Primal Hunter
By: Takashidaimao
Chapter 2: Confrontations
"What the slag was that?"
A loud metallic bang echoed down the halls of the Axalon causing the young feline to jump in his seat. Rhinox looked up as well, slowly shaking his head. Well, it's not like he didn't expect it. In fact, he was rather surprised the scuffle between the two hadn't started the second Optimus stepped foot in the raptors den. At this point he was just hoping they would spare the ship in the process. Cheetor looked expectantly up at the science officer. "Shouldn't we go break them up or something?" Rattrap scoffed at that. "You wanna go get yourself scraped, be my guest. I ain't gettin' my tail within strikin' distance of that psychopath any time soon." Rhinox vented a sigh before returning to his work. "Let Optimus settle it on his own. Dinobot should cool his circuits once he gets the ever-living slag beaten out of him." Cheetor groaned in a mix of disappointment and worry as he stared down the hall. "Yeah, that's if Big Bot doesn't get it first…"
Optimus probably would have preferred getting his plates kicked. At least that was a situation he knew how to handle. But his current predicament? If he'd been told a week ago that he'd find himself pinned against the wall with his mouth practically welded to that of a battle-crazed Saurian he'd have likely ordered that bot to get scanned for viruses. Yet, here he was. So what exactly was he supposed to do? Blast him? Would that improve the situation or just make it worse? He could try to break free, but the keyword there was 'try'. It was about when Dinobot forced his back harder against the wall that he resolved to try blasting him. His forearms having been left free he armed his wrist cannon, aiming for the raptors damaged side. However, just as he prepared to fire Dinobot shoved himself off the Maximal leader with a loud snarl. Optimus remained leaning against the wall venting heavily, optics fixed on the raptor as he slammed a fist into the display console on his desk, shattering the screen with an irate roar.
Optimus kept his arm cannon at the ready just in case, but it appeared to be safe for the moment. Dinobot was leaning over his destroyed computer much like he had been when the gorilla first arrived. After a long moment the door locks disengaged. "Go…" the raptor rumbled out in a low tone, never turning to look his way. Optimus disarmed his weapon, pushing himself off the wall. He took a step towards the warrior instead, earning himself a red-hot glare. "Just go!" Dinobot growled, talons digging into the surface of the desk as if to anchor himself there. Optimus backed off, but made no attempt for the door. Did he seriously expect him to leave after that? Just pretend nothing happened and go about his business as usual? There was no way he could do that, not when the threat of this happening again still existed. He was the commander. His crew's problems were his problems, and if they couldn't fix it on their own it was his duty to intervene. He vented a deep intake of air, steeling himself for what he was about to do. He had to be out of his mind.
Optimus bolted forward at sprinting speed, tackling the large bot in the side. The momentum sent him crashing into the platform that served as his bed, another loud bang practically shaking the walls around them. Dinobot lurched forward into a sitting position, emitting a ghastly reptilian hiss only to catch boot tread right in his chest plate, knocking him back down. This time an elbow joint was shoved into the raptors vocal unit before he could recover, effectively pinning him down. The warrior flashed his razor-sharp fangs, instinctively charging his optical lasers. Just as he fired the ape forced a palm against his chin, diverting his aim towards the ceiling.
"Stand down! That's an order!" Optimus barked out, which resulted in a choked growl from the pinned Maximal. After a moment his struggling eventually dissipated. The commander released the intake of air he'd been holding for practically the entire time. Well, that went well. Now for the hard part. His optics narrowed at the cobalt-faced warrior, who was still staring straight up at the ceiling. He sighed. "Look, if… If I do this you'll behave normally again, right?" he asked, trying to mask his hesitation. Dinobots optics instantly widened, head snapping downward to stare at the bot standing over him. "You… You can't be serious!" his vocal processor managed to squeak out from under the weight of the apes arm. Optimus eased up, raising a brow plate coyly. "Unless you'd rather I not…" His mild threat was answered by a particularly vicious snarl. "Don't you dare toy with me!" At that, the Maximal leader couldn't help but reveal a smirk.
Lips locked once more, but this time it was Optimus in control. Dinobot leaned forward on his elbow joints trying to deepen the kiss. He was kept at bay by the arm still barred against his neck, preventing him from advancing things farther than the ape would allow. A low growl reverberated against his lips as the raptor wrapped long taloned fingers around his head, pulling him in deeper. Optimus responded by biting the other bots lip in warning, which caused him instead to buck his torso forward eagerly. At this point the commander sought to change his strategy a bit. A continued power struggle with someone of Dinobots stature wouldn't bear pleasant results.
Relinquishing the barrier his forearm had provided against the raptors throat he slid his hand down his chest plate, fingers tracing slow lines down leathery scales. Dinobots entire body shuddered, an arm hooking around the ape's torso, claws unconsciously scraping against his back. As fingers moved down across his lower abdomen the warrior couldn't contain a rumbling moan, which in turn caused the thick black fur on Optimus' back plate to stand straight on end. He leaned further into the larger bot, his fingertips coming to a rest at the lower seam of a mud covered torso plate.
Dinobot couldn't take it any longer. He clutched the others hand in his own, long silver rib-like plates receding back to allow his torso plates to split open. Optimus broke away from the raptors eager lips as the pale blue spark light hit his face. He peered for a moment into the inner workings of the soldier, his optics lingering over his pulsating spark. Even at this short distance he felt its energy emanating towards him as if beckoning him in closer. He glanced up at Dinobot who stared at him expectantly, venting out shuddering breaths. No turning back now.
Optimus' chest plate drifted apart at the center seam, his own fluttering spark revealed. Delicate wires snaked their way out of his chest and into Dinobot, flitting back and forth in search of a port. The warriors venting increased in pace and intensity as he felt the wires gliding across the surface inside him, scanning for access points. Soon, they found what they were looking for. The initial surge of the connection was almost enough to tip the both of them over the edge. Dinobot clenched his jaw to prevent a vocal outburst, his claws grabbing onto handfuls of black fur. Optimus struggled to keep control of himself as well as maintain his dominance over the Saurian. Easier said than done. The energy flow in the circuit they'd created sent his sensors reeling. It had been so long since he'd linked with anyone that it almost felt like the first time all over again, and Dinobots high output wasn't helping matters. He wouldn't last long like this.
Suddenly the raptors back arched as he released another moan. His optics glared at the ape lying against him. Did he just increase his output to surpass his own? After a moment his optics flickered a bit, his labored venting giving way to another moan every now and then. Both bucked forward at the same moment, causing an arc to connect from spark to spark. It was Optimus who couldn't contain his outburst this time. The surge coursed through him like nothing he'd ever felt before. His internal systems began warning of imminent overload. Dinobot thrust his body forward again, causing another arc. The Maximal leader had to bury his face in the Saurian's neck to keep from shouting again.
One more euphoric surge was all the two could take. Optimus grunted into the raptors jaw line as his wires retracted back into his body, his chest plate sealing shut. He lifted himself up just as Dinobots torso plates sealed, his leathery chest still rising and falling with panting breaths. The commander crawled from on top of the larger bot, allowing him to sit up if he wanted. He didn't. Rather, he collapsed back against the now warm steel of the platform, his optics flickering offline. At first Optimus feared he may have gotten a bit carried away, but he soon caught sight of the damage to the raptors side. Oh, right. He'd forgotten about that in all the excitement. Silently, he accessed Dinobots diagnostics program. Internal repairs were mostly completed already by his own systems. At this point it was just a nasty looking mass of twisted surface metal. Still, he couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. Taking advantage of a damaged teammate wasn't exactly something he took pride in. Still, he supposed it wasn't as bad as it looked…
After lying Dinobot in a better position in his bed Optimus stepped out of the raptors quarters. As he brushed down as much of his now messy fur as he could, he made a mental note to make sure the Saurian stopped by the CR chamber before returning to duty. Primus knows he was so stubborn he'd never do it on his own accord. After he was sure he looked presentable he turned to make his way back to the bridge only to stop dead in his tracks before he took a single step.
"Uhmm… Big Bot?" Oh slag… Optimus' optic twitched slightly as a pair of bright yellow ones stared up at him. He could feel the fur rising on his back plate again, this time for a completely different reason. One burning question flashed across the commanders' processor; how long had he been standing there? The young bots optics blinked, his head tilting to the side. "Optimus? Is… Is everything alright?" Cheetor questioned hesitantly, peeking around the Maximal leader at the sealed doors that lead to Dinobots quarters. "We, umm… Heard noises…"
'We?' Oh, by the Matrix… Optimus averted his optics to the side, scratching the back of his head a bit. "Noises. Yes, well… Things got a little more… Uhh… Physical than I first planned…" he explained slowly, being sure to watch his wording. He could never tell him what really happened, but the idea of lying to one of his own was an even worse crime than he'd just committed in his book. He had to dance around the truth as best he could, though he was positive it was all useless. The feline narrowed his optics up at the commander, making him feel as though he was staring right through him.
"So… Rhinox was right…" Rhinox knew? Oh Primus… "You really did beat the ever-living slag outta old Chopperface!" Wait… what? Optimus returned his gaze to the now excited face of the young scout. No way… "Umm… Yes! Well he, ahh… did have me up against the wall for a bit, but I managed to turn it on him soon enough." He couldn't believe it! Did they really think he was fighting with Dinobot that entire time? Cheetor let out an amused chuckle. "Way to go, Big Bot! I didn't know ya had it in ya!" he added, elbowing the leader playfully in the side. Optimus had to bite his lip to keep from bursting out laughing at that point. Really? Really? Come on, Cheetor! You're making this way too easy! Luckily the young cat decided to leave it at that. "I'm gonna go tell the others! See ya on the bridge!" he announced, bouncing excitedly on his heels. He then reverted to his cheetah form, sprinting down the hall to the command deck.
Optimus listened until he couldn't hear the distinct sound of claws racing across metal anymore. Good thing that kid was fast, because that was about the point where he just couldn't contain himself any longer. His laughter got so hysterical that he had to brace himself against the wall to keep from toppling over. Still, he couldn't decide which he found more hilarious; that Cheetor was naïve enough to completely miss what was really going on, or that he'd actually managed to take the dominant position while interfacing with Dinobot!
It was mid afternoon the next day before Optimus finally woke up, yet he still felt exhausted. He forgot how much interfacing drained him, and last night turned out to be a bit more than he'd bargained for. He stretched the short hind legs of his beast mode with a grunt of procrastination. What the slag? They could deal without him for a few more minutes. The ape turned over in his bed intending to go back to sleep. Instead, his nose came into contact with something… leathery. His eyes snapped open to stare at the brown striped snout of a certain giant lizard.
"Dinobot! Primus, you nearly put me into stasis lock!" Optimus shouted as he instinctively leapt back, trying his best to calm his startled sensors. Dinobots tongue vibrated along with an amused growl, his long thin tail whipping back and forth behind him. "And what a shame that would be…" The ape raised an eyebrow as he sat upright, unsure if the raptor was being sarcastic or not. He shook his head. "What are you doing in my quarters?"
"Hmph! I overlooked your entering my quarters without permission last night. I merely felt entitled to same liberty, if not but once…" Dinobot explained, turning his head at a slight angle so that one slitted white eye could better see the gorilla. Optimus let out a sigh. Well, he couldn't argue that one… "Okay… And to what do I owe this visit?" The Saurian narrowed his eyes at that, a snarl preceding his answer. "An… Interesting rumor has come to my attention. Allegedly, a physical altercation between us two had resulted in my utter defeat. Care to elaborate?" There was a small tinge of challenge in Dinobots voice. Optimus couldn't help but scoff. "Ah. That. Cheetor overheard us, apparently. He confronted me outside your quarters, but came to that conclusion alone." He replied matter-of-factly. The raptor lowered his head slightly, one eye ridge raised. The ape sighed. "…And I may have neglected to mention otherwise…" he corrected reluctantly.
Dinobot let out a sly chuckle. Optimus had to admit to becoming slightly unnerved at that. The raptor wasn't one to laugh. "You lied." He stated simply, amusement lacing his tone. The ape shook his head again. "I didn't lie. I merely… Implied." He added, flashing the reptile a cocky grin. This earned even more laughter from the warrior, apparently tickled pink at the notion of Optimus Primal resorting to deceit. "So… That can't possibly be the only reason you're here."
The Saurian's laughter ceased instantaneously, his eyes wide. He glanced sideways, as if searching the room for the proper answer. "Well?" the gorilla urged, folding his long arms across his chest. The dinosaur began to fidget a little, still avoiding eye contact. "Ahh… I do not typically make a habit of… 'Crawling back'…" Optimus smiled again at that. He glanced at his computer console, noting the time. Ah, why the slag not? The others could wait a while longer. He stood up, transforming into his robot form as he did. He caught Dinobot flicking his tail back and forth excitedly before following his lead. The commander raised a brow plate. "I'll try to take it easier on you this time." He teased as two leather-plated arms draped themselves around his shoulders. Dagger-like teeth were bared in what Optimus could only assume to be an attempt at an actual smile. "Don't you dare…"