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The first thing Megatron noticed was how quiet everything was. Normally, he would be greeted by a whirlwind of sounds and chaos the second he stepped into the apartment. Now, however, the silence was almost eerie.
“Hello?” He called out into the dark hallway ahead, which should have been lit by overhead lights at this hour. “Is anybody there?”
No response.
Megatron felt his fuel pump speed up in his chest. He rushed through the hallway and further into the apartment, praying silently that nothing had happened. And that was when the attack came.
They were upon him in seconds, a horde of small assailants that swarmed him with fierce battle cries. Not even a seasoned warrior like Megatron could withstand such an assault, and before he knew it, he was down on the floor. The attackers didn’t relent even for a moment, climbing victoriously atop their fallen enemy. Megatron, however, only had optics for the new bot that had entered the room and now stood looming over him. The mastermind behind his ambush.
“Oh, look how the mighty have fallen.” Starscream drawled, a smirk pulling at his lips. “One would think the all-powerful Megatron could do better than allowing himself to be defeated by mere sparklings.”
Megatron’s retort never had the chance to leave his lips, as their oldest seekerlet jumped right onto his spinal strut, knocking the wind out of him. The other two followed suit, their tiny fingers tickling at the gaps in their sire’s armor. Megatron tried retaining his dignity for as long as he could, but all too soon he was howling with laughter as he tried to roll away from his young assailants. Eventually, he managed to look up towards Starscream, his optics pleading for what his pride didn’t allow him to ask out loud.
“And now, you ask for mercy?” Starscream tutted, shaking his head as he adjusted their youngest sparkling on his hip. “What do we think, sweetsparks? Does your old sire deserve mercy?”
Their sparklings all looked up at him, and then their second eldest shouted, “No mercy for anyone!”
The others immediately joined in with agreeing cries. Even their youngest wiggled in Starscream’s arms and shouted, “No mawsah!”
Starscream smiled victoriously, optics shining with pride, while Megatron himself couldn’t hold back an affectionate chuckle. And fortunately for him, his conjunx wasn’t completely heartless.
“Though, sometimes, I do suppose it is better to go for a tactical retreat.” Starscream relented. “Go on now, and let your sire get up.”
Their sparklings looked a little disappointed, but did do as they were told. Megatron got up after them, groaning as he felt his spinal strut creak.
“I see you have trained them well.” He said to Starscream. “Already helping you usurp me.”
“Of course I have.” Starscream replied, bending momentarily to let their youngest down. He immediately ran to join his siblings where they were having a play-shootout around the couches.
“They need to be ready for the future.” Starscream went on as he moved to stand beside Megatron, the two of them watching as their sparklings played. “Your luck will run out sooner or later, and then I will finally get you.”
Megatron chuckled softly, reaching out an arm and pulling Starscream close to his side.
“You have already done that.” He mumbled affectionately. “You got me a long time ago.”
Starscream leaned in against him, letting out a soft, happy purr. Megatron took the opportunity to gently shift his conjunx towards himself, placing his free hand under Starscream’s chin and lifting it up until their lips met in a soft kiss. Starscream immediately melted into it, his wings making joyful little flutters that stirred the air around them. Megatron hummed indulgently, angling his head to deepen the kiss and-
“Eeeeew!”
Megatron and Starscream quickly broke apart at the horrified exclamation, turning around to face four sparklings with equally disgusted faces. Their eldest, who was at the forefront of the group, was pulling an especially impressive grimace at them.
“Well, run along then.” Starscream said, looking thoroughly amused by their sparklings’ predicament. “No one has welded your feet to the ground, have they?”
When their sparklings still looked hesitant at the thought of leaving their parents unattended in the middle of such a heinous act, he added, “If you go to the kitchen you can each pick out whatever you want from the snack cabinet.”
That certainly did the trick. Their sparklings disappeared like a swarm of turbo beetles, all yelling loudly over each other about who would get to pick first.
“Resorting to bribery now?” Megatron asked, making no attempt to hide the amusement in his voice.
“I’m simply preparing for the future.” Starscream’s mouth had twisted into an all too familiar smirk. “It is always wise to stay in our future rulers’ good graces.”
“Ah yes, of course.” Megatron said as he leaned in to claim another kiss. His conjunx accepted it with a satisfied hum, slinging his arms around Megatron’s neck. Megatron allowed his optics to dim, fully losing himself to the soft feel of Starscream’s lips. When they broke apart again, he let one hand linger on Starscream’s cheek, giving him a perfect view of that handsome face.
“You are perfect.” Megatron murmured affectionately. He cast a glance towards the kitchen. “And so are they.”
He leaned in to place one more kiss on Starscream’s brow before continuing in a soft whisper, “I’m so lucky to have all of you.”
Starscream leaned into his touch, optics shining a bright crimson. And despite the teasing threats of treachery and succession he would surely return to in mere minutes, Megatron knew Starscream was just as happy as well.