on the subject of spotlight megatron, spoilers possible

[ex_dishonestly997]

I need a good many things, but I don't need your pity.

And I don't need to be homed, either, I'm perfectly content where I am.

That was a long time ago. Unlike some people, I don't use the past to distract me when I have a perfectly workable present to make use of.

Don't you have tags to get to.

Comments

[a_father_to_his_men]

Starscream, it has been a little while, I hope you are fairing well.

I don't know all of what is happening, but I would say that sometimes people share worry and caring in a way that seems like pity, even thought they don't think any less of us for what we have been through.

[ex_dishonestly997]

You know.

I've always thought blue optics suited you.

[not his most artful dodge, but it'll do. Gentle venthuff and he might be leaning a little closer because hey it's dear_mun, it's not like he has to account for this later.]

Is that right? You're more of a philosopher than a warrior.

[a_father_to_his_men]

Thank you.

A smile suits you best you know.

[He will accept the dodge, not because it was well done, but because he knows pressing the issue with Starscream won't get him far if the flyer doesn't want to talk about it. He reaches out to rest a hand on the flyer's arm, nothing to close, but certainly a sign of a casual discussion.]

I prefer it that way, I've always had more faith in my strength of mind than my strength of power.

[ex_dishonestly997]

The kind of smile I usually have, or the kind you put there? [okay, this is actually kind of nice. Nicer than dwelling on crouching in the throne room all those years ago contemplating how poorly he ruled in Megatron's stead, how arrogant he was, how ill prepared. There's no room for shame like that in the way Starscream thinks he is, and he'd gladly talk about Megatron for a while to relieve himself of the focus]

What about your strength of sp...Ember? Sorry.

[a_father_to_his_men]

Well, most preferably the one you show me when I've been able to bring it in the open. That one is the rarer one, and far more precious for it.

[If it helped Starscream he wouldn't complain or object.]

You have nothing to be sorry about, ember or spark, they both play the same parts, do they not? I like to think that my strength there is great, but it is hard to see from this perspective.

[ex_dishonestly997]

If I do anything for you with lasting effect, Lord Megatron, it'll be to help you think a little less about others and a little more about yourself.

[a meditative pause]

Even if that's not fishing for praise, I'll give it to you. You could make an army of a hundred thousand strong follow you gladly into the Pit. You could probably talk Unicron into peace negotiations. You're every bit the force of nature my own Megatron is, without his... shorter optic range.

[a_father_to_his_men]

It does me a great deal to be graced by the happiness of others, especially ones such as your smile.

[He looks a little bit away, embarrassed by that.]

I thank you for your confidence in me Starscream, it brightens my ember to know you think so highly of me, and I can only hope to meet such thoughts.

[ex_dishonestly997]

Oh. [thinks about that, then notes the embarrassment with an impish smile as he leans in closer]

My mistake - you don't like the praise. My old Megatron couldn't get enough of it, so I gave it to him as infrequently as he gave it to me.

Or do you fear a gold standard you can't live up to?

[a_father_to_his_men]

[He doesn't back away from Starscream, instead his hand shifts from Starscream's arm to his back, not forcing him into any action but welcoming him closer.]

I do appreciate your praise, it means a lot to me. I simply don't feel worthy of it on any frequency.

I fear not living up to the image people see me by, I wish to give them what they desire from me. This is all the more strong a wish when the image is one held by someone I care for and respect, such as yourself.

[ex_dishonestly997]

Nobody's perfect. [taken aback and it shows, for just a second, until he leans in voluntarily and clunks his helm gently against the upper arm of Megatron's closest side. Showing weakness like this is ...not very Decepticon, but he's decided he can make a solitary exception to be openly delicate around.]

What if I desire for you to be what you are around me, and not what anyone else wants. Damn the consequences. [Just like him, and yet--not like him. Not requiring the subjugation of others to stop feeling small.]

[a_father_to_his_men]

[Megatron is more than glad when Starscream leans into him, and he settles his arm comfortably there. He was more than willing to teach anyone who thought it would be good to treat Starscream's comfort as a weakness some humility in the matter.]

I... [Those words made his ember pulse hard, someone who wasn't looking for Megatron the leader, or even Megatron the teacher, just himself.] It would be my pleasure to fill that desire.