Archive of Our Own

”So this is my mate?” The warlord did not sound happy at all. It was useless to berate the oracle though… he had no jurisdiction here on Praxus, isle of prophesies and it would bar him from what help the techno-maguses could and would give. Still the mech in the shimmering image was clearly an Iaconian, a mechling just barely out of his younglinghood and not yet adorned with the red cape of a fully fledged soldier. He was a fine young mech, tall and lithe… still a bit gangly but obviously well on his way to be a powerful warrior. Had he been anything but an Iaconian…
“I thank you for your time, Oracle.” Bowing his helmet in regal respect the warlord retreated from the hallowed halls of the Oracle of Praxus. His purple and crimson cape billowing out behind him he stove towards his armored skimmer and the waiting escort of elite seekers. His intended was still young he had time to plan and woo him. Yesss… woo him! The mech was old enough that a secret admirer would be exciting and tempting, yet young enough that gifts and attention would push him in a favorable direction. “Starscream! Bring me Barricade and Soundwave as soon as we land I have a mission for them…”

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The young mech that warlord had sent them to spy on was popular, a good student and a good warrior. As yet untried but that was something that would change soon enough. All in all their leader could have done much worse in his Intended… The mech was named Optronix, he was an orphan from one of the noble houses and so his life was controlled by his guardian, Lord Scholar Ratbat. As far as Soundwave could determine the mech had no love interests, most of his ‘friends’ was of the higher echelons of society… his real friends though, was a small group of misfits, a medic in training, an engineer in training and the youngest ever scientist to graduate from the Iaconain institute of science. It also held, to the horror of both Kaonites, two femme exchange students out of Yuss, the blasphemous femme state. Luckily the femmes were a bonded couple and so posed no threat to the warlord’s intended.
It had taken them almost half a groon to establish themselves and gather their information but now they were ready to start the ‘campaign’. Which was why Barricade was standing in Optronix’ dorm room with a package… the young mech had just begun training with energy bows and as per usual his scholar guardian had refused him a weapon of his own. The bow Barricade was about to leave cost more than Optronix’ estates earned him in an entire groon.

Optronix groaned and rolled over onto his front as his internal alarm clock went off, telling him he had exactly eight breems to get his aft up and make sure he had everything ready for his classes that day. Someday, he would make a law that said teaching wasn't allowed to start this early in the orn... Grumbling, the red and blue mech pushed himself up and slid off the berth. It wouldn't do to be late to class regardless of his own desires, Lord Scholar Ratbat got upset with him when that happened and the lectures that followed such incidents were always timed to cut into his archery practice; it was the only way the scholar could truly deny him the right to study and practice the art. So lost in his thoughts was Optronix that he didn't realize he had tripped over something until he was laying face first on the other side of the room, groaning in pain and disorientation. "What the slag...?" Pushing himself up again, the young mech looked back toward the berth and blinked in surprise at the long, thin, black box sitting in front of it, undoubtedly the cause of his sudden meeting with the floor. Someone had to have snuck in and left it there, but what was it? Curiosity dictated he open the box and find out but suspicion had him calling Wheeljack to check it out first. Once the tech-trainee had deemed it safe though, Optronix wasted no time in undoing the clasps and opening it, eager to see what was inside. He was sure they had both made an embarrassingly squeaky sound at the sight of what lay inside, but the Iaconian couldn't bring himself to care just then. The bow, for that was what it was, was beautiful, obviously custom made and of extremely high quality, no doubt costing someone quite a bit. A small data pad lay atop it in the plush case, little red light flashing to indicate that it held an unread message, so he picked that up first; in simple but elegant script, it read 'My first gift to you, Optronix. I have high expectations for you, so make me proud. Sincerely, your secret admirer'. Secret admirer? HE had a secret admirer? The very thought made the red and blue mech's entire frame feel a dozen degrees hotter as embarrassment and pleasure coursed through him. Even as he rushed to class the feeling remained, and he wondered when, or even if he would meet this 'secret admirer'. Was it someone he knew? Somehow, the noble doubted it. No one he knew would just throw so many credits away for one item when they had no assurance he would return their feelings.

Wheeljack was curious, who could have sent such an expensive item to Optronix? Let alone arranged for it to be delivered in his private dorm room. The box alone was worth a small fortune, made of imported organic wood and fabrics. It had to be another noble, but it also had to be one far above Optronix in rank. Maybe the truck had an idea of his own? Quickly scribbling a message on his work pad he pressed send and nearly vibrated in his seat causing Ratchet to elbow him in the side and hiss that he better be quiet. Well, Optronix hadn’t said it was a secret so… Scribbling another message he tilted his work pad for Ratchet to see: Optronix’ got a gift this morning! :3

Primus, Wheeljack was so excitable! One wondered what one saw in the silly mech sometimes... Though the fact that Optronix had received a present from someone was rather intriguing. Picking up his own work pad, Ratchet scribbled a quick: Do you know who it's from? Does Optronix know who it's from? and scooted it to the edge of his work surface as he picked up another pad and wrote a couple of notes on what their tutor was talking about. He could transfer it to his file on the other pad later; if he didn't let the engineer-in-training get the news out now, the mech would probably burst from excitement.

Of course Wheeljack would want to know... No, the note just said 'your secret admirer' and I don't recognize the print. The red and blue noble sent back, ducking his head when the instructor looked his way. No doubt Wheeljack was already spreading the news of his rather extravagant gift, and all of his friends would be begging for information during break... Optronix sighed, exasperated and amused with how hungry for gossip his friends could be. Of course they wouldn't tell just ANYONE, they weren't that cruel. But he would be teased mercilessly until someone fessed up and said they had sent the bow, and then they, especially the femmes, Elita and Firestar, would squeal and giggle over it endlessly like the odd creatures they were.

Ratchet’s question coincided with Optronix’ message and Wheeljack simply added his own note under that answer: No! But it is someone with a LOT of credits to his name it was beautiful even the box was beautiful… wood, can you believe that? Black wood and crimson fuzzy fabric. Tilting it for Ratchet to see he dutifully looked at the schematics shown on the blackscreen… youngling play! His creators had taught him most of this before he was officially given his youngling shell, still it was an obligatory course to take. Maybe he should message Firestar, Perceptor and Elita? Naw, it could wait till noon break. Ratchet indicated he was done reading and Wheeljack quickly send a new question to Optronix: So? No ideas at ALL… I mean you must have some idea. Could it be someone from that ball your guardian forced you to be at?

Wood? Seriously? ORGANIC wood, are you sure it wasn't just designed to look like it? Ratchet demanded to know. Only the highest nobles could afford something like that, at least afford something like that and so frivolously give it away. So many things had to be done to preserve such a casing that even nobles rarely possessed or even saw it, and for someone to give it to Optronix... He hastily wrote another message while Wheeljack was replying to Optronix, saying: Someone REALLY high up must have met him at some point and decided to court him or something, do you think he's told Lord Scholar Ratbat yet? And what IS the gift, anyway?

Optronix paused to think about it as he wrote down the next formula in his work, but no one from that ball stuck out in his mind. He wrote back: No... No one really showed such a strong interest in me, there were offers of course, but nothing to imply something as strong as what that bow and case did. I'm just as clueless as you are at this point.

Very seriously, BLACK wood and CRIMSON fabric. And I know wood! I take Perceptor’s course remember? We were allowed to handle the university’s store of organic material. This wasn’t fake anything. Tilting the pad Wheeljack resisted the urge to pout at Ratchet, he wasn’t that much of a scatter processor. But hay! Maybe Perceptor knew where they imported black wood it was worth a try and the scientist had said he would come to have his energon with them today. That was what he told Optronix in his next message before glancing at Ratchet’s next message: No he just got it and frankly I don’t think the Lord Scholar will be very happy… it was a bow. Ops has no idea who it might be, it’s really weird and rather romantic, don’t you think?

Wow. I'm kind of jealous. I would LOVE something organic. Optronix must be overheating in excitement, I know I would be! Ratchet wrote back. The very idea was enough to make him see why Wheeljack had been so excited to share the news! The following message was a surprise, and Ratchet had to reread it before making a reply. A bow? So it would be someone on campus, or who has been here recently, right? Lord Scholar will be slagging furious, but he won't take it away, I don't think, since it was a gift. It is kind of romantic though, you can definitely tell that whoever it is has been paying attention.

With a slight grin, Optronix replied: Yeah, if anyone knows, it's Perceptor! He deals with a lot of the imported organic stuff before it's shipped, so he might be able to figure out where it goes after they're done with it! The thought was encouraging, maybe if he knew who it was before he told his guardian, the mech wouldn't be quite so upset. It was a gift from a wealthy mech, undoubtedly smart and politically powerful, which was a sure thing to please Ratbat any day.

Wheeljack caved and wrote them back at the same time, their teacher had begun sending them pointed glances: Yeah, very romantic and it has to be someone who can come and go as he pleases. How else would he be able to get it into your room at night? Or even know that you needed a bow, and it’s a tool not one of those silly dress kinda things that some of the other nobles run around with. Guys we have to finish this at noon meal, old Sparky is on the prowl. This time their teacher had decided to stop whatever they were doing personally since glaring hadn’t done the job. Wheeljack quickly sent and erased the messages, going back to his note screen.

Classes seemed to drag on forever after Wheeljack's last message, but eventually they were freed from the stuffy rooms and allowed to meet up with the rest of their little group out on the grounds. Perceptor had apparently taken it upon himself to get everyone's energon today, which the three mechs thanked him for after sitting down. Elita and Firestar were talking animatedly about something between kisses, a normal thing for them since they were bonded. Optronix greeted the femmes, who paused just long enough to give the three late-comers an enthusiastic, "Hello!" before going back to their conversation, something about some mech's tacky paint job. Femmes. "Hey, Perceptor, surprised you're out so early today. Isn't the class you usually teach before break really rowdy?"

Perceptor shook his head. "No, they were switched to my last class of the orn so that I could hold them over as long as needed without cutting into anyone else's time. A really nice change, I must say. How are you three doing today? You're all looking quite cheerful."

“Just wait till you hear what Optronix has to tell!” Wheeljack couldn’t keep from bursting out in a gleeful tone. The news wasn’t his to tell but he had to say something! He also really hoped Perceptor could help because he had never heard of anyone in Iacon importing black wood… red though, red was the color of warriors and what it’s presence in the gift signified he wasn’t sure. It could simply be that it was a weapon, it could be that the gift giver was a warrior or maybe it signified the ‘secret admires’ wish for Optronix to become a warrior. If the last would Ratbat ever get a sparkflux! There was no ignoring such a thing as a gift costing a credit pile fit for buying a minor mansion.

Firestar paused in the middle of describing Flarcove’s latest fashion disaster of a paint job and reverted her attention to Optronix and his friends. “What’s gotten you up in a knot, ‘Jack? You sound like… Ohh!”

“Something romantic? You think so, Firestar…” Elita squealed her bondmate’s thought out and dramatically flung herself across the red and orange femme’s lap. “Tell, tell, telltelltell!”

Flustered at being the center of attention, Optronix rubbed the back of his helm, sheepishly looking into his energon cube. "Er, well, when I got up there was a box in my room today," he said. "It was really expensive and rare, you could tell just by looking at it that whoever sent it was going all out... The casing was made of all organic materials, from what we could tell, and the most beautiful bow was inside..." Realizing that he was starting to sound like one of the femmes when they were talking about their bondmate, the red and blue mech figuratively shook himself back into reality and continued. "But we don't know who it was from. All it said was 'your secret admirer', and I've never seen that writing style before so I can't even begin to guess who it was."

Leaning forward, Perceptor asked, "Real organic materials? Who's attention did you catch? It would take me vorns to save up enough for something like that, and if the bow is for practical use rather than decoration, I can imagine the mass of the case that holds it, and that is NOT something most would just give away." That there was someone who was willing to do that to get Optronix's attention meant that either the mech was crazy, or he REALLY wanted the young noble. Admittedly, Optronix was quite attractive, and his intelligence and warrior skills were nothing anyone would stick up their nose at, but it was nothing short of a miracle that he would garner the desire of an obviously wealthy and influential mech, much less receive such a gift before he was being officially courted.

Ratchet snorted and pushed the femmes back a little, but gently because he didn't want to hurt their feelings. "Give the mech some space, ya gossip feeders," he growled good-naturedly. Femmes really didn't make any sense, gossip was almost as good as energon for them most of the time. Add romance in and there's no way you could keep them from getting the information, one way or another.

“Yes, real organic materials! It was black wood and red fuzzy fabric… who imports black wood, Percy? I have never seen or heard of it before.” Wheeljack was too bubbly a person to let the fact that everyone seemed skeptical about the ‘real wood’ thing, get him down. “Oh! That reminds me it’s in perfect condition really well taken care of and oiled but Optronix’ mechservant needs to be told how to keep it that way… unless you want to do that yourself, Ops?”

Moving a little backwards and hugging Elita ecstatically, Firestar contrived to ignore Ratchet. Elita stuck her glossa out at him but the altercation never happened as both the Yussians lost their jaws at the news. “Real organic material? That’s like a major fortune…” Firestar breathed the words reverently… she had a bracelet made of honey colored wood and treasured it more then all her other jewelry together.

“But… but that has to be a giant box! A real bow for you is like… BIG!” Elita looked wide opticed at the much larger Optronix. “I mean… really, really, really… oh wow, whoever it is must be very sure he can win your affection…”

"I'll probably do it myself, and it is a big box. You guys can see it later, if you want? I won't take the case with me to practice, but I want to try out my bow as soon as possible," Optronix said. He could hardly wait to do so, the bow looked like it would be absolutely perfect for him... Smiling at Elita, he replied, "Well, we'll see, won't we? Maybe I'll get lucky and the mech is my intended and Lord Scholar Ratbat will allow me to bond with him. I know he means well, but Ratbat is very... difficult to live with."

"Black wood?" the instructor frowned thoughtfully. "We don't get uncured black wood here in Iacon, but I know Simfur and Kaon get it every so often; even then it's some of the rarest organic material on the planet." Which emphasized the price of the item even more... Perceptor could only think of a few that would be able to afford such nice things, and they were the elite of the elite of Cybertron. So high up there that one would require an intergalactic telescope to see their vapor trails, as some would say.

"So no way to track who might have ordered the case to be made?" Ratchet asked. That was too bad, he was probably almost as curious as Optronix by now to find out who the mystery mech was. And if he wasn't the femmes and Wheeljack sure were!

“Simfur and Kaon? They are both warrior states… that’s weird I didn’t think that Iacon City had any ties with the purely war oriented states. We haven’t even been in a real war for ugh… mega-vorns!” Wheeljack nibbled at his finger tips, his mask retracted and energon cube hanging haphazardly from his other hand. “Well assuming we had the funds to bribe high ranking servants of Simfur or Kaon’s noble houses we might find out but… yeah.”

“Ohh that’s so romantic!” Firestar bend down to kiss Elita on her olfactory component before saying anything else. “Simfur’s ruler is a Dinobot he is really, really huge and powerful. What?” everyone but the giggling Elita was looking at her as if she had spouted horns.

“Simfur is on Yuss border, silly heads and Fire’s right! Warlord Grimlock is a hunk as mechs goes… Kaon though? They dislike femmes, all of them are very dedicated to be warriors and the city is dedicated to Unicron.” Elita ruined her presentation by giggling every two words and even the name of the war god sounded less then intimidating coming from the small pink femme.

"Iacon keeps in contact with all of the states, I heard a couple of Kaonians were even here on official business a couple of groons ago, and I'm pretty sure they still haven't left yet," Optronix said distractedly once he'd gotten over staring at the giggling femmes. He had been hoping Perceptor had some sort of lead, but it seemed that they were at a dead end for now... Oh well, he wouldn't let it keep him down. Finishing the last of his energon, Optronix stood up and stretched, sighing as the kinks in his shoulder joints worked themselves out. "Well, maybe my 'secret admirer' will leave a little more of a clue next time?"

Perceptor nodded and finished his own cube. "Yes, we'll hope they do, because now I'm intrigued as well. Whoever's optic you caught is not someone who would play around, and I find myself most curious to learn their identity." The scientist checked his internal chronometer and stood. "I must be off, unfortunately, I have a lab experiment to prepare for. Don't go getting into any trouble, and I'll try to come by again tomorrow. If not, I'll be expecting you to keep me up-to-date, Wheeljack," he said as he pushed in his chair. With a short wave, Perceptor left, making a mental list of all of those that would be able to afford the gift Optronix had received as he made his way back to his instruction room. He would be able to start deducing the possible gift givers from there, and produce his theories next time they could all meet.

Ratchet found it hard to concentrate on the topic as he watched Wheeljack's denta scrape over the edges of his fingers, but he managed to wave in Perceptor's direction as the instructor left, though talking was a little more difficult. "You femmes are odd. Kaonians are odd, too." Shrugging, he picked up his empty cube and got up. "It seems only time will produce information on Optronix's admirer, so I'm gonna head off, too. I'm supposed to report to the medical center soon anyway for my next set of practical exams. Are you gonna stick around here or are you walking with me, 'Jack?"

Almost losing his grip on the half-full cube Wheeljack startled and then jumped to his peds. “Silly, of course I am going to walk you to class, don’t I always?” Tossing back the last of his fuel he waved at the others and then tugged his arm under Ratchet’s. As always completely oblivious to the slight stiffening in the other mechs body. “What are they about this time? Don’t tell me that your Lecture Priest is going open his panel again!” He could hear the two femmes breaking out in fresh peals of laughter at the reminder.

“Uh, well we need to go too! We’ll see the bow at training, right?” Firestar smiled at Optronix’ and pushed the still laughing Elita off her lap. Hauling them both up with practiced ease she slung one pink arm over her shoulder and began scolding her mate for her lack of public grace, not very hard a scolding though.

“Oh stop it, Fire’! You know you like it..” Elita’s voice drifted on the wind a husky seductive purr that ended in a yelp. The last thing seen was the pink femme irately chasing her bondmate off the plaza one hand pressed to her aft.

Optronix shook his head in amusement at the two femmes' display, waving good-bye to them as they disappeared around one of the buildings. "I guess I'll see you guys after class today?" He asked the remaining mechs and smiling when they both nodded. "Great! Well, I'd better be going too, so I'll see you guys later. Bye!" He waved and turned to head for his next class.

Once the others were gone, Ratchet stuck his free hand in Wheeljack's side and tugged a couple of ticklish wires, toying with them until the engineer was begging for mercy between bouts of laughter. "You're never gonna let me live down that incident, are you?" he griped as he helped Wheeljack back to his pedes and led them toward the medical wing of the institute. "I could always make you sit in on one of those sessions, you know, no one will mind, and then you can be shocked and traumatized by watching your instructors detail the basic methods of interfacing, too."

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The bow had certainly seen use, Barricade smiled thinly as he ran a single claw tip along the smooth finish of the weapon in question. It had collected a few scars but the young mech had spend hours smoothing each one out, like any true warrior doing the work himself and not assigning it to his mechservant. Laserbeak made a low tweep and nuzzled his twin brother before Buzzsaw took over his hiding place. The Warlord would be very pleased indeed to know that his intended paid such attention to his gift! Speaking of gift… the black mech silently moved to Optronix’ desk and placed the flat box on top of the paper the young mech had just gotten back. Optronix had of course passed it with flying colors and Megatron had given them the go for the next gift, a reward of sorts and as needed as the bow had been. Lord Scholar Ratbat had been both pleased and severely displeased by the first gift… the mech was not one of Barricade’s favorites. Casting a last glance at the door to the recharge chamber he snuck back out and melted into the shadows of the dorm garden.

Eleven orns since the first gift had appeared in his quarters, and today he onlined to find another one on his desk. Much smaller, but still made with the rare and beautiful black wood with the fuzzy red cloth inside, with a high quality data pad lying on top of the plush material, all gleaming silver and black with red accents. At first it seemed that his admirer hadn't left any note this time, but when he activated the pad in his first class, Optronix smiled when he saw that there was a saved note file on it. It was another short, simple message, 'I hope you enjoy this little gift. Good job on that last paper. Sincerely, your secret admirer'. Needless to say, he was quite excited to share it with his friends during their next break together.

“Where did you get that? It doesn’t look like something the Lord Scholar would give you.” Elita leaned on the Optronix’ shoulder and looked at the datapad in his hand. It was very pretty in a sort of dark and serious warrior way.

Firestar smacked Elita’s aft and ducked the half playful blow aimed at her. “She does have a point though! Where and when did you get it? And from who must not forget that little detail now spill it, Ops’!”

“I bet it’s from his admirer don’t you think so, Ratchet?” Wheeljack yanked the medic over to look at the datapad before the poor mech got a chance to speak. “See it’s red and black too just like the bow, whoever it is must be a warrior!” Pointing out the obvious color scheme he took it as confirmation of his personal theory.

Ratchet squeaked in surprise when he suddenly found himself pressed against Wheeljack's side, presumably to get a better look at the data pad. Primus, there was NO way Wheeljack was THAT oblivious, was there? One of these orns he was going to jump the ignorant mech and show him JUST what he thought of all the mechhandling... Remembering that he had been asked a question, he nodded and reluctantly - though he tried to make it seem like he was more exasperated than anything - extracted himself from the engineer-in-training's grasp. "It does. Is that where it's from, Optronix?"

"It is!" the red and blue mech replied excitedly. "No more clues, unfortunately, except that it's gotta be someone close by because he knew how well I'd done on my Historical Events essay and congratulated me on it." Which made Optronix obscenely happy, because that meant that whoever it was appreciated his intellectual side and his warrior side. He was already attracted to the mech and he didn't even know who it was yet.

“But where did you find it? Who delivered it to you… I mean there has got to be a clue in that!” Elita more or less squealed right into Optonix’ audio receptor. She was almost as excited as the mech… it wasn’t every day there was such a romantic mystery to unravel.

“I don’t think it’s a Simfur mech… I mean they don’t put too much stock in intellectual things.” Firestar had grown thoughtful. “Of course a Simfurian could easily figure out that this is a good gift for a student but would rather have given you something to improve your warrior skill. This… this is from someone who really cares about both!” She wasn’t aware that she was echoing Optronix’ own thoughts of course. She didn’t know enough about Kaon or Iacon City for that matter to tell if it could be one from them… Iaconinans often seemed a bit divided between those who went the warrior way and those taking a scholastic view on life.

“So… not a Simfurian. That’s odd… Ops? Didn’t you say there was a couple of Kaonites here, like on ambassadorial grounds. Do you know what they are here for?” Wheeljack thought it would be much more romantic if Optronix’ was being courted by a mech from another City state! And really all his friend would have to do was say no, if it proved that he didn’t like his suitor. That was the rules of the game after all.

"We're not taking in to account that even if the black wood COMES from Simfur and Kaon, that doesn't mean other places can't order it from them after it's been cured." Ratchet almost felt bad for being the voice of reason when the three romantics' faces fell at his words, but he knew it should be mentioned. "Just because there's a couple of Kaonites here in Iacon doesn't necessarily mean that it's a Kaonite who's sending the gifts."

He hadn't thought of that... "Ratchet's right, it could be anyone... And no, I don't really know what the Kaonites are doing here, just that they're here on business from Kaon's leader." Optronix sighed and tilted the data pad this way and that, looking for any sort of clue that would tell him where it was from, only to, unsurprisingly, find nothing. "It WOULD make sense though for the mech to be a Kaonite, since they're both intellectual and warrior combined unlike Iaconians who are usually one or the other, but it could just be someone very agreeable as well. Someone who wouldn't mind that I had an interest in both..."

“You’re no fun, Ratch’!” Dispite her words Elita giggled uncontrollably as she finally settled on the ground. “But hey! If it is someone buying the wood from either city state he is even richer than we thought! The Lord Scholar should be pleased this time should he not?”

“He ought to be… and actually Ratchet there’s one problem with that theory. Simfur… the only way their valuables leave the city state is through thievery or gifts and well, they are not known for small things. No, whether it’s brought or given by someone, this stuff has to come out of Kaon!” A faintly scary notion considering Kaons history. Firestar settled down by Elita’s side and slid an arm around her slim shoulders.

“Well… you might be right, Ratchet, but maybe those two came because someone wanted to buy black wood for just this purpose? Or maybe they are servants to whomever is courting you!” Wheeljack wasn’t about to let his theory slide he liked it! “Seriously would it not be romantic if your suitor was like a high ranking Kaonite. I wonder what they look like?” The engineer was clutching Ratchet’s arm and flickering his optics at him in affected courting behavior. He didn’t notice the uncomfortable look that flittered across the medic’s features.

"Knock it off, you look silly," Ratchet mumbled, pushing Wheeljack away and ignoring the urge to pull him back in and kiss him or something equally mortifying. "It could have come from anyone though, they don't necessarily HAVE to be a Kaonite, even if Kaon is the only place to sell it to other City states. And I wouldn't want MY suitor to be a Kaonite at all, to be honest, but then, I have no interest in fighting or fighters."

"What DO they look like?" Optronix wondered. He had seen pictures of old ones in their history classes, but who knew how much they had changed since the old times. "Perceptor would probably know, too bad he was busy today... The idea of having one courting me isn't that bad of an idea to have, but they're supposed to look really intimidating, if the historical files are to be believed. I'm probably tiny compared to a lot of them."

“Ha! Ratch’, you would like to be the aggressor in any courting you were involved in anyways so of course you wouldn’t want a Kaonite.” Elita stopped laughing and glanced knowingly at the obliviously pouting engineer.

Firestar winced at Ratchet’s handling of the ‘problem’ but didn’t needle him, Elita was doing a fine job of that! “They are large and… well most of them have claws I think, of course most of what I know is from history and stories and such. I think it is romantic, though they are a bit scary…” Someone who made Optronix look small would make herself and Elita… yeah. “A mech that big… it would be quite an interesting lover to have, hum?”

“That big… Wow, imagine the spike!” Wheeljack was instantly diverted from pouting at the new subject. “I don’t think I would want that big a spike… especially not for my first time. Gah! Even Optronix’ makes me want to shy away from ever interfacing.” Putting a hand on his codpiece, as if to shield it from unwanted attention, he plopped down and leaned on Ratchet. “Nope! I would much rather have someone more my size… I wonder if I’ll ever be courted?” Signing dreamily Wheeljack stared off into a space only he could see for a second the shook himself. “Well! That didn’t help much on the clue side… think we should all try and find out about the Kaon ambassadors?”

"Hopeless romantic," the medic-in-training teased, but he didn't bother to push Wheeljack off again. The femmes were so over-sensitive when it came to his treatment of the smaller mech, so it really wasn't worth it, and it didn't hurt anyone for him to indulge in some contact with his long-time desire. "It's probably more intimidating for us than it is Optronix, as he's the largest of us by far. And how do you propose we find out about the ambassadors? It's not like we even know where they're staying or anything, and I doubt anyone else does."

Optronix subspaced the data pad and crossed his arms on the table, leaning forward to rest his chin on them so he could observe his friends. "Lord Scholar Ratbat might," he mentioned. "He's part of the council so if anyone knows, it's him. Though I don't think I want him to know that we're contemplating the possibility of a Kaonite being the one to send me these gifts. He might just blow a gasket if he thinks that someone is going to give me even more reason to refine my warrior abilities. You know how he is."

“Hey! Maybe they are going to be at one of those balls the Lord Scholar forces you to attend… I wonder if Kaonites dance?” Elita smiled brightly at Optronix. “It would at least be something to hope for and you could tell us all about them!”

Firestar shook her head and quirked her dermaplates. “I don’t think you should ask the Lord Scholar anything about this… don’t show him the box either. Just the data pad, it is expensive enough to please him all on its own.” It really was too bad that Perceptor had been so busy lately! Maybe he could come up with an idea…

“Yes, I like romance stop being such a bolt about it!” Wheeljack stuck out his glossa at Ratchet who as customarily ignored him. His spark cringed a little…. it often seemed like he could do nothing right around the medical student. Ratchet always just brushed him off or said something like that comment about being a romantic. “I guess aside from hoping for a ball we could all set our news feeds to ping us if there is something about the ambassadors?”

"I wonder what a Kaonite would LOOK like while dancing, especially if they're as big and sharp-angled as the history files say," Ratchet mused. The image he managed to conjure was... odd. They were warriors, and most fighting styles required some measure of grace, so dancing probably wasn't that difficult for them, but all the pointy bits on his imaginary Kaonite made it look very intimidating. "But tracking the news feeds is a good idea. We're bound to get a snapshot of one of them sooner rather than later, and at least then you'll have some idea of what kind of mech you're looking at."

"Yeah, there's probably no better way to get information on them than that. And I guess I'll call Ratbat after classes tonight and tell him about the pad. Maybe I can nonchalantly sneak in a question about upcoming social events or something." And with any luck, Lord Scholar Ratbat would be so pleased by his interest in the events he usually disliked attending that he would overlook the fact that Optronix was taking a sudden interest in them now, after someone had decided to court him in semi-secrecy. He would want to know all of the mechs that the blue and red noble thought might be his 'secret admirer', and Optronix REALLY didn't want to discuss the possibilities with his overprotective guardian.

“Pha! It’s not like what you guys do is even real dancing, it’s just fluttering around groping each other…” Elita stopped short as she realized what she was saying. “Oh, Firestar, couldn’t we go out dancing?”

“Elita!” Firestar giggled uncontrollably. It was true though that the dances preferred by Iacon’s elite were much different from those favored by Yuss elite. “Most warriors are graceful but I imagine they would be rather scary in any situation what with claws and spikes… I wonder how much of it is just tales? Gah! We have to go to class… see you guys later!” Dragging a protesting Elita up they took off.

“Just be careful not to annoy him too much, Ops’? I have to run too… see you two next period!” Wheeljack unthinkingly squeezed Ratchet’s thigh before getting up and running off. Kup was never pleased when his students were late and the engineer had no wish to be used as an ‘example’ to the rest of the class.
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Barricade found it rather interesting to see the growing collection of items that sported the Warlords colors in Optronix room. Every single one carefully kept in their black wooden box when not in use. It was rather adorable. All seven between the bow and the set of arm blades he had with him now were meant for scholastic uses… he kind of looked forward to the mech’s creation day. The beautifully crafted game set, ‘Turbofoxes versus Cyberwolfs’ had just arrived and Soundwave had spent hours making sure that all the tiny game pieces were intact. For now though he had the blades to deposit and a little spy to deliver for more permanent residence…
The blades in the customary black wood box were put beside the open box with the bow in it. The other larger wooden box was put in the middle of the common room floor, it was also of black wood but this was thin strands of it and woven rather than carved and it had a shuttered opening in one side. “Now behave little one? Protect Optronix and his little friends and be sure to collect images!” Chirring and tiny hushed squawks issued from the basket. “That’s a good little scavenger, I am sure Optronix will love you, see you in a few orns!”

It was nice to wake on orns when there were no classes... Optronix stretched languidly before rolling out of berth, headed for the wash room connected to his berth room, taking a nice long shower to work all the grime out of his frame. Once he was done, he dried off and headed into the main room, and smiled in delight when he noted not one, but TWO new boxes sitting by his already opened gifts. One was just like all the others, solid, polished and cured black organic material, sitting next to the box with his bow in it. The other was in the middle of the room and appeared to be woven with strands of the wood instead, almost like a carrying case for some form of pet. Deciding he would open that one first, the red and blue mech walked over to it and knelt down beside it, looking for the latches to open it.
He found them on the side, but unlike the previous gifts, this one's lid did not lift, but instead part of the wall it was attached to split down the middle and opened into two little doors, leaving behind an arched opening which Optronix surmised was to allow the creature now poking it's head out to go in and out as it pleased. The young noble belatedly noted a couple of strings of red cloth on either side of that particular wall and similar pieces on the doors, and figured that they were supposed to be tied together to hold the flaps open and did so before turning his attention to the little mechanical creature looking up at him. It was oddly shaped, not a pet he thought was natural to Cybertron, but as it crawled the rest of the way out of it's home, he was finally able to make a connection.
"A drone!" he murmured in awe, reaching one hand to gently touch the cute little creature and earning a soft chirr in response. A pet, companion, and 'guard dog' all in one, this particular drone was practically designed to be with it's master always and keep him safe from harm. Some even had built-in communication jammer disordinance mechanisms so that even if their master was attacked while in a jammed zone, the drone would be able to call for help. It was designed after an organic creature, though obviously it was much larger than its organic counterpart, and given the model name 'Scorponox' for reference. Optronix held out both of his hands for the drone to crawl into and carefully brought the tan and brown creature to his chassis, shifting it so it was in the crook of his arm and used his free hand to pet it.
He spent some time petting and playing with the drone before he remembered that he had been given two boxes and moved over to the other one, newly named Scorponok (not all that original, but it worked and the drone seemed to like it well enough) perched on his shoulder as he opened the latches and lifted the lid. Another awed sound left him at the sight of the gleaming blades inside, and the noble carefully traced the contours of one. There were little scratches, signs of use just like on the bow, and Optronix flushed with happiness that his secret admirer would send him something like this, that had been wielded and treasured before and entrusted to him to do the same now. The usual data pad was tucked into one corner of the case and Optronix picked it up and activated it. The message was short as always; a few congratulatory words on his recent accomplishments in his schooling, a comment on how proud he made his secret admirer through the hard work he put into everything he did, and the more recent addition of 'Affectionately, your secret admirer' instead of 'sincerely'.
Optronix went to put the newest pad on the shelf he had cleared specifically for the messages his admirer left him, then called Elita and asked her to call the others and let them know he had gotten more gifts from his admirer and that they could come over if they liked. The femme, no surprise, had been more than enthusiastic about the prospect of seeing whatever he had gotten this time and agreed, assuring him that she and Firestar would be over soon before disconnecting to go call the others.

Wheeljack were pretty happy that he lived in the same dorm as Ratchet since that meant he could pick up the grumpy medic trainee on his way out. Not that he dared talk to the white and red mech past a timid good morning, which earned him a growl that he chose to interpret as a ‘and good morning to you too, ‘Jack’. Thinking it anything else was just depressing! Soon enough they saw a happily bouncing Elita and a slightly less enthusiastic Firestar who kept looking over her shoulder. After that it only took a quarter of a breem to reach Optronix’ door.

Firestar pressed the chime and ineffectually tried to get her giddy mate to relax. She would prefer Elita to remain alive and wasn't sure how long it would take before Ratchet turned homicidal… the white and red mech simply wasn’t a morning mech! “Come ON! Elita, we’ll know it in a few astroseconds okay. Can’t you just for once act as if you just got dragged out of bed?”

“But half the fun is guessing! OH! Maybe he got one of those fancy wrist computers? Or… what about a blackscreen? One of those you can hook a cam up to… you know then he could tape the lessons and watch them over and over again as if he was in the class room! That would be sooo AWESOME!” Elita was simply a femme with a bouncy personality. She could no more help her programming then Ratchet could his, and she really saw no reason to! She was right half the fun was guessing and the others just needed to go to berth earlier in the day… then it would not be so hard to get up and they would all be less grumpy.

Optronix opened the door and greeted his friends, stepping back to allow them entrance. Scorponok had gone back into its box and Optronix wasn't sure if it was to recharge or not so he left it to do what it wished as he led the others over to the still open box with the blades inside. "He actually sent me two gifts this time, but you'll have to wait a bit see the other one," he said as the femmes and Wheeljack crowded around the blades for a better look. Ratchet didn't look quite as interested though, but it was hard to tell if it was because he didn't care for weapons and battle or if it was just because he was half-recharging on his pedes.

He really shouldn't have taken that overtime at the clinic last orn... Ratchet resisted the urge to just flop himself down on the floor and go back into recharge. He knew just as well as the others how bad his mood was when he was woken before he was ready, but he was currently running on about twenty breems of recharge and far past caring about his emotional state. But then, dreaming of finally getting up the courage to court Wheeljack and having the engineer-in-training return his feelings only to be abruptly awoken by the real Wheeljack who DIDN'T think of him as anything but a friend didn't help his mood at all. And if the other mech did like him romantically, ONE of them was reading things wrong... "Why can't we see the other one?" he asked, not caring that he sounded rather foreboding just then.

“Oh wow! Blades… you are starting training with blades next orn, right? The Lord Scholar is gonna be furious…” Wheeljack tried to ignore Ratchet’s tone but as always the note of hard controlled anger sent a shiver down his back struts. He couldn’t figure out why that happen… and now was so NOT the time to try. “Too bad you can’t say ‘thank you’ somehow.”

“Yeah that would be totally romantic…” Firestar clamped a hand over her mouth and offlined her optics. She had just sounded exactly like Elita in the pink femmes most obnoxious upbeat peppy mood. Gods sometimes it was downright scary how her bondmate affected her.

Elita laughed shrilly at Firestar’s thoughts then turned bright optics on Optronix. “His grumpiness does have a point though why can’t we see the other gift? Is it too big for you room or something?”

Glancing at the box, Optronix said, "No, it's rather small really and... oh! I guess it's coming out again!" The red and blue mech knelt down and held out his hands. "Come here, Scorponok, come meet my friends," he cooed, smiling as the drone immediately climbed onto his outstretched hands. He stood and cuddled it close to his chest, turning so his friends could see. "This is the other gift. Isn't it cute?"

Suddenly much more awake, Ratchet stared at the little mechanism in Optronix's arms. "A DRONE? He sent you a DRONE?" he demanded, leaning closer to look the little thing in its bright yellow optics. It WAS rather cute, though the medical trainee didn't plan on saying so.

The medic trainee was jostled out of his place almost as soon as he stopped speaking Wheeljack and both femmes almost pounced on him to see the small drone. “Oh oh OH! That is so adorable, Primus you are the luckiest mech ever, Optronix’! Do you know how hard it is to obtain any kind of drone? And this one is a work of art. He’s not even fully developed yet and he has fight capabilities… oh my… aren’t you just the cutest little thing.” Wheeljack showed his usual lack of self-preservation, after having told them all that the drone was capable of fighting he stuck a finger right up to its tiny face and allowed it to nibble delicately on the tip. Not that it was hurting him but…

“It is cute… so, so cute! You have got to find a way to thank him for this, Ops!” Firestar squealed right along the others, she had no experience with drones, not many femmes where large enough to carry them and besides Yussians were believers in self-reliance. Still the little thing was unbelievably cute!

“”Cute, cute, CUTE!” Chanting and waving her hands about Elita tried to keep from picking up the tiny thing. She was a bit better at the self preservation thing then Wheeljack was though not too much better.

Optronix freed a hand to pat Ratchet's shoulder as the trainee moved away from their friends to stand by his side. Ratchet didn't look all that miffed about being forced to move, which was good. Scorponok was enjoying the attention immensely, anyway, curiously crawling onto Wheeljack's arm and lightly nibbling where it could get its diminutive jaws around a plate, though it never went for circuitry even when it was obvious that it could. "I wish I could think of a way to thank him, but how? I don't have any way to contact him at all."

Ratchet moved to Wheeljack's side involuntarily; as cute as the drone might be, it was still dangerous and he didn't like the way it was attempting to gnaw off the edges of the smaller trainee's plating. He couldn't help but be protective, even if he never asked to court the mech, Wheeljack was still important to him. "Still no clue as to who it is then? You would have said something when we first got here if that was the case."

“It tickles! I wonder if it has any detectors in its mouth. It would be sensible to have it able to detect toxic substances… really I would love to see his schematics! Drones are such complicated little wonders it’ll be fascinating to see what he ends up looking like.” Wheeljack didn’t mind that he had probably lost everyone after ‘tickles’, he had seriously considered taking classes in ‘miniature mechanics’ but had decided against it… that didn’t mean he didn’t find the art fascinating, just that he wasn’t an artist at all! He could live with that… Returning the favor Wheeljack tickled the small delicate tail and gasped when the tip split and presented an impressive stabbing mechanism. “Oh wow…”

Firestar turned at Wheeljack awed tone and gasped. The cute little drone was suddenly a lot more of a serious threat! It didn’t make it less cute though with the chirring, armor chewing and even the tail as it was vigorously shaken and transformed back to its non-threatening form. “That… is all of it like that? I mean is it a weapon or a pet?”

The smaller of the two femmes actually got entirely quiet and still. It was rare for Elita to acknowledge that all things weren’t bright and cheery all the time. Little Scorponok had just showed her that in an all too real way. Shaking herself she relaxed and spoke in a quiet and subdued tone. “Whoever it is must really love you, Optronix… I mean he helps you with the scholastic disciplines, with your warrior training and now this? He obviously wishes to keep you safe without hampering your abilities!” two seconds later she crossly asked “What?!” because everyone including Firestar was staring at her as if she had transformed into a mech or something.

It had actual weapons built in at this early stage in its growth? Well, Optronix supposed that made sense because why else would one pay so much for it before it was fully developed? He blinked in surprise at Elita's assessment, gaping at the femme before he realized that she was probably right. His admirer had to like him a whole lot to give him something like this... The thought sent a spark of heat through his frame and the noble shifted awkwardly. "Maybe you're right. I don't think whoever it is would go to all this trouble if they weren't serious..." Optronix carefully herded Scorponok back into his arms, petting the chirring drone lovingly as it twisted and wiggled into a comfortable position with its belly pressed against his chassis.

Ratchet immediately examined Wheeljack's arm for any signs of damage once Scorponok was safely back in its owner arms and gave an audible sigh of relief when none were found. Even after he was done, the medic-in-training didn't relinquish his hold on the smaller mech. He reasoned that it was just easier to keep the mech from touching other dangerous things if he was holding him back, though part of him knew it was a weak excuse at best. It wasn't Scorponok's fault that it had weapons built in, so he couldn't bring himself to be upset with the drone, but one scare like that sharp mechanism was plenty for one orn. "There has to be some way to contact whoever it is. Perhaps leave them a message?"

Wheeljack flickered his optics at the idea, Ratchet had a point and…” It’s been roughly 10-15 orns between each gift, right? It’s your birthday in 12 orns, we can be pretty sure that he’ll leave you a gift there can’t we… so you could write a letter and leave it on your desk or somewhere really obvious and it would be found would it not?” Looking expectantly around at his friends Wheeljack snuck his arm under Ratchet’s.

Mechs where so disgustingly dense at times! Firestar sighed and then smiled brightly. “that’s a good idea… you just have to make sure that the data pad is really visible and maybe you could… give him something after? I mean if he gets your letter and answers it?”

“OH! How romantic you could be pad pals.” Elita chose to ignore the groping-which-was-not-groping that the engineer and the medic trainee were ‘not’ doing. Instead she brightly pointed out the obvious.

"That might work, but how will I know where to put it? The person bringing my gifts puts them in a different place every time, and he might just mistake it for another of my school pads if he DOES see it... I guess I could get some sort of 'there is a note here' sign or something pointing to the letter," the red and blue mech mused, looking around his room for an 'ideal' place.

He was inordinately pleased when Wheeljack didn't move away from him, even embraced him back, though the medic trainee tried not to show it even as he tightened his hold on the green and white mech ever so slightly. He'd take what little contact he could have while he could have it. "Move one of your little side tables in front of the door and put the pad on it. It'd be hard to miss that way," Ratchet suggested, gesturing with his free hand to one of the aforementioned tables sitting by the couch in the far corner of the room.

“Mm… Ratch’ got a point there. Whoever it is doesn’t seem to have any troubles getting in and out of your rooms so just place a table where it doesn’t belong and I am sure the mech will notice it.” Absently rubbing his cheek plating against Ratchet’s shoulder Wheeljack pouted a little. “I would suggest staying up to catch the mech only I’m sure it wouldn’t be successful…”

“Yeah… I don’t even think, I mean whoever it is getting in here either has the help of the school or it’s a professional spy.” Firestar shrugged, she was fairly confident that panicking over that was useless. If someone had penetrated into the school to kill it would have happened that first recharge cycle. Optronix was safe enough…

“What will you write?” Elita dismissed the rest of the conversation, she was far more interested in the letter! “I mean you have to write more than just ‘thank you for the attention’, right?”

"Write?" Of course he would have to write a tad more than that, but how was he supposed to know what to write? They had only just come up with this plan, it wasn't like he had time to think of something past 'thank you'! "I don't know! What do you say to someone who spends fortunes on every gift he sends you?" Optronix asked, only slightly hysterical. Scorponok chirred and tapped one of it's drill-like limbs against his chassis, as though to comfort him. He pet the drone absently, rumbling his engine to lull the creature back into its previous dozing state.

“Ask him about himself, maybe? A couple of short, common questions to get an idea of who you're talking to. And make sure your pet there isn't going to attack us," Ratchet said, giving the larger mech a pointed look as he stroked Wheeljack's arm.

“Mm…” Wheeljack made an agreeing noise and then thumped Ratchet’s arm. “It won’t hurt us, it was simply curious and apparently ticklish.” Shaking his head at the suspicious medical trainee he debated pulling away… nah! He was pretty comfortable here.

“Just don’t be too… circumspect. I mean this mech is pretty strait forward about what he means to do. Giving you these gifts and the messages… he means to win you before he even meets you! I think he would prefer that you outright ask him who he is and where he is from rather than trying to hide behind fancy ped’ded words.” Firestar offered her opinion with a shrug.

“Yeah… If you ask outright he might at the very least tell you why he is doing this in secret, right? An explanation, no matter how vague, is better than nothing and you could risk disappointing him. He did point out that he liked your honesty with that history assignment? The one about the Praxian war…” Elita added her own insight to the others wrinkling her optic ridges at the incredulous stares she earned. “Really! I am not that much of a blank processor.” She stuck her glossa out at them all.

“Got a point there," Optronix conceded. "I still can't figure out why he chose me of all mechs, maybe I'll ask him about that, too..." Belatedly realizing what a bad host he was being, he shooed the other four toward the couches. "Let me get you guys some energon, then maybe you can help me figure out something not totally ridiculous to say in my letter?"

Ratchet snorted and flicked the green and white mech's helm lightly. "We don't know what it was programmed to do aside from protecting Optronix, which is a given since it’s his. How are we supposed to know what it perceives as a threat if he doesn't ask?" He dragged Wheeljack toward the nearest couch and sat down at Optronix's prompting, pulling the other down next to him and trying not to get his hopes up as his treacherous CPU pointed out how compliant and cozy the smaller mech was being today.

“Yes, yes… by all means ask!” Wheeljack was slightly amused at Ratchet’s instance but then again the medical trainee wasn’t into miniature mechanics or sparkling protoform repair yet. That was specialization and something he wouldn’t go into for at least half a vorn yet… “Mm… comfy.” Pulling his peds up in the couch he twisted to lean a little better on Ratchet.

Firestar very nearly groaned at the two mechs… one of these days she was going to rudely inform them to kiss and get it over with! This whole cyberwolf after turborat ting was getting a bit too much to look at. Wheeljack took a step forward and Ratchet took one back or vice versa, not that the engineer trainee was trying to be aggressive or was even really aware at his posing and such he simply… argh! “fuel sounds good, so does asking him about you but try not to diss yourself I don’t think he will be happy if you do that! He seems to know quite well what you can and can’t do and want you just the same for it.”

Pushing Firestar down in a chair Elita plopped down on the larger femme’s lap, smirking a little because she had no trouble asserting her wishes with her bondmate. Silly mechs they could just bond and have it over with! “Maybe you could tell him how you feel about being encouraged both in warrior training and scholastics? I’m sure he would love to know how happy he makes you!”

Optronix groaned as he passed out the energon cubes, still cradling Scorponok in one arm as he sat down with his own. "This is gonna be more like a novel than a letter! There's just so much I want to know..." A million questions ran through his mind and the noble sighed, slouching in his chair. "How am I supposed to pick enough to show I'm interested without choosing so many that it overwhelms him?"

"I told you, just pick a few questions at a time. The most important ones, like who he is and where he's from, or when will you get to meet him, or something to start with," the medic trainee said, steadfastly ignoring the way his spark jumped in its casing in response to Wheeljack pressing so close. Maybe there WAS something there... Ratchet doubted it, but it was so hard to think there was nothing more between them when his friend got like this!

“Try to you know, not frame it as a list of questions? Tell him about yourself… make it personal…” Picking absently at one of Ratchet’s leg seams Wheeljack had the stray thought that he perhaps should invite the medic trainee to the Well-dance… though perhaps he should take him to a detailer first. “Ratch’? You’re flaking…”

“Considering that he is overwhelming you with gifts I can’t see that that would be too unfair?” Firestar patiently ‘suffered’ through her bondmate’s fussing. Apparently Elita had decided to emulate Wheeljack… The red and orange femme rather doubted that either of the two mechs would ‘get it’ unless someone actually hit them with something and then spelled it out in flaming mech tall letters.

“You could always… ask him to the Well-dance? He probably can’t, you know, go with you but it’s tradition to ask one’s suitor to it, isn’t it? We don’t have it at home you know but if this mech already knows so much of you he would know right? And the gesture would be nice and all that!” Elita couldn’t find anything to pick at on her mate and dropped the act, instead flopping back to look upside down at Optronix.

"I think Ratchet meant more like, just starting with the most important stuff? It's not like I'm going to just write a bunch of questions and send it off." The blue and red noble tilted his head thoughtfully at the idea of asking his suitor to the Well-dance. He hadn't thought of that, but it WAS tradition... "It would be nice to have someone to take to the Well-dance, and I guess it doesn't hurt to ask."

"If you didn't pick at my paint, you wouldn't even notice," Ratchet muttered defensively. "I just haven't had time to get a proper repaint in a while." Telling himself that it was only to keep the smaller mech from making his already dismal paint job look even worse, Ratchet tangled his fingers with Wheeljack's and pulled their hands away from where they had been steadily wandering closer to areas he really did not need the engineer trainee touching. Not in public, anyway.

“Well… wanna come with me to the detailer this afternoon? I ah… um need to have my… back stripes yeah, back stripes done, they are a little fuzzy along the edges.” As far as he knew they weren’t the least bit fuzzy. But if he didn’t give an excuse it could seem like he was courting Ratchet, and much as he wished the medic trainee would do something he wasn’t about to try taking the lead. For one thing he would so suck at it! The Well-dance though, it was a chance to show interest without garnering the usual reactions of being the one to initiate things… if he could just gather the courage to invite the mech! It would help if Ratchet would make up his processor about the ‘signals’ he was sending… one moment he seemed to want intimacy and the next he put a fragging room between the two of them! Wheeljack had completely forgotten all about Optronix and the reason they were in the mech’s quarters.

This time Firestar actually ‘facepalmed’. Wheeljack couldn’t be any more transparent, could he? “Like Elita said… he probably can’t come, since he is doing this in secret I doubt he wants to come forward for a relatively obscure Iaconian university tradition… but at least it is a way for you to show your interest! If you are truly interested?” quirking an optic ridge she asked the one question no one had yet spoken out loud. “Or is it just the flattery…?”

“Fire’!” Elita sat up and slapped her mate on the shoulder. One did not ask a thing like that like well THAT! It was rude and… and… “She didn’t mean to be rude… I think, Optronix. But she does have a point do you really like him? As in do you think you want to encourage something more personal than just gift giving… because right now he doesn’t have any claim on anything.”

"How am I supposed to know if I like him? I don't know anything about him except that he's obviously very rich and stuff. The Well-dance isn't for a little while yet, I can get to know him first..." Optronix frowned. They didn't think he would take advantage of someone like that and use them, did they? He turned to ask Ratchet and Wheeljack for their opinion, but paused when he realized that they were practically cuddling and having a conversation of their own. Perhaps he should have been upset that they seemed to have forgotten that there were other people in the room, but all the young noble could think was that they had better be getting together this time because they were ridiculously attracted to one another and their games were getting old.

"Are they? I hadn't noticed," Ratchet said, then hastily added, "Not that I've, you know, been looking or anything..." Almost slipped up there, maybe Wheeljack wouldn't think too much into it... The medic trainee idly played with Wheeljack's fingers while he contemplated going. He didn't have anything else to do, but if he seemed too eager... What? They were friends, it wasn't like they were going to a brush shop or anything, it was perfectly commonplace to go to the detailer's with friends... "I guess I can go. I really do need it, and it's not like I've got anything pressing to take care of today anyway."

Well that was… confusing. Wheeljack sighed and decided to take it as positively as he could, Ratchet WAS going after all. “So… after the noon meal? And you don’t bail on me like with that holofilm d… deal we had?” That had not been funny at all and it had been Ratchet who asked him that time. He had really thought that maybe… but no. Maybe he was reading the medic trainee all wrong…

“No I didn’t mean it like that! Just.. it’s like you said right now this mech has no claim at all… but if you start investing emotions in him…” Firestar shrugged helplessly. “yeah, get to know him. Then you can decide about the dance.”

“They are completely oblivious!” Elita sounded and was rather disgusted. Their friends needed help, serious help if they were ever going to get together. Compared to their ‘not’-love affair Optronix had it easy…

Optronix blinked, looking at Elita in befuddlement before he realized that she was talking about Wheeljack and Ratchet, who had both jerked out of their personal little world looking quite startled. Nodding his head in agreement, he went back to talking to Firestar. "Even if letters are only delivered when a gift is sent, that's still... what, seven or eight letters each before Well-dance? Should be enough time to get some idea of him, enough to decide if I want to ask him to go. Right?"

Primus, he still remembered that? That had been forever ago! "I told you I was sorry about that, 'Jack," Ratchet said rather sullenly, then nearly leapt off the couch at Elita's angry yelling. "Who's what?" he asked once he was sure his spark hadn't extinguished from the shock. He realized that he had no idea where the conversation had gone, and mentally blamed Wheeljack. If the mech wasn't so slagging distracting, it wouldn't have happened!

Wheeljack didn’t appreciate being jolted around and sat up shooting Elita a dirty look. “More like nine, unless he decides to have the full 15 orns between every gift. I’m sorry, Ops, I need to go find out if Perceptor has returned.” Really he had to get a little space between himself and Ratchet… there was a few things he needed to think over.

Firestar sighed. “Do you need help writing a letter or should we all just make ourselves scarce?” It was after all rather a private thing and she had already stepped in the tar quite enough!

Elita just groaned and decided to ignore the two before she said something unforgivable. “Yeah. Optronix? Honestly it’s probably better for you to write it yourself… we’ll just cloud the ‘real’ you, if you know what I mean?”

"I..." The noble frowned, at a loss as he watched Wheeljack beat a hasty retreat. Optronix gave Elita a pointed look, not quite a glare but close; they had been GETTING somewhere this time! "Yeah, I kinda need some time to myself to work out what I'm gonna write." Glancing at Ratchet, he noted the somewhat hurt expression on the medic trainee's faceplates and his frown deepened as he stood. "I guess I'll see you guys tomorrow in class?"

Ratchet scowled and stood up, making his way to the door. There was no way he would be able to catch Wheeljack, but he could try, and he certainly wasn't going to give the femmes a chance to catch up to him. Better yet, he could go get some more recharge... "Yeah, see you later," he muttered vaguely, waving over his shoulder. As expected, Wheeljack was long gone, so Ratchet resigned himself to waiting until the time they would meet up later that orn to talk to him. In the meantime, he could try to work out all the mixed signals he had been getting since Wheeljack picked him up to come over to Optronix's...

Getting up Firestar gave Optronix a quick hug. “It’ll be fine, they will be fine… and you!” She turned around and gripped Elita’s elbow joint. “Next time let them in peace will you? They were actually cuddling which is a major breakthrough since Ratchet was actually cuddling back this time…”

Waving at Optronix Elita allowed herself to be dragged out, pouting just a little. It hadn’t been her meaning to break the two mechs up…. She just couldn’t stand to see them dance around like that!
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Optronix waved good-bye to his friends and cleaned up the empty cubes before moving over to his desk. Scorponok had woken some time after Elita's little fit, and was now perched on his shoulder as he pulled one of his nicer data pads out of subspace and turned it on while he fished for a stylus. "I've got no idea what to write..." he mumbled, absently rubbing his cheek against Scorponok when the drone pressed against the side of his helmet. "I guess I'll just wing it. I mean, I've still got at least ten orns until the next gift, right?" Needless to say, he spent the rest of the orn working on it until finally, he was satisfied with the length and contents of his note. He paced the length of his main room as he read it aloud to Scorponok one last time to make sure it wasn't all jumbled up.

"Dear Secret Admirer,
"Thank you for the gifts, first of all, I really appreciate and love them all. I wish I could pick my favorite, but I can't, though I REALLY like the bow you sent. And the drone, too; I named it Scorponok and it seems to like that a lot. And thanks for all the well-wishes and congratulations and stuff, it's really great that you are interested in my studies and that you are proud of what I've accomplished. It makes me very happy when I get those little notes from you.
"I can't think of a tactful way to ask, but who are you? Have we met? Just a name would do, or maybe a picture file, if that's not too much to ask for in a first letter? I'm so curious to get to know you, but it's only just occurred to me (my friends brought it up, actually) that I could try to write to you to learn more.e
"I don't know what all you know about me, so I guess I'll start with some basics? I'm in my second vorn of advanced education, I like learning fighting techniques just as much as I like learning about Cybertron's history, even though Lord Scholar Ratbat doesn't really approve of the former (he's my guardian), and I usually only drink blue, green and some shades of red energon; most purple kinds don't sit well with me.
"You probably knew all of that already, but I figured it was polite to tell you stuff before asking you to tell me more about yourself. I imagine you're quite busy, so I won't ask for a lot. What are your favorite pastimes? Do you have any pets? Oh, speaking of pets, my friend Ratchet asked (more like demanded, he's kind of bossy when he's not had enough recharge) that I ask you if Scorponok is safe for my friends to be around? Only, Scorponok crawled on Wheeljack's arm the day I got him and gnawed on him a bit - nothing serious, just little playful nibbles on the edges of his plating that I'm pretty sure didn't hurt at all - and Ratchet's been in love with 'Jack for vorns and vorns even though he STILL hasn't said anything, and he doesn't want Wheeljack to be around Scorponok if it's dangerous.

"I hope you can write back soon!

"Sincerely, Optronix"

Once he was finished, he looked at Scorponok. "What do you think? It's not too geeky, right?" he asked, earning a pat on the face and a quiet chirr that he took to mean the letter was okay. Just to be on the safe side, he moved one of the tables in front of his door and placed the pad on it, not wanting to somehow miss the night the gift bringer showed up. Once that was done, he set Scorponok by his box and bid him a good recharge before heading to his own berth. Orns passed and nothing seemed out of the ordinary (including Ratchet and Wheeljack's relationship, unfortunately) and on the twelfth orn, his creation date, the pad was finally gone, replaced by a truly magnificent 'Turbofoxes versus Cyberwolves' game set that he could hardly wait to tell his friends about at noon break, but he didn't even get the chance before Wheeljack was waving a data pad in front of his optics.

Wheeljack could barely contain his glee, finally, finally! “Optronix look at this, just look! It was on the holo this morning… one of the Kaonites left in a hurry in the middle of the darkcycle and no one knew why! So this morning the other ambassador consented to an interview to calm people down… he talks really funny!” The data pad was waved around making it impossible for anyone to see it at all and the wrapped up package in the engineer trainee’s other hand was quite a hazard to the mechs passing by him.

“Maybe if you sat down we could actually, you know, see what you’re talking about?” Elita giggled as a red mech snatched his yellow friends arm and dragged him off before he could attack the overly excited Wheeljack. She had rather given up on the idea that Optronix suitor was from another Citystate, with the frequency of the gifts and the fact that the mech seemed to know everything about the truck… well.

“Wheeljack – chair – NOW!” Firestar rose ducked a swing from the package, pushed the engineer trainee into a seat by Ratchet and snatched the data pad from him. She gave it to Optronix without looking at it…

Optronix took the data pad and looked at first the image, then the news report. "Wow, do all Kaonites look like that?" he found himself asking after a moment, handing the pad to Firestar so she and her mate could look at it. "It could just be a coincidence that the other ambassador left in such a hurry, he could have been called back. But if whoever it is looks like that..." Well, he couldn't say that he would be too objectionable to having a mate like that. It was a little surprising to admit, but Optronix actually found the intimidating, sharp-edged features to be rather attractive. They weren't so different in base design, that was a given, but the Kaonite outer armor styles were quite appealing. "I mean, sure, they're not going to just say 'oh, yeah, we have to take this letter back to whoever because they're courting one of your mechs' or something, but still."

Ratchet barely spared the data pad a glance from over Elita's shoulder, not finding much interest in the picture of one of the ambassadors signing some paperwork to go back over the border. They were far too pointy for his tastes, he preferred more... streamlined mechs. Glancing at one such 'streamlined' mech, the red and white mech stifled a sigh. "Only you would be up early enough to catch the start of the orn's news, 'Jack," he said, sounding amused and fond at the same time as he toyed with the gift he'd gotten for Optronix. "Don't get your wires in a twist about it, we'll know pretty soon if the mech is from Kaon. If they are, that'll narrow down our choices by quite a bit, so even if they don't tell you who they are directly, maybe they'll let you guess."

“Actually I was up early to be sure I had time to wrap this before coming here…” Wheeljack stuck his glossa out at Ratchet and dumped the package on the table. “I hope it’s to your liking, Optronix, happy creation day!” Ratchet could be so silly at times…

“We gave him a box of oil truffles and a flask of premium firestrike, he was just about to tell us what his admirer got him! So what did you get him?” Elita brightly informed Wheeljack what had been going on and then leapt at the next subject with her usual enthusiasm. “This looks… hurtful to interface…”

“Maybe we could actually be told what the gift from the admirer first and then see what Wheeljack and Ratchet brought, hum?” Firestar frowned at her mate and sat down again, then finally glancing at the data pad in her hand. “Dear Prima! They are very… big and yeah, they look dangerous?”

"I don't think it's nearly as bad as it looks, really," Optronix said, taking the pad back to look at it again before turning it off and handing it back to Wheeljack. He pulled the present over, but waited to open it so he could tell them about the most recent gift first. "He sent me a 'Turbofoxes versus Cyberwolves' game set! It's a really nice one, all the pieces are in perfect condition and everything."

"Do you think he knew it was one of your favorite games?" Ratchet asked, fiddling with his gift some more before handing it over. "Seems he's really been doing his research."

“Whoever and whatever he is his attention to detail alone speaks of interest… the gifts are fantastic but really they could have been in a more modest class and the effect would have been the same.” Wheeljack shook his head and took the data pad. “They are very much warriors but look at the way, that was ambassador Soundwave by the way, the mech handled that far too small stylus! They are capable of gentleness and isn’t that the most important thing in a lover?”

“Good point… unless you really enjoy rrrroughness!” Elita broke down in a giggle fit and nearly fell out of her chair. “Oh! Can we play soon?” She really did enjoy a good game, and Optronix was a really good strategist… Firestar didn’t provide nearly enough resistance when they played.

“Cute…” Firestar felt the need to hide, sometimes Elita was just so… empty-processored to listen to. She loved her bondmate but this ‘act’ was at times disconcerting. Sighing a little she sent a pulse of love/care/exasperation through their bond and was rewarded when the pink femme picked herself up a little and calmed down. “I am beginning to think that this suitor of yours knows everything!”

"That's true, but showing one's wealth is generally a good way to catch an object of desire's interest, which is probably what he's doing." Optronix nodded at Elita as he took Ratchet's gift. "We can play whenever you want, I'm always up for a game. And I hope he doesn't know everything, because what will I talk about if he does?"

"I wouldn't say gentleness is the most important thing, but it's pretty close," the medic trainee mumbled, mostly to himself, as he watched Optronix open the gifts he'd just been given. Wheeljack's gift looked to be some sort of energon cube maker, but on a very small scale, which was elaborated on by Wheeljack himself as he informed Optronix that it was so Scorponok could refuel easier. How thoughtful. His own gift was a new kit of maintenance supplies for the weapons the red and blue mech's suitor had sent him, and Ratchet smiled kindly. "You're welcome. I figured you had to be running low, you never bothered to keep much around to begin with since Lord Scholar didn't let you have weapons of your own to practice with."

Perceptor knew he was running late, but if asked, he would blame it all on persistent mechs who just didn't understand that he wasn't interested in ANY of his students. It had been a while since he had last gotten a chance to see his friends, and he would never forgive himself for missing one of their creation dates. Nearly toppling over a few mechs on his way through the dining hall, the instructor finally managed to collapse into a chair between Optronix and Firestar, dropping a small box into the surprised mech's hands. "Happy creation day, what have I missed?" The question was addressed to all of them, he didn't care who filled him in as long as he got filled in!

“It’s nothing, Ops! I enjoyed making it.” Grinning at his friend Wheeljack relaxed, only to sit bolt upright when a tired looking Perceptor dumped himself into a chair. “You seem to be busy all the time lately, Percy? Are you okay…” Wheeljack was really worried about the scientist. Perceptor had been taking a lot on his back struts and it seemed to be exhausting him… or maybe he was just harried, he was late after all. Actually the mech did seem a little jumpy?

“You have missed a LOT! Optronix left a letter for his admirer and it got taken last night. Also he got a whole game set of 'Turbofoxes versus Cyberwolves', we gave him oil truffles and premium firestrike, ‘Jack invented a miniature cube maker for Scorpy’ and Ratchet gave him maintenance stuff for the weapons.” Elita stopped for a second to figure out what she had forgotten. “OH! And ‘Jack finally got a picture of one of the Kaonites, only it wasn’t a picture but a news holo… they are big, spiky and scary!” She finally stopped speaking smiling serenely at the group of staring mechs, Firestar had hidden her faceplates in her hands again.

“Try speaking a little slower next time, lover?” Firestar’s voice was muffled by her hands but still clear. Seriously that was the best impersonation of Trainee Commander Blurr the red and orange femme had ever heard! And Elita had just been elated at seeing Perceptor again… neither femme had a class under him so they only saw him when he had time to meet with them or for a lecture hall presentation.

"Thanks, Perce," Optronix said after he opened the other mech's gift to him. While Elita filled the instructor in on everything, he shifted through it and smiled at the selection of little toys inside, presumably for Scorponok. Maybe they would stop the drone from gnawing on his styluses, but Optronix didn't put much hope in that.

"Which narrows down the search for mechs who can afford all the stuff Optronix's admirer has been sending him quite a bit, provided that it IS a Kaonite." Ratchet scooted his chair closer to Wheeljack's and took the pad from his lax grip to read the report. "It'll be nice to know who it is though, presents are all well and good but that's not going to help Optronix decide if he really wants this mech as his bonded."

Waving a hand dismissively, Perceptor smiled. "I'm quite fine, just a couple of my students being persistent. One of the side effects of being such a young instructor, some will think that the way to get a passing grade in my class is through my interface drive. Anyway, it certainly sounds like a lot has happened, and you could have just asked me to show you what the Kaonites looked like. I HAVE met some, you know." Watching Ratchet scoot closer to Wheeljack curiously, the red and blue mech opened a private channel with Firestar and asked, -Did they get together while I was too busy to be here?- discreetly tilting his head in the two oblivious mechs' direction.

“Well, we would have if you had been here!” Wheeljack was relived, sort of, and stuck out his glossa at the scientist. “It’s not really illegal to ‘face your students, it’s just not good manners and you look too cute for your own good! You should go find a mate, if your bonded they wouldn’t dare be so… blatant.” He was mostly teasing, though he did wonder why the scientist seemed to have no interest in the mechs, the not-student mechs, that showed interest. What was the microscope waiting for? Someone like Ratchet… Wheeljack knew he had dismissed a few mechs because he was waiting, hoping that the medic trainee would show a little interest in him.

“But we haven’t seen Percy’ in ages!” Elita pouted cutely and earned a kiss from her exasperated bondmate. “Ohh! Yeah, why don’t you have a suitor or more than one? You should be mired in them, what with being the youngest graduate ever and already having four research degrees.” It was a little strange that Perceptor didn’t have a bondmate yet. Maybe he was waiting for ‘the one’? Oh well, they could poke him about it once they got Wheeljack and Ratchet to ‘kiss and make up’.

-No, I wish though! They act as if they can’t understand each other at all… It’s horrible to watch.- Firestar couldn’t help that some of her annoyance slipped through in her word choice. Those two were slagging horrible! “As long as it’s just presents and a few letters ‘the mech’ will have no claim on you, Optronix. Just be careful about what you write… there are laws about courtships and written words are binding!”

"I know, I'll be careful. We'll see how it turns out." Optronix subspaced his gifts and tried not to fidget too much, but he was just so excited! Hopefully he would get a letter back from his admirer soon, and he could hardly wait!

Ratchet frowned but tried to act like he wasn't. He didn't want Wheeljack to think Perceptor was cute! "I'm sure Optronix will be careful what he writes. Just because the mech is rich doesn't mean he's perfect, or even compatible, and we all know that Lord Scholar at least raised him to be a good judge of character, and when to say no."

"I'm just... not interested, I guess you could say. Not to say that some of the mechs who have shown interest are not worthy of a chance, I just haven't ever wanted a relationship with any of them to go past friendship." -Shame. I've been hoping. I'm sure I could find a suitable cleaning supplies closet to stuff them in until they work things out though.- Not that he would, not unless they were still like this by the time they graduated... "But we're not worrying about me right now, we've got Optronix to focus on. I'll find someone eventually, maybe even be swept of my pedes like the rest of you seem to want to be."

“You mean you haven’t found someone who knows how to get you hot yet. Oh well, the opposite isn’t too fun either! Having found one that makes you hot I mean and not getting him.” Wheeljack picked at some ‘not-there’ paint flakes and studiously avoided looking at anyone. “True… but there isn’t much we can do about Optronix’ admirer other then wait for the return letter?”

“We could all go out and eat tonight? At Old Makadam’s… just have fun, I mean it is his creation day. It doesn’t help if we just sit and talk in circles.” Elita offered the idea and her opinion carefully. She did want to know about Optronix suitor but… they should also take some time to just be friends. It had been a while since they were all together!

“I like that idea! What about the rest of you?” Firestar hugged Elita and smiled at Perceptor. -The closet is a good idea; let’s keep it as a plan B? Right now I think plan A could still work… just throw them together in as many romantic settings as is possible! It’s bound to work sometime right?-

Optronix perked up at the idea, nodding eagerly. "Yeah, definitely! It's been a while since we could, so I'm all for it!" It would certainly take his mind off of obsessively waiting for a reply, and it was always fun to go out with his friends, even better when all six of them could go together!

Was Wheeljack speaking from experience? Did that mean he wasn't interested in Ratchet after all? Surely he would have said something if he was... Ratchet acted unaffected on the outside, but inside he was seething and depressed and a whole slew of other things. Had he already missed his chance? "I'll be there after my shift at the student clinic. What time?" Either way, he wasn't going to ruin Optronix's creation day with it, so he would go and have fun and save the pity party for after he had returned to his own rooms.

-We can hope. Primus knows how long we've been waiting, he's got to give us a break sometime.- Perceptor consulted with his schedule for a moment before nodding. "I'll make sure I'm free after classes. Maybe I'll even have a list of mechs from Kaon for you to look at, Optronix."

“It’s a date!” Wheeljack took the opportunity to give Ratchet an enthusiastic half-hug. They were all used to his mercury mood shifts, none of them seemed to realize that it was to hide his real feelings. Dang it! Why didn’t the medic trainee react to anything. Bait, teasing, posing… there was always just this trace of interest that kept him hoping. Never more than a trace though. “In forty-eight breems? By then we should all be plenty hungry right?” Tapping Ratchet’s upper chest plate he let his fingers linger just a click too long for it to be ‘just’ teasing.

“YAY!” Elita trust her closed fist in the air and laughed gleefully. That was perfect a nice evening with good energon and better company. They all needed the distraction that was for sure!

-Honestly I think Primus is as annoyed as the rest of us.- Firestar grinned at Perceptor and sighed happily, some down time sounded heavenly! Nothing to worry over, no mysteries to solve, Optronix could without a doubt deal with a little distraction too.

"That works. I'll have to make a quick stop at my room to feed Scorponok first, then I'll join you guys." Optronix watched Wheeljack all but hang himself off of Ratchet's shoulder and wondered how Ratchet could NOT see that for the invitation that it was. He couldn't tell which of them had it worse, but it still bugged him that they were so oblivious.

Ratchet had to lock all of his joints to keep from shuddering as Wheeljack's fingers danced across his chassis, and barely kept himself from glaring at the engineer trainee. He was sending rapid fire mixed signals again, and one of these days Ratchet was just going to jump him, proper courting rituals and the possibility of ruining their friendship be damned. "S-sounds good to me," the medic trainee said, mentally cursing the waver in his voice. He extracted himself from the smaller mech's hold and stood. "I better get going though, don't want to be late. See you guys tonight!" He left then, barely waiting until he was in the privacy of the clinic storage room before leaning against a wall and taking a breem to calm his frantic spark. It was going to be a long get-together, he could already tell.

Perceptor refrained from shaking his head in exasperation at Ratchet's quick leave. -One wonders if they really are that dense. The Gods should really get to work on fixing their malfunction.- He stood as well, smiling apologetically. "I better get going, classes don't prepare themselves for students who like to try and make nonflammable things flammable. With any luck, I'll be on time for our engagement, but start without me if I'm not, I won't be long." Patting Optronix's shoulder and waving to the others, he excused himself from the table and left.

And off he went again, Wheeljack tried hard not to let it the hurt show. It was a good thing no one seemed to notice his attraction to Ratchet, too bad it was true for the medic trainee also. Well one day perhaps… “I’ll see you all at beginning dark!”

“We had better scoot too.” Elita sighed and jumped up to give Optronix a hug. “Good Creation day, Optronix see you later!”

Firestar also hugged Optronix and then dragged Elita off before she could be delayed by something or other. The pink femme was prone to distractions.

Optronix waved his friends good-bye and went to his own class. The rest of the orn flashed by and after he fed Scorponok, the red and blue mech rushed to meet his friends, very much looking forward to the get together. Their night out was a fun affair, the only slightly bad part being that Ratchet had spent the entire night glaring everyone that even thought about thinking about Wheeljack into submission and acting like he wasn't whenever Wheeljack asked him what was wrong. He started another letter that night, just saying how much he liked his new gift and how his birthday had been, and set it in his desk for later. He continued to make little notes on the pad every night before recharge while he patiently waited for a reply to his letter.

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Barricade was more than a little satisfied as he delivered the data pad to his warlord personally. It was a bold move on Optronix part and that made it even more satisfying! His presence here meant that the little Iaconian had courage and processor enough to ask questions… maybe this pairing wasn’t so bad after all. The warlord did seem intrigued as he turned on the pad and gestured for Barricade to leave him.

The data pad was comparably small in his hand and it was a curious feel… his future mate was not a very big mech compared to most Kaonites. It would be very interesting when he could finally court him in person. Megatron had no intention of forcing a bond on Optronix, it would be bad enough for the mech to suddenly be moved to Kaon as part of the payment for a trade negotiation. To force a bond on him at the same time would not make him a happy bondmate and Megatron did want a partner… so far Optronix seemed able to provide him with that! Stroking the spinal struts of the large drone who nestled in his lap, a 'Scorponox' model like the one he had sent to Optronix, he set to reading.
The guards outside of the throne room were treated to the rare sound of their warlord laughing with genuine mirth in his voice. Both relaxed and studiously ignored the shadow that detached itself from a nearby pillar, sauntering away to have a well earned rest.

“Dear Optronix,
“The gifts are all for your enjoyment, I am very pleased that you also find them useful. You have made me proud with your progress both scholastically and in your weapons training. I greatly look forward to one day seeing your skill at ‘shadow dancing’. I find that what pleases me the most is the care you take with what I have given and entrusted to you.”
“Sadly I cannot answer your questions as fully as you would wish. It will all become clear in time, lovely one. I am a mech of importance and knowing who I am could endanger you. I dare not even send you a picture. We have never met in person, but I have seen you and that was all that was needed!”
“Your choice of friends intrigue me, I can do nothing but admire that you make your own choices, rather than simply take the easy route and ‘befriend’ those sycophants that try to win your affections. Still I would like to know how you met those you spend your days with?”
“It is true that I know more of you then you of me, I fear it will have to stay that way for a time. Though there are some things I can tell you. I too prefer the blue and green shades of energon for my normal meals. When it comes to high grade I much prefer Kaon Icefire, it is a red shade and I highly doubt that you will find it outside of Kaon. I would not recommend that you try it without someone beside you it is almost as strong as Vosiean brews.”
“I am a highly accomplished blades fighter and my preferred weapons are a pair of twin forged swords. They were given to me by my Creator and Carrier, both of whom I sadly lost at a young age, not much older then you are now. Other then that I enjoy playing ‘Turbofoxes versus Cyberwolfs’ as well as ‘dimensional war’.”
“As for pets… the drone you have named Scorponok, I have a similar one though it is much older and larger than your little one. They are both quite safe for those who have no ill intentions towards their owners. They possess a low level pisonic ability and can ‘read’ intentions, your friends will be safe with Scorponok. The armor nibbling is simply a way for it to understand its surroundings and it will likely end up doing it to everyone you allow near it.”
“I sympathize with you friend, Ratchet, it is hard to keep love hidden but sometimes it is harder still to give it voice. If he will take advice from a nameless mech, tell him this: what is never spoken can never happen.”
"Till I hear from you again,
Affectionately, your secret admirer”

“Make sure that this is given to him, Barricade! This is the next gift… I think this will suit him better than sword fighting.” Hefting the, to him, small axe in one hand Megatron smiled. Perfect balance and perfect forging! He had even had it painted to match his intended’s coloring rather than his own… it would however be delivered in the customary black wood box. “When this is over I will give you anything you ask for, Spymaster… be sure to choose wisely!”

Barricade bowed low, keeping calm on the outside. His inside was another matter entirely; there were very few Kaonites who had earned those words from the Warlord! “It will all be as you wish it, my Lord.”

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Barricade picked up the chirring drone and scratched it under its open mandibles. It had changed and was growing larger though it wouldn’t be a mach in size to Megatron’s Scavenger. The drone nipped his claw tip. “Rascal! Let’s see what you have for me.” Tickling the little thing he uploaded its store of images and then gave it a rust disk to chew on. He wasn’t sure where to leave the ax and the letter… the box was too large for any of the small tables and the rather crowded desk. The floor was an option but just not right for something like this! One’s first weapon was, Barricade shook his head. The Lord Scholar was wrong in trying to hold back Optronix warrior side! The young mech would be much better off when he got to Kaon. He had potential that Megatron would make sure was trained to its fullest.
Finally the spy decided the couch was the only fitting place… maybe he should recommend that the Warlord send Optronix a suitable weapons stand for next gift? It would not hurt to try. It might also be a good idea to find out how the relationship between guardian and ward where now that someone else was encouraging Optronix’ warrior training. Someone rich and powerful… but nameless.

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Optronix squealed when he saw the new black box sitting on his couch and all but dove for it, or, more specifically, the data pad on top of it. He wanted so very badly to read the letter, but he should probably open the gift first… Scorponok decided it for him, as the little drone when straight for the latches and tried to use its claws to undo them. The noble spent a good breem making gleeful little noises over the axe inside, but only held it for a moment to check its balance and such before putting it back and scooping up the pad again, moving to the other couch with Scorponok clinging to his chest and laying down to read the pad.

He pouted at the lack of information in the letter, he had been so hoping! But at least his suitor gave a reasonable explanation and was concerned for his wellbeing; that was nice to know, even if it did mean he wouldn’t get the answers he wanted just yet. Optronix got up to retrieve the data pad he had been writing notes in (though he didn’t really have many he felt were important enough to share, at least not until he had a better idea of how much energy a busy and important mech like his suitor could spend reading his babbling) and settled in to write a reply in a new file on his suitor’s data pad.

‘Dear Secret Admirer,
‘Not even a little clue or a nickname? It’s weird calling you ‘secret admirer’ all the time. Oh, and you’re a Kaonite, right? I’m probably tiny compared to you… Are you really pointy like Ambassador Soundwave and Ambassador Barricade? I wish I could see you now, you telling me I can’t makes me a want it all the more!
‘It’s good to know that we have things in common. I’ve always loved ‘Turbofoxes versus Cyberwolves’ so I hope we can play sometime. Speaking of which, thank you for the set you sent me as well as the axe, and Elita says thank you for the game set, too. We’ve played quite a few times since I got it and she’s beat me every time. I think she cheats.
‘It’s good to know that Scorponok is safe for the others though, I’d hate to have to keep him in a separate room whenever my friends come over. How big can they get? Does yours have a name? Or do you just, like, call it Pet or something?
‘Um… Oh, right! You wanted to know how I met my friends… I’ve known Perceptor since my early youngling vorns, he studied under High Scholar Ratbat for a long time and even spent a while living at our estate. When he wasn’t studying, he would help me with my work because even though he’s only a vorn or two older than me, he’s extremely smart. We became fast friends through the mutual dislike of Ratbat’s strict study schedule. You probably already know, but he’s the youngest instructor Iacon’s ever had, and he’s a student, too! He is working on his fifth research degree while maintaining a fulltime class schedule, which is pretty impressive, if you ask me.
‘He’s really great to talk to, but if you don’t stop him, he’ll slip into using REALLY big technical and/or obscure words in his speech, which can be difficult to understand. We’re always teasing him that he’s gonna end up with a foreign mech who’s got a kink for little microscopes who are too smart for their own good, but he’s not even looking for a mate right now, which is too bad.
‘I met Firestar and Elita (they’re bonded femmes and so adorable) a few vorns ago, they transferred here to get away from their family units for a while because said family units didn’t really approve of them just jumping into bonding at such a young age; they literally ran into me while searching for their class on their first day at the academy. They were even smaller than they are now when I first met them, I could easily carry one on each shoulder, which I did frequently so they could see over the crowds.
‘I… am not entirely sure how I met Wheeljack. We might have had a class together, all I can really remember is one of the science labs blowing up and then next thing I know I’m being dragged out of the building by this little white and green mech who’s, swear to Primus, cackling over the size of the explosion! ‘Jack doesn’t mean to make things blow up, he says, it just happens and no one can really blame him for being fascinated by it. If something goes off and he can’t figure out what it was, he will devote himself to it for orns on end until he can successfully recreate it. He’s a genius at anything that requires engineering, and really fun to hang out with.
‘I met Ratchet one time when he was helping at the clinic, both his Creator and Carrier are well-known medical experts so he learned a lot from a young age. Anyway, I met him while he was patching up Wheeljack, cursing all the while. He’s only cranky when we get hurt because he cares, I’ve since found out, and he’s great to talk to, if a bit cynical.
‘Is there anything non-confidential that you can tell me about your orns? I mean, I imagine you’re busy with work and stuff, but... I would really like to hear about anything that you’re willing to share! Story files you read recently, friends, anything?
‘Oh, and Wheeljack built a little energon cube compactor for Scorponok! It takes regular energon and condenses it into little cubes so that Scorponok can refuel easier, it’s really amazing! And Perceptor found some durable toys that he can play with, which are… pretty much everywhere right now because I haven’t bothered cleaning yet. Little drone is absolutely spoiled.
‘I don’t really have a lot else to report for the last few orns except Instructor Kup finally chose a student aide, a mech named Ironhide. He’s a little rough around the edges, but he’s not too bad, and he knows a LOT about weapons and weapons care, so I can see why Kup chose him even if I am a little envious.
‘I have class in a couple of breems and I still need to feed Scorponok, so I’m going to end it here for now and maybe I’ll have time to add more before the next time this gets picked up, we’ll see. If not, I can’t wait to hear from you again! I hope your work doesn’t drive you nuts like it does for Ratbat, he can be so touchy when work is stressful… Take care!
‘Sincerely, Optronix’

Smiling to himself, Optronix got up to set the letter on the table in front of the door again and went to feed Scorponok, taking a short moment while the cube was being condensed to tickle and pet his drone. Once the cube was done and Scorponok had been fed, the noble pet him and then set him near his box. “I’ll see you tonight, Scorp’, behave yourself and I’ll bring you home a treat, okay?” he said as he gathered his work together and subspaced it. A cheerful chirr answered him and he waved good-bye to the creature on his way out the door. By the time the pad had been taken away again, he had found time to add in a few little notes; how aggravating the whole Ratchet/Wheeljack problem was, the trip his art history class was supposed to be taking to Crystal City had been delayed because of a bad virus that had been going around there, and a few funny conversations that he had participated in or overheard that he thought might be able to brighten his suitor’s orn a little bit, to name a few.

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Just like last time Barricade hung around to hear the Warlord’s reaction to Optronix’s letter, he and the guards (including the two off duty ones who had mysteriously appeared when everyone was notified of Barricade’s return) were not disappointed. A roar of good natured laughter was heard soon enough and Barricade withdrew casting a knowing glance at the amazed looking guards.

Megatron for his part enjoyed his Intended’s witty descriptions and his… spunk? Yes, that was a good word. There was so much life in the young mech, so much, and so greedy, an anticipation for the future. The situation with his two friends was obviously plaguing Optronix but he wasn’t yet ready to do anything about it openly. A wise decision, most mechs did not take kindly to others (even if friends) messing in their love life.
It was sad that he would have to take a little of that life joy from his Intended… if he could see any other way of doing it, but there was none! Soundwave had met with Lord Scholar Ratbat many times now and told him that there was no way the mech would allow a union between Megatron and Optronix if it wasn’t ‘forced’. Such a pity.
Starting his return letter he sent for energon and settled back on his throne, everyone knew better then to disturb their Warlord right now…

‘Dear Optronix,
‘You are persistent… very well, since I admire that trait as much as I admire your courage I will give you a nick name. ‘Omega Alpha’, it is fitting enough and yet it will lead no one to think about me if you should use it in public.’
‘Yes, I am indeed of Kaon. Something leads me to believe you are not entirely surprised at this… you are far too intelligent a mech to not use the resources at hand! I know that your friend Perceptor works with imported items, including precious wood. As for being ‘pointy’, I suppose I am to an Iaconian. Your people seem to favor a smaller and more… smooth armor configuration. I find it highly appealing to the optic though I have no wish to change mine to match.’
‘Both of the ambassadors are smaller than me, neither of them are of the ruling cast of Kaon. There are far fewer nobles, all with larger holdings, here than in Iacon. It is a harsh but beautiful place. I will hopefully be able to show it all to you in time.’
‘I will greatly enjoy playing with you and I am glad to hear that you are honing your skill. Perhaps she cheats, perhaps you need to concentrate more on learning your strategy. It is quite often the little things that bring one’s opponent down and not the grand sweeping motions of an entire army… Any type of battle is messy even that on a game board and you should remember that there is no friendship when locked on either side of a fight. I do not wish to teach you to be ruthless or cold sparked, but some ruthlessness is needed when formulating strategies.’
‘A drone’s size is related to the size of the mech it is bound to, usually they grow no larger than one tenths of their mech’s size. My drone does have a name, Scavenger, it is larger and more armored then yours will likely be. It is also pointy, like me, they tend to mold their plating to fit their bound mech, just like a sparkling changes his upgrade shells when he is put into a new one. It just takes them a bit longer.’
‘Your friends seem like such an eccentric group, I almost fear that I will be trivial in comparison to them. I fear that I do not have many I can claim as friends, thought the Winglord of Vos is one such and the mech you know as ambassador Soundwave is another. With the Winglord, of course, comes his Trine mates… how much do you know of the nine rings of Vos? Soundwave is a very unique mech in and of himself, if you ever see him do not hesitate to greet him! I will ask him to satisfy your curiosity as far as it can be for now.’
‘Wheeljack sounds a lot like the chief scientist here, Shockwave, though not quite as detached. Scavenger is now so large that energon cubes of normal size is no longer a problem and since many of the high ranking warriors here have drones such a device is common. It is commendable for him to have thought of it though, just like the toys are commendable, a drone can and will chew on anything if it doesn’t have something of it’s own.’
‘I do not have any advice on how to get them to confess though the closet idea is a very… satisfying one. Still… there is one thing? Have you considered using jealousy, as long as neither mech is one to go off on his rockets at the notion of someone else with their ‘beloved that is. Perhaps it will help, dropping hints that for example Wheeljack is seeing someone who isn’t quite treating him well… just don’t be specific or Ratchet might go after an innocent mech.’
‘This Ironhide sounds like the right mech for the position, I know of Kup and he does not choose a mech unless the mech is capable of doing the job. You could do it very well too, but as we both know your guardian would stop it before it became a reality.’
‘I do not have much time to read things not related to my work but when I do find time I like to read the works of Vector Prime and the mystery files of that young mech… oh, Huffer I believe his name is? Which reminds me! I inspected an energon mine a few orns ago, they had found something quite interesting… I believe I will send you an example of their find with this letter. It might cheer you up and provide a distraction until that field trip to Crystal City becomes a reality. My work does not make me stressed and cranky, but it is very lonely and I greatly wish for someone more than a friend to share it with…’
‘Lovely one… I do not expect a report, merely the tidbits of your life that you wish to share with a mech who is essentially a stranger. I am under no illusions as to what I am to you… as things are you are free to choose another and I will understand it even if I will be saddened by your choice.’
‘I do hope to hear more about your life as soon as possible, may you have a good few orns until then,
Affectionately, Omega Alpha’

It was quite a few orns later that Megatron put the last few final touches on the letter, an abbreviated version of a meeting gone haywire because of a very drunk minor aide to Warlord Grimlock, an anecdote from when Scavenger was as small as Scorponok and a story about a mine collapse he had overseen the rescue operation for. The last was safe enough to give the whole story of it had been on his private estate and he had been very distraught about the two deaths that occurred. While he might not show it to many Megatron did very much love his Citystate and the mechs in it.
The Corax crystal he sent with the letter had been carefully chosen; it was not large but given their nature of growing when placed in sunlight or under another form of radiation that would not last long. The crystal was a fortune in and of itself, it was not of the cool blue and greens of Praxsus famous gardens or the clear and yellow ones from Helix… the miners had found a rare depository of deep red crystals. The color was almost as rare as the midnight blue that was occasionally found in Kalis. Handing Barricade the pad and the box he admonished him to be careful with it and then handed him a token. It pleased him that the Spymaster looked so shocked and gratified…

Barricade barely knew what to do with himself! First that promise and now a token? He could do anything with the promise and the token… he could court anyone he wanted to, in or out of Kaon. It was incredibly hard to be allowed to bring a mech in from another Citystate, they had to have a skill needed or be very much like a Kaonite, just as Optronix was. The token however changed all that, it would allow Barricade to choose a mech without having to conform to the rules, it meant that his Warlord trusted his abilities and judgment… and that Soundwave had probably sent back some very glowingly good reports on his behavior… this was so not the time to slip up!

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This time Barricade was almost frantic for the right place to put the box with the hovering crystal. It had been incredibly tricky to bring it into Iacon without killing it, and it needed fresh sunlight now or a good radiation source which he did not have on him. Finally he had to tiptoe into Optronix’s recharge chamber again and place it in the only west facing window in the entire dorm apartment. Leaving the blinds parted he carefully placed both data pads down, one letter and one with instructions about the Corax crystal and its care before he snuck out.

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Maddening as it was, Optronix had woken up late enough that he didn’t even realize he had rushed right past his gift until after he had slipped into his first class, just astroseconds before it started. Thus, his concentration was off all day, resulting in a dented helm courtesy of Ironhide in weapons training and several irritated screeches in his audio receptor thanks to Elita trying to talk to him during break.

It was a relief to be back in his room at the end of the orn, and he all but collapsed on the berth after ‘ooh’ing and ‘aah’ing over the truly magnificent crystal that his suitor had sent to him, new letter in hand. Scorponok joined him once it was finished with its meal, crawling onto his chest and knocking on the back of the pad until he relented and read it out loud. He was too tired to write a reply once he was done, much to Scorponok’s annoyance, but it didn’t take much persuading to get the drone to lie down and go into recharge after he promised to start the letter first thing next orn. Scorponok was so demanding when it came to things concerning his suitor, and Optronix wasn’t sure what to make of that.

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Optronix woke early the next orn thanks to his drone’s insistent nudging and chirring, and obediently set to work on his return letter after feeding them both. He didn’t have time to finish the entire thing before class started, but Scorponok was ready for him, datapad in mandible, when he returned to his room that evening. By the time it was done, the red and blue mech could easily say it was the longest non-school related thing he had ever written.

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‘Dear Omega Alpha,
‘OH PRIMUS THE CRYSTAL YOU SENT IS BEYOND AMAZING.
‘Just thought you should know, you know, because it is. Percy has already asked for a sample once it creates new crystals, he’s really fascinated by it, and it’s so pretty. I’ve never seen one like this before.
‘I’m sorry to hear about the collapse and deaths. That must have been hard. Now I want to hug you, because that’s really depressing. It could have been worse, but still…
‘I hope I didn’t offend you with the ‘pointy’ comment, it seemed like a good word to use. And yeah, we’d been speculating since the first gift, and it seemed like the most reasonable solution even though, technically, someone else could have bought it from Kaon… Wheeljack’s been insisting it was a Kaonite pretty much the entire time, and he’s almost unbearably pleased that he was right. I think it’s kinda cool the way you guys look, and feel free to tell me if it’s too personal or whatever, but, um, when you guys, ah, you know, do… STUFF, do you ever get stuck together? Like, do all of your little bits get interlinked and you have trouble separating again?
‘I think she cheats because she does the ‘Oops! I dropped something and, oh, look at that, it’s on your side of the table, could you get that for me?’ thing. Maybe I should get a table with high borders or something… I know I need to work on my strategy though, hindsight always comes back to bite me in the aft when I’m reviewing a game after it’s over.
‘Will Scorponok’s coloring change, or just its shape and size? And Scorponok seems quite eager to hear of others of its kind, it has had me read the things you’ve said about Scavenger many times since your last letter arrived. It has also started refusing to recharge anywhere but in my berth, is that normal? If not, how do I get it to stop? Not that I mind, it’s not like I don’t have room to spare, but I don’t want it to be TOO spoiled…
‘I don’t really know a lot about Vos or its occupants, unfortunately. I know of the current Winglord and his past successors, that groupings are generally in threes and that they can be hired as mercenaries, and that, as the ruler’s title implies, they are lords of the sky. I’ve never heard of anyone call any of them unattractive. I’m sad to say that’s as far as my knowledge of them extends, as I won’t take anything involving the history of Vos until after I finish my study of Crystal City and Kalis.
‘You are friends with the Winglord though? I don’t mean to offend in any way, but I have heard that he is rather… screechy? I think is the right word… And if I see Ambassador Soundwave, I will talk to him if we both have time. It’ll probably be easier to learn uncompromising stuff about you that way anyway. But I’ll still ask you questions because even if I’d get answers faster that way, I think it’ll be better to hear stuff from you directly. And you shouldn’t feel like that! I’m sure you’re just as interesting as they are. And you can think of me as your friend, too. We’re already message buddies, and I bet we would get along great if we ever met in person.
‘I doubt Wheeljack knew that, but I guess it only makes sense if a lot of you have drones. Does everyone have the Scorponox model or are there other varieties that you use? And having toys doesn’t stop Scorponok from chewing on my stuff. Styluses, mostly, I have to lock up the one you gave me to keep it from gnawing on it.
‘Ratchet and Wheeljack do enough of that themselves! Anyone that so much as talks to ‘Jack is labeled ‘Enemy Number One’ without hesitation, and when Ratchet gets all protective, ‘Jack gets this hopeful expression on his face, it’s so glaringly obvious to the rest of us that he honest to Primus thinks Ratch’ is gonna actually DO something this time that it’s painful, and then Ratchet will get cold pedes and back off again! They’re gonna drive me insane; INSANE, I tell you. Elita too, which is saying something because her patience is practically limitless when it comes to stuff like that. Ratchet would completely flip out if we tried it on him and ‘Jack would get depressed if we tried him instead.
‘And yeah, Ironhide is great. Participation in demonstrations has definitely improved, mostly because he’ll shoot at you regardless of if you volunteered or not. And we get along well; he’s really impressed with the axe you sent me, practically fawns over it. I guess one of his creators is from Kaon and they have one a lot like it, but it’s been dulled and put up for decoration because his creator is retired now. Writes essays on different fighting styles.
‘I don’t think I know any Huffers, perhaps Perceptor will. He’ll read anything he can get his hands on, so it wouldn’t surprise me if he does. I’m more into those fantasy stories, you know, ones about a mech who gets stranded on an exotic organic planet with no way off and no way to call home and is forced to adapt to organic life styles and ends up falling in love with the planet and its inhabitants so that when he is finally found, he refuses to leave? I always thought those were beautiful.
‘I didn’t mean like, official reports, just like… you know, telling you things? I’m just used to ‘reporting’ to Ratbat – that’s what he calls them even though they’re a lot like these letters, he’s so formal – because he can’t always be home when I have a break from school even though he tries.
‘Scorponok says hello, in case you can’t tell by all of my terrible writing the last couple of paragraphs. It keeps nudging me and crawling over the data pad, then tapping the pad when I ask it what it wants. And it keeps bringing me one of its more mangled toys, but doesn’t seem to want to play. It’s in an odd mood this orn. I think it might want me to send it to you? Who knows.
‘Um… The Crystal City trip has been rescheduled for twenty orns from now, they finally got that virus cleared up so it’s safe to go. I’m so excited! It will be my first time in Crystal City. Elita and Firestar were there once and they said it’s amazing and they’ve told us all kinds of stories about the art and stuff there, so I can’t wait to see it. I have to leave Scorponok here though; I hope he’ll be okay since it’s just an overnight thing.
‘Ratbat is supposed to be here sometime within the next three orns, he wants to speak with my instructors in person to make sure my grades aren’t slipping. He’s looking for any excuse he can find to hinder my weapons training, and it irritates me even though he thinks he’s doing what’s best for me by trying to convince me to drop those classes. I feel really whiny saying it, but he just doesn’t understand that I DO know it’s dangerous, and even knowing that, I like the idea of becoming proficient in weapons handling and being able to protect people.
‘Not much else has happened since the last time I wrote to you, and I don’t predict anything else happening before this gets to you unless Ratchet finally gets a working CPU and starts courting Wheeljack. Well, or if Perceptor decides to let one of his many suitors court him, but I doubt that will happen. He doesn’t seem interested in any of us groundbound mechs. I’ll still make little notes of things though.
‘Sincerely, Optronix’

P.S. Wheeljack insists that I tell you hello from him, and I gave Ratchet your message from the letter before this one and he huffed and glared at me, insisting he had no idea what I was talking about, then went right back to staring at Wheeljack with stupid googly optics!

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As predicted, Optronix didn’t have anything more to add except a few jokes from Elita and, because Scorponok kept fighting him over it, a half chewed ball, cleaned of course, was left atop the letter along with an apology for it scribbled at the top of the letter. He pondered in the brief apology if maybe Scorponok was trying to send it to Scavenger, which was kind of cute in an odd way because wasn’t Scorponok still technically a sparkling?

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Barricade got quite the kick out of delivering Optronix letters and seeing the near awe on the guards’ faces when they all heard Megatron laugh again. The Warlord was both feared and loved and many mechs had been hoping that he would find a bond mate soon. The news of it being an outsider… well, the ones that stood guard here would not doubt the wisdom in that again!

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Megatron was quite pleased with the impressions his gifts made on the young Iaconian, he was a little less pleased when he got to the parts about the little drone. Scavenger had been gently chewing on the destroyed toy until he came to that part and was now agitatedly trying to climb his chest plates. It was not Optronix’s fault that he had forgotten how little use Iacon had for drones and just how few Kaon drones there was in the city state. It took a very short time to send a message to Soundwave about this and what Megatron wished done about it… still he had to arrange for this letter to reach his Intended quicker then normally. It was a good thing the next gift was ready…

‘Dear Optronix,
‘I am pleased that my gift is appreciated… I do hope that you will forgive my forwardness but such a crystal is a proper courting gift among Kaon’s elite. I have not sent it to you in the hopes of garnering any promises but merely to give you a piece of my home. I am only telling you this because senator Soundwave kindly reminded me that some of your friends might know of this custom and cause you alarm by telling you. Understand that I would love nothing more than court you openly! But I will not force any promises before I can do so…’
‘Your friend is more than welcome to a fractal from it, in fact if you feel like it you can donate some fractals to Iacon’s gardens? I have gifted Winglord Starscream with a crystal from my own gardens to Vos’ falling garden… hum, I will have to get him to invite you there in time! Praxus might be the city state known for its gardens but I assure you this is only because very few outsiders have been allowed to see the falling gardens of the nine rings.”
‘The two miners have been lain to rest as is proper and their families are taken care of… It is always hard to lose people! I do not know of the way Iaconian nobles are taught but here no matter who you are you have to take a turn at each and every job preformed on the estate you will inherit. We are taught to respect even the lowliest job because if it is not done by someone it will not be done at all…’
‘If you had been here I would have let you hold me and been more then thankful for the support! I fear that I do not have any friends it would be appropriate for me to hug in such a situation… intimacy is a little taboo for me you could say.’
‘No offence taken at all! We are ‘pointy’ from your perspective at least… do not fear to offend me, unless you are deliberately ‘nasty’ I will not take it as offending and merely explain why it could be seen as such. And no we do not get stuck when we interface, lovely one, in fact all those interesting ‘pointy’ bits are often sensor filled and therefore feels very good when others lick and suck them.’
‘I wonder how your plating would feel… but that is perhaps a bit too forward of me? Still! I will be honest enough to tell you that I cannot help imagine how you would feel against me, how your mouth would taste… I am but a mech and I do have intentions towards you, not all of them entirely pure!’
‘I have two reasons for giving you the gifts in black wood boxes, one was to let you guess where it was from and the other… well the other you will know in time. I could wish that the need for mysteries where already over but I promise you that you will understand before you are asked to make any commitment.”
‘I do believe I would like this Wheeljack of yours a lot! Though I hope for you all that he and Ratchet will get their act together soon… their mating dance is getting a bit too long. I am beginning to think that the closet idea is your only option…’
‘Have you considered that she simply makes you think she is cheating? Feints can take many forms… if you think she is cheating you might already be thinking ‘oh well I have lost’ and so you stop fighting hard enough to win. Or as you say she could really BE cheating, it just doesn’t fit much with what I have learned of the Yussians?’
‘Hindsight bites us all, it is its nature. Luckily at our ‘status’ we can have tacticians and generals working for us and if they are worth their pay they will tell you when you do something supremely stupid. But that is of course on the actual battle field and it should not prevent you from being the best strategist that you can become. ’
‘Drones are a lot more intelligent than most think, or at least Kaonite drones are. We developed them over the mega-vorns and ended up with three classes, they are self-reproducing so calling them ‘drones’ is technically wrong. The Scoponok model is the most widely known and the only one we sell to other city states, only the sterile ones though, yours is not a sterile by the by! There is the Felidea model and the Avisea model, you will see them someday I promise.’
‘Since you seem to not bring him with you a lot is likely his need for your company that drives him to recharge with you. I would recommend that you get an armor modification so you can bring him around with you. He is reaching a state where the ‘owner’ bond needs to be finalized and that means you need to have him with you for an extended period of time. Furthermore he is programmed to protect you; this is not accomplished very well if he is not with you.’
‘The stylus chewing is just a habit and a bad one… good luck with breaking it though. Scavenger still insists on gnawing on my claws if I am not doing something like writing or reading. As for the toy, Scavenger has adopted it which I suspect was Scorponok’s intention all along… he probably longs for company of his own kind. They are quite social as long as they are not being asked to share a master.’
‘They are indeed the lords of the sky and Starscream rules them all! He has a very screechy voice when he yells or has to speak loudly… but in private I think he is in possession of the most sexy voice I have ever heard. Of course I have yet to hear yours?’
‘Vos… is special, in many ways. It needs to be seen but it is even more insular then Kaon. As I said before I will bring you to see it… if you will allow me to. The Seekers are all far too good looking for their own good, possibly that is why they are insular… I happen to think it is because of their heat cycle. Anyone but a resonant or another Seeker better keep well away from Vos when that hits. One has to envy the resonant though! When a Seeker in heat finds his mate it is said the ‘poor’ thing can’t walk for orns after. You should look forward to learning about them, it is a fascinating city state and a fascinating people… In fact I ended my stint at the Kaonite university co written assignment about their history, my partner was Starscream. He is something of a scientist and very brilliant. ’
‘I am pretty sure you will see Soundwave soon… he has been invited to talk at the Iaconian university. I believe he intends to lecture about drones actually… he is an expert on them after all. He might bring one of his sparklings; they are never far from him. Do speak with him, if at all possible he will make the time.’
‘Now that sounds like a weapons instructor! This Ironhide has the right attitude, after all you can’t volunteer on an actual battle field, learn to expect the unexpected. Half Kaonite? Very interesting I will look that up I believe, not many of Kaon leave for good and we always have our boarders open if they or their heirs wish to return. He should at the very least be given a proper weapon… Soundwave will be able to determine better. Please do not warn him, I will admit that I am doing this partly for you but make no mistake I wish the best for all my clan mechs and our weapons are as much a part of us as our knowledge and our drones.’
‘I will send you a selection of Huffer’s novels he is quite a good writer! I must say that that type of story doesn’t hold too much of a spell for me, then again I have been to organic worlds. They do hold wonders as great as Cybertron’s and I could see why some mechs might fall in ‘love’ with them but… my own ties with Cybertron are too strong for that to happen. This isn’t to say they cannot be very well written… might I suggest the works of Scrounge? He has actually been to organic worlds and he does love them, he just loves traveling even more.’
‘If possible get the armor modification done before you go to Crystal City… I cannot guarantee that Scorponok won’t react badly to you not returning even if it is only for one night. Drones are not meant to be alone. If it is a question of your professors not understanding this I can have Soundwave contact them… in fact I will have him do so. Perhaps sending him to you without preparing you was a bit hasty of me…’
‘I understand what you mean with ‘reporting’… but I do not wish to be another guardian to you. What I wish to be is better discussed the day we can finally meet but I am rather sure you have already got a very good idea. I have great respect for your guardian but he is not a mech I could ever strike up a friendship with, he is much too limited in his thinking. Rest assured, I have my optic on you and it is quite possible I know better than your guardian how you fare. You are in no danger from losing your weapons classes!’
‘Maybe you should tell Perceptor about Vos? Though I would guess he already knows… if he is interested in fliers, perhaps he is one of the lucky resonant… As for Ratchet, he is a bit of a self assured mech which is all well and good unless it comes in the way of taking advice. You can tell him that too!’
‘Please bring greetings and well wishes from me to all of your friends, I happen to know that there are tests coming up a few orns after you get this… I doubt that any of you have anything to fear but a little extra luck and a blessing of Primus will not hurt, I believe.
Affectionately, Omega Alpha’
’P.s: I hope you will forgive that there will be a larger time gap between this and your next letter than normal. I had to let you know about Scorponok and I do not wish to intrude more on your life then I am already doing… while I know you appreciate the gifts and that you possibly have come to like me at least a little I am still a stranger and will stay that for some time yet.’

Barricade was obviously surprised to be called back so quickly but he did not complain as he was given his orders. The Spymaster was a very good subordinate! He more than deserved Soundwave’s praise, the promise and the token. Megatron sat back in his throne and huffed, gently stroking his claws over Scavenger’s back… the little one chirred and settled down, with the chewed on toy safely tucked under it’s chassis. Optronix seemed to grow under praise and the attention to his neglected skills… a smile crossed the Warlord’s face plates as he wondered what his Intended would say to the set of small energy blades. The weapons of assassins or of nobles who could fight for themselves, if Ironhide proved to be of true Kaonite inheritance he would know what they were and know how to teach Optronix the use of them. If not… well one day Optronix would be here!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To be back in Iacon and in Optronix’ dorm apartment this quickly… Barricade shook his head and placed the package on a small table. At least he had an easier time with this! Scorponok wasn’t anywhere about and the spymaster huffed quietly… oh well he had hoped to greet the little one again, he was a cute drone! Maybe he should ask the Warlord for a drone? Slipping back out he tried to not dream about what kind of a mate he could find… after all he had the whole planet to find him on!

-----

It came as something of a surprise when another letter appeared in his rooms only a couple of orns after his last letter was taken away, but Optronix couldn’t help but be grateful for the haste with which his secret admirer had sent him such important information after he read it. He had had to skip archery twice to get the modification done, but it was worth it, in his opinion. Especially when Scorponok spent the entire first day in his new hold chirping and nuzzling affectionately against him.

By the time he sat down to write the letter, it had been nearly four orns since the letter arrived and Optronix had to sit for a while and think, reorganizing his thoughts until he thought the letter could be somewhat coherent.

‘Dear Omega Alpha,
‘If anyone knew about that tradition, they didn’t mention it; I just took it as a friendly gift because that seemed to be the way you meant it. It would be very nice to see Vos’ gardens if they can even compare to Praxus’ gardens as you say, however. Properly made crystal gardens are always a treat to look at… I have a garden of my own back home, but it’s small and not much to look at since I am no expert crystal cultivator. Perhaps this one will help in brightening it up the next time I am able to return to it. And I think I will donate a fractal or two to Iacon’s gardens, now that you mention it. They would undoubtedly be pleased to add to their already vast collection, as they always are when someone brings them a new crystal or mineral.
‘I went and got those modifications right away and Scorponok is a lot better now, I think. My instructors accepted it quite easily, though I don’t know if that’s because Ambassador Soundwave was able to contact them already or not. My only somewhat complaints are that Scorponok is near-terminally curious and has a bad habit of trying to peek over other mech’s shoulders in class to see what they’re doing and that he’s taken off with more than his fair share of styluses. And he saw a turbofox the other orn on one of our drills for weapons handling and has become Kup and Ironhide’s new best friend because by the time the drill was over, we were all so worn out from trying to keep Scorponok away from the turbofox that we could hardly move – he took us through the entire training course! I hadn’t realized he had quite so much energy…
‘I won’t say a word to Ironhide though, I promise. I’m sure he’ll be very happy to have anything you would gift him with.
‘Our system of inheritance isn’t quite like yours. We are made to observe and told the importance of each job performed, but only a few will make their successors do as you Kaonites do. My creators were believers of the former method, but I took interest in some of the tasks performed on our estate and asked the workers to teach them to me. Energon making and serving were fun, but cleaning up afterwards was not… After they passed away, High Scholar Ratbat started taking care of me and has done much to prevent me from doing anything but studying. I know he hopes that I will ‘see reason’ and become High Scholar in his place one day, so he feels that written knowledge is all I need to know right now. I sometimes wonder why he does not look for someone with more interest in it than I, but I have never asked.
‘I find myself very happy you can’t see me right now. Most people don’t just come out and, you know… SAY stuff like that. I’m all flustered now! I guess my overactive imagination struck again with the getting stuck thing. I just thought, um, when you, you know, grind together, you might get interlocked…
‘You don’t really think Elita would do that, do you? She’s so sweet! … Gah. I’m stuffing her in a box and shipping her across the galaxy! The little twit, she’s far too conniving for her own good…
‘Perceptor says he’s ‘just not interested in finding a mate, and putting wings on them won’t change that’. I think he might be a little cranky, to be honest, he’s got some rather persistent would-be suitors. Like this one a couple of orns ago, I guess he’s just a student? Anyway, he went out and spent LOADS of credits on like, expensive energon goodies and high grade and HE DIDN’T EVEN BOTHER TO RESEARCH WHAT FLAVORS PERCEPTOR LIKED beforehand. Not to mention which made him sick! Poor Percy, he was purging for cycles… Ratchet about blew a gasket ranting about it since he was on duty that night. Some of the other suitors are actually really nice, intelligent, thoughtful mechs, don’t get me wrong. Perceptor just doesn’t seem to be attracted to any of them…
‘I’m really looking forward to Ambassador Soundwave’s lectures though. I feel bad that I don’t know all that much about Scorponok’s model and even with the help you sent I feel like I’m still so very far behind… I’m sure he does want to be with his own kind though; even now, he asks me to read about whatever you write regarding your own pet whenever he can get his mandible on the pad. I have a feeling another toy will be going back to you with this letter, too. He keeps bringing one of his blocks over to me.
‘I told Ratchet what you said, but he’s insistent on not knowing what I’m talking about. Speaking of him though, guess what he did yesterday? We went out to Central Square to hang out and some big, black mech came up and started talking to Wheeljack, right? Ratchet let it go until the mech started rubbing ‘Jack’s arm and then he just, like, flipped OUT. Punched the poor mech right in the face mask! Wheeljack was horrified and embarrassed but, oddly enough, he didn’t even get mad at Ratchet for doing it. Even defended him to the guards saying that Ratchet hadn’t meant to react like that and stuff so the guards let him off with a warning and the black mech didn’t press charges or anything. And then ‘Jack and Ratchet kinda cuddled together, which was real sweet, but by the time we got back to the dorms, Ratchet wasn’t even TOUCHING ‘Jack. Hardly said good-night to any of us! One can only hope Ratch’ is starting to see that ‘Jack DOES have other options so he’ll make his fragging MOVE already…
‘Thank you for the energy blades, too. Ironhide about tripped over himself in his excitement when he saw them. And I understand that you deviated from the norm with this letter, and I really do appreciate it. I’m actually surprised you have been able to keep up with this schedule… I’m sure you’re very busy and it makes me happy that you would make so much time for me.
‘I guess I should wrap it up here, studying for those tests isn’t going to do itself… Um, when I go to Crystal City, I’m going to take some pictures… Would it be appropriate if I sent some to you? You’re always sending me things, and I know it’s not nearly as nice as the things you’ve sent, but Crystal City is supposed to be beautiful so…
‘I hope you’re still doing well, and I can’t wait to hear from you again!
‘Sincerely, Optronix’

----

The block did end up going with the letter, and Optronix wondered, as he settled down for the night with Scorponok curled up around another ball on his chest, what Perceptor would think of all the toys he had given to Scorponok being sent to some far-away pet. He’d probably just ‘hum’ thoughtfully and say, “Interesting…” and make a… note of… it…

----

“You should not tease me, Starscream, far as I can count the Seeker heat cycle is up soon and you are still searching for a consort!” Megatron wasn’t angry at the Winglord’s teasing but he was still weary and let his old friend see his ‘blades’. The Seeker grumbled and backed down with a wave of his hand and accompanying wing twitch. “I’ll claim my mate soon enough, till then I will ‘suffer’ though what arousal I do feel…” Even if he was quite tired of his empty berth and wished the Iaconian council would hurry a little, still he had entered into a courtship and he could observe the rules of one no matter how atypical it was! Turning his attention to the now morose Seeker he sighed… he understood all too well why Starscream was needling him… the oracle had not been as helpful to him as it had to Megatron after all.

“I am not looking forward to it either even if my wingmates will be happy to help me with it!” Huffing Starscream kept the longing off his faceplate with difficulty. “While I understand the political issues of your position it would be so much easier to just kidnap the young mechling… he would probably think it an exciting adventure and fall for you in less than a breem.” It was what Seekers did if they found their resonant outside of Vos, it was even somewhat accepted since no mech in their right state of processor would try and retrieve another from Vos while the Seekers were in heat. “So… how does the negotiations fair?”

Soundwave, who had been politely loitering outside the door to the council chamber for some time, waiting for the two leaders to shift to a topic he would not be hesitant in interrupting, chose that moment to knock and then enter, bowing respectfully and straightening up again. “My Lord Megatron, Winglord Starscream. I have some good news, and another letter, if you would have them? As well as another gift for Scavenger from his own secret admirer.” The last was added with an amused smile behind his facemask; to him, the little drone was adorable in his affections, and he could hardly wait to see Scorponok interact with Scavenger for the first time.

“Ah… Soundwave, you know better! In here you can drop the titles unless the full council is in session.” Megatron smiled, happy to see his friend again, that he was the barer of good news and another letter did not lessen his joy in the least. “Scavenger will be only too pleased to add it to his collection… if I didn’t know better I would think they were courting at a distance too. Never mind… sit down, drink something and tell!” Waving at an empty chair and the page at the refreshment table he absently petted his drone as it snuck out of its resting place. Scavenger was a smart little thing, maybe he really was courting and being courted… it did greatly resemble the behavior of drones in heat, all this gift giving and attention seeking.

Having no drone of his own Starscream did not venture an opinion but smiled at the blue and silvery white mech. “How is the family, Soundwave? Did Sixshot welcome you home properly…” So he had interfacing on his processor, moving his wings agitatedly Starscream tried to count just how many cycles there was till the Heat struck… seven?

Soundwave sat down and retracted his mask and visor, then passed over the letter, toy, and final draft of the treaty. “My mate and little ones are well, and I’m still holding judgment on if I was welcomed home properly. I’m still walking, so I can only hope Sixshot isn’t finished me with yet,” he replied, then got down to business. “Reluctantly – and believe me, it was VERY reluctant – the Iaconians have accepted your conditions for the treaty and now only await the final signing to seal it.
“Upon your arrival, all eligible mechs will be brought to you, starting with those attending the university, so that you may choose your mate, as agreed. Trade requests have already been sent to the Merchants’ Guild, so that is no longer a concern, and Optronix is very close to brutally deactivating Ratchet. I’m sure he’s mentioned it in his letter. Barricade said he spent almost half a joor ranting about his friend’s stupidity a few orns ago.” The tape deck accepted the cube of energon offered to him with a small smile and sipped it, sensors tingling pleasantly at the taste as he settled back in his seat.

Megatron accepted the pads and the toy listened to the short explanation and then settled back to look over the treaty quickly. Regretfully sub spacing the letter for later reading and giving his impatient drone its mangled toy.

“And you say that Seekers are insatiable… though you have a point, with a mate that much larger.” Starscream purred throatily and fluttered his wings in a mock attempt at flirting. Sixshot had to be large… and frag his heat cycle! He was going to go with Megatron to Iacon, even if it killed him. The Citystate had refused his attempts at diplomatic relations through the eons but now they had made a ‘deal with Unicron’ their age old enemy Citystate of Kaon, it might be time to try again…

“Well, when the interfacing is so good, who would want to stop?” Soundwave knew he probably shouldn’t be taunting Starscream with those images so close to his heat… he just couldn’t help it! After being apart from his mate so long, it was hard to think of anything BUT getting ‘faced through the floor… Remembering his and his bonded’s recent talk, the mech sat up a bit in his seat. “Speaking of Sixshot… Megatron, I’m sure you already got the petition, but when we go back to Iacon, I would very much like to have Sixshot join us… I, we… have found someone of interest and I would be very grateful to have him meet the mech in person…”

“This is highly pleasing!” Tossing the pad with the treaty on to Starscream he turned to Soundwave with a smile. “That won’t be a problem at all, I think it would be interesting to see the Iaconians reaction to a multie-changer. I sent a request to the University on his behalf and they all but fell over their peds to agree… I think they would have done just about anything to have him as a guest speaker.” It had been amusing really… “I haven’t forwarded the massagers yet because I was curious as to why, a third you say? It’s about time isn’t it?” Smirking he couldn’t help but needle his old friend.

“Gah! That’s evil now you’ve found your third too… I’m disgustingly jealous.” Starscream was halfway sincere, he did envy them both. If only, by now he didn’t care if his resonant had wings or not, was pit ugly or the most beautiful but empty processored mech on the surface of Cybertron… he really just wanted to FIND him.

“It’s nothing definite, not yet. That mech that sang for us, Blaster…” The name came out as a wistful sigh and Soundwave had to force himself to stop from just getting lost in his (too few, but that would be fixed soon, oh, yes…) memories of the mech. “We’re hoping though. He would be perfect. It’s rare that I mesh so well with another mech, and if Sixshot likes him as well… It’s only a matter of convincing him of our worth then.”

“Blaster? That isn’t a very Iaconian name… actually I can’t quite place it but it’s almost warrior like? Is he of mixed heritage?” Megatron couldn’t care less really, Soundwave had earned the trust needed to choose appropriate mates from whichever Citistate caught his fancy a thousand times over. More so it really was time that they got their triad stabilized, Tapedecks had a very peculiar way of dealing with offsprings… Even if Sixshot never said anything Megatron was pretty sure the six changer wanted at least one regular sparkling, and just as sure that he wouldn’t force his mate to carry one.

“Hum… Iaconians are strange, far as I can see you have given them a very fair deal and your demands are not great. Was it really that hard to get it thought council?” Starscream was surprised, it had to have something to do with possible alliances being disrupted if this or that youngling was chosen. He couldn’t see any other reason for such fuss. “And, my dear tapedeck, forget the name how about telling us if he has a pretty aft instead?”

“They’re wary still of conflicts long before Megatron’s rule, and fear that we are drawing them into a trap as before. ‘Once bitten and twice shy’, I believe the phrase is,” Soundwave answered Starscream first before going back to talking about Blaster. “I believe he is. I know he’s at least part Kalisian but I didn’t pry… And do you really have to ask? He’s divine. He’ll look even better when Six’ is done with him…” Ooh, yes… Panting and sprawled out and dripping transfluid and… Soundwave shuddered in want before he could restrain himself. A topic change was in order! “By the way, Starscream. On my way up here, I saw one of yours – Skywarp, I think, but I didn’t stop to look – harassing our chief surgical engineer… I’m concerned he might have been after more than a simple interface. He just recently came of age, didn’t he? You might want to look into that.”

Oh that way then… Megatron smirked but kept his comments at bay. He of all of them should now know that wanting and not having was pure agony. Yes, and all he had was a few letters expressing curiosity and lots of images that told him nothing but that he would tear his Intended out of a happy life. Suppressing the by now well known guilt he huffed as quietly as he could. Yes, he really did hope that Soundwave and Sixshot would have less to worry about.

“He is doing what?” Starscream sat up strait, wings flaring and glared at the tapedeck. “I hope you are not trying to be funny… he is young and impulsive, if he decides to act on something at this stage…” Of course Skywarp could have found his resonant already but he could also simply be enamored with the newness of being allowed to pursue whomever he wanted.

“Why in Unicron’s name would I try to be funny?” Soundwave asked, resolutely ignoring his lord’s plight. It would do no good to offer sympathy… Optronix would see reason before too long and he would thank Megatron for it! “As I said, I’m not entirely sure what was going on, except that Skywarp seemed VERY intent on playing Hook’s shadow for the orn. Hook didn’t seem too impressed with this but he didn’t feel at all inclined to kick Skywarp out, either, so…” At the very least, this little tidbit of information would give Starscream something else to worry about aside from his impending heat for a while!

“Starscream, Hook can take care of himself and if it is the heat cycle…” Megatron shrugged and smiled humorlessly, he very much doubted that Hook would stand for being confined to Vos. His brothers would NOT stand for it that much was sure. He could live with having his chief surgical engineer tighten their bonds with the mercenary Citystate. “I hope the flier knows what he is getting in to, I would not have pictured that youngling, ah, newly adult to go after a grounder of Hooks built.”

“Gah! You are right…” Starscream slumped back in his chair and glared at an innocent goblin on the wall. “Resonance works… strangely, scientists have tried to explain it for eons, so have our priests and no one is any closer to figuring it out. It’s not even like we find all our resonants outside our borders either, only the Airlords usually.” Mentioning the upper echelon of Vos nobles by name he shrugged and shifted his wings to a more restful position.

Soundwave made a consoling humming sound before speaking. “Either way, it is probably a good idea to keep an optic on him. He did not harbor any shady intentions, but even the best intentions can hurt someone, and I don’t care to think of who it might hurt worse.” No, especially since things going really bad would very likely mean a fight between the Seekers and Constructicon gestalt… Soundwave refrained from sighing out loud at the thought of all the work that would make for him and everyone else.

“Amusing as this might become, Hook should be warned… I will not have his gestalt tearing off for Vos if young Skywarp decides his claim is valid enough to enforce it when the time comes!” Megatron tried not to grin at his Seeker friend, the Winglord hated the heat cycle for two reasons. One he still had no mate and two all the insane situation that chopped up when family of claimed mechs desperately tried to get a hold of them again… sometimes even literally, physically hold of them. Thing was a newly claimed could barely walk for orns after the heat cycle passed. They were also pampered like the precious finds the Seekers knew them to be, so it was extremely rare that one wanted to be rescued.

Starscream threw a disgusted look at the Warlord. “You are enjoying this, aren’t you?” Relaxing and settling comfortably in the chair he smiled thinly. “Skywarp likes to play the dumb prankster, but he is highly intelligent… the only thing I really worry about is him taking attraction to the unknown for a resonance call. Newly adults sometimes make that mistake…” And needless to say it created a mess of proportions! “Now… how about explaining how the whole claiming of your mate is going to work?”

Soundwave shrugged. “Not sure. He’s rather young… And not too interested in staying in being confined, which he would have to, at least for a little while at first, if he agreed to be ours,” he answered, sounding just as miserable about that fact as he really was. “We’ll talk to him first, convince him to let us take him somewhere so that we can… explain ourselves in privacy, I suppose. I wouldn’t even THINK of forcing him, but I don’t want to think of how… unhappy I will be if he refuses us…” The tape deck didn’t say that he would very likely be depressed if that was what happened; it did no good to bring his friends down with him.

“Only a little…” Megatron smirked and then turned his attention to Soundwave. He knew him well enough to know that he wasn’t telling them everything. He also knew him well enough not to pry, instead he sent Starscream a glance that the Winglord responded to with a slight incline of his head. “Dispensations could be made… you need a third; I am willing to give you the means to obtain him without too much… fuzz.”

“You said he was a Kalisian? Offer him something no other Kalisian have ever had… the chance to be an ambassador for Kaon.” Cybertron was changing, the Citystates could no longer survive as separate entities. Kaon was slowly opening her borders and Vos would follow, it would not happen over vorn but change was coming and it had to start somewhere. “Such a position would feed his need for travel and having the both of you should give him all the little cassettes his spark will soon begin to crave…” Starscream leaned forward, tapping his chest plate with his claws.

Soundwave considered that. “If he agrees to it, he will have to study Kaon’s politics,” he said after a lengthy pause. “I suppose he could do that while still studying the rest of his courses, so it doesn’t feel like he’s being restricted… Just another class before he can graduate.” It was a nice image, really. Blaster calling them every night during his trips, two or three as-yet-unsparked younglings peeking over his shoulder as he described all the things he had seen and done that day. Their entire, ever-growing family lounging in the rec room, reading and laughing and playing games… Blaster tight between his mates, moaning and writhing and begging for more as Sixshot filled him, thrusting into him hard and forcing his spike into Soundwave’s valve… The tape deck groaned and dropped his helm to the table. Slaggit all!

“I can make it so that he will have an invite to the University in his hands the second he says yes to your claim.” Megatron flickered his claws in a dismissive gesture that was really the smallest problem. Observing his ambassador trying to rattle his own processor he grinned. “Having dirty fantasies already? My, I had better make sure to set those dispensations into motion… do you think a visit from the terrible Kaon Warlord will make his decision fall quicker?”

“HA! If you want the youngling to offline on the spot, yes.” Starscream snorted and shook his head. “The rest is a good idea though, we have to start somewhere and the higher echelons are the place to do it… pit, we take mates from the worker and scholar classes all the time. Why not show them that they are not just turned into little pleasure drones?” Which actually often happened, sadly enough. It seemed that most of the lower classes thought this was what was expected of them and in turn for the nobles… well, that was what always happened so why change it? “Not that any of this should be turned into a media spectacle but… yes, I highly doubt you would want one of those pretty little wall etching mates, Sound’.”

“I like working mechs,” Soundwave agreed without thinking, then groaned again when he thought of all those times he and Sixshot had been caught while the six-changer was ‘working’… “Unmaker take me, I don’t even have control over my own thoughts anymore!” he whined pitifully. “I will be grateful when this is all over and I’ve hopefully gotten what I want… I don’t know how you can stand it, my lord. Though the fact that you haven’t been so close to your intended that all you have to do is reach out and you can touch him might have helped…”

“Truthfully?” Megatron did his best to block out the actual memories but a nearly pained moan told him that he failed. “Sorry, Soundwave… I don’t really stand it as much as work it out of my systems as regularly as possible…” It wasn’t embarrassing to admit it even if he had scorned Starscream on almost the same question at the beginning of this conversation.

Sending the Warlord a good natured glare Starscream leaned towards the tape deck. “Trust me, get him as soon as you can. I have no idea how multi changers triads work but if it’s anything even remotely like resonance you had better get that youngling to spread his legs and plating for you soon!” He was being serious, deadly serious… denying the resonance call could kill a Seeker.

“How will you be able to contain yourself after he’s been brought here? He will be within arm’s reach all day…” Soundwave trailed off, dropping his head to the table again in punishment for saying something so stupid. It was going to be hard enough for Megatron without him going on about it now! “Seldom in life are things so easy, Star’… The gods alone know how much I pray for him to be so agreeable as to do such things for us before Sixshot buckles under the strain and… makes things needlessly difficult. His patience, though exemplary, DOES have its limits, and if he reacts to Blaster the way I am hoping…”

“I’m going to have to remember to have a hand buffing tool in my subspace at all times?” Smirking self deprecatingly Megatron shifted uncomfortably. It was not going to be easy at all. Some recharge cycles he even had nightmares about it, Optronix would probably hate him in the beginning. It would be a fight juts to make him see Megatron for a mech and not as the enemy, a task made harder by the fact that he had to rule Kaon while doing this. Possibly an impossible task… maybe revealing that he was the ‘secret admirer’ would only garner him more hate. He didn’t know, couldn’t…

Starscream snorted at Megatron’s attempted humor and shook his head at Soundwave. “I know… one could wish either one of you had the same ah… tradition behind you that Seekers does.” They didn’t though so… “Just seduce the pit out of him, don’t candy coat it or pretend that you have time to dance around it for vorns.”

“I wish I’d had more time to integrate myself in his processors, find some way to capture his attention, but his conductor interrupted us,” Soundwave said, propping himself up on his elbow joints. “At least you have some idea of what your mech likes, Megatron. Music will only get me so far… I’ll just have to wing it and hope for the best, I suppose.” The tape deck sighed and looked at his depressed leader thoughtfully for a quiet breem. “You should get out for a while, sire,” he announced, though it was much more of an order for his old friend than a suggestion. “It’s not good for you to sit in here cooped up all day with no one but your thoughts and a randy Seeker to keep you company. Why don’t both of you come to my home for evening refuel? Sixshot and my younglings would all be delighted to have company they actually know.”

“Your right, Sound’, especially about the randy Seeker!” Megatron smirked at Starscream’s, abhorrently fake, offended gasp. It was good to be together again, even for a short time… maybe… “Why not! If you think Sixshot is done with you by that time..?”

“As if… but he can take his hands off his dear, sexy little tape deck for a meal, can’t he, Sound’?” Considering that Soundwave out massed the Seeker by a factor of three to one that taunt was an old joke. Starscream was taller and much more slender but he was built light in order to fly better, Soundwave was by no means heavyset but he was solid and… gah. At one time Starscream had had such a crush on him. Too bad there had been no resonances at all.

“He’s never ‘done’ with me, but he’ll be able to stand a small interlude to see friends,” the dark blue Kaonite said with an amused smile. He stood up, stretching languidly. “Six and a half joors okay with the two of you? By then I’ll hopefully have my mate worn out a bit and we can all relax without him sticking his snout in indecent places and the scraplets will be home from tutoring.”

Starscream and Megatron actually managed to turn to serious matters after Soundwave departed. The dinner was a relaxed affair, enjoyable and interesting as always, hard for it not to be with a flock of cassettes and Sixshot mixed into the trio of old friends. It was a very enjoyable evening, the last in for a long time. The next orn dawned and Kaon was in chaos… it seemed that the entire Citystate knew that their Warlord was about to claim his mate, at long last.
Megatron had to admit that it warmed his spark to know that his people cared so much, from the nobles down to the lowest of the low working mech. It was wonderful; hopefully they would include Optronix in this warmth when the young mech was brought here…

----------

Optronix fidgeted with the soft mesh cape draped over his right shoulder, trying his best to ignore Perceptor’s fussing as he, too, straightened his ceremonial garb while arguing with Wheeljack over some mechanical function or other. The Kaonite Warlord was coming HERE, and he was going to get to see him up close and personal… Oh, it would be so exciting to tell his secret admirer about him! Of course, Omega Alpha probably already knew all about him…

The dorm-wide comm. sounded, announcing the time left for everyone to board the shuttles that would be taking them to the meeting hall which Warlord Megatron would be arriving at shortly, sufficiently distracting the red and blue noble and his friends. They all looked each other over one last time for scuffs or imperfections, and then headed for the door. Scorponok, freshly cleaned and waxed, chirped excitedly on Optronix’s shoulder as they headed out, and was quite thrilled to be on the low-flying shuttle they were directed to once they were outside. Perceptor was separated from them at the door, but he promised he would meet right back up with them after the meeting all the professors had to attend on the way there.

“I wonder what this is about…” Wheeljack used the convenient crowding in the shuttle to lean against Ratchet’s warm plating. The two femmes gave him a pointed glance making his smile falter, he was sure they had somehow guessed what he felt for Ratchet… “Am I the only one thinking it weird that students are dragged to see the Warlord? Exciting as it will be…”

Scavenger was a lot calmer then his bond master, Megatron paced the antechamber they had been given. It was a lavish and, to a Kaonite, unnaturally bright decorated thing, obviously not used for this either but that was probably because of Megatron’s height and Starscream’s wingspan. Iaconians were apparently not used to such large guests. Soundwave had been rather amused by his mate’s predicaments over small doors… “I will go insane soon… By the sword! How slow can they be?”

Starscream smirked though he was now where near as calm as he pretended to be, the heat cycle was beating at him, threatening to break his control any breem now. He had sent both his wing mates home already and the last report was that Skywarp had diverted from that order… as expected. “You have waited this long, you can wait a bit longer.”

Optronix just shrugged, clearly lost in his own world, so Ratchet figured he could keep the conversation going, if for no other reason than because he was bored (and he rather liked talking to Wheeljack anyway). “Who knows?” he asked rhetorically, resting a hand against Wheeljack’s back as the shuttle started to descend. “Perhaps they want us to see him in person and nothing more. It IS an honor, after all and quite a historic event besides…”

Soundwave sat nearby his pacing lord, one hand on his mate’s nape and the other on the cassette lounging in his lap. “Please relax, Megatron. You don’t want their first impression of you to be of an anxious, fidgety mech, do you? They are landing now and will soon be lining up to enter the hall.”

Perceptor gnawed his derma worriedly as he pushed his way through the masses to find his friends. Oh, this was so not good… Why in Primus’ name could they not have told him this sooner? He would have found a way to keep Optronix out of sight – perhaps a virus injection? That would have kept him out of sight for the time which Megatron would be meeting with the academy students… The microscope found the others just as they were entering the hall, and nearly growled in frustration. Too late… He would just have to keep Optronix out of sight here, or at least as much as he could without physically dragging him out or something… Slagging tall mechs.

Wheeljack was almost sad that they had left the confines of the shuttle but at least he could still use the crowed as an excuse to press against Ratchet. “Hey look! Percy’s here, HAY! Perceptor, OVER HERE.” Waving to the red mech he jumped when something scurried over his peds.

“No, I don’t but I need to go and find him! Now before…” Before he slipped away. It was an irrational fear and that aside he couldn’t just grasp the youngling and take him against a wall like he wanted to either…

Twitching his wings restlessly Starscream growled low, he could smell the sexual tension in the room. Megatron, Soundwave and Sixshot… they all reeked of need. His claws flexed, digging into his plating as he tried to regain some kind of calm. This was not the time to go into heat, NOT THE TIME!

Optronix turned at Wheeljack’s call to wave Perceptor over, and gave a startled squeak when Scorponok abruptly jumped off his shoulder, scuttling through (and sometimes over) the crowd in the complete opposite direction. “Scorponok, no!” he groaned, rushing after the drone. He had no idea what had caught the thing’s attention, but this was so not the slagging time!

Perceptor shouted in dismay, ignoring the mechs around him as he forced his way through after Optronix and the wayward drone. “No, no, no, no, no…” There was no way he could catch the mech, smaller stature and a restless crowd were difficult enough on their own, but together…

Ratchet reached out to steady Wheeljack when Optronix pushed past him, arms winding tight around the mech without really thinking about it. He caught sight of Perceptor’s stricken expression as he chased after Optronix and frowned worriedly before pulling Wheeljack after the other two mechs.

Confusion was the main part of Wheeljack’s feelings on being dragged off, what the pit was going on? As they went the crowed thinned out and suddenly someone shouted angrily, ordering them to halt in a harsh voice that made shivers travel down his back struts.

Scavenger suddenly stiffened, chirping questioningly. Something scraped against the door and one of the Kaonites guarding the chamber shouted angrily. Megatron stiffened automatically beginning to reach for his swords. “Soundwave?”

Starscream’s lazy pose glided smoothly into a battle crouch, his optics locked on the door and dentals bared in a displeased hiss. Who in the name of the storm lord was stupid enough to try and launch an assassination on the Winglord and the Warlord at this time?

Soundwave merely smiled, completely at ease. “Let them in,” he called to the guards, who looked at him with undisguised affront. “Unless you wish to be at your lord’s mercy when he finds you responsible for denying his Intended entrance?” he asked when no one immediately moved to do as he ordered. The doors opened pretty slagging quick at that, and guards on both sides jumped aside as something small scuttled under pede, followed by a familiar red and blue form that was shouting equal parts apologies and pleas for the drone to come back to him. Pleas which were clearly ignored when Scorponok rushed up to where Scavenger lounged on a couple of cushions and dropped itself onto its belly a bare hand-space before the larger Scorponox model’s mandibles, tail near vibrating with excitement as it clearly waited for permission to come closer.

“I am so, so, so sorry about this! I don’t know what’s come over him, Scorponok, PLEASE…” Optronix babbled, but stopped short when he realized just WHERE his drone had led him. Oh, Primus, he had just barged in… in on WARLORD MEGATRON… Involuntarily, the young mech’s hands flew to his cape, struggling to straighten it without the assistance of a mirror of any sort as his head ducked submissively, staring, mortified at the ground in front of his pedes.

Perceptor faltered in the doorway, having been not nearly as distracted as Optronix about the room they had been granted access to, and grunted when Ratchet and Wheeljack bumped into his back. Too late, he thought for the millionth time. Oh, he hoped the Kaonite warlord would simply bypass him, write him off for someone else, but that didn’t stop his fuel pump from stuttering in terror. Optronix was kind of taken, but that was no excuse… The other mech hadn’t moved in fast enough, so if it was Megatron’s will…

“YOU!” Surprisingly the shrill voice cutting though the silence did not belong to Megatron. The desperate need in it had Megatron stepping to the side quickly; he could claim his Intended after this. And he did not want to fight Starscream… wiser to, slag! “Out of the way fools!” Stepping forward he gripped Optronix’s slim shoulder and yanked him to the side and against his chest, leaving the way to the door and the three Iaconians free.

“It isssss you!” Starscream was hissing more than speaking, trembling with tension as he stared disbelieving at the beautiful red creature in the door way. His spark HURT as it seemed to fling itself against its casing. He had never seen anything like this mech, felt anything like him, smelled anything like him… and yet he could barely believe…

Wheeljack was deathly afraid and clung to Ratchet whimpering and looking between the giant guards to the even more giant inhabitants in the room. What the pit had the little drone gotten them in to?

Soundwave groaned inaudibly, spark aching in sympathy of his friend despite the potentially joyous occasion. Disadvantage to being a telepath around Seekers: a Seeker finding a resonant was not an experience one EVER wanted to have when they could hear every thought, fragging near FEEL every spark pulse…

Optronix gave a startled sound but was grateful for the sudden relocation when a winged mech all but flew straight through where he had been standing a second later, though it didn’t quite register WHO he was pressed against before he saw who the mech was headed for. All else was forgotten as he watched fearfully as the mech, a Seeker, he realized with some shock, walked right up to his friends, clawed hands stopping just shy of touching Perceptor’s face plates as he just STARED, venting raggedly. He noted the way Ratchet drew Wheeljack back against himself upon the Vosian’s approach, turning a little to the side as though to keep him out of the larger mech’s reach, but was quickly distracted when Perceptor opened his mouth to speak… and nothing came out.

Curious, a small, almost unheard part of Perceptor spoke up as he stared, wide opticked, at the Seeker towering over him. Curious that his mere presence would garner such a response from a mech he’d never met. Winglord Starscream, another part said, detached, clinical – the professor part, clearly. Anything else he might have thought was lost under the sound of his pounding spark and the rush of energon in his lines that told him to run, to fight, to do things he didn’t dare contemplate, just SOMETHING, even though his hydraulics wouldn’t respond…

“Don’t worry…” Megatron murmured soothingly, fighting down his own reaction to the slim chassis in his arms. “He won’t come to any harm… Starscream would rip out his own spark rather than harm his resonant.” It was fascinating to see his friend, one of the greatest warriors ever, reduced and elevated to something so primal… The beauty of it was inescapable and for a moment he wished that his own task was as ‘easy’.

A ragged moan tore free when he finally, finally, touched the back of a single claw to the mech’s facial plates. He was REAL, not a vision, not a delirious dream conjured up by his heat cycle. Real, REAL! Screeching a primal battle cry he snatched the mech to him, pressed the slim little mech to his chest and rounded on the room, hissing in fury as he searched for anyone, anything daring to oppose his claim… no one stepped forward and Starscream fled, keeping his mate safe was more important than anything else had ever been.

“W-what h-h-happened?” Wheeljack was shaken to his core, grateful that someone had had the presence of mind to yank both him and Ratchet out of the way. The guard made a noncommittal sound and pushed them into the room again, shutting the door being them.

Soundwave visibly relaxed once Starscream was out of the room, helm dropping to his mate’s shoulder tiredly. He hated it when there was so much emotional chaos in such a small span of time… “It seems that we’ve just been saved a lot of trouble,” he said in answer to the green and white mech’s question, knowing it would not tell him much at all. A glance toward the drones showed that they had clearly paid no interest in the goings-ons around them; instead, Scavenger had made room for Scorponok on its cushions and was nuzzling the smaller form, emitting playful snarls as the little one squealed in delight.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Ratchet demanded, glaring at the door behind him before scooting away from it, pulling Wheeljack with him and for once completely uncaring of how it made him look as he pet the smaller mech’s helm and back comfortingly. He didn’t WANT anyone near Wheeljack, especially not if they were just going to, to abduct him! “Why the slag did that winged menace just take off with Perceptor?!”

“Ratchet!” Optronix hissed, mortified that his friend would speak so callously to the foreign mechs. There was bound to be a logical explanation for it, and for Megatron’s comment about ‘resonants’ or whatever… Mechs didn’t just run off with someone with no good reason, right? Belatedly realizing that he was still flush against the large Kaonite warlord, Optronix shakily pulled free of the embrace, mortification etched into his features as he murmured an apology.

Megatron laughed at the white and red mech, he had known he would like the medical student even if he was too stubborn to listen to reason. “That winged menace is the Winglord of Vos, and the reason for his behavior was the onset of his heat cycle as well as the claiming of his resonant… bare in processor that he has been searching for that little mech for longer than any of you have been online…” Turning to Sixshot’s page, the gangly youngling already larger then Optronix, he smiled sharply. “Go, inform the councilors and the University dean that I have what I came for! I will be leaving within four breems.” Turning back he reached out and tilted up the young Iaconian’s face plate and smiled gently. “I am Warlord Megatron, I have come here to claim a mate among you… on the advice of the great oracle of Praxus. It is a great honor to finally meet you…?”

Gapping like a processor less mech Wheeljack listened to the drama unfolding around him. It was all so unreal, so was the fact that Ratchet was touching him possessively. The questioning note at the end of the Warlords sentence finally sparked some life into him. “No!” Every head in the room turned to him and he pulled back against Ratchet with a squeak. “O-Optronix already has a s-suitor… I-I… I mean…”

Ratchet mused over the behemoth’s words, but didn’t get long to do so before Wheeljack’s indignant outburst broke his concentration. “T-that’s right…” he said, arms tightening around Wheeljack when Ambassador Soundwave stood. Not that they really had any say if… “What do you mean, you have what you came for? No one agreed to this!” Oh, things were getting so confusing!

Soundwave sighed as the page rushed off and turned to the warlord. “We will be departing now, my Lord. We have our own to claim, and not long to do it in,” he announced as Sixshot also stood and scooped up their sparklings. He could feel the other two Iaconians’ fear and concern, but they would accept it if things were explained… It was a shame they would have their own relationship set back by this turn of events though; they would be so concerned for Optronix and Perceptor that everything else would become secondary, quite possibly until the unveiling of the truth and the bonding ceremony to follow…

Optronix flushed, embarrassment and something not unlike arousal warring within him at the feel of the Kaonite so close, the heaviness of his gaze… He couldn’t even speak, vocalizer emitting an embarrassed staticky sound before shorting out. Primus, what was he supposed to say? The WARLORD of KAON was saying that he was claiming him. Him, OPTRONIX, a normal student… “I, I don’t…”

“Your council did and any contracts will be dissolved, it was stated quite clearly that I had the right to choose anyone I pleased.” Megatron waved distractedly to Soundwave, silently wishing him luck. The majority of his attention was on the mech before him, on the beautiful, heating facial plates, plump kissable dermas. He couldn’t claim him yet… but touching. Running a claw along the soft lower derma he just barely kept a moan down.

“C-council? They… they just sold one of us to you?!” Wheeljack was… appalled. He couldn’t believe that they would do something like that and yet… why in the name of Primus would the Warlord claim it if it was a lie.

Soundwave and his family bowed respectfully before leaving, but Ratchet barely noticed it in his rage. “You can’t just CLAIM him! Why the slag would the council agree to that? We are a free state, we’re not, not slaves! You can’t just snatch us up at your leisure!” Primus and the Pit, he was so, SO close to hitting the Kaonite… It wasn’t fair!

While Ratchet ranted, Optronix managed to dredge up a little bit of common sense and made a call to High Scholar Ratbat, hoping he would deny it but knowing, deep down that that wouldn’t be the case… A few moments later, he closed the line and held up his hand to forestall any further complaints from his friend. “I… I can… get my stuff first? All of Scorponok’s and my belongings are still at the school a-and I’d like to, if you would allow it, leave one more letter to my suitor, m-my lord… please?”

“I am… sorry…” Unicron! As the brave expression on Optronix faceplates crumple for a moment Megatron felt his resolve weaver and crack, but he couldn’t allow the mech to do that. “Your things will be brought to you… and you will have to write your former suitor from Kaon.” Pain speared his spark when that selfsame pain is mirrored on Optronix expressive face before it shut down in a cold mask. The mech must think him a monster, without feelings or spark…

Whimpering helplessly Wheeljack half reached for Optronix, abandoning the action and pressing back against Ratchet. “No… it’s… not possible…” The thought was just too terrible to dwell on, his friend sold like a piece of equipment to seal a slagging trade agreement?

There was no way his letters would be received if he moved away… There was no way of knowing how to get in contact with his admirer ever again. “Never mind. It doesn’t matter, I guess… No point talking to him when nothing can come of it but hurt.” Optronix tried to be indifferent as he pulled away from the Kaonite’s grasp, but his face crumpled when he faced his friends. He’d been with them so long, had imagined always being with them… And now he was going away, to some unknown place with unknown mechs to be with a mech who he didn’t know, much less love… ‘Such is the duty of a noble’, Ratbat had said, through clenched dentals as he obviously tried to think of a way out of it. Suddenly, being High Scholar didn’t look that bad…
Optronix carefully embraced Wheeljack, and then Ratchet, asking them to say good bye to Elita and Firestar for him when they got back from their trip to Yuss, before going over to Scorponok. “Let’s go, Scorp’. Say bye to Ratchet and Wheeljack,” he said, smiling sadly when the drone chirred pitifully before doing as told and scaling the engineer in training so it could nuzzle both mechs. Once the drone was back in his arms, he turned to Megatron, face once again impassive despite the pain eating away at his spark. “I’m r-ready to go, my lord…”

‘My lord’, Megatron nearly cringed, feeling the title like a blow even knowing that Optronix could call him nothing else because he didn’t know any better. This was proving harder than he had ever thought the urge to tell… so great almost greater than the urge to touch. Nodding to the two devastated younglings he escorted Optronix’s out and towards the skimmer pad. If he gave in and let him fetch his things, write that letter the High Scholar might find a way out… only by taking his Intended to Kaon could they be safe. “I truly am sorry for the haste, little one… May I have your name? The… the name of your suitor? I can make sure that he is told why you cannot be his Intended any more…”

“Optronix,” the red and blue mech answered, head ducked to avoid any gaze that might have tried to catch his own. “… And he didn’t have one. He never gave it to me… he said it wasn’t safe for me, b-but…” Optronix sucked air near-soundlessly through his vents, trying to calm down even as he clung to Scorponok and felt pitifully small on the skimmer. “I… He will hear of it though, soon enough. He is a Kaonite, I am sure the news will reach him… it is in the past though. I don’t want to speak of it anymore.”

“As you wish, Optronix…” Megatron spend the journey watching his Intended, the bowed head and eventually when he curled up and went into recharge with a sadly clicking and confused drone in his arms. Scavenger at some point decided to join them, draping his ‘pointy’ bulk over the red and blue mech in a defensive posture. When they arrived at last Megatron carried his recharging mate off of the skimmer a drone on each shoulder. It was hard to leave him in the quarters he had had made ready… hard to wait. It is even harder to see the small mech struggle though the next few orns, being presented for the roaring crowds of happy Kaonites, the nobles that kneeled before him and still towered over him, to swear allegiance. It was torture to know that he could just tell who he was… and yet he could not. He had to know if Optronix would be moved by his people, if he could LOVE Kaon even if he would never love the mech he was destined to bond.

After the first dozen or so orns (a letter should have been coming soon, if not already arrived, but not anymore), Optronix could say that he was… better. Not good, but better. He could look past his selfish desires and accept that this was a good thing; Iacon and Kaon would be at peace, and that was what was important.
Warlord Megatron was not cruel – this, also, Optronix accepted. He was doing what was best for his people, and had simply chosen Optronix as a means to an end. Scorponok was happy, too. He had a friend, someone who could play with him while his master was meeting people, shaking hands and participating in functions that he didn’t fully understand but understood that they were for his benefit, all while people bowed to him, respected him in a way he had never planned nor wanted for…
The Iaconian entered the unusually small dining room (he had expected it to be so much bigger, so much more… grand, but it was small and cozy and uncomfortably welcoming), taking his usual seat to the right of Megatron’s chair at the head of the table – his rightful position, once they had bonded. Megatron had not yet arrived, but that wasn’t unusual. Ruling an entire Citystate sometimes meant you couldn’t join your mate for a refueling… Optronix stared down at the cube placed before him, waiting until Scorponok had clambered over to his own tray before picking up the warm green cube and taking a slow drink. He had nothing planned for tomorrow, as far as he knew, so hopefully he could just stay in his room, maybe play with Scorponok and reread all those letters that signified the happiest he’d ever been in his life…

Megatron stopped in the door spark clenching as he watched his Intended sit all alone at the table. Optronix had barely touched his fuel yet but he knew that wasn’t for lack of time… It was hard to watch the young mech struggle with all that was suddenly placed on his young shoulders. It was hard to leave him be, hard to let him go on believing that this was nothing more than an alliance bonding. Well… the last was not something he had to let him believe, now was it? He simply had to be careful in his seduction, and be even more careful in the clues he gave. Their bonding ceremony was scheduled to sixteen orns from now…
“Optronix..?” Speaking softly he stepped inside the dining room and gestured for a page to bring him fuel. A deep blue cube was brought to him and he sat down besides his mate-to-be reaching out with his free hand to run his claw tips lightly against the smaller mech’s left arm. “I apologize for being late… there was another mining collapse at my estate, no one got hurt…” One little word, Optronix would not think much of it now but… soon. “I thought… if you feel like it tonight?, that I could show you our garden?”

Optronix tried to ignore how the mention of a collapse reminded him so much of another mech. He had a duty and he needed to find a way to be happy with it… He gave the Warlord a small smile and, when the large claws got to his wrist, carefully twisted his hand so he could catch the other’s, tangling their fingers loosely together. “You don’t need to apologize. I’m glad that no one was injured,” he said, trying to sound as sincere as he felt. He really didn’t expect much from his eventual bondmate in the way of time together; he understood that the mech had responsibilities and couldn’t always be with him. The young Iaconian stared at their intertwined fingers for a moment to gather his courage. Megatron was trying, and it showed, it would be unbearably rude to persist in turning him down all the time… “And I… I would like that, my lord, if you have no other pressing duties for the evening…”

Forcing back the thrill of heat Optronix actions cause Megatron smiled softly, making sure not to bare his fangs. Much as he would like to take the mech to his berth he doubted that the sentiment was returned. Besides his Iaconian mate would have no idea that he was ‘hitting’ on him. “You can call me by my name, Optronix, we might not be bonded yet but you do not have to observe so strict formalities when we are together in a private fashion.” They were never really alone as it were, people of their rank seldom was. “Do you like the trainer I chose for your weapons instructions?”

“Yes, my l– ah, Megatron…” Optronix flushed a little and took a drink to help calm his nerves. They were not bonded yet, but soon… soon… The red and blue mech pushed the thoughts aside, instead nodding in answer to the question. “Runabout is… interesting. I admit I am not sure how much I like him, but he is a good teacher. He’s very informative.”

“I doubt any of his students like him… until the day they impress him. But he is fair and one of the best teachers we have.” Megatron didn’t add that Optronix had already ‘almost’ impressed the young weapons instructor, so much so that Runabout had requested permission to have his brother and a few other blade fighting students added to the class. It wasn’t his place to meddle in the training, such were their traditions, all he could do was ask, and occasionally watch. That was one thing he didn’t dare do yet though… watching his Intended move his lithe, graceful chassis in the deadly dance of shadow fighting would be too… erotic.

“He isn’t what I’m used to, is all.” Runabout was no harder or softer than Kup and Ironhide, but his methods of teaching were different enough to have put Optronix off-balance for a while… Optronix took another drink, holding it in his mouth for a moment to savor the rich taste before swallowing. “How was your day? Aside from the collapse, I mean.”

“It was productive… even the collapse was in a way productive, since it lead to the discovery of a large cavern under my lands its… No, I think I will show you rather then tell you, let it be a surprise for after our joining.” Smiling he tightened his hold on the much smaller hand a little. It hurt to see Optronix face plates go completely expressionless at the mentioning of the bonding ceremony but it was nothing he hadn’t expected. Megatron huffed and put his cube down, turning slightly to cup his Intended’s cheek with his free hand. “Please… give me a chance, Optronix? I will make you happy, whatever it takes!” Leaning forward he brushed his dermas lightly against those plump kissable ones his mate-to-be kept teasing him with. He had meant for it to be only a light sign of affection but… Unicron! They felt so good, plump, soft, before he knew it he was licking them, nipping…

Optronix was sure his CPU had stalled out and he was having some kind of hallucination. Megatron wouldn’t really be asking, be doing… Oh, Primus. The young mech whimpered and offlined his optics, shyly returning the pressure even though a small part of him insisted that he was betraying his secret admirer by doing so. He would have to do this eventually, and it wasn’t hurting anything… His hand tightened on the Kaonite’s and he pressed a little harder into the nips, glossa hesitantly meeting with his mate-to-be’s between the nips as he allowed himself to get lost in the sensations.

It wasn’t until Megatron realized his hand had wandered from face plates to shoulder seam that he managed to break off. By that time he was so hot he had to suppress the command to engage his cooling systems. He almost pressed back in when he saw the expression on Optronix’ face plates… parted dermas shone softly with the gleam of oral fluids, swollen and marked by his dental fangs, offlined optics and something near rapture making the beautiful face glow with sensuality. He had never seen anything so alluring… “Beautiful, desirable… tell me, my Intended, tell me what I must do to win your spark?”

Optronix licked his dermas and onlined his optics, feeling dazed. Primus… And that was what he would be getting whenever they were intimate! And more… The question only partly registered as the young noble regained coherency, but he caught enough of it to get the gist of what Megatron wanted. How could his spark be won? It would be unfair to say only his mystery suitor could have his spark… “I… I don’t know what I want. Everything's going so fast…”

“Yes…” Megatron slowly, slowly moved his hand off the red and blue plating, regretful and ashamed at the same time. “I should not pressure you…” No, he shouldn’t but it was so hard not to give in. A low growl escaped him and he offlined his optics so as not to stare hungrily at the swollen, bruised dermas. He should have been more careful, should have stopped… “You are the most beautiful mech, I… did not think it would be so hard to give you the needed time. Having you here, seeing you…”

Optronix wasn’t entirely sure what the warlord meant by that; it almost sounded like he had known for a long time that he would have Optronix with him… No, he probably just meant that he would have someone in general, and suspense had taken its toll on him or something. “I am sorry, Megatron… It just hasn’t really set in yet…” he murmured apologetically, placing his free hand over the hand tangled with his own and squeezed gently. “You’ve been so good to me since I got here, and that is all I could really ask for right now.”

Empty words… oh, he didn’t doubt that Optronix meant them but they were still empty. His Intended did not want to be here, with him… couldn’t want to since he was pining for someone else. “I will do anything within my power to make you happy, Optronix, all I ask for in return is that you try and love Kaon, at least…” ‘if it is too hard to love me.’ Strangling the rest of his words before they left his vocalizer he smiled sadly at the red and blue mech. He was still afraid that hate and not love would come from his revelation. Taking his forgotten cube he focused on refueling.

Having nothing to say to that since it would be stupid to make a promise he wasn’t sure he could keep, Optronix merely pulled a hand back to pick up his cube and resumed his own refueling in silence. He finished before Megatron but waited until the mech had set down his empty cube to be taken away before he tried speaking again. There had been something on his mind since the moment that Megatron had denied his first and almost only request… “Megatron… When… when I asked if I could… write one more letter to my suitor, why did you say no? I would not have taken very long, I would have even written it where I stood and had Ratchet and Wheeljack take it back to the usual pick-up spot if you had just given me a moment…”

Stiffening Megatron considered his options, he had said no because he knew it wouldn’t be picked up. And he had known that High Scholar Ratbat would do anything in his power to ‘save’ Optronix, if they had stayed he might even have succeeded. Neither of which he could admit to considering that both were something only Omega Alpha would have known. “You think me… evil for my haste? No, don’t answer that… I am not sure my reasoning would make you happy and I can’t yet tell you all of it. When I saw you… there was no doubt you were the one I had waited for, for so long. I did not dare take even a few seconds of time… I feared losing you. Not very rational or fair to you…”

Optronix sighed. Why did it not surprise him that even now, with the ceremony that would bind them together permanently drawing ever nearer, Megatron still wouldn’t give him a straight answer? “You not telling me anything doesn’t make me very happy either, you know,” he mumbled, dropping his helm into his free hand and staring at nothing in particular. “And it’s really unfair of you to wait until after we’ve bonded to reveal whatever little secret you’re trying to hide. I guess it’s a good way to ensure that I’ll have to stay with you no matter what…”

Dentals flashing in an unvoiced snarl Megatron clenched his free hand into a fist, relishing the pain of his claws piercing palm armor. It would do no good to tell Optronix that he would be the one to initiate their bonding… he had planned it all carefully. He knew that the youngling wouldn’t understand yet, he barely understood his new people at all and even with the etiquette classes he received it would take a long time for him to fully… this let to nothing! “This I can swear to you, our sparks will not touch until you decide… that is the way of Kaonite bondings.”

Optronix jerked at the force with which Megatron spoke, and had to take a moment to let the words sink in before he could make a reply because of the shock, though it was easy to figure out what he wanted to say. “If this wasn’t so important for our Citystates, I’d probably tell you I refuse to get bonded until you tell me what you’re hiding from me. But then, it’s nearly impossible to hide something from your bondmate…” Optronix hated even thinking of the things he was implying, but Primus! Was it really so bad to tell him?

“I suppose I deserved that…” Megatron murmured almost inaudibly, blankly looking at his fist and the droplets of energon escaping under his claws. “I just hope you will not choose to hate me for my subterfuge.” Shaking his head abruptly he looked at the small mech and huffed sadly. “Do you still wish to see our garden?”

“After you get your hand looked at. You could get rust if you’re not careful…” the young Iaconian said, ignoring the fact that Megatron had probably been looking after himself longer than Optronix had even been online and surely already knew that. He reached over to his drone, gently stroking down the small creature’s back and smiling when red optics flickered online and a questioning chirr sounded. “Did you get enough to eat?” he asked, smile widening when the drone nodded and latched onto his hand before rolling over, demanding scritches which were immediately provided; they didn’t last nearly as long as Scorponok was expecting though, as demonstrated by the irritated whine the red and blue noble got when he pulled his hand away. “Megatron is taking us to see the garden, Scorp’. We can play later.”

It was ridiculous to be envious of a drone, huffing quietly Megatron opened his fist and grimaced at the puncture wounds. They were deep and they still bled. “Come with me?” Rising he towered over Optronix and offered his uninjured hand as aid, the injured one he curled against his chest plate. “I’m sure Scorponok will be more cooperative when Scavenger decides to wake up. We’ll go by the med center, though I doubt I will rust from such a simple injury.”

Optronix took the proffered hand after Scorponok scaled his arm to rest on his shoulder, allowing the Kaonite to lead him up and out of the room. “It could happen. Ratchet… always said so, when we would get hurt during weapons handling. He always used a lot of inappropriate words while doing so, but you could tell he was worried…” he mumbled, trailing off. He missed Ratchet, and Wheeljack… He wondered if they had gotten together now that they didn’t have as much to distract themselves from each other. They had seemed awfully close when he last saw them…

“It is true… I’m simply used to getting minor injuries, and to getting them tended to whether or not I want it. Hook and his brethren take their profession very serious.” Megatron escorted his Intended to the med center and his hand was treated in less than a breem. The gestalt, minus the illustrious Hook, watched Optronix with thinly veiled curiosity and no little awe. It was a relief to finally depart and walk to the garden, signaling a page he ordered them to bring a box of candy before he activated the doors. It was dark outside and star light met the light of floating glowing crystals through the triple domes of clear glass. Red, blue, green, yellow… a thousand nuances arranged in a tasteful rainbow. Keeping back he lightly pushed Optronix inside, following only enough to close the doors.

“Wow…” This definitely put his sad excuse for a garden to shame! Optronix walked forward, awed by the beauty displayed before him. So much to look at… he was certain he could have stayed the rest of the orn and still not seen everything, but he was going to try! He barely noticed when Scorponok jumped off his shoulder to go look on his own, so entranced was he. How had he not seen this before? Optronix wondered; he had roamed his new home aimlessly whenever he wasn’t busy meeting people, seeing their happy faces at his appearance…
A deep red crystal cluster caught his optics, immediately drawing his attention. It was just like the one sitting so lonesome in his rooms, so much larger but no less beautiful for its extravagance, and he found himself drawn to it, hands raised to gently caress the crystal without really thinking about it. It stood to reason that something like this would find its way into the Warlord’s possession, but to have it grow so large already… It brought to mind all the other similarities between his old suitor and his new, and Optronix was more uncomfortable than he cared to admit as the various thoughts he’d had since coming here regarding the matter replayed themselves for him. “… Megatron?” It wouldn’t hurt to ask a question or two, just to remind himself that no, no matter what his romantic side secretly wished, they were NOT the same person…

Scavenger had joined Optronix little drone in one of their strange games that seemed equal parts stalking and courting. Following his Intended at a discreet distance he smiled softly as the mech touched the deep red Corax crystal, it was beautiful, his gardeners had been close to a breakdown when it was brought in… a good sort of breakdown. Such a find was a one in a lifetime thing and the crystal was well over a thousand eons. It sang gently under the vibrations of Optronix hand, lending the air an almost vibrant quality. “Yes?”

What to ask first… “I’ve been wondering for a while… well, a lot of things…” Optronix started, half-turning to look at the much larger mech. “Is… Is Scavenger a common name for a drone?” That was one of the things that had occurred to him first, once they had been properly introduced. Omega Alpha’s drone had been named Scavenger, too, and they were the same model and everything…

“It is fairly common; both as name and pet name… the drone type was developed from a natural species of scavengers called Cyberscorpions.” Megatron had no intention to lie and he was in fact not lying. He had been very young when he got Scavenger and so the name lacked any adult finesse. Not that he cared much, Scavenger had been a faithful companion and a fearless protector for him… a friend to someone who’s destiny was to be alone for a very long time.

See? Common. “Ah… I didn’t know it was a common name for mechs, although I should have wondered since that one Constructicon, with the shovel tail? His name is Scavenger, right?” He was a sweet mech – small, at least for a Kaonite, and very attention hungry, but in an endearing way that made Optronix like him a lot. The Iaconian turned back to the crystal, gently placing and removing his hands over the crystal to create disruptions in the sound it made. He had done much the same to his own crystal (although with just his fingers because of the size difference), and the sound it made was very pleasing to the audio receptors. “Lord Starscream… You two have been friends for a long time, right? Senator Shockwave spoke very fondly of the way the two of you act together normally when I met and spoke with him. He said you even studied together for a while, a long time ago.”

“Yes, his name is Scavenger and yes, I am good friends with the Winglord.” Megatron smiled crookedly and inwardly cursed Shockwave… not that it was fair to the Senator. “We studied together when I was at the Vosian University, it is obligatory for our younglings to spend at least a vorn studying out and usually they make sure we go in groups… I believe that vorn we were hum… two hundred?”

“Really? Do you get to choose where you go?” he asked, excited at the idea. Kaon had more choices as to where its students could go. In addition to Kalis, Nova Cronum, and Helix (which were the most commonly chosen and easiest to make arrangements with for Iacon), they could go to Vos, Tarn… They probably had easier access to Tyger Pax, too, because of bondings between the states! “Iacon has something like that, but it’s voluntary, not mandatory. I had considered going to Nova Cronum’s university, on and off after I started at the Academy… History is an amazing teacher for the future, after all…” Optronix smiled fondly at the thought. It was impossible now, since he would have to stay here for a long time after the bonding. Not because Megatron would force him – the red and blue mech didn’t think it would even cross the Warlord’s mind to force him to do anything – but because their bond would not be able to stand the strain of distance if he left. Unfortunate, but true… Perhaps someday, though.

“Within the limits of our trade partners, yes. But most choose Vos… the thrill of the Seeker Citystate is one not easily competed with.” Nor was the possibility of being a resonant, what could he say Kaonites might not have a heat cycle but that did not make their ‘appetites’ any smaller. “Not all Vosians are fliers though… some are grounders and their twin state have a more far reaching exchange program with them.” Diverted it seemed… for now. “History is an art… and learning from it gives wisdom as well as knowledge. If it is your wish I will make sure we visit Nova Cronum… I haven’t been there in a long time.”

Optronix smiled at his mate-to-be, saying gratefully, “I would really like that. The history I’ve learned at Iacon academy is nothing compared to what Perceptor said Nova Cronum holds…” Perceptor… The young noble bit his derma, pausing in playing with the crystal. He had heard or seen nothing of his friend pretty much since his… abduction. “Is… Do you know if Perceptor is okay? I know you said that he would be safe with the Winglord, but…”

“I doubt he will be able to attend our bonding ceremony with Starscream, but that is not unusual for newly claimed resonant.” Megatron smiled, a just slightly hungry one, and stroked along the back of Optronix’ helmet. “He is safe with Starscream, and probably rather unable to leave their berth at the moment. It would not surprise me if he is already carrying… the Winglord line tends to be fertile. Especially when in heat.” And Starscream would be proud as a Cyberhawk, something he would gladly forgive his old friend.

“Already carrying?” The notion was foreign (would they really be that intimate after just meeting?), but if they were interfacing as much as Megatron’s words implied… Optronix worried his lower derma some more as he leaned into the gentle petting, thinking. After a moment, he spoke again. “It’s consensual, right? I don’t exactly know how the resonance thing works… Lord Starscream seemed very… intense when he took Perceptor away,” he said hesitantly, unsure of how to word his thoughts without sounding offensive.

“Consensual… that is a harder question. The moment they locked optics neither one had a choice, had they tried to deny the resonance both would have been in agony in the space of a few orns and had they continued they would both likely have died.” Megatron shrugged lightly and hesitantly ran his claws along Optronix back struts, regretfully stopping well short of the gently curving aft. “I have never met a resonant who regretted being claimed, they are the most pampered creatures in existence. Given everything they want, everything they need and possibly kept more sated then a professional… yes.” Clearing his vocalizer he looked away in embarrassment, it was possibly not a good idea to mention pleasure’bots to his Intended in this context.

“Oh…” That sounded weird. Was it possible for something to have such a strong hold over a pair of mechs? It sounded so unreal… But then, his being claimed by the Lord of another Citystate was pretty far out there, as well. “He’ll be happy though?” Optronix demanded, purposely ignoring parts of Megatron’s statement for his own peace of mind. “That’s all that really matters, I think… As long as he’s happy…” If Perceptor could find a reason to be happy after being abducted and having no other choice but to stay with Starscream, surely he could find it in himself to be happy with Megatron? He would try… There was so much to enjoy in Kaon, anyway, so he wouldn’t be miserable here, no matter what his initial feelings had been…

“Yes… Starscream will do anything for him, he has been waiting as long as I have.” It was no lie, unless Optronix friend was unreasonable he would be happy and in time resonance would be aided by love. “They have a lot in common; Starscream is still a scientist even if he is also a warrior and the leader of Vos.” What was his Intended thinking? Melancholy was almost tangible around him, Megatron would have given anything to remove it… why did it have to be this mess! Would he ever get the happy young mech back, the mech he had never quite had and yet seemed to know so much better than this closed off sad young one. A mech too grown up, settled on a loveless bonding just for the safety of his Citystate…

Optronix nodded; he remembered that from what his old suitor had told him. “Perceptor will be happy about that. He has a passion for science that is not easy to match, I believe.” It kind of made the young mech wonder what their arguments would sound like; probably filled with such big words that anyone around them would be left clueless as to what was going on… Deciding he’d lingered in front of the red crystal long enough, Optronix looked around for the next interesting thing to examine. There were a number of crystals he had never seen, or only seen in data files, sprinkled around the garden, and he wanted to look at them all.

“This garden is called ‘beloved’, its foundation is lost long ago but legend has it that it was built by the first ruler of this Citystate for his mate, a delicate little Praxsian…” That story was a mix of both fact and fiction, while the gardens history had been lost the history of the Warlord line had not. “We do have crystals here that date back to that time… lending a certain credibility to the claim. We also know that Warlord Swiftstrike would have moved Cybertron for his mate, had the little one desired it.” Megatron chuckled with amusement. “Luckily the little Sunsinger was a mech with a calm nature and few desires outside of those his Warlord mate could sate.”

“Really? That’s so romantic…” Was it wrong that Optronix wished something like that would be done for him? To have a mate that cared that much… Optronix sighed wistfully as he continued wandering through the garden. He caught sight of a table a little ways off the main path, and smiled without thinking when he realized that it was a game table, with… yes, those were definitely the pieces to a Turbofoxes versus Cyberwolves set! The Iaconian altered their course so they would pass by it, and noted that the pieces had been left at the end of a game, showing that the cyberwolf side had made a stunning win… “You play Turbofoxes versus Cyberwolves?” he asked, glancing in Megatron’s direction. It wasn’t uncommon, he insisted to himself. Loads of people liked it…

“Yes… it is one of my favorite games, though I seldom have the time to play or an opponent.” Megatron smiled with pride, remembering the game and Starscream’s indignant screech when he fell right into the trap. Fair should be fair though, the onset of heat made the Winglord a less then brilliant player. Gesturing around them he smiled ferally and cooked his head to listen to the soft singing of the old, old crystals. “This is a place of peace, of romance and contemplation… its yours to use, Optronix, it is the Warlord and his bond mate’s place of privacy. If you wish it so it will be yours for as long as you need a place to be alone…” It would hurt not to be able to find peace in here but he could endure, Optronix likely needed it more than he did.

“Oh… Maybe… maybe sometime we can play? Not tonight, it’s kind of late… But later?” Optronix offered shyly, clasping his hands nervously over his torso. It would be fun to have someone to play with even if it wasn’t Elita. He shook his head at the offer though, saying, “I would probably get lost if I tried to come here on my own… And I’m, um, kind of a little… uncomfortable with the mechainsects that feed on some types of crystals.” The last was said in a rush, and Optronix ducked his head in mortification. It was something childish; irrational… he’d never even told Omega Alpha that. The pests were just so… creepy! Even if they did polish the crystals, make them look all the more beautiful… The idea of being around them by himself was not a happy one.

“Fear is nothing to be ashamed of…” Megatron reached out and tilted Optronix head back till their optics met. “It is one of the first lessons we are taught, fear is a tool… recognizing it for what it is and accepting that we are not perfect, that fear is necessary to survive.” Smiling he let go again and took one of the carved game pieces, turning it over in his claws. “I would be happy to play with you… and happy to go with you here whenever you feel like you need a little peace.”

Optronix smiled a little, cheeks unusually warm. Of course that was true… but it was nice to hear it. Shyly, he moved closer to the warlord and took his hand, tangling their fingers together. It was unfair that his feelings kept going up and down so drastically regarding this mech… it was just so hard for them not to! He wanted certain things but he also had a responsibility to his Citystate and Megatron was TRYING… It was stupid and unbearably selfish to cling to the thought of his secret admirer in the face of those facts. “Um… are, do you have any time free tomorrow? I t-think I might like to come back then… if it’s okay?”

“I will always have time for you, Optronix.” Which was true, unless the Citystate was facing a war but in that case, or at least he hoped so, Optronix would be at his side. He knew that his Intended was a very capable fighter, he had read the reports and… “If you would join me at the training arena before dark fall, we could take our evening fuel here? Play a game or just enjoy the crystals…” The idea of Optronix watching him fight was a good one, arousing though not nearly as dangerous as the other way around.

“That sounds good,” Optronix replied, already planning his day around the meeting. It would be good to watch the mech in action, and maybe if they spent more time together, he would be able to let go of the mech he had never even met… Optronix wrapped his other arm around Megatron’s much larger one, effectively hugging the appendage although he was careful to make sure he wasn’t pushing too far with the action. “I haven’t really got a whole lot to do, so I’ll probably be by early and loiter for a while…”

Perfect! “That is quite alright, I do not mind having an audience while I train.” Not that he could avoid having one and this particular mech… yes, he would make sure to perform well for his Intended! In Kaon the act of shadow fighting had brought with it a discipline known as shadow dancing… and that in turn had spawned a type of interfacing foreplay that he hoped to teach Optronix. And there his processor went again… huffing gently he smiled and locked down his response to the warm chassis pressing closer.

Optronix smiled wider at the permission, relaxing further as they continued down the path for only the gods knew where. It was completely instinctual to lift his pede when Scorponok came racing by a bit later, Scavenger hot on its tail, allowing them both to pass by without a second thought. At least his pet had made a friend… that was important, it really was. Even when it was losing to its larger kin, it was still happy… always happy now that it wasn’t so alone. The rest of the evening was spent clinging to Megatron’s arm and, in nearly equal parts, looking at the crystals and watching their drones at play, never seeming to get tired, either physically or of each other… It was only as they headed back inside and toward his rooms that Optronix allowed himself to wonder if he and Megatron would be able to be like that someday. If he thought about it too long, he would probably ask like the fool he was, and that was no good at all.

“Here we are…” Megatron hesitated; this was the first time they had been together where he had seen some of the mech had gotten to know by letter. To be completely honest he did not want it to end yet… Gently tilting Optronix’ head back and captured his dermas in a kiss, this time he kept it chaste even if it almost required violence to keep it so. Resting his forehead against the smaller mech’s he huffed and spoke softly, “I will not lie to you, Optronix, but there are things I can not tell you yet… but soon, very soon.” Stealing another kiss, just to torture himself, he broke away and gave his good recharge wishes. It felt, just a little bit, like cowardice… not that he had any choice Oracle or not Optronix had to be right for Kaon as well as for him.

Optronix bid his mate-to-be a good recharge, smiling in amusement and a little awe at his pet’s daring when the little drone leapt onto Megatron’s shoulder to nuzzle Scavenger in what must have been their version of the same parting before returning to him. He waited until he was safely locked away in his berth room before touching his fingers to his lip components, a strange, giddy smile spreading them as he remembered the kisses shared that evening. Even the reminder that the warlord was still not telling him everything couldn’t put a damper on the young noble’s mood as he pulled out one of the datapads he had been given upon arrival (good so it was no surprise that Megatron liked them, really) and settled onto his berth to read with Scorponok sprawled over his torso.

----

He wasn’t sure when he finally allowed recharge to claim him but it was much later than usual when Optronix came out of recharge the next orn; he could hear Scorponok scurrying around on the floor, probably playing with one of his toys, and the distant ruckus that could usually be heard from the courtyard below sounded like a full-on battle instead. The red and blue mech sat up and was rewarded with an immediate chirp of excitement and an impressive tackle from his drone, growing mandibles rubbing his chest and cheeks lovingly as he steadied himself.
“Good to see you up and about, too, Scorp’,” he teased, earning a light nip before the drone pulled back and scampered back off the berth to collect his toy, then stopped pointedly in front of the door. Someone was hungry today, Optronix mused when he stood up and Scorponok’s tail started wagging erratically. The drone barely waited for the door to open halfway before darting out and looking around before scaling the red and blue noble and chattering happily in whatever language drones used all the way to the dining hall, and only stopped to gorge itself on energon before starting right back up again. Almost like it was telling him all the stuff it wanted to do today… Once they had refueled, Scorponok took it upon itself to lead them to… wherever.
Wherever turned out to be the throne room, where it proceeded to engage Scavenger in play battle, leaving Optronix flustered in the presence of his Intended far sooner than he had been expecting to be. Thankfully, it seemed no one was meeting with the Warlord right then, or else he was sure he would have been mortified right into deactivation as he mumbled a greeting toward the floor between his pedes.

Megatron had been reading reports from his estate, mainly concerned with the new find, Scavenger lying complacent in his lap. Normal enough for a day without any major crisis, he did know how to delegate and how to keep an optic on those he delegated to… no one mech could directly control an entire Citystate alone. Suddenly his drone made a happy gurgle and wiggled out of his lap to meet with a much smaller and much sleeker one. “Well, hello there… hello, Optronix, what brings you here?” Not that he minded being disturbed, the reports could wait a little, mainly they had just confirmed his, and his scientists’, suspicions.

“Scorponok,” the younger mech answered simply, shrugging as his optics flitted over to the drones rolling around on the floor. “I don’t really have anything to do today and he apparently decided they had been apart quite long enough, so he led me here…” Optronix smiled sheepishly and moved closer to Megatron. “We’re not interrupting anything, I hope? It wasn’t my intention to just barge in on you…”

“No… I was merely reading some reports. Have you refueled? Yes, of course you have…” Megatron dismissed the question, putting his pads down and rising from the throne. Taking Optronix by the shoulder he lead him into the council chamber, a far more welcoming and intimate room then the throne room. As always there were carafes of energon and trays of treats ready in case something came up that needed discussion in relative privacy. Taking a tray Megatron lead the way past the full council table to a niche where a smaller table stood, one with three chairs. The very table Starscream, Soundwave and he had sat at not so long ago. “This is the council chamber… it’s also called the informal meeting room because I often use it to meet with Starscream and Sawbeak… that’s Tyger Pax’ grand councilor, also a good friend of mine, thanks to Soundwave’s mate.” And he was blabbering.

Optronix was properly impressed with the room, and with Megatron’s collection of friends, although it didn’t escape his notice that he was once again alone with his soon-to-be-bondmate… He only hesitated for a click before taking the seat closer to Megatron’s though, smiling softly at the larger mech. “Really? What’s he like?” the young noble asked. He knew only one multi-changer and that was Soundwave’s mate, although he had seen a few others around the palace, and they had never actually talked… “They’re not really crazy like some people think, right? The ones that I’ve seen here, they don’t seem any more unstable than anyone else…”

“No… they are not. They just have a very unique way of seeing things. It is a part of their dedication to Quintessa and… it is very complicated. I am not even fully sure I have understood it, possibly it would be better if you talked to Sixshot or one of the other multie-changers about it.” Megatron shrugged and smiled a little sheepishly. “As for Sawbeak, he is a leader though and though but a very interesting mech. He is also in a very stable triad, with two of the sweetest little mechs I have ever met.”

Optronix flushed a little when he realized how unspecific he had been with that question, but Megatron seemed to understand anyway so he didn’t try to make a scene out of correcting himself. “I think I will do that, when I can find one who isn’t busy…” he said with a nod, more than willing to keep the conversation running smoothly. “Will he and his bondmates be in attendance of th– our ceremony?” Our… the thought was still foreign, but Optronix thought he could come to accept it.

“If they have… successes in creating the triad bond they will undoubtedly. I am quite looking forward to meet that little Kalisian Soundwave spoke so highly about.” Megatron smiled with relief, Optronix was trying to accept the situation he was in and doing a very good job of it too. He owed it to the mech to try for something of a friendship… “He was a very accomplished singer, sang at the concert that your university arrange for Soundwave?”

Optronix blinked and tried to remember who all had performed before the word Kalisian clicked. “Blaster?” Now there was a tale for the relatives… ‘I moved to Iacon and got swept off my pedes by a couple of Kaonites!’ And he thought HIS life was weird right now… “Huh… So I guess it was true, that rumor going around about Senator Soundwave showing favoritism toward him…”

“Yes I believe he is called Blaster? He did have a wonderful voice and he managed to give a performance that could rival that of our own best musicians. It was quite impressive.” Megatron smiled at the comment, shaking his head slightly. “I doubt he did anything other than seek out and talk to the mech, Soundwave told me he has seldom been so at ease with someone as he was with this young Kalisian… extraordinary.”

“Lucky Blaster. That performance was made up almost entirely of volunteers who would have done just about anything to get some one-on-one time with Soundwave.” It was rather surprising just how many desired a partner from outside their borders… Optronix wasn’t so naïve to think that there weren’t mechs who wanted to be with him just for power, but in the short time that the Kaonites had been in Iacon, they had developed quite a fanbase.
Optronix shifted a little, and made himself comfortable; he folded his arms on the table to pillow his head on, comparatively short legs stretching out under the table until he accidentally kicked Megatron. “Sorry. Keep forgetting how… big you are,” he mumbled sheepishly.

“Don’t think of it…” Megatron waved off the apology and hid the spike of amusement the comment had coxed fourth. “Soundwave is a music lover and he was very impressed with all of them, but Blaster… the song he performed with, it has a very special meaning to us. It’s called ‘Rebirth of Honor’ and it is about our faith in the gods and the goddess, and about the founder of Kaon.” Taking a piece of candy he shrugged lightly, smiling at the image his mate-to-be made. “We are not often credited with a liking for finer arts but in fact we lover anything that is beautiful.”

Anything that was beautiful, huh? It made sense, really, because it seemed like utter nonsense to only think about being a warrior all the time… “What kind of art do you like?” Optronix found himself asking. He wasn’t BAD at making things, and it was, if not Kaonite custom, Iaconian custom to give your bondmate a homemade gift during the bonding ceremony, so he could make something that, hopefully, Megatron would like…

“That’s a hard question… I admire all art forms; the act of creating is something I find very admirable.” Pausing his dermas in thought he reached down and scooped up Scorponok and Scavenger. “I think… painting, weaving and those beautiful delicate things the art smiths make?” automatically petting the two drones he put a slightly questioning note on the last mentioned. He wasn’t sure that Iacon had art smiths.

Well, there went the hope of getting a specific answer… Optronix nodded though. “We have some weavers and painters, fine lace makers and such. Not many though, unfortunately; a lot of that type of art comes from outside, so it’s an uncommon thing that most Iaconians don’t get a chance to experience. Iaconians are more familiar with sculpting, molding… that kind of thing.” He shrugged as well as he could while in his current position, smiling as an old memory resurfaced. “It’s a real shame because if there was ever an art I wanted to learn, weaving would be it. I had a kit once, when I was little… premade parts that you’re supposed to connect together? Made my very first turbofox wall hanging all on my own. My carrier was proud enough that he took me to see live turbofoxes, even though I got the audio enhancers on wrong so they faced inward like this,” Optronix demonstrated with his hands, curving them inward over his finials, “instead of forward and out.”

“We actually have a lot of artists… learning a skill different form fighting is the norm rather than the oddity. Scholar, weaver, blender… it is why we were such a feared people. If you invade Kaon every mech, youngling and even sparkling will know how to wield a weapon against you and sometimes you won’t even know the weapon is a weapon.” Shrugging lightly Megatron quirked a grin and tickled the smaller drone on its exposed abdominal plates. “I can arrange for you to have classes? Even though you will be expected to join me, and I would like you to want to, in leading you will still have free time for yourself…”

“That almost makes you sound homicidal,” Optronix mumbled, though he could definitely see the logic. Just because you couldn’t wield a weapon didn’t mean you couldn’t die from one… He watched Megatron playing with the drones and couldn’t help imagining them to be sparklings, clicking and giggling happily as their Creator tickled them… And immediately pushing the thought aside. Now was not the time to be thinking such things. They weren’t even bonded yet! Although sparklings would be inevitable… Gah. “I would like to, after everything has settled down a little…” Optronix lifted his head to prop it in his hands, sighing wistfully at the thought of learning a new craft. He had the chance to do so much, all because of Megatron, and he really should show a bit more gratitude than he had been…

Throwing his head back Megatron laughed heartily, Optronix had such a way with words. “Yes, yes I suppose you could say that… a bit of a different ideology from Iaconians, hum? It probably stemmed from the fact that this Citystate started out small in what was considered to be ‘poor’ country… of course that was before we figured out how to harvest coralite, grow Corax crystals and mechvines.” Shrugging he turned to the rest of what his Intended had said. “Things will settle quickly enough and I will make sure to remember your wish. Really, Optronix, so far you have made very little fuzz… it would be my pleasure to do something for you that I knew for certain you would like.”

Optronix smiled despite himself. Megatron had such a nice, full laugh… “Quite different, yes, but logical enough. And you haven’t given me much of anything to make a fuss over,” he said, reaching over to take one of Megatron’s hands. If nothing else, the contact with the mech was nice. Soothing, and warm… “While we’re on the subject of things I’d like, though… D’you think, sometime, we can go shopping or something? Not right now, not even before the bonding or anything if there’s no time, I’d just really like to see more of Kaon in a less businesslike manner.”

“Yes, we can… but for safety reasons it would be better to wait till after the ceremony or… we could also attend the market at my estate? I believe my people would be very eager to meet you, my family have always prided themselves in keeping a close relationship with the ‘commoners’ under our care.” Megatron had never much cared for the distinction between noble and commoner, even if he could understand and use it in his leading… he had always attempted to make the gap as small as practically possible.

“Anywhere’s fine. I guess I just want to get out for a while and, well, SEE stuff. It’d be kind of pointless to try and help you if I don’t even know the state of things…” Optronix laid his head back down on the hand not holding Megatron’s, wondering silently at how much smaller his blunt digits were compared to the warlord’s own clawed appendages. How much smaller the rest of him would be… The young noble felt his faceplates heat even as he pushed the thought away. Primus, what was up with him today? His thoughts were going places he really wished they wouldn’t… “Um…” What to talk about… what was safe? “Is, um, are my friends… will they be allowed to come to the bonding ceremony? I don’t know how it’s done here, but in Iacon, friends and family are typically invited, so I was just wondering…”

“Do you want them at the ceremony or the return feast?” Megatron asked idly, half planning on what to show Optronix and half paying attention to the drones in his lap and the slim blue hand resting so naturally in his. There were several smaller villages on his lands and of course the large town where his own estate house resided… they should take a journey though the estate at some point soon after their bonding, if they did bond. What a sobering thought… “I would not mind them at either one but the return feast would give you more time with them?”

“Can they be at both? I mean, Ratchet and Wheeljack have never been to a bonding ceremony, and Elita and Firestar never actually had one for their bonding, but I’d really like to spend time with them, too…” Optronix bit his derma. He didn’t want to take advantage of Megatron, but he couldn’t help but feel like he should try to push for every opportunity that he could; they didn’t even live in the same Citystate anymore, and he missed them so, so much…

“If that is your wish, so it shall be.” Megatron murmured and huffed quietly, it wasn’t like it would be any hardship to bring a few young mechs here… Optronix had never lacked money but he apparently didn’t quite understand that he now had the where withdrawal for quite a bit of self-indulgence… and that was ‘just’ his private credit allowance. He wasn’t a minor noble anymore! Or at least not for very long… Oh well, he would learn and adjust his expectation as to what could and could not be done. Were long ago Kaon had started as a poor Citystate eons of conquering, good management and knowledgeable leaders had made it prosperous and quite a bit larger than most others…

Optronix smiled, sitting up so he could lean closer to his mate-to-be in excitement. “Really? You won’t mind or anything?” It was kind of embarrassing, how thrilled he was, but Optronix really couldn’t say he cared just then. He wanted to see his friends again, and Megatron was allowing, even encouraging it… The warlord didn’t seem at all inclined to cage him – in fact, he seemed to really only want Optronix’s happiness despite the lack of consent for this entire situation. “If you’re sure it’s okay…”

“I am sure… really, it is not a problem to arrange it at all.” Adorable and a little annoying, but Megatron knew the reason for his Intended’s nerves. All of this was tradition and felt utterly unnecessary, but he would observe tradition in an effort to make it easier for Optronix to be integrated among the Kaon nobles and commoners. “I think that I would like to meet them in a less strained fashion too… they seemed to be nice, the bonded couple I saw.” They had looked bonded even if he very well knew they weren’t.

“Bonded?” He had only seen… “Oh! They’re… They’re not. Wheeljack and Ratchet… Primus, I wish they were! They would be so much happier if only they would stop being so slagging stupid all the time!” Optronix about snarled, familiar frustration welling in him as he remembered that particular aspect of two of his closest friends. Odd how he had completely forgotten that Megatron didn’t already know that… “They’ve been dancing around each other for AGES, but Ratchet always finds a reason to back out at the last fragging astrosecond, and its sending mixed signals to Wheeljack, who’d do ANYTHING for even a breem of affection from Ratchet… And when he gets awkward, it makes Ratch’ even MORE awkward and it just… arg!”

“Ever considered locking them in a supply closet?” Leaning his elbow joint on the chairs armrest he supported his head with his free hand, idly stroking Optronix hand and wrist with the claws of the still captured one. Scorponok was now more or less cocooned by Scavenger, the letter chirring softly and licking at the smaller drone’s mandibles. It was so unfair of him to use that particular scenario but… so tempting. Optronix was cute all frustrated and angry, worry for his friends shining bright in his beautiful cerulean optics.

Optronix opened his mouth to answer, then paused, suspicious. Almost as soon as the suspicion came, it was pushed aside. Just because Megatron did and said so many similar things… Who in their right mind WOULDN’T think of locking them up together so they had no choice but to sort things out? There was no reason, no actual proof, for the thing he wanted so badly to accuse Megatron of. It just wasn’t possible, because wouldn’t he have said something? Long before now, if he were as true in his statements of desiring Optronix’s happiness and ensuring his affections… The young noble shrugged, dismissing his wishful thinking and getting back to the conversation he had probably let sit just a little too long. “It was… an idea. Probably the only thing that will get through Ratchet’s dense cranial unit…”

“Younglings… well, young mechs anyway.” Megatron smiled and huffed lightly. He had skirted the edge and managed not to fall, he still wouldn’t lie if Optronix asked him outright. “Tell me, is there anything about Kaon you would like to know that haven’t been covered in your briefings and classes up till now?” Kaon was a much safer subject; there he was expected to have knowledge…

Optronix shook his head, venting a frustrated sigh as he laid his head down again, drawing Megatron’s hand over so he could cover his optics and block the light out with it. He was doing well, pushing aside how much he WISHED… but it was draining, and he just wanted to get bonded already so he could put it all behind him for good. No more hope, no more wishful thinking… he’d be bonded and he could be happy with it, slaggit all! “I never even got to meet him,” he mused sadly, not realizing he’d spoken aloud.

“Your… suitor?” Megatron tensed, he couldn’t help it. He couldn’t help that it was very noticeable in his voice too and almost wished he had simply let the whispered words slide. Optronix was pining for him and he had to observe the rules… that was enough to make anyone growl! In point of fact he knew that past Warlords had done more the growl over this when they had brought in mates from other Citystates.

“Wh–?” Optronix started to ask, but cut himself off as he belatedly realized his slipup. “Oh… Yeah. I’m not going to run away or anything – I wouldn’t know where to start looking for him and this is too important anyway – but… I’m sorry, you don’t want to hear about someone else…” he trailed off, off-kilter processors linking Megatron’s tension to aggravation. Even if he really thought it might help to at least TELL Megatron… “Just… Ever since that first letter and gift, I wanted to meet him. I’m just a little sad since I never got the chance to, I guess.”

“Hum… maybe you will, someday…” Megatron couldn’t quite look at Optronix when he said that. It was almost a lie, not quite but so, so close to one much closer the he wanted to come. “Would it help if you talked about him? I… will listen and I promise not to judge or be angry.” It would be so hard, but his Intended deserved to have the chance of talking about it.

Optronix lifted Megatron’s hand from his optics so he could look up at the warlord. “I…” Oh, he wanted to! Megatron had said he wouldn’t be angry, so he didn’t really have much to fear… “You can just tell me to shut up whenever then, if you really don’t mind… I don’t even know where to begin. He… I don’t know his real designation, or what he looks like, or, well… much of anything, you know, PERSONAL about him. He had already known so much about me by the time I sent my first letter back to him that, I admit, I first thought he was a stalker. But he only ever seemed to want to talk to me, so I figured that if it just stayed that way, it could be alright…” The blue and red mech sighed, remembering all the warm, happy feelings he had experienced when he received a letter or wrote one back.

“Did you love him?” He couldn’t help but ask, morbidly curious about the feelings Optronix held towards this alter ego of his. “No, you don’t have to answer, that was tactless of me… I know that I ripped you from a life you knew and from friends and family. I have explained some of my hum… reasoning. The rest lies in the traditions of Kaon. Taking a mate from outside, it is bound in traditions, a complex cocoon of actions and judgment of reactions. Trust me, Optronix, if I had a choice we would not be sitting here right now and you would have no doubts about me…” Poor young mech, he was talking in riddles again! Megatron huffed and shifted slightly, under much protest from both half recharging drones.

… HAD he? Well… Optronix thought he could have, if he had been able to meet and spend time with the mystery mech… “I liked him a lot,” he settled for, feeling no need to NOT answer since Megatron would soon know one way or another, covering his optics with the warlord’s hand once more. “He had a drone, too, you know. Named Scavenger. Scorponok liked hearing about it, and sent it gifts a couple of times. Chewed on toys, you know? It was really sweet.” It was starting to look like Scorponok had only wanted company, no actual courting involved… but that was okay, because the two drones now occupying Megatron’s lap were utterly adorable together. At least that, if nothing else that happened regarding this situation, was good and made sense. “He’s the one who gave me Scorponok, actually…”

“That is a very thoughtful gift… drones are, well, Kaonite drones are as much companions as they are defenders.” So, there was a chance… IF Optronix forgave him this deception. At least there he could help himself a little. Or rather already had, now that his Intended was somewhat settled and had been meeting and greeting people, he would have more intensive education in Kaonite behavior and traditions. That meant the one about claiming a foreign mate too… the ‘secret admirer’ part was unorthodox but the rest was as it should be. Then all he had to do was hope. “I wish… this could have all been done differently Optro…” Megatron got cut off when a young page barged into the council room and went straight for him. The youngling had a message from Senator Shockwave and much to his dismay he had to excuse himself from Optronix company.

Optronix pouted, but he understood. He was lucky to have gotten this much unplanned time from his Intended… Before Megatron could leave though, the young noble stopped him and gave him a quick hug, reminding the warlord that they were supposed to meet later before letting go again, cheeks aflame with embarrassment. Thankfully, Megatron didn’t get to do much more than state that he had remembered before the page was demanding his attention again.
Long after the tri-colored mech was gone, Optronix felt heat licking at his faceplates; had he been a little too bold? It had seemed like the right thing to do at the time, but without a proper reaction, he was really starting to worry that he had overstepped his boundaries regarding contact between them, whatever those happened to be…

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Despite the abrupt farewell and the slightly strained topic from before that Megatron felt the inopportune ‘date’ had gone well. The feeling lasted the rest of the cycle and the beginning of the dark cycle were they met again. They ended up crystal gazing, and surprisingly gardening, more then they played but it was a pleasant evening. Relaxing… Megatron retired feeling quite pleased with the state of their relationship.
He did not have nearly enough time with Optronix in the orns up to the ceremony, something he apologized for several times… he didn’t much care for making his Intended so lonely, he wished he had some young nobles that weren’t pages at the palace but until now he had had no desire for a ‘proper’ court. About three orns later Barricade returned, reporting that the Iaconians seemed to have settled down after the near ‘botnapping’.

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Barricade was rather pleased with himself, having received the allowance to take time off before, during and after the Ceremony. A little free time would be good right about now, it had been straining to be stationed in such a strange Citystate. He had been unprepared for Megatron actually asking about any potential mate subjects, his stammered answer neither a yes or a no. in fact he was still shocked that the Warlord would even take an interest in such a thing… what with his own coming bonding. He actually had someone in processor, sort of, if the mech would consider a liaison. To Kaonites the rank before a bonding wasn’t so important but the beautiful blue mech had earned his way to Iacon’s university and from his statements might resent Barricade on his title alone…

It was pure luck to have caught sight of Ambassador Barricade as he left the throne room, clearly lost in thought after his meeting with Megatron, but even that small glance of the mech had roused a need to talk to him, to ask that one small favor… Optronix was on his pedes in an instant, cradling a startled Scorponok to his chest as he chased after the mech. His original plan of waiting until Megatron had a free moment so they could maybe talk a bit more was going to have to be put aside, no matter how much Scorponok wished otherwise. “Ambassador Barricade!” he called as he hurried after the black Kaonite, trying to be discreet even though he was all but outright yelling to get the other’s attention.

Ambassador? Technically he had functioned as an ambassador but everyone in Kaon either used his name or his proper title. Which meant that it wasn’t a Kaonite speaking to him… Turning around he smiled calmly and sketched a bow. “Technically my title is Spymaster, Master Optronix, but I function as whatever the Warlord wishes me to.”

Optronix smiled sheepishly as he came to a stop a couple of steps away from the Amba– Spymaster. “Okay, Spymaster. Are you busy right now?” Optronix tried not to think about the fact that even if Barricade WASN’T busy, he might not deliver the message. But it was important… He wanted to at least give a proper good-bye…

“No, I won’t be busy for quite some time now that my ambassadorial stint is over. What can I do to help you?” Barricade had a glimmer of an idea as to why the youngling, young mech, had stopped him. Frankly he wasn’t sure what to say or do if he was correct. He wasn’t allowed to tell Optronix anything much at all… most certainly not confirm anything about the letters or… well anything.

“I, um…” Optronix let Scorponok clamber up onto his shoulder and glanced around to make sure they weren’t being listened in on. “I don’t know if it was you or Senator Soundwave, and I know you’re probably going to say no and I understand, but I, I HAVE to ask… Could you please… just take whoever the mech was just one more letter? You don’t have to tell me anything, I won’t even ask you to tell me if you deliver the letter or not, just let me write it and give it to you so I can think I at least got to say good bye. Please?” He was unashamedly pleading, but the noble didn’t care; he would have gotten on his knees if it meant Barricade would say yes.

That was unexpected. Barricade hesitated, he had expected questions maybe even demands for the mystery mech’s name or whereabouts. To be asked to be mailmech again… well, the Warlord would be intrigued or at least he thought so. Looking around he waved the young mech into a side room. “I will do it, one time, one letter!”

Optronix about sagged in relief. “Thank you, thank you so much, you have no idea how much this means to me…” he said, fumbling through his subspace for the datapad he always kept on him these days. He usually ended up taking notes from some meeting or another so it had become habit… He made a triumphant sound when he found it, and sat down at the nearby table in the hopes that the sturdy surface would make up, at least a little bit, for the way his hands were shaking as he wrote out each glyph urgently.

He almost told him that there was no need to hurry so much, then he thought better of it. Barricade positioned himself by the door and thoughtfully watched the young mech write. It was not his place to criticize the Warlord but… not that it was really Megatron’s fault, traditions weighed heavily on the Warlord and so they were forced to weigh heavily on Optronix.

It was a short letter, compared to some of their previous ones. It was just an apology for not writing sooner and an expressed sorrow over the fact that they never got to meet, followed by several thank yous for all the happy memories and gifts he had been given and a wish for a good future with a mate who could give him what he needed. He added, as an afterthought, how upset he had been in the beginning over being practically botnapped by Warlord Megatron, but that he now felt he could come to love the mech, someday. What he didn’t say was that he thought he might have loved his admirer. That would have just made things harder… Optronix finished the letter with a simple wish to meet the mech someday, if he would allow it; even if they could never see what might have come from their letters, he wanted to be friends and have someone who he could talk to so freely as they had. With that, he saved the file and shut off the pad, passing it over to waiting Kaonite with another gratitude filled, “Thank you so much, Barricade.”

“It is no hardship, Master Optronix…” Barricade hesitated after accepting the datapad. Reaching out to touch the young mech’s shoulder armor he smiled a little nervously. “You know, things are not always what they seem? The Warlord… he has been searching for you for so long. Give him a chance and he’ll be everything you ever dreamed off.” Turning he hurried off before he risked saying something, anything, more then he should.

What was that supposed to mean? Optronix frowned when the Kaonite rushed away but didn’t give chase. He merely absently nuzzled Scorponok when the drone pressed against his helm, and also left the room. Barricade was nowhere in sight to either direction of the hall when he came out, but that wasn’t unexpected. As he made his way through the halls, the young noble checked his chronometer, wondering when the next chance he would be able to speak to his Intended would be. Probably not until evening refuel, if even then… And he was kind of nervous about seeing him now. He didn’t want to be the one to tell Megatron what he’d done, even if, technically, he hadn’t done anything wrong. He didn’t think, anyway… Optronix huffed and turned in the direction of his rooms. He and Scorponok could just play in there for a while, where he wouldn’t be getting under pede or in trouble or both.

Barricade didn’t deliver the letter till much later in the orn, making sure that Optronix wouldn’t correlate anything that happened, anything he might see with the errant he had sent him on. He was a little nervous but that proved to be unnecessary… in fact it seemed that the Warlord had expected this to happen. He was dismissed almost at once and retreated to his quarters, trying not to speculate about the contents of the letter.

It was a very thoughtful Megatron who put the letter down, it had been a surprising read really. He had expected a certain amount of procrastination and possibly some blubbering, neither was present. Instead Optronix went strait for the core, told of his feelings and impressions and even apologized for things he had no control over. It was on the edge of being painful, the warlord couldn’t quite decide if it was a good or a bad kind of pain…

Feeling a fair bit like a coward, Optronix avoided his Intended for the next couple of orns, unsure of what to say since he knew his horrible lying skills would not be able to save him from NOT saying anything. Eventually, though, he somehow managed to steel his resolve and ask one of the pages where the warlord was, thanking the young mech when he was directed to the garden. Perhaps the subject wouldn’t even come up at all, and they could just relax for whatever time Megatron had free until the next meeting he had to tend to… Megatron wasn’t immediately visible among the crystals so the red and blue mech called out to him, hoping he hadn’t already left to do more work.

“Here!” Megatron was standing in the very back, the oldest part, of the garden. The softly glowing crystals here were almost all blue, the one in front of him a particular shade that reminded him of Optronix optics when the mech was interested in or happy about something. He wasn’t sure what to do about the letter, or about the fact that Optronix had obviously been avoiding him… Scavenger had no such troubles, dashing off towards the approaching mech and drone with gleeful little chirrups.

Optronix moved toward where the warlord’s voice originated and smiled when Scorponok rushed to tackle Scavenger, clicking and nuzzling the larger drone happily as Optronix continued by them. Hesitantly, the younger mech sidled up next to his mate-to-be and took one of the large, clawed hands between both of his own and tangled their fingers together, face plates warm with embarrassment and a little shame that he tried to convince himself he had no reason to feel. “Hi…” he mumbled sheepishly.

A faint smile quirked the corners of his dermas and Megatron looked to the side and down on the top of Optronix helmet. “You have been hard to find… have I done something to displease you?” Keeping his voice low and soft he tried to convey that he did not mind the other’s action but simply wanted to know that he, or his actions, was not the reason. Tightening his hand he huffed almost silently.

Ducking his head even further between his shoulders, Optronix guiltily said, “No, you didn’t…” So much for getting away with not explaining, but it would be even worse, he thought, to leave Megatron thinking he had done something wrong when he hadn’t. “I… I saw Ambass– ah, Spymaster Barricade a couple of orns ago…”

“You don’t have to explain anything, I merely wanted to make sure I hadn’t caused a rift…” Megatron turned and used his free hand to tilt back the smaller mech’s helmet. He had all sorts of good intentions, all sorts of explanations as to why he shouldn’t… Of course upon seeing the distress and nervousness on Optronix face plates made everyone of them dry up and blow away. Leaning down he brushed his dermas against the slightly parted ones, lingered and…

Of course; Barricade had probably told him already. Why wouldn’t he? Optronix almost voiced this when his face was tipped up to look at his Intended, and he mewled in surprise when warm dermas covered his own. He didn’t even have time to think of how this was so not how he had planned for things to go before his dermas were pressing back, one hand coming up to curl around the one holding his chin. It was so much better than the awkward conversation he had expected, anyway… Oh, Primus… The blue and red mech moved blindly, head angling slightly more to the side as warmth spread through his chassis; his hand slid down to Megatron’s elbow joint, then up to his shoulder as they seemed to move completely naturally to fit together as chest-to-chest as size allowed.

Unicron’s claw! The spark between them ignited and caused the simple gesture of affection to become so much more… Megatron couldn’t stop and it did not seem like his Intended was capable of it either. His hand slid from chin plating to neck, to shoulder… kneading armor, cables and tubing restlessly. Optronix fit against him so perfectly, so willingly that he could find no fault in continuing his conquering of the small warm mouth.

Optronix mewled and whimpered as his mouth was plundered by the larger mech. He was really starting to see the appeal in doing this more often… Of their own accord, both of his arms wound themselves around Megatron’s neck so he had better leverage to press against the warlord, and the feel of all those pointed bits of armor scraping against his own made the young Iaconian moan outright and arch helplessly in an effort to get more of the wonderful friction.

So perfect… too much! With a growl of denial Megatron pulled away, pushing Optronix back as gently as he could. “We have to stop!” The words came out in a furious bark, frustration and longing given voice. The smaller mech looked both dazed and shocked, red and blue armor hot were his claws rested. “Sorry… I am sorry, Optronix, we… we can’t… it’s too soon.”

Panting heavily through his emergency intakes, Optronix gave coherent thought a chance to return, although he wanted nothing more than to demand that no, they DIDN’T have to stop, so Megatron had BETTER get his aft back over here and kiss him some more… He licked his dermas a little and nodded once he could think again, managing a meek apology for not being able to control himself. He couldn’t help it if it felt so good!
After a breem or two of awkward silence, Optronix gently tugged on Megatron’s hands until they fell from his shoulders and then stepped forward again to hug the mech. It was a totally platonic gesture this time; he just wanted to feel his Intended’s warmth, even if he couldn’t have the passion his body still insisted it wanted…

A dry chuckle escaped the larger mech as he loosely clasped Optronix to himself. “You have nothing to apologize for! I should have known I couldn’t keep it innocent…” Yeah, he should have and yet he wanted to do it again, take it further, never stop. It wasn’t fair to his Intended though, not when he didn’t know the truth. Optronix might yet refuse him, might yet regret something like giving him his innocence. Megatron tightened his grip and purred at the feel of the smaller chassis. “It won’t be for long yet… less than nine orns.”

Only nine orns? Strangely, that seemed like forever now, and he’d never felt particularly inclined to do anything… intimate with anyone before. Optronix vented a sigh and snuggled closer to Megatron, arms tightening around the red and gray torso as though contact alone would soothe the ache in his spark. It worked pretty well, surprisingly, although the implication of what they would soon be doing made it difficult to keep from trying what few techniques he knew about on Megatron to entice him to go further anyway… “I guess that’s not so bad. I didn’t expect to really… um, want to, but now…”

“It won’t be too bad…” ‘I hope.’ Silently adding this in his processor Megatron barely kept his own frustrated desire in check. Optronix was willing, eager even… professing this as innocent as any other young mech. It really wasn’t fair! He would have gladly shown the mech all about physical pleasure had it not been for the fact that he wanted Optronix to choose him, to forgive him for his deceit. It would likely not help to point out that it had all been done for his own protection… slag it! “I would love to show you… teach you, love to do it this instants! But we have to be patient, you have to know certain things before you can truly make your choice… things that cannot be told yet.”

Optronix pouted. He knew all that already! That didn’t make it any easier… “Well then, if for no other reason than I am absolutely sick of being in the dark about… whatever it is, I wish time would speed up to the time where you can explain all of this to me,” he grumbled, glaring at nothing in particular. He didn’t care if he sounded like a youngling not getting his way; he wanted to know! The more Megatron said he couldn’t know yet, the more he wanted to just shake the larger mech until he caved and told him what the big secret was.

“I am in agreement, lovely one, more then you know.” The ‘suspense’ was just about killing him in point of fact. Megatron did not like uncertainties; they had a habit of leading to unforeseen consequences… He could have chosen not to court Optronix as he had, but he did not believe that would have been better. Even now he was aware that the knowledge his Intended had gained, of him and of Kaon, though their letters helped him. For that alone it had been worth it! He even suspected that the young mech was on the brink of guessing… “I feel I have ended so much for you… I only hope I can be as much of a beginning as I have been an end.”

Optronix was leaning up to kiss the warlord again before he’d properly thought about it, and whined a little when he pulled back after a short peck. Primus… temptation was never an easy thing to resist, but it seemed a thousand times worse when the results of giving in felt so good…! The young noble decided to make temptation a little harder to listen to by turning around so they were back to chest and laced his fingers over Megatron’s long claws. “We’ll know soon enough, I hope… What d’you think it will be like, Megatron? After we’ve bonded and everything…”

“I hope it will be… I hope you will be happy, that you will consent to be my co-ruler as well as my bond mate. There are a lot of things I hope, for you, for me and for us.” Megatron didn’t dare come with predictions, well aware that he was skirting the edge of discovery. It was his luck that Optronix was so distracted or he would probably have given it all away with that slag… what was it about this mech that made him so poetic? At least less pragmatic and rather more of a love struck fool then he normally was.

Another one of those slagging answers-that-weren’t-really-answers! Optronix was sure he could have spit acid enough to make lacework out of a sheet of metal… Except that it felt good just being in Megatron’s arms and he wanted this to work out and he liked what little contact he could get from his eventual bondmate and… Primus, he was such a pushover. He SHOULD have been demanding information, SOME form of explanation for what was going on! The Iaconian huffed and tightened his hold on Megatron’s hands and wrapping them tighter about himself. “You make it terribly difficult to make conversation sometimes,” he told the larger mech grumpily.

“I know… I…” Megatron stopped before saying ‘wish’, Optronix did not need to know what he wished. The mech deserved some sort of certainty, deserved something that could be given in full! If only he knew what to give… A chirr was issued from some were in the garden, interrupting his thoughts with its tone. That surprised him, he had realized that Scavenger was interested in Optronix’ drone and that it was at least partially matched by the smaller drone , but…? “Come… I think, I think someone decided that waiting is a bad idea.” Urging Optronix with him he walked quietly towards the corner the two drones always ended up in.

“Always changing the subject, too,” Optronix huffed, but there was no real force behind his words. He was far too curious about what Megatron was talking about to let his irritation take the lead for long. Once they came upon their drones though, the warlord’s words made much more sense, and realization was quickly followed by mortification and despite not actually… SEEING anything, Optronix covered his optics with a faint, “Oh, Primus…”

Scorponok was mostly covered by the larger spikier Scavenger, the small drone on its back and not protesting it in the least. There was nothing to see though the sounds and movements made it rather obvious what was going on. Megatron pulled Optronix back as quietly as he could, only just keeping a chuckle back. “They are largely monogamous, lovely one, unless some other drone manages to beat Scavenger in a fight they will stay together and tend to their offspring together… you should consider if a few of your friends might want a drone though.”

“I can never, EVER unsee what I just saw,” Optronix bemoaned, refusing to uncover his optics even as they moved away and the sounds of their very… enthusiastic drones faded. “And I didn’t even really see anything! But the mental images, I so could have done without…” Optronix didn’t dare admit it, but even though he really DIDN’T need to imagine Scavenger pounding his little drone senseless, he was kind of, in a really pitiable way, a little jealous because Scorponok and Scavenger had no such hang-ups about interfacing each other silly as Megatron did about ‘facing HIM…

“You are probably going to see it a lot now that Scorponok have submitted, I didn’t think he would so soon…” No, he was honestly surprised if happily so. Now there was one more thing to bind Optronix to him. Megatron almost immediately felt shameful for having such a thought, it was beneath him and most certainly not something the smaller mech deserved!

Optronix groaned, NOT amused by this turn of events. “They better not do it in our berth or anything,” he said finally, not really thinking about the fact that he was implying they would actually SHARE a berth. They weren’t obligated to, but it seemed inevitable, natural, that they would…

“We are far more likely to walk in on a sparking then on them interfacing, Optronix, they are very private creatures despite the fact that they allowed us near. Had we been anyone but their bonded we would have likely needed a medic for bite wounds.” Amusement colored Megatron’s tone, as well as something of a wistful one. The holy triad be his witness he wanted to share his berth with Optronix, and it wasn’t only the interfacing he was dreaming about! “On the other hand they prefer to present their bonded with the offspring in a safe and somewhat private place… unusually the berth room and usually the berth. My creators… their drones had formed a pair and Scavenger was from one of their last litters, proudly delivered in the middle of the dark cycle and more or less on top of my Carrier.”

Optronix uncovered his optics at that, but only to stare at Megatron incredulously. “Really? That must have been interesting to come online to…” he said, trying not to imagine Scorponok having a litter on his torso. Instead, he found himself wondering why Megatron hadn’t mentioned his Creator and Carrier before. He asked shyly, carefully, not wanting to upset the red and black mech if it turned out that they were similar in that aspect as well.

“I am sure it was…” Huffing quietly Megatron smiled, a faint sad smile, before focusing back on his Intended. “They are… gone, returned to the Well of Allsparks long ago I fear. Such is the nature of life, I hope it will be kinder to us, I would very much like to have many eons to spend in your company, lovely one.”

“Oh… Sorry…” Optronix scooted closer to his Intended, arms curling around the mech apologetically even though, logically, he had nothing to apologize for. “Mine too.” Completely understandable, especially given the warlord’s age that something would have happened to his makers at some point in their long lives… Just a coincidence that his old suitor’s Creator and Carrier were also no longer functioning… right?

“Don’t be… as I said it is the nature of life, and it was very long ago.” Megatron hugged the smaller mech back, rubbing soothingly at whatever plating happened to be under his claws. “Do you… remember yours? I find that remembering the happy times, the laughter helps, if you wish we could share a few stories?”

Optronix rested his cheek against the warm plates of Megatron’s chest, smiling a little as memories of his makers came unbidden. “I was rather young when they… left, but I remember a lot about them,” he admitted with a nod. “Like the fact that my Carrier couldn’t sing to save his life, but he loved to do it anyway… at the most inopportune moments, too…”

“Heh… my Co-creator tended to sing when using the wash racks, he had trouble controlling his volume.” Humor made the half sad tone in to something almost uplifting. Megatron always liked remembering but it was so much better when someone was there to remember things with him. The exchange of information, on such an intimate level… there were so few he trusted enough for this. “But my Carrier had a beautiful voice; his own Carrier was a Kalisian who moved here when he met his mate.”

“Lucky,” Optronix said with a fond smile for the memory of his makers. “My Creator’s singing wasn’t much better than my Carrier’s…” Sometimes, it was hard to tell who was worse. “They both seemed to think that louder meant better somehow. I never understood it.”

“Maybe there is no explanation… I certainly agree with you.” Nuzzling the finial on the right side of Optronix helmet he huffed gently. “They both had drones, called Merr and Lyrical. Those two were prolific, had sixteen litters… unusual for bonded drones.” He still firmly believed that it had been love, his Creators had always told him so and he preferred to keep that sparkling hood fantasy intact.

“Wow,” the red and blue noble said, awed. SIXTEEN litters? Even at only three or so, that was an impressive amount! And litters tended to be bigger than that most of the time… “What did you do with all the drones? I mean, an average litter is like five, right? So five times sixteen… eighty! Or more…”The very thought was mindboggling for Optronix. Scavenger and Scorponok wouldn’t try for that many, would they? Primus, he hoped not…

“They were highly prized as gifts… and many of them went to the breeding programs. Kaonites almost all have at least one drone. We also trade the Scorponox model across our borders because it is a very prolific species. Only the sterile ones though.” Considering that four out of five was born sterile the species just barely grew a little each vorn and strict control was kept over which one vent were and bred with which other drone. Having non sterile drones were the privilege of the nobles, the only one having the resources to provide what a litter needed to survive, drones were rather expensive when breeding.

“Still a whole lot of drones for one pair, isn’t it? So many little tanks to fill, even spread out as I imagine they were.” Optronix was still trying to wrap his mind around the image of dozens of little Scorponoks running around, but it wasn’t working so well. One was a handful in and of itself! Feeding, cleaning, playing… Not that he regretted receiving Scorponok in the least! Primus, no. Wait… “If you only give sterilized drones to outsiders, then our drones won’t be able to create because wouldn’t that make Scorponok sterile?”

“Scorponok isn’t sterile… Scavenger wouldn’t have displayed this kind of interest in him if he was.” Megatron almost cursed inwardly but kept a firm control over his tone. “And he was a gift, there are different rules for that… besides had you never came to Kaon one fertile drone would have been no problem. Mostly the rule is there for us to be able to control the breeding, as much as we can. They are almost as selective about mates as we are.”

Well, slag. Was it REALLY too much to ask for a definite answer one way or another? Was it too much to ask that he be given unshakeable proof that Megatron was or wasn’t his suitor? Before it drove him crazy… “Aah. There’s still so much about the drones and rules regarding them that I need to learn…” Optronix mused thoughtfully out loud, trying to keep his frustration out of his voice. Oh well. There was bound to be something EVENTUALLY that would provide the answers he so desired!

“I really should have considered that, should I not? Here drones are such a normal thing, I can arrange for you to see a drone breeding facility. The largest one in Kaon is a little way out of the city and they breed all three types… Just remember that you risk coming home with another drone.” There was a reason he had yet to visit the facility, despite his age, a flying drone was the last he needed! Starscream wouldn’t let him hear the end of it… a Felidea model though… maybe. “They are not like the constructed drones of other Citystates and are very selective as well as able to initiate the drone/carrier bond on their own.”

“Another? I thought drones didn’t share owners very well?” Optronix asked, confused. At least, that was the way it had been explained to him… He hadn’t planned on acquiring any more, so he hadn’t asked for an elaboration, but he was kind of regretting that now. “I don’t know if I’d want to get another drone right now, either way. There’s so much going on already…”

“That does not prevent an unbounded one from choosing you, and yes they don’t share well but it can be done. It is usually best to have two different models but I would not recommend to get a second with Scorponok still so young… the risk is there though, if you visit a breeding farm, that one of them might decide on you as a perfect drone master.” Megatron grinned and shook his head. He really ought to remember that Optimus barely knew anything about Kaon and the things, people and creatures of the Citystate. “Don’t worry, lovely one, things will fall into place soon enough…”

“You SAY that…” It wouldn’t be a moment too soon when he could finally learn what Megatron saw fit to keep hiding from him! Optronix sighed and nuzzled the Kaonite’s chest armor a little, optics dimmed contentedly despite his frustrated thoughts. “So, um…” he started after a while, thoughts once again drawn to that letter he had written and asked Barricade to deliver.

“So?” It would be nice to be able to talk freely, instead of this careful tippedded dance, Megatron almost huffed. He knew what Optronix was getting at; he could feel the small chassis tense against his and hear the note of unhappiness in his voice. It was disparkning that he was so afraid that the response would be anger, or so certain that it would be anger.

Optronix shifted uneasily and resettled against his Intended, optics shuttering fully as his nervousness over the subject he was intending to bring up warred with the contentment this contact brought. “I… Did… Did Barricade talk to you? I, I know you said I didn’t have to say anything, I just… I feel like I betrayed you, a little bit…” Oh, that probably wouldn’t make any sense at ALL if Barricade HADN’T talked to Megatron…

“Yes… I am not angry and I don’t feel betrayed. I might have felt that way if you hadn’t come to me but the moment I saw you and heard…” Megatron shook his head even though Optronix couldn’t see it. “There’s nothing to say, I understand your reasons and I admire that you felt so strongly about it that you would risk my anger.”

Optronix relaxed slightly, relieved. Megatron knew but he was okay with it… It was silly to have worried so much anyway. It was just one letter, and a final farewell at that. The Iaconian tightened his arms around the red and black form briefly before tilting his head up to look at the larger mech. “So what are you supposed to be doing today? I wouldn’t have thought you’d have so much free time, what with how frantic everyone else is over the upcoming ceremony…”

“Quite frankly?” Megatron chuckled lightly, “I ordered my seneschal to take over for a little, unless an emergency arose… I’m going a little crazy with the wait too, you know?” Just a little bit… sure! “So I don’t really have any free time but I had to take some, it’s a ruler’s prerogative… if I didn’t do that and if I didn’t delegate I would run myself raggered in less than a vorn.”

“Ah. That makes sense,” the Iaconian said with a nod. How often would ‘ruler’s prerogative’ come into effect when Megatron wanted some mostly uninterrupted time with his mate? Optronix couldn’t help but wonder. Not that he thought he would complain… “I’ve been wondering… What kind of traditions do you guys have in regards to the bonding ceremony? I mean, that aide you assigned to me has tried to explain some of it, but he’s not very specific, I’m afraid. I think I might make him nervous, though I can’t imagine how, since he’s nearly twice my size...”

“Traditions? Well, aside from Intended’s choice I presume, or was it more pertaining to the ceremony?” Megatron rumbled in amusement, Cascade was probably terrified of Optronix or rather of offending him. “Cascade is… a little odd. Give him free range on planning a ball and he will be done in a day. Tell him he has to talk to one other person to plan the same ball and you’ll still be waiting half a vorn after your request. The mech is a genius but also absolutely terrified of people he can’t ‘classify’. I’m easy, ‘the Warlord’, you’re not so easy yet… ‘Intended’ is an unsteady, fluctuating ‘box’.”

“Like… What am I supposed to do? Aside from be there to consent and then accept blessings… I’m supposed to get you a gift, right? That’s what Iaconians do…” Optronix shrugged a little, uncertain. “That’s too bad. He seems like a nice mech, but it’s hard to talk to him when he gets flustered every other sentence. Maybe he’ll be less skittish after we’ve bonded? Then I’ll have a defined role…” The last question was asked hopefully, possibly painfully so; it was hard to not have any friends, and only really have Megatron and Scorponok to talk to freely. Everyone else was either busy or afraid that whatever they might say would put them on his slag list.

“Yes, an exchange of gifts is customary but it’s symbolic… ah, I’m supposed to give you something that shows that I am willing to share my power with you, that I will love you and honor you. What you give is… less defined, since the Intended have often been from another Citystate, often even a captured mate-to-be the gift is mostly a show of the Intended’s feelings? I fear I’m not very good at explaining…” Megatron shrugged lightly and huffed. “But that’s why we are going to my estate after the ceremony, the thing with captured mechs? Three days is symbolic, the longest courtship took three vorns and the Intended only gave in when the then Warlord gave up his conquests and turned to bettering the mining and farming in-state.”

Optronix was only a little embarrassed by his automatic ‘ooo’ of interest. That sounded like it would be a wonderful romance story! He wondered if anyone had put it into story format… He would ask later, because if he asked now they would get sidetracked. “So, basically, you have guidelines and I get to ponder for joors on end what I want to give you to properly express how I feel?” Now he had to think of something that would hold more sentimental value than a sculpture… That just didn’t seem like… enough, somehow.

Chuckling, both at the ‘ooo’ and the slightly annoyed summarizing, Megatron petted the smaller mech’s back. “Actually it just needs to be something that means something to you… whether or not I and the other guests can interpret the gesture is irrelevant, the only one it needs to mean anything to is you.” Huffing he wondered if any of this made sense to Optronix, Iacon wasn’t, had never really been, an aggressive Citystate for all their half warlike orientation. “Kaon was born out of hardship and war. Our traditions are a mix of necessity and pride… neither make for easy going. As for my predecessors, if you are interested you have access to both the actual archive and the library… do feel free to use both.”

“Hum… I’ll STILL be thinking frantically on it an orn before the ceremony, most likely,” Optronix mumbled, even as his mind kicked into high gear to try and think of something that meant something to HIM. “I’ll probably take a look into them later, after we’ve bonded… like everything else, it seems. It feels like, unless I’m with you or locked away in my room, someone somewhere needs me for something, and I doubt I’d have time to look for anything that catches my interest until it’s all blown over.”

“Well… my carrier gave my Co-creator a pair of stasis cuffs, they had their uses for them. Needless to say though it caused quite a stir, even if both my Creators were Kaonites.” Another amused rumble left him. “They had a wicket sense of humor and they were not afraid of change, not that the average Kaonite is but…” Breaking off he nuzzled the smaller mech’s helmet and huffed. “I should send you some of the stories of previous Warlords and their bond mates, I think you would enjoy them… my line has a certain reputation for passion and for doing whatever it takes to win the mech they fall in love with.”

Optronix gave a slightly embarrassed laugh as he tried to imagine himself giving Megatron a pair of stasis cuffs. No, his gift would undoubtedly be much tamer than that! He leaned into the nuzzling, and then tilted his head to kiss Megatron again, briefly. He couldn’t help that the action was so addicting! Nor could he help that the warlord was so wonderfully warm… “I’d like to read about them,” he agreed with a slight nod. “Though I wonder if I should worry about you going to drastic lengths to win my affections now…” As if the mech wasn’t already managing that, somehow, despite part of his spark still insisting it wasn’t fair to the suitor who had put so much thought into everything he did and said for Optronix…

“Oh… I have already set some of those ‘lengths’ in motion.” The murmur was just barely audible and Megatron huffed, it was a stupid thing to say but… he didn’t want to lie, didn’t want to stop giving hints no matter how confusing. “You tempt me so much, I wish we could consummate this right now…” Pulling the smaller mech to him he ran a hand down his back and pushed him against his codpiece. “Fell the heat? This is what you do to me… what you have done to me from the first time I laid optics on you…”

Optronix gave a surprised gasp at the feel of the heat pressing into his abdominal plating. He had NOT been expecting Megatron to do anything like THAT. Not yet… “Oh, Primus…” he murmured, optics bright as warmth surged through him in response. Never before had he wanted something so much as he wanted Megatron right then, and oh, Primus, he was right there and he was hot, ready… And he, Optronix, made the warlord react so strongly just by BEING there? The Iaconian licked his dermas nervously, and tightened his hold on the larger mech, mewling quietly as that caused the mech’s codpiece to press harder into him. “Please…” He didn’t even realize he’d started panting until he heard his own distorted and desperate plea.

“I would…” Megatron gasped, heating up in earnest now. “We can’t… not yet.” He was getting tired of those words, growling them out with antipathy written all over them. “But I want to! Unicron have mercy… I want to claim you for my own right this instant!” His chassis certainly had a life of its own, hands clutching at smaller mech, plating scorching hot. It was dangerous to be this close to his Intended, fanning the flames of desire into an inferno he almost couldn’t handle.

Optronix had no doubt that it wasn’t Megatron’s intention, but the way his voice lowered like that, all deep and growly (well, more so than usual), made the young noble want him more, not less. In fact, he barely heard the words at all… All he really caught was the tone, and the hot body pressing against his, clutching him closer made Optronix ache with a want he was quickly growing familiar with. “P-please, Megatron, I can’t…” the mech mewled as his fingers dug into the warlord’s back, futilely seeking some sort of anchor so he didn’t just lose himself in this… whatever it was. He didn’t know what he couldn’t do, but most probably he couldn’t pull away. It certainly didn’t feel like he could… He didn’t want to.

“Warlord?” Megatron wasn’t sure what he had been about to do when a foreign voice called out his title. He was positive that it wasn’t stopping, pretty sure even that it would have lead to things better not thought over. Pulling away from his Intended with a low, almost pained, whine he looked towards the approaching pedsteps. “Yes? This had better be important!”
The page looked less than thrilled to be in the garden and when he caught sight of what had been interrupted he looked about to offline on the spot. “T-there’s an envoy from… from Simfur, Warlord…”

Spell broken, Optronix managed a shaky intake as he stepped further back. Primus… if they hadn’t been interrupted… his pelvic region throbbed insistently but he forced the desire down. Just nine more orns, and then he’d be bonded and get all the interfacing his silly hardware desired, and probably then some if Megatron’s actions were anything to go by. “Do… do you need me to go with you or…?” he asked hesitantly. Would it even be a good idea for them to be in the same general space as each other right now?

“No… no, lovely one, enjoy a little time off…” Megatron hesitated then gave Optronix a quick kiss and walked out. As soon as they were out of the garden he ordered the page to gather history pads about the Warlord line and send them to his Intended that at least was a hunger he could do something about. It was incredibly hard to collect his thoughts but that was rather okay, the envoy was there with a gift for the bonding ceremony.

Optronix barely waited until he was sure they were gone before collapsing against a nearby crystal, trembling from the heat still coiling in his pelvic plating. Primus… he’d been begging for it! Just the thought… it must be the stress, he decided. It had to be. No matter how much he thought it though, it did nothing to stop the throbbing… Optronix spared a thought for Scorponok as he shakily stood once more and headed out of the garden, determined to find something to do. The drone would be able to find him… whenever Scavenger was finished with him.
There was a collection of datapads on his front table when he eventually meandered back to his rooms, and he couldn’t help but smile slightly as he picked up the first one and activated it. Megatron was so thoughtful…
----
Since they didn’t seem capable of being in the same room as each other without trying to tempt fate, Optronix made a point of keeping SOMETHING between them. A table, a person, slag, even a datapad! Anything to keep him from reaching for the other, no matter that he very much wanted to… He tried to make it clear, also, that Megatron hadn’t done anything wrong with kisses. Mostly in greeting and farewell, but occasionally another during a lapse of silence… He just had to remember to pull away before he did something dangerous, like press against the mech, or crawl into his lap or… any number of other things his imagination supplied him with once he was back in the privacy of his quarters…

Megatron had always thought he knew what agony was… pain. It had been conquered a long time ago. He had to revise that opinion now, he knew about physical pain, not spiritual, not spark related pain. It had been bad when he knew about Optronix, now it was the most pure form of agony he had ever experienced! A ripped off limb had nothing on this, and it was only doubled with the realization that his Intended felt something very like it. He didn’t want to cause the young mech pain! The orns trickled by with a torturous slowness, a sort of ultimate wicket test sent to him by Unicron… quite often he did pray for mercy, turning his questions to Prima and Primus hoping that they would ask their mate lighten his burden.

The next few orns passed in relative peace (if one ignored the tension building between himself and Megatron) and Optronix eventually found the perfect gift for his Intended, and promptly stashed it in a dark corner of his room, covered by a blanket for extra protection from prying optics. It meant something to him, and Megatron said that that was what was important… He was cleaned and repainted and polished and set free with the order not to touch ANYTHING, slaggit, because no one wanted to sit through such painstaking work more than necessary, right? If they got off with just doing another cleaning and waxing session just before the ceremony, it could be counted as a victory.
It was the orn before the bonding ceremony now and Optronix felt ill. Where he had been excited, anxious for it before, he was now feeling like it was the end of the world. In a couple of orns, he would be officially and irrevocably bonded to a mech he felt more physical attraction to than mental, and that wasn’t something to be taken lightly at all. At least his friends would be here soon… Well, most of them. Perceptor wouldn’t be, because he was beyond worn out… Starscream would be arriving the day of the ceremony, and leaving as soon as he could so he could return to his mate. Who knew when it would be before he got to see the microscope again? Primus…
The red and blue noble chewed his lower derma and pet Scorponok’s back when the drone skittered over his chest agitatedly as he followed after Megatron to where his friends were supposed to be arriving at, and wondered what they thought of all of this. He hadn’t so much as tried to call one of them since his… capture? That didn’t sound right, but it would do… Would Megatron like them? Would they like Megatron? Would the questions, the worries and fears and doubts, ever end? It was all driving him crazy!

“They will be landing soon, you do not have to be so nervous, lovely one.” Megatron murmured the words, so low that the page he had ordered to accompany them likely wouldn’t catch it. He had noticed the fact that there was as much fear as outright desire in the way his Intended looked at him now… he should have expected it. What with the fact that they could barely talk to each other without the need for touch and more arising. Optronix had barely had a chance to get to know him, well know him as anything but an interfacing starved crazy old mech at least… “I am sure they will have a lot to tell you… and I can assure you that they will be well taken care of.” The heavy doors to the palace landing pad were activated without him having to signal the guards, opening up to the visual of the skimmer class shuttle landing.

Optronix smiled gratefully at the warlord, reaching out to hold his hand almost shyly. Contact was difficult for them right now, but soon it would be all better… And they both had a lot on their mind, so maybe that would be enough distraction to allow this little bit of touch. He hoped so, because even with the reassurance, he still worried that they wouldn’t approve… They were practically his family! He watched avidly as the shuttle landed, and couldn’t help pouting a little when his friends didn’t immediately appear.

Ratchet scowled at the guard who was currently groping Wheeljack under the pretenses of searching for hidden weapons – like they hadn’t already fragging looked when they let them ON the stupid skimmer! He growled lowly and jerked Wheeljack to himself the second the guard let him go, holding the smaller mech possessively to assert his (not-yet) claim until they were finally, FINALLY allowed off. For walking purposes, he only held Wheeljack’s hand as they followed their femme companions off and couldn’t help the relieved smile that spread across his dermas when he saw Optronix standing next to the Kaonite warlord.

Wheeljack had to admit that he was rather tired of, not to mention slightly freaked out over, the paranoid security checks that Kaon seemed to demand of its visitors. One would think that visiting the coming co-ruler would offer some trust! Of course it earned him attention from Ratchet… that was always a plus, especially since the whole deal with both Perceptor and Optronix being just about kidnapped in front of them. Ratchet had been so weird since then… “Optronix!” The red and blue mech was holding the hand, claw, of the much larger and very fierce looking warlord but Wheeljack really only had optics for his friend.

It was so weird to be here… in Kaon. Elita almost ducked as yet another new Kaonite leveled a suspicious and none too friendly glare at them, clinging to Firestar’s hand. A perky nature only helped so much against constant, on the border of constant, hostility.

Firestar put an arm around her bondmate and glared back at the guard before waving at Optronix, relived to see him in one piece. He looked a little tense but who wouldn’t be in his stet. Heck anyone about to get bonded would be a little tense and the blue and red mech had a dozen reasons aside from that. At least it seemed he liked the warlord, his tenseness did not seem like the kind that meant ‘stop touching me, I don’t like you’.

As was predictable their guards reacted strongly to the presence of the two small Yussians but Megatron was confident that the delicate little femmes would come to no harm. He had given explicit orders… for that matter it looked like all of his ‘explicit orders’ had been followed. Ratchet certainly seemed agitated enough! It almost made the warlord grin wickedly but he restrained himself and kept it to a friendly smile as he dropped Optronix’ hand and stepped back to let the friends meet and greet in relative privacy.

Ratchet moved toward Optronix eagerly, throwing his free arm around Elita’s helm to give the mech a half-hug and smushing the femme against him so he could get as close as possible without letting go of Wheeljack. “Good to see you in one piece. Primus help me, but if you hadn’t been… on top of those touchy-feely guards, groping Whee – us indecently… Took us forever to get here. Apparently ‘engineer in training’ translates into ‘concealed weapons’ somehow, because I swear they must have searched us a million times before we even got on the skimmer, and again after we landed even though they’d been watching us the whole way here! NOT the best hospitality I’ve ever seen.” Even as he ranted, he couldn’t help but smile at the larger Iaconian.

Optronix wondered vaguely if Megatron had had anything to do with that, but saying so would probably just put the mech in Ratchet’s bad graces, and that wasn’t a good idea… “I’ve been treated really well since I got here, yes,” he said, doing his best to wind his arms around all four of his friends. “I feel better with you guys here though. Missed you…”

“I’m fine! How are you Ops? Seriously, are you okay?” Wheeljack joined the multiage chassis embrace happy to see his friend, happy to touch him! Primus, it had been so hard to just say goodbye and let him walk out with the enormous, sinister looking Kaonite.

Elita gave a muffled squeak but refrained from protesting Ratchet’s actions, besides she had wanted to give Optronix a hug… well as much as she could hug the hulking young mech.

“Missed you too! Prima! Don’t ever scare us like that again, mech… I thought it was some sort of sick joke when Ratchet contacted us.” Firestar only held back for long enough to find a ‘safe’ spot to hug the red and blue mech.

He had to admit to a certain surprise, and just a pinch of jealousy, when Optronix almost literally was buried in his friends’ enthusiastic greeting. Starscream, Soundwave and he did touch but nowhere near as freely as this… maybe because they were all from a warrior culture? He had noticed that tendency to touch under his short visit to Iacon.

Optronix smiled and did his best to squeeze his friends to himself as Scorponok detached to join in the snuggling, especially against Wheeljack. “I’m fine, really! Things were a little… not so good at first, but that was all my doing, and it’s much better now. Has anyone given you news on Perceptor?”

“No, none!” Ratchet answered, not bothering to hide his frustration at that fact as he let Optronix go and pulled back a little so they could look optic to optic without him straining his neck joint. “Is HE alright? No one’s told us ANYTHING…” It was probably safe to assume that Perceptor was alright though, or Optronix would have immediately told them, right? Perhaps he should ask the red and blue mech to ask his… bondmate-to-be to stop staring at them. It was a little disconcerting…

“The other professors kicked up a fuss about the kidnapping but suddenly it all died down and no one was told anything.” Wheeljack actively pouted at that thought, most of the professors had known that Perceptor associated a lot with students and in particular with Optronix and them. “It’s very frustrating!” Letting go of the larger mech entirely he cuddled and cooed at the drone, happy to see it in good health.

Elita and Firestar remained against Optronix, listening and relaxing. It had been hard not knowing! Even if Wheeljack and Ratchet had told them about it all it had just been horrible not to see it.

“I am sorry for breaking up your reunion, but may I suggest that you take it to Optronix quarters?” Megatron rumbled lowly, not wanting to scare any of them. It was simply logical and there were already refreshments prepared. “As for your missing friend, he is well… just sore and you will likely see him when Optronix and I return from…” Hesitating he cut off his words there not wanting to jinx anything.

Optronix barely refrained from shivering in delight at Megatron’s lowered vocalization. It wasn’t supposed to be arousing, slaggit! And his friends were a little more important, anyway. He wanted to spend time with them, as much as he could before the ceremony tomorrow and subsequent whisking away to Megatron’s estate…
The red and blue Iaconian pet his smaller femme companions and pulled away from them for a moment, moving over to Megatron. He knew they were all watching, but… Hesitantly, unsure if the gesture would still be welcome in company, Optronix curled his arms around Megatron’s broad shoulders and hugged him, nuzzling and kissing his cheek plate affectionately. “We’ll see you at evening refuel, right? Around the usual time?”

Ratchet tried to not to think of how… intimate that simple gesture was, even as he moved closer to Wheeljack possessively, just to assure himself that the other was there and not also being swept up by some foreign mech. He wished they could be like that… But slaggit all, he couldn’t even bring himself to tell his best friend he was in love with him! Soon, he would, he told himself. Just as he had done a thousand times or more, but he couldn’t risk having Wheeljack taken away from him without KNOWING the mech didn’t want him.

Well since no one else was doing it! Wheeljack swallowed nervously and held Scorponok a little tighter as he stepped forward. Bowing to the, giant!, warlord he spoke hesitantly, “h-hello, um, warlord Megatron, sir, it’s… it’s nice to meet you again.”

Pit… if Wheeljack could so could they! Pulling Firestar with her Elita went to the engineer-in-training’s side and delivered her own bow. “Kind greetings, warlord Megatron.”
For her part Firestar simply emulated her bondmate, too nervous about the glaring guards to add anything brilliantly… well, brilliantly anything.

“Yes, I will be there bar any unforeseen emergencies.” By Unicron’s horns! Even with the mech’s friends there he just wanted to… he had to stop going there. Megatron returned the embrace before turning his attention to the approaching white and green mech. Bowing his head, an action that made a few of the guards gasp in surprise, he smiled calmly at the hesitant greetings. “And I am pleased to see you again and to finally meet you two… Optronix? Will you introduce me properly?”

Ratchet followed reluctantly, though he was courteous enough to bow despite his misgivings about the mech. He was just as surprised as the guards when Megatron inclined his head to them in return; surely he didn’t do that for everyone? Just because they were Optronix’s friends didn’t make that much difference… did it?

“Oh!” Optronix exclaimed, flustered at his forgetfulness. He had just been so excited to see them and know that he would be able to spend time with them… “Sorry, I forgot… Um, this is Firestar and her bondmate, Elita,” he said, gesturing to the two femmes in turn. He then pointed to Wheeljack, smiling a little when Scorponok clicked cheerfully and nuzzled the trainee’s faceplates, “This is Wheeljack, I’m sure you can tell he’s Scorponok’s favorite… And that’s Ratchet. He’s happy to be here, even if he doesn’t look like it, really.”

“Oh! You have a drone too?” Much larger and spikier then Scorponok but still obviously from the same base type. It peeked down at him from the warlords shoulder and Wheeljack couldn’t help his reflexive curious question.

“Thank you, sir, it is an honor to be here…” It was, Elita had to admit that, if perhaps a bit of a dubious one. They were the first Yussians to set ped here willingly in… more vorns then most cared to count.
“It’s a beautiful Citystate… what we could see from the skimmer, sir, I hope we’ll be able to see more of it.” The familiar pleasantries of the high nobles calmed Firestar down, one court wasn’t that much different from another even if the femmes, and mechs, obviously looked very different.

Smile widening into a grin Megatron kept back laughter at Optronix comment and Wheeljack’s obviously delighted exclamation. “I am sure he is… yes, most Kaonits have a drone, so did your guards though they are very well trained and will remain hidden unless their services are called for… Scavenger simply happens to be very curious about whom his mate’s new friends are.” His amused rumble made Optronix shiver lightly, almost transforming his grin to a smirk. “It pleases me that you like it… I will make sure to arrange for an outing or two while Optronix and I are away for the choosing.”

“It’s mate?” Ratchet asked, looking at the drone curiously, and then glanced at Scorponok. “They’re mates?” That meant sparklings, and Primus, if Wheeljack managed to put two and two together, they, he!, slaggit all… would want one for his own… Ratchet wondered what the customs were for drones being given to outsiders. “And yes, it is an impressive citystate and I, for one, would be happy to see more while Optronix is… otherwise occupied, sir.”

“Yeah, they’re mates,” Optronix said, cringing at the memory of the two drones going at it. “I guess we better get going, though. You guys can chat up the warlord at evening refuel.” He gave Megatron another kiss and hug and pet Scavenger, and then withdrew to guide his friends back inside. “C’mon, I wanna show you guys the view from my room! You can see the whole courtyard and it’s really neat.”

“Mates?” Wheeljack was craning his head to watch the warlord stroke his drone’s spiky back plates and almost walked into a guard. The large mech grinned and placed a clawed hand indecently low on his back to push him in the right direction. How embarrassing! Did he have a sign saying ‘molest me, please’ on his back or something?

Okay that was getting weird… sure Wheeljack was cute for a mech and all but why did the Kaonite guards seem so very interested in him? Elita was getting a bit suspicious about it, had Optronix somehow arranged it in the hopes of getting Ratchet to act? It was a good plan actually, with so many different and larger mechs going for the engineer-in-training he couldn’t very well get aggressive towards them all.
Firestar smirked slightly as Ratchet ‘put his hackles up’ and glared murder at the smirking guard. Whatever was up with that it was certainly provoking their friend, much more effectively then locking the two in a closet.

When the small procession had left the landing pad Megatron gave his laughter free reign, that had been cute and funny. Ratchet was barely a fourth of the guard’s size but he had been more than ready to fly in his faceplates. “Well done all of you, maybe that worry can be laid to rest for my Intended before they leave again.” The praise, and probably also the laughter, made the guards straiten and they all looked mighty pleased with themselves… as it should be. “Dock the skimmer properly; the orn is yours to do with as you please.” Walking into the palace he ignored the grateful bows and whispers… pleased with how the orn was going.

Now thoroughly irritated, Ratchet curled an arm around Wheeljack’s shoulders to keep the mech next to him and AWAY from any other guards that might decide to grope him. “I wouldn’t have pegged Kaonites for being so touchy feely with mechs they don’t know,” he grumbled to himself as they followed after Optronix.

“They’re not, usually. Maybe they just have the common sense to know when a good thing’s walking by?” Optronix asked, giving Ratchet a knowing look. He was almost positive Megatron had set that up somehow; at any rate, it was clearly working! “You can’t really blame them for trying. Wheeljack IS adorable AND available.”

“He can also hear everything you two are saying as can probably every other mech in the corridor! Instead of trying to sell me off as a potential mate couldn’t you explain the mate thing? I didn’t know drones could breed!?” Wheeljack pouted even if he happily pressed into Ratchet’s side. Oh! It would be so nice if the medic-in-training would do this because he liked him and not just out of some warped protection sense…

“Well, as mechs go you are adorable, ‘Jack… those head fins of yours are just the cutest!” Elita half faked fawning over them. A passing courtier glanced at them, did a double take at the femmes and then turned his optics to the subject of their conversation. To her utter delight a slightly naughty smile curled his dermas before he resolutely walked on.
~Ooh… seems like Ratchet will get competition if he isn’t careful!~ Firestar all but crowed in victory. She knew that they would all be fawned over, it was normal when outsiders visited a court, Ratchet would probably garner his own set of admires. But Wheeljack just had this air about him… of needing a mate, protection, love and combined with his looks… mhmm!

Ratchet glowered at the lot of them and pulled Wheeljack away from Elita’s silly antics. “Sorry, ‘Jack,” he mumbled. He didn’t care if the green and white mech was mad at the others, but if he was mad at RATCHET, then he wouldn’t let him stay nearby and then who would keep him from getting abducted and molested the second everyone’s backs were turned? Ratchet tried very hard to convince himself that that was the only reason he was keeping Wheeljack in the security of his hold. It wasn’t working very well. The possibility of someone trying to… ‘claim’ Wheeljack was ever-growing…

How much longer would it take for the stupid mech to just tell Wheeljack how he felt? Primus, and he had missed these two? They had only been here a breem and they were driving him insane! Only sheer force of will kept Optronix from grinding his dentals in frustration, but he forced the emotion down and smiled at his friends as they came up to his door. “Yeah, sorry you’re so cute, ‘Jack. We’ll try to ignore that whenever one of the guards hits on you,” he said playfully as he held open the door for the four of them to enter before him.

“Eh… I’ll live I guess...” Wheeljack shrugged unhappily, he hadn’t liked the way that Kaonite had looked at him, now if it had been Ratchet… but it wasn’t, was it? It would never be… Maybe he would be better off finding a mech that was actually interested in him. “You seem to be rather… happy with the warlord?” Primus he hoped that was the case, that Optronix wasn’t just putting up a brave front to an impossible situation. He knew the noble well enough to know that he would do this for his citystate, ignoring his own happiness.

“Yeah… much as it’ll be fun to guess who’ll elope with ‘Jack I too want to know about your warlord!” Besides they had probably poked Ratchet right to his limits by now. Elita climbed, yes literally climbed, a couch and then assisted, aka groped, her bond mate up. ~Big furniture is BIG.~
~You saw the guards and the warlord and your still surprised?~ Firestar snorted lightly and settled in after swatting the pink femmes hands away. “Spill, Optronix, and we want to know the truth.”

Ratchet helped Wheeljack up and sat next to him opposite the femmes. After a moment of hesitation and glaring at the other three, he wrapped an arm around the smaller mech and pulled him against his side, embrace protective even though there wasn’t anyone in the room he needed to be protected from. “You should invest in some shorter couches for us normally sized people after you get bonded, Op’,” he said, more for a distraction than anything. It was hard to ignore Wheeljack’s warmth on a good orn and today was definitely NOT a good orn so far…

“I… reached an agreement with myself. Megatron has been nothing but good to me since I got here, even when I was… not all that pleasantly mannered. Or, really, TOO pleasantly mannered. Like a drone…” Optronix waved a hand vaguely as he dropped onto the seat next to Elita, though he couldn’t help but spare Ratchet a smirk when he clung to Wheeljack. He gave them until he got back to get together. “Anyway, I am kind of happy with him. We have a lot of things in common. I actually… sometimes, I can’t help but wonder, or maybe just wish, that he would come out and say HE is my secret admirer… They’re uncannily alike and he keeps mentioning this thing he can’t tell me yet…”

The protective action only depressed Wheeljack further, what the frag was he to Ratchet? A younger brother perhaps, which seemed a bit more likely than a love interest what with the way he kept acting. Frag it all! He did not want to be the medic-in-training’s brother… wait… what the pit? “What? You think it could be him… but why in the name of Primus wouldn’t he just tell you? That would make everything so much easier for you and presumably for him…” Thinking about it, it sort of made sense… sort of. “Well, he is certainly rich enough to afford those gifts and the wood…”

“That’s… a little far out isn’t it?” Elita hesitated, she knew that she didn’t know what had happened after Optronix got here but…
“Not that you couldn’t be right, Ops, but are you sure it’s not just wistful thinking? I mean sure he’s rich enough but… if it was your safety that was the main concern why not drop the charade now?” Still… courtships among nobles were complicated affairs, bound by traditions. Firestar wished she knew more about the Kaonites and their mating rituals. “Actually… what is the idea about you disappearing off together for three orns?”

“Right? Which is why I think it ISN’T him, but sometimes, the way he acts… I don’t know. Sometimes he just gets this look while we’re talking, like he knows I’m thinking it and just wants me to SAY something, but it’s so ridiculous… I can’t imagine why he wouldn’t tell me if that was the case though, unless it had something to do with Kaonite customs. But the aide he assigned to me has, like, a terminal fear of talking to other mechs so he’s no help at all!” Optronix threw his hands up in frustration before settling back again. “So yeah, your guess is as good as mine. He probably isn’t, but it is a nice romantic fantasy…
“And the idea behind that is that the longest recorded courtship in the Warlord line was three vorns long, and the Warlord’s Intended only gave in after the Warlord turned to bettering the mining and farming in-state as opposed to fighting for more land and stuff that they didn’t need to take. I have the whole story around here…” he glanced at the piles and piles of pads, then smiled sheepishly. “Well, it’s somewhere, anyway. Even the plain ‘history’ version of it is really interesting.”

Ratchet made a sound of surprise. “Three vorns? For the courtship alone?” He tried very hard not to compare that to his and Wheeljack’s situation. He wasn’t courting the mech, for Primus’ sake! And even if he tried to, Wheeljack probably wouldn’t be interested, since he was such a mean glitch to the poor engineer most of the time…

“That sounds oddly romantic… why did the warlord spend so much time on one mech?” Oh, Wheeljack could understand love but a warlord had to think of the good of his Citystate and that meant having heirs. Which sort of made it near ludicrous that someone like that would spent so much time on one mech. “Who was the mech? I mean… he must have been someone really special?”

“Why would he give you such a teacher? And is all this history pads? That’s so typically you!” Elita was torn between annoyance and giggling. It really was typical Optronix to start reading stuff like that… “Was there other romantic stories or is it all about conquering and war?”
“Well… just let’s say he is your admire, if the rest can get their heads out of the past, would you trust him to have a good reason? I mean trust that there is a compelling reason for him not to tell you?” Firestar shook her head over the others and leaned forward to convey the importance of her question.

“I’ll just let you borrow the pads and read it for yourself! You guys will be free to come in here and raid for whatever you want while I’m away…” Optronix said, oddly pleased at their interest. “And, well… yeah,” he answered Firestar, unsure of what she was implying. “But, you know, even if I think about Megatron as NOT my admirer, I trust him to have a good reason for not telling me things… No matter how frustrating it is. He’s got a lot of pressure on him, you know? He makes decisions for a whole Citystate every day… He believes strongly in tradition, too, I’ve noticed. For all we know, he could have assigned Cascade to me just so I WOULDN’T be able to find anything out before he was ready to tell me.” And he was rambling… and not sure he had answered the question at all.

Ratchet sighed and leaned against Wheeljack, resting his cheek on the mech’s shoulder. It didn’t really matter, one way or the other, did it? They would all know (presumably) tomorrow… He reached over to pet the drone sprawled across the engineer-in-training’s lap, scratching just under the nape of its neck when it lifted its head to look at him.

“Well, I think I want to read a little about Kaon… it really seems like a nice place. And with you here and all we’re going to visit rather often, at least if we can?” Wheeljack tried to ignore Ratchet’s actions, the intimacy of their position. Would the medic-in-training want sparklings? Not right this instance of course but… would he? And he shouldn’t be thinking about that! “So do you know anything about how the ceremony will go?”

“My head is fine with history!” Elita quieted down after that, just a little petulant over her bondmate’s implications. All she had really wanted was to get Optronix to relax!
“Well, that’s good then… as long as you trust that his reasons are good it should all work out fine! Just promise me that if you don’t understand his reasons? Ask until they make sense… I mean,” huffing a bit she leaned forward with an earnest expression on her face plates, “let him explain and don’t give in to your temper.”

Optronix patted Elita’s back affectionately and nodded at Wheeljack. “The way I understand it, you guys will be able to visit somewhat often. I can’t really say if it’s the same for me, since I’m going to be kind of bound to this city-state…” he trailed off with a shrug and a half-apologetic smile. “And I’ll… well, I’ll TRY to be calm about it. I can’t really promise, but I will try.”

“Probably the best we’ll get out of you,” Ratchet put in. “Just try not to hit him. Knowing your luck, you’d get one of his pointy bits between your joints and the repairs hurt worse than the injury for that kind of thing.”

“The whole point is to get to at least one of his pointy bits, isn’t it?” Wheeljack tried for a feeble joke, knowing that what he said wasn’t really funny. “Sorry…” Petting Scorponok gently he dropped his gaze to the floor. “It’s been really strange without you, Optronix, not knowing what happened, why? And then there is Perceptor… it’s like everything is falling apart and I can’t do anything to fix it nor see any way it can be fixed!” Not to mention he wasn’t sure what was ‘breaking’ or if it should be fixed.

Squirming a little Elita tried to ignore her own half agreement with the engineer-in-training. The fact that she had a bonded had made it easier, sharing worries and fears made them so much easier to face. Wheeljack on the other hand was caught in limbo… he just wasn’t someone who would press forward with his personal wants. This outburst was actually the closest thing to admitting something past friendly affection for any of them in words she had ever heard out of him.
~We can’t do anything… Ratchet would never forgive us for taking his lead in it.~ Firestar had followed her mate’s thoughts, whishing she could be more helpful then she was. “It has been strange! But… it helps to know we can visit; now all we need is to see that Perceptor really is okay…”

“Don’t think of it like that, ‘Jack!” Optronix insisted, but didn’t bother getting up to comfort the mech since Ratchet was doing that well enough on his own. He, for once, didn’t seem at all concerned with what anyone else thought as he pulled Wheeljack into his lap and hugged him reassuringly. “Things are just changing right now, but I think it’s all for the best, even if I wish you guys could still be around all the time… They will settle down eventually, and trust me, Perceptor is VERY well taken care of… It WILL be better when we can see him though.”

Ratchet nodded in agreement but didn’t bother specifying who he was agreeing with. They were all pretty much of one mind on the matter, so he didn’t think he needed to. Instead, he devoted himself to hugging Wheeljack, arms tight around the mech’s torso and cheek rubbing lightly against the back of the white helm and flashing head fins. “We’d better get to see him. Being kept in the dark is pretty irritating, but waiting sucks almost as much!”

Accepting the cuddling with a desolate chirp Wheeljack hid his face against the medic-in-training’s white and red shoulder. He felt a bit like a fraud… using the upsetting situation of their group being torn apart to get affection from Ratchet.

“Don’t worry, ‘Jack, it’ll be alright.” Elita, despite her encouraging words, cuddle closer to Firestar seeking physical safety just like Wheeljack.
Accepting her mate’s weight Firestar huffed low and turned her optics down to a dim glow. “How about you tell us more of the ceremony, Optronix?”

Optronix petted Scorponok when the drone returned to his lap, apparently sensing that Wheeljack didn’t have interest in anything but Ratchet right then. “Yeah, it’ll be alright. The ceremony… Pretty much all that I will be there for is the gift exchange, followed by Megatron’s speech and then the blessings,” he explained, giving a helpless little shrug as he stood up to collect the energon that he had completely forgotten about before. “I don’t really know what, if anything, happens after that because we, um, leave about then.”

Resisting the urge to kiss Wheeljack when he chirped mournfully, Ratchet sighed. He really shouldn’t be taking advantage of the situation like this, but what other chance would he get? “I can’t decide if I envy you or not. Just remember that you can cause just as much pain as pleasure when you touch him, ‘kay? Just because he’s your bonded doesn’t mean he has the right to take advantage of you.”

“It sounds… short?” Wheeljack made no indication that he would like to be sat down again. He was bound and determined to enjoy this stolen contact for as long as possible.

“Ratchet!” Elita was actually mortified at the idea of someone forcing himself, or herself, on someone. Of them all the medic-in-training should know that a bonding could not be by rape. It would likely kill one of the participants to try and even if possible such a pair would never manage to Create together.
“Has he… the Warlord I mean, taken any interest in you like that? I mean…” Swallowing nervously Firestar took the cube offered to her and tried to think. “I mean I know what it looked like but is he really interested in you physically, and more than just physically? And are you interested in him..?”

“I MEANT physically!” Ratchet growled, glaring at Elita. Primus, he didn’t think THAT badly of the Kaonite warlord! “I’m just saying he doesn’t have to submit if he doesn’t feel like it. Just because Warlord Megatron might want an interface doesn’t mean Optronix always will, and he needs to remember that he doesn’t have to say yes just because his mate wants it.”

“I won’t forget, Ratchet. I really don’t think he’ll force me, anyway… He’s shown… a lot of interest.” Very nearly caved to that interest a couple of times, even, Optronix didn’t say. “I’m interested, but I can’t really say how much. It’s kind of up in the air right now, but I’m sure that we’ll get along, at least…”

“It shouldn’t be like that! You should be allowed happiness and love and… and choice!” Wheeljack murmured, knowing that his friends would listen to him. “It’s not fair of the council to have promised such a thing, not fair at all that you’re being forced into this. Be honest, Optronix, you’re doing this for Iacon… because you think you have to, even if you hated the warlord you would probably do it.” He shouldn’t be saying this, He wasn’t saying it out of envy or malice but because he really couldn’t bear to see his friend give up any hope of happiness because of a too strong sense of duty.

“’Jack! That’s not fair!” Elita turned her shocked optics from Ratchet to Wheeljack and seriously considered hitting the engineer-in-training. It wasn’t like they, Firestar and herself, didn’t believe that too… you just didn’t say it. Maybe it wasn’t so strange that Wheeljack was the one… he wasn’t noble after all.
“Even if that’s true… and I really hope it isn’t, Optronix?, he really doesn’t have a choice, ‘Jack. That’s the price of being noble, you can be asked to do things no common mech would ever consider, and when you make what others consider a mistake you pay dearly for it.” Cuddling her mate both femmes shivered. Their families and the matriarch of Yuss had not been happy with their rash decision to bond.

Optronix scooped up the femmes and hugged them tightly before retaking his seat, settling them in his lap. He hated it when his friends got distressed and this was undoubtedly the worst it had ever been… “It’s for Iacon, yes, but… I mean, he’s grown on me. Even if I can’t pick and choose whoever I want now, at least I’m not being stuck with someone whom I loathe. I can even be a little bit selfish because it means that I can keep you guys safe, too.”

The red and white mech pet his crush consolingly, trying to calm him down. “All we can really do is hope for the best,” he sighed. “It sucks, but what else can we do?” Not that Ratchet was all that willing to stage a heist of some sort to get Optronix out of there or anything… In all honesty, despite being a little weary, he seemed… happy to be where he was. It was practically in his coding to be self-sacrificing and if Megatron was making him happy, too, it was all the better, and Ratchet said as much.

“I guess you’re right, Ratchet… I just wish it hadn’t happened like this…” He would probably never understand it, Wheeljack knew that much, but he could accept it. He had to accept it for Optronix sake and for the sake of their friendship… Just like he had to accept that Ratchet, sooner or later, would drag some lovely mech though the door and present him as his mate-to-be. For now though he would be selfish in the last and believe that there was still a chance of that mech being himself. “So…” Lifting his head and smiling tremblingly at the trio Wheeljack did his best to offer a subject change, “What kind of gift did you get for the warlord?”

“Mhum, is it something you made like Iaconians do? Or do the Kaonites do it differently? Any idea what he’s giving you?” Elita took to the new subject with gratitude, much relived to have the subject of nobility and their insane mating rules dropped. Just because you were a noble didn’t mean you had to like being one!
Firestar leaned back, letting the chatting of her friends sooth her. It was a nice evening all in all, no more tantrums or ups and downs which was really something. She did notice that Optronix was nervous, and just a bit excited, whenever the warlord was discussed but that was to be expected. “We should go and recharge a little, you need it too, Optronix, probably even more than the rest of us!”

Optronix nodded, a little reluctantly, as he nudged the remains of their evening refueling (which they had decided to just have in his room because Megatron had been called for some last second arrangements and wouldn’t be able to make it anyway). He didn’t want them to go! Regardless, he hugged the femmes to himself and kissed their cheeks before allowing them to get up and moving to Ratchet and Wheeljack. Scorponok wasted no time crawling all over Wheeljack’s shoulders and helm, clicking frantically to him as he finally snuggled up under his chin in his own way of saying to recharge well while Optronix hugged the smaller mechs tightly. “I’ll show you guys where your rooms are, alright?” he said, desperate for even a breem more. The orn had passed much too quickly!

Ratchet patted his friend’s shoulder. “That’d be great, Ops. We’re staying right nearby you, aren’t we?” he asked. That had been somewhat of a relief when Optronix mentioned it earlier. He didn’t think he would be able to recharge peacefully here if they were separated and he was surrounded by all mechs he didn’t know…

It would be nice to suggest a recharge’over, but it wasn’t very feasible. Optronix wouldn’t get too much recharge as it was, considering the fact that he would be hauled out of berth and pampered till he looked like a statue of crystal. Wheeljack huffed gently and, for once acting boldly, claimed Ratchet’s hand as they were lead out.

It was with great reluctance that the two femmes claimed their room… well more like suite, for the night. Optronix seemed just as unhappy, and Wheeljack really was that unhappy despite being allowed to practically hug Ratchet’s arm. It just seemed like this was an end to an era, the true end to their sparklinghood… “Recharge well… see you all soon.”

When Optronix directed them to their own rooms, Ratchet bit his derma briefly before asking, “We’ll see you before the ceremony, right? Or at least before you leave…” and absently pet Wheeljack’s arm with his free hand. Optronix nodded and promised that they would before excusing himself, saying he had something to take care of before recharge, and then he was gone, leaving the two smaller Iaconians in the hallway by themselves. Another hesitant pause took place before Ratchet turned and pulled Wheeljack into a tight embrace and, to his own shock and undoubtedly Wheeljack’s, kissed the other mech quickly on the mouth before bidding him a flustered pleasant recharge and rushed into his own room. It was just the stress, he told his aching spark after he’d burrowed into his berth. That was what he would say if Wheeljack brought it up later… But Primus, it hurt to see the other so pained.

After seeing everyone safely to their rooms, Optronix made his way to Megatron’s quarters. He didn’t relish the thought of waking the other, if he was even in recharge with how busy he was, but… They needed to talk. Or, more precisely, he needed to talk to Megatron. He didn’t give himself a chance to lose his nerve once he reached the Warlord’s chambers. Instead, he knocked immediately, then fidgeted with his hands while he waited for an answer.

Megatron felt something in between annoyance and relief when someone knocked on his door, on one hand it was probably more questions as to detail of tomorrow, on the other it was at least something that would get Gear Grinder to shut up. The pompous senator had been going at it for almost half an orn, on and off, trying to ‘get the warlord mentally prepared’ for his bonding. If the mech hadn’t been such a good friend of his Creators… gesturing to a page he paid polite interest until he caught a glint of red and blue plating out of the corner of one optic. “Optronix!?” Pleasant surprise and just a little apprehension colored his tone.

Optronix smiled a little, shy and apprehensive but determined. “Um… Sorry for, for coming by so late… B-but I wanted to talk to you. In, um, private. It’ll just take a click, but it’s really important…” he mumbled, talking mostly to some point just in front of Megatron’s pedes. Would the Warlord be too busy? Were they even allowed to see each other right now? He knew that some city-states did that – not allowing the Intendeds to see each other until the ceremony itself…

“Of course, Senator, please excuse us.” The only real problem was that his private suite was as spartan as it could be… he had never traded his ‘sparkling suite’ for the one his mated Creators had used. They were currently being readied for Optronix’ and his use upon their return. This still didn’t really solve the problem of the only currently available rooms being his berth room and the private wash rack. “This way…” Of the two the wash rack seemed the better choice… he hoped. “I hope you and your friends had a pleasant evening? I sincerely regret not being able to refuel with you… senator Gear Grinder came a little early.”

Optronix stifled his giggle at the fact that they were apparently going to have this conversation in the wash racks, but mostly because Megatron was looking stressed out enough as it was. “Yes,” he answered dutifully, “we had a good time, although Wheeljack especially was sad that he didn’t get a chance to talk with you more. He wanted to meet Scavenger – personally, I mean. How are you? Aside from being really busy and undoubtedly stressed…” Stalling, stalling… What a time to do so!

“I apologize for the surroundings… I… I surmised this would be a better idea then my berth room and I can guarantee I would not have been able to remove Gear Grinder for the next several breems.” This was the first time he felt at a disadvantage with the younger mech, he had no idea what Optronix was here for and the circumstances were less than ideal. “I will make sure he gets a chance to meet him! Do not worry, lovely one, I will do everything in my power to prevent you from losing your friends.”

“No need to apologize. Just a little strange to be having this conversation in a cleaning stall, is all.” Optronix laughed a little, flustered. Where to begin… “I… Earlier, we were talking, my friends and I, about us, me and you. And I got to thinking…” The Iaconian crossed his arms over his chest defensively, looking down again. “I… Tomorrow, no, before tomorrow, I mean… I just wanted you to know that whatever you have to tell me that you can’t yet… I like you. A lot, and not just because of the, ah, physical stuff. And I don’t think whatever you say will have an impact on that because…” How was he supposed to say it without letting on that he had been comparing Megatron to his suitor all this time? It seemed insulting to have done so… “Because…”

Maybe the wash rack had been a bad idea after all… “Please…” Megatron hesitated, unsure of no… not unsure. This was dangerous, the need to spill the danged secret so hard to resist. They only had slightly more than two thirds of an orn left… then he could explain and Optronix could chose. “Be careful… don’t promise me anything until you know all of it…” Even while saying this he was cupping the smaller mech’s chin, thumb claw stroking the seam of the plump dermas. Such kissable dermas…

Optronix shook his head, forcing himself to look at his… mate. His mate, they would be bonded in just a couple of orns… “I… It’s important that you know that, that I really like you and I really believe that nothing you say tomorrow is going to change that, and I just wanted to let you know before you said anything that I wanna get bonded to you because even if I didn’t get to pick you myself, I don’t think I could have found anyone better in a hundred vorns or more,” he said in a rush, pulling Megatron’s hand from his face so he could hold it in both of his smaller ones. “Even when I was behaving poorly, you were never anything but wonderful to me, and being able to spend time with you up until this point has been nothing short of amazing. I just, I want you to know, before anything else happens, that I think YOU are amazing and wonderful and I’m so lucky… So, um, even if I can’t honestly say I love you right now, I know I’ll be able to say it someday, and I just want you to be able to wait for me…”

“Wait…” Megatron almost breathed the word, said it along with a deep sound almost like an organics sigh and yet it was in reality a subsonic purr born of happiness and the arousal he couldn’t keep chained. The last was what made him step back, ungainly, and actually backing right into a wall. “Only two thirds of an orn, Optronix, I’ll manage to keep my hands off of you… I’ll explain everything! I will remember your words and I will give you time… even if it kills me. Now please… please go, or this will escalate into something… else.”

Optronix was almost hurt by the way Megatron moved away from him after he stopped talking, but relaxed a little when the other explained himself. He nodded obediently and contemplated hugging the warlord, but knew almost immediately that it would be a bad idea. He had done what he came to do and Megatron… accepted it, if nothing else. “I’ll see you at t-the ceremony then… Have a pleasant recharge, what little of it they’ll allow us before we have to get ready,” he mumbled, offering a shaky smile before hurrying out of the room and then out of Megatron’s suite altogether and back to his own, never once making optic contact with anyone else.

--------

It had been the Pit itself to get to this point. The Pit… Megatron huffed quietly and looked at the assembly. Important mechs, leaders, nobles and, last but not least, friends. He had been right Starscream was preening, full of pride and giddy as a sparkling stuffed full of energon candy. Soundwave was there, but not Sixshot since their quarry had proven harder to catch then either had thought. How weird it was to be here, finally! Optronix looked nervous, but he hid it well, kept his helmet up. It was almost painfully arousing, which he supposed was the point of all of this…
“This is a day of celebration! This young Iaconian have accepted my suit, my claim to his spark… as the holy Triad willed it though the vocalizer of the great Oracle of Praxus.” Megatron felt both elated and ridiculous, speaking like this… but the rules were that no mech in Kaon was above the Warlord, not even the priests. Optronix had to come with him, choose to engage in the holy union of a bond on his own…
“As the Tradition demands I will give this young mech three full orns to decide if his choice have been made in earnest… if not I swear in the name of my line, to the holy Triad and you, who are my witnesses, that he will be allowed to go in peace and no hand will be lifted to strike him down.” Pompous, heavy, unwieldy. But such was the bonds of traditions.
“As it has been done in the past, as it will be done in the future…” Picking up the box, shiny polished platinum, which held his gift Megatron, turned to face Optronix. “I sought a mate, a co-ruler, a lover and a friend.” Presenting the box, resting on one hand he opened the lid with the reverence due a relic as old as this. On the red interior lay fairly simple tools. A blade, small and sharp, a pair of cuffs, rather much larger, a clinch, for separating Corax crystal buds, and lastly a very beautiful piece of jewelry, a blue perfectly spherical Corax crystal incased in an electron coated recreation of the Vector Sigma temple.

Optronix was more nervous than he had ever been in his entire LIFE as he stood before the crowd of friends and dignitaries and mechs he had never even met or heard of before. And tired, mustn’t forget that. One would think he hadn’t just spent Primus knew how long being cleaned and pampered into the next vorn just a couple of orns ago with how early they had dragged him out of his recharge chambers… He listened with half an audio as Megatron started speaking, and tried to ignore how hard his spark was pulsing in response to the sheer presence of the other mech. He had never heard him give a speech before, but he could definitely see the appeal of sitting in more often.
When the warlord’s speech came to a close, the young Iaconian shook himself from his inappropriate thoughts and turned to face his soon-to-be mate obediently, and when he was presented with his gift, Optronix… didn’t know what to say. Each piece was wonderful in its own right, although the cuffs made him flush a little, and he gently touched everything, lingering on the jewelry a moment longer as he collected himself. Should he say something? His vocalizer felt stuck and nothing appropriate came to mind as he looked up at the larger mech.
Hands shaking, Optronix took the box and set it aside with utmost care and reached for his own. He hadn’t thought about getting a case for it, but figured the protective sheet did more than enough for covering it… And it wasn’t meant to be stowed away anyway. Willing his hands calm, he presented the gift for Megatron and helped the mech unwrap it, and then he waited, anxiously biting his derma as the other examined it. It looked more like a carving than a sculpture, sure, but it was the only way he could think of to replicate their private gardens, and made the painting part easier, as well. Like a sort of three-dimensional painting, he had thought when he first got the idea.

Megatron had not known what to expect from Optronix’ gift, this was nowhere near any thoughts he had made. Somehow he had not imagined the mech going to so much trouble as to actually use his artistic skill on a mech he was essentially ‘forced’ to bond with. It touched his spark in a way his little Intended had probably not expected, couldn’t have expected. He had no words to speak, nothing appropriate to tradition or to such a magnificent gesture of faith. Carefully putting the work aside he turned back to Optronix and cupped the smaller mech’s chin with one hand, giving him a chaste, yet lingering, kiss. They only had a few moments left, a thank you speech to the people here to act as witnesses… then they were spirited away.

Optronix gave a flustered smile and leaned in for a second kiss, sighing a little at the contact. Megatron liked the gift, and he could explain his reasoning later if the mech asked him to… For now, though, they needed to move on to the next step, because he was kind of anxious to get out of the spotlight and off to Megatron’s estate, and whatever that would bring. “What’s next?” he whispered so only the warlord would hear.

‘What’s next?’ Megatron felt a whole lot better seated in his private skimmer, with a nervous young mech, than he had on the ‘stage’. Even knowing he would be back on that stage within three orns, and possibly not with any good news… “I hope it wasn’t too stressing? I was… am very impressed with your gift, did you truly make it yourself?” There was no doubt in his voice but a faint note of awe, he wasn’t able to create anything, had never received training. The urge to learn an art hadn’t come to him until the later vorns after becoming well mired in ruling… there had never quite seemed to be time for learning.

Oh, it felt so good to be away from that crowd! The young Iaconian felt bad for not being able to spend more than a moment with his friends, but he would see them again soon enough, and preferably away from the scrutiny of all those officials! “It wasn’t TOO stressful… Just not what I’m used to. Having people stare like that, I mean…” Optronix replied, trying not to fidget too much as he tried to figure out – discreetly – how close he was allowed to sit to the warlord since there were still other mechs around. He really wasn’t sure what to expect in regards to much of anything, but Megatron HAD to be getting ready to tell him what the big secret was, right? “And, um, yeah… It seemed like a good idea to make it myself, since it would mean more to me that way… I’m glad you like it, I was worried it wouldn’t be to your, um, tastes.”

Taking one of Optronix slender hands Megatron raised it to his dermas and kissed the finger tips. “I loved it… you have no idea how much it meant to me.” Forcing himself to let go again he sat back and looked thoughtfully at the young mech. “In less than a breem we’ll land at my estate…” Pursing his dermas he hesitated, “I will give you a few breems alone to think, and then I would like to have a long talk with you. There are things that need to be spoken about now, before we do anything more…”

It must be some kind of suspense-torture method, Optronix thought as he nodded. He had had ORNS already to think! Thinking was going to drive him insane if he had to do it much longer. He didn’t say any of that though; instead, he reached over for Megatron’s hand again, smiling a bit at feel of the claws tickling against his palms before lacing their fingers together. “You’re gonna tell me everything then? No more of your not-answers?”

“Yes, I’ll tell you everything… it hasn’t been enjoyable for me either, this ‘playacting’.” Dimming his optics Megatron relished the feeling of the slim hand in his own. He didn’t know, didn’t dare try to imagine, what kind of reaction he would get. He feared, yes feared, anger, rejection… he had never lied to Optronix but then he hadn’t been honest or as informative as he could have been. “I promise you… no more than ten breems from now you will know it all.”

Optronix smiled brighter and, after a hesitant glance to the guards who were studiously ‘not’ looking at them, gave the warlord a hug. “Alright. I’ll be counting, so you better not be even an astrosecond late!” he said as he felt the skimmer slow in preparation for landing. Ten breems to look around, and then Megatron would tell him everything and then… well, then something. The red and blue mech figured they could work that out later.

It was hard to let Optronix go but he did have business with his estate manager, the first of which was confirming that his Intended’s gift was waiting. That at least would tell Optronix some of it… what would the young mech make of the delicate jewelry cuffs? It was a normal enough bonding gift, a sleeker smaller pair then the ones he himself wore. Megatron huffed and dragged his concentration back to Graft’s words, only six breems left.

As he looked around, Optronix couldn’t help but wonder if Megatron would even be able to find him in the maze that was to be their private living space for the next three orns. But then, there was so much to look at in the meantime, he couldn’t really see himself minding if the other was a LITTLE over the wait time… The red and blue Iaconian entered another room after peeking in to make sure it was okay, and found it to be a library. A BIG library. It was his favorite room already.
He looked around at all the data pads with the titles on their sides for an interesting looking one, and found several within mere moments. Once he had four in his arms, however, he reluctantly decided it would be a good idea to stop, lest he forgot where they went in the first place, and moved toward where he had seen some chairs when he first came in. Idly, he wondered if Megatron would be upset that he had found better use of his time reading than ‘thinking’ or looking around, but pushed the thought aside because why would he? It wasn’t like he HAD to sit around and dwell on it like he had done a crime and had to think about what he’d done while waiting for the punishment to be doled out or anything… And his mind was running off without him.
Optronix set the pads down and took his sweet time getting comfortable on the couch before reaching for the first one, but paused when he noticed a shockingly familiar box sitting at the other end of the table. How had he missed that? No matter, but…
There was a pad sitting on top. Optronix tried to calm the sudden racing of his spark, to little effect, and reached for the pad. He just had to be SURE… He activated it, surprised and yet not that all it read was his name in a very familiar script. Oh, Primus. Either this was a really sick joke or… Well, there was only one way to find out.
The young noble set the pad aside and reached with shaky hands for the box, and drew it into his lap, ignoring Scorponok when the drone crawled up onto his shoulder for a better view. The box felt the same, looked the same, even the clasps were the same! His frantic mind raced nearly as quickly as his spark as he undid the clasps and opened it and yes, there was the same red cloth, and this COULDN’T be a coincidence…

“I see you found it…” Megatron remained standing, unable to relax enough to sit down. He had been punctual… enough, but it seemed that seeing the library had slowed Optronix down. Either that or the mech had been so stunned he had frozen. Taking the box from the smaller mech’s hands he smiled, weakly, and gently ran a claw down his face. “I could have… I could have taken you without preparing you at all, but I did not want you to be more scared then you had to be.”

Optronix grasped his hands on nothing for a moment before he realized the box was gone. He looked up at the gentle touch, unsure of what to do or say for a moment as he tried to make sense of the words. “All the… the similarities,” he mumbled at last, not really hearing himself. “Please tell me if this is your idea of a joke? I don’t understand…” Why would the warlord have hid this from him? Things would have been so much easier if he hadn’t! For both of them, the Iaconian was sure.

“It is not a joke!” Backing down a little Megatron huffed, wishing he could have told his Intended everything from the beginning. “Kaon is ruled by two things, its warlord and its traditions. The only thing that can force a warlord to anything are the tradition and especially those concerning taking a mate from another Citystate. You have been under close scrutiny, Optronix, been judged and measured… my council had to be convinced that you would be good for Kaon as well as for me.”
He kept caressing the smaller mech’s face plates, not wanting to lose even that tentative a connection when Optronix could pull away at any moment. “I gave you all I could, as much of me as traditions would allow, in those letters. You know me, Megatron, and now you know me, the warlord… you have time to choose, to decide if you can give me your spark. I stated the truth, if you do not want me I will let you go and Iacon will not suffer for it.”

“I wish you had just told me! And, and… The letter!” Oh, Primus, the letter… All the things he had said. Been tricked into saying! “You made me tell you things!” Optronix exclaimed as he remembered the conversations they had had where his ‘secret admirer’ had come up, more than a little affronted by the things this new perspective were laying out for him to see. “All this time, you knew me, knew EVERYTHING, and I was left MISERABLE because I was taken away from my friends, my life, and I’ve just been trying to make the best of it…!”

“Had I been able to do it any other way… would you have preferred to know nothing? To be bartered off to a cold stranger as the price of a trade agreement?” Megatron regretfully took his hand back, straitening his back struts, shrouding himself in the cold aura of his office. He could be every inch the terrifying warlord when he wanted to. “I gave you what very few mechs have ever earned the right to… I am old, Optronix, and I am lonely. Was it really so wrong, what I did? Was it wrong to want to know I wouldn’t condemn you to a loveless bond? I know you can love me, you told me so… I already love you, you are not deciding Iacon’s fate in these three orns, you are deciding mine and I WILL abide by your decision!”

“It might’ve been better,” Optronix said, pointedly, childishly, turning away from the larger mech in a show of disapproval. “I don’t act like it most of the time, but I AM a noble and I DO know that I have duties and since now I’m positive you were spying on me before you even sent that first gift and letter, you should have known I’m an optimist and would have made the best of this because it’s important and you’re NOT a bad mech.” Megatron could go ahead and posture all he liked, but Optronix wasn’t budging a micrometer until he got… something. An apology, maybe, but at the very least he was going to complain about every little thing he could think of. “At least, if you hadn’t done that, I wouldn’t have been so conflicted over… everything! Over whether or not you were my suitor, and what I could say that didn’t make you sound like some sort of replacement if you WEREN’T, or anything like that! We could have started off completely clean, and you could have made nice with me the normal way, with no secrets and no hopes or fears…”

“I don’t want a puppet! I want a mate, I told you… I want love, I had to know I could have it or all of this would have been a farce! Don’t you understand, Optronix? You may say you would have given me a chance had I gone about it differently, you might even be right that it would have been less painful… but I couldn’t risk it.” Megatron refrained from sounding desperate and afraid only by keeping his warlord mask on. It fragging hurt to see the young mech like this, to hear the rejection in his voice.
“Going to the Oracle was my very last chance, knowing how young you were… I almost chose to let you be, do you really think I relished in the thought of turning your life inside out? I would have…” Cutting himself off sharply he took a step back, yelling, anger, it would lead to nothing at all. And what he had been about to say would be beyond unfair, no matter how true it was.

“And so this was better?” Optronix demanded, turning to face the warlord again so that he could glare at him. “You got your reassurance at the cost of mine! You got me all excited – and believe me, I was – when I first started receiving those gifts, and when we started really exchanging letters, I was so hopeful… And then, practically the next thing I know, I’m being taken away from my life by the warlord of Kaon, with virtually no explanation and nothing to keep me company but a drone from a mech I thought I would never get the chance to meet!” The noble stopped for a moment, trying to collect his thoughts. He didn’t want to yell at Megatron, but this was all just so unfair! After a couple of clicks that really did nothing to calm him, the red and blue mech spoke again. “The way you hid this,” he gestured to the box and all that it signified, “from me, it may as well have never happened! How is courting me and then pretending you hadn’t any different from not having done it at all?”

Megatron… deflated, dropped his mask and sank into the softness of the nearest chair. “It was the best I could do… all I could do. Show you that there was a mech under all the titles, wealth and power…” It had been the hardest thing he had ever done, and that was saying something, to keep it quiet, tradition or no tradition.
“You might be right… it might have all been for nothing, only you can decide that, Optronix, that is the reason for the three orns. In the past you might have been won in a battle, taken here against your will and forced to remain until you consented… you have read the chronicles, the stories. I won’t say that all my ancestors were honorable but I will maintain this, if you choose it I will let you go…”

All at once, Optronix felt his anger and frustration drain away, and he, too, slumped back in his seat for a moment. Megatron wasn’t perfect, he didn’t know all… This, if nothing else, proved that he was just as much a normal, flawed mech as Optronix himself. He thought all of this was hard on him, but all things considered, he had gotten off so, so easy…
The Iaconian sighed and slipped off the couch after a brief deliberation with himself. Megatron looked like he could use a hug, and what better way to dissolve the tension between them then to do just that? He thought as he moved to the other’s side and hesitantly climbed into his lap so he could reach around the broad, spiky shoulders easier.

A small broken sound left Megatron as he pulled the smaller mech flush to him. At least Optronix wasn’t rejecting him outright, he wasn’t… unable to forgive. He wasn’t too sure how much else to put in this action. His chassis however were pretty sure what to do with the small mech in his lap and it heated almost instantly. In the space of a breem it became impossible to sit still, he had to move and movement meant more stimulation… a low needy groan worked its way out of his vocalizer. “I am sorry…”

Optronix made a confused sound at the seemingly random apology, but quickly realized what was going on and flushed in embarrassment even as his own body mimicked the warlord’s. “You don’t need to be sorry. I guess this is my fault? For just climbing in your lap and all…” Well… they could interface now, couldn’t they? Or did they have to bond first? The younger mech wasn’t too clear on that point, so he asked.

“It’s no one’s fault, and yes… we can interface, but do you want to?” Megatron was pretty sure that Optronix… well, didn’t know what he wanted. Interfacing wasn’t nearly as ‘holy’ as bonding but giving away his innocence just because he had accidentally aroused his suitor? “I won’t say that I don’t want to…” That would be really stupid to claim.

“I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t want to!” Sheesh, how clueless did Megatron think he was? Just because he was young didn’t make him so naïve that he didn’t have SOME idea of what he would be getting into… “If I didn’t know better, I would think you were trying to drive me crazy,” Optronix accused, leaning back so they could look optic-to-optic and his glare could be properly effective. “Every time I find something else to want, you drag the wait out FOR-EV-ER before giving it to me! First, it takes forever to find out the big secret and REALLY meet you – which I count as two different things, by the way – and every other joor, you rile me up somehow and then leave because we can’t do anything yet, and yet now that we CAN interface and stuff, you’re still doing it!”
He glared some more while Megatron processed that, but an idea struck him and nearly made him grin. Really, there was only half a chance that it would work, but… Well, there was always another time if it didn’t. “You’re too overprotective. I’m not stupid enough to let you do something I didn’t want, but you still treat me like a youngling. So, since you obviously don’t wanna do anything right now, I’ll just go take care of myself and see you for energon later.” With a huff that hopefully hid his mortification about saying such a thing, even if it was to his soon-to-be bonded, Optronix slipped from the warlord’s lap and headed for the door.

Honestly Megatron’s processor just about shorted out at the idea of Optronix going off to play with himself. That was the only reason he didn’t react before the smaller mech had reached the door. “Stop!” The mech was right; he was treating him like a youngling, like he was made of glass. Whether or not the younger mech wanted it he stopped at the order, giving him time to get up and pull him into a hug.
“I yield… I am treating you like a youngling. Tell me how you would like me to treat you instead?” His tone dropped into a sultry purr on the question, and he ended by nipping lightly at one of the finials adorning Optronix helmet.

NOW they were getting somewhere! Optronix whimpered involuntarily at the feel of Megatron’s dentals against his finial, and placed his hands shyly over the other mech’s so he could manually tighten the embrace and squish himself into the broad chest. “Like your mate, as you should,” he answered, somewhat shaky, but still firm in his resolve. If there was anything they could agree on right then, it was the desire to interface! And maybe they’d both be so worn out afterward that they wouldn’t be able to get angry for lack of energy since they almost definitely still had things to sort out…

The urge to ask ‘are you sure’ got ruthlessly strangled, and Megatron nipped the finial again just to hear the sweet little whimper. “As my mate… I think I can manage to give you a taste of that.” Scooping the smaller mech up he carried him to their berth chamber… at least he hoped it would be theirs. Kneeling at the side of the berth he set Optronix on the edge and kissed him. “I want to taste you…” The dark murmur was followed by kisses from dermas, to chest, to the apex of the smaller mech’s legs.

They were really going to interface? Really? Optronix was kind of surprised at the fact that Megatron had actually agreed, but was far too excited by the events that would soon follow to question it. He leaned back on his hands after the (very satisfying) kiss and spread his legs eagerly in response to the touches, intakes speeding up when Megatron’s mouth landed at last on his codpiece. “Oh, Primus…” It seemed so surreal… But Megatron’s mouth definitely felt real. And good. The red and blue mech sent the command to unlock his panel and it retracted on its own, just as eager as the rest of him for whatever Megatron would give. “Megatron…”

“Mm?” Studiously not touching either spike sheath or valve, Megatron licked at the exposed edges of the interface panel. He was going to prolong this, in the most pleasurable way possible, make sure it was memorable to both of them no matter what other choices were made. Moaning lowly he finally moved to swipe his glossa over the spike sheath pleasantly surprised that the tip was already poking out.

Optronix squeaked and reflexively tried to close his legs when he was licked, but aborted the motion for fear that Megatron would take it as him changing his mind and stop. Stopping was the very LAST thing the younger mech wanted right then as he watched Megatron, transfixed. He wasn’t in the least surprised that his equipment was already online, but by Primus, it felt WORLDS different with a mouth rather than fingers… “D-don’t tease!” he whined when Megatron went back to ignoring his spike and valve after a moment. It felt really good, but still!

Pausing Megatron looked up at the smaller mech, smiling darkly at the half desperate expression he wore. “I’m not teasing, you will see…” Returning his attention to the open interface panel he relented enough to zero in on the active spike. Coaxing it out didn’t prove very difficult and the sounds Optronix’ made! They made his own panel heat to an almost intolerable degree. Shifting he freed a hand and gently stroked the rim of the virgin valve with a claw tip.

“Ooh…!” the noble groaned, throwing his head back despite the desire to watch what Megatron was doing. Sweet Primus, he didn’t know what to focus on! The glossa teasing against his spike’s sensors or the digits playing with the rim of his valve… Both made him beyond hot! Optronix panted and clenched his hands in the covers of the berth. “M-Megatron, oh, Primus, please? More…” He didn’t really care what the warlord did, but he was reacting to this much stronger than he had ever thought possible…

A pleased rumble greeted the begging words, Megatron was quite pleased to have this effect on the young Iaconian noble. Dragging it out for a bit he laved the spike with long licks, teasing himself as much as Optronix. When the tip leaked a few shimmering drops of thick fluid he couldn’t manage anymore and swallowed down the entire spike with a hungry groan. Optronix was by no means the only one who had been tortured by the wait…

Optronix was spared making a highly undignified noise only by the fact that he was trying to cool himself with his emergency intakes the same instant Megatron decided to do… THAT. “Oh, frag,” he moaned, curling a little around the larger mech’s helm and panting heavily as he struggled not to overload right then. So much stimulation, so hot and wet and good… Forget not overloading, the red and blue mech didn’t know how he was going to stop from just offlining from the pleasure!

He tasted good! Megatron was aware that he was being more than a little ‘overwhelming’ to Optronix, but he couldn’t bring himself to stop. The smaller mech was intoxicating, his smell, taste and the sounds he made. Swallowing around his mouthful of spike he growled, adding mercilessly to the stimulation. Pushing his claw a little inside the valve he almost choked on a moan, He was pretty sure that the young Iaconian had played with himself but obviously not enough to break the membrane protecting his valve from debris. Carefully probing the though membrane he located the opening and almost sighed in relief. It would have proved very difficult to do this even remotely painless if Optronix had been one of the few whose membrane didn’t split on its own while they grew up.

“Megatron, sl-lower, not ready to… to… aah!, to, please!” Megatron knew exactly what he was doing, the glitch, he had to! But Optronix felt silly asking him to stop when he had, just moments before, been begging for more… He gripped Megatron’s helm and shoulders with both his legs and his hands as he moaned his pleasure with abandon, giving up on holding back for the moment. It felt too good to do anything else, and if he overloaded now, he’d stand a better chance of being able to retaliate later.

A deep gravelly chuckle was all the answer Megatron gave, knowing well what kind of effect that would have on the mech who’s spike he was sucking. They had the entire dark cycle, Pit, they had three orns if that was what Optronix’ wanted, for pleasure. To him it really didn’t matter if the smaller mech was the only one who ‘got off’. Pushing his claw tip though the opening, careful not to break the membrane yet, he gently scraped the untouched valve wall on the other side.

Optronix cried out and pushed himself fruitlessly into Megatron’s mouth as overload abruptly tore through him. He couldn’t move much, but he was willing to take what he could get! His entire frame felt like it was going to rattle apart with how hard he was shuddering, anyway, and the younger mech thought that if he didn’t fall apart, he would certainly melt from the roiling heat emanating from his spark…

Keeping the shuddering chassis as still as possible Megatron made sure to milk every last little drop, shudder and cry from Optronix, before pulling away. The smaller mech was limp as a mesh doll, falling back to lie half on, half off the berth. That wouldn’t do! Picking up the mech, he stretched them both out on the oversize berth. Then began running his claws all over the softly curved armor, making use of the fact that he was allowed to molest his Intended.

“Mmmph…” Never overloaded like THAT before. So good… Optronix hummed, optics at half-strength as he curled up, then stretched out, then shifted a little to cuddle up to Megatron while his systems rebooted. “Your claws kinda tickle, but they feel good,” he informed his companion somewhat dopily after a moment. It was no easy feat to think with the residual effects of his overload still tingling through his frame, and he wasn’t going to bother forcing it.

“Hmm,” pressing his claws a little harder against Optronix armor Megatron scanned the relaxed faceplates for signs of pain, “’this better?” A small jerky nod and a moan was his answer. The young mech was cute as all Pit and even though he didn’t ‘have’ him yet, Megaton sent a prayer of thanks to Unicron and the holy triad. “Spent? Or do you wish to continue this after recuperating a little?”

“Mmm… Gonna recuperate. Maybe. Processor feels like it’s melting still, but is shooooo good…” And now he sounded absolutely silly! Optronix decided he must have broken something and really didn’t care, and laughed at himself as he wound an arm around Megatron’s shoulders and kissed him.

Kissing back, with more skill but certainly not more enthusiasm, Megatron rumbled with amusement. “That is not recuperating, are you really that anxious to feel this?” Opening his panel he allowed his spike to emerge, groaning deeply when it pressed against smooth amore. “Unicron! You feel good, Optronix, dangerously good…”

Optronix wanted to answer that yes, he WAS, actually, but he was far too interested in the spike nudging his thighs to bother. He reached down, entire frame heating with instinctive embarrassment at the mere thought of touching another mech this way, and traced the hot length with a look of intense concentration. What would it look like? Just touching, he could tell that it was huge… Obviously, they were going to have to work to get it to fit, especially at first…

“Ah! Oh, yes… keep mm keep touching…” Rocking his hips, and momentarily forgetting that this was a (relatively) innocent mech, Megatron pressed Optronix harder against his chest. Small hands, delicate blunt digits… that could very easily be his undoing! “I do think you’ll manage to ruin my reputation of a lover with stamina… those hands of yours… divine!”

Optronix smiled a little, pleased with the response, and stretched to kiss the warlord again. “It’s not like I’ve got any stamina to begin with, so…” he trailed off and devoted himself to getting into a good position to grip the large spike and stroked it firmly. It was surprisingly fun to see what kind of reactions he could get from Megatron now that they were free to do this, Optronix mentally noted. Definitely made it a worthwhile pastime…

“We can fix that easily enough, at least if you want to do this often eno~UGH!” Honestly he had thought Optronix would be a little shyer about this. Megatron didn’t intent to complain but the pressure on his spike made his processor stop for several seconds. When he did start thinking again he was engaged in a very satisfying kiss, complete with the most wonderful little mewling sounds from his partner.

Optronix was quickly discovering just how thrilling kissing could be when there was no underlying current of ‘have to stop’ to distract him. Especially once Megatron started participating in earnest… Primus, how could simple foreplay be this intoxicating? It felt like every sound, every movement, went straight to his groin and enflamed his circuitry and equipment! The red and blue noble groaned and pressed into Megatron, effectively sandwiching the mech’s spike between them as his interface equipment surged eagerly, craving more attention.

By the time he pulled back from that sweet little mouth and the pouty dermas again Megatron’s vents were working overtime. “You are far too good at this…” Admiration and satisfaction struggled for supremacy in his tone. Thrusting shallowly into the smaller mech’s chassis he groaned, low and sultry. “I want to take you, Optronix, lovely one, will you allow me that pleasure?”

Optronix’s valve tingled and clenched wantonly at the prospect, warm lubricant leaking out and dripping down the back of his thigh. “You’ll be gentle?” he asked. Not that he thought the mech would be anything but, not REALLY, but his friends’ worries were coming back with a vengeance at the idea of letting this large spike anywhere near his comparatively (in his own CPU) teeny valve… Regardless, Optronix laid himself out for the taking; if they ran into trouble, well… they would work something out. He knew, logically, that Megatron would fit, so it was just a matter of preparation.

“I will be gentle…” It didn’t seem like Optronix really needed the reassurance, but Megatron gave it anyway. Running his hands over the smaller chassis he sat up, determined to explore everything. It was always fun to map out a lover’s hot spots for the first time. “It will hurt a little… no matter how careful I am, your protective membrane is still intact and I will have to break though it somehow.”

“I know,” Optronix said with a nod of understanding, and raised his hands to touch Megatron’s shoulders shyly before drawing the mech down for a kiss as he arched into the curious touches to his chassis. “Mmm,” he hummed when the warlord traced his chest plates, but giggled shortly after when claws skimmed down his sides. Amidst laughs, he tried to apologize. “‘m sorry, ‘m sorry! S’ticklish there!”

“Really?” Chuckling darkly Megatron returned his claws to the side panels and tickled deliberately. Gradually he made his touches less light, snuck his claws deeper into the seams. He was rewarded with a moan and couldn’t help kissing Optronix again.

Oh, he was a devious one! Not that Optronix was complaining… He whimpered when something especially good was touched in his side, just above his hip, and pushed himself up so he could straddle his kneeling lover, only breaking their kiss briefly while he relocated himself before diving right back in. While Megatron explored him, he made a point of playing with the various pointed edges of the darker mech’s armor, looking for the more sensitive edges that he remembered his ‘secret admirer’ mentioning them having. It was still a little jarring to think of them as the same person, as much as it also made Optronix happy…

Groaning Megatron had to break the kiss when clever blunt digits found and pinched one of the decorative sensor spikes on his shoulder. “Clever little hands… I shouldn’t have told you so much about my weaknesses, Optronix.” One hand slid further down, in between their bodies and didn’t stop till it rested over the smaller mech’s open panel. “I can do this two ways. Either I break your membrane quickly, with my claws and prepare your valve properly for the stretch my spike will provide… or I break it slowly, with my spike. Either one will bring some pain.”

Did Megatron really have to give him a choice? It wasn’t like he had any previous basis to go on as to which would be better… Although a quick break and proper preparation sounded like it would be a long way towards ‘better’, given their size difference. “The first one?” Optronix said, posing it as a question.

“I’ll be as gentle as possible.” Murmuring lowly Megatron nipped at a finial and pushed a claw inside the wet valve. The first was followed by another and he gently scraped at the valve walls and the outside of the membrane. “Promise to tell me if any of my actions hurt? I’ll warn you when I’m ready to break though.”

Optronix nodded, not quite trusting himself to speak as his valve was stretched and stimulated. Oh, sweet Primus and the holy triad… The Iaconian moaned and curled his arms around his larger partner as his valve clenched experimentally around the claws inside him. Whereas each move of Megatron’s fingers stimulated some sensors in his valve, his spike was going to be bigger, hit EVERYTHING… Optronix mewled and sought out the warlord’s mouth for another kiss to distract him from the excitement that thought filled him with.

Maneuvering carefully Megatron managed to push both claws into the opening in the membrane. He could feel how taunt it became and was immensely careful as he thrust his fingers in and out pressing them though the opening a little more each time. Optronix made it a bit hard to concentrate, the young mech was getting quite adept at kissing, but then if he was distracted so was Optronix. All he needed to do was get him worked up, just to the point where his valve clenched in preparation for overload…

“Oh!” Optronix squeaked, breaking the kiss when Megatron brushed a dense cluster of nodes he hadn’t realized he had. He had never touched anything that deep before, and kind of regretted it now. That felt good! Just the constant thrusting of fingers was enough to drive him crazy with anticipation, but that… “Please, Megatron, again? I’m gonna…”

“That’s good… I’ll have to break it soon…” At just the right moment… It didn’t really help that the kiss had been broken, or so Megatron realized, since he now only had to focus on the feel of Optronix valve. Tight, hot, wet… clenching and welcoming. No, the young Iaconian wasn’t his first virgin, but that didn’t matter! It was Optronix, his Intended… the mech who would be the center of his universe. No one was stupid enough not to know what a bond did to a mech, the rearranging of priorities that happened when one life force was bound to another… it was expected. In Kaon the mate to the warlord was a treasure, mechs befriended him, protected him and he was cherished like the treasure he was. Even under cruel warlords it had been like that, and often times the warlord in question had changed for the better… Or, as in one case, the Intended had seen his mate’s being in the moment of bonding and had taken his own life to rid Kaon itself of the plague he now knew his warlord mate to be.

The red and blue Iaconian had a feeling he was rambling; he knew he was talking, but whatever he was saying eluded him in favor of letting him concentrate on the mounting pleasure between his legs. He didn’t know how he was holding on, but frag if he wasn’t ready to go over! Megatron’s fingers brushing so nicely inside him, his voice just about rattled Optronix to the core, their burning frames pressed so wonderfully together… All at once, he felt his valve ripple around the invading fingers and send him over with a cry, shorting out his audio and visual feeds for a moment. Oh, Primus…!

“Brace yourself!” Megatron wasn’t sure Optronix could comprehend the warning but he gave it anyway, just as he had promised. Adding a third claw, which ripped the membrane open on the way in, and curling all three ever so slightly one the way out he removed the entire thing in a few seconds. He quickly pulled out and went back to using only two claws, carefully pressing them in deeper, he did his best to prolong the pleasurable part of the smaller mech’s overload.

Optronix jerked at the sudden pain, but it was gone relatively quickly so he forgot about it, rocking happily on the fingers inside of him for a long while, even after his overload had tapered off and he finally started to come down a little. “Oh…” That was nice…

“You enjoyed it?” Megatron inquired a little anxiously, still very aware of just who he was pleasuring. He didn’t remove his claws, but kept the movement shallow and slow. He really couldn’t wait till he could feel the valve properly, as it was made to be felt…. Patience was something he had to cling to though, since Optronix was the one to decide their pace.

“Mmhmm!” Optronix squirmed happily and rubbed the back of Megatron’s neck affectionately. “Kinda hurt a little. Was that my thingy?” Whatever that thing was called… He couldn’t quite think enough to remember.

“Yes, that was the membrane it won’t hurt again, not as long as your partner is careful of you.”Which he intended to be, despite his arousal having reached a quite uncomfortable level. Megatron did not want to ruin the mood but this position was putting pressure on his spike and it was just about to explode… or at least it felt like it was. “Optronix… I… we have to move, or I will find my overload a little prematurely…” He could overload as many times as any mech but… it would be harder to reach the peak for every overload. He wasn’t too sure Optronix could match that stamina yet.

Move to? Megatron was so warm and comfortable… But overloading prematurely didn’t sound like a good idea so he nodded his head and looked around. “Where?” And even if it didn’t sound good, they were going to have to see about getting the warlord off because two for him and none for Megatron sounded distinctly unfair…

“Not where, I merely meant move a little so you don’t press against my spike.” Megatron half purred half groaned, raining in the urge to thrust against the smaller mech’s plating. It would undoubtedly feel good… “It’s not that I wouldn’t love overloading, lovely one, but we still have a little ways to go before you can accommodate my girth.”

“Oh.” That made sense. Optronix shifted back a little, unsure. “This better?” It was much harder to support himself from this distance, the Iaconian native realized as he waited for Megatron to decide. He kind of didn’t like it… Maybe he could lay down? “I don’t think I have the ability to sit upright on my own right now…” he announced hesitantly.

“Then we better lie down again.” In the processes of relocation Optronix bumped his spike a few times, almost making him curse. Megatron could barely remember having felt such powerful arousal before, he knew it was partly processor trickery and partly because of who the mech in his arms was. There were times were he had despaired of ever finding his Intended… it had not helped that his questions to the Oracle of Praxus had come back unanswered so many times. It had been a great surprise when finally one was answered, with an invitation to a face plates to face plates meeting. “You are beautiful… you are not of Kaon build but I don’t think I have ever wanted to touch anyone quite as much as I want to touch you…” Touch, taste, bite, ‘face, love… all that could be done between fully upgraded consenting mechs.

“T-thank you…” Optronix flushed, squirming. The movement served to remind him that there were still fingers in his valve, and that made him squirm for an entirely different reason. “Do you want… What should I do?” he asked, a little breathless from the pleasurable sensations. He could touch, he wasn’t (too) afraid to do that, but he didn’t exactly know how or where.

“You can kiss me… and then I would like to feel those clever hands of yours on me again, if you are agreeable.” Shifting so that he leaned a little over Optronix, Megatron carefully pulled his fingers out a little and then slowly pushed them all the way in for the first time. The valve reacted with a clench, gripping at his claws in a way that made him groan.

Optronix whimpered at the increased stretch, pelvic joint jerking involuntarily in response to the warmth pooling in him once more. Kissing, kissing was a good idea, he thought, and reached for Megatron to follow through on that. A little involuntary mewl slipped out as their mouths came in contact, but Optronix hardly noticed; he was FAR more interested in getting Megatron to open up, to kiss him deeper and toy with his valve some more…

Working his fingers in and out of the tight valve, gently parting them to stretch the walls, Megatron lost himself in the kiss. It only took a few tentative licks from Optronix glossa to get him to open his lips and tangle the comparatively small appendage with his own.

The red and blue mech writhed on the berth, clutching alternately at the covers and Megatron’s shoulders as he sought purchase with which to ground himself from the rising heat in his frame. By the gods, this just kept getting better and better! It was slightly uncomfortable to have his valve walls stretched, but the pleasure was so much that Optronix hardly noticed at all as he suckled on Megatron’s glossa before following it back into the warlord’s mouth, eager and hungry for anything the mech was willing to give.

Deftly pulling his claws almost entirely out he slipped a third with them in again. There shouldn’t be too much discomfort by now, he had made sure to wait till lubricant was flowing somewhat steadily. Megatron knew he had to keep his own eagerness rained in it wasn’t easy though, not with Optronix action so wanton and eager. The mech was all but riding his claws, hips jerking eagerly with every thrust.

“Nngh! M-Megatron, Mega– frag, please, I don’t… I can’t…!” Optronix wanted more, NEEDED more, but at the same time, he wasn’t sure he could take it. At least, not without overloading hard enough to knock himself out… It certainly felt like he would already!

“What, Optronix, what is it you don’t want...can’t do?” It was certainly not this, nor overloading. He was enjoying the first and the second was already building. “Do you want me to claim you? Or are you afraid of it… I will be gentle, as I promised.” But even gentle would only do so much.

Optronix keened, staring sightlessly up at the ceiling as his hips thrust and ground down against the fingers inside him. “Want… want you, oh pleeeaaasssseee…!” he gasped, then cried out as his valve shuddered briefly around Megatron’s fingers. “Wanna overload, with you, I NEED…” Primus, it was getting so hard to form a coherent sentence! But Megatron NEEDED to understand, he just couldn’t wait any longer!

That was quite clear enough, probably the most coherent invitation he could hope for. Sitting up fully Megatron pulled his fingers out, briefly licking them before kneeling between Optronix legs. Sliding his arms underneath his knees and supporting the smaller chassis with his hands he angled the blue hips so he could align the valve with his spike. Optronix sounds were driving him crazy, little pleading noises and cries. “Yes… yes! I’ll be careful…” He wasn’t aware that he rumbled actual words, only aware of the tight, crushing heat his spike was slowly, agonizingly, pressing into.

The lithe Iaconian moaned, long and loud, at the intense pain-pleasure of his first real penetration, what little coherence he had left demanding he hold still while the rest begged for more, more, MORE. There was just so much of Megatron; he kept pushing and pushing and pushing and his spike was going so, so deep…! Optronix never wanted it to stop, and he thought he might have said so but couldn’t be sure, and it didn’t matter anyway, as long as Megatron DIDN’T stop.

It took forever, an eternity of pleasurable torture that Megatron hated as well as loved. It was beautiful to watch as the lithe body took in every last inch of him. He was ready to stop at the least little sound of pain, or at least he told himself he was... reality might be different. He could actually feel every little sensor node embedded in the walls of Optronix valve as it stretched tight around his spike, stretched, clenched… and suddenly they rested pelvic to pelvic and Megatron forgot what he was supposed to do.

Optronix squirmed, delighting in how… FULL he felt. So very full… Almost to the point of being TOO full, but not quite, and in a way he had never quite realized he was empty until right then. For a few long moments, he was content to just feel the fullness in him, but eventually it became apparent that something was missing because while he was very much aroused, he was nowhere near overloading. What was missing eluded him, however, and he whined pitifully. “Megatron…?”

“A-a moment… please… Unicron! You are so tight…” Curling a little over the red and blue frame he tried to regain control. No not really control, rather he simply sought the stamina to last for a few seconds longer. Knowing that Optronix was build smaller than any mech he had been with before had not really translated into will be ‘tighter than anyone I have been with before’. Another sound of need made him focus on the mech under him, the desperate look in his gorgeous cerulean optics… It cost him to pull his hips back slowly, to push back in. His vents gasped for cool air, finding none at all…

Optronix’s legs jerked slightly in response to the utterly wonderful sensation of friction against his valve nodes. Every single one, rubbed against so very nicely… “M-more, oh… Oh!” Stamina, he thought distantly, was going to need a LOT of work. Megatron had hardly moved, but he felt like he was going to burst anyway… The younger mech keened and shuddered, hands reaching for Megatron’s arms so he had something to hold onto as another slow, experimental thrust rocked his core.

A harsh almost frustrated growl broke Megatron’s vocalizer as he did his best to move and not lose it. Hopefully Optronix was as close or his first full interface would be something of a disappointment. Three thrusts were all he managed, sheer delicious torture on his hyper sensitive spike… The overload didn’t really help the rush of fluids only making the tightness worse.

A bare astrosecond after Megatron’s transfluid flooded him, Optronix overloaded, unable to take the stimulation of hot liquid washing against his most deeply recessed nodes on top of everything else. A harsh scream of the warlord’s name emitted from his vocalizer and he bucked desperately, mindlessly seeking more of that feeling.
It seemed like an eternity later when the brunt of the overload tapered off, leaving him feeling positively wrung out but so, so good… Megatron was slumped over him and it would probably be uncomfortable in a couple of breems but right now, it was nice. Warm and pleasantly squished…

He should pull out, roll to the side… he really should, Megatron vaguely poked at the idea and decided it would have to wait till his joints had solidified. He was also pretty sure that pulling his spike out would cause his arousal to spike back up to a nearly unmanageable level. It felt like it had been scraped down to the nodes… in an entirely pleasurable way. “I have never felt anything quite like that… anyone quite like you, lovely one.”

The blue and red mech made a sound of agreement. “Could say the same, but it doesn’t mean quite as much from me, since I’ve no basis to go on… Still processor-blowing though.” Oh, yes… Optronix shifted and mewled as a jolt of pleasure shot up his spine from his sensitized valve. He was honestly surprised he could still THINK, let alone talk, and much less talk coherently!

Growling Megatron tensed up, optics offlining. “Please, don’t do that… I… I am not sure I can control myself sufficiently right now.” If at all, by the holy triad! He didn’t even dare pull out; least he was tempted beyond willpower to take the smaller mech again, roughly. Optronix had to be sensitive right now, maybe even in a small amount of pain.

… Oh. If it felt good to him, it probably felt good to Megatron, too… “Sorry,” Optronix mumbled sheepishly, nuzzling against the warlord apologetically. “Are you okay?” He was almost sure he hadn’t hurt Megatron, but it didn’t hurt to ask, right?

“Oh, I am more than okay.” Megatron chuckled gently, moving his head to kiss a finial. “It’s not a question of being okay or not, but rather of you being so danged arousing I fear moving will lead to me causing you pain. You are very tight and I am very… very aroused still.”

“Knew you should’ve let me help,” Optronix muttered without real force, turning his head to catch the other’s lip components in a brief kiss. “Is there anything I can do? Aside from playing Statues, I mean.”

“I am not omnipotent, lovely one, and I give you this one as a victory, I had not anticipated this… this level of need, even though I knew how much I wanted you.” Megatron huffed and then clenched his jaws as he pulled out… he didn’t succeed in his endeavor, had to stop, trembling and moaning.

“Oooh…!” Optronix moaned, only just barely keeping from moving since he doubted it would help either of them right then. “Primus, Megatron…” It felt like every node in his valve had been scraped raw, but in such a way that it made him ache for more, to have that spike pushed back into him, so deep he could swear it was in his throat… How would it feel in his throat? The red and blue mech suddenly bemoaned the fact that he had never really gotten a good look at the spike that was currently in him. Would it even fit in his mouth? He kind of hoped so…

“Your valve is gripping at me! By the Triad…” It was gripping at him, slick heat… it was going to drive him insane. Megatron actually mewled and pressed his face against Optronix’ shoulder. How was he supposed to be sensible when his spike was just about bursting again already? When his little Intended sounded like that would be the best thing in the whole slaggin’ universe? He knew Optronix would be sore now, if he did what his chassis urged him to do the mech wouldn’t be able to walk for an orn… at least.

Optronix keened and wrapped shaky arms around Megatron’s shoulders, nuzzling the other as his valve clenched and spasmed. He had just overloaded (for the third time!) and already it felt like he was going to go again! Well, who said that was a bad thing? He would be more than happy to just lay here and interface their entire vacation, he really would! “More, please?” he whimpered, kneading at the other mech’s shoulder struts encouragingly.

“Optronix! I… I would risk hurting you, I doubt you’ll be able to walk for an orn if we do much more…” But the pleading tore at his fraying self control, his own lust eroding it from the inside. There was also the matter of their relationship, what to do about it, with it… interfacing wouldn’t solve that, but neither would it harm his chances, now would it? Grapping desperately for the last little bit of sense he gasped out a last question. “Sure? Are you sure? Optronix, tell me do you want me to take you again?”

How could it possibly hurt when it felt so good? The noble made a frustrated noise and nodded frantically. “Yes! Please, Megatron, please! Want you so bad…” What else did he have to say? Was interfacing always going to be like this? Hopefully not after they bonded… Then Megatron would surely know when he wanted more without wasting time with these protests and inquiries!

One long second of hesitation and then Megatron let go. Or rather he let go as much as he dared, pulling almost out, to a surprised whine of protest from Optronix, before slowly but firmly sheathing himself fully in the smaller mech’s valve. It fritzed his processor, the sounds his Intended made, the heat and the pleasure and he was pulling out again before he had even considered the action. Later he wouldn’t be able to tell how he managed to keep to a reasonably slow pace… one thing was certain he had no control over his own chassis!

Optronix wailed and clung tightly to the warlord, feeling each thrust with every micron of his being and loving every astrosecond of it. Sweet Primus, have mercy… It was like, with every successive overload, he got MORE sensitive to the effects of Megatron’s spike in him – the mech over and against him so deliciously strong and dominant – instead of less! And it was just sooo good… so worth it, even if Megatron’s prediction that he wouldn’t be able to walk later came true!

Megatron snarled with every thrust and pull, unable to keep the intense feelings of pleasure reined in. Optronix seemed more than happy to be under him, to take his harsh treatment… he was leaving paint scrapes and claw marks all over the smaller mech. Even bite marks, as it became harder and harder to control himself. Overload loomed in the back ground, a heavy presence that he both longed for and fought against with every last iota of energy in his spark.

The blue and red noble wasn’t entirely sure what eventually sent him over, though he was pretty sure it was the way Megatron had thrust into him fully and growled as he bit into his throat that had done it (funny how he had never thought before that such a sound could have THAT much of an effect). Either way, the result was spectacular, to say the least. His entire sensor net seemed to spontaneously combust and his spark pulsed rapidly, in perfect time with the shuddering clenches of his valve around the impossibly large spike inside of him, all of which made Optronix sob deliriously and buck into the warlord helplessly until it all became too much and his systems were forced offline in a hard reboot to prevent the surges from damaging his untried relays.

This time Megatron pulled out while his spike was still pumping transfluid, he didn’t want to be tempted into another round. Well he did, but it was highly inadvisable and he wasn’t going to do it! The stray ribbons of transfluid against Optronix scuffed plating and the pool of it on the mech’s abdominal plating was too much to resist… Megatron didn’t mind his urge and gently lapped his Intended clean, head burrowed between the slim thighs when the Iaconian stirred.

Optronix stirred and moaned briefly in discomfort as overclocked sensors protested the gentle but unrelenting stimulation, but it only lasted a bare few seconds before he was spreading his legs wider and bracing his pedes on the berth so he could push into the wonderful feeling, largely ignoring the faint twinge of pain his pelvic region gave in response. Nothing like Megatron’s spike, nor his fingers, but oooh… There had better be a lot more interfacing in his future! If it always felt like this, Optronix couldn’t imagine going without.

Sliding his hands from where they had been keeping Optronix legs apart and under the mech, he supported his efforts in pushing up against his glossa and dermas. Megatron did like to give oral, whether it was giving attention to his partner’s spike or valve. It got such beautiful responses, especially as an end to a good ‘facing session! The languid sense of pleasure, which giving a tired lover one last lingering overload, brought. There was also the fact that he liked tasting the mixed fluids, a physical confirmation of the act that had preceded this action.

“Mm– oooohh! M-Megatron…” Optronix shivered and arched his back until just his shoulders and head were on the berth, hands sliding beneath himself to curl over and clutch at Megatron’s on his aft. By the gods! Megatron really knew what he was doing… The younger mech gasped when the warlord did something particularly good with his glossa, optics unfocused as he drown in wave after wave of slow, hot pleasure that flooded between his spark and his valve. “Again? Again, ooh, yesss…”

A rough sound was all the confirmation Megatron gave as he continued his ‘meal’. The lithe mech responded so readily to all of this, so uncensored. For some reason he had expected to have to coax such free responses out of Optronix… he was by no means disappointed though. Pushing his glossa back into his Intended’s valve he leaved at the slick walls, teasingly pressing the tip of his glossa against the faintly felt nodes.

Optronix gripped Megatron’s hands tighter and keened as his valve clenched and rippled on nothing and his spike bobbed eagerly to attention. “T-tease!” he gasped when Megatron repeated the action again, entering and departing just before his valve could clamp down and make SOME attempt at keeping the other in… It wasn’t much of a complaint though, and he had a feeling that fact was very obvious.

Low uneven chuckles greeted the ‘accusation’, Optronix really didn’t sound very serious. Megatron wasn’t sure if he should keep this up or change his tactic, thing was… the smaller mech seemed perfectly happy with the teasing. There was also the factor that something more might hurt even if Optronix didn’t think so now… the valve had been brutally stretched and used, taking care only did so much after all.

This position had the potential to be highly uncomfortable after a certain length of time, but Optronix was feeling far too good to notice the way his joints protested the tension with which he held himself. “Megatrooon…! Frag, please, YES!” he moaned, grinding mindlessly as his overload neared.

Unicron’s horns! Optronix sounded so good when he moaned his name like that… he sounded so close to the edge. It was very hard for Megatron to keep teasing, instead of pressing either claws or his spike into the wet orifice. He knew when not to give in to temptation though; a long life had luckily given him that kind of experience to draw on.

It was only a matter of moments before the noble overloaded with a staticky, wordless cry, straining further into Megatron’s wonderful, wonderful mouth as his entire frame seemed to throb in time with each delicious spasm of his valve and spike. He would have never imagined before that overloading could feel so different with each method of achieving it, before, but gods, it was so amazing…
Optronix gave a disoriented groan as he finally slumped back to the berth, utterly spent with frame singing in residual pleasure. He reached blindly for his lover and tugged at the spiky form when he found it. “Megatron…” he pleaded quietly, though he wasn’t entirely sure WHAT, exactly, he was pleading for. A kiss, possibly, and some cuddles… Or maybe a shower. He was going to feel FILTHY soon, and that was no way to go into recharge! But definitely the kiss, either way.

“Mm… no, no, lovely one, recharge like this and your abdominal plates will itch like rust in the morning. One last decadent thing to show you tonight!” Megatron resisted doing more than a quick peck of derma against derma before standing up, a bit wobbly, and collected the smaller mech. There was nothing of his easy grace about them as he half stumbled into the private wash rack… but there didn’t need to be. All he needed to do was dump them both bodily in the bathtub. As soon as they were in it, it began to fill with hot water and fragrant solvent. The tub was easily large enough to accommodate Megatron’s length and width, submerged to the neck, Optronix would be fully submerged laying on top of him.

“Mm?” Where were they now? The sound of running water answered that question almost as quickly as he had thought it, and Optronix made an indistinct sound of excitement. A bath! That sounded, quite simply, divine… The blue and red mech cuddled up to his Intended with a hum as hot water lapped against his pedes in extremely pleasant ways. Moving too much was uncomfortable though, so Optronix didn’t do much more than pull Megatron into another kiss after that and settle against him. He could feel bad for making Megatron do everything later, after his processors started working again…

Megatron enjoyed the bath as much as Optronix but unlike the smaller mech he managed to stay online as they soaked. Hopefully the heat would help the young Iaconian so that he wouldn’t be quite as sore when the light cycle came by. It was a little funny to clean him up, red and blue limps twitching erratically and small sounds of annoyance and pleasure coming from his vocalizer. He didn’t even online when he was dried and carried back to berth. Avoiding most of the dried fluids staining the sheets Megatron settled them both, enveloping his berth mate in a hug before he let recharge take him.

Optronix mumbled and reached blindly for Scorponok as he came online, mewling quietly when the drone seemed nowhere to be found. Slaggit, he wanted to snuggle! The young Iaconian onlined his optics and pushed himself up and off the berth to look for the wayward creature – or, he tried to. He fell back almost immediately, hissing as his entire pelvic area protested movement. STRONGLY protested it. Gingerly, Optronix probed between his legs to make sure he wasn’t damaged, and groaned at the hypersensitivity if the area. He didn’t have any reports of anything broken, but apparently it was a close thing…
Thinking of what had gotten him into this predicament made Optronix realize that not only was Scorponok not around, neither was Megatron. And, inexplicably, that made him irritated. Not only was he in pain, but he couldn’t recall going into recharge with Megatron, AND the mech wasn’t here to greet him when he onlined! Their first night ‘together’ and he had to wake up by himself. That hardly seemed fair…

His Intended had been fast in recharge when he left to arrange for a proper morning refuel. Optronix looked a lot less peaceful now; in fact he looked down right rebellious. That should not be as sexy as it was! “Good cycle, lovely one, I am sorry you onlined while I was gone… perhaps my burden will grant me your forgiveness?” The tray was made to stand in a berth and Megatron settled it beside his narrow opticed mate-to-be removing the cover to reveal a selection of energon candy, rust treats, tiny gel cubes and small cubes of proper energon.

Optronix eyed his Intended, and then the array of energon and treats, for a moment before scooting himself back, carefully, to rest against the pillows at the head of the berth. He was hungry and he wanted to burrow himself in Megatron’s arms just because he COULD now, but all of that could wait until he had stated all of his complaints, starting with the most important. “I hurt.”

“Yes… I imagine you do.” Megatron settled on the edge of the berth with a huff. Of cause Optronix would be stubborn and grumpy. “I do remember warning you that would happen if we continued our… love making.”

Optronix nodded. He also remembered that. That didn’t make him hurt any less! “Nothing’s broken,” he informed the warlord, not complaining although he was sure he sounded like it. No sense changing his tone when he was just going to go right back to listing the things that dissatisfied him. “Where’s Scorponok? Haven’t seen him or Scavenger since we arrived. Missed my wake-up cuddles.”

Dermas twitching a little at that ‘statement’ Megatron lowered his head and moved the tray further in on the bed so he could move fully on to it and actually lie down. It got even harder to suppress the bubbling laughter when the next question and statements came out in the exact same tone and accompanied with the exact same glare. “They are in the living room, curled up on a couch… they both need a bath.” That should tell Optronix just what his little drone had been doing since they arrived here… probably multiple times too since this was Scavenger’s home territory and he would want to cement his ‘hold’ on the younger drone in a way that couldn’t be so easily challenged by the other resident drones.

“… Oh.” Yeah, he was kind of glad he wasn’t cuddling his drone now… That could DEFINITELY wait until after the drones were cleaned up. “How come Scorponok doesn’t have trouble with Scavenger’s size? They ‘face all the time but at worst, he’s worn out for the rest of the orn when they’re done.” Not that they ever seemed to be ‘done’ recently. More ‘temporarily preoccupied with other things’ than anything!

“…” Megatron stared a little, trying to wrap his processor around that accusation. It was the last thing he had counted on to be asked and frankly he had been admiring his Intended’s long legs more than listening. “I don’t know… I have never considered actually looking at his interface equipment? It is possible that they have it placed differently so that it won’t hurt as much, or that they have some kind of standard size no matter how big or small they are.”

Optronix made a disbelieving sound. “You’ve never looked? Aren’t you curious?” Sure, it was kind of weird to want to know, but they had been together for AGES. He would have thought it might have occurred to Megatron eventually, but apparently it hadn’t… And there had to be information on the subject, besides! They were beyond commonplace in Kaon!

“I really never saw the need to poke at my drones interfacing habits, no” This time Megatron did laugh, he just couldn’t help it!”You see then thing is that Scavenger never did show any real interest in other drones… I know he has impregnated a few none bonded ones and that the litters have been good but… it was never something he made me aware of like he does with your Scorponok.”

“Well… You should check. Because I hardly think it’s fair that not only does my drone get to START interfacing before I do, but he doesn’t have to deal with being a cripple because his partner’s got a monster for a spike, either. No matter HOW good it feels.” Note to self. Processor-vocalizer filter: need to acquire. Optronix flushed and looked away from Megatron, fidgeting with his hands since he couldn’t exactly roll over. Moving at all was uncomfortable, and he didn’t want to irritate his aching valve any more than was strictly necessary…

The laughing fit took over and Megatron had to hide his face against the berth covers and pillows, massive shoulders shaking with his mirth. It was just so incredibly funny that Optronix managed to insult him and compliment him in one sentence… probably not meaning to do either one. Pulling himself together he sat up and reached out to touch his flushed Intended. “So I have a monster for a spike, do I? I bet I could make you want it again…” Dropping from amused into purring he stroked a hand up from Optronix ankle joint to just above the knee joint.

Optronix shivered and sighed, optics dimming at the intimate touch and purr. Yes, Megatron was probably right; he probably COULD make Optronix want it again, and badly. Likely with no effort at all… “Not fair,” he complained, but held his arms out and made grabby hands in the hopes of enticing his Intended into coming over anyway. He wanted cuddles from SOMEONE, slaggit! “Bet you can’t do it without touching.”

“That is a bet for another day, right now I think we should concentrate on refueling and cuddling…” Megatron moved the tray and himself up to his slightly mollified mate-to-be. He was very careful when he shifted Optronix to lie against his chest plates. “The pain will pass, lovely one, and it won’t be as bad next time… now! With what do you wish to break your fast?”

“Feels better already,” the noble mumbled as he relaxed in the warlord’s arms. Just being held – or enveloped, really – by the larger mech made the pain fade, like a big heat pack was wrapped around him, about liquefying his struts… Optronix eyed the selection of energons before picking up a couple of gel cubes. He didn’t feel much like fussing with a real cube just yet…

Rumbling agreeably Megatron selected a small cube for himself, delicately holding it between two claws. This was not his usual morning meal, apparently his staff had decided to be creative… not that he minded. They did love when he gave them something other than the usual to do, held a ball, spent a Citystate holiday here. It really was no wonder they had jumped at the chance to impress their new lord. He hoped that Optimus was willing to like them, and that he appreciated their efforts.

Optronix had a hard time, after the first gel cube, of eating them slowly. They were so good! Not that he expected them to be anything but, but Primus! The younger mech popped his fifth one in and about melted with bliss. He hadn’t realized interfacing took so much out of a mech, and these were really hitting the spot… But he should probably try the other stuff, too…

“I take it you like those? They are something of our chief blender’s specialty… I am sure he would be happy to have a supply ready at hand for you?” Megatron was refueling a bit more slowly, just now finishing the small cube and setting it back down. Since he had to be careful with his sore Intended he would just have to eat a few gel cubes, and not lick the taste off of the deliciously kiss bruised dermas.

“They’re really good!” Optronix said with a nod, but reached for a rust powdered treat instead for his next bite. It was good, too, and so was everything else, he decided as he tried them each in turn, but he had to admit that the gel cubes were still his favorite. They were gooey once they’d warmed a bit, and they had tasty insides!

“Yes… the staff seems to want to impress you.” Megatron carefully kept his amusement hidden. He didn’t want to make Optronix think he was laughing at him, he wasn’t. The mech was just so cute, as he tried to be ‘fair’ and yet kept returning to the gel cubes every few bites. “When you feel able to… I would like to show you the estate? Have you meet the staff… it is a relative small main house, it is a retreat for the Warlords and their mates… a place for family and friends.” Relative… it was nowhere near the palace in Kaon proper, but then fifty rooms, minus the ball room and various other seldom used rooms for gatherings or parties, wasn’t ‘small’… it just wasn’t the five hundred or so of the Capital’s palace.

Megatron made it sound like he would actually be able to leave the berth any time soon. Like he particularly WANTED to… Which, if Optronix was honest with himself, he didn’t. Not really… But he did want to see the estate, too. And meet people! That was definitely important. The blue and red mech swallowed his mouthful. “Not today, I don’t think… Tomorrow, possibly? I’d like to see…”

“If it pleases you to stay in the berth all day, lovely one, that is what I will make sure happens.” Catching one of Optronix hands he kissed each digit individually. He was still courting his Intended, and now he only had about two and a half orns left to do it in… “Is there anything else that would please you?”

Technically speaking, Optronix didn’t say, there are lots of things that I could think of that would please me, and not all of them are the best idea, given my current condition. What he DID say was, “Those book files I left on the table yesterday would be nice at some point. Not right now, particularly, because I’m very much content with cuddling… but eventually.”

“That is a very modest wish and it will be done.” Megatron nuzzled Optronix hand, gently nibbling on the finger tips and licking at the armor gaps in the knuckle joints and the wrist. Optronix still seemed so… hesitant about asking for things. It was as if he wasn’t at all used to getting whatever he might want. It was endearing but he had better learn to ask for things even if they seemed a little silly… or the staff here and at the palace would be disappointed. They were already indulgently disappointed that their Warlord was so very easy to care for. “Isn’t there anything else? I assure you that the servants here will be very happy to fulfill any wish you have, no matter how small!”

What did Megatron expect him to say? There really wasn’t a whole lot he wanted right then, aside from what he had already asked for… How much more could he need when he already had a doting, wonderful partner right there in the berth with him? Speaking of the berth, though… “Well, um… The berth’s kind of, er, dirty…?” Optronix offered hesitantly, glancing at the mess they had made the night before.

“Would you object to another bath? I believe it would help further on the pain and it will give the staff time to clean… if we do it ourselves they will be greatly upset.” The berth was dirty; there really was no other way to put it. Megatron couldn’t help the slightly leering smile that curled his derma at the thought of how it had come to be that dirty. He had liked to interface the smaller mech, loved it!, would very much love to do it again soon. Preferably with something a little more permanent added but… that was up to Optronix.

“Bath?” Optronix mimicked, tilting his head back to look at Megatron. It certainly sounded good, but… “What if I go into recharge on you again? I didn’t mean to, before…” But the water had been so warm and soothing, and Megatron’s hands on him, gentle but firm and even not really arousing, had been… well, one of the most amazing feelings in the universe.

“Then I carry you back to berth again… just like I did before. It was enjoyable, taking care of you.” It had felt right, homely. Megatron smiled and blocked further immediate ‘what if’s’ with a kiss, he just couldn’t help it. he had been lucky, now all he needed was a little more luck… just needed to convince Optronix that he really was both of the mechs that his young intended had gotten to know. “Lovely one, I doubt very much I would ever resent having you trust me enough to fall into recharge in my arms.”

Optronix was flushed, both from the kiss and the sparkfelt words. Primus… Megatron really felt so strongly for him? Even now, it seemed so surreal that anyone would. If that was how the warlord really felt… “I’d love another bath then. But even so, I’ll try to stay online so that I can enjoy all of it this time.” He leaned up, ignoring the faint ache that would just be a mere prelude to severe discomfort if he stretched much further, and caught Megatron’s dermas in another kiss, licking lightly in askance. Oh, it felt so good to be able to do this!

“One should always enjoy decadence… but falling asleep while doing so is just further proof of how decadent it is.” Teasing, Megatron got up and easily scooped up the smaller mech, careful of him but also carefully concealing that he was treating him like a crystal sculpture. Optronix was anything but fragile despite the fact that he was hurting now. Everyone hurt the morning after their first time, he had too… though their size difference did make it rather more prominent.

Optronix mewled in discomfort and curled his arms around the larger mech’s shoulders to help stabilize himself. A little warning would have been nice! But then, it probably would have hurt more from his tensing in preparation… “But I wanna spend time with you!” he whined, trying to distract himself just as much as he felt it was important to speak his mind on the matter. “Kinda hard to do that when I’m rechargin’ all the time…”

“If I promise to wake you up when we go back to berth, will that be sufficient to mollify you?” Megatron couldn’t quite keep his voice free of laughter or hide the pleased rumble of his tone. He wanted to spend ‘wake’ time with Optronix too, on the other hand… “I like watching you recharge, you look so innocent… not at all like the wanton little pitspawn that asked me to frag him despite my warnings. Though I must admit… I rather liked ‘him’ too!”

“Well… I guess,” Optronix conceded somewhat reluctantly. “You can’t be blamed for my lethargic tendencies. But I’m STILL going to try and stay up!” Because now that he had thought it, he was determined to follow through. Even if Megatron thought he was cute… The warlord could wait until he was actually tired-tired to see him recharge.

Oh? No comments on being a little sexual pitspawn? Megatron rumbled a laughter and made his way to the bath room. He supposed that he shouldn’t tease his Intended about his ‘appetites’ he had after all been the one who couldn’t quite control his chassis and spike in the first place. “Do you have any preferences as to scent or cleanser? Trust me, the staff will make sure to get the information somehow in the space of these three orns, you might as well just spill it now.”

“The staff is starting to scare me,” the blue and red mech stage whispered, half expecting ‘the staff’ to be listening in, which was intensely creepy. “To ensure they don’t, like, jump me and tie me up until I answer all of their questions, I prefer mild scents. Nothing super sweet or spicy…” He trailed off with a shrug. Ratchet had bought him a cleanser he really liked once, but he didn’t remember what it was… And he certainly wasn’t going to ask them to buy every kind in existence just so he could find it again! Optronix wasn’t that picky and he was sure he would come across it again eventually anyway.

That startled a full laughter from Megatron, he had not quite meant it that way. “You shouldn’t be scared of them… they simply wish to make sure you like it here. I am not sure if you noticed at the Palace but as soon as you showed a preference for something that was what was always available to you. They never ask, but they do observe, and they are better at it then many spies.” Awkwardly selecting a cleanser for their bath he then stepped into the tub and settled them as it began to fill. “Relax, they are probably some of the most loyal mechs on all of Cybertron, some of them can trace their ‘servitude’ to my line as far back as it goes, to the very founding of this Citystate.”

“Wow,” Optronix said, knowing and not really caring how amazed he sounded. That long? Kaon wasn’t as old as some city-states, but it was no fledgling, either! “Still kind of unnerving, but woah… I never even noticed, or would have guessed…” The smaller mech trailed off, unsure of where he was really going with it. And the water caressing his pedes was far more pleasant to think about…

“You’re not supposed to, at least not in regards to the staff and as for the other part, how could you know? But you see, that’s why it’s so important to them that you like them…” That and the fact that they would prefer to have the Warlord and his eventual family here at the more private holidays. Oh yes, his estate staff had their own ideas about how his vornly schedule should look, not that he minded it was nice to know that he was always welcome here. It was his home and yet not, a curious blend of all he longed for and all he couldn’t permanently have. A low sound, very like a half strangled moan diverted his thoughts. “Enjoying the bath, lovely one?”

Optronix nodded, twitching his pedes a little as the water crept further up them and then submerged them fully and started working on his legs. “Always f’get I can take a bath, too…” he mumbled somewhat sheepishly. “Feels good…”

“So…” Megatron huffed, not sure he wanted to bring this up at all, and shifted a little to sink further into the tub. “We still have things to discuss. Much as I would like to pretend otherwise…” Lazily caressing Optronix back he waited for the reaction, far more tense then he let on.

Discuss? Oh… yeah, he supposed they did… Optronix made a vaguely unhappy sound and cuddled closer, tighter to Megatron. “Mmkay.” Did they have to do it in the bath though? Not like there was an ‘ideal’ place for talking, but… Oh well. Sooner rather than later, as the saying went.

“I am not sure I can… give you any explanation you will find satisfactory, Optronix, I did what I had to do… what I thought, hoped, would be most fair to you?” His explanation was almost meek, offered carefully in a not quite defeated tone. Megatron was not at all sure what to do about anything… he had believed that he was doing the best thing. Even when it had been utter torture and he could see it had hurt Optronix he had believed that his actions had been right. Optronix didn’t seem to think the same…

“There were a whole lot of ups and downs in there that I really could have done without,” Optronix said. Megatron couldn’t really be blamed though. He thought it was best, and really, it COULD have been a whole lot worse, like the warlord had said… If he had done nothing at all, just waited until he could get his mitts on Optronix, and THEN tried to convince him that there was more to it than the peace treaty… The noble sighed. “I’m not mad at you or anything. I mean, I was for a while yesterday, but not really… I dunno. At least you made the effort, and I can appreciate that.”

“I could have done without the ups and downs too… believe me. Knowing you, having you so danged close all of a sudden…” Megatron stilled his caresses into a rather possessive grip, optics darkening as his thoughts wandered back to the kisses they had shared. It had been unbelievable! Really…
“I had expected to be physically attracted to you, I was to the images I saw but… it was a Pit of a lot stronger when I could actually touch you. Overwhelming… the Triad knows how much I envied Scavenger…”

Optronix nuzzled into Megatron as the water covered his lower back, engine purring. “Well, I’m glad it’s all over. The wait, I mean,” he mumbled as he kissed the warlord’s neck. Now that he wasn’t getting those uncomfortable crimps and twinges from his valve and leg hydraulics, he couldn’t help but feel a LITTLE aroused at the intimate situation… “The wait sucked, but this is SO worth it.”

“Are you sure you are not attempting to punish me a little?” Megatron purred low, hands beginning to move again. He didn’t try to arouse as such, but he couldn’t quite keep his claw tips all out of those tempting small seams on Optronix back.
“This is worth it… but you are still sore, please consider that before you tempt me a little too much?” Not that he intended to do anything unless his lovely Intended really wanted it but he could play… Optronix was already playing after all.

“Doesn’t hurt right now,” Optronix insisted defensively, arching slightly into the touches with a quiet mewl. “Besides, we can, mm… do other stuff?” He didn’t want to make Megatron do something that would make them both miserable later, no matter how much his valve was currently hungering for that wonderful fulfillment… But he wanted to interface! Everything Megatron did felt so good; the red and blue mech felt he couldn’t be blamed for his craving for more.

“That is true… any particular bit of fun you want to have?” Purr deepening further Megatron stroked a hand lower, cupping Optronix aft and slipping a claw in between the slim thighs, to scrap gently over the closed panel.

Optronix heard the water click off, probably deeming the tub full enough, but didn’t pay it much attention as he braced himself on Megatron’s chest so he could press back into the hand, keening. He was sure he had wanted something in particular, but it was so hard to remember what now…

“I love how responsive you are… a touch here and your all ready for me, I would love taking you again.” Moving his other hand to support Optronix Megatron rubbed a little harder at the panel. “Sink into the tight heat of your valve; hear those little pleas you just about whimper out…” Unicron! Teasing his Intended was about the greatest turn on in existence.
“I’ll do anything you want, Optronix, apart from that! Tell me what else I can do for you… tell me what kind of pleasure I can give you?”

“N… Not f-fair…” the younger mech whined, thighs trembling faintly and back arched as his panel opened, interface equipment sensitizing even more as the water flooded against it, the temperature almost painful but not quite enough to make Optronix want to close up again.
Megatron’s claws were light, teasing, as they touched him and since Optronix couldn’t get his vocalizer to cooperate enough to tell the other he needed MORE, slaggit, he just shoved his own hand between his legs and stuffed a couple of fingers up his valve with a satisfied moan, helm dropping against Megatron’s chest plates. How was it possible to get so aroused so quickly? His Intended hardly had to do anything and he was burning!

“Impatient little mech!” Static laced Megatron’s voice, surprise and a sharp spike of lust making his own chassis burn. Shifting he pressed one of his own claws inside of Optronix, careful not to scratch the smaller digits.

“Ooh…!” Optronix’s optics dropped offline as he lost himself in the stimulation, fingers working inside his valve in short thrusts that were only partially satisfying. He needed more, deeper… Megatron’s claws were much better suited in that regard.

The younger mech pulled his fingers out of his valve and mouthed at Megatron’s chest as he pawed at the warlord’s codpiece. Even if he couldn’t have it IN him, he could still have it AGAINST him, right? “Please, wanna touch….”

“I want you to touch, I want to feel your hands on me… I want to feel that nice spike of yours pressed against mine.” Purr? No, growl now, Megatron was plenty aroused enough that opening his panel made his spike almost spring to attention. Despite wanting to be careful he couldn’t help slipping two more claws into the wet depth of his intended.

Optronix made a delighted sound and arched into the fingers as his own closed around the spike, eagerly feeling it up as he stretched for another kiss. He wasn’t being too demanding, was he? He was just so excited to be able to DO this that he couldn’t help himself…

Megatron could barely believe his luck; he had been fully prepared to wait an entire orn or more till he was allowed to do something like this again. He knew Optronix had been sore as all Pit when he woke, despite his teasing he hadn’t had any plans about pressing his ‘urges’ on the smaller mech. As it were Optronix apparently had a few ‘urges’ of his own… and he did not mind pressing to have them fulfilled! “So hot and tight still… I think I could do this for breems on end! Just watch your lovely face plates flush with pleasure and feel my claws be squeezed and milked…”

“Megatron!” the young noble whimpered as he felt himself do exactly what Megatron was describing. Primus…! “No fair, t-talking like that…!” The mech was going to do horrible, cruel, wonderful things to his ability to retain some sense of coherency…
Well, two could play that game, couldn’t they? Optronix shakily continued stroking Megatron’s spike, fingers rubbing and squeezing the hot length. Although, just giving it attention made him a little frustrated because it wasn’t a good idea to have it in him like he wanted.

“Mm… but I like what my words do to you, lovely one.” And he liked what those small hands did to his spike. Bucking a little Megatron caught his Intended in another long kiss. He very much wanted to say ‘to the Pit’ with it and just claim Optronix again, press inside the well lubricated valve and… slag it! “You tempt me… Unicron be my witness! I don’t want to hurt you, I don’t want to go too fast but you are so… so perfect…”

Optronix mewled and nipped at Megatron’s dermas – all but agreeing with his actions since his vocalizer wasn’t capable of things more dignified than sounds of the immense pleasure he was feeling – as his heat flushed frame told him, in no uncertain terms, that it would VERY much like the warlord to do the things he was being tempted to. But he knew that, logically, the only reason his hydraulics weren’t complaining was because they were hot and almost gooey with the heat of the water he was submerged in, and Optronix didn’t want to see if interfacing now would make a difference in how much he ached later. Possibly by evening…

“Harder? Close your hands around me and press harder, Optronix, I want to feel your hands work me over.” He was pretty sure it wouldn’t take his Intended that long to overload, even if they both wanted something quite different from fingering and a hand job. He could wait, he would wait and when it was sensible to do so again he would show Optronix just how good he could make it, how long he could drag their pleasure out.

Optronix nodded thoughtlessly, curling both hands around the spike and stroking it firmly from base to tip, water and traces of transfluid slicking together for a pleasant glide that made his valve ache and clench around the claws inside it hungrily, trembling faintly with the nearing overload and the want for the fullness he had experienced the orn before. His emergency intakes were heaving little panting sounds as they struggled to keep him cool even though all they were sucking in was steam at this point. Regardless of all that, he somehow managed to drop his head to Megatron’s chest at an angle that let him look at the spike in his hands, between his legs, under his pelvic and abdominal plating… How the pit had that THING fit in him? The noble was too shocked to even really care that he had accidentally asked that out loud as well as thought it.

Rumbling laughter filled the room along with the steam from their bath, Megatron couldn’t, and did not want to, hold the reaction back. It was just such an adorable reaction, far too innocent for a mech that had asked to be fragged halfway to oblivion by said ‘THING’. “It fit because you were made to take it, mm… ‘It’ made a cute little bulge in your abdominal plating. It was quite the hottest thing I have ever seen.”

Optronix flushed, embarrassment taking the limelight away from his arousal for a moment. “It’s fragging huge!” he said insistently, like Megatron didn’t already know. “Looking at it, I just can’t seem to get it to fit in my mind…” He knew his own specs, and trying to imagine his valve stretching THAT much… Well, it WAS kind of hot, honestly, but still hard to imagine realistically. “And how is it ‘cute’?”

“Why thank you, but I would suggest that you stop stroking my ego, it doesn’t need that much feeding.” Teasing his Intended with his words, the low purr of his voice. Megatron was quite pleased at the reaction, it was so real? Yes, real. So appreciative, in a slightly roundabout way.
“I hadn’t expected it? It was a very physical proof of my claiming… it reminded me of the slight bulge of a mech near sparking.” Hesitating a little, he wasn’t sure how Optronix would take this, “it… for a moment I imagined you carrying our new spark.”

Optronix wasn’t sure what kind of reaction he had been planning on giving before that last part was added, but all thought was thrown out the window as he was thrown for a loop. “A n-new spark? OURS…?” Had it really looked like that? Megatron certainly sounded like it had, and also like it was one of the damned best things in the world… Optronix moved a hand to his torso, imagining it distended and heavy with their young, and made an involuntary sound of want. He wanted creations, and a mate, and, and…!

“I am sorry!” Megatron wasn’t sure if he should stop moving his claws inside Optronix or not, he couldn’t quite figure out if he had distressed him or not. “I don’t want to pressure you, lovely one! Really, I… I just don’t want to lie to you or hide things from you again. I want you! I want to bond you, make you mine in every sense of the word. I want to see you carry our sparklings, as many of them as you will consent to carry or let me carry…”

The red and blue mech keened and scrambled up Megatron’s body, unheeding of the water that splashed out of the tub thanks to his hasty movements, and caught the warlord’s mouth in an almost desperate kiss as need flooded him. The need to reassure Megatron that he was very much willing, the need to have all those things… Sweet Primus, he WANTED it – all of it! To the pit with soreness, if Megatron didn’t do SOMETHING to him RIGHT NOW, he was going to burst, and not in the good way! “Please, want that, want you! No apologizing, want it…!”

Surprise was quickly drowned in equal parts, happiness, lust and wonder. Optronix abrupt movements had pulled his claws from his valve and he used both hands to capture the smaller mechs helmet, kissing him silent. He still had doubts, he was not at all sure that the young noble knew what he was agreeing to… he had been so angry last dark cycle. But he also didn’t think he could afford to ignore the need in Optronix voice, the demand. Shifting them both he let go of the eager dermas and pressed the lithe mech down onto his spike with a hiss of relief. “I want you! Be sure, Optronix, be very sure, because I won’t be able to not claim you for bondmate if you keep saying that!”

“Yes, yes, I’m sure, Primus, Megatron!” Optronix sobbed, sweet shudders wracking his frame as his valve was stretched tight around the mech’s spike. He didn’t want to bond here in the bath, at least not for their first time, but soon…! It was going to happen anyway, he wanted it to happen for a good reason!
The younger mech dug his fingers into Megatron’s shoulder armor without waiting for a response, clutching and clinging desperately as he impaled himself further on that impossibly huge spike. Trying to bring back that image, urge Megatron to give him everything… “Our berth,” he panted haltingly as Megatron’s spike throbbed inside him. “Can we, nngh!, c-can we make it? Need you so bad, please!”

Seriously? He was asking that now? Megatron made a strangled noise and forced himself to lift, bodily lift, Optronix off his spike. The reaction to that was not a happy one but he hadn’t expected it to be. Getting up and out of the tub with the angry little fiend pressed to his chest was rather difficult and he cursed out loud to vent a little of his own frustration. He did not bother with towels or anything else that didn’t involve getting to and through the door to their berth room.
As he had predicted his mech-servant Steelspark and a few other staff members were tiding up. They froze when the door opened, optics wide as they took in the image of their dripping warlord for a click. “OUT!” His roar was born out of frustration, and they probably, hopefully, knew that, but all he really cared about for now was the fact that they fled. Sprawling out on the berth he mechhandled Optronix onto his spike, on top of him.
“You little terror! I’m doing my best.” Vents gasping he fought the urge to just thrust indiscriminately.

Fragging Primus! Optronix howled, half in frustration that it had taken so slagging long, half in relief that the wait was over, as he impaled himself fully. It hurt a little bit, but the pain was fleeting in comparison to the wonderfully full, satisfied ache of his valve, and he whimpered, searching for purchase on slick armor so he could just screw himself silly on the warlord’s spike.
“Oh, slag, so good… More, Megatron, more!” he begged deliriously as he rocked against the other mech, oblivious to the sudden desperation he was feeling or its full origins aside from knowing he NEEDED this, THEY needed this.

One large clawed hand pressed against the bulge in Optronix abdominal plating. Megatron grinned ferally at the wanton mech riding him… hard to believe that his Intended had just been asking how his ‘thing’ could fit in him. There was certainly no hesitation now!
“What more do you want, Optronix? I’ll give you everything I have!”

“Anything!” Optronix moaned, optics offline so he could better focus on the sweet friction in his valve as he raised and lowered his hips as much as he was able. “Feels s’ good inside me, so good…!”
He reached forward to pet Megatron’s chest with shaking hands and shuddered as a slight change in angle brought something good in contact with the spike inside him. Primus… When he could think again, they were definitely going to have to talk about this! This aching, wonderful need, for Megatron and bonding and sparklings and… “Primus!” And he needed to pay attention, or he was going to overload FAR too soon! Not that it wasn’t about to happen anyway…

Sliding his hand around Optimus hip and letting his other hand join it he started to help his intended ride him. Megatron was pretty sure he had never felt anything like this, it wasn’t the interfacing that he had done lots of times with… well, not ‘lots’ of mechs but certainly with a fair few. It was because it was this mech, at this time. It was because he was in love…
“’this better? You have no idea how it feels! So tight around me, so hot and slick.”

Optronix nodded dumbly, all higher thought processes silenced as he took Megatron’s spike into himself again and again. By the gods, he didn’t know how he was ever going to find the will to do anything aside from this… His entire frame was aching, throbbing with need, but it was strongest in his valve and, strangely enough, his spark. The noble didn’t dwell on it too long; he couldn’t! Not with his Intended guiding in him a whole new rhythm and making his sensor net fairly sing…

His hands were large enough that he could actually rub his thumbs against Optronix’s spike base. It was amazing how aware of their size difference he became when they made love. It was love, this was not just interfacing, not from his side at least and he doubted very much that his little Intended would be able to fake the reactions he was giving… His plating was so hot! “Optronix…”

The attention to his spike housing made Optronix’s engine hiccup in surprise and his hips buck. “Primus, MEGATRON…!” Closer, closer… He was going to overload and there was nothing he could do to stop it, but he still needed something, whatever would help them create… “M-Megatron, I need to… nnngh, ooh!!” Slaggit, talking wasn’t going to work! Optronix whimpered and tugged one of the warlord’s hands over his bulging abdominal plating, trying to get him to understand with that alone as his vocalizer emitted a broken stream of pants and whines and half formed pleas for more, for EVERYTHING.

“No… overload for me first, then I’ll give you my spark… I promise!” They were too close, he was sure they were! Overload was so close. His chassis wasn’t of the same opinion, not now that he had the consensus of his intended he did not manage to stop his chest from splitting open. Megatron groaned deeply, helplessly…

Optronix moaned, shifting his hands to the ones holding him as he bounced desperately. Overload, yes…! He wanted that, and the spark before him, but his body refused to cooperate past reaching in to touch the casing. Sweet Primus… They could merge soon, create, maybe even bond! That thought was what finally sent him over; overload tore through him and the Iaconian gave a soundless scream of pleasure as his entire body quivered with the force of it, back arched and hand jerking away from the delicate internals to keep from damaging them.

Pressing down on Optronix hips Megatron let the smaller mech’s overload pull him into his own. It was as glorious as last dark cycle… if not more so now because he had a full visual of his intended, head thrown back, arching and quivering with pleasure. He didn’t even try to cover his spark up, what was the point? If he had to guess he would have a very upset young noble on his hands if he tried it.
“Beautiful… always so beautiful, arousing.” Sliding one hand’s claws over the distended plating hiding his spike he purred hungrily.

Optronix hummed in pleasure as transfluid flooded and overflowed his valve, optics shuttered in ecstasy. MUCH better than fingering… Even as the physical need for interface and overload was sated, though, his spark longed for more, and, looking at Megatron’s still exposed spark, he knew what ‘more’ he needed. Reverently, the Iaconian stroked his Intended’s chest plates, occasionally stiffening with residual tremors from his overload. “Bond first?” Optronix didn’t really care if they bonded first or tried for a sparkling, because both were equally important…

“First?” Shifting the smaller mech on top of him Megatron managed to sit up, thought the movements served to make him painfully aroused in very short order. Curling around his Intended he carefully grasped the other’s helmet and tilted his head back. “Anything you want, lovely one, anything! My spark is yours… its been yours since the first time I saw you…”

His… That sounded probably far more wonderful than anything had a right to. Nevertheless, Optronix placed his hand by the casing as he leaned up those last few inches to kiss the warlord, shivering as his valve walls drug on the spike filling him deliciously, and triggered the release for his own chest plates. “Bond first.”

“Bond it is then, my Intended.” Megatron barely managed to still his trembling, he had not expected Optronix to want this so quickly. If nothing else he had imagined that the mech would want to make him ‘suffer’ a little… he would have been perfectly within his rights to do so. It was hard to concentrate, between the subtle shifts and clenching around his spike and the clear blue light that mixed with his own spark’s dark reddish glow.

Optronix quivered in equal parts excitement and apprehension, arms curling around the larger mech’s shoulders and drawing them closer. Shyly, he pet the back of Megatron’s neck. “D-do, um, do we just press them together?” he asked, whispering as he stared down at the mixed light of their sparks with something very much like awe.

“Yes… that and wanting the act, is all that is needed.” If either one of them didn’t want it the bond the merge would simply not happen. Megatron could already feel his spark reaching out, the energy surges that meant his core was ‘casting’ excess energy out like miniature solar flares. “Please, Optronix?” He wouldn’t move the last few inches… he had to give the Iaconian noble one last chance to think…

Still petting the back of Megatron’s neck, Optronix nodded and leaned forward, only slightly surprised that his spark was reaching out already. He very much wanted this!
The first tantalizing touch of their sparks made Optronix moan and arch against the warlord, engine revving in surprise. “Ooh!” It was so warm, so absolutely lovely… Eager for more, the noble about crushed himself to his soon-to-be mate.

A keen was wrenched from Megatron’s vocalizer when Optronix pressed close, fitting their sparks together like two halves of a joint. It was much more intense then he had thought, there was almost an edge of desperation to it, though neither of them actually felt desperate? Not that it mattered… not that ANYTHING mattered past the fact that he was slowly being torn apart and reassembled. Reassembled into a larger being that was a little him, a little Optronix and a large something more.
“Yes… oh Unicron, Optronix!”

The red and blue Iaconian could do little more than tremble against his Intended, his lover, his mate. Holy Primus… Nothing he had heard had ever done spark merging justice! Much less bonding… The first brush of Megatron’s consciousness against his own drew a delirious moan from Optronix and he clung tighter, pushing back; filling himself up with the other mech as well as putting himself up in offering.

There was a distinct difference in experience and vorns between them, Megatron couldn’t help chuckling a little at the almost giddy interest that filtered though everything else. He wasn’t sure if it was his or Optronix’. Honestly he was as curious about his Intended, despite the knowledge he had had gathered about him, as the Iaconian noble was about him.
Being granted fee access and granting it back was… intimate. No, it was the very definition of intimacy! Bonding was such an esoteric thing, nothing he had ever read, heard did it justice.

Optronix felt that he was losing himself as more and more of Megatron became a part of him, but it wasn’t a bad feeling. Far from it, in fact. This was… so much more than anything he could have hoped to be by himself… Optronix whimpered and turned the warlord’s head to catch him in a kiss, glossa pushing in hungrily to tangle with the other’s as utter BELONGING filled him. This was where they should be, tangled in each other in every way imaginable!

It was happening faster than Megatron had thought it would, though he had no intention of complaining. This day, bonding… he was so thankful that this was all happening! Melting into the kiss he felt it in a curious dual manner, echoes of foreign pleasure… Optronix’ pleasure. The bond was finalizing while they were still on the edge, still wanting more. More meant moving… shifting he growled deeply into his bondmate’s mouth, feeling a spike in him that he knew wasn’t there, big, gods above! Now he understood why Optronix reacted the way he did… Attempting to roll his hips nearly had him redline then and there. ~Unicron! Tight…so big…~

Despite the sheer silliness of doing so, Optronix couldn’t help but moan at the phantom sensation of just how fragging tight his valve was around Megatron’s spike as he pushed into the short thrust. ~Sweet Primus…!~ There was no way they were going to be able to last in this! Not with the constant feedback of each other’s pleasure on top of what they themselves were feeling AND the initializing bond… ~Slag, I love my valve…~

The chuckle was almost completely strangled in static but it was there! Megatron could do nothing but push agreement over the bond, he did so love his bonded’s valve too. His amusement got pretty well strangled, along with his spike, when the first ripples of impending overload went though Optronix valve… it was more than enough to tilt the warlord into his own overload. White hot ecstasy and the sensations of having both a spike and a valve made the whole insane high last for a small eternity.

Optronix couldn’t honestly say what had happened there, other than it felt REALLY FRAGGING GOOD. Like, processor-blowingly good, with the way he felt Megatron’s transfluid flooding his valve, and also how it felt to overload inside someone, and ooohhh…
A long, long time later, Optronix slumped against the warlord, sensor net fuzzy and valve utterly full as his spark thrummed pleasure and contentment, the link between him and his new bondmate reflecting that until the Iaconian native felt like he could just die from happiness. ~Wanna do that again, but I think I might melt if we do…~

~The overload or the merge… or both?~ Considering that their sparks was still pressed together, energy fields playfully flirting, Megatron guessed it was the overload more than the full merge. He would very much like to experience either and both again soon… but sense dictated that they should retreat to soak some more in the bathtub. If Optronix had been sore before, hm… and there were the staff to consider too. Still Megatron wasn’t really inclined to move one way or another.

~Why do you have to ask such tough questions?~ the red and blue mech demanded, like Megatron was being purposely difficult. ~All of it, of course! And the bath. I love the bath…~ And the cuddling, and the possibility of… sparklings! ~I wonder if we got a sparkling?~ Optronix sure hoped so! If not, well… they would just have to try again. That was all there was to it.

~I hope so, though I would not mind making sure…~ Growling darkly Megatron nipped teasingly at one of Optronix finials. After a few moments he managed to wrestle his feelings and his lust back under marginal control.
“Maybe we should go and take a bath? A good long one, involving whatever we want it to… and preferably also some fuel?” Because if they didn’t go now he wasn’t sure when they would get out of the berth and it really, badly needed to be cleaned fully now. Just as they did and Optronix needed that soak!

Optronix nodded to all of it, but had difficulty finding the energy to do anything of the sort. “First, gotta get your, er… mine?” Slaggit, who’s spike WAS it? “OUR spike out of our valve, then try moving…”

“Sparks first, lovely one.” Megatron kept his amusement mostly bottled up, it was so cute! He hadn’t really expected to be Optronix’ first in any way, though it probably shouldn’t have surprised him. Not with that mech… High scholar Ratbat being his guardian, or it could be an Iaconian thing, he wasn’t sure. Gently separating them he groaned in something between bliss and disappointment as their sparks reached out, fighting not to be parted completely. As soon as the energy couldn’t touch anymore he closed his spark casing, but not his chest. So far so good…

Optronix mewled at the loss, fingers kneading at his mate’s neck cables when he realized he could feel Megatron’s disappointment still, even after his own spark casing had closed to mirror the warlord. He could feel Megatron, ‘hear’ quiet whispers of whatever passed through the mech’s mind… It was an interesting, if distracting, addition to their relationship, and he couldn’t help poking the link curiously and, experimentally, thought about what he had pictured Kaonite-on-Kaonite interfacing to look like the first time he had tried to imagine it. Would Megatron be able to see, too?

He had been concentrating on the fact that he had to pull out of Optronix when a few rather hilarious, but also somewhat cute images, intruded on him. Dissolving into gales of deep laughter Megatron flopped back on the berth, awkwardly stretching out his legs and keeping a hold on the slim hips. Even the very erotic feel of his spike shifting inside his mate couldn’t stop his laughter. It was just too funny!

Apparently he did. Neat!
Optronix smiled at the laughter and chuckled a bit himself. In hindsight, they were ridiculously over-exaggerated… His laughter hitched at the feel of his valve being stimulated again, optics flickering briefly as he forced the instinctive arousal back. Well, there was one way to fix that…
Carefully, to avoid any more feedback than was strictly necessary for the move, Optronix braced himself on the still laughing warlord’s chest and started to raise himself off the other’s spike. Even with the care taken, the sensation of Megatron’s spike dragging his inner walls nearly made the Iaconian native collapse back down.

That was not fair! Megatron tightened his grip, almost thrust up just to feel it all again but managed not to. Instead he helped Optronix off him, groaning at the loss and at the fact that his spike showed no intention of placidly depressurizing any time soon.
“You are a little tease at times… It is a good thing that I know you will ‘put out’ in the end, hum?” He didn’t bother with letting Optronix go, lifting him to rest comfortably and then awkwardly getting off the berth.
“This time I am not leaving the tub for at least twenty breems! No matter how enticing you are, understood?” Nuzzling the top of the blue helmet his ‘order’ was rumbled out teasingly.

Optronix giggled and nodded obediently, clinging to his lover. He was quite satisfied, so there was a chance, at least, that they could enjoy their bath properly… “I think I’ll be able to refrain from insisting on the berth again for a little while,” he said. The bath was suspiciously empty when they entered, but at least that meant they could have more hot water!

“Well, I am insisting on fuel! So we had better get in the tub before our staff sees more than they are interested in, hum?” Selecting a cleanser at random he settled in, sprawling Optimus on top of him. He was pretty fond of this… of course at the Palace they had an entire heated pool so this wouldn’t be necessary. He kind of hoped he could persuade his little bond mate to love it as much as he did.
“I am beginning to wonder if I will get to show you my final gift… not that it will disappear on us but at the rate we are going at it there will barely be time for you to meet the staff.”

“Aww,” Optronix mock-whined as he curled up and then stretched out with a pleased mewing sound. “They don’t want to see us, what was the word… oh, yes, consummate our bonding?”

“Oh, I am sure they have already seen enough to know that have happened!” Megatron laughed, a little surprised at himself… and pleased. Optronix made him laugh, made him feel online and happy. Far more then he had hoped for so soon, he had expected there to be some adjustments before this level of ease came to them, even after bonding. Neither had he expected the bonding to be so deep, so profound.
“All they need to know is that we have merged, the Sparkling making part is a little over the top… unless you like having watchers?”

“Well, how could they be sure? Something could have come up at the very last second!” Optronix knew he was just being silly now, but it felt good to just… BE. With his mate, his secret admirer. The water was once again seeping into his frame, making him pleasantly hot and utterly relaxed, and the younger mech was sure he was one of the happiest beings on the planet right then.

“Tease… and you never answered me? Do you think you’ll feel up to seeing my last gift next light cycle?” Because if he didn’t get them out of the verbal gutter whoever came with their fuel would be seeing a lot more then they had anticipated, it wasn’t like his spike had depressurized yet… a little hard with his mate laying, wiggling, on top of it.
“And remember we do need to meet and greet your new staff, hum?”

“I think I will happily endeavor to try and be up to seeing the last gift, as well as meeting the staff,” the noble said cheerfully. “But you can’t leave me alone with them right now! They might swarm me and ask strange questions…” As if there was anything he thought would be ‘strange’ to him at this point! Optronix ignored that as he gazed imploringly at his new bond mate, searching for compliance.

“I wasn’t planning on leaving you alone, aside from that they are,” The door slid up and a nervous looking server mech stuck his helmet inside. Megatron smiled lazily and waved him over. Two more followed him all three carrying trays… They really were doing their best to ‘butter-up’ Optronix. Bowing and setting their burdens in the depressions designed for trays on the bath edge all three of them shot curious, hopeful looks at the young noble. It was rather cute…
~Tell them ‘thank you’, trust me… please?~

Seeing no reason to protest, Optronix shyly smiled at the mechs and said, “Thank you.” Already, the smell of energon was enticing him to reach over and hesitantly pluck up a treat and pop it into his mouth. He didn’t even have to force the look of joy that lit his features at the taste.

It was spark warming to see the joy such a simple action as saying ‘thank you’ and showing appreciation created in his, their, staff. He only knew two of them, which meant that the last had probably just come of age to work as something more then servant page. Undoubtedly less than a breem would go by before the entire estate knew that Optronix was ‘cute’, ‘polite’ and ‘likes gel cubes’. They didn’t linger that was for sure, bowing before scuttling out, the youngest one barely out the door before he giggled giddily.
“See? They like you already…” Reaching for a small cube Megatron settled back with a small sound and sipped it.

Optronix smiled and nuzzled his lover. “I’m glad… I do want them to like me. I’m just, you know, not used to knowing that they want ME to like THEM, too…” Did that make any sense? The Iaconian native hoped so…

“There’s always been a very strong relationship between Kaons commoners and the Warlord’s bond mate. It’s… I suppose it started because some of my predecessor weren’t very easy mechs? I am not sure how many of the history pads you managed to get though?” Megatron half murmured between sips, he was a little bit surprised at how hungry he was. Apparently bonding took quite a bit out of you… it was so worth it though!

“A fair few of them?” Optronix replied after swallowing another mouthful of gel. “Well, the romance-y bits, anyway…” He honestly had read a lot of them, but he couldn’t help skimming a couple to look for what he deemed to be the best parts… “It’s just weird, I guess, because I’m used to everyone kind of stepping out of my way? No one at home ever seemed inclined to do anything but their assigned job, and I don’t think that ever involved rushing out of a cleansing unit with a smile and lots of giggling because one of the occupants thanked you.”

“Normally servants won’t be this open with you, the less happy of my nobles, few luckily, will tell you that I am too lax with punishing them. I prefer to be on friendly terms with the mechs making my fuel and doing my berth… not to mention I got upgraded alongside a good portion of those working both here and at the palace.” Megatron shrugged lightly, he wasn’t planning on changing the way he ‘dealt’ with his own people.
“So you liked the romance, did you?”

“Um, yeah… I, you know, I just like happy endings, I guess…” Optronix said, flustered. “And I think it’s a good idea to be, um, friendlier with the servants… I’ve never really felt comfortable with treating them as tools and stuff just because they’re not as well off as I am, o-or whatever…” This probably explained why his best friends were all either commoners or foreigners, actually.

“Are you… satisfied with this happy ending, or maybe I should say ‘this happy beginning’?” Reaching out he scooped up a small handful of gel cubes. Taking one delicately between claw tips he teasingly pressed it to Optronix lower derma. It was hard not to think about interfacing, kissing and in general being intimate… his systems were buzzing with barely dormant arousal and his mate was still lying on his spike. He did not intend to complain.

Optronix’s engine rumbled as he flicked his glossa out against the treat and Megatron’s claws equally, purposely teasing as he took the cube and then sucked the warlord’s fingers clean. “I’m finding myself quite satisfied, yes, but I won’t object if you want to ensure my happiness with more attention…” he purred after swallowing his mouthful.

“You will always have my attention… such a beautiful mech, willing lover. I don’t think you quite realize just what being near you does to me?” But he would be willing to demonstrate, often and zealously. And that was really only the physical aspect, sure it was pleasurable and beautiful in its own way but the real goal, what mattered the most was the meeting of their souls, their sparks.

Optronix squirmed pointedly against the Kaonite. “I’m sure I can guess the majority of things our proximity causes,” he said, tone lightly teasing. He pulled himself up to nuzzle his mate’s cheek, purring in delight as it caused the water to ripple against his shoulder and back plating, and then, just for the fun of it, shared the sensation with Megatron via their new bond. “But I’ll be glad with just a little attention every orn. Cuddling, talking, ‘facing… whatever we have time for.”

“Cheeky…” Megatron rasped the word out, spike all too happy with the attention. The sensation of warm water on his back in sensual almost lick like motions… Growling he pushed his no longer quite so dormant desire back over the bond.
“I wasn’t lying, Optronix, you’ll be my co-ruler… I will spend as much of my day with you as at all possible!” Optronix might be surprised just how much time that would prove to be. Hopefully surprised in a good way.

“But that’ll mostly be work stuff,” the noble managed as his own lust flared up, making him shudder. “I mean personal time, without interruption.” Which, Optronix knew, could be VERY hard to come by when you were in charge…

“Mm… As much as we can manage and as much as we can sneak us to. I’ll have to teach you how to delegate, it’s surprising how much time you can get to yourself with that kind of politic and mech you can trust.” And he was really not interested in that topic right now, the whole being alone with his mate was much more interesting. Narrowing his optics he licked a gel cube up from the little pile in his hand, tilted his head and offered the next one to his mate.

Optronix took a cube between his dermas playfully, and made a show of licking it before finally sucking it in and letting it dissolve completely in his mouth. They could worry about delegating and work later! This was ‘us’ time, and he fully intended to use it! They would have to take it slow, though, because they both desperately needed the energy… And oh, how weird was it that he KNEW they both needed it, without asking or being told… The noble sent a wave of not-quite-innocent warmth over the bond and accompanied it with a gentle nuzzle against Megatron’s neck cables. It was definitely something worth getting used to!

“Tease, and cheeky… what am I going to do with you?” Rumbling laughter colored his tone and he greedily ate the rest of the gel cubes in his hand licking the palm and his claws with lacy precision. He could be a tease too…
“You should try that there, the little puffy looking wax constructs.” Pointing to the treat he smirked a little, Optronix would never be able to eat them neatly.

Giving his mate a suspicious but indulgent look, Optronix reached for one of the mentioned treats. He held it delicately, examining it from all angles in an effort to see what about it was making Megatron so gleeful, and promptly found out as he took a bite and immediately had the thing make a mess all down his chin. The noble would have been embarrassed by his outraged squawk if he hadn’t been otherwise occupied with immediately smearing the remaining part on Megatron’s face plates in retaliation for his deviousness.

Laughing he caught the hand holding the remains of the treat and stuffed the delicate fingers in his mouth to suck wax pieces and creamy crystal paste of off them. He quickly stopped laughing to purr instead… mm Optronix flavored treats. When he let go he smirked at the half way stunned look on the blue faceplates.
“You taste good, lovely one, better than any treat…”

Optronix squirmed in embarrassment and rinsed his hand and face off. “You’re so weird…” And now it was war. Later, Optronix would have to plan his counter attack… Right now, however, he would let it slide.

“But you like it… that’s all that matters to me.” Megatron smiled and rinsed off the rest of the smeared treat from his own faceplates. Taking a good look at the different treats and energon on the trays he couldn’t help chuckling and shaking his head.
“Just so you know… most of this can’t be eaten neatly, or is made to be eaten off of your mate. My staff is apparently okay with not really meeting you till next light cycle.

“Dirty perverts, the whole lot of you,” Optronix said, no small amount of amusement coloring his words. He certainly didn’t mind being stuck with Megatron for the rest of this orn, just the two of them. Alone. With so MANY fun ideas between them…

“Mhmm… We probably are, carnal joys are something to be strived for, though we are nowhere near as bad as the Vosians. They take their patron God very literally, Zephyrus by the by.” Megatron didn’t even consider pretending to be offended, Optronix would know he was only joking anyway and he felt too good for even a mock brawl.
“It’s a sign that they are happy, which makes me happy… I did feel some apprehension about this, though they were more than ready to like you. Have been since I came back from Praxsus.” Stroking his mate’s back struts gentle he smiled fondly at the memory of that whole orn.

Optronix smiled a little and nuzzled into the larger mech’s chest. “I’m glad. I don’t think I would be nearly as comfortable if they hadn’t been prepared to like me…” It really was comforting to know that they had been ready to like him; that they had WANTED to. If nothing else, it did a fine job of showing just how much the servants cared for their warlord! It made Optronix very happy, and he felt safer with the knowledge…

“Everyone is prepared to like you, if they don’t already love you, I told you before… those too fearful to approach me will come to you. It’s how it’s always been whether or not the Warlord’s mate has been an official co-ruler or not.” Megatron stroked his mate and reached for another tidbit to offer up, before he took another of the wax constructs for himself. Really the last thing he cared about right now was eating neatly!

Optronix ate the treat obediently as he thought that over. It was nice to know that he wasn’t just for decoration! Even if it meant having to do actual work, it was nothing he wasn’t prepared for before all of this…
“Well, hopefully I’ll live up to their expectations. It kind of makes me wonder if I should carry around a data pad so I can write stuff down…” he said, somewhat distracted by licking up the mess the treat had made on his new mate’s dermas and chin.

“I have no idea? I don’t think they have actual ‘expectations’ either, not to your personality or what you decide to do or not do about the things they tell you.” It was a little hard to think about anything other than his mate when Optronix were licking at him! How was it possible that he kept wanting him, desperately wanted to stay buried inside the tight valve, kissing him, make love to him… merge with him till they both fell into stasis lock from exhaustion.

The red and blue mech mewled a little at the spike of lust he felt from his partner, but kissed him for the loving feeling that accompanied it, small whimpers slipping out intermittently even after he had pulled back. If they were going to be like this, Optronix couldn’t help but wonder if they would be much use at all… Maybe it was just the proximity? Either way, his mind was slipping further and further away from anything work-related, though he did TRY to stay on topic.
“They have to have SOME expectations, right? I mean, you wouldn’t have been directed toward me for a mate if something good wouldn’t come of it. At least, I don’t think so…”

“It’s because we’re newly bonded…” He was answering the confused feeling of nervousness, a little fear and bubbling giddiness. They wouldn’t be useful much at all for the next groon or so, but he had planned for that.
“They expect you to be willing to listen; I honestly think that is all. As for the Oracle, I believe the holy Triad blessed us, in letting us find each other! I will believe that till the end of my vorns.” It was getting harder to concentrate on anything not Optronix…

Optronix smiled, flustered by the sparkfelt words. Megatron was nothing short of perfect, even though they would undoubtedly be at each other’s throats at times… The noble kissed his mate again and rubbed their chests together, engine rumbling in pleasure as his spark throbbed from the closeness.
~Glad I got stuck with you…~ he sent, accompanying it with a wave of intense affection. It only seemed to have grown stronger after their bonding, and he wasn’t complaining in the least!

~I wish I could have made it easier for you.~ Megatron put his arms around the smaller mech, crushing him to his chest as carefully as he could. He had never been displeased with Optronix, only with the fact that he was an Iaconian… in the end that had proved a good thing. He doubted that his spark bonded mate could quite understand how much it all meant, to him, to his, their, people and to Kaon itself.
Yes, Megatron knew well that he had been more then lucky, he had been blessed!

Optronix purred and kissed Megatron a little harder, glad that things were falling into place as reality settled in. It was more than he had dared hope for when he was brought to Kaon initially, but just perfect in the romantic part of his mind…
They parted with an audible popping sound that made the younger mech snicker as he buried his face in Megatron’s neck, which he proceeded to kiss and nuzzle affectionately. “Horniness must be a symptom of bonding, because I’m pretty sure ‘normal’ doesn’t constitute wanting to interface all the fragging time with no pauses whatsoever…”

“Well… I certainly hope you will want me even after the newness of it wears off! But yes, bonding needs to be solidified and the way that is accomplished is by increased interfacing drive. It will only last a groon or two…” The last was state with a certain dark tone to his voice. Megatron didn’t particularly feel he could be blamed for wanting his mate’s pert little aft in any conceivable way!

“I wanted you before, so I have no doubt I’ll still want you after. I think it might be cause for concern that interfacing is my new favorite pastime though…” Optronix mumbled, distracted by his own growing hunger for a physical demonstration of the current topic. His kisses turned to nips and sucks in an effort to achieve such, and he moaned to encourage more of the lust he was feeling from his bondmate.

“Concern?” Megatron couldn’t help laughing at that, quietly but still a laugh. He saw no reason to be concerned about such a hobby, in fact he was pretty sure it would end up a mutual hobby. It was hard to remain unprovoked by his little mate’s actions though and the laughter all too readily fell into a deep lusty growl.
“I want you so badly all the time, Optronix. Are you sure you are ready for another go?”

“Yes, concern. I worry that now that I’ve started, I won’t be able to stop!” Optronix said with a grin, then gave a rough suck to Megatron’s neck cables before answering the second question. “Very sure. Never thought I could want something quite this much…”

“We don’t have to worry about stopping, Optronix, especially not since our people will adore you all that much more if you carry after only three orns. Want to make them that happy?” Megatron was teasing and if anyone would be ‘happy’ it would be him. More like ecstatic though.
“What do you want… or rather how do you want? So many ways to do it and we have tried so few. There must be some fantasies, something you have always wanted to try?” No healthy young mech hadn’t fantasized at least a little.

“Kind of limited in the bath,” Optronix replied distractedly as he kneaded the larger mech’s neck and shoulder struts. He didn’t mind in the least, but he wasn’t going to force his lover out of the soothing warmth either way. “Just wanna ‘face? Maybe slow, cuddling, kind of? I heard that was nice… But it feels good no matter how we do it!”

“Mm, slow does sound good.” He could ask again another time, or simply let Optronix do what he wanted, however he wanted. That was a very, very enticing though! Right now though, his aching spike would feel a whole lot better inside the mech wiggling around on top of it.
“Lift your hips up; I need to get inside you. After that you can set the pace, my love.”

And again, getting up the will to move even a fraction of a micrometer away from Megatron proved to be a nearly impossible feat – but somehow, Optronix managed. Probably because he knew that it was the only way he would be getting that wonderful spike in him… He could hardly contain his excitement as the spike tip brushed his valve rim, though, and struggled not to just jam himself down onto the rigid length. “Oh, frag…! N-need it, need you! Please?”

“No need to beg, just sit back… slowly.”Optronix wasn’t the only one needing it, Megatron was very sure of that fact. He had to maintain control though, or this would not be the slow cuddly thing that his mate wanted. Warm, silky slick heat… Unicron! He was in love all over again, in lust like never before.

Optronix nodded and slowly sank down onto the spike, a blissful moan escaping as he was stretched to his limits, filled to the brim in the most amazing way possible. “Ooh…” Primus! So good, always so good… How could anything be so good? The Iaconian shuddered in pleasure and tugged Megatron down to where he could kiss him on the dermas as their hips came into contact once more. Thinking could wait until later, slaggit! He was going to enjoy this, his mate, and nothing else was important.

“Mmm…” Megatron refrained from saying anything only by forcing it to become a staticy moaning sound. He doubted he would ever get used to this and counted himself lucky for it. Keeping as still as possible he pressed his small mate to him and purred low and deep.
~Love you… such a beautiful young mech!~

Primus! If he wanted to, Optronix was sure he could overload from this alone… He couldn’t quite manage the coherency required to form a verbal response so he flooded the bond with his own feelings instead, and moaned again as he lifted his hips a little, dragging his valve along the thick spike in such a way that it made his processor temporarily blank. Gods have mercy! It was a wonder one didn’t just melt into a puddle of goo during interface. It certainly felt like that was what was happening…

When Optronix sank back down again Megatron locked him in place. This could all too easily devolve into something fast, hot and utterly not ‘cuddling’.
“Slowly, lovely one, I’m not going anywhere… it will be all the better for lasting longer.” He rumbled soothingly, trying to calm them both.

The Iaconian nodded dazedly, kneading at the armor beneath his fingers as he struggled to keep some level of coherence about him. He pressed flush against the larger mech with a mewl and gently rocked his hips back and forth after a couple of clicks, creating a small, semi-manageable amount of friction. It was the only thing he could think of, since full out riding the spike inside him would result in a much quicker interface than he currently wanted. “I know… Just feels so good!”

“That it does, far better than anything I have ever tried.” The only reason Megatron had for speaking out loud was that he could feel the effect the deep rumbles had on his bond mate. After a few more clicks, adjusting to the small movements and clenching of Optronix valve around him he reached for the nearest tray and blindly grabbed a handful of treats. Some of them broke open in his hand, he didn’t care as he put his ‘loot’ onto his chest and picked something out at random, offering it to the smaller mech.

Optronix’s head lolled back briefly as he ground his pelvis against Megatron’s, though that didn’t stop him from taking the treat and Megatron’s fingers both into his mouth and sucking until the energon was all gone. They tasted even better when Megatron fed them to him, undoubtedly helped by the palpable lust surrounding them. Definitely something he could easily get addicted to!
When the next treat was offered, the red and blue mech took it between his own dermas and stretched to feed it to the warlord, eager to share the treat as well as a kiss. It was one of those things he had always thought would be fun, even if it was proving to be quite messy…

~Cheat!~He meant it in the nicest possible way though. Optronix stretching was an experience for his spike and the rest of him. A few more ‘unluckily’ treats were crushed in the process making his chest plates tingle and filling the air with the scent of sticky sweetness. Oh he could get used to this! Megatron took the offered kiss, not at all caring about the treat as it got squashed, smeared and partially devoured.

A trembling, hungry moan managed to break free of their kiss as Optronix opened submissively to his larger lover. Primus! He would never, ever get tired of just how amazing it was to kiss Megatron… He returned the gesture just as eagerly, even freed up his hands to clutch at the sides of Megatron’s helm as he delved into his mouth with all the lusty fervor a single action could possess. It made it hard to pull away again, though, but they had agreed on slow, anyway…

Reluctantly letting his mate pull back Megatron licked a final time at the parted dermas, puffy, abused and sticky with smeared treat…
“Mm… yes, Optronix flavored treats are my new favorite!” Grinning he leaned back and gently pulled down on the smaller mech’s hips, reseating his spike fully inside him. His whole frame tingled with pleasure from that relatively simple action and he groaned deeply.

Optronix managed a shaky smile in return that was disrupted by a pleased moan as his valve was filled again. It was much more interesting than talking, so he repeated the action, raising himself slowly halfway off Megatron’s spike and just as slowly sinking back down onto it. It made every node in his valve fairly sing, and that was only heightened by all of the other physical stimulation; the hands on his hips, hot thighs between his own, warm water lapping at their frames, and the mirror impressions he could feel when he focused on the bond…
“Megatron…!”

“Optronix... my lovely bond mate…” The growly croon was edged with static but Megatron didn’t care in the least how he sounded. Optronix would understand it, and hopefully feel encouraged to continue his exquisite torture for a good long while.

Optronix could feel, in great detail, just how much his mate was enjoying just as much as he was, so he saw no reason not to continue with that pace for a good long while. It was almost better than their other, less drawn out interfaces… But then, how could any of them be better when they were all perfect? The Iaconian didn’t know, and didn’t care. He was much too engrossed in the wonderful slide of his mate’s spike inside him, and the vibration of the near constant growl the other emitted, and, and… Primus! It was all just so, so good…!

Thinking sort of became impossible after a while; it all became sensations and feeling. Warm water, hot mech, slick and tight valve. Even the sounds of their activity became something more felt the heard… it was both torture and the best fragging thing Megatron had ever experienced.
“Faster… j-just a little..?” Yes, just a little… before they both forgot how to do anything but this.

Faster? Faster, yes… That was a wonderful idea! Optronix groaned as he increased the speed of his movements, clutching tightly at the chest plates he had grabbed onto at some point as he struggled to contain himself. He didn’t WANT to overload! It was so, so nice to have a spike in him, so big that it forced his legs apart all on its own, and reached so very deep! The younger mech could feel his peak nearing though, much as he tried to deny it, and pulled Megatron in for another kiss in a futile attempt to distract himself. ~Gonna overload soon…!~

“’is good… is wonderful…” Megatron barely knew what he was mumbling in between sloppy lip locks. He was far too busy coordinating said lip locks and trying to guide Optronix’ movements… he was close too. Oh Triad, was he ever close! His entire lower chassis seemed to be melting and only the fact that water covered a good bit of his chest plates prevented him from offering his spark again.

Optronix almost wished he hadn’t sped up, because now that he had started, he couldn’t seem to stop! His valve was aching, throbbing with every movement, drawing trembling cries from his vocalizer in a steady stream that was only broken for kisses. It was only to be expected that he would be unable to hold on… A short scream finally tore its way free of his vocalizer, and the noble slammed his hips down to take Megatron fully into himself as his overload hit. It was utterly processor blowing, like every relay had exploded with pleasure, from the tips of his pedes all the way to his cranial unit, and he loved every astrosecond of it!

Even if Megatron hadn’t been just as close to the edge he was sure he would have gone over anyway… Optronix valve clamped down on his spike like a silken vice and it only seemed to get tighter when his transfluid started filling it. There was surely nothing more you could wish for? A loving, beautiful bond mate and interfacing that only seemed to get better for each new time they came together.

Optronix emitted a soft keen as he slumped down onto his lover, no longer able to hold himself up after that most amazing of overloads. Gods…
“Dun think I’m’a be able t’ get up any time soon…” he mumbled as his overload faded to a heavy, pleasant ache in his limbs and a gentle tremor in his spark. “Feel too good to move…”

“It’s not like we have to move anyway…” It was a no-processor comment; Megatron didn’t HAVE a functioning processor at the moment. He might get it back at some point during the next few beems… or it might have melted completely. That was fine really, he had all he needed right there in his arms, all lithe grace and sexy curves.

They didn’t have to move… That was good. Optronix made a vaguely pleased sound and inched his arms up around Megatron’s shoulders so he could haul himself up for a lazy kiss, sighing in satisfaction at the friction warmed components beneath his own.

------------------------------

Happiness were a rare thing for ruler, his sparklinghood and most of his youngling hood had been happy… because this Creators had made sure that it was. They could have not cared, as so many nobles didn’t, instead they had turned his lessons into play and his play into pure joy.
Finding and bonding Optronix brought it all back, brightened his life… made him live! He had had a long and good life but real happiness had died with his Creators and now it had been given back to him… Fondly observing his recharging bond mate Megatron knew his dermas were curled in a silly smile. In the end he went into recharge like that, fond memories, new and old filling his processor… desire and love beating a slow rhythm in his spark.
The next orn brought a much happier Optronix, less sore and quite enthusiastic in greeting his older bond mate ‘ good light cycle’. Still they managed to get out of berth, get clean and even out of the ‘family’ wing before the sun had reached zenith. Megatron felt that was quite a feat… wrapping an arm around his smaller mate he smiled and gently whispered, “They won’t bite, you know.”

“Not even if I ask very nicely?” Optronix whispered back, cuddling into the safety of his lover’s side despite his joking comment. He still worried that the staff wouldn’t like him… But that fear wasn’t nearly as strong as the reassurance and love Megatron let free over the bond, and that was probably why he was standing where he was right then. It was hard to believe that one person could be so happy… And he could tell through their bond that TWO people were about sick with the emotion! It was a wonderful feeling, and he never, ever wanted to let it go.
His worries ended up being for naught, as Megatron had predicted, which was just as well, and he was quickly torn between wanting to talk to EVERYONE and wanting to spend more alone time with his new bondmate while they still could… In the end, though, he returned with Megatron to their private chambers and spent a good chunk of the rest of the orn doing anything they could think of to one-up each other in berth.
Late in the evening, after much interfacing and subsequent cleaning had ensued, the Iaconian native remembered Megatron mentioning a final gift, and lifted his head from where it was resting against the warlord’s to ask him about it. They had to leave tomorrow, and who knew when they would be back?

Megatron was a little sheepish that he had forgotten again, but he made up for it by calling Steelspark and getting their little outing organized.
It wasn’t more than a three breem skimmer ride from his main estate, well into the mountains. To his pleasure all of his orders regarding it had been followed. The skimmer descended though a vertical shaft into a cavern that had several living units carved in to its walls. There were a rather large group of foreigners living here, experts and scientists that he had invited to explore and preserve the treasure his miners had found.
Leading his bond mate though a large reinforced tunnel he could barely hold his anticipation back, he hadn’t been here himself, only seen holos of it. Some work had been done to make it easier to navigate but nothing that destroyed the natural beauty of the wild garden.
“Do you like it?” Optimus seemed stunned… the reaction pleased Megatron. It was beautiful a cavern only lighted by the glowing crystals that grew from floor, walls and ceiling. Filled with the hum of Corax crystals as small mechainsects landed and set off from their surfaces.

Like it? Primus above, he loved it! Optronix had never seen such beauty before in his entire function… He was hesitant to admit it, but seeing this… it was so very, very pure; he couldn’t help but think that it was even better than the manicured garden at the palace.
Optronix wasn’t sure how long they stayed there, only that he didn’t ever want to go and that it was well into the night cycle, if the moon above was any judge, by the time they boarded the skimmer and returned to the estate. Tomorrow, they returned to the palace, and to the world at large… Yet another thing he wished they didn’t have to do. But then, he wanted to see his friends! Wanted to tell them what had transpired, and how happy he was, and everything…