I just watched Arcane and just finished crying me eyes out but it got me thinking of Megatron being the adoptive father of a slightly crazy but genius, young deception femme he found in his early years of founding the Decepticons like Silco and Jinx.
When he first found her he was still a long way from being Megatron the warlord. He was younger and still clung unto some of that idealistic hope of his. That’s probably why he took her in as well. He saw this young bot that’s already had everything stolen from her by the system and he wanted to help her. But now, looking back, Megatron wonders if he did more bad than good.
Everyone changes and Megatron was no exception. He grew more jagged and angry and while he had always encouraged his foundling to be free he now started to talk of rebellion and battle. And she was such a smart mech, too smart for her own good sometimes, and Megatron knew he could use that. Use her. He feels endless shame and self hatred when he thinks about it now.
It had been easy to convince her to fight with him. Too easy. In fact, she had almost thrown herself at the opportunity. He knows that it’s only because she wanted to make him proud of her. Didn’t she know he always had been?
As intelligent as she was, she was also a tad... unbalanced. Quickly switching between emotions and thinking in extremes. But with Megatron’s guidance he turned that into a weapon, directing it at his enemies. It was so easy, just point and she’d throw herself at them, eager to prove herself. And Megatron knew that he was damaging her. He could see it in her optics, in her mannerisms and words. She needed stability, she needed help. But once again he turned it into a weapon. Because she was useful. Because he knew she’d never betray him. Because he thought that this was for the better.
Megatron cares about her. Probably more than he does about anyone else. Despite everything he’s done he still loves her like a child. She’s one of the reasons he continued with the war, so that she could have a future, so she could be safe. Deep inside he knows that if she ever were to ask him to end the war then he would do it but he also knows she never would. She doesn’t know how much she means to him after all.
There are moments where Megatron is reminded of those early days when he first took her in, when he was a different mech. When she comes to him, tired and devoid of her usual energy and vigor he welcomes her with open arms. Those tender moments where he comforts her, assures her that her imperfections are beautiful and that she’s wanted. And when she smiles, just like she used to all those years ago, open and honest, Megatron feels a small tug on his spark because he knows he’s the reason she doesn’t smile like that as often.
