(Word Count: 2822)

A/N: Takes place during the events of Transformers: The Last Knight

The two leaders of both Decepticon and Autobot were once again fighting to the death over the right of the planet that Optimus clung so desperately to, the one he called home. Metal clashed against metal. Everything was a blur as the mechs danced in combat, with their own malicious intents to overcome the other. Energon pumped through their racing sparks high off adrenaline. Their bodily instincts acted on survival alone. Everything around them from the crashing debris to the lightning cracking and illuminating the scene was faded as the mechs had their own electricity forming between them.

"Megatron, destroy him!", the shriek of the floating entity above them called out. The commands of the goddess were tormenting him. They pierced through his audials echoing through his processor with every intent to transform him into a barbaric killing machine. They appeared to have a mind of their own, ushering the warlord into taking such drastic actions against Optimus. He couldn't control his own impulses. It was driving him mad.

Megatron wanted to follow Quintessa's wishes and put an end to Optimus' quest on destroying their maker, but something trickling in the back of his helm was taking hold of his thoughts during the middle of his quarrel with his long lost comrade. Megatron had fought his nemesis for so many eons, he knew Optimus inside and out, or so he thought before they became rivals. He could easily predict the Prime's next moves from all the past battles they've fought if he concentrated hard enough. So why wouldn't he? Why did he hesitate? Because the connection he had with Optimus never left his spark. It dwelled in his spark chamber all this time. Somewhere deep in it's equity were his true feelings laying dormant under his warmongering demeanour, hidden in the shadows. Only when he came close to terminating his only connection to his past did it resurface. He never wanted to admit it after everything he had fought for, everything he believed in. Even if he did, who's to say Optimus would ever accept him for the monster he has become?

All these pointless thoughts and emotions made his helm fuzzy. Instinctively he was fighting back, but his mind was missing in action. It almost cost him an arm as he barely dodged the knight's mighty sword that struck at him with a furious swipe. Optimus growled in the back of his throat as he tried to withdraw his weapon and strike again, but a servo grabbed hold of it to prevent it from moving. Optimus jerked the sword in attempt to set it free. He shot a glare at Megatron who could sense the Autobot baring his denta through his battle mask. Optimus struck the gladiator across the helm dazing him for a mere second before the weight of his sturdy frame pushed him down in attempt to overcome him. 

The constant mind of betrayal played through the Autobot's mind. It made his spark ache, but not just because of how far the gladiator went to turn his back on him. He was more upset of the love that he could never let go. He clasped onto it like it was the only thing keeping him alive and well. Whenever he caught the glimpse of those beaming crimson optics, he wished they were looking back at him with passion and devotion. He wished he could tell him how much he needed him and watch those optics fade into something more pure and docile. Primus, why did things have to be this way? If only he knew Megatron's true intentions when they first met. Maybe he could of stopped this war from happening. Maybe he could of stopped himself from falling for him in the first place. The Megatron he once stood beside perished eons ago, and all he ever wanted was to live those moments again. The way the tyrant threw him around blinded by anger and the thirst for power, Optimus feared he could never see him for the calm and sentient being he used to be. But knowing him, his soul wouldn't rest thinking of such negative accusations. His pure nature wouldn't allow it. He had to believe in someone other than himself. Despite the Decepticon's intentions, Megatron wasn't the type to follow orders. Perhaps it was the infectious adjuration of Quintessa's shrilling voice locking him under a spell like she did with him. Or maybe he was thinking all too hard and was seeking an excuse that would find his behaviour forgivable. Whatever the case, he couldn't back down. His body was screaming with the need to fight or flight. He was unsure which one made more sense at this moment.

Megatron's body shook against the Prime's strength. In the middle of the resistance, he caught sight of Optimus' expression. Physically he looked enraged with an unforgiving gleam in his optics, but if he gazed deeper, he could see just how misguided he was. His knees gave in and he tumbled back during his study of the knight. His back scraped along the slanted floor of the chamber. He glared up at the one who had put him in his vulnerable position, feeling the sharp edge of his sword graze along his neck cables. For once, a fear struck through the gladiator's frame. Megatron never wanted things to be this way. He and Optimus shared a special bond before the war had ripped them apart from who they were meant to be. Optimus was the better half of the warlord. Even with their polar opposites in the present as it appeared, deep down he wished that things would go back to the way that they were, before their disagreements spiralled into a war between them.

Optimus hesitated. His intention to puncture his spark chamber that used to beat for him was weakened. He could of ended this once and for all. One strike of his mighty sword and Megatron would be no more. But something kept the knight stillborn. Somewhere deep within him was a presence keeping him from moving further on this action. A tremor made it's way into his forearm. No, this isn't how he wanted things to end. His optics were locked on Megatron's staggered body, unable to break the connection. 

'Why do your servos cling to my spark so tightly? Why can't I just let you go and accept what you've become? If only you and I could be together once again, Megatron. If only you could see behind your ignorance and pride just how perfect our world was before. Those long nights on Cybertron; you would hold me tightly and kiss me like your life depended on it. You took my face in your servos and looked me in the optics and said "Nothing in this galaxy could ever tear us apart". And then you kissed my forehelm. I can't throw away the love that gave me life and purpose to my existence. I can't forget you Megatron' 

Megatron grew frustrated and confused, unable to grasp what was keeping the knight from striking him at first chance. A dissatisfied growl was heard from above. Quintessa's patience was reaching it's peak. "Is this how it's going to end Optimus!? My spark extinguished for the good of mankind!?", the gladiator scowled offended. His voice was so full of anger that his frame shook. He never understood what the Prime saw in those humans smaller and weaker than him. If anything, it was jealousy talking. Optimus hated himself for putting Megatron in this position. His mind screamed at him to give mercy, to give the warlord another chance to redeem himself. But the other side of him knew the Megatron he fell in love with was destined to be lost to the stars. The planet was at stake, and he had to fight for what he believed in now. The knight withdrew his face guard.

"It didn't have to be this way, Megatron", he spoke with a despairing voice. The Prime's words left a bitter taste in the warlord's mouth. How could he be so foolish as to sympathize a foreign planet over him? Couldn't he see how hurt he was? The thought made his spark burn like a fire had set it ablaze. A heavy weight of betrayal was digging into his chest so much that the pain was unbearable. He didn't know whether to be more angry at Optimus, or scared that his life would end knowing Optimus hated him at his last dying breath. 

"We were lovers once!", Megatron cried out of strife. Optimus parted his dermas upon hearing those words. There was something in his optics, something he hadn't seen before. He wasn't given time to absorb his reaction as their maker finally had enough. "Enough squandering! Eliminate this traitor or I will put an end to both of you!", Quintessa's voice shattered through Megatron and his conscience. Optimus glared up at his maker to protest, but was taken by surprise when the tyrant pushed the sword aside and sprang up, suddenly influenced by the witch's command. The reluctance was still grabbing hold of the knight. He couldn't react fast enough to Megatron's threat. He only had the time to pull his sword in from of him in defense.

The gladiator struggled to keep himself from falling victim to Quintessa's demands completely. His conscience was still fighting back. He might of been fighting his sworn enemy, but really he was fighting himself. He saw how shaken Optimus was, like his soul was leaving his body. It hurt him so bad to see him in this state. And then he came to realise that he wasn't the real monster here. Quintessa was. She was going to make him destroy everything he knew and loved. He couldn't take it anymore. No matter the outcome, he wouldn't have any other shot at this. Quintessa could strike him dead for all he cared. He pushed forward towards Optimus with everything he could muster and smashed his dermas over the knight's.

Optimus ceased resistance when he felt Megatron's dermas take hold of him. The familiar feel of the rough seams pressed against him brought back all the memories of this sensation. The pistons and gears in his mechanics malfunctioned. Suddenly, his arm went limp and he dropped the sword in his servo, the sound of it echoing through the chamber. His optics flickered. That glimmer of hope that he felt was starting to make itself a reality. Never had a kiss awakened something so powerful inside of him. He should of denied the gladiator on contact, but instead he was drawn to the warmth and meaning behind it. His optics instinctively closed. Megatron sensed the Prime shift towards him, accepting his embrace. His spark ignited with the everlasting love that lied dormant for all these eons. It almost felt like they were kissing for the first time, the giddy feeling in his chassis, the tingling sensation on his dermas, the feeling that his spark was going to explode from such luster. Time ceased to exist and all that was present in this reality was the two of them. He pulled him closer. He wish they could just disappear from all this and start over. However, there was a sense of disgust arising from above them outside of their virtual reality.

"You DARE to defy me with this mutiny?!", Quintessa raged. The electricity emitting from her palms thrashed at a more intense level influenced by her anger. The two leaders broke apart and turned their attention to their disturbed goddess. Megatron gritted his denta, emitting a growl so fierce that even Optimus was shook. He stood between Optimus and the mad goddess.

"You think you have complete control over me?! I am NOT your pawn! Megatron is commanded by NO ONE!", he hollered as he shot his blaster at Quintessa hovering above him. The impact sent her flying into a spiral. She gave one last screech before dissipating into the air, the lightning ceasing at the same moment. All that was left was the condemned chamber breaking piece by piece. Reality kicked in and they knew that they saw the danger that began to rise around them. A statue fell to the ground shattering into segments.

"Megatron, look out!". The large stone would of crushed the gladiator if Optimus hadn't pushed him out of the way in time. They stumbled on the ground with the knight landing on top of him. The two of them tried to recollect themselves until they both noticed the position they were in and caught each other's optics. 

Now that Quintessa seemingly destroyed, the gladiator had his own independent mind. He looked at Optimus the way he envisioned him earlier. There was a hint of adoration. What Optimus didn't know was the thoughts that were running through the warlord's mind at that moment. The gladiator cast his optics over the knight's beautiful architecture. He admired the crown of his helm and the piercing audials that stuck out from the side of it. He loved the tiny segments of metal that streamed down his face and over his dermas, which he was already starting to miss the warmth of them, with the face plates he was caressing before hugging the sides. And his optics? Breath taking. The silver lining along his collar carrying down until they reached the vibrant azure and red color scheme was just stunning. His face heated up when he glanced at his chassis, also noticing the resembling Autobot insignia on the center of it. He stared at the v-shaped segments trailing down the middle of his torso. The whole engineering of his frame was flawless. He wished him and Optimus were alone right now and not in the middle of a danger zone. He wanted to reclaim his body that had been untouched by his passion for eons.

"You destroyed Quintessa...for me?", Optimus asked appalled as a hint of blush started to form over his face plate from how he was positioned. He also noticed where his optics were looking. His body jerked when he felt a servo lightly grip his hip where the red bungee cord hung off of.

"Quintessa planned on destroying this planet and you along with it", Megatron replied while his optics dimmed.

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying..", he paused to bring his servo up to the Prime's face, grazing his digits along the ridges on the side up to the disc of his audial. "I wouldn't have a world without you". Optimus froze at his words. They pierced him straight through the spark. He was left speechless. He never knew the gladiator held onto those feelings all this time, but he was thankful he did. Their sparks had finally opened up to each other, burning more brightly then they ever have before. Suddenly, he lost the anger that he had felt towards him from all the battles they fought over their differences. In the small gesture Megatron expressed and the honesty in his words, they had discovered just how much they needed each other. Optimus felt so happy it almost brought tears to his optics. 

The Prime was the one to further the contact this time. He brought his face close to the tyrant's as his sparkbeat grew faster. Megatron remain idled and allowed his newly regained lover to come to him. His dermas planted on his so soft and delicately. He breathed in deeply, filled with content. He took in everything that it had to offer. It warmed up his chassis and heated his core. It caused him to fall into a trance that contained nothing but peace and tranquillity. He missed this. During the time of war, he never thought having Optimus back in his arms would be as rewarding as this if he had chosen to stray from his cause. He kissed him once more, and then again. The time they had spent apart was long over and he wanted to make up for it. It might seem unorthodox to be kissing while their surroundings were tumbling down, but at this point they didn't care. They were so absorbed in their own world that nothing outside of their reality seemed to phase them. Only when they were short on their breath did they break apart.

"Optimus, promise me that you'll never leave me", he grabbed him by the chest desperately. The Prime looked down on his partner with spark felt optics. He never wanted to go against Megatron's wishes ever again. From now on, he wanted to see him as an equal. He wanted to hold onto the one that he always loved for the rest of his life until his dying breath. He connected his forehelm to Megatron's. After today, they would unite as one.

"I promise".