Chapter Text
“Is this a joke?" asked Starscream. “Two cycles ago you would have had him thrown off our highest tower for looking at me the wrong way. Now you’re ordering him to ravage me?”
"Ravage you? How absurd.” The Winglord’s brow creased with reproach. “What a reaction! And after all the nice things you said about him...”
“This is completely different!”
“Yes, and while I understand it may come as a shock to you, this is a rare honor, so there’s no reason to get so worked up.”
“Worked up! Why would I be worked up?” Starscream stood up from the meeting table and slammed his chair in. “We’re loving this news so much, right, Thundercracker?”
He gestured to Thundercracker, whose face was frozen in an expression of abject horror.
“Your tone sure has changed, old mech,” said Skywarp, perched on the edge of the table, arms loosely folded.
“Circumstances changed,” said the Winglord. “Thanks to your good instincts. Well done.”
“Uh. Yeah,” said Skywarp innocently, flicking his optics up to study the ceiling as Starscream glared murderously at him.
Of course this order would come as a result of Skywarp’s meddling. He was the only other mech who knew about Megatron’s unique condition. And the only mech on the planet horny enough to parse ancient Vosian conjugal laws to have a hookup.
Starscream wasn't sure what to think. Being ordered to carry Megatron’s sparklings should be a good thing for his and Megatron’s relationship. Sleeping together would be easier now that they were encouraged to do so, were it not that it came with the caveat that Starscream would now be expected to share him.
Starscream tried to school his jealousy before he said anything that could give his true feelings away. Revulsion seemed to be a more appropriate reaction to being ordered to be impregnated by a lowly grunt. Judging by Thundercracker’s face, it was. So Starscream took a cue from him, channeling his anger towards that charade.
“Even if the suggestion didn’t repulse me to my core, there’s a problem, sire! I’m already carrying.”
The Winglord nodded at Pharma, who was standing beside him and the Arch Prophet. “The doctor says it’s early enough in your gestation that Megatron’s code can overwrite Airbright’s, so you’ll be included in this as well.”
“Oh. I’ll be included." Starscream trembled with overwhelming anger. “How thoughtful.”
“You will carry for Airbright after Megatron. It’s the law that a sparkling from a royal stud takes precedence over that of a conjunx, if one is bonded. Skywarp and Thundercracker may continue to court suitors and look for a trine during this period as well.” The Winglord looked between each of their faces. “I need you three to recognize how symbolic and momentous this duty is. It’s an assertion of your status as royalty, to be exclusive carriers for a mech of a caliber we have not seen outside of legend. This is not the time for airing your qualms.”
Sunstorm came over and patted Starscream's and Thundercracker’s arms. “Don’t fret. Tempers are understandably high and this surely wasn't in your plans. Any self-respecting flier would find it repulsive to be sparked by a grounder who’s little better than a barbarian. But consider that this is god’s plan, so it would suit you to be dignified about it.”
Thundercracker let out a thin whine and put his face in his hands.
Starscream couldn’t stand it anymore. He ran out to collect himself. This appeared to break Thundercracker from his stupor as well, who hurried down the hall after him. He came up to Starscream and clamped his hands on his shoulders. “Starscream, we have to convince him otherwise. I can't give myself to that… that thing.”
“You won't. Not if I have my way.”
Thundercracker stood rigidly, plating pulled in tight. “You know this is crazy, right? Sire is crazy. Sunstorm is crazy– I don't care if it’s blasphemy to say that. This wasn't the will of any god, this was…”
A third pair of footsteps clicked the hall behind them, as Skywarp wandered up to them. “Yo,” he said. “Just for the record, this wasn't really my plan to involve you two. Or, uh, any of that stuff about mating. Winglord kinda took it too far.”
“The Winglord took it too far?” said Starscream. "The Winglord? That's your excuse!?"
Skywarp shrugged awkwardly. “It is what it is.”
“Skywarp, I am seconds from beating you to death with your own stupid spike, which you apparently can’t keep behind your panel. No one goes to this much effort to get laid!”
“Honestly, Screamer, I did you a favor. Now you and Megatron can fool around all you want without consequence. You’re welcome.”
“What Megatron and I do doesn’t concern you.” Starscream jabbed a finger into his chest. “You should not factor into the equation. If you touch him again, I’m ripping off your wings. In pieces. And making you eat them.”
“Big talk, for a guy who couldn't even touch me when we fought the other night.”
Starscream shrieked incoherently and launched himself at Skywarp anyway.
Skywarp easily deflected his blows as they rained down. “Such a drama queen.”
“Is he?” asked Thundercracker, yanking at Skywarp’s wing to turn him around. “Is he, Skywarp?”
“C’mon, TC, this is distracting the Winglord from bitching about you being single.”
“By forcing me to be with some mech he dug out of a pit in Kaon?”
Skywarp raised his hands defensively. “It’s not that much of a commitment. You just need to have his sparklings. You don't need to conjunx him.”
Thundercracker pondered this for a moment. Then he nodded at Starscream. “I’ll hold his arms.”
“Hey!” Skywarp struggled, but wasn't a match for Thundercracker’s strength. His arms were pinned, allowing Starscream to box him in.
“You're going to be so fucking ugly when I’m through with you, no mech will touch you,” hissed Starscream, winding his arm back.
Skywarp popped out of existence at the last second. Starscream’s fist passed through empty air and slammed Thundercracker’s chestplate with a painful thud. Thundercracker didn't even flinch. As Starscream gripped his hand and spat curses, Skywarp reappeared high up in the rafters with a vop and flipped him off.
The Winglord chose that exact moment to hurry over with the doctor and Sunstorm. He threw his hands up in exasperation. “What is going on out here? Get it together!”
Skywarp fired his thrusters and did a backflip off the rafters, touching down daintily beside them. The Winglord scoffed. “There is no reason for these dramatics. Especially from you, Starscream. You’re the oldest, you should be leading by example.”
“Remember,” said Sunstorm, “it’s a testament to the strength of a ruling trine to keep from murdering each other over the stud. If all three emerge unscathed through the carrying period, they will go on to have a long, prosperous reign. Be strong!”
The Winglord shuddered. “I’m attempting to structure this so infighting is eliminated. Which, considering the three of you are so high strung to begin with, would be an excellent idea.” He held his hand up to silence Starscream before he could open his mouth to shriek something profane at him. “Now please, I’ll hear no more arguments. This has been decided. Each of you will go with the doctor to discern your suitability for carrying as well as the mating order.”
“What do you mean, mating order?” asked Starscream suspiciously.
“I’ve decided, in accordance with the advice of Pharma and Sunstorm, that the matings should occur nightly at specific times, three in a row, the order of which Pharma will determine. This is to keep your gestations on the same timeline and make sure the sparklings are given enough sustenance. The mech who takes precedence in the mating order will also have first priority on outside bonding activities with Megatron.”
“Bonding? We can court him?” asked Skywarp, too giddily for Starscream’s liking.
“Don’t be ridiculous. You know our trining rituals don’t accommodate grounders. However, I’ve raised Megatron’s status in court as suits his new station, which means you are allowed to politely consort with him whenever you’re free, if you so choose. Or ignore him." The Winglord shrugged. "All I ask is that you adhere to the schedule and have healthy sparklings.”
“Cool, so when do we start?” asked Skywarp.
“As the Winglord wants to avoid violence,” drawled Pharma, “it’s my professional opinion that Your Highnesses be sure to kindle within the first cycle of your baffles being removed. If any one of you are left in heat, that individual will fight for exclusivity of the sire. After you’re all sparked, you’ll be naturally possessive, but not to the point of violence.”
“So we’re starting today?” choked Thundercracker.
“Tonight, Thundercracker,” said the Winglord with a sigh. “Please go with the doctor now. I have a lot to do.”
Starscream trailed after his brothers, his agitation only growing as they followed Pharma to the medbay.
–
Starscream waited outside the palace medbay, pacing back and forth and glaring at a gilded bust of some long-dead medic. He was ready to knock the stupid sculpture over by the time Pharma finished examining his brothers and called him in to do the same. Once that was complete, the Winglord was summoned for the results of the mate hierarchy.
“Why go through with this at all?” snipped Starscream. “I’m dubiously too far into gestation for this. Skywarp probably has six hundred viruses, and Megatron doesn't want a virgin.” He shot a pointed glance at Thundercracker, who, if possible, looked even more miserable than he had earlier.
Pharma smiled politely, though it looked strained. “Hm. About your brother…”
“Ugh!” said Starscream, putting some distance between himself and Skywarp.
“No, Skywarp’s clean. You’re suitable as well.”
“I’m more than suitable,” grumbled Starscream.
“Yes. But. Ahem. The other prince…”
“What? What are you implying?” asked the Winglord, tapping his foot.
Pharma looked hesitant to say, packing as much put-upon sincerity as possible into his snooty intonation. “Thundercracker is… unfortunately showing telltale signs of valvular virginity.”
Thundercracker stared tensely at the floor, mouth a tight line.
“Wait, what?” exclaimed Starscream. “I was just joking! Thundercracker, you can’t be…”
“How dare you slander his name!” accused the Winglord.
“I did a thorough inspection,” said Pharma. “The gestation aperture is completely closed.”
“I know how it works!”
“Of course. My apologies, Your Excellency.”
“Shame on you!” said the Winglord, jabbing a finger at a pouting Thundercracker. “Going around in this disgraceful condition. Multiple seasons since you reached majority and you've had no action? Your reputation among suitors is already on the brink of disaster, and now this is revealed! I can’t believe my own offspring would–”
“No, no, this is good!” said Starscream, coming between them. “Thundercracker doesn’t want to do this anyway. We should take him out of the running entirely.”
“Absolutely not. Even though Thundercracker is less than adequate for a mate, excluding him would cause suspicion. Megatron will just have to deflower him as well.”
“No!” Thundercracker and Starscream wailed simultaneously.
“Yes, and above all, we must keep this quiet,” said the Winglord. “Even Megatron need not know about your condition, if you can manage it, Thundercracker. Your reputation will be ruined if any rumors get out. Be grateful that you have a low-born partner in this instance. Megatron is surely used to disappointment and offense. A distinguished suitor would be grievously insulted, to be presented with a mate so inexperienced.”
“Fine, if Thundercracker’s the least-favored, who’s the most?” Starscream demanded to know.
“Traditionally,” said Pharma, “the most fertile and sexually experienced individual takes priority in the couplings. Since Starscream is rather… middling on both fronts, Skywarp is the obvious choice for the favored mate.”
“Middling!?” screeched Starscream, balling his hands. “What–? How–? Skywarp?”
The Winglord clapped his brother affably on the back. “I could have told you that. All those pregnancy scares you’ve had pointed to it, I suppose.”
“Yeah, that makes sense,” said Skywarp.
“What– no–!” said Starscream haltingly. “First of all, there’s no way–”
“Ah, this is all coming together nicely,” said the Winglord, cutting him off. “I had my doubts, Skywarp, when I caught you with Megatron that first time, but I will admit… you do have good instincts.” He winked approvingly. “Keen senses for a mate.”
“Uh, yeah. Definitely. Instincts.”
“Yes, yes. Well done.” The Winglord thumped his back vigorously again, before turning to Starscream and Thundercracker with a more strict expression. “And I expect you two will do your duty without complaint.”
“You’re lucky I’m agreeing to do this at all,” said Starscream, sneering at the doctor. “After having my competence insulted.”
“Don’t feel bad, Screamer,” said Skywarp, flashing him an obnoxious grin. “I’ll leave some for you after I'm done with him tonight.”
Starscream’s spark twisted and compressed into a hot little ball of rage, and he repressed the urge to punch Skywarp. Gloating aside, fertility and experience in berth were hugely prized in Vos, and it was no surprise Skywarp had come out on top. Being an outsider, Megatron might not care that Skywarp was better, but… maybe he would. Regardless, Starscream’s claim was more tenuous, with Megatron now being compelled to split his affections between him and his brothers.
Starscream tried not to think too hard about how their relationship had involved little more than interface so far. Any emotional connection was purely driven by coding. They didn’t really like each other. What if Megatron’s attention drifted, when presented with two other tempting seekers? He hadn’t rejected Skywarp when he came onto him, and he had even made a flirtatious comment about Thundercracker…
Starscream clenched his fists. He had no reason to care about Megatron this much. At best, he was just a lover. One of many Starscream had had. And yet, he was boiling at the mere implication that others were going to be intimate with Megatron in the same way he had been.
But the fact remained: he had gotten to Megatron first, and was carrying his sparklings to prove it. He deserved priority. One way or another, he would have it.