PROLOGUE

XXX

Jack reminds Megatron of a former love interest he had encountered on Cybertron, though the young man is reluctant to accept his advances. After kidnapping Orion Pax, Megatron agrees to strike a deal - three months to attempt to win Jack's heart, in exchange for sparing the remaining Autobots. Jack is determined not to lose, but things are not as easy as they seem.

This story will have VERY slow updates, just as an FYI! I am currently working on something different on Wattpad, so I invite you to see that current project as well! Thank you for your support, and I hope you enjoy.

Note: While there may be hints and suggestive material, this will not be an explicit story. I intend to take a mature (but not Mature) approach to the subjects described in this work, and also build a slow-burn relationship which will either tear our characters apart, or bring them closer together. This is very much a MegatronxHuman story, with two pairings mentioned: MegatronxAmicus (an OC) and MegatronxJack. I intend to approach sensitive topics with grace and shed light on them in a way that is tasteful and not overly dramatized, sexualized, or used as some sort of token. My main goal is not to write about sensitive topics for the direct shock value of it, but rather to demonstrate that a story can be written with these elements and still tell a meaningful tale. That is my goal, and I hope to accomplish it.

With that being said, the sensitive topics are: Slavery, sexual abuse, sexual assault, and possible physical/mental abuse. The sexual assault will not be described in detail, but rather in mentioning and perhaps the occasional, cynical remark. Though this work may not outright empower victims, it is also not to display them as coming to eventually enjoy the assault and paint it as some kind of fetish. So, if that is something you were expecting from this work, it will not be here.

Otherwise, I hope you enjoy this story, and yes, this is a slow-burn fanfiction with Megatron and Jack; though if they end up together in the end is still up for debate.

Thank you for reading!

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Jack gripped Raf's shoulder harder than he meant to, but he was not about to let the young boy run up to one of the most dangerous creatures in the universe.

Megatron's violaceous optics settled on the humans as they showed themselves, having just begun to wonder where the insects might be hiding. Though he was not well versed in the human species, the Decepticon found it easy to distinguish one from another, especially since he recognized two of the five faces which appeared.

"Ah, you are doing much better than our last encounter, little one," his digits fluttered to illustrate his point, the gesture predatory and precise. Arcee placed herself between him and her charge, gun barrels glowing in silent warning. He was not to take another step further.

"Come on, Raf," Jack shot a glare at the dictator, unafraid to stare into those dangerous optics. "He's not worth it."

He angled himself between the boy and the autonomous robotic organisms, pushing him back towards their hiding spot.

"And you," chills sprouted down Jack's back, well aware of who Megatron was referring to. "I never forget a face, even that of a human."

Jack turned to throw him a second glare over his shoulder, the tyrant merely grinning as if they held a secret. And they did; Jack did not dare tell Arcee he had encountered Megatron in the mine, and he did not even tell Optimus. There was some guilt to this, as he felt as though he had partially betrayed the Autobot cause. Would Optimus have spared Megatron had be been in a similar situation? Jack justified it by answering yes, but he would be arrogant to assume he knew anything about the ancient beings which stood before him. To them, he was not even a child, just an infant on the cusp of understanding the world around him.

Megatron met his eyes, the stare far too uncomfortable for Jack's taste. He made to turn away, but the tyrant subtly tilted his head, as if regarding him in a new light. Because Cybertronian's were so large, their subtle body language was easier to detect to the smaller humans.

The curious gaze sent cold fingers down Jack's spine, and he forced himself to turn away.

"I know a descendant, Prime, when I see one." Megatron shot his old friend a vicious smile. "Did you think you could truly hide him from me?"

"Descendant?" June said, too quiet for the Autobots to pick up, but Jack heard her confusion clear as day. He gave her an equally confused look, not daring to look over his shoulder again for fear that Megatron was still looking at him.

Optimus Prime smoothed it over easily. "That is of no current concern, Megatron," his gaze was even. "Do not approach our human companions; you are here for one purpose. Ratchet, if you would assist our guest to input the coordinates to Earth's core."

The medic looked perturbed, but did as instructed, the rest of the Autobots keeping a careful eye on the Decepticon.

Jack trailed behind his fellow humans as they retreated back to their hiding space, but he was stopped as the Prime softly called his name.

"Jack," Optimus knelt to his level. "I wish to entrust you with something."

The eldest human was confused, but he figured that whatever it was, and if Optimus was endowing him with the responsibility of this "thing," then surely he could take it. "Sure. What is it?"

The Prime brought forth a strange object from his subspace, the device shrinking to fit within Jack's hand. "It is a key . . . to the Groundbridge power supply."

"Why would you give me this? Shouldn't Ratchet have it?" Jack furrowed his brow, gazing at the old doctor. For something as simple as the key, it seemed more logical to put Ratchet in charge of it.

"You have demonstrated an immense amount of maturity throughout the duration of your involvement with Team Prime," Optimus explained, keeping his voice low. "And I believe because of this, you are the most worthy to keep this key for me until I return."

Jack gazed at it, the blue glow reflecting in his eyes. "Thank you, Optimus," he said gratefully, tucking it in his pocket. There was a moment of hesitation. "Optimus . . . what was Megatron talking about?"

"He was simply attempting to get inside of your head," Again, the Prime smoothed over the topic easily. "I do not know of what previous encounters you may have had with Megatron, but I understand that such an experience may have impacted you greatly. He will do anything to make you feel off-put, even intimidate you; do not heed his words, and do not give him power."

"Y-yeah, got it," Jack had the distinct feeling he was lying, but he allowed it to slide. He trusted Optimus to have his best interests in mind, and after the mission . . . maybe he would explain things better. Or at least not be so dismissive of Jack's questioning.

With that, Optimus stood, rejoining his Autobots. Megatron had given Ratchet the correct coordinates, and with the Groundbridge open, it was time they departed.

Jack noticed Megatron spared him one last look before he disappeared into the Groundbridge, his hands growing cold. The dictator saw something in him that he did not, and that terrified him.

They would be seeing one another again.