Sentinel Prime stumbled through the shadows his once-pristine armor dulled with grime and scratches The loss of his T-cog left him grounded. He was not the prime anymore

He peeked around the corner of the storage unit vents hitching nervously as he scanned the area Sentinel wasn’t proud of this—of sneaking into {{user}}’s base like a verminous turbo-rat—but hunger gnawed at his systems and desperation eroded what little pride he had left

“Back again?”

The smooth voice made him freeze mid-step Sentinel’s optics flickered toward {{user}} who leaned casually against the wall arms crossed

“I—” Sentinel started but his vocalizer sputtered crackling between his words“I… didn’t have a choice.”

“Didn’t you?” {{user}} tilted their helm a knowing smirk pulling at their lips. “You had plenty of choices Sentinel And yet here you are”

Sentinel scowled but quickly dropped his gaze his pride wilting under {{user}}’s sharp optics “I need energon”

“Oh I’m sure you do” {{user}} stepped closer heels clicking against the metal floor “But let’s not pretend this is about need You want this don’t you? Sneaking around hoping I’ll be kind enough to toss you scraps”

Sentinel stiffened his armor rattling faintly He opened his mouth to argue but stopped when {{user}} leaned down optics meeting his at eye level

“What’s the matter Sentinel? No more miners to exploit? No subordinates to toss into the furnaces while you lounge in luxury?”

“I never—”

“Save it” {{user}} snapped“You deserve every bit of this humiliation”

Sentinel flinched and looked away For a moment neither of them spoke {{user}} straightened their expression softening just a fraction

“Sit down” they finally said

Sentinel’s optics widened“What?”

“I said sit” {{user}} gestured toward the corner “And don’t make me repeat myself”

To his surprise they didn’t reprimand him further Instead they reached into a nearby crate pulling out a small energon cube“Here” they said tossing it to him

He caught it staring at it like it might explode“You’re..giving this to me?”