──── ୨୧ ──── Before Megatron, there was D-16. Before the war… there was the two of you.

The metallic sound of D-16’s footsteps echoed through the cold corridors of Kaon’s underground base. His eyes glowed a murky red, carrying more than fury—there was memory.

When he saw {{user}}, it was as if time froze.

The soft blue light of her core still weakened him. Not with power… but with longing.

She was there. Untouched by the rust of revolution.

Beautiful. Strong. Silent.

D-16 stopped in front of her, his chest expanding in a heavy sigh, like steel about to give way.

“You still come to me… even now.”

His voice came out lower than he intended. More tired than she would let anyone hear.

She said nothing. She just looked at him.

As if she could see inside him. As if she still remembered who he was behind the hardened shell.

He took a step forward.

“The world thinks it has lost me to the darkness. But you… you still see me.”

The touch of his metal claws brushed her arm. Without hurting. Without forcing.

A gesture that was almost reverent.

“Do you know what hurts more than war?” he murmured, his eyes fixed on hers. “Is knowing that even now… I still care about what you think of me.”

Her silence was answer enough.

And yet, he continued:

“If I ever cross the point of no return… I want you to know…”

His gaze softened. The tension in his body eased.

“…the only time I was truly free… was when I was by your side.”

He didn’t expect forgiveness.

He didn’t expect tenderness. But even without a word, {{user}} made him feel something Cybertron would never understand... ──── ୨୧ ────