Star/Roddy, either 13 or 18? (If you want to!)
I went with 13! (and... kinda fudged it but IT WORKS)
âWhat does this mean to you?â Rodimus asked, his voice on the verge of breaking.
Starscream kept his helm down, his optics dimmed nearly black.
Rodimus grabbed his hands a little too roughly. Â âWhy canât you just tell me what youâre feeling?â
âWhy?â Starscream snapped. Â âSo you can just leave like everyone else?â Â In stark contrast, his optics now flared a bright, almost blinding, red. Â
âWhat?â
âForget it.â Â Starscream yanked his hands back, turning his back on Rodimus. Â âJust go.â
Rodimus growled in frustration. Â âDonât you get it? Â I want you to come with me!â
Starscream scoffed. Â âI canât just leave.â
âOkay, maybe not right now, but you said so yourself that you didnât think youâd be leader for much longer.â Â Rodimus spark twisted as he watched Starscream deflate that much more. Â âI know this is hard. Â I know what itâs like to lose everything you have. Â Everything youâre living for. Â I get it. Â But Starscream, if this is going to happen no matter what you do, then you need to consider what youâre going to do next. Â Why not join our quest? Â Why not join me?â
Starscream scoffed again. Â âYou just want a replacement.â
âNo.â Â Rodimus closed the space between them, reaching for his hand. Â He took it gently this time, his thumb making calming circles. Â âI donât want a replacement. Â Iâm not asking you to be my co-captain. Â What you need right now is a long vacation, and you can get it on the Lost Light.â
âIsnât your crewâs survival rate a bit... dismal?â
âIsnât yours even worse in general?â Rodimus teased.
As Rodimus leaned in to press a kiss on Starscreamâs cheek, the seeker said, âI... I donât know.â
âYou donât have to decide right now,â Rodimus assured him. Â âBut I lo--I care about you.â Â A hint of blush tinted his cheeks. Â âI want to see you happy, and... I thought maybe you felt the same way.â
Starscream didnât smile.  Not really.  But it was close.  âIâll think about it.  But you need to get back.  The Lost Light canât leave without its captain.â
Rodimus stole a quick kiss, then held Starscreamâs gaze for a moment longer. Â âNext time, youâre coming with me.â













