his thick accent hinting at the cultured tones of Iacon. "But you... what intend you?"

Starscream's mouth twisted into a smirk. His terrible grammar aside, at least he could somewhat communicate.  "You’re coming with me. My clan has use for one like you." He knew the mech likely wanted elaboration, but Starscream didn’t intend to comply. He approached cautiously, optics fixed on his captive. Though restrained, the aerial radiated a strength that made Starscream uneasy. His arms were thick as circuit tree trunks, and the bulging cables visible at his neck looked powerful. If he wanted to, he might be able to rip Starscream’s wings off.

Starscream suppressed a shudder.

Yet, beneath that unease lay a thrill. Something was intoxicating about subduing such a powerful creature, bringing him to heel.

The aerial's optics flickered with curiosity rather than fear. "Your clan?" he repeated. 

Starscream paused. There was no mistaking the awe in the mech’s voice. 

“Yes,” Starscream confirmed, his voice sharpening. “I am Starscream, and you ,” he said, pulling out a set of wing clamps, “are my captive now.”

The aerial’s finials twitched as Starscream locked the wing clamps onto his taut wings. For a moment, Starscream thought he might try to break free, but then the mech relaxed, letting out a slow, hissing vent. “Very well, Starscream,” he said, his voice taking on a resigned, yet strangely eager, tone. "I am Skyfire. If captive, I follow."

Starscream blinked, taken aback by the mech’s calmness. Skyfire , he repeated in his mind, a simple and powerful name. He had expected resistance, perhaps even a struggle, but not this—this willingness. It made his spark pulse uncertainly, an unfamiliar sensation for him.

Not willing to show his surprise, Starscream moved swiftly. “Good,” he declared, circling Skyfire and releasing one of the ropes from the drill. He used one end to quickly bind Skyfire’s hands in front of him. He kept the other end of the rope tight in his hand, giving his makeshift leash a little pull. Starscream searched Skyfire’s optics for any sign of resistance. "But know this: I can instantly bind you to the ground if you try anything."

Skyfire merely nodded, rising to his full height, which dwarfed Starscream by at least a head. Despite his size, he moved with a grace that Starscream found interesting. His wings shifted slightly, catching the light of the dim stars above.

Starscream frowned. It was a shame to clamp such beautiful wings and to deny such an interesting mech his freedom, but he would not be deterred from this course.

Too much was at stake.

Chapter Text

A colossal silver circuit tree sat at the edge of a clear, turquoise blue lake. Its gnarled, silvery trunk had borne witness to many things over the years, and most recently it had become the home of a Seeker flock for at least five generations. The moon cast silvery light through the canopy, illuminating the elaborate rope bridges and platforms strung between gnarled branches. Flickering torches, set in carved-out knots of the tree, bathed everything in a warm glow.

Starscream’s wings fanned out in pride as he strutted through the front gate to his village in the trees. A metal chain clinked softly in his grip connected to the bound hands of his prisoner.

Skywarp had been drinking energon from a cup, but his jaw went slack. Energon dribbled down the front of his cockpit. How embarrassing .

Thundercracker’s optics were the size of headlights. “Uh—Starscream?”

“Hold your admiration until we get the prisoner secured,” he said loudly. As predicted, several helms peaked out of their nests, looking down at him with curiosity in their shrewd glowing optics.

But most of their gazes were trained on his prize .

Skyfire truly was huge . Gargantuan. Starscream didn’t think there was a bigger mech in any of the surrounding clans. And he was a flier.

Some mechs got a little too close. Sunstorm had poked a finger out to try and touch Skyfire’s wings. “Are these real?” he asked, perplexed.

Starscream snarled and pulled the chains wrapped around his quarry’s wrists so that the mech jerked forward and away from Sunstorm’s touch. “Of course they’re real!” Starscream snapped. “And no touching what doesn’t belong to you!”

“You intend to keep him?” Thundercracker said, clearing his vocalizer when it was a few octaves too high. “For… what exactly?”

Starscream looked up at Skyfire, and the mech met his gaze. Starscream even thought he might look excited if Starscream had to put a word to it, but that would be a very strange reaction to being kidnapped by purported barbarians and dragged through the village as a prisoner.

How good were his language skills? Starscream narrowed his optics.

“We can use his strength as our own,” he said loudly, nodding sagely.

“You think he’ll fight for us?” Skywarp asked skeptically.

“I know he will!” Starscream snapped, hoping he sounded more confident than he felt. He tugged on the chains again, forcing Skyfire behind him to stumble slightly. His expression remained passive, though his optics flickered with something Starscream couldn’t quite read.

“He said so, did he?” Thundercracker asked, giving Skywarp a glance.

Starscream flicked his wings in irritation. “His grasp of our language is rudimentary at best. Someone give him a language pack!” When no one moved, Thundercracker rolled his optics dramatically and stepped up to Skyfire, offering him a little chip that he could insert into a port on his wrist. Skyfire was able to negotiate around his bindings to accept the chip… eagerly.

“Besides,” Starscream continued, grinning smugly, “a warrior like this could be useful in many ways. Strength, skill, and knowledge of the skies—I’d be foolish not to seize the opportunity!” Starscream smirked and looked back at his captive.

Skyfire gave him a warm smile in return.

Starscream blinked in confusion.

The crowd was getting large and the Seekers were pressing close against Skyfire. He seemed amused by the mechs that were so much shorter by comparison, and held up his bound hands. “Hello!” he said excitedly. Something about it made Starscream irritated, though whether it was over possessiveness over his prize or being unnerved by Skyfire’s inexplicable behavior, he could not tell.

They had led prisoners through the village before, and even the occasional flier. Mostly it was neighboring clans sending spies or mechs not trading in good faith. Skyfire was unique because he was clearly from the cities and had likely strayed too far from home.

Actually… Starscream realized he didn’t know why Skyfire had been out so far away from home. 

Regardless, it was time to cut the show short. “We will discuss more about Skyfire in the morning,” Starscream said to the flock. He turned back to the path, gently tugging Skyfire along behind him. The Seekers actually groaned their displeasure like sparklings but Starscream ignored them.

Skyfire came willingly, his optics large and drinking in every detail of their village. 

“What’s that?” he asked, pointing to the fire pit.

Starscream raised and optic-ridge. “A fire pit?”

“Oh,” Skyfire said, like it suddenly clicked. “Do you cook food there?”

“No,” Starscream replied irritably. “That place is for clan gatherings.”

“Oh, so it’s the formal center of the village? I noticed it’s shaped like a triangle, and that the triangle motif is common in your art—is there any significance—”

“Skyfire,” Starscream said dangerously. “Enough questions!”

Skyfire snapped his mouth shut, nodding, but his optics still continued to flit from detail to detail about the their village, and Starscream knew this was not going to end.

The Seeker village was a rugged labyrinth of platforms, nests, and bridges woven into the colossal branches of the massive, ancient tree. Each branch seemed almost fortified, armored with salvaged metal plating that had been carefully molded around the gnarled wood, reinforcing the natural architecture. Cables and metallic vines twisted through the boughs, tethering smaller platforms to larger ones, creating a maze-like structure that allowed the Seekers to move quickly between levels, always in tune with the village’s rhythms and needs.

Every nest was unique, built to reflect the individuality of its occupant. Some were crafted from polished metal panels riveted into sturdy walls; others were covered in a mishmash of scavenged fabrics, scraps of leather, and woven strands of metallic fiber, each creating an almost organic cocoon of armor and comfort. The village’s main platform, the heart of the community, sat in a clearing where the branches widened into a sturdy expanse large enough to host gatherings. 

Starscream’s nest was perched on a high branch, nestled into a crook where the bough split, affording him an elevated view over the entire village. Unlike the more rugged nests of his clanmates, Starscream’s had a refined touch, crafted with a meticulous attention to detail that reflected his pride. He had carefully chosen polished metal panels to line the walls, their surfaces gleaming like silver scales that caught and reflected the light from nearby energon torches, giving the space a soft, silvery glow.

The entrance to his nest was framed with decorative pieces of salvaged metal, intricately twisted and welded to create a design resembling feathered wings—a nod to his status and a subtle reminder of how he’d gotten it. Inside, the space was orderly, with every piece of equipment and weapon neatly organized on shelves he’d fashioned from flattened metal plates and anchored into the bark. Woven silver and gold tapestries caught the faint light of the torches, depicting their history settling in the tree and also great battles they had fought and won.

Starscream hoped to add his story to them one day. 

He left Skyfire at the entrance as he scrambled inside to hastily pick up his weapon collection: daggers, claws, dirks, laser gun components, a slingshot—he didn’t want Skyfire to get any ideas.

Peeking back at the shuttle, Starscream noticed Skyfire was watching patiently with amusement.

“You’re lucky I’m the one that caught you,” Starscream said irritably as he stashed his weapons into a sack to take with him and hide elsewhere. “You were just sitting out there in the wilds, not paying attention to anything!”

“Or perhaps you truly are that stealthy.”

Starscream frowned at the odd flattery. “You’re the strangest prisoner I’ve ever had.”

Skyfire’s mouth curved into a delighted smile. “Why, thank you! Do you usually bring your prisoners back to your personal nest?”

Starscream froze.

“It’s quite lovely. It’s clearly taken a lot of effort— does this show off your status to the rest of the clan?”

“It’s nothing!” Starscream snapped, turning his heated face away. “You—just—you wouldn’t fit in our prison cells and given the attention you seem to attract, I wanted to make sure no one else…” 

“Hmm?”

Starscream paused and then both shrugged and gestured vaguely into the air. His meaning was obviously clear.

Skyfire cleared his throat gently. “So you don’t bring other prisoners here? I’m honored then.”

Starscream clenched his jaw and angrily threw the sack over his shoulder. Skyfire was looking on mischievously and Starscream realized this mech was enjoying this more than he should have.

“Are you a spy?”

Skyfire knitted his brow. “What? No! I’m not stealthy!”

“There are different kinds of spies,” Starscream said, cocking his hip. “Or maybe you’re an assassin?”

“I think we both know that’s unlikely.” Skyfire seemed almost chastising in his tone, and Starscream huffed some air through his vents. As unlikely a scenario as it was, it was the only explanation for Skyfire’s… enthusiasm.

“Get in the nest,” he mumbled, jumping out of the entrance. Skyfire complied, surprisingly quiet, keeping his irritating observations to himself.

As Skyfire sat down, Starscream grumbled, holding out his hands expectantly to Skyfire. The shuttle looked perplexed, but then held out his bound hands for Starscream to take. Starscream turned the bonds over, checking that the chain around his wrists weren’t digging in. He adjusted them, wondering idly if they were irritating Skyfire, and if Skyfire even had the words to express his discomfort yet. The metal restraint made a soft clink at his adjustments, getting slightly tighter by accident, and Starscream's gaze flickered between Skyfire’s face and his bound hands.

As he shifted the chains one last time, Skyfire observed him with a bemused expression. “Starscream,” he said, his tone gentle, “you’re being... quite considerate.”

Starscream froze, wings twitching. “Considerate?!” He scoffed, drawing himself up. “Don’t misunderstand—I’m not being nice , shuttle. I’m just... making sure you’re in good enough condition to answer some questions.”

Skyfire raised an optic ridge. “Questions?”

“Yes! Questions.” Starscream turned away slightly, finding himself again awkwardly confused. “Like… your comm frequencies! I demand all of them,” he blurted out.

Skyfire smiled and leaned back into the nest, looking contemplative. “Perhaps that can wait until morning? After all, I’ve had a long day… and you did go through the trouble of making sure I was comfortable.” He looked at peace, lying supine in the nest. 

It was an appealing sight. Starscream’s nest had been empty since he’d fought hard for his position, and while it afforded some comforts, there were some, such as companionship, that were beyond his reach—Starscream quickly shook his helm to banish the thought. Not now .

Starscream huffed, crossing his arms. “I didn’t ‘make sure’ of anything! I just—” He floundered for a retort, glancing at Skyfire’s calm expression. “Fine! Fine. Sleep, recharge, or whatever you need to do. Just don’t get any ideas about trying to escape.”

“Of course.” Skyfire replied. “Thank you.”

Starscream’s wings flared in irritation—or so he told himself. “Don’t thank me!” he snapped, though it lacked his usual bite. With one last glance over his shoulder, he stormed out, muttering under his breath. He ignored the warmth in his chest as he paced the branch outside his nest, occasionally glancing back to see if Skyfire had truly fallen into recharge.

Starscream’s optics finally dimmed in exhaustion as he settled back against the bark, allowing himself a brief respite. He’d keep a close watch, he assured himself.

Chapter Text

The morning sun had barely begun to filter through the tree branches when Starscream woke with a start after Skywarp kicked him. “That was unnecessary!” he shouted tiredly. 

“It’s a good thing I did, or else your prize might have gotten away.”

Starscream scrambled to stand up, peering over the branch that guarded his nest. To his relief, Skyfire sat there placidly, slowly rousing from rest himself. “He’s not going anywhere,” Starscream declared, folding his arms across his chest. 

Skywarp rolled his optics. “I am beginning to think you picked up a turbopuppy, not a grand warrior.”

Starscream turned back to him, glaring. “He’s a titan from the stars, one whose strength could topple any clan!”

Skywarp smirked, pointing through the branches. “And here he is, sitting in chains like a docile pet.”

“He’s not a pet,” Starscream replied surly.

Skywarp’s optics gleamed with curiosity. “So then, what’s the real story with the big guy?” he asked, nodding toward Skyfire. “You don’t usually go to all this trouble unless there’s something big at stake.”

Starscream scoffed, waving him off with an irritated flick of his wings. “Don’t be absurd. I just saw an opportunity and seized it. A strong warrior like him could be useful.”

“Oh, you fought him and succumbed to great injury during his capture, did you?”

Starscream clenched his jaw but smiled all the same. “I was very stealthy. And anyway, I don't answer to you!”

Skywarp crossed his arms, smirking. “You kind of do—to all of us. But so far, you haven’t done anything except shove him into your nest. How is his strength going to help in there?” he said with a waggle of his optic-ridges.

Starscream’s optics narrowed. Before he could continue to argue, a booming voice echoed through the village, halting all conversation.

“ STARSCREAM !” The voice cut through the morning air like a blade, resonating from the lower branches.

Starscream’s wings tensed as he peered down into the tree's lower canopy. An imposing gray and silver figure and two others flanking him were striding across the bridge irritably looking up into the branches. 

“Uh-oh,” Skywarp said unhelpfully.

Starscream rolled his optics and exvented. “Watch him,” he said, throwing his chin over to his nest.

Starscream forced himself to maintain an air of confidence as he jumped over the edge and descended a few branches to meet the mech. Starscream hated that he had to look up to make optic-contact, as the mech was a whole helm taller than him. The mech had adorned himself in furs of cyber-tooth tigers and turbowolves, trying to show off his ability to take down strong predators.

“You’re early, my lord,” Starscream said neutrally.

“I had not heard from you, and grew impatient.”

Starscream internally quailed at the faux gentleness in his voice. “My lord Megatron, we had agreed that tribute would come at the full moon and not before. Why would I need to contact you?”

Megatron tilted his helm, giving Starscream a knowing look. “I suppose I worry that you will give me nothing, and I will have to take payment a different way.”

Starscream scoffed, letting his wings fan out in an attempt to seem unfazed. “You’ll get your payment when it’s due. My clan knows how to uphold its obligations.”

Megatron raised an optic ridge, unimpressed. “Your confidence does little to convince me, Starscream. Rumor has it that your clan is struggling.” He let his gaze travel from Seeker to Seeker, up through the canopy. He didn’t appear impressed by their numbers or stature.

Grinding his denta, Starscream leaned forward, optics glowing bright. “When you defeated us, we agreed to pay tithes to you. You’re not even giving us a chance, Megatron. We have yet to miss a payment.”

Megatron sighed. “Your tribe is weak, your mechs are weak, and you are weakest of them all, leading them into defeat. It’s a wonder they didn’t depose you.” He turned slightly to his accompanying mechs and threw his chin to the nearest nest.

The mechs obeyed the silent command, stomped around Starscream, and began destroying the nest with their grabbing hands. The Seekers hiding inside wisely flew out, chittering angrily under their vents.

Starscream watched in fury as the mechs snapped branches, pulled decorations off, broke mirrors, and pocketed jewels. Megatron watched him, smirking, clearly knowing and delighting that there was nothing Starscream could do to stop it. 

“Lest you forget who is more powerful here,” Megatron offered by way of explanation.

Nests were central to a Seeker’s life, and Megatron had to know that. This was beyond insulting. “How could I forget?” Starscream spat.

“I hope payment is forthcoming,” Megatron said, turning to leave. “In any form it may take. Until the full moon, then.”

Starscream glared at them as they left, promising himself he would attack them if they kicked a single stone out of place. But their cruelty was sated, and they disappeared down the bridges and walkways.

The Seekers, whose nest had been destroyed, flitted down gently and looked on in dismay at the destruction. Starscream didn’t know what to say to them to express his regret, as much of what Megatron had said was true. 

Starscream had been reckless and accepted Megatron’s challenge. They had lost. Now they were practically owned by the warlord.

He swallowed and kicked on his thrusters, flying back up to his nest to find Skyfire…

Gone.

Chapter Text

Starscream frantically rushed away from his nest, looking everywhere. His optics scanned branch by branch, cursing under his breath—how hard could it be to find a hulking behemoth of a shuttle? He couldn’t have gotten far? Did someone take him as a prank? Did he… actually escape?

Cursed Megatron, always appearing at the most inopportune moment and ruining everything!

He jumped into the air again, jetting from branch to branch, trying to get higher to see if he could maybe find him from a better vantage point. If he escaped, he probably would have tried to go for the skies first, but there was no shuttle-shaped hole in the branches. He looked down and-

There , Skyfire was sitting with the Rainmakers, helping them… clean?

The mech was happily chatting away like he didn’t have a care in the world as he cleaned out an energon cube.

Starscream could have shrieked with rage. He flew down, landing heavily on the platform. He stomped over to them and pointed at Skyfire, who saw him coming and then pointed to himself with innocence.

He thought he was so funny! “What is he doing here?” Starscream yelled.

Acid Storm flinched at Starscream’s tone. “Ah! Starscream, apologies . Sunstorm is out on patrol so we needed some extra hands to help clean. We figured a prisoner should help with this kind of thing, don’t you think?”

Starscream bristled. “Who gave you permission to take him out of my nest?”

Acid Storm glanced to his left, and Starscream followed his gaze, seeing Skywarp sunning himself in the mid-morning light that filtered through the leaves. Starscream clenched his jaw, looking back to Skyfire and could barely keep his voice even. “Who took off your chains?!”

Skyfire winced and then hastily picked up the chains laying on the ground and wrapped them back around his wrists. “Sorry! They were getting in the way of cleaning.”

“What?” Starscream asked dumbly. “You took them off yourself?”

Thundercracker appeared at his side and tapped his arm. “Starscream, can I have a word?”

It was as if the entire flock was trying to undermine him at every turn. “What?!” he asked again, this time pinching the area where his nose met his brow.

“A large branch fell last night and it is currently blocking one of the storage hollows. We could… use some assistance moving it out of the way.”

“I don't know what you want me to do about it?”

Thundercracker stared at him and then slowly, pointedly looked at Skyfire.

“I'd love to help!” Skyfire said, his chains clinking softly with his enthusiasm. “As soon as I'm done here.”

Starscream frowned but Thundercracker clapped his hands together and smiled. “Wonderful! I will need your chains off though.”

Skyfire sheepishly looked at Starscream who glared back. 

“No,” he said with finality. “Not until you give me your comm codes.”

Something flickered in Skyfire's optics and he just looked down to go back to cleaning.

No matter, Starscream thought. He'd get them eventually.

Thundercracker sighed petulantly. “It's going to make it more difficult.”

Starscream's optic twitched as he leaned over and double-locked the chains for emphasis. “Not my problem!” He then turned on his pede to go find someone to yell at.

“He’s so big!”

“And handsome.”

“Truly the best thing our ‘winglord’ has done lately!” 

Starscream stopped in his tracks, leaning against the trunk to listen without being seen.

“He asks so many questions though. Strange ones! Like what we eat, and how we bury our dead?”

“Harmless curiosity,” Sunstorm said. “He does seem to want to know a lot about us, but I don't think he means anything by it. Like it's not to spy on us.”

“He's so fascinated by every answer! Truly, such a kind bot.”

Starscream chewed on his lip. The shuttle was winning everyone over, and it annoyed him to no end. 

“You do wonder why the ‘winglord’ keeps him chained to nest every night-”

Starscream had decided that was enough. “If you have time for idle chatter, then I'm sure you have time to finish your chores!” The gathered seekers jumped in surprise, some flaring their wings like they were going to fly off to escape his screeches. He was mildly mollified by the display.

“Oh, Skyfire has already finished them.”

Starscream's wings hiked in rage. “He's not your servant! Don't pass your work onto him anymore!” he yelled, stomping away.

“So cranky,” he heard Sunstorm mutter.

“Maybe he's not getting enough recharge?”

Starscream’s wings were stiff behind him as he reached the outside of his nest. He had been lost in thought the whole walk back, going over the conversations he’d unfortunately overheard earlier in the day. Everyone just loved Skyfire, apparently! Bringing him here was the “best” thing he’d ever done as Winglord!

How quickly they forget.

Starscream glanced inside the nest to see Skyfire lounging. He perked up when he saw Starscream, but Starscream waved him off. “I’m not in the mood for more questions,” he said tiredly, leaning his back against a tree trunk and sliding down to sit on the platform.

Skyfire frowned slightly. “That looks uncomfortable. Why do you give your prisoner your nest and not make him sleep outside?”

“Because you are used to more comforts than I am,” Starscream replied, his voice croaking. “It’s plain all over your frame that your life has been… cushy.”

Skyfire leaned on the edge of the nest, resting his helm on his hands. “So you did it out of kindness?”

Starscream rolled his optics. “You’re not going to be here long, so I yes, I’m doing you a favor.”

Skyfire’s wings perked up behind him. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, as soon as you give me your comm codes, I’m going to ransom you, then send you home. This is a pretty typical arrangement we have with the other cities. I’m surprised you haven’t heard of it.”

There was a beat of rare silence from Skyfire, and Starscream opened an optic to glance at him out of curiosity. The shuttle looked surprised and maybe a little chagrined. “That’s why you captured me?”

Starscream felt guilty for no discernable reason, except for the hurt in Skyfire’s voice. “What other reason did you think?”

“You kept saying things like the ‘clan has use for me’ and that I’d make a ‘great warrior.’ I had assumed you were trying to… convince me to join.”

“Why would you ever want to join us? We’re a defunct clan, subservient to a bigger clan and unable to rule ourselves alone. We’re pathetic.”

Skyfire’s gaze hardened. “Subservient?”

Starscream snorted and let his wings fall down behind him, forcing them to relax. “Go to sleep, Skyfire. Enjoy my nest while you can.”

He folded his arms across his cockpit and prepared to again not have a restful night’s sleep.

Starscream woke, gently, and noted with surprise that his back was not stiff. He was not cold or uncomfortable at all, and found with great surprise that he was extremely well-rested. Against his cheek was the softness of furs and gossamer blankets, and his wings were supported by firm pillows. He couldn’t help but smile as he stretched, but then suddenly, viscerally realized he was in his own nest.

And Skyfire was beside him.

He froze, stopping all vents. Skyfire was sleeping peacefully beside him, almost curled around him. He had been so warm, which had made Starscream fall deeper into recharge than he had expected. 

How had he been moved into the nest? How did he not wake up when moved? He was a warrior and leader of this clan of seekers- it was embarrassing that he had been rearranged so without even noticing!

But then another thought crept into his mind. This was awfully… intimate , wasn’t it? What would the clan think?

Starscream got a ping from Skywarp, and he opened it with dread.

“So. I suppose congratulations are in order.”

Starscream groaned and sat up. “ I don’t even understand how I ended up here. I fell asleep outside the nest. Did you all move me?”

“That would be your new conjunx that did that, sweetspark. Quite a romantic.”

Starscream turned to glare at the sleeping mech, unaware of the irritation flowing through Starscream’s field. “ If that’s true, he doesn’t understand the meaning of it.”

“ Doesn’t change the fact that it happened!”

Starscream balled a fist. “We’re not conjunxed!” he said loudly. He heard giggling and tittering from just outside the nest, which confirmed his worst fears- the whole village already knew and made assumptions.

Starscream sighed and turned again to Skyfire, gently shaking his shoulder. Skyfire slowly opened his optics, rubbing them. He blinked at Starscream and then smiled. “Good morning!”

“You- you’re an idiot,” Starscream said through clenched denta. “Do you realize what you have done?”

Skyfire blinked, and then frowned slightly. “I picked up a stubborn Winglord from the floor and carried him into his own nest so that he might get a full night’s sleep.”

Starscream opened his mouth to yell more but stopped, realizing that he had not heard the title of Winglord properly used in… many, many moons. Everyone always liked to use the diminutive and degrading ‘winglord’ with air quotes, trying to undermine his authority. It rankled him, but he just yelled at them in response.

Skyfire had addressed him properly.

“Bringing someone back to a nest like this is… intimate. More than just casual fragging. It signals commitment and devotion.”

Skyfire’s face flushed as he pulled back. “Oh.”

“We’re going to have a lot of explaining to do,” Starscream said wearily. “They will be far too willing to laugh at me.”

“Oh, I am so sorry,” Skyfire said remorsefully. “It was truly not my intent.”

Starscream sighed again, shrugging. “What’s losing another peg or two when you have next to no standing anymore? Let’s just go down all the rungs.” He flopped back into the nest dramatically, letting an arm fall over his face. “Anytime you want to give me those comm codes, please feel free.”

“Uhm.”

Starscream lifted his arm off of his face to see Skyfire wringing his wrists- which were noticeably chain-free yet again. “What?”

“So, I didn’t realize you wanted to ransom me. That might be a little difficult as… I am in exile.”

Starscream sat up quickly. “ What?”

“It’s the stupidest thing,” Skyfire continued. “I disagreed with the council; our observations of some local weather phenomena in our region was going to cause catastrophic flooding of acid rain in a nearby region. But rather than helpfully let them know, the council didn’t want to upset the natural flow of a culture’s development. They refused to tell them and countless were going to lose their homes or their lives. I… told them anyway.”

Starscream narrowed his optics, unsure of how to react. “And so you were exiled?”

“After I called them some choice names, yes. So unfortunately, they might laugh at you if you demand a ransom.”

Starscream smirked slightly, appreciating that even someone so… nice as Skyfire could let his mouth run away with him. But then reality sunk in. “No one will pay for you?”

“I am quite without friends at the moment. Present company excluded.”

Starscream slapped his forehead, sighing deeply. “I don’t know what to do then.”

“I’ve gathered that you owe this other clan… something. Because you lost to them? So you owe them offerings?”

“It’s a steep price, but it’s better than some of the alternatives we were offered,” Starscream said. He went to his wash basin embedded in the gnarled branches of the nest. He poured out some solvent and quickly washed his face and wiped down his wings. He took out some polish and quickly applied it. 

He’d need to face reality at least clean and fresh-faced.

Starscream stood, feeling Skyfire’s optics on him. “I guess you're free to go then,” Starscream said, slipping out the door. “In fact, I demand it. You should leave before tomorrow’s dawn.”

“But I… don’t have anywhere else to go.”

“I think anywhere will be preferred to here. Trust me.”

Skyfire knitted his brow in confusion, but Starscream was done elaborating. “Goodbye, then,” Starscream said curtly.

He walked away, despite Skyfire’s worried look.

Everything about this situation was terrible. It weighed on Starscream so much that everything felt numb and he barely heard the jokes being lobbed at him every five seconds.

“So quickly conjunxed! Taken to nest like that- is there a tiny spark we don’t know about?” Ramjet leered, waggling his optic ridges.

Starscream only dimly heard him and got himself a cube of energon from their stash. He drank it despite the jokes getting bawdier and bawdier, but he still paid them no mind. 

His options were limited at this point. Either he contacted Megatron and informed him of the situation, begging him for mercy, or he used the next 24 hours to try and scatter his clan to the wind so that Megatron could never find them. Either plan held significant risk; telling Megatron was stupid as it relinquished control to the warlord who already had everything. And not telling him might just make him angrier and more dedicated to hunting them down.

Skyfire appeared beside him, quietly getting a cube. He radiated regret and Starscream wrinkled his nose in displeasure. “Why are you still here? You’re free.”

“I’ve… been free the entire time. Your chains are really weak and I was able to break them as soon as you put them on me,” Skyfire replied sheepishly.

Starscream closed his optics and shook his helm. He couldn’t even capture wizard-folk shuttles correctly. “Then why uphold the pretense?”

“It seemed to make you happy?” Skyfire offered.

Starscream’s shoulders slumped. Now he was getting pity from his own prisoner?

Pathetic unfortunately had been an apt descriptor. 

Skyfire swallowed. “I didn’t leave because I didn’t want to leave. I know you captured me just to make money off me, but I really like it here. I’d like to stay.”

Starscream glanced over at him, trying to temporarily ignore his own misery. “Do you happen to have some hidden wizard-folk powers?”

“Erm, we earned that name from being interested in science, not from any powers we have.”

Of course there was no hidden answer to his prayers here. “Then you absolutely cannot stay.”

“But… why?” Skyfire asked, pleading. His bright blue optics flared in dismay, and something about the sight made Starscream’s spark sink. “Am I that much of a burden?”

“You’re not,” Starscream replied, surprising himself with the sincerity of his words. “You’re more helpful than half of these louts! I’d rather keep you and kick Skywarp out, for example.”

“Hey!” Skywarp called, apparently near enough to hear the conversation.

“But that’s not why I’m kicking you out,” Starscream said gently. “I don’t want to get you mixed up with us. Megatron is not a nice mech, and being under his thumb is… problematic. I’d not wish it upon anyone like you.”

Skyfire pulled back. “Like me?”

Starscream was mad that all of his good recharge had pretty much been overwritten by anxiety and fear. He was so tired that he couldn’t stop his mouth from running. “You’re incredibly gentle and kind, enthusiastic and sincere, and I wish we could have met under different circumstances, because you’re incredibly attractive.”

Skyfire blushed a fetching shade and Starscream coughed into his hand. “Anyway, it’s like I said, these idiots are really nothing special, so it’s not hard to outshine them. But I do expect you to leave at first light. I will chase you if I have to.”

Starscream stood abruptly, giving Skyfire a curt nod and walking away before any more stupid things could be said. 

Starscream grabbed his face, and smacked his cheeks a few times.

That was perhaps the most embarrassing thing that he’d ever done, and he had been humiliated by Megatron when they’d lost the battle. Starscream burned in rage and shame at the memory, but just now with Skyfire? That made his spark hammer in his chest and made him want to fall out of the tree.

It was interesting that Skyfire had walked into his life now, as Starscream’s future did mean that any kind of affection or kindness would be hard to come by.

Starscream got back to his nest to find Skyfire waiting at the entrance. 

“You are supposed to be gone.”

“Not yet,” Skyfire said. “I wanted to rest one more night, if that’s alright with you. But I’ll be gone before first light, as you have requested.”

Starscream’s shoulders relaxed, happy that he wouldn’t have to fight the mech to make him leave. That would bring him no joy, either. “Good.”

Skyfire shuffled his pedes. “I did wonder if I could. Share your nest. I’m sorry! I know it’s awkward, and there are implications! But legitimately you have the biggest nest, and it is the only one that can accommodate me.”

“At this point. Whatever,” Starscream said, walking past him, getting into the nest. “Just don’t kick me in your sleep.”

“I’m actually a very deep sleeper,” Skyfire said lightly, settling in.

Starscream could feel the heat off his frame and found it incredibly soothing. Shuttles came from colder climates, but Starscream didn’t find it stifling. He found his anxiety lessened a little.

He sighed and leaned up against Skyfire, as if it was a regrettable but forgone situation that he would end up cuddling with this mech by the end of the night. “I can’t help but notice,” Starscream said lowly, “that not long after I told you that you were attractive, you practically crawled into my nest.”

Skyfire’s field rippled in excited pleasure. “It was clearly an invitation worth pursuing. You are an impressive mech, and I would take any chance to get closer to you. Even if you plan to chase me out of here in the morning.”

“I do,” Starscream said staunchly, wiggling closer to Skyfire so that more of their plating touched. Their fields intermingled, exploring and weaving together. “I don’t want you to get hurt.”

Skyfire leaned down and pressed his face into Starscream’s neck, nuzzling him. Starscream hummed in satisfaction, stroking Skyfire’s helm. “I don’t want you to get hurt either.”

Starscream’s circuits tingled with the excitement of what this was and could be between them. He wanted to explore Skyfire, map every piece of him to find the hidden places that would make him gasp and hitch his vents, but unfortunately it was not meant to be. The night had to end at some point, and he didn’t want to fall deeper into affection for the shuttle than he already had.

It would make the future easier, he thought.

Still, Starscream fell asleep wrapped around Skyfire, venting softly in his arms, and letting thoughts of tomorrow drift away.

Chapter Text

Starscream jolted awake to the sound of alarms and cries across the camp.

His comms were pinging constantly as reports flew in about raiders sneaking into the camp in the dead of night, knocking out their guards, and starting to capture the Seekers and steal anything not nailed down. 

Starscream was tempted, as he usually was, to just fly off out of the tree and into the great unknown. Forget all of this nonsense of failure, constant humiliation, and the responsibility of leadership and just… live quietly in obscurity.

It was only natural to think of these things. But it was not Starscream’s fate.

He only paused a moment before letting his anger flare from his chest to the tips of his wings as he stood to his pedes and pushed out past the drapes to his nest.

His shrill voice called out over the rising din, barking orders. His Seekers flocked to him, relieved, flying over and reporting on the damage and the size of the raiding horde. 

Skyfire woke, poking his helm out of the nest. “Stay here!” Starscream snapped, closing the branches around the nest to hopefully give him a chance to stay hidden. Skyfire protested but Starscream paid him no mind as he jumped into the air, raised his weapon, and flew into the battle.

The enemy was relentless, outnumbering the Seekers by at least three to one. They had surged through the village, crawling up the trunk and using grappling hooks to invade and cause havoc. Their strength overwhelmed even the fiercest warriors of Starscream’s clan, giving him flashbacks to the first time they were defeated, years ago.

Starscream found an enemy and engaged him, slashing his broadsword and pinning the mech to the ground. “Why are you here?” he growled.

To his disgust, the mech merely leered up at him. Starscream punched his knowing smirk and the mech passed out.

Starscream could guess then.

Seekers were fast and agile, but lacked stamina and strength, meaning that if this battle could not be decided quickly, it would be decided for them. Starscream ordered the cutting of every roped platform meaning that there would be no standing ground for the invading force, but it would also destroy a lot of what they had built here from generations.

To his satisfaction, mechs plummeted to their presumed death, crying out with surprise. Starscream went to cut a rope near him, but he was roughly tackled from the side by four mechs. He only just managed to jump into the air to avoid their chains, rocketing into the air to gaze over the battle. 

But once he was high up and analyzed the situation, he knew they were doomed.

He saw Skywarp and Thundercracker fight bravely, but they were soon subdued. Their weapons were torn from their frames and chains slapped around their wrists. The invading clan moved with ruthless efficiency, capturing one Seeker after another, binding them to branches or leading them away like trophies.

Starscream angrily dove back into the din to keep fighting, until he was the only one left. For a moment, he seemed to hold his ground, his tenacity enough to give the enemy pause. But then one of the invading warriors—a towering brute of a mech—grabbed Starscream, yanking him back to the ground. Starscream tried to tackle him, but the mech met him and grappled with him in a show of strength. Starscream had fought as hard as he could, but his strength was no match for the mech. His legs buckled and the mech pushed him, forcing him to his knees. Starscream struggled, snarling and spitting, but he couldn’t break free.

“So fierce,” the mech cooed. “I can see why Megatron is so interested in this clan and its leader.”

Starscream spit in the mech’s face, earning a raucous laugh from the other mechs. But this also earned him a hard punch to the face, making him fall to the ground with a whimper.

“You need to learn respect ,” the mech said, looming over him. 

“You need to earn respect,” Starscream ground out, which was the wrong thing to say as the mech pressed his knee into Starscream’s back right between his wings. Starscream whined and struggled, knowing what was coming next, and he wasn’t ready, he didn’t have the strength-

He grabbed Starscream’s wing-

And then the pressure was gone.

Starscream snapped his helm up to see Skyfire standing over him protectively, and the mech that had been harassing him sailed across the platform and only just caught himself from falling off the edge. He turned, glaring at Skyfire with a broken visor and pulled himself up to retaliate.

But then more raiders surrounded them, weapons drawn, and Starscream realized they were done for.

Skyfire raised his hands in a gesture of surrender. Before Skyfire could say anything, they were both roughly shoved forward and their hands were bound in tight chains. 

They were led with the other captured Seekers toward the bottom of the trunk, where the invading clan had set up makeshift holding areas. Starscream walked beside Skyfire, and despite his sore cheek, he managed a small smirk.

“That was quite the punch,” Starscream whispered. “I wish I could have seen it.”

“I was angry, ” Skyfire said back. “Apparently my conjunx was in danger.”

Starscream rolled his optics, even if he was secretly pleased with the answer. “I had them right where I wanted.”

“I know, and I regret that I messed it up,” Skyfire said lightly, teasing back. “Still, are you alright? That looked like it hurt.”

Starscream’s face heated, and it was not merely from the blooming bruise on his cheek. “I’m fine. These are clearly Megatron’s mechs. We were supposed to have more time.”

Skyfire gave him a side-glance. “That doesn’t seem fair.”

“You’ve never met Megatron, have you?”

“Still. You’d expect him to follow the rules of his own making. Otherwise you might seek alliances with other, stronger parties.”

Starscream sighed. “Unfortunately, no one cares . We’re just some annoying Seeker clan without the means to stop a warlord from his brazen pull at power. He even made me agree to-”

“That’s enough!” a mech shouted, pulling Starscream away from Skyfire. Separated, Starscream’s wings fell behind him as he felt Skyfire’s optics on his back. 

Chapter Text

The village square was quiet, eerily so, save for the crackling of the fire pits and the faint rustle of wind through the leaves. All of the Seekers, once proud warriors of the skies, were now bound with heavy chains and forced to kneel. Megatron, still clad in ridiculous furs and skins, strode into the center of the assembled mechs, his smirk wide across his face.

"You’re early," Starscream hissed through gritted dentae.

Megatron’s smirk deepened as he drew closer. "Then give me the payment, Starscream, and we’ll leave you be. A simple transaction. No need for more theatrics." His voice was smooth yet laced with malice, like the edge of a blade poised to cut.

Starscream stared at him for a moment, searching his optics, but then his helm dropped. He was out of ideas, and there was no tithe waiting. They had fallen short and would continue to fall short from here on out. Starscream had tried to trade, to steal, to even ransom to get the exorbitant fee that Megatron demanded, and it was just not possible. The Seekers behind him shifted uncomfortably, but their chains held firm. No one spoke.

Megatron’s optics scanned the row of kneeling Seekers, then finally lingering on Starscream. "Ah, but it seems you have nothing to give. How unfortunate," he mocked, drawing a small blade from his side and inspecting it idly. "Then we fall back on other parts of the treaty."

Starscream’s wings flicked in agitation, and his frame tensed as if ready to bolt, but the chains refused to give. His voice was sharp with panic. "No!" he spat, his protests cutting the tense silence. "There must be something else , my Lord! This is too much-"

Megatron crouched before him, his massive frame dwarfing Starscream’s. He tilted his head, feigning pity. "Too much? You insult me, Starscream. This would be a great service to your clan. You would rise in status. No longer would you owe tithes. No longer would you scavenge to survive."

Starscream’s glare was sharp, but his voice wavered. "What status?" he growled, his words biting with fury. "If you take me as your conjunx, you will absorb us and force us to assimilate to your rule!"

Megatron’s laugh was a low, rumbling thing, a sound that shook Starscream to his core. The warlord reached out and grabbed Starscream’s chin, forcing him to meet his gaze. "You act like that would be terrible," he sneered. "You can’t even defend yourself, Starscream. You don’t deserve to be free."

Starscream’s sharp intake of air betrayed him, his wings twitching as he fought against both the chains and the truth in Megatron’s words. This shame was unbearable, but the alternative was unthinkable.

Megatron leaned in closer, his grip tightening. "We will be conjunxed. It doesn’t bring me pleasure either—but bringing you to heel will."

Starscream closed his optics as Megatron’s mechs jeered, laughing at his expense. He’d be no equal in this bonding, he’d be an example . His Seekers would be the lowest rung in Megatron’s horde, used as cannon fodder against other clans. His future would be completely molded by a mech that didn’t understand him and didn’t care.

Before Starscream could respond, a thunderous roar erupted from behind them. The chains binding Skyfire shattered with a deafening clang, and the massive shuttle surged to his feet. Mechs attempted to stop him, but fell to the side as Skyfire batted aside their feeble attempts. They pointed weapons in his face and he ignored them until he towered over Megatron, his optics blazing with fury.

Starscream’s optics went wide.

"You will not take him!" Skyfire bellowed, his voice a booming declaration of defiance. He stepped forward, his massive hand crushing the remains of his chains, his wings flaring wide like the shadow of a storm.

Megatron rose slowly as his optics gleamed with amusement. "Bold words from a pet ," he drawled, his voice dripping with mockery. "Do you truly think you can challenge me?"

Skyfire’s response was swift and brutal. He reached for a sword strapped to the back of a nearby mech, its massive blade gleaming in the firelight. "You invaded this clan against your agreement!" he cried. “You are dishonorable, and I will defeat you for the offense!”

Megatron’s smirk turned into a full grin. He reached for his own blade—a dark, jagged monstrosity that seemed more like an extension of his will than a weapon. "Ah, so you know our ways, wizard ," he said, his voice dripping with relish. "Let’s see if the storm can fell the mountain, then."

Starscream shook his helm, worry lacing his field. “Skyfire, don’t, he doesn’t fight fair-”

The first clash of their swords rang out like a thunderclap, the deafening explosion of metal against metal reverberating through the village. The force of their initial strike sent a ripple through the ground, shaking loose the ash and dust that clung to the air. Skyfire swung his massive blade in a brutal arc, its sheer weight and momentum threatening to cleave Megatron in two. But Megatron had sidestepped with uncanny agility, his jagged sword flashing as it came up to meet Skyfire’s next swing.

Starscream reared back in surprise. When Starscream had claimed Skyfire was a great warrior and would fight for them… he had thought he was exaggerating. Part of him was irritated that Skyfire had kept this secret, but another part of him was smug that he had been right all along.

He was such an excellent judge of character!

The collision of swords sent a burst of sparks flying, briefly illuminating the darkened square like a flash of lightning. Megatron retaliated with a series of precise strikes, each one aimed to test the limits of Skyfire’s defenses. Starscream knew it well; Megatron’s battle prowess was impossible to defeat, and he’d been a fool to challenge him in the first place. But Skyfire surprisingly met every blow with his own, his massive blade moving with surprising grace for its size. His strength was raw, untamed, like the fury of a hurricane, while Megatron’s movements were cold, calculated—and clearly more experienced menace hunting his prey.

Starscream watched on in confusion. But Skyfire wasn’t… losing?

Skyfire pressed the attack, his blade sweeping down in a powerful overhand strike that Megatron barely parried. The impact forced the warlord to slide back a step, his heels digging furrows into the earth. But Megatron used the momentum to twist his sword in a wicked arc, aiming for Skyfire’s exposed side. The shuttle brought his blade up just in time, the force of the counterstrike jolting his arms but leaving him unharmed.

"Good," Megatron sneered, his optics gleaming with predatory delight. "You’re strong, but brute strength alone won’t save you."

Starscream tried to shout Skyfire’s name, but his throat closed up in fear.

Skyfire surged forward, his swings growing faster and more relentless. The sheer force of his blows forced Megatron to give ground, his defensive parries coming faster and closer together. Each time their swords met, the shockwaves sent embers scattering from the nearby fire pits. Skyfire feinted left, then spun into a sweeping horizontal strike that almost caught Megatron off-guard. The warlord ducked low, his sword coming up to meet the edge of Skyfire’s blade with a sharp screech of protesting metal.

Megatron seized the moment, surging forward to close the distance. He aimed a precise thrust at Skyfire’s chest, but the larger mech twisted his body just enough for the blade to glance off his shoulder armor. Grunting, Skyfire retaliated with an upward slash that grazed Megatron’s forearm, the first sign of damage glinting on the warlord’s otherwise pristine armor.

The crowd of Seekers, still bound and kneeling, watched in stunned silence. Starscream, however, could barely vent. His optics remained glued to the duel, his spark hammering in his chest as he watched Skyfire fight with a ferocity he’d never seen before. Each swing, every deflection, was filled with a determination that made something inside Starscream’s chest tighten.

Why ? Why was Skyfire doing this and risking everything? 

Megatron snarled, the fleeting wound only stoking his fury. He lunged forward, his blade moving in a whirlwind of brutal, efficient strikes. He aimed low, forcing Skyfire to block, then swung high, making the shuttle pivot and expose his side. But Skyfire countered with a sweeping backhand slash, forcing Megatron to leap back to avoid being split in two.

"You’re slowing down," Megatron taunted, circling Skyfire like a turbowolf. His voice was calm, mocking, but his optics betrayed a flicker of irritation. "Your strength is nothing without the stamina to sustain it."

Skyfire’s chest heaved with exertion, but he did not falter. "I’m not done yet," he growled, gripping his blade tighter. With a roar, he charged forward, feinting a wide arc before pivoting into a thrust aimed directly at Megatron’s helm. The warlord barely managed to dodge, the blade slicing through a lock of his metallic plating with a screech.

Megatron snarled, his optics blazing now with a mix of anger and grudging respect. He retaliated with a vicious diagonal strike, his blade colliding with Skyfire’s in a clash that sent another shockwave through the square. But Skyfire held firm, his feet digging into the earth as he pressed back against the warlord’s strength.

Skyfire unleashed a devastating swing, putting his full weight behind the strike. Megatron was caught mid-movement and could only twist to deflect, but the force of the blow sent him staggering back. He barely caught his balance, his optics narrowing in fury.

"Impressive," Megatron admitted, his tone a mix of frustration and reluctant admiration. He steadied himself, his blade held at the ready once more. "But you will break, just as all others have."

Skyfire stood tall, his optics locked with Megatron’s. "Not today," he rumbled, his voice steady. 

With a sudden burst of speed, Skyfire surged forward, driving Megatron to pull up his sword in a quick, desperate defense. 

But then Skyfire tossed his sword aside, the massive weapon embedding itself in the ground with a loud thud. Before Megatron could react, Skyfire closed the distance, his massive hands reaching out.

“What—” Megatron began, but his words were cut off as Skyfire’s powerful arms locked around him.

With a guttural roar, Skyfire lifted Megatron clean off the ground. The warlord’s optics widened in shock, his sword slipping from his grasp as he struggled against the unyielding grip. The gathered Seekers gasped in unison, and for a moment, the entire village seemed to hold its breath.

"Let me go, you brute!" Megatron snarled, his voice tinged with disbelief and humiliation.

Skyfire didn’t oblige. He hurled Megatron over his helm across the square with a mighty swing of his arms. The warlord crashed into a wooden pillar, the impact sending cracks spidering across its surface. He slumped to the ground, dazed and suddenly quiet.

The stunned silence broke as the Seekers erupted into cheers, their voices rising in a triumphant roar. The sound was deafening, their joy a cathartic release after their humiliation. Starscream, who had been silent until now, threw back his helm and laughed, the sound sharp and triumphant. "Looks like even the great Megatron can be… toppled," he sneered, his wings flaring with unrestrained glee.

Megatron rose shakily to his feet, his optics blazing with fury and embarrassment. He glared at the crowd of cheering Seekers, then at Skyfire, who stood tall, his frame casting a long shadow in the firelight. It seemed Megatron would lash out for a moment, but then his expression shifted, a scowl settling across his features.

"You’re not worth the trouble," Megatron spat, his voice cold and venomous. He dusted himself off and pointed a clawed finger at Starscream. "Enjoy your freedom, but know this: without my protection, you’ll have no one to shield you from the dangers beyond this pitiful village."

"They have plenty of protection now," Skyfire said, his deep voice carrying over the murmurs of the crowd. 

Turning, Skyfire moved to Starscream. With a swift motion, he grasped the chains binding him and snapped them as though they were made of paper. Starscream staggered to his feet, his optics wide as he looked up at Skyfire. 

Megatron sneered, his pride clearly wounded. With one last glare, he turned and stalked away, his soldiers trailing behind him. The Seekers erupted into cheers again, their joy uncontainable as they surrounded Skyfire and Starscream.

For the first time in what felt like ages, Starscream allowed himself a small, genuine smile.

Chapter Text

The Seeker clan had an incredible celebration lasting late into the night. Storytellers were already weaving the events of the night into myth and legend, and Starscream spied more than one weaver already beginning a tapestry or two to depict the story. He watched in mute surprise that he, Starscream, featured prominently in these interpretations. And it was favorable .

Skyfire sat beside him as Seekers fretted over his dents and minor wounds from the battle. They patched him, cooing and gushing with praise at how brave he had been. Skyfire sheepishly accepted their attention, glancing over at Starscream on occasion. Starscream found himself no longer annoyed at the antics of his Seekers, and Skyfire truly did deserve the adoration. He had nearly single-handedly saved them from a dim future.

Eventually the flock moved on and went back to the fire to dance and cavort with each other, leaving Skyfire and Starscream to watch quietly from their branch above it all.

“I suppose I can’t get rid of you now,” Starscream said, leaning back on his hands behind him.

Skyfire blanched. “Did you still want to?”

“No,” Starscream said quickly, without a thought. Instead of letting himself be embarrassed, he shrugged. “I find I enjoy your company.”

Even though it was dark, Skyfire’s beaming smile lit up the night. “I enjoy yours too.”

“That seems to be yet another lie you’re spinning.”

“I never lied!” Skyfire protested. “You just didn’t… ask.”

Starscream wrinkled his nose. “You didn’t fight me when I captured you!”

“It’s hard to remember to fight when the mech capturing you is singly the most gorgeous mech you have ever seen!”

Starscream opened his mouth and then closed it. “Then I guess it’s a good thing Megatron is ugly!”

Skyfire snorted, and then fell into unrestrained laughter. And despite everything, Starscream also began to laugh slightly, shaking his helm.

"Where did you even learn to fight like that, anyway? I thought the wizard-folk were pacifists."

Skyfire’s lips quirked into a soft smile. "I’ve traveled to many villages. I’ve seen countless cultures, learned their ways, and picked up what I could. Every place I stayed taught me something new—how to wield a blade, how to hold my ground, how to survive." He paused, his optics glowing faintly in the dim light of the room. "But the Seekers… your clan was the most interesting."

Starscream raised a brow, intrigued. "Interesting? Us? Hardly. We’re a mess half the time."

Skyfire chuckled, the sound low and affectionate. "You’re passionate," he corrected. "Dynamic. Watching you all fly, watching the way you strategize and argue, it’s… chaotic, yes, but it’s alive. I’ve never felt anything like it. I can hold my own as long as I have a place to stay, but here, with you, I found something I never thought I would."

Starscream tilted his helm slightly, his optics narrowing. "And what’s that?" he asked, his voice quieter now.

Skyfire smiled again, his hand brushing delicately against Starscream’s. "A family," he said simply. "You, this clan—it’s the family I’ve always wanted. Somewhere to belong, something worth fighting for. Worth staying for."

Starscream stared at him, dumbfounded. For once, words escaped him. His wings flicked subtly, betraying the flutter in his spark. 

Then, ever one to mask his emotions, Starscream smirked faintly. "You know," he drawled, his tone teasing, "you’re worth more than ten Skywarps, at least." 

From somewhere below, an indignant voice rang out. "HEY!" Skywarp’s shout shattered the quiet. Starscream snorted, barely suppressing a laugh, while Skyfire’s shoulders shook with quiet amusement.

Starscream leaned his shoulder against Skyfire, letting the laughter fade into a comfortable warmth. "He’ll get over it," Starscream muttered, though his tone was light.

Skyfire chuckled again, pressing a soft kiss to Starscream’s helm. The usually sharp and biting Seeker blushed faintly, his wings twitching, but he didn’t pull away.

"Don’t get used to this," Starscream said, his voice muffled as he nestled closer against Skyfire’s chest.

"I wouldn’t dream of it," Skyfire teased, a grin spreading across his face.

Starscream rolled his optics, but the faint smile tugging at his lips betrayed his fondness. He let the silence settle again, the steady rhythm of Skyfire’s spark lulling him into a rare moment of peace.

And for the first time in what felt like an eternity, Starscream allowed himself to look forward to the new day.

Learn more about Baird's Bird