The Seeker casually gestured to the shelf to the right. "Just put them on top of the others there." His tone contained annoyance. Starscream wasn't thrilled that Megatron placed him in charge of transferring the energon stock. He would have preferred to be on the bridge, barking orders at more than a singular soldier. So much for that.
Steve obeyed and moved forward, not taking note that the keys to the storage room were still outside and the only thing that kept them from being trapped as his foot holding the door. Too late. He set the crates down, the burden gone from his shoulders.
Starscream turned to leave only to have the door slam shut in his face. "..." He growled and rounded on Steve. "Keys. /NOW/."
Steve jumped, turning to face the Seeker and feeling around for the keys. Oh, scrap. He shook his head, stuttering. "I-I left them outside."
The Seeker drew in a breath and narrowed his optics. "Oh, I'm sorry, soldier. I think I misheard you." He stated calmly, though he was clearly angry.
Steve knew the consequences even if he did admire Starscream, but now was not the time to fantasize; they were trapped in the storage room and there was barely any heat in it. "... I left them outside." He squeaked. "Commander."
"..." Starscream's left optic twitched and he rose his hand to strike Steve but decided against it. He sighed. "...All this energon interferes with our comm links..."
Steve braced himself and closed his optics under his visor, but the slap never came and he was surprised. He opened his optics and looked around, trying to find some sort of exit. The ventilation shafts within the storage room was too small for them to climb into. "I-I'm so sorry, Commander."
The Decepticon SiC shook his helm. "...Someone will eventually notice we're missing..." But he figured it wouldn't be for a while and the Decepticons would rejoice at Starscream's absence. It warrented a sad sigh from the Seeker.
Steve was curious now; why didn't his Commander punish him? He deserved it, and if no one found them soon, they would freeze to death. "Are you alright, Commander?" Someone will find them. They had to.
"...I'm fine. Just wondering why no one respects me." His tone suggested he was sad, but the commonly heard exasperation and sarcasm remained present.
"But Commander, I..." Steve stopped himself before he regretted saying anything. He turned his helm, and could feel the room becoming colder. Scrap.
Starscream couldn't help but drop his high and mighty front and gave Steve a curious look. "You what?"
"I-it's nothing." Steve answered, looking at Starscream.
He cocked his helm, watching him. "...Complete your statement, Steve."
There was no doubt that no one was going to find them right now, and if he was going to offline, it may as well be from Starscream's hand. Steve stuttered, the cold getting to him. "I've always admired you, Commander."
"You... really?" Starscream began to make a snide comment but it gave way to honest surprise and he felt a faint blush appear, but he blamed the cold. His wings twitched as he felt a bit of frost forming on them.
"Y-yes." Steve answered, "I understood what you were trying to do; to bring Cybertron back to it's Golden Age and no matter how many times Lord Megatron beat you down, you always got back up, Commander."
That actually caused a genuine smile to appear on Starscream's face. "At least... At least someone understands..."
"Not a lot of people do." Steve said, his own frame starting to frost over. "Commander, your wings..." The Eradicon was oblivious to his own situation.
"Your body is freezing." Starscream found that, at the moment, he didn't care about his sensitive wings.
Steve shook his head, "But Commander, your wings!" He cared too much, and he fell to his knees, not having the same strength his Commander did. He was built to fight, not withstand cold temperatures.
Starscream quickly knelt beside Steve. "Are you okay?" The only one that understood him was going to be in pain because of the temperature. And if they weren't found soon, Steve may die.
"Fine, Commander." No he wasn't. "Please, don't worry about me. I'll be... fine." His optics dimmed.
The Seeker felt a panic rise in him and, not knowing what else to do, pulled Steve to him.
Steve's optic flickered back on, and he tried pulling away from Starscream. "Commander... stop... you're wasting your heat systems..."
"I don't care! I'll hold you until someone comes for us..." His wings twitched and Starscream began to feel the cold creeping into his body, but he wouldn't let go.
Steve's engine rumbled weakly, as he stared up at the Seeker. "Commander..." He lifted his servos to touch Starscream's face.
Starscream felt his faceplates flush and, once again, blamed the cold. Ah, forever denial. It was a wonderful defense. "Y-yes?"
Before Steve could say anything, his entire system shut down, and his whole body went limp.
The door to storage swung open and Knockout stood in the doorway, quirking a brow at the sight before him. "Starscream? What are you..." The medic saw the Eradicon in the Seeker's arms. "Are you malfunctioning?"
Starscream got to his feet and shoved Steve at Knockout. "FIX HIM." He ordered, glaring at the medic. "Immediately!"
"What's got your tailpipe in a knot? It's a drone for Primus sake." Knockout took Steve almost losing his balance at the unconscious mech having no support. "If it weren't for me, you would be solid ice."
"...Fix him. Or would you like another cosmetic 'treatment'?" He snarled.
Knockout frowned and brought Steve to the medical bay, laying Steve on the berth and turning on the heating systems on the medical bed. He started the scanners as the frost began to melt and turned to Starscream. "If you're so worried about this drone, I can transmit a message once he's awake and functioning."
"I'm not leaving." He crossed his arms in determination, frowning that Knockout even suggested it.
Knockout blinked and put a hand on his side, pointing at Starscream with a servo. "It seems that I've missed something." He smirked, "Did something happen while you two love birds were trapped?"
The seeker stammered in reply his faceplates flushing and he looked away. "Absolutely nothing!"
Knockout grinned then, and he poked Starscream's arm. "Oh I think something did."
Bumblescream Starbee: "No, you interrupted too soon!" He slapped a servo over his mouth.
Knockout reeled, blinking at Starscream. "Oh my~" He purred.
Starscream made a face and growled at Knockout. "Not a word to anyone! Especially Megatron!"
"Cross my spark." Knockout did the motion, "Megatron doesn't need to know everything that goes on in the Nemesis, at least unimportant things. I hardly think that he'll find you with a mate important; as long as you meet his orders your spark should stay in tact."
"...Unlikely... I'll always remain defiant." He smirked at the red mech before shivering slightly.
"Keep doing that and Megatron may want to bring you to another one of his 'field trips'." Knockout raised a ridge.
"No, thank you. But I'm sure he will soon enough."
Steve stirred, then made a noise, beginning to get up.
At this, Knockout rushed to his side and forced him down gently, "Lie down, I haven't scanned you properly yet."
"... I feel horrible." Steve said, looking around as his optics fell on Starscream. "... Commander?"
Starscream offered a smirk to Steve, leaning against a table as he watched Knockout set about working.
Steve looked at Starscream and then at Knockout confused as ever. He could have sworn he was dreaming about being trapped in the storage room with his Commander. "I feel fine."
"You aren't cold or anything?" Starscream asked, looking him over.
"... W-what?" Well, he didn't feel cold anymore with the berth bringing warmth to him. He shook his head, sitting up and climbing off the berth before Knockout can force him down again. "W-what do you mean, Commander?"
"We got locked in the energon storage room and you passed out," he explained.
So it wasn't a dream, huh. Steve looked at Starscream, then at Knockout and faced the Seeker again before bolting out of the sick bay.
Knockout made a face, "Uhh..."
Starscream made a surprised sound and disregarded his own need for defrosting and pursued Steve. "W-wait!"
Steve ran down the hall, wanting to get away from the Commander. It wasn't a dream! He confessed and it was not a dream. No, no, no. Things will never be the same again-"Oof!" he fell back, blinking his optics from under his mask to stare up at Soundwave. He quickly saluted. "O-officer Soundwave!" Soundwave said nothing.
Starscream stopped a few feet from them and cleared his throat. "A-as you were, Soundwave."
Steve got up to his feet, dropping the salute.
Soundwave turned his head slightly to look at both Starscream and Steve, and proceeded down the hall, walking in between them.
Steve watched until the navigation's officer disappeared down the next hall and excused himself.
Starscream growled at Steve. "Remain, soldier. You and I must speak..." He felt so flustered being near Steve now. It hadn't been that way before. Funny how a few simple words could change so much.
Steve obeyed and stopped, but didn't turn. What was he supposed to say? When he turned, Steve kept his head low. "Yes, Commander?"
"What you said... Was it a lie? Or were you telling me the truth?" He was not angry, just aching to know that someone truly did respect and admire him.
"Of course it wasn't a lie! Why would the Commander think that? "No!" Steve raised his head, a passionate rage coming onto him. "I would never lie to you! I meant every word, and if you don't... feel the same way Commander, I'm... I'm okay with it." He sighed, "I would never lie to you."
"..." His spark ached with a surprising happiness. "...I... I don't know what I feel... But... You deserve a reward for your loyalty, dearest Steve..."
"W-what?" Steve was taken aback, blinking at Starscream's words. "I... reward? But Commander, seeing you is reward enough. There's no need..."
Starscream walked up to him and lightly kissed him. "Seeing me is a reward? How about treat then~?"
Steve felt his faceplate burn when Starscream kissed him and he fell into a stuttering mess, "T-treat? C-commander... I don't understand...?"
He leaned in close to Steve's audios and whispered, "How would you like to have me for a night?"
Steve panicked with optics darting under his mask; was this really happening? It felt too good to be true for the Eradicon. He shook his head, "I would-I MEAN... I...!"
Starscream lightly ran a claw up the length of Steve's arm. "...Don't you want me...?"
Steve jerked slightly at the sensation he received, "C-commander... what about Lord Megatron?"
"He is not my mate in any sense. Any interface with him is most likely non-consentual..." He grumbled. Though Megatron was a possessive sort. And Starscream was afraid Steve would get hurt if their leader found out.
"... Oh." Steve regretted asking, "I'm sorry Commander."
"Don't be... But you never answered me..." He smiled devilishly.
"O-oh. O-of course I would, it's just that..." Steve brushed his servos against Starscream's hand, "Aren't we going a little fast, Commander? We... you barely know me. I'm just a drone. I don't see how I deserve any of this."
He nuzzled him lightly. "You respect me. That's all I care about... Getting to know you will come after we ensure Megatron doesn't find out... It will keep you safe..."
"Commander," Steve took Starscream's shoulders, "We musn't rush into things, what if... I don't know. I can't believe this is happening, being with you... it's just that... what if our leader does find out? You'll be punsihed too. I don't want you to get hurt anymore."
"I'm not afraid... I can take the punishments... I'm worried about you..."
"... Commander..." Steve whispered, intertwining his servos with Starscream's and leaning in for a kiss.
Starscream closed his optics and met him for the kiss, giving his servos a gentle squeeze.
It was then that Steve forgot about everything, that nothing mattered as long as he was with Starscream. He tilted his head, nibbling at the neck cables of the Seeker, trying to find the most sensitive spots.
When Steve reached where his collar and neck met, Starscream let a tiny moan slip out as he gripped his shoulders.
"Commander, we're exposed." Steve pulled away suddenly, remembering that they were still out in the hallways. He held Starscream's wrist and tugged him towards the ship's core engine room nearby.
Starscream followed Steve, blushing when his wrist was grabbed. This was wrong, but it didn't matter as long as Steve stayed alive.
Once they were inside, Steve made sure to lock the door and continued exploring the Seeker's body. The core was humming with various batteries powering the Nemesis loud enough that there would be no chance of them getting heard. Steve trailed his servos on Starscream's inner thigh, feeling the warmth there. "Commander, a-am I going too fast?"
Starscream shook his head quickly. "N-no... It's fine..." He kissed Steve warmly, tracing the wiring of the Eradicon's arms, lightly clawing him.
"Hn." Steve let out a satisfied sigh, liking the touch he had waited for so long. He pecked at Starscream's neck seams again and breathed, "Commander, you're so beautiful..." and pressed Starscream against the wall near some cables.
"Mmm~" Starscream clutched Steve's shoulders and kissed him again before purring in his audios. "Then show your commander how much you worship him..."
Steve didn't need to be told twice, finding his roaming servos near Starscream's port. He clicked that open and inserted in the first digit, and then the second. His faceplate became warm, the tingly sensation he felt when he fantasized about doing things to Starscream were finally coming true. "O-oh~..." He found wires and tugged at them playfully.
Starscream purred happily, thrilled at a gentle touch that did not belong to his leader. "G-good, Steve..." He hummed, his inner fans cycling to keep him cool.
Steve dug deeper, inserting his middle servo and pushing in deeply. He waited for Starscream's reaction, "I-is this okay, Commander?"
The Seeker nodded. "O-oh yes... It's perfect..." He rewarded Steve with another kiss.
Encouraged by the kiss, Steve helped Starscream onto the floor and had him lean on the wall. He pulled his digits out of the Seeker's panel and took off his mask, giving his servos a lick. Steve a noise at the delicious taste that was Starscream's and lifted his Commander's ankle, running his glossa on the polished heels, up to Starscream's inner thigh. "Mm~"
Starscream couldn't supress the loud moan that escaped him and his body trembled. It felt so good! This was far more within his interfacing preference in a partner than Megatron's cruel abuse and force, though he did like force.
With Starscream's legs propped up on his shoulders, Steve lowered his head in front of the Seeker's port and licked, tasting a second time before inserting his glossa inside. He let out a shy moan, but a moan nonetheless.
His servo pressed against the back of Steve's helm and he shuddered hard, his wings twitching as he panted breathlessly.
He could feel Starscream vibrate at the love making, and Steve sat up, not wanting Starscream to overload just yet. He wanted to try something, "C-comannder? I... asking permission to... interface."
Starscream smiled kindly at the soldier. "Permission granted, Steve. And please..." He nuzzled him and kissed him again. "...Call me Starscream..."
Steve smiled lightly and returned the kiss. His servos fell on Starscream's waist out of habit, and he clicked open his panel, revealing his shaft. The Eradicon stared at the Seeker and slowly pushed in, his face changing as he let out a moan during entry. "C-commander..."
"Ah ah ah... Call me by name, Eradicon... Th-that's an order~" He moaned out the last words.
Steve pulled out and pushed in again, harder this time. He cried, "Starscream! S-starscream... oh, Starscream." It felt so good. His gripped tightened at Starscream's waist and he began a rhythm. "Hnn, mmm~"
Starscream was thrilled at hearing the soldier call him by name, it sent chills through his frame. "That's it... Th-there..."
"Co-S-starscream, please tell me if I'm hurting you." Steve mentioned, thrusting harder than before and arching his back.
The Seeker merely moaned louder in response, panting heavily. He was glad of the sounds around them drowning them out.
His cooling fans turned on, the heat intesifying with each thrust he presented to the Seeker. Steve rocked with Starscream, and he lifted the Commander's leg, putting it over his shoulder as he pushed his gerth even deeper.
His entire frame shuddered in blissful pleasure, his vocalizer humming out the Eradicon's name huskily.
Steve choked out a broken cry, taking Starscream into his arms as he felt his overload coming. The fans of his cooling system roaring in tune with the core's engines. Pressing himself against Starscream, and one hand against the wall, Steve bit the Seeker's wing.
Starscream gasped, and clung to Steve, creating friction between them so that they could reach overload together. The bite to his wing almost did the trick. Almost.
With one final thrust, Steve let out a satisfied cry and filled Starscream. He cried his Commander's name in pleasure and shuddered next to him, panting and fans whirling.
Starscream followed Steve into overload, crying out the soldier's name. He collapsed against him and panted.
Steve pulled out and sat by Starscream, catching his breath. "Y-you're amazing..." That was probably the best overload he ever had, and better than he imagined. A trillion times better. The Eradicon clicked his mask into place and sighed happily, taking Starscream's hands into his.
Starscream rested his head on Steve's shoulder, squeezing his hands. "You're pretty incredible yourself, soldier..."
"T-thank you, Commander." He looked at Starscream, chuckling slightly. "Out of habit, I apologize..." He smiled and planted a kiss on the Seeker's helm. He wanted to stay like this forever, but knowing they had duties to attend, it would end sometime.
"...As much as I hate to do this... We should get back to work..." He pouted. Starscream wanted to stay here, same as Steve. It wasn't fair they had to hide this.
"Yes." Steve agreed and stood, helping Starscream to his feet. "I must admit, you'll be distracting everytime I lay optics on you again, Commander. S-starscream." He smiled, hanging his head sheepishly.
He smiled softly and kissed him again. "Just keep an optic out for Megatron. Now..." He pulled away sadly. "I'll go out first. Stay in here for a bit and pretend to do something so it won't look suspicious. If anyone asks, I came to supervise for a bit."
"Of course, and you too." Steve saluted as the doors opened in case of anyone passing by. He turned to the nearby controls and pretended to be calibrating them, when really, he was thanking Primus for a dream come true.
Soundwave turned to the hallway where Starscream and Steve had been, and walked up to the Seeker.
Starscream folded his hands behind his back, hunching his shoulders the way he did when he prowled about, disregarding the silent bot.
Soundwave followed silently, and when they were far away from the core room, he played the message that Megatron had sent.
"Starscream, report to the bridge immediately." The tyrant didn't sound too pleased.
Starscream flinched and sighed softly, turning to Soundwave. "Of course." He moved away and went towards the bridge, feeling a spark of fear.
Soundwave followed suit, and they both entered the bridge with Megatron waiting at the controls.
The Decepticon leader did not turn yet, "It's about time, Starscream. Soundwave has been scouring the ship for you; care to tell me where you've been?" He faced the two arrivals, wearing the usual stern look on his face.
"Supervising engine repairs, my lord." He bowed his head subserviantly, easing himself into his lie as he normally did when faced with his master.
"Really, Starscream?" Megatron's featured changed from the expression it held to a frown. He looked over the Seeker's shoulder to the communication's officer. "Soundwave, if you would kindly present to my second of what you've uncovered through your... recent 'investigations'."
Soundwave played a quick recording of what occured within the core room, catching the attention of the Eradicons working on the bridge. Slag, wasn't that Steve... with Starscream?
Starscream blushed fiercely. "T-TURN IT OFF!" He felt panic rise in him. "Primus..." He knew this wasn;t going to end well. "TURN IT OFF NOW!"
Soundwave waited for Megatron's orders, and turned it off when he was given a small wave. He stayed unmoving, even when Megatron grabbed Starscream's neck and raised the Seeker off his feet. "It appears you need a little reminding as to who you belong to Starscream; to who you'll ever belong to." Megatron glared.
Starscream gaged at the grip on his throat, squirming in Megatron's grip. "N-no, master!" If anything were done, he prayed it would be in private.
Unfortunately, privacy wasn't in Megatron's mindset today and he slammed the Seeker against the controls. "You must think of me as a fool!" The tyrant growled, yanking at one wing with his other hand. "I should have rendered you flightless eons ago!"
Starscream's optics widened in terror. "N-no! Please! Not my wings!" He begged, clasping his servos together, completing his plea.
The begging only made Megatron more furious and he tugged harder, a bolt popping out from it's frame. Knockout went to protest, but Soundwave staring him down silenced him. "I've grown tired of your begging Starscream; it is time you paid the price that is long over due." And he tugged again, until finally, he ripped the Seeker's wing free from its frame.
The bolts clattered to the ground in an endless echo, and the witnesses in the room were silent. To ground a Seeker was going too far, Megatron had gone too far, but none of them could say anything from what has been already done.
Starscream howled in pain, whimpering pathetically at the agony he now felt. Though a seething hatred renewed and his anger made him lash out and slash his leader across his faceplates, leaving five gashes across his left cheek. The Seeker's optics blazed in fury, causing him to forget his pain.
Megatron staggered but did not fall, his servos going to his face. He felt the energon and looked at his digits that were now stain with his blood, and he growled, "You dare strike your leader? I will show you what real pain is!" He grabbed the Seeker's helm and hammered it against the keyboards.
Knockout couldn't take it anymore, and he spoke up. "My lord please, you'll kill him!"
Starscream's optics dimmed and offlined as he fell unconscious. He swore before stasis took him that he would get Megatron for grounding him. He wouldn't allow his master to walk away from this injustice.
Once the Seeker fell limp, Megatron scoffed and released the slag heap that Starscream was and glared at Knockout who stared up at him. "See to it that my Second in Command is functioning in a few cycles." He kicked the wing he had broken off to the side and started walking, Soundwave stepping to the side and around Starscream as he continued his work on the controls.
The Eradicons stared.
Knockout rushed to Starscream's side and had Breakdown help him carry the Commander to the sick bay.