Never Did Run Smooth, Ch. 27
Rattrap has managed to get everybody pissed at him. Seriously, dude, can't you take a day off?
- - - - -
Physically, Rattrap was sore. The CR chamber (and he for one was really sick of ending up in those things) had done its job, and his injuries were gone, but the sensor memories of recent pain lingered. It didn't matter. Mentally, he was soaring. From the moment he woke up, he was riding a euphoric high better than he could remember having in a long, long time. His body, tired and tingling with phantom pains as it was, felt relaxed and sated. If not for the clarity of sensation, he might think he was dreaming.
The dream ended when the chamber opened and he found himself looking at a very displeased Rhinox. It didn't quite kill his buzz, but the bubble of happiness deflated just a little.
"Hey, Big Green. You keepin' a watch on me durin' my nap? That's sweet. Hey, any idea where Chopperface got to?"
He saw the slight swell of anger, the narrowing of optics, and knew he was treading on thin ice. With his head in the clouds, however, he hardly thought to watch his footing.
"What happened?" The engineer sounded worried, but there was an edge of anger lending menace to his voice.
Rattrap smirked. "Whaddya think? I finally got what I been after all this time. Wasn't exactly like I expected, but--"
"I'll say. You should've seen your shoulder. Mind telling me just what you were thinking? He could have killed you."
The spy blinked. "Yeah, I guess so. He didn't though, so what're you so worried about? Things just got a little rough. I got a few holes punched in me, but I'm fine. Good as new, see?"
"And what if you weren't?" his friend demanded. "Rattrap, what if I hadn't been able to fix you?"
The spy thought for a second, then grinned flippantly and shrugged. "Least I woulda died happy."
Rhinox grabbed him by the arms and lifted him off the floor, trying to shake him out of his euphoric daze. "Rattrap! Wake up! You can't keep doing this. I'd almost swear you were trying to get yourself terminated!"
Finding his feet dangling well above the floor, Rattrap's head cleared a little. He tucked up and pushed with his feet at Rhinox's broad chest, trying to squirm out of his grip. "Sheesh, what's wrong with you? Let me GO!" He sounded angry, but more than a little panicked as well.
"Well?" Rhinox shook him harder in response. There was anger in his voice too, and something else… frustration? Fear? "Do you like ending up in repairs again and again? Is it just another game to you? Dammit, answer me!"
Rattrap finally stopped struggling and glared at him, his cloud of joy completely dissipated now. "Yeah, okay. Maybe I do. Maybe I get some sorta thrill offa doin' this, maybe I just don't care. What's it to ya, huh? Can't you keep your nosehorn outta my business for once?"
Considering Rhinox was the only mech who'd bothered to worry about Rattrap's well-being all these years, it was quite a blow. For just a second, his optics widened in hurt. Then they narrowed again as cold rage overtook him.
He slammed the spy back against the wall, hard enough to jar his small body painfully, though not hard enough to send him back into CR. Rattrap yelped and flinched reflexively, cringing back against the wall, accustomed enough to this sort of behavior to expect unpleasantness to follow. Rhinox leaned close, their faces inches apart, and spoke in a low growl that was somehow far worse than shouting. "Don't bother going to Dinobot for your next fix. If it's pain you want, then Primus help me, I'll--"
He stopped himself in mid-sentence, optics widening again. The words on the tip of his tongue were hastily swallowed, but he could hear them ringing in his processor, and from the look on Rattrap's face he knew full well what they would've been. The smaller mech was staring at him now, mouth slightly open, rigid with fear. Rhinox couldn't meet his gaze. Dimming his optics, he set Rattrap back on the floor, where the spy leaned against the wall for support. The engineer turned away, rubbing his forehead, willing away dark thoughts. An awkward silence stretched.
"Maybe… maybe you shouldn't finish that thought," said Rattrap finally, rubbing at his lightly dented upper arms.
"Yeah." Rhinox sighed. "Forget I said anything."
"Tch. I'll try. No promises, pal."
I probably deserved that. Still, Rattrap's retort froze the apology that was on its way out of Rhinox's vocalizer. It was hard to stay really angry at Rattrap for long, but it was equally hard to feel bad for him with such a smartass attitude. Honestly, how did the damn rodent think his friend would react? He provoked these things, just like he did with Dinobot. "I just worry, you know. Even if you don't care about putting yourself in harm's way, I do."
"I'm a big boy, Rhinox. I can handle myself. But thanks so much for your concern." Rattrap brushed past him. "Now if you'll excuse me, I got some serious refuelin' to do."
He left without a backward glance at his friend. That damn bruiser, who does he think he is? I find one thing that makes me happy on this sorry rock an' he tries to push me away from it. I never asked for his protection. I think he's just jealous.
Despite his anger, he couldn't supress a quick shudder of fear. He knew all too well what Rhinox hadn't said, and knew that he meant every unspoken word of it. There were worse kinds of pain than careless claws, or teeth that nipped a little too hard in the throes of ecstasy.
- - - - -
Early the next morning, overenergized, underslept, and still slightly sore, he set off outside the base in search of Dinobot. He already knew the damn saurian wasn't in his room, and the weather being even reasonably decent, out here was where he was pretty much guaranteed to be.
It had rained a little the night before. Everything was just a bit too damp to be from condensation alone, even at this hour. The entire gorge below was filled with mist from the falls, and it seemed like every damn bird and monkey and bug for miles had come to make a racket right outside the Axalon. Rattrap was not a morning person, and he didn't appreciate the chorus of life as anything more than a hell of a lot of noise.
How come you enjoy bein' out here so much anyway, instead of in the nice, cozy base where we got everything we need? Boggles the mind.
Normally he'd just wait for Dinobot to come back in. But a brief word from Optimus had planted a seed of remorse in his mind. Rattrap hadn't thought about his actions much the night before, but there was no denying it now: he had used the warrior. Did Dinobot know that? Or did he think what had happened was all his fault? Knowing him, probably the latter. He deserved an explanation. Of course, there was a chance he'd just maul Rattrap again after receiving it, but at least then he'd have good reason.
The rat was distracted from his musings when a blurred olive shape almost knocked him sprawling. He jumped back about two feet as something small, furry, and apparently rocket-propelled shot across his path, followed swiftly by something larger and yellow. He recognized the second shape, and for a moment he thought Cheetor was hunting again. Then the kid caught up to his target… who immediately flipped and grabbed him by the head, pulling him to the ground in a tangle of limbs.
As Rattrap watched, blinking against the dust they'd stirred up, Cheetor rolled over on his back with a monkey clasped to his chest, pulling on his whiskers. "Ow! Hey, no fair! I caught you!"
The monkey made a chittering noise and wiggled away, but instead of running, it pounced on his tail. Cheetor yelped and sprang up, and they went into a whirlwind of fur, while a confused spy coughed and waved the cloud of dust from his nose.
"Whoa, whoa! What's goin' on here? You playin' with your food now, Spots?"
Somehow the cat came to a halt, panting, with the small primate clinging to his back. "Oh… hey, Rattrap. Meet Mimic." He gestured with his head, indicating the monkey pulling on one of his ears. "Mim, this is Rattrap. Why don't you say hi?"
Instantly the monkey transferred its attention to the new arrival, pouncing on him before he could open his mouth. Rattrap was less than thrilled by this. In seconds he'd been pulled, plucked, prodded, and sniffed all over. He tried to push the damn thing away, but it stuck to him like glue. "Hey, newbie, where's your manners?"
"Oh, uh, she doesn't talk yet." Cheetor came over and nudged his new friend away. "Come on, Mim, leave the smelly old grouch alone. He's not much fun to play with."
"Tch, you're not my kinda playmate, kid." Rattrap sat up on his hindquarters and dusted himself off. "So you're the latest addition, huh? I'd say nice to meet you, but uh, you took care o' the introductions pretty well by yourself. Glad to see you're settlin' in." He tried to smooth his fur a bit where she'd mussed it up. "Spots, you seen Chopperface around anywhere? He ain't in his room, I figured he'd be out here."
"I think he went out last night. I saw his tracks at the edge of the forest. They must've been fresh, 'cause of the rain and all. I can show you if you want."
"Nah, that's alright. I can find 'em. Thanks." Rattrap set off down the rough path Dinobot usually followed when he set out on a hunting excursion or a patrol. Behind him, he could hear the mock-battle resume, and shook his head. Apparently Cheetor had finally found someone who could keep up with him. Would wonders never cease?
The spy knew Dinobot well enough to track him without a guide, most days. It didn't take long to pick up his scent, or spot the distinctive clawed footprints in the rain-softened earth. There was no telling how far he'd have to go, though. The raptor could trek all day if he really wanted solitude. I swear, I'm gonna put a beacon on that damn lizard. Otherwise I'll be huntin' him down like this every slaggin' day.
Sometimes, Rattrap really missed his wheels. With a sigh of resignation, he set off through the dripping undergrowth.
- - - - -
Dinobot wasn't trying to hide. The smell of blood and the sound of crunching bones announced his presence some distance away. Rattrap tried to approach without disturbing him, but whatever he was eating had attracted vermin -- of the feathered variety -- and a large bird startled from a branch overhead gave the spy away. Dinobot's head snapped up to follow the movement, but when he saw who had caused it, he went back to tearing at his kill without a word.
Not invited, but not yet chased off, Rattrap edged closer. As the brush parted he saw what the raptor was working on -- some kind of small antelope, with spiky little horns and big liquid eyes, was lying in the dirt with its throat and stomach torn open. Dinobot was holding it down with one hind foot and ripping at the meat with his fangs. His muzzle was bloodied, and shreds of reddish flesh hung down from between his teeth. Rattrap swallowed his nausea. Watching the raptor eat never failed to turn his fuel tank a little… not that he had room to talk, given some of the things he ate, but at least the things he ate didn't usually have eyes.
"Looks, uh, delicious," he choked. Then he cleared his vocalizer. Dinobot hadn't responded, so he'd have to start this conversation. Ohhh boy. "Listen, Chopperface, we need to talk. About last night--" He winced as a bone snapped in two with a sharp crack, with a timing he could've sworn was deliberate. "Rhinox didn't give you a hard time, did he?"
"Hm. You could say that." The raptor jerked his neck, ripping at a strand of sinew. "Under the circumstances, I don't blame him. I deserved to suffer for my foolishness." His voice was harsh, cold, and he didn't look up at Rattrap as he spoke.
"Hey now, it wasn't your fault, alright? I shoulda stopped when--"
"Yes. Yes, you should have." Dinobot cocked his head, staring at his kill, then grabbed the neck in his teeth and tore at it savagely, as if to rip the head from the body. Rattrap sensed the displaced anger and frustration, and shuddered to think it might just as easily be inflicted on him. It would make what they'd done the night before look like a pillow fight.
Averting his eyes from the violent display, he tried to apologize while staring at the dirt. "Look, I screwed up, okay? I admit it. Go ahead, take it out on me any way that'll make you feel better."
There was an angry snort from the carnivore. "No. It would only make you feel better, vermin."
…Ouch. "What's that supposed to mean, Razormaw?"
"I admit, it puzzled me for some time why you would want anything to do with a Predacon -- especially one who could easily snap you in two. It should have been obvious. You certainly spent enough time trying to provoke me into mauling you." A low growl built up in Dinobot's throat. "If only you had said so when we first met, I would have gladly obliged you then. No need to lead me on for over a year, or disguise your wishes as something else entirely."
Rattrap's head snapped up. "What? Now wait--"
Blazing eyes met his. "Do the feelings of a Predacon matter so little to you? Or did you make the mistake of thinking I didn't have any?"
Whoa. WHOA. Rattrap actually took a step back. He felt like he'd fallen into a deep pit and was still trying to figure out where he'd misstepped. "What? I don't… Chopperface, it ain't like that!"
The velociraptor lunged, and the rodent flattened himself instinctively in shock as a bloody muzzle loomed over him. Death floated ripe on Dinobot's breath as he hissed down at the flinching spy. "I. Cared. For. You." He spat out every word like poison. "And you? What did you want with me?"
The rat's eyes couldn't have gotten wider if they'd tried. "You, Chopperface. Just you--"
"LIAR!" Dinobot's voice rose to a screech, sending a whole flock of birds into flight. "Do you think I don't know when I'm being used? Did you think I wouldn't realize that I was just a tool for your pursuit of pain? The truth, rodent, or you will join this miserable organic in oblivion!"
"Calm down!" Rattrap shouted back. He didn't even have time to think about how stupid that was; he had to get Dinobot cooled off or he was going to blow up, and then there'd be no chance to put this mess back together. "I can't give you the truth if you're shoutin' in my face!"
A year ago, under these circumstances, Dinobot would have torn him apart. Even now his tail lashed, his claws flexed, but he backed down… or at least drew back a few inches, enough to give Rattrap some breathing room. The spy couldn't help heaving a small sigh of relief. He wanted a minute to gather his thoughts, but he knew he'd better take advantage of the chance to speak. Dinobot was clearly not in a patient mood.
"Okay. The truth." Rattrap braced himself. "The truth is… I'm a selfish bastard, an' I take advantage of everybody, even my friends. S'probably why I don't have a lotta friends. Not too many people give you second chances once you've screwed 'em over, an' that's my fault. But you mean more'n that to me, so before you tear me apart -- an' I know I deserve it -- I wanna make sure you know."
Dinobot stood, unmoved, unreadable. Rattrap plunged on before his fickle nerves tried to desert him again. Stay calm. It's just like defusing a bomb. "I admit, I always liked settin' you off. An' yeah, you can probably guess… well, one o' the reasons why. But that ain't the only reason. I just liked gettin' you riled 'cause it was the only excuse I had to talk to you." He winced -- that sounded so cliché, like a couple of schoolyard kids picking on each other because of a crush -- but he'd promised to be honest for once. "Plus, I like the way you fight. Your optics flash, an' your lip curls in that wonderfully nasty sneer you got, an' you hurl insults like grenades. What can I say, it's a thing o' beauty."
Dinobot scowled. "Are you borrowing lines from one of those insipid novels of yours?"
"No, slaggit." Rattrap sighed in exasperation. "Look, I know I messed up. But that just means I messed up, one time, 'cause I wasn't thinkin', cause we were caught up in the moment. It don't mean that nothin' I said was ever for real, that it was all a lie. Primus, not even I could keep a lie like that goin' for that long -- I mean, not that I'd want to -- ah, scrap." He slapped a tiny rat paw against his forehead. "What I'm tryin' to tell you is… I don't care if we never do that again. Ever. That's not important to me. But… please, don't let everything else end 'cause o' this. Please. Don't let me screw up the best thing that's ever happened to me."
Was he saying this? He was. Unbelievable. And he meant it! Somewhere, surely, pigs were taking flight and rivers were running backward. The balance of the universe had been altered. Rattrap was, for the moment, utterly sincere.
Dinobot was staring at him, doubtful, searching. Rattrap stood up slowly on his hind legs and extended a paw, holding it out towards the raptor, though not close enough to touch. He waited, tense. If Dinobot chose to bite his paw off in retaliation, he had the perfect chance to do so. But if he decided to forgive him…
After a small eternity, Dinobot reached out with a forearm. The tips of his claws lightly, just barely, brushed against Rattrap's fingers. It wasn't quite a full reconciliation, but it was a second chance. Rattrap's Core started spinning again.
A low, sinister chuckle superimposed itself on the scene, incongruous, as if rising out of a bad dream. Dinobot went rigid, and his slitted pupils dilated ever so slightly. Rattrap whipped around, unable to believe they'd been that careless, let their guard down that far.
Even in the dense rainforest, a Tyrannosaurus rex should not have been able to sneak up on them so easily.
"Ahh, Rattrap. With that silver tongue of yours, you could talk half of Cybertron into your berth." Megatron chuckled. "Your talents are wasted on such an easy catch. Don't you think, my dear former lieutenant?"
- - - - -
Physically, Rattrap was sore. The CR chamber (and he for one was really sick of ending up in those things) had done its job, and his injuries were gone, but the sensor memories of recent pain lingered. It didn't matter. Mentally, he was soaring. From the moment he woke up, he was riding a euphoric high better than he could remember having in a long, long time. His body, tired and tingling with phantom pains as it was, felt relaxed and sated. If not for the clarity of sensation, he might think he was dreaming.
The dream ended when the chamber opened and he found himself looking at a very displeased Rhinox. It didn't quite kill his buzz, but the bubble of happiness deflated just a little.
"Hey, Big Green. You keepin' a watch on me durin' my nap? That's sweet. Hey, any idea where Chopperface got to?"
He saw the slight swell of anger, the narrowing of optics, and knew he was treading on thin ice. With his head in the clouds, however, he hardly thought to watch his footing.
"What happened?" The engineer sounded worried, but there was an edge of anger lending menace to his voice.
Rattrap smirked. "Whaddya think? I finally got what I been after all this time. Wasn't exactly like I expected, but--"
"I'll say. You should've seen your shoulder. Mind telling me just what you were thinking? He could have killed you."
The spy blinked. "Yeah, I guess so. He didn't though, so what're you so worried about? Things just got a little rough. I got a few holes punched in me, but I'm fine. Good as new, see?"
"And what if you weren't?" his friend demanded. "Rattrap, what if I hadn't been able to fix you?"
The spy thought for a second, then grinned flippantly and shrugged. "Least I woulda died happy."
Rhinox grabbed him by the arms and lifted him off the floor, trying to shake him out of his euphoric daze. "Rattrap! Wake up! You can't keep doing this. I'd almost swear you were trying to get yourself terminated!"
Finding his feet dangling well above the floor, Rattrap's head cleared a little. He tucked up and pushed with his feet at Rhinox's broad chest, trying to squirm out of his grip. "Sheesh, what's wrong with you? Let me GO!" He sounded angry, but more than a little panicked as well.
"Well?" Rhinox shook him harder in response. There was anger in his voice too, and something else… frustration? Fear? "Do you like ending up in repairs again and again? Is it just another game to you? Dammit, answer me!"
Rattrap finally stopped struggling and glared at him, his cloud of joy completely dissipated now. "Yeah, okay. Maybe I do. Maybe I get some sorta thrill offa doin' this, maybe I just don't care. What's it to ya, huh? Can't you keep your nosehorn outta my business for once?"
Considering Rhinox was the only mech who'd bothered to worry about Rattrap's well-being all these years, it was quite a blow. For just a second, his optics widened in hurt. Then they narrowed again as cold rage overtook him.
He slammed the spy back against the wall, hard enough to jar his small body painfully, though not hard enough to send him back into CR. Rattrap yelped and flinched reflexively, cringing back against the wall, accustomed enough to this sort of behavior to expect unpleasantness to follow. Rhinox leaned close, their faces inches apart, and spoke in a low growl that was somehow far worse than shouting. "Don't bother going to Dinobot for your next fix. If it's pain you want, then Primus help me, I'll--"
He stopped himself in mid-sentence, optics widening again. The words on the tip of his tongue were hastily swallowed, but he could hear them ringing in his processor, and from the look on Rattrap's face he knew full well what they would've been. The smaller mech was staring at him now, mouth slightly open, rigid with fear. Rhinox couldn't meet his gaze. Dimming his optics, he set Rattrap back on the floor, where the spy leaned against the wall for support. The engineer turned away, rubbing his forehead, willing away dark thoughts. An awkward silence stretched.
"Maybe… maybe you shouldn't finish that thought," said Rattrap finally, rubbing at his lightly dented upper arms.
"Yeah." Rhinox sighed. "Forget I said anything."
"Tch. I'll try. No promises, pal."
I probably deserved that. Still, Rattrap's retort froze the apology that was on its way out of Rhinox's vocalizer. It was hard to stay really angry at Rattrap for long, but it was equally hard to feel bad for him with such a smartass attitude. Honestly, how did the damn rodent think his friend would react? He provoked these things, just like he did with Dinobot. "I just worry, you know. Even if you don't care about putting yourself in harm's way, I do."
"I'm a big boy, Rhinox. I can handle myself. But thanks so much for your concern." Rattrap brushed past him. "Now if you'll excuse me, I got some serious refuelin' to do."
He left without a backward glance at his friend. That damn bruiser, who does he think he is? I find one thing that makes me happy on this sorry rock an' he tries to push me away from it. I never asked for his protection. I think he's just jealous.
Despite his anger, he couldn't supress a quick shudder of fear. He knew all too well what Rhinox hadn't said, and knew that he meant every unspoken word of it. There were worse kinds of pain than careless claws, or teeth that nipped a little too hard in the throes of ecstasy.
- - - - -
Early the next morning, overenergized, underslept, and still slightly sore, he set off outside the base in search of Dinobot. He already knew the damn saurian wasn't in his room, and the weather being even reasonably decent, out here was where he was pretty much guaranteed to be.
It had rained a little the night before. Everything was just a bit too damp to be from condensation alone, even at this hour. The entire gorge below was filled with mist from the falls, and it seemed like every damn bird and monkey and bug for miles had come to make a racket right outside the Axalon. Rattrap was not a morning person, and he didn't appreciate the chorus of life as anything more than a hell of a lot of noise.
How come you enjoy bein' out here so much anyway, instead of in the nice, cozy base where we got everything we need? Boggles the mind.
Normally he'd just wait for Dinobot to come back in. But a brief word from Optimus had planted a seed of remorse in his mind. Rattrap hadn't thought about his actions much the night before, but there was no denying it now: he had used the warrior. Did Dinobot know that? Or did he think what had happened was all his fault? Knowing him, probably the latter. He deserved an explanation. Of course, there was a chance he'd just maul Rattrap again after receiving it, but at least then he'd have good reason.
The rat was distracted from his musings when a blurred olive shape almost knocked him sprawling. He jumped back about two feet as something small, furry, and apparently rocket-propelled shot across his path, followed swiftly by something larger and yellow. He recognized the second shape, and for a moment he thought Cheetor was hunting again. Then the kid caught up to his target… who immediately flipped and grabbed him by the head, pulling him to the ground in a tangle of limbs.
As Rattrap watched, blinking against the dust they'd stirred up, Cheetor rolled over on his back with a monkey clasped to his chest, pulling on his whiskers. "Ow! Hey, no fair! I caught you!"
The monkey made a chittering noise and wiggled away, but instead of running, it pounced on his tail. Cheetor yelped and sprang up, and they went into a whirlwind of fur, while a confused spy coughed and waved the cloud of dust from his nose.
"Whoa, whoa! What's goin' on here? You playin' with your food now, Spots?"
Somehow the cat came to a halt, panting, with the small primate clinging to his back. "Oh… hey, Rattrap. Meet Mimic." He gestured with his head, indicating the monkey pulling on one of his ears. "Mim, this is Rattrap. Why don't you say hi?"
Instantly the monkey transferred its attention to the new arrival, pouncing on him before he could open his mouth. Rattrap was less than thrilled by this. In seconds he'd been pulled, plucked, prodded, and sniffed all over. He tried to push the damn thing away, but it stuck to him like glue. "Hey, newbie, where's your manners?"
"Oh, uh, she doesn't talk yet." Cheetor came over and nudged his new friend away. "Come on, Mim, leave the smelly old grouch alone. He's not much fun to play with."
"Tch, you're not my kinda playmate, kid." Rattrap sat up on his hindquarters and dusted himself off. "So you're the latest addition, huh? I'd say nice to meet you, but uh, you took care o' the introductions pretty well by yourself. Glad to see you're settlin' in." He tried to smooth his fur a bit where she'd mussed it up. "Spots, you seen Chopperface around anywhere? He ain't in his room, I figured he'd be out here."
"I think he went out last night. I saw his tracks at the edge of the forest. They must've been fresh, 'cause of the rain and all. I can show you if you want."
"Nah, that's alright. I can find 'em. Thanks." Rattrap set off down the rough path Dinobot usually followed when he set out on a hunting excursion or a patrol. Behind him, he could hear the mock-battle resume, and shook his head. Apparently Cheetor had finally found someone who could keep up with him. Would wonders never cease?
The spy knew Dinobot well enough to track him without a guide, most days. It didn't take long to pick up his scent, or spot the distinctive clawed footprints in the rain-softened earth. There was no telling how far he'd have to go, though. The raptor could trek all day if he really wanted solitude. I swear, I'm gonna put a beacon on that damn lizard. Otherwise I'll be huntin' him down like this every slaggin' day.
Sometimes, Rattrap really missed his wheels. With a sigh of resignation, he set off through the dripping undergrowth.
- - - - -
Dinobot wasn't trying to hide. The smell of blood and the sound of crunching bones announced his presence some distance away. Rattrap tried to approach without disturbing him, but whatever he was eating had attracted vermin -- of the feathered variety -- and a large bird startled from a branch overhead gave the spy away. Dinobot's head snapped up to follow the movement, but when he saw who had caused it, he went back to tearing at his kill without a word.
Not invited, but not yet chased off, Rattrap edged closer. As the brush parted he saw what the raptor was working on -- some kind of small antelope, with spiky little horns and big liquid eyes, was lying in the dirt with its throat and stomach torn open. Dinobot was holding it down with one hind foot and ripping at the meat with his fangs. His muzzle was bloodied, and shreds of reddish flesh hung down from between his teeth. Rattrap swallowed his nausea. Watching the raptor eat never failed to turn his fuel tank a little… not that he had room to talk, given some of the things he ate, but at least the things he ate didn't usually have eyes.
"Looks, uh, delicious," he choked. Then he cleared his vocalizer. Dinobot hadn't responded, so he'd have to start this conversation. Ohhh boy. "Listen, Chopperface, we need to talk. About last night--" He winced as a bone snapped in two with a sharp crack, with a timing he could've sworn was deliberate. "Rhinox didn't give you a hard time, did he?"
"Hm. You could say that." The raptor jerked his neck, ripping at a strand of sinew. "Under the circumstances, I don't blame him. I deserved to suffer for my foolishness." His voice was harsh, cold, and he didn't look up at Rattrap as he spoke.
"Hey now, it wasn't your fault, alright? I shoulda stopped when--"
"Yes. Yes, you should have." Dinobot cocked his head, staring at his kill, then grabbed the neck in his teeth and tore at it savagely, as if to rip the head from the body. Rattrap sensed the displaced anger and frustration, and shuddered to think it might just as easily be inflicted on him. It would make what they'd done the night before look like a pillow fight.
Averting his eyes from the violent display, he tried to apologize while staring at the dirt. "Look, I screwed up, okay? I admit it. Go ahead, take it out on me any way that'll make you feel better."
There was an angry snort from the carnivore. "No. It would only make you feel better, vermin."
…Ouch. "What's that supposed to mean, Razormaw?"
"I admit, it puzzled me for some time why you would want anything to do with a Predacon -- especially one who could easily snap you in two. It should have been obvious. You certainly spent enough time trying to provoke me into mauling you." A low growl built up in Dinobot's throat. "If only you had said so when we first met, I would have gladly obliged you then. No need to lead me on for over a year, or disguise your wishes as something else entirely."
Rattrap's head snapped up. "What? Now wait--"
Blazing eyes met his. "Do the feelings of a Predacon matter so little to you? Or did you make the mistake of thinking I didn't have any?"
Whoa. WHOA. Rattrap actually took a step back. He felt like he'd fallen into a deep pit and was still trying to figure out where he'd misstepped. "What? I don't… Chopperface, it ain't like that!"
The velociraptor lunged, and the rodent flattened himself instinctively in shock as a bloody muzzle loomed over him. Death floated ripe on Dinobot's breath as he hissed down at the flinching spy. "I. Cared. For. You." He spat out every word like poison. "And you? What did you want with me?"
The rat's eyes couldn't have gotten wider if they'd tried. "You, Chopperface. Just you--"
"LIAR!" Dinobot's voice rose to a screech, sending a whole flock of birds into flight. "Do you think I don't know when I'm being used? Did you think I wouldn't realize that I was just a tool for your pursuit of pain? The truth, rodent, or you will join this miserable organic in oblivion!"
"Calm down!" Rattrap shouted back. He didn't even have time to think about how stupid that was; he had to get Dinobot cooled off or he was going to blow up, and then there'd be no chance to put this mess back together. "I can't give you the truth if you're shoutin' in my face!"
A year ago, under these circumstances, Dinobot would have torn him apart. Even now his tail lashed, his claws flexed, but he backed down… or at least drew back a few inches, enough to give Rattrap some breathing room. The spy couldn't help heaving a small sigh of relief. He wanted a minute to gather his thoughts, but he knew he'd better take advantage of the chance to speak. Dinobot was clearly not in a patient mood.
"Okay. The truth." Rattrap braced himself. "The truth is… I'm a selfish bastard, an' I take advantage of everybody, even my friends. S'probably why I don't have a lotta friends. Not too many people give you second chances once you've screwed 'em over, an' that's my fault. But you mean more'n that to me, so before you tear me apart -- an' I know I deserve it -- I wanna make sure you know."
Dinobot stood, unmoved, unreadable. Rattrap plunged on before his fickle nerves tried to desert him again. Stay calm. It's just like defusing a bomb. "I admit, I always liked settin' you off. An' yeah, you can probably guess… well, one o' the reasons why. But that ain't the only reason. I just liked gettin' you riled 'cause it was the only excuse I had to talk to you." He winced -- that sounded so cliché, like a couple of schoolyard kids picking on each other because of a crush -- but he'd promised to be honest for once. "Plus, I like the way you fight. Your optics flash, an' your lip curls in that wonderfully nasty sneer you got, an' you hurl insults like grenades. What can I say, it's a thing o' beauty."
Dinobot scowled. "Are you borrowing lines from one of those insipid novels of yours?"
"No, slaggit." Rattrap sighed in exasperation. "Look, I know I messed up. But that just means I messed up, one time, 'cause I wasn't thinkin', cause we were caught up in the moment. It don't mean that nothin' I said was ever for real, that it was all a lie. Primus, not even I could keep a lie like that goin' for that long -- I mean, not that I'd want to -- ah, scrap." He slapped a tiny rat paw against his forehead. "What I'm tryin' to tell you is… I don't care if we never do that again. Ever. That's not important to me. But… please, don't let everything else end 'cause o' this. Please. Don't let me screw up the best thing that's ever happened to me."
Was he saying this? He was. Unbelievable. And he meant it! Somewhere, surely, pigs were taking flight and rivers were running backward. The balance of the universe had been altered. Rattrap was, for the moment, utterly sincere.
Dinobot was staring at him, doubtful, searching. Rattrap stood up slowly on his hind legs and extended a paw, holding it out towards the raptor, though not close enough to touch. He waited, tense. If Dinobot chose to bite his paw off in retaliation, he had the perfect chance to do so. But if he decided to forgive him…
After a small eternity, Dinobot reached out with a forearm. The tips of his claws lightly, just barely, brushed against Rattrap's fingers. It wasn't quite a full reconciliation, but it was a second chance. Rattrap's Core started spinning again.
A low, sinister chuckle superimposed itself on the scene, incongruous, as if rising out of a bad dream. Dinobot went rigid, and his slitted pupils dilated ever so slightly. Rattrap whipped around, unable to believe they'd been that careless, let their guard down that far.
Even in the dense rainforest, a Tyrannosaurus rex should not have been able to sneak up on them so easily.
"Ahh, Rattrap. With that silver tongue of yours, you could talk half of Cybertron into your berth." Megatron chuckled. "Your talents are wasted on such an easy catch. Don't you think, my dear former lieutenant?"