[as Megatron reached out to touch him, he found himself cautiously tensing up, until he consciously slackened the joints of his wingstruts. Curious, if he stepped mentally outside himself, he could see no adoring, wide eyed seeker noble dropping to his knees in front of a vision of self-determination, but nor could he see a bitter seasoned potentate balking at old reins. He didn't know what to make of himself, and he needed all his processing power to keep up with Megatron - a young Megatron was still easily his equal.

Still easily dangerous.]

Hmn. It's tedious. There aren't as many ...benefits, as I'd like. And the responsibilities are greater than you ever showed them to be. [it hurt to admit this, even halfway grudgingly, but he didn't hate the command and the esteem and the respect he was after]

I haven't betrayed you, Megatron.

[At least... not recently. That comment--that knowledge he had of alternates... but Megatron was good at making him question himself, good at finding the little chinks in Starscream's egotistical armor and prying them wide open, and he reminded himself firmly of that fact as he met the eyes of his once-idol, his once-demon, his god and master and obstacle.]

I'm older, and wiser, and--I want to help you. You still bear marks from Kaon, while I've lived a lifetime with you.