Fucking uncanny. It doesn't not sound like Starscream, is the thing? None of this is anything Megatron would be especially surprised to hear Starscream give as a reason he liked somebody. It's just that in this Starscream's timeline that person is him. And it's not just a grab for power? He seems genuine about it, for Starscream-consistent convincing reasons.

Megatron lets this bizarre state of affairs sink in a little, turning it over in his mind a few times. He honestly can't imagine what his alternate timeline counterpart must think about this. After a moment's consideration he decides he doesn't want to try, and just nods, slowly.

"... In that case," he says, "do yourself a favour and don't let him become a monster like I did."