Chapter Text
"No, not that way you imbecile!"
A hand grabbed his as the shriek of a missile blossomed into an explosion on his left, and shrapnel bit into his heat-warped frame even as he was pulled swiftly away and behind an outcropping that shielded them both from the worst of the weaponsfire.
Starscream rounded on him, red optics blazing.
"Thank yo-" Optimus started, only to splutter to a stop as Starscream's free hand came up to grab him by an antennae and shake him.
"Moron!" Starscream shrieked louder than the bombs. "You could have gotten us both killed!"
By now, Optimus knew not to argue. It wasn't the time or place for discussing their dysfunctional relationship and why they should never have bonded in the first place - now, with enemies all around them and the rest of their respective teams left behind in that initial charge, all Optimus could do was squeeze Starscream's hand still clenched around his own.