Chapter Text
It was a quiet night,the kind that made the stars feel like they were shining brighter than ever before. Orion's smaller hand brushed gently against the larger, scarred one beside him. He sighed softly.
"I can’t remember the last time I saw the skies over Kaon this clear," Orion murmured, his voice wistful. "It’s been so long. I’m glad to share it with you, Megatron."
As the archivist spoke, he noticed that the crimson eyes of the mech beside him were no longer gazing at the beauty above. Instead, they were fixed entirely on him.
"Don’t you want to see the stars?" Orion chuckled.
Megatron’s voice was a low purr. "I have something far more breathtaking in my sights."
Orion flushed, the faint glow of his blush spreading across his faceplates in a way Megatron always found endearing. Leaning closer, he allowed himself a rare moment of vulnerability. Never in his wildest imaginings would he have thought he'd fall for such a small, unassuming archivist. And yet, here they were, together, atop one of the very arenas where Megatron had fought countless battles.
They had been meeting like this in secret, beneath the stars, night after night. Tonight, however, would be their last for some time. The Decepticon movement was gaining momentum, its cause becoming ever more infamous. But tonight wasn’t about politics or war. Tonight belonged to an ex-miner and a tiny archivist.
Their affections began slow, hesitant and uncertain. But the passion between them quickly ignited. Megatron’s strong hands roamed over Orion’s frame, their touches sending shivers through the smaller mech. Orion pressed his helm to Megatron’s broad chassis, determined to savor every moment.
When their lips met, they pressed over one another with a hunger that just couldn’t seem to fully stratify the passion both craved, crimson locking with deep blue. Orion felt the larger mech’s presence all around him, enveloping him in a strength that once terrified him but now made him feel safe.
Before Orion knew it two digits were circling inside the archivists valve. Rubbing over a sensitive cluster of sensors inside. Large lips pressed up and down his erect spike at the same time. Orion’s quiet whines mixed with Megatron’s low growls, their fields intertwining as sparks danced between them. It fell silent when the other pulled back and Orin was pulled into a strong embrace. The smaller mech pressed his forhelm to the others chassis, determined to enjoy the moment for as long as possible.
He could feel Megatrons hot spike pressed against him. Orion moaned when he felt it slickly slide into him, filling him tightly. He was partly distracted by the glassa going down his neck cables. The first time they’d been together like this, Orion had been nervous, his smaller frame dwarfed by Megatron’s imposing size. But now, he surrendered to the moment, trusting the powerful mech entirely.
Orion let the others powerful hands do as they pleased, lifting and thrusting back into him. He was fully lost in his lust to do anything but absolutely enjoy the sensation of the other inside of him. Eventually succumbing to that pleasure with a lovely cry, Megatron rode the smaller bot through his waves of ecstasy, before thrusting a few more times, and finishing inside his lover with his own overload. Orion felt a pleasant warmth pouring into him.
Megatron held him close, murmuring against his audials, "I love you, Orion Pax of Iacon."
Orion’s spark nearly stopped. Love?
"I-I-" was all he was able to stammered, his voice faltering. It was the first time the word had been spoken between the two aloud.
"You don’t have to say it," Megatron assured him, his tone uncharacteristically tender. "Whatever happens, I want you to know."
Orion’s small hands cupped Megatron’s blemished helm. "I do," he blurted, his voice trembling but sincere. "I love you, Megatron of Kaon. Now and forever."
The larger mech held him tightly, as if afraid that someone might tear his precious archivist away at any moment. They rested in the afterglow, their sparks close and their fields intertwined, the stars above shining brighter than ever. If Primus willed it, this moment would remain eternal.
Cycles later, the tranquility of their stolen moments felt like a distant dream. It had been far too long since Orion had last seen Megatron. The growing hostilities between the Decepticons and the Primes had made their meetings impossible. Iacon had fallen under strict lockdown, and rumors of war loomed heavy over the city.
The day the sirens wailed through the streets, Orion was at his job, trying to finish his tasks despite the chaos outside. The enforcers had issued a citywide order for all civilians to remain indoors. Orion Pax was the last archivist to leave that day. As Orion hurried back to his dwelling, he found the streets eerily quiet.
Transforming to his alt-mode, he drove as far as he could before the roads were blocked off. Forced to continue on foot, he walked briskly through the deserted streets, his spark heavy with unease.
"Hey, you!" a voice barked from behind him.
Orion tried to ignore it, quickening his pace. But before he could escape, a hand grabbed his shoulder plating, yanking him into a shadowy alley.
"You’re violating Zeta Prime’s orders," the enforcer growled, their grip unyielding. "All civilians are to remain off the streets!"
“I-I was just on my way home-”
“How do I know you're not out to cause trouble?”
Orion was far from calm, “please understand, I just got done with my work.” a servo grabbed at the red and blue mechs aft and that's when he noticed the smirk on the enforcers face above him.
“A cute thing like you could be up to anything. I need to make sure you're not planning any trouble. Then I’ll walk you right home. Promise.” he whispered much to close. Grabbing Orion tight, painful. Everything in his head was spinning faster and faster at the horror that was happening. His right hand pressed over the enforcer's chest. “Please-”
“Aww just relax sweet spark its my job-”
That was all the small mech heard before his vision went dark. When his optics flickered back online, he saw the enforcer sprawled on the ground, a cannon pressed against their throat. Orion’s spark sank and fluttered all at once when he recognized the face looming above the enforcer.
“Megatron?” he gasped, but immediately caught himself. No one could know that the leader of the infamous Decepticons was here.
“My Orion Pax,” Megatron growled, his voice a dangerous rumble. “Let me dispose of this waste, and we can continue our reunion in peace.”
Orion’s optics darted to the enforcer. Energon was already leaking from their chest. But it wasn’t Megatron’s doing. Slowly, Megatron's gaze followed Orion’s trembling hand to the blade attached to it, still coated in energon pink. Megatron’s brow rose in surprise.
He sneered and turned back to finish what Orion had started, but the archivist’s frantic voice stopped him.
“No, wait!” Orion called out. “Don’t kill him.”
“You’d pardon this scum?” Megatron snarled, his lip curling in disdain.
“With death alone.”
Megatron dropped the enforcer, his ped slammed down onto the enforcer’s helm, knocking them out cold. Orion flinched at the sound, his frame still trembling.
Two strong arms wrapped around him, steadying his shaking form. Megatron’s optics flicked to the blade, running his digits along the sharp edges still stained and dripping.
“When did you get this, my love?” Megatron asked, his tone softer now. His optics scanned the weapon-and the subtle upgrades to Orion’s frame it revealed. “This isn’t just a blade. It’s an upgrade. Not typical for an archivist.”
Orion hesitated. “Megatron… how-why? You’re here?”
“I am,” the larger mech said firmly. “I’m here for you, my love. We have to leave tonight.”
Orion’s spark clenched. “So the rumors… they’re true?”
“Yes. We took Helex last cycle. Vos has defected to our side. The conflict is escalating, Orion. You cannot stay in Iacon. I will not allow it.”
“I-I don’t know if I can-”
“You must!” Megatron interrupted, his tone sharp with urgency. “I have risked a lot to come here tonight. Orion, this is not a request. I will drag you out of here if I have to. Please.”
Orion’s hesitation melted under the weight of Megatron’s conviction. “Alright,” he said quietly. “Let me grab my things, beloved.”
“Ok, but be quick. We don't have much time.”
Megatron retreated into the shadows, dragging the unconscious enforcer with him.
Inside Orions small apartment, he hurriedly unlocked the door and rushed in. His hands moved quickly, gathering his few possessions and tucking them into his subspace. But then he froze. He wasn’t alone.
“Orion Pax.”
The archivist startled, spinning toward the voice. “Yes!? Who are you?”
Standing before him was a tall, slender mech, their frame marked with insignia denoting a higher rank than a common enforcer.
“I don’t mean to alarm you,” the stranger said, their tone calm but firm. “I am Streetstar. Alpha Trion has requested me to provide a safe escort for you to him tonight.”
“Tonight?” Orion echoed, his spark racing. “I-I don’t think tonight will work.”
Streetstar’s optics blinked in confusion. “Alpha Trion has requested your presence. It is not optional.”
“I can’t,” Orion stammered, his voice faltering.
“I’m afraid that’s not an option,” Streetstar said apologetically. “I must complete the will of my Prime. I’m sorry, but you must come with me-”
A creak from the front door cut him off.
“You should go, Streetstar,” Orion whispered urgently.
“Shh!” Streetstar’s optics narrowed. “Something’s wrong.”
In an instant, his weapon powered up. He shoved Orion behind the couch, shielding him from view. Everything fell silent.
By the time Orion managed to peek out, Streetstar was gone. The apartment was eerily quiet before a scuffle broke out around the corner. Orion rushed toward the sound, only to trip over something, or someone.
Streetstar’s limp frame lay sprawled on the floor.
Before Orion could process what he was seeing, a large, familiar figure stepped into the doorway.
“Come now, Pax!”
Megatron’s voice was a low growl as he scooped the smaller mech up like he weighed nothing at all. Without another word, the larger mech dashed out of the dark apartment and into the dimly lit alleys of Iacon.
Streetstar must have signaled for reinforcements, exactly what Megatron had hoped to avoid. He grunted in frustration as he darted from shadow to shadow, Orion wiggling in his grasp. The smaller mech wasn’t making things easy. Adjusting his hold, Megatron muttered, “Someone’s been hitting the rust sticks…”
Finally, finding a moment to pause, Megatron placed Orion down and gripped his shoulders firmly. His crimson optics burned with intensity.
“Who was that? What did they want from you?”
“Megatron, please… you must calm down. That was unnecessary-”
“Unnecessary?” Megatron cut him off, his voice sharp. “What did they want, Orion Pax?”
“He’s just a protector… one of Alpha Trion’s.” Orion tried to keep his tone even, but the weight of his words lingered in the air.
Megatron frowned, unconvinced. “Alpha Trion oversees archivists, yes. But sending a protector? That’s not protocol. Tell me, does your Prime often send sparkling-sitters for his archivists?”
Orion’s gaze dropped to his peds. “I… I am unsure.”
A large thumb brushed against his cheek, forcing his optics upward. “You’re a bad liar, my love.”
Before Orion could respond, a voice called out from below.
“Up there! STOP!”
Orion’s spark jumped as lights danced around the shadows.
“It’s the missing archivist! I saw him!”
Megatron’s claws tightened around him. “We’ve been spotted.”
“Where are we going?” Orion whispered, panic lacing his voice.
“I have a safe point in the city. Stay close.”
Megatron pressed them deeper into the shadows, evading the searchlights. He slipped through the window of a rusted, decaying building, placing Orion down but keeping him close.
“At least you can’t say Alpha Trion doesn’t care for his archivists,” Megatron muttered, his tone laced with bitterness. “Though with this one… I may understand.”
A hushed voice interrupted from below. “Hey! Who’s up there? Show yourself!”
“It’s alright it is me,” Megatron called down, his commanding tone unmistakable.
“No way…” someone whispered. “It’s really him?”
“I told you he was coming!”
The floor creaked as two figures climbed up through a hole in the crumbling building. In the dim light, two dark blue bots emerged.
“Orion Pax,” Megatron introduced curtly, gesturing to the smaller mech. “These are Slugslinger and Caliburst, part of the underground resistance in Iacon.”
“It’s… nice to meet you,” Orion offered hesitantly.
“Oh, the pleasure’s ours,” Slugslinger stammered, while Caliburst dipped his head in a clumsy bow. “Uh, Lord Megatron.”
Before introductions could continue, the heavy slam of a door echoed through the building. A white mech with harsh red optics stepped inside, his presence immediately commanding attention. He gave a quick show of respect before his unsettling, smirking gaze landed on Orion.
“Ah, Deadlock,” Megatron greeted. “You’ve returned. How is our escape route looking?”
“The streets are heavily patrolled, my lord,” Deadlock replied. “We’ve drawn a bit more attention than we wanted.”
Megatron frowned. “Unfortunate. And this,” he gestured to Orion, “is the one I came for.”
Deadlock’s optics narrowed slightly as he assessed the smaller mech.
“Kinda small, huh?” Caliburst whispered loudly, earning a sharp elbow from Slugslinger.
“This is my dear friend Orion Pax,” Megatron said, his tone cutting through the murmurs. “An archivist of Iacon. He’ll be coming back to Helex with me tonight.”
“We’ll make it happen, my lord,” Deadlock confirmed with a nod.
Orion, still processing the exchange, glanced between them. “Lord?” he asked quietly.
“Never mind that now, Pax,” Megatron replied. “We need to secure a new way out of the city.”
Deadlock nodded. “We’ve already prepared a route. Tunnels beneath the city are our best option for now.”
“Then let’s move,” Megatron commanded.
The tunnels were far from pleasant, with the stench of decay and filth choking the air, but the group pressed forward. Orion struggled to keep up, his smaller frame lagging behind Megatron’s powerful strides. The Decepticon leader scouted ahead, while Deadlock and the others flanked the archivist, urging him forward with impatient kicks at his heels.
When they reached an intersection littered with mountains of garbage, Megatron signaled for Deadlock to join him in scouting ahead. “Wait here,” he commanded the rest of the group, his tone leaving no room for argument.
The silence didn’t last long as they waited.
“So, how do you know the great leader, huh?” Slugslinger asked, his voice dripping with curiosity. “You some kind of archivist spy?”
Caliburst snickered. “A spy? Him? No way. But I hear some bots are into minis.”
“I am not a minibot,” Orion corrected sharply. Though smaller than most mechs of his frame type and certainly smaller than Megatron, he wasn’t a minibot. “Nor am I a spy.”
Slugslinger smirked. “Then what’s the deal? Gotta be something special if he came all this way for you.”
“We… care for each other,” Orion began cautiously.
“You’re a good lay, huh?” Caliburst blurted, earning a gasp from Orion.
“Excuse me!?”
“Caliburst!” Slugslinger slugged his companion in the shoulder, though he couldn’t help chuckling. “Ow!” Caliburst protested, rubbing his shoulder. “What? I’m just trying to figure him out!”
Before Orion could respond, Megatron’s commanding voice cut through the tension. “This way! Come on!”
As the group moved to follow, Caliburst gestured mockingly. “Minis first.”
Orion frowned but stopped in his tracks when something zipped past his helm, startling him. Slugslinger and Caliburst froze as well, confusion etched on their faces, until the next projectile struck Caliburst directly in the helm. He dropped to the ground instantly.
“Move it!” Slugslinger barked, manhandling Orion out of the line of fire.
“But Caliburst!” Orion cried, trying to go back.
“He’s gone! Come on!” Slugslinger shoved Orion toward Megatron, who was already holding his ground with Deadlock in a defensive position.
Megatron’s crimson optics flared as he pulled Orion close, one arm aiming his fusion cannon while the other secured the archivist tightly. “How did they find us?” Deadlock growled.
“Unimportant. Set up a defensive line,” Megatron commanded.
With one swift motion, Megatron dragged Orion toward a heap of debris, shoving him into it. “Stay here until we return,” he ordered, his voice deep and unyielding.
Orion nodded, his spark pounding, as Megatron piled more garbage on top of him. The noise of the skirmish grew louder as enforcers swarmed the area. It wasn’t long before he heard sets of peds flooding past him, but much more alarming a set that didn’t.
“Orion! Orion Pax!” a voice called. The rubble shifted, and Orion’s spark sank. They knew exactly where to look.
“It’s alright, Orion. We’re here to help you under Alpha Trion’s orders.”
Oh no. It all made sense now. The realization hit him like a blow to the chest.
Without thinking, Orion bolted, leaving his hiding spot and darting toward the firefight. Enforcers shouted after him, some confused, others too distracted to stop him. He nearly made it past the chaos when a larger mech slammed into him, pinning him to the ground.
“Desist!” the enforcer barked, pressing a ped down hard on Orion’s back.
From his position on the floor, Orion could see Megatron through the chaos, his crimson optics blazing with fury. The look on his face was unmistakable: I told you to stay put, Orion.
Struggling against the weight of the ped holding him down, Orion’s optics locked on his right servo. He acted his hidden blade, it snapped out and plunging into the ped next to his helm. The enforcer yelped and fell, dropping a few useful thing in the process. Orion grabbed what looked to be a small explosive device. Though his plan was hazy at best.
Shots whizzed past him as he was now crossing the line of fire, his frame trembling from exertion. Just as he reached the edge of the fray, a blast tore through his leg strut. He collapsed, pain shooting through his frame.
Before he could process the injury, a large servo gripped the back of his neck, yanking him upward. Dull red optics glared at him, it was Deadlock.
“Fallback!” Megatron’s voice boomed.
Deadlock didn’t hesitate, tossing Orion backward as they retreated. The archivist hit the ground hard. Orion followed the others despite knowing it was now futile, but he could be absolutely sure they all got out safely.
When they reached the final crossway, the tunnel ahead was barely stable. The others rushed forward, but Orion faltered, he pressed the explosive onto the decrepit side of the crossway. It was a small explosive, but it was enough to ensure that the Decepticons would not be followed. The device started beeping when crimson optics turned back to see distant blue ones.
“Orion pax what are you doing!?”
Their optics met, and for a moment, Orion froze. The betrayal in Megatron’s gaze cut deeper than any blade. But the beeping was growing louder and louder, snapping Orion Pax back to reality. He tore himself away and ran the best that he could.
The tunnel collapsed behind him with a deafening roar. Dust and debris filled the air as the underground shook and Orion stumbled onto the ground. Orion felt himself yanked roughly to his peds by enforcers. He struggled weakly, his spark heavy with guilt.
As the enforcers led him away, his only thought was of Megatron. I hope you’ll forgive me…