TFA -G1: Dove in the Nest pt.1

Title:  Lair of the Dragon

Series: Transformers Animated

Genre: AU, Slash, Crossover with G1

Author: rumblebee25

Pairings: G1 Megatron x TFA Optimus Prime


The leader of the Decepticons had his quarters off from the main floors. Optimus was carried off the elevator and he dared to look out from the tarp. Megatron keyed in code and large heavily secured doors opened. The drab gray hallways were left behind and this floor was wide with several doors.

"You'll be staying here while you recovered," Megatron said and he walked up to one of rooms, keying in another code. The level of security was actually reassuring. None of these other Cons could get here and Optimus relaxed.

When the door opened, Optimus expected something more sumptuous. The dull gray of the hallways was matched by a plain bed and some spare furniture. The young Autobot was just relieved it wasn't like the flat as a board berth of his old room at the base.

"This is what I get for ordering Dead End to make the room 'comfortable'," Megatron said as he carried his little mate inside, "You'll stay here while I'm working. But I'll bring you something to keep you busy until you're fully repaired."

The big mech walked past the bed which was way too large and the young mech's anxiety hitched higher. The cuffs were still on and that fear started again.  When Megatron put him on his feet, Optimus didn't say anything since. Still wearing the tarp like a robe and cowl, he held his wrists up. His mate reacted instantly

"Ah, yes! Sorry about that," Megatron and quickly released him, "Wasn't thinking there."

"Thanks," Optimus said and he smiled weakly. He slipped the tarp off his shoulders and folded it nervously. Holding the plastic to his chest like a shield, Optimus looked up at the older mech again.

They didn't touch, their fields simply brushed against each other, like waves on the shore. The change in Megatron's aura and demeanor were was within Optimus' very spark.  But it couldn't wipe way what happened, his old life was gone. Even if he went back home, he'd never be the same.

"I can't change what's happened and my words won't mean anything without action," Megatron said, seeing his mate's apprehension. Looking down at the cuffs in his hand, the older mech sighed, "And so far, I'm making a bad impression."

Megatron was a war machine and the monster from the cave. Then there was this mech, the one that had Optimus enthralled. In a short time, older Con was transformed into something new and dangerously alluring, the effect like silk over steel.

The young mech swallowed hard, feeling the sharp pull of his own spark responding to Megatron's presence. It wanted to merge again. That's all it seem concerned about, choosing sheer strength over compassion and kindness.

Covering his face, Optimus blocked the site of his mate and his spark reacted wildly, fully focused on Megatron's energy signature.  They're alone and panic gripped him. He used to know what to do, he relied on training, trusted his own abilities. There's nothing that helps him this time; he couldn't fight this mech off and there are worse things than dying.

"Decepticons take advantage right? You want victory at any cost, right?" the Optimus asked and he lifted his head, fear leaving him as brittle as glass.
He'd rather face it now and get this over with. Right now he was without any shielding of his doubts or fears, his spark is bleeding light.  

"Not with you. This wasn't war or a battle to be won. That was my mistake and you paid the price," the older mech rasped and a phantom weight settles in, one that doesn't belong to Optimus. Megatron is open to him as well, the bond revealing everything.

Optimus is drawn in again, the abyss calls to his spark and he wants to go with it. That's what frightened him the first time, there didn't seem to be an end to the darkness and he retreated before their merge finalized. Megatron's spark reflected his strongest emotions at that moment and anger was he felt then.

The Decepticon leader has fought longer than he can imagine. Battle was all this mech has known. Anger and rage were like carrying destronium armor to Megatron, they were familiar and required, serving as guards against what he perceived as weakness.  Ages ago, his empathy was buried by his ambition. But it did exist at one time and now it lay close to Megatron's spark.

"Everything I touch, I destroy. Why didn't I see you like this before…"

He looked away from the young mech, his spark torn by jagged wave of self hate and rage was stifled by grief. Megatron stared at the floor and were optics was as dark as blood. Optimus placed his hands on the older mech's chest and the thick armor can not dull the pulse under his fingertips. Their sparks are not even in contact but Optimus still feels his mate within him.

"But I couldn't destroy you. You wouldn't let me," he said, "Primus, you have a strong spark."

"Not really," Optimus said. The movement of his mate's energy signature was a soft caress and he felt that pull again, to complete this bond. Megatron took his hand and the young mech clasps it to his chest. Compared to the Decepticon leader, he was a small thing.

"A weak person would not take hold of me like this," Megatron said and Optimus was confused. His mate smiled faintly and added, "You and the Autobot leader are very different mechs, but you share certain traits.  Like compassion. That makes him a formidable foe when he's fighting to protect others

"I'm nothing like him. I'm petty and small minded," Optimus said, being honest. Prowl's death taught him the meaning of 'Protect all life.' He'd been quick to judge the Dinobots and the Contructicons. They were barely protoforms and didn't know right from wrong. But he dismissed them without a second thought.

"Well, I don't know about that. You've shown me mercy and I don't deserve it," Megatron said and traced his mate's chin. His regret was palpable.

The young mech folded against him and pressed his face to his mate's chest, his cheek right next to the demon's spark. Kept in check and restrained, it still called to him. Megatron ran his thumb over Optimus' cheek, nothing more than a brief touch. For now this contact was comforting and he clutched at Megatron, sighing heavily when the older mech finally held him.

"We'll send you home tomorrow. I'll capture the fugitive and your troops can retrieve him then," Megatron said, his words throwing a chill over his mate. Optimus didn't want to leave, not yet. The older mech said, "But I don't feel right about dropping you through when you're injured. Though if you want to leave now-"

"No, not yet," Optimus said, "I can't leave without my Megatron."

The Decepticon leader smiled a little and Optimus flushed, his spark getting the best of him. He clarified it by saying, "Not…Oh, you know who I'm talking about.  That mech is more dangerous than you think."

"Yes, but your friends are probably looking for you and they're not equipped for this universe. Better to send them home before they get hurt," Megatron said. The young mech blinked, looking like the proverbial deer in headlights and his mate laughed softly," Of course they'll come. People like you always have someone who misses them."

"Oh," was all Optimus could say. He was more surprised at Megatron's flash of concern over bots he'd never met.

"They won't be pleased with how I've treated you though. For now worry about recuperating, while I take care of this matter," the older Con said and the sly gleam edged into his optics.

He will be captured and delivered to you at once.

The promise in his Megatron's statement filled Optimus with pride and he blushed. For some reason it sounded like a gift instead of an offer to bring in a fugitive.

"That will do nicely," Optimus stammered.

"As you command," Megatron said, his smile was softer," So you accept my hospitality for now?"

"Yes. I'll stay."

"Scouts are already searching for them. Chances are he's still with Prime but who knows, I'm not ruling anything at this point," Megatron said. Optimus nodded, his reserves quickly trained by recent events. He sagged against his mate and closed his optics again, his knees buckling.

"Maybe my team mates found them instead," Optimus said as the older mech picked him up and carried him over to the bed. This time it didn't trigger the panic from earlier. He was happy to sit back on something that wasn't an exam table.

Optimus adjusted his bedding and propped himself while Megatron removed the photon cannon and put things away. The room was sparse but the berth was comfortable and too large for a single bot. But he was too tired to process that now. Then Megatron retuned and kneeled by the bed next to Optimus. Even like this, the Con leader was still taller.

"You know, despite this talk about petty, you have a tender spark. I saw a part of you that was remarkable lenient. Like this Sentinel person. Frankly, I still don't know why you took the blame for him."

"How did know about that?" Optimus asked.

"I wanted to wipe his memory from your affections," Megatron said embarrassed by the admission, "Because he meant something to you."

"You were jealous of him?"

"Yes," the tyrant said, "That's was a rather low and egotistical move, especially when I've been with others. But I assure you that Starscream is in the past. It's-"

"Whoa, slow down," Optimus said, trying to take all of this in, "That's the second time I've heard the name Starscream, "Is he a jet like the one from my world?"

"You didn't see him when we merged?"  

"No. There was rage," he said, curious now, "But I didn't see much about bonding or love."

"Then I've really messed this up," Megatron rasped, his brow creasing in irritation, "No wonder you're…"

The stern and imposing war machined suddenly stopped in mid sentence and looked sheepish. He quickly took out something from a side hip compartment and muttered," Some mate I am, I almost forgot your fuel."