I love all versions of Starscream x Optimus, but this continuity has the fewest believers. Please, take a seat and listen to my ship propaganda.
It's hilarious. Animated Optimus has that stern attitude while Starscream is the opposite. Constantly making quips about the "Autobot scum." Tired x has too much gremlin energy is the trope, I would say.
They're both outcasts. The Decepticons were banished for disobeying Autobot laws and starting a war. Prime took the fall for going on an unauthorized mission, so he was forced to be a lowly miner worker. Spending most of his days hunting for energon in space instead of being on Cybertron. They rebelled against their government, which is unforgiveable in this universe.
3. Sentinel Prime has similarities to Starscream. This is notable because Sentinel once was Optimus' closest comrade. He has a type. All of his friends have a bit of a superiority about them. Bee is headstrong. Bulk is proud of his strength. Rachet believes he knows better most of the time. Prowl thinks he can do everything by himself. I think Optimus sees the confidence as a sign they can make impactful changes. You know who has a massive ego? Starscream. His grand ambitions are clearly horrible, but at least he's not lazy. That's where Sentinel and he differ. You can't say Starscream doesn't work or scheme hard.
4. They hate Megatron. Mutual disdain is a great bonding technique. Common ground.
5. Despite the philosophy that was shoved down his throat, he doesn't harm Starscream unless it's necessary. At his core, Starscream is a bot desperate for a legacy. Terminating all Autobots in one fell swoop (from that one short). Finally killing the warlord who supposedly can't be killed. Outsmarting everyone around him. Do you know how bemused this guy would be if his enemy accepted what kind of mech he was? No getting blasted into walls. No speeches about how useless he is. Hell, no termination for his crimes. That goes against everyone. Autobots and Decepticons. It'd be a start. I'm not calling for redemption, I'm calling for someone to quell the paranoia and worthlessness while holding him accountable. It's his choice if he'll chill out long enough to strike a bond with Optimus. Here are the screenshot examples:
That scream was pretty bad. I'll just spray you with this soft substance then. No axe required.
He's down. Let's get him into a position that's comfortable for us and him.
Yeah, he almost blew up half the Earth while trying to murder Megatron. Was a wild card that ruined most of our plans. Probably burnt some humans to a crisp when he tested the Allspark. Of course, he deserves a proper burial.
The seeker never forgot about that dreamer of a bot. Saving him from D-16's wrath. Foolish, but at the same time... Comforting that someone bothered to care. Starscream's independent ideology has come from years of high guard training and frequent use as a scapegoat. He longs for pure company. So that his paranoia can rest.
Pax is struggling with his identity. I mean, his name is Optimus Prime now and suddenly he has to be the serious one. The fit leader, not the goofy miner. How did the Primes and Starscream do it? He quietly studies the seeker every encounter they have. Hoping to gain clues as to why Megatron corrupted and what useful traits Starscream has.
Funny thing is that Optimus blocks Megatron's abuse every single time. He doesn't care about his back being cut into while he lays on a bleeding Starscream. It's horrific how bad the treatment gets... Much of the 'jokes' D-16 made about being violent have been enacted on Starscream. Nobody, not even the seeker he's protecting, can pull him off until the threat is neutralized/anger goes down significantly. (The other Autobots try their best to divert the warlord's anger towards them, but secretly reason with why the abuse is happening. Only Pax sees the true damage Megatron is doing, having known him so well as D-16 and being abused himself by Darkwing.)
Starscream appeared on Optimus' rooftop out of nowhere one special night. His voicebox mute. Blasting a written offer through metal tiles. (That's destruction of private property, dude.) He'll be a spy for the Autobots if the leader commits to killing Megatron. No hesitation allowed. Exhausted from the ongoing tragedies of war, Optimus agrees half-heartedly. Insisting Starscream can't leave until his voice is restored.
Such a kind gesture... but the jet rejects the intimate proximity for fear of his throat cables being cut for daring to make Prime offline his former best friend. The tools are given, and Starscream flies away. (Eventually, Starscream reveals that the high-pitched tone is his real voice. But he got so embarrassed he tried to shift the vocal components.)
Optimus Prime started to look forward to his spy's updates. Starscream sharing high guard stories and extensive past was an unexpected treat. They form a connection about navigating high expectations and finding what their spark-driven wants are. Though, the seeker couldn't help but notice stupid D-16 was brought up a lot.
Distrust arose in Starscream. Was he just replacing that gray idiot? Being projected as a carbon-copy for Optimus' enjoyment? Indeed, it was clear that Pax and D-16 were almost more than friends before all hell broke loose. Feeling used, he starts to manipulate both sides. Playing his expected role.
The Decepticons do get apprehended after centuries. The seeker was deemed a misfit loner after Megatron found out about his efforts to give the Autobots the upper servo. He was left broken beyond repair. Soundwave had the decency to drag his body to where he could spot the stars. They came back to a deep puddle of energon, but no Starscream corpse.
So, that damn seeker was scheming to steal the Matrix of Leadership while he was left alone. A hypocritical move due to his hatred of Sentinel's far too similar actions. Listen. Peace is dead. Starscream deserves power over others after all he has been through. Sentinel was a golden child brat who thought everything should be handed to him on a silver platter. Starscream has an ego because of his spark combatting the odds of everyone against him. Okay?! Okay. (Viewers, raise an eyebrow at his logic.)
Prime's true love overpowers revenge. That hug and kiss given to a tearful Starscream was legendary. Though much damage was caused by the seeker's stunt. He was assigned a parole officer (four years of probation) and two months in prison with the rest of the Decepticons.
The couple happily becomes domesticated. Changing the world can be gifted to another worthy hero/ego maniac. They've done their due diligence. Starscream actually likes partaking in geology again. Observing the environment is relaxing. Optimus becomes a popular author, correcting history books and giving advice to his student, Rodimus.
This version of Starscream is less touch-avoidant, so snuggling is a regular occurrence. Optimus likes to hear his squeaky laugh. Tickling his hips and wings until Starscream acknowledges his actual voice is perfect. (Don't let him fool you. He loved every second of the laughing torture.)
(TF Cyberworld) Optimus Prime x Starscream Headcanons
Optimus Prime was Starscream's first love. He, as a geologist, was assigned to study how the Matrix of Leadership interacted with Cybertron. Some guards caught the blue and red mech sneaking into the testing quarters. Orion Pax's frame was glowing blue the closer he got to the Matrix. So, Screamer advocated for this strange guy's stay. For science.
Pax found the jet witty and fun to break the rules with. Internally, he questioned some of his lover's actions. Was blowing up the picture theater worth scavenging its underground tunnels for the Matrix? He keeps talking about having a legacy at any cost. Do I want that for me as well?
If one of them was upset, the other would get flowers that signified their love. Starscream got lavender, Pax got carnations. Plants are rare in Cybertron, so the effort was more special.
When Orion Pax quit due to these mounting concerns and disagreements with the Council, Starscream was enraged. How could he leave when the answer to what the Matrix really does is within their grasp? When everyone, except Jetfire, ridiculed his skills and dreams? (Unfortunately, Screamer projected his relationship issues onto Jetfire, leading him on mostly unintentionally and pretending the white bot could be like Prime.)
For a short period, Orion Pax joined a team of warriors hoping to overthrow their hostile government. Megatron was the leader. You can probably see where this is going. The two split into the Autobots and Decepticons after the warlord's methods proved to be more ruthless than their foes. (He gets visibly pissed when Megatron slaps Starscream presently. Physical abuse follows Starscream like a hawk. His superiors at the lab hit him too. Prime just wants to protect him, but his ex-lover hates him for it.)
Optimus Prime, no longer Orion Pax, emerged when the Matrix attached itself to him. His ex-lover wept in private. Dedication gets you nothing. Caring gets you nowhere. You are worthless. Even the subject of your fascination/purpose has rejected you. (Starscream did not go to Prime about any of these wounds, so he's still ignorant about why the jet looks at his chest, where the Matrix resides, with revulsion.)
Starscream joined the evil faction partly to spit on Optimus and partly to prove his worth. He doesn't like fading into the background.
Being trapped in this digital reality centuries later was one of the best things to happen to the jet. He learned coding by studying each environment's inner layers. Hacking challenges and transporting himself to places he shouldn't be allowed to go. Preparing for the ultimate battle where Optimus Prime could finally be humiliated. As well as his lackey friends.
That didn't work out. So, Starscream continues to play the 'king' role while also trying not to be too disturbed with how easily his captors control him. Prime sees his mental struggles but forces himself to stay away. They hurt each other too deeply when they come into contact.
Optimus does want to free everyone from this digital prison, including Starscream. He finds the constant fights exhausting and depressing. They aren't allowed quiet moments. Friends turn on each other for power. He regularly asks every bot he encounters the question," What do you want to do?" Trying his best to fulfill their wishes. Fighting isn't the typical answer. For Starscream, it is. That's what he'll have you believe anyway.
Perhaps, one day, they can let their past go. Move on.
Optimus had felt subtle intrigue for this manic jet since they met. His frustration with the constant wild card schemes made his curiosity dim. Hatred never fully blossomed despite it all. (They both reserve that emotion for Megatron.)
Starscream, in contrast, didn't take much notice of Optimus. He internally questioned why Prime would be gentler than most in their fights but chalked it up to 'heroic performances'.
After the war, and Slipstream's split spark shard reviving him, the jet confronted Optimus about showing mercy to Megatron. With blasters blazing because it's Starscream we're talking about. Forced into Autobot custody, he saw Optimus more and more. They debated morals and philosophy just to try to prove the other wrong. 'Live for yourself' vs 'live for everyone' basically.
Optimus and his crew frequently had to catch Starscream after escaping Trypticon Prison. He never got too far since his internal systems are overloaded by the number of terminations in the past. Panic attacks/glitches started to become common (much to his discomfort).
The blue and red Autobot quickly caught on to Megatron's abuse, especially after the yelling session the two had in their respective cells. He always pauses before touching Starscream, sometimes asking permission. It pays off because the jet will automatically go to Optimus for assistance whether he's got a wing cramp or wants opinions on a frame upgrade. (Rachet is the second mech he allows touch, for strictly medical purposes.)
They snark at each other often. Especially when Starscream inconveniences Optimus. Turns out, melting glaciers in Antarctic to search for your former scientist ally puts the Earth's entire environment at risk. Who knew.
Starscream has this sixth sense of when Optimus is feeling burnt out with his growing responsibilities/reputation at reforming the Autobot propaganda. (They just let him roam free as a fugitive at this point.) So, he'll bust through a window and grab Optimus for 'flying lessons'. Works like a charm. It consists of dropping a very pissed off boyfriend, laughing as he flails in barely hidden panic. (Stupid jet has to work on his caring skills. There's a chance he'll just let Optimus hit the ground, hard.)
This pairing isn't the healthiest, with both bots considering how being on opposite sides will end in the other's demise. Starscream still strives for power first and foremost. He's better at procrastinating though. He wants Optimus by his side as he assumes the throne with an iron fist, but obviously, that's not going to happen. (He has also bonded with Rachet, Bumblebee, Arcee, and Bulkhead. So, they're off the hit list per promising Optimus.)
Guess who's the most awkward at making out? Optimus. Guess who's the most awkward at being vulnerable? Starscream. Their first official kissing session was hilarious. They fumbled at every turn. (Starscream blushes profusely when Optimus whispers 'I love you', he doesn't fully believe he can be loved. He has no problem saying it back, interestingly.)
Freakin' jet painted his wing stripes, vents, and shoulder plates the same shade of blue Optimus has and pretends it's 'simply a fashion statement'. It's literally a sign you want him with you, always. Optimus is still slowly learning this information.
They switch off on who carries who bridal style.
Regardless of how they met their ends, you can bet the two dance together in the well of Allsparks. Bad blood/energon spilled or not.
(Send me an ask if you want me to do headcannons for their relationship in other media, excluding Prime and Bayverse. Also open to just general transformer character headcannons.)
After days of brainstorming, me and @invisiblearcane have chosen a new aesthetic ship name for Starscream x Optimus Prime. Defining their relationship rather than who tops/bottoms.
Because destiny decides how they fall and rise. Two beaming stars who refuse to be extinguished. Relying on each other's spark to get through what fate has planned. Now that's true love.
