see its kind of integral to my perception of starshot dynamic that it has to start with hot rod jr because starscream legitimately views herself as a receptacle for violence (when talking with thrust she confirms that her path means she must endure shame because she is a warrior), so sexuality and sensuality isnt something she would unbottle unprompted. and ithink that because hot rod knows themself and understands their own feelings, having a physical reaction to getting their shit rocked by starscream is something they cant stand so they have to prove it was a fluke and it was not. they have some kind of sexual attraction to her, and then later have a genuine affection for her as a member of the team when they let their guard down. starscream does reciprocate this but it is extremely difficult to tell from an outside perspective if only because her emotions have such a lid on them. but trust. she is into them. she likes their lame ass and said ofc we can duel forever. intricate rituals.
