The Lost Son, Ch 22 Teaser
Sam folded his arms tightly over his chest. “But why now? Why drop this on me today?”
A fissure of something flitted across Prime's face—something grim and resigned, there and gone again before Sam could examine it properly. “I told you because you deserved to know.” Optimus rumbled, “And because you deserved to hear it from me. I expect that I will be tried for my role in the civil unrest and the devastation that followed. The truth will surely come to light—I did not want you to be caught unawares.”
“So, you’re only telling me because you had no choice.” Sam inferred, flatly.
“Sam, whatever else you might think of me right now, it was not my wish to deceive you.” Optimus murmured, “Orion Pax and Megatronus died together over four million years ago. It was not my story to tell—at least, not in the way it was theirs.”
Sam was incensed by the equivocation, which had been spoken as sincerely as a prayer. He pitched his voice to cut as he demanded, scathingly, “Do you still love him?”
His words had been intended to injure, but Sam was unprepared for the visceral agony on Prime’s face. It gave him cause to regret his vindictiveness immediately.
“I will love Megatronus until the day my spark gutters and dies—longer, if Primus is merciful.” Optimus rumbled, his voice almost too low and rough to be understood, “My feelings for Megatron are a great deal more complicated.”
