I'd do you a solid and I wouldn't even take bets. [he can't not make jokes about this.]

I don't know. I know your world's Starscream is completely different. [the bias in his favor probably helped--the fact that Soundwave himself was incredibly patient and kind also helped. A lot.]

You gave me a chance anyway. [he's all but indirectly admitting that he needs others to believe he is a thing before he can believe it himself. Which is the one fatal flaw through his spark that he's never managed to fix.]