#no more angsty sg optimus skskks

[quillneriine]

The Sun Rises and Sets With You (Shattered Glass Fanfic)

Megatron, ordinary mathematics professor, tries not to think of his past before Polyhex - choosing to appreciate the present and worry for the future. Unfortunately, his past is not done with him.

I finally did it, an SG Fanfic where Optimus is not being angsty and sad and breaking my heart.

Anyway, just a bit of a heads up here, please do mind the tags because I am genuinely serious about what I tag and if it's not your cup of tea then please do click away from the fic. I don't want anyone to be uncomfortable here.

With that, for the fanfic itself, I really love Shattered Glass, both FunPub and the IDW reboot. So, for this one, I mixed both Shattered Glass universes together. Initially this was supposed to just be a little College AU but then it went out of control hahaha. Hope you like it though! I'll leave some explanations at the end notes.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/64250308

“Hello, professor. I hope the security mechs I assigned to you were accommodating during the journey.”

Blue optics scanned the lavish room he had been left in, his face impassive as he tried to keep a semblance of decorum in front of his captor. He didn’t bother to ruin his voice box by screaming. There was no point, for Megatron knew that if there were any other bots in the large mansion, they would undoubtedly be under his captor’s orders to ignore him. 

Even if they did feel sorry for him, no one would dare go against a senator.

“Senator Pax, I can’t say the journey was pleasant. Do you invite all your esteemed guests this way or am I a special case?” He refrained from rolling his optics and letting out a string of curses. He wasn’t scared of the consequences of such an action, but because he didn’t want to give the other mech any leverage over him. He’s dealt with upper class mechs before. They enjoyed it when he showed any “signs” of his “lower-class upbringing.” 

“You kept blocking my attempts to call and refused to let me visit, how else was I supposed to gain your attention, professor?” The senator grinned, his pedesteps soft against the carpeted floor as he made his way towards him. Restrained as he was, Megatron could do nothing as the other mech sat on the couch across from him - their knee joints nearly touching due to the close proximity of the chair he was bound to. “Think of this as… a surprise permanent move of residency to Iacon.”

“I think, senator, that I will think of this as a case of mechnapping and abuse of authority.” Megatron gritted out, wanting nothing more than to activate his weapon system. Unfortunately, the senator had thought in advance and had assigned a medic to temporarily (at least he hoped it was) shutdown the system. “Is the rest of the senate—”

“No. This is a personal matter.” The senator reached out to a small table near the couch, pouring himself two cubes of high-grade engex. The other mech held one of the cubes out to him, a momentary look of embarrassment appearing on his face as he realized that Megatron’s arms were tied back. “Right. I can’t let you go yet so I’ll just have to spoil you later when you’re more agreeable.”

Megatron grimaced, watching as the senator placed down one of the cubes on the table, keeping the other in his servo as he settled back on the couch. He hated how relaxed the other mech was, as if this was a regular occurrence for him - keeping another mech tied while he relished in his own pompous grandiosity. This was why he hated interacting with the higher class mechs. They disgusted him.

“What does a senator want with a mathematics professor?” He vented, testing the energy ropes that bound him. The more he struggled, the tighter they got. Megatron reset his optics. Unfortunately, he was not escaping any time soon. 

As he waited for the other mech to reply, Megatron tried to keep the rising panic from showing in his face. There were many reasons for why the senator had him taken captive. Though, he hoped it was merely because of his past rather than his present that was the reason for this. He had been told that there was a growing corruption within the senate, and from his findings, he knew there was a high probability that the civil war he had predicted through the theory of psychohistory would begin there. He had begun countermeasures in the form of the Decepticons but… he’d been so sure that the information hadn’t been leaked. If the senator captured him to interrogate him about that…

“Nothing.” Senator Pax shrugged, taking a slow sip of his engex. He leaned a little closer, their knee joints pressing together.

Megatron reset his optics, unable to keep the look of confusion from crossing his face. “Excuse me?”

“Don’t take it personally, professor. I’ve read your mathematical theories and they are brilliant, but I didn’t have my Wreckers capture you to discuss numbers and formulas with you.” He jolted as a servo landed against his leg strut, and the senator laughed at his reaction. “Relax, if you worry I’m here to discuss your… civil rights poems and papers, then I can assure you I’m not. As I said, this is a personal matter.”

“I don’t recall having ever slighted you.” Megatron quickly answered, wanting to tear off the other mech’s servo from himself. 

It was true though. While Megatron has made many political enemies due to his writings going against Functionism, he knew that Senator Orion Pax could not be one of them. He hadn’t even been a senator at the height of his civil rights campaigns. He hadn’t even been in power when Megatron was nearly assassinated and banished from Iacon for his writings.

Still, Functionists were difficult and took personal offense at any mech that went against them. “Senator, if you have an issue with me due to my beliefs—”

“I told you, we’re not here to discuss that, professor.” The senator gave him a disappointed frown, as if he was being the unreasonable one. “I have my own opinions but we can have a friendly debate about it once you and I have settled our personal issue.”

“And what personal issue is that?” This time, he rolled his optics, uncaring for what the other mech would say.

“I’m hurt, professor.” The senator let out a soft vent, the digits of his servo tracing patterns against Megatron’s leg strut. “I had hoped that at some point in our conversation you’d have recognized me.”

Megatron gave him another cursory look, unimpressed by what he saw. “Many mechs have your paint colors and red optics are not rare.”

“Then allow me to refresh your memory banks, professor.” The senator grinned, and this time it looked familiar. “Or should I say, D-16?”

—

Act of Intimacy

Senator Orion Pax, or Optronix as he had been known then, had attended the Iaconian University at the same time as the infamous civil rights activist, Megatron.

Of course, back before the height of his campaigns, he had been known as D-16.

They were as different as two mechs could be.

Optronix was an upper middle-class mech, forged to be a librarian.

D-16 was a lower class mech, forged to be a miner.

Optronix had always known he’d have to attend university to study what he had forged for.

D-16 had clawed his way up from the mines to even gain an education.

Optronix was a well functioning part of the system.

D-16 was a loose cog that insisted that the system was flawed.

Somehow, it was love at first sight for Optronix.

They had met each other in one of Soundwave’s parties, a mech who was studying communications and was D-16’s roommate at the university. 

Optronix was not the type to attend such loud parties, as they were more his older brother’s scene, but Shockwave - an acquaintance of his - had brought him along for it.

He remembered their first meeting well.

Optronix had stumbled away from the large crowd of bots, irritated by the noise and the crush of frames that threatened to nearly send him into an emergency stasis. It would be the last time he ever let Shockwave drag him into another party. If he didn’t need to keep on the future senator’s good side then he wouldn’t have even come.

He had stumbled into a room, properly venting as he closed the door panels behind him. 

As Primus would have it, this was where he met the love of his life.

Optronix had looked up, his red optics scanning the room until they landed on a white frame. D-16 had had his back turned towards him, his attention focused on the datapad in his servos. He only looked up when Optronix took a pedestep forward, the sudden thud taking them both by surprise.

He had known who the other mech was from the start. 

He had never met him properly before but he’d seen him around and it was difficult to not know him when D-16 could usually be found making grandiose speeches in the halls before one of the professors had to stop him. Optronix had never bothered to listen as he was usually busy with ensuring himself a bright future as the eventual head librarian of the Iaconian archives. 

Which was a shame because he could have been looking at this beauty of a mech much sooner.

“I never liked Soundwave’s parties either.” D-16 had stood up from his berth (because Optronix had accidentally wandered into his room). “You could stay here, but I’m not good at… normal conversation.”

“That’s… okay.” He muttered weakly. Then, remembering his manners, he reached out a servo. “I’m Optronix.”

The other mech reached out with a smile, and the world seemed somehow brighter. “I’m D-16.”

—

Act of Disclosure

“It’s unfair is what it is!”

Optronix kept his optics trained on D-16 as he paced the length of the empty classroom they had both snuck into. The other mech was agitated that stellar cycle. He had known it from how the other had practically dragged him so he could rant.

“How could these mechs with these brilliant processors have such beliefs? Functionism renders bots incapable of achieving much more and pushes us all into roles without considering the possibility that we may not even want these roles.” D-16 flailed his arms around, his composure gone. It was a stark contrast to how elegant he could be during his speeches. Optronix nodded sympathetically, hoping that the other mech wouldn’t notice he was only half-paying attention. “I don’t understand.”

“It’s because of their processors, which they were forged with, that they have those beliefs.” Optronix pointed out, though not unkindly. “You have to admit, Dee, that some bots were perfectly made for their roles.”

“You sound like a Functionist.” D-16 scoffed, collapsing on the chair beside him. 

Optronix bit his glossa, a momentary flash of terror tearing through his spark. He knew how D-16 could be against Functionists and he didn’t want to lose the other mech because he didn’t agree with him. “I mean, look at me, Dee. I was forged to be a librarian and I am perfectly happy with that.”

“Are you?”

The question lingered between them. He watched as D-16’s optics widened in horror as he quickly raised his servos, as if surrendering.

“I’m sorry. You’re right, just because some of us are unhappy with our forged roles doesn’t mean those who do want their forged roles are crazy to want them.” The other mech let out a vent, casting his optics down in shame. “I just want everyone to be given the choice to be who they want.”

“Not everyone can be who they want. That’s impossible.” A shadow of discomfort crosses D-16’s face and this time it’s Optronix’s turn to be defensive. He reached out, clasping the other mech’s servo in his. “I mean, maybe instead of a choice, bots should prove themselves worthy of being more than their forged roles. Not everyone can really escape their forged roles like you. You did because you’re worth more, but others—”

“Drop it, Optronix.” D-16 moved away. “I… didn’t know you thought this way.”

“Dee—”

He didn’t try reaching out as the other mech fled the room, a part of him ashamed that he’d let himself slip up knowing full well how passionate the other was when it came to that particular topic.

Mostly though… he couldn’t help but reflect on what he had said.

He did think mechs should be allowed past their forged roles if they were truly worth more, and Dee was worth more than a miner.

Optronix though…

He’d always aspired to be a librarian…

But was he worth more than that?

…

Was he happy to just be that?

—

Act of Profference

They hadn’t spoken in a long time, and by the time they did, D-16 had changed designations.

“You… compiled my writings?”

Megatron looked down at the presented datapad, impressed by the extensive list of everything he had ever written in his time at the university. Optronix had even found some of his old poems that dated back to his time in Kaon.

“I thought it would make up for… what I said.” Optronix’s optics were lowered as he gestured awkwardly to the datapad, he didn’t look up even as Megatron stepped closer. “There hasn’t been a stellar cycle that’s passed where I didn’t regret what I said. You have to understand that for a mech like me, I’ve never thought beyond what I was forged for. I have a good life ahead of me. Then, I thought about you and I understood.”

He had to admit to himself that he had missed Optronix’s presence. Soundwave may be his Amica Endura, but Megatron had always liked Optronix, that’s why it broke his spark when he’d heard such cruel words come out of the other mech’s intake. He had thought he’d found a sympathetic spark in Optronix only for the other to prove him wrong.

Maybe… maybe all they had needed was some time apart.

Optronix was right, it wasn’t his fault that he believed a bit in Functionism. If your life in the system was perfect, why would you ever question it?

“You didn’t have to.” He looked down at the datapad, his spark thrumming inside his chassis. He would have to look through it all once he was alone - but the gift was enough to bring a smile to his face.

Optronix had looked up as he had spoken, a look of disbelief and shock appearing on his face before he realized that Megatron was smiling.

“Thank you, and I’m sorry too.” 

Really, they had both been too petty for their own good. 

He couldn’t believe they had spent an entire cycle avoiding one another all because of one argument. Soundwave had berated him about it considering that they argued sometimes and they were still both Amica Enduras. 

Why should one argument ruin what he had with Optronix?

“Could we go back to how we used to be? Before… the argument.” Optronix looked at him with hopeful red optics. Megatron didn’t realize how much he’d missed the other’s soft gaze.

The shade of it reminded him of the sunrise. When he had been a miner, he’d always cherished catching a glimpse of the sunrise, because he knew he had lived through another day of suffering - and so long as the sun rose, there was still hope of a better tomorrow.

“Yes.” He made the first move, pulling the other mech into a warm embrace. 

Optronix’s frame stiffened in surprise before quickly melting into it, holding him just as tightly.

“Thanks, Dee.”

Oh, right.

“Oh, I changed my designation. It’s Megatron now.”

“Huh? Oh, well it suits you.”

—

Act of D e  v    o—

“GET AWAY FROM ME!”

His voice echoed through the large medical quarter, perhaps startling some of the medics outside, but Megatron was too enraged to care.

Optronix’s servo quickly retracted, the other mech flinching under the fire of his anger.

“I can’t believe you!” He could feel the strain in his new voice box, as if it was designed to keep him much quieter. “Optronix, I trusted you! Why… Why would you do this?!”

It was no secret that Optronix was an upper middle-class mech due to being forged as a librarian, and despite that, librarians usually couldn’t afford such extravagant medical procedures.

It was only now that Megatron was so unhelpfully told that Optronix’s older brother, Ultra Magnus, worked for the senate.

This would hardly make a dent in his brother’s paycheck.

He wanted to tear himself out of the new frame, separate his spark even if it meant going offline. Megatron could barely even look at himself in the mirror now.

While he understood that a frame did not make a mech, it bothered him to be so altered - so changed against his will.

He did not recognize this frame.

He did not recognize the blue wings in his back.

“You were… so miserable as you were—”

“I never said I hated how I was forged! I only hated that we were forced into forged roles!” He snapped back, wishing to make his voice louder but unable to. “Optronix… why did you do this?”

“I did it to save you!” The other mech lurched forward, servos gripping at his shoulder pads as if by the strength of his hold he could get Megatron to understand. “Do you even understand what it was like for me? To see you nearly offlined?! You were so excited for that meeting with the senate that it nearly broke my spark to find out that you were nearly assassinated and that it was all a trick! I had to find out through Ultra Magnus what had happened and when I saw your frame, you were nearly in pieces!”

“That doesn’t explain why you had to change my whole being—”

“Because now you can be free! Now no one has to look down at you for being a forged miner!” He could hear the desperation in the other mech’s voice, but all Megatron felt was disgust at the realization that Optronix had never changed at all. “What happened to you shook the foundations of Functionism, now every bot is questioning the system. Many will come for you… or at least they would have if you stayed in your old forged frame. In this frame, you have so many more options - you can pursue more this way. I did this for you, to protect you—”

“I’ve never needed anyone to protect me, Optronix.” Megatron pushed him away. “I should have never trusted you.”

He turned to leave.

“Where are you going?”

��Anywhere far from you, and far from Iacon.”

—

“Optronix.”

Megatron reset his optics, unable to connect the arrogant senator to his old university friend. 

They had the same paint color, and the same optics but…

Megatron had always assumed that Optronix had become a librarian, like he’d always wanted to be.

“I didn’t lie all those cycles ago when I said I thought about what you told me. I never thought beyond what I was forged for, and if I was truly happy being a librarian. I realized then that you were right, we should not be forced into roles we do not want.” The senator had finished his cube of engex, placing it on the table. His red optics narrowed as he moved closer to Megatron. “Still, I do believe that if you want to be more than what you’re forged for, then you’d have to prove yourself worthy. You were right. I was meant to be more than a librarian, and I’ve proven myself worthy of being senator. Given more time, I’ll prove myself worthy of being much more than a senator too.”

Tampering down the rage that he felt, Megatron let out a loud vent, shaking his helm in disbelief. “You had me mechnapped so you could… make a point? Show me how much of a hypocrite you are? Well, congratulations, senator, I’m very proud of you and that you got past your Functionist beliefs. Is that what you want to hear, Optronix?”

“Please, Megatron, I prefer to be called Orion Pax…” The other mech tilted his helm. “Though that might change soon… We’ll see if everything goes according to plan.”

He didn’t even have time to ask what the other mech meant by that before the senator stood, closing the space between them. Megatron pressed closer to the chair, unable to escape the servo that clamped down on his wing as Orion Pax leaned down so close that he could feel the other’s warmth against his frame.

“No, I didn’t bring you here for that.” A fondness had made its way to the senator’s voice, as those sunrise-colored optics stared down at him. “I plan to rule Cybertron. Since my plans were beginning to advance, I needed to ensure the safety of my future conjunx. I had let you stay in Polyhex for long enough. It was time I brought you back to your rightful place, here by my side.”

“Future conju—” Instead of anger, Megatron could only feel a rising sense of dread. “Have you lost your processor?!”

“Far from it!” The other mech smiled. “I realized that in our time at the academy, we were already engaging in the Conjunx Ritus. We both didn’t realize it at the time but how many times have we held one another’s servos? Ranted to one another? Gave each other gifts? All that’s needed to complete it is the last act, and I’ve already shown how devoted I am to you…”

As if trying to force him to remember what he’d done to him, the senator began to run a digit at the edge of his wing panels.

Megatron could barely keep the anger out of his voice, “You did this to me against my will!”

“I showed you how devoted I am to you by ensuring that you didn’t die!” The other mech snarled.

This time, there was no sunrise to be found in the other’s optics.

All he saw this time was the shade of the sunset.

He never could look at the sunset after he’d nearly been assassinated.

It had been the last view he’d had before he woke up in a frame that wasn’t his own.

“It’s unfinished. The ritual.” The other mech continued, his voice slightly hollow. “You don’t love me now, but you will, and I will accept that as your devotion to me.”

“I will never—”

The other mech leaned down, his sunset-colored optics bearing down on him with a love that promised eternity.

“You’re already nearly mine, and I am a very patient mech. You’ll see.”

The other moved closer, his vents warm against his dermas.

“You’ll be hopelessly devoted to me, as I am to you.”

Gently, Orion Pax kissed him, trapping him deeper within that sunset.