Transparent

Second attempt at a robo slash story. Again....I'm sorry if you feel like I stole your idea for robot intimacy. But it's strictly coincedental. I've only read two stories on this entire site by the same author and they did not use the same methods that I used.


Transparent


It started as subtle questioning.

A simple "How are you?" or "Feeling ok today?". Normal every day formalities that began to carry an air of concern that made itself more and more demanding as the megacycles wore on. More prying and more invasive as his own answers became short huffs instead of the regular "I'm fine, thanks for asking.".

Optimus was like that though. He held a lot of wisdom for being fairly young bot. He noticed certain things that the others failed to and acted the typical noble hero role that he adopted while leading his little band of Maximals through the Beast Wars as unharmed as possible. He saw a problem. He wanted to fix it. Certain behaviors that seemed to be growing more concern worthy just begged for attention. And so, more questions were asked. To the point where simple monotonous replies were no long satisfactory.

"Wanna talk about it today?"

He should have realized that second sigh, in just over a klick, should have been an indicator to his insufferable mood. One he should have perhaps kept locked up in his alright unbearably tight torso plating.

"There's nothing to talk about." He growled a response.

It should have been enough to end the impending conversation right then and there. However, it seemed the protective Maximal leader was a little more distressed from that extra sigh.

"You know Dinobot, you're very transparent sometimes."

~ ~ ~

Quickstrike cried out in agony as he was blasted mercilessly by those focused green lasers. Derma plating buckling to the intense heat, smoldering as it melted away. Layer by layer the protective shell of his torso eaten until his very spark could feel the heat searing it's outer atoms.

Only when death was a split nano away did Dinobot let up his assault, turning away from the smoking heap of coughing fuzor. The battle was won. There was no point in senseless slaughter. Surely this would be sufficient.

Megatron however was not satisfied.

His own sword struck the ground only an arm's length away, tip buried in the dirt, still quivering from the impact. Tossed by the tyrannical hand of his new leader whom he had once betrayed.

"Finish him!"

Senseless. His time spent with the Maximals told him that murdering your own comrade was inexcusable behavior, even if it was ordered. There had to be another way to save his Predacon pride, and stroke his Maximal conscious. He picked up his sword but made no move towards the other Predacon.

"He's a good fighter. Under my training, he can serve us well."

"Perhaps you're right." The rex glanced to his loyal drone. "Inferno, aid Quickstrike."

"Yes, my Queen." Came the unfortunate reply.

Megatron grimaced, but prideful as ever stomped over to the victor. Dinobot couldn't help but smirk.

"I wasn't aware you had given yourself a new title..."

Red optics darted away in embarrassment, but only for a nano. Clearing his throat, he gave a humorous shrug of a tone.

"The ant has....faulty programming. But his loyalty is without question."

A knowing smile passed between the two as Megatron continued passed the raptor-bot and towards the base, gesturing for the other mech to follow. Dinobot fell into step just behind the tyrant, optics glancing around at the other Predacons who were in the process of either dragging their damaged bodies off the ground or aiding one who was wounded far greater. Quickstrike had such tragic aim.

"The others will be busy repairing themselves. They won't notice if we have a quick chat." Megatron looked back at the newly re-instated Predacon. "Care to join me in my quarters?"

"Something tells me you weren't satisfied with this little demonstration."

"You always did have such an annoying capability to read my mind." The larger mech growled. "That kind of trait had it's purpose at one time. But now it's just unnerving."

"Forgive me my impertinence if you can."

Megatron didn't answer. He sped up his pace instead knowing that surely Dinobot was amused by the small display of cowardice. It prompted a smirk, but no further words from the warrior. They both knew that once a solid wall of sound proof steel divided them from the others, a lot more would be said then simple showy banter.

~ ~ ~

"Transparent am I?"

He shot the Maximal a cold stare. A warning that if he were to venture further into this invasion of privacy he would need to be quick enough to duck.

"I'm just concerned, that's all." Optimus held up his hands in a show that he meant no harm. "You've just seemed very down recently, and as your Commander and friend, I feel the need to help you any way I can."

"And just what do you think I need help for? Everything is fine. Even the Vermin has kept his distance, improving my mood significantly."

It was an open invitation if he ever saw one. Optimus seemed to take the question quite literally instead of rhetorically.

"I'm sure that Rattap's absence these last few days have done wonders for your sanity, but I believe there's an underlying issue that you've yet to come to terms with. Perhaps something to do with the reason you left the Predacons."

"If you value your head, Primal, you'll stop right there." He hissed viciously at the Maximal.

Again the ape-bot held up his hands in submission. A nerve was touched with that one. Both of them knew it.

"I'm sorry." He smiled warmly at the raptor. "I just wish to help."
"You've made that point very clear."

"And yet you've not made a move to walk away from this. I think you want my help."

The Predacon laughed, a cruel, condescending tone.

"Saw right through me...did you?"

~ ~ ~

Megatron seated himself comfortably once the doors to his private quarters slid shut with a hiss. Dinobot stood, not being offered a seat, he took the hint and remained next to the doorway. A quick glance around the room told him that the Predacon rouge hadn't changed one bit. Simply decorated, yet comfortable. Functional, yet the nicely sized recharging bath gave the impression of over indulgence. He grinned despite himself.

"Ahh, your power of observation serves you well, Dinobot." Megatron tapped his fingers together playfully as he watched the other mech's eyes take in surroundings. "You've noticed my style and decor haven't changed since you left."

"I doubt you've brought me here to insult me." The raptor growled.

"Oh no, my friend!" The rex-bot laughed. "I'm not trying to insult you! You did after all recognize my dissatisfaction with the school yard scrap just now."

"It was by your approval that I accepted that stupid challenge to begin with! Of course you wouldn't be satisfied! All you saw today was a Maximal beating up a Predacon! Hardly a test of loyalty!"

"True true." The tyrant sighed and admired his digits as if bored. "It wasn't very convincing. You'll have to do a lot better then that to prove your loyalty to me. To make me trust you again."

Trust. It was something that Megatron had only ever demanded from one other Predacon. He never relied on trust to command his underlings. Fear was the best way to keep them in line. Never trust. That implied emotion. There was no room for such silly novelties in war. No, the trust he demanded was forged along time ago before there was any war. Back when he was just another common Predacon. Before he stole a ship and a crew and adopted the greatest name in all of Cybertronian history. And this trust was broken quite some time ago. When they first crashed on this ball of dirt.

"You want to trust me again?" Dinobot scoffed. "After everything that happened you still believe that the past can be salvaged? You don't need to trust me to make me loyal! You and I both know that!"

"Unlike the other pawns in this game, I can't control you with fear!" The tyrant shot back. "Another thing you and I both know! I never once controlled you that way, and I know I never will. So yes, unfortunately some of the past must be dragged back up in order for this to work!"

"And just how much of the past do you think we will be able to drag back up?" The raptor crossed his arms. "A lot has changed since then and now."

"Apparently not as much as you think." Megatron settled back in his seat and tapped the arm of his chair impatiently. "You came back, didn't you? You still haven't made your reasoning clear."

The reasoning wasn't clear. Not even to himself. A sick guilt wormed its way through his structure. It had been there since he had first lashed out and challenged the other mech for leadership. Back then his actions were justified and understandable. But now that certain things had come to light, it was truly he who was in the wrong.

"I already told you, I know you are going to win this war. I want in on that victory! Just like I did back all those decacycles ago!"

"One of the first things you made clear to me when we first met." Megatron sneered.

"Yes! I saw a brilliance in you. A plan! A way to victory and glory! I was willing to follow you every step of the way! Even before you changed your name and stole the Darkside! I knew it then as much as I know it now. You have the ability to change our future!"

"And yet when the slightest bump in the road came along, you turned tail and BETRAYED me." The seated mech clenched his fist. "All those decacycles of work and planning, and you uproot and head off to join Optimus Primal and his merry little band of Maximals!"

The harsh sting of truth laced the tyrant's words. But it wasn't just Megatron who was wronged that day. He was wronged as well.

"Well in all fairness, you did have Scorponox blast me." The raptor hissed.

"You disserved to be punished. You called me and idiot and attempted to usurp my power." He glared dangerously at the standing mech. "And then you never came back."

"I was on my way back, when I made my choice. I thought...."

Dinobot hesitated for a moment. This little conversation, though inevitable, was quickly taking a turn for the disturbingly emotional worst. Was he really ready to dig this all up again? Optics adverted from the seated Predacon, he clenched his fists and sighed.

"I thought...you had truly betrayed me. Brought us to the wrong planet and had no plan of action for what to do next. I thought it was over."

Megatron remained silent for a moment. He too adverted his optics from the raptor-bot and sat in deep thought for a moment. Trying to choose the right words.

"You didn't come back."

"I know." Dinobot sighed again, a habit that he seemed to have picked up recently. "I made a mistake."

"But have you come back to fix that mistake? Or have you simply a desire to save your scaly hide?"

Another silence followed. It was the same question he had been asking himself for megacycles now. He couldn't find the answer. All he knew was that he had to come back or it would never be found. The turmoil of it tearing him up inside as it had been since he spent his first night alone and awake within the Maximal base, wondering if he had made the right choice. He left because he thought Megatron had failed. He left because he thought the only other mech he'd ever trusted besides himself had betrayed him.

"Why, Dinobot?" Megatron broke the silence. "Why didn't you come back to me?"

~ ~ ~

"You throw up a brick wall, only to beg for it to be teared down. So yes. I saw right through you."

Dinobot roared at the ape-bot. Advancing with clawed hands raised and fangs bared. He wasn't planning on actually attacking the Maximal. He just wanted to scare him off. Optimus didn't move. Damn his insufferable Maximal nobility! He knew the Predacon wouldn't hurt him.

"You think you know everything! Why don't you try to see through me now! Tell me what's bothering me! I dare you to guess!"

Optimus just smiled. Dinobot came to a halt a mere breath away from him, fangs bared as he snarled, eye to eye. There was more pain in those optics then anger.

"If I do guess...and guess right....will you talk to me about it?"

"Only if you manage to convince me that I'm as transparent as you claim."

His leader's head tilted just slightly as he examined the larger mech. Silence followed for a very long drawn out klick while Optimus tried to choose words that would cushion the blow. There was no way of dancing around it. Dinobot didn't believe he could guess right. He'd most likely think that his Predacon pride was in the way of Maximal goodness, or that perhaps Rattrap was on his case again about being a dirty no good Pred when he had in fact been a well behaved comrade for so long. Something that usually had the raptor-bot on edge. He never suspected that the Maximal leader would have nailed it right on the head.

"It's Megatron....Isn't' it?"

~ ~ ~

That horrible guilt.

It rose in this throat and left a bitter taste he couldn't wash away.
He looked into the other Predacon's crimson optics and saw an ache that reflected in his own. And he knew.

"I...I hurt you. Didn't I?"

"More then you could ever imagine..." Megatron looked away, optics narrowed painfully.

Dinobot took a few steps closer to the seated tyrant, noticing him shift uncomfortably as the gap between them grew smaller.

"It seems we both jumped the gun a little too quickly that day. I assumed you failed me, and you assumed I had truly moved on."

Rage flashed across the rex-bot's face as he glared up at the approaching mech. A sudden hostility as his former enemy drew near enough to touch him.

"We don't really need to discuses this! It's obvious that you made the mistake! You judged me and my motivations incorrectly! And now here you are, begging to be taken back!"

"Yes. I am completely at fault. And that's why I am here. I want to make things right again."

Dinobot stopped an arm's length from Megatron. The two Predacons watching each other for any sign of further movement.

"But how so? Do you merely wish to regain your lost Predacon pride? Or do you wish to regain my lost trust?"

He sighed softly, observing the mech carefully. Taking in every silent word that Megatron was speaking and questioning his own motivations. What had happened between them had hurt. It left painful scars that would take along time to heal completely. But was it really worth throwing away all those decacyles away for some stupid hurt feelings? They were Predacons after all. No room for such stilly mentalities. Yet did he really feel the same way about Megatron that he had before? Did their falling out happen for a reason? Was it a warning that perhaps Megatron's hidden agenda was the wrong path for them to take? Or was that just the Maximal part of him talking. Was there even a Maximal part of him to begin with? He didn't know. It was driving him to madness with each passing cycle. He had to wait for Megatron's intentions to take shape. Once he knew what the other mech wanted, it would make his choice easier.

"It's a hard question for me to answer. After all, I'm not sure what you want in return."

"You want to know what I want?" Megatron sneered in disbelief. "If that was the case you would have never walked away!"

"Probably. Perhaps it was your failure to clarify what your intentions were that drove me away. Are you still planning to follow your namesake's orders? Or have you schemed up something far less destructive to the timeline?"

"My intentions are mine alone to know! You knew that when we left Cybertron! Your concern went as far as following my orders and not questioning my motives!"

"The only reason we left Cybertron to begin with was to follow through with His plan! We used the Energon story to cover our tracks and collect a troop to follow us! I believe you are still planning to do it! I also believe that you've already found the Ark and are now biding your time!"

"This is pointless, Dinobot!" Megatron threw up his hands in impatience. "I will do what I wish with the Autobot target! This sudden curiosity into my agenda is just a distraction from the real issue! Are you planning to join the Predacons for your own sake or for mine?!"

"You have to tell me your intentions first!" Dinobot snarled in retaliation.

"I will not!" The tyrant slammed his fist against his armrest and stood to advance on the smaller mech. "You will let me take care of that on my own!"

"I don't mean your intentions with Prime! I want to know what your intentions with me are! Do you want me to simply rejoin the Predacons, or do you want me back for yourself?"

~ ~ ~

Dinobot stared in shock at the Maximal. How could he have possibly figured it out? Perhaps it was a misunderstanding. There was no way that Optimus could have deducted that much from his simple sighs and quiet demeanor.

"What did you say?"

"I asked you if it was Megatron." Optimus replied, noticing the way the Predacon was visibly shaken. "I think that your falling out with him and the other’s hurt you more then you’d like to admit."

Trying to wipe all shock from his features, the raptor stepped back, replacing surprise with slight amusement.

"You’re surprisingly close..." He hissed.

"So I guessed right?" The Maximal seemed more surprised by his intuition then the other mech. "Are you ready to talk to me about it yet?"

"You’ve managed to convince me enough for me to bait you along a little further. But if you’re expecting any tearful confessions then you should just walk away now."

"I never expected tears, Dinobot." He chuckled at the thought of the warrior breaking down and sobbing.

"But you expected me to spill some of my dark secrets?" He raised an optic ridge.

"Of course. Like I said, you’re transparent."

Dinobot gave a short amused laugh. Optimus was getting fairly cocky that he was about to crack the stalwart Pred. Perhaps he could still stump the curious ape.

"Go on then. Make another guess?" He grinned savagely.

Optimus didn’t have to think for long. He observed the other mech’s more playful attitude, knowing that it was yet again another brick wall that Dinobot threw up to mislead him.

"Ok Dinobot. Why don’t you tell me then, how he broke your heart."

~ ~ ~
Megatron stood just a breath away from the other Predacon. Sudden hostility seemed to slip away to something less destructive. His face softened as he searched himself for an answer that would make it very clear to his subordinate.

"You should know that answer better then anyone, Dinobot."

His metal hand slid forward to run smooth finger tips against the raptor’s chest plate. Just hovering over his spark. Dinobot visibly jumped back. So suddenly that Megatron could almost feel the other’s spark leap away from his touch.

"So much has changed..." He rumbled low as his fingers continued the small exploration. "It wasn’t that long ago that you’d be clawing your way through an army just to touch me like this. Now your spark jumps away as if shy."

"Indeed..." He gave a breathy reply. "But if you can remember, it wasn’t that long ago that you’d shy away when I touched you like this. Now you’re clawing your way through an army. Funny how the roles have swapped."

"Yeessss...." The rex-bot hissed as he leaned down closer to his warrior. "But things have a way of staying the same...The answer to your question? My intentions for you? Haven’t changed since we first met on Cyberton."

"Then the answer to your question should be obvious by now. " He purred and tilted his head to the side just slightly, initiating an invitation that the other couldn’t refuse.

"Oh it is..."

His strong hand snaked up to Dinobot’s shoulder, clamping down hard so the other couldn’t jerk away. Not that he would. Grin hovering just a fraction from his blue metal lips and optics burning Megatron closed the gap between them, tugging the compliant Predacon against him and sealing their kiss.

It was hesitant. A bare press of closed mouth to closed mouth. A test of familiar waters. Both knew it and both felt it. Yet one was more determined to make it work. Their first kiss back on Cybertron was so certain. So sure of itself. Not an atom could have snuck it’s way past their lips and invaded the perfection between them.

Megatron closed his eyes, withdrew for a split nano and pressed back harder parting his dark lips. Dinobot played along, pressing back. But it was still different. Too many gaps, too many lunges and not enough glossa. Their lips brushing and parting, as if trying to find the perfect fit. To seal their mouths once again and let the trust take them where they were sure to go.

Something had seeped into their lives. Seeped in between them.

With a growl of frustration, the tyrant parted from his warrior. Fist clenching tighter on the other’s shoulder. Both examining each other for a moment, as if waiting for the usual catalyst to take effect and guide their actions. It didn’t come, forcing Megatron to take the initiative into his own hands. He skillfully used his foot to sweep the raptor’s out from underneath him, guiding his fall to the ground. Dinobot found himself pinned on the cold floor with the larger mech crushing him beneath his structure. He should have known it would happen. Before, when they engaged in intimacy, it was usually Dinobot who would initiate it. He was much more aggressive and dominate. Clawing and tearing to expose his partner while the other laid back, content to let the more tenacious Predacon take the lead. Megatron would tease and play hard to get, winding the other up even more. It was just the roles they chose to play. But this time...

The rex took charge. Pressing the other into the floor, capturing his wrists. His mouth wandering over the other’s exposed neck, glossa curling just under his chin and teeth nipping. Growling low and feral as he ground their bodies together.

Dinobot let out a small hiss of a protest, one that was cut off when Megatron’s lips once again found his.

"I’m sorry, but you were taking too long..." The tyrant purred. "If I was to wait for you to take your usual lead, we’d both still be standing and staring at each other awkwardly."

"You’ve never looked more desperate..." The raptor snarled against the onslaught of pleasing sensations.

"How so?" The other mech growled in response and let his mouth tickle at his partner’s audio sensor. "I merely want what you were hesitating to give me."

"There’s a reason for my hesitation...You’ve changed and I wasn’t sure what to expect."
"Changed? I’m still the same, Dinobot. I’ve just been denied your company for far too long."

He nipped softly at Dinobot's throat, purring against the warming metal and relishing the restrained gasps that he coaxed from the other Predacon. Pinning both wrists with one hand, Megatron slid the other down to his warrior’s chest, trying to tease the other’s spark casing open.

"No...you’re much too needy now. As if my treachery has made you crave affection. It’s as if you can’t stand to be alone anymo-"

Irritated by the other’s talking, Megatron steepled his fingers and raked them down Dinobot’s chest. The sudden metallic scream and burst of pain silenced further noise.

"Why must you ruin this with your infernal chattering? Either struggle against me to regain your control, or settle down and let me overload the slag out of you!"

A grin etched it’s way onto the smaller Predacon's sharp features. Lifting his knee up, he braced his foot against the tyrannosaur's thigh. It was time to take back his rightful role.

"Well seeing as how you’ve given me a choice..."

He shoved at Megatron with all his strength, taking the the other mech off guard. A few struggling nanos later, Dinobot had the much larger mech flat on his back on the steel floor, while he perched triumphantly on his chest. Claws already raking down the rex-bot’s dermal platting, teasing the pounding spark within closer to the surface.

All traces of surprise melted from Megatron’s face when Dinobot leaned down and kissed him hard. Instead, he lifted his hands and enveloped the smaller mech in an embrace pressing closer to feel the tremor of the raptor’s own spark against his. Finally, it was beginning to feel right again.

Dinobot growled and reared up, running his fingers along the seem in his partner’s plating, grinning as it slid back to reveal a desperate and hungry spark, straining past its confines to merely brush atoms with his own. A quick stroke of a finger against his own chest and the plating slid back.

"Funny how yours seems to be hiding still..." The transmetal grinned and licked his lips.

"Well seeing as how we’ve been swapping intimacy preferences, I’m merely trying to tease you until you feel like you’re going to short circuit."

"Payback’s a glitch..." He agreed. "I can tell you’re going to make me suffer for all the times I’ve done it to you."

"Oh no. I’m not as cruel as you are." Dinobot chuckled and leaned closer, watching with pleasure while Megatron practically squirmed as if he could already feel the pulse from his partner’s spark. "You’ve been teased enough."

"I’ll show you my gratitude once you shut up and merge!"

Oh. So desperate. But he could hardly make fun with his own spark beginning it’s painful straining, pulling so tightly against it’s casing to meet the air between their two bodies. Bracing his hands against Megatron’s shoulders he let the other mech pull him flush to his large chest. Sparks meeting in a sharp stab of pleasure, cackling and fizzing as they clashed. Dinobot rested his forehead against the tyrant’s. Optics open and barely dimmed as he watched the shifting expression of rapture on his partner’s face. Megatron’s large hands against his back, pulling him closer and holding him in place as if it would kill him to let go. Sharp pants and heady growls as their sparks merged into one perfect expression of pleasure and trust.

~ ~ ~

He couldn't speak. There was nothing to say. The amused grin on his face slowly fell away to something just short of horror as he stared back at the Maximal.

Optimus looked back unscathed awaiting the raptor-bot's reaction. Not sure what to expect, he shifted his feet in preparation to avoid an attack.

"Well...I'm waiting." He broke the stunned silence.

Dinobot couldn't say a word. He just stared at Optimus until he could take no more. He spun on one heel and turned away with every intention of leaving.

"You promised to talk to me about it if I guessed correctly." The transmetal Maximal growled. "Are you going to go back on your word?"

Dinobot hesitated when he reached the doorway. A short agitated snarl before he turned to face his friend and leader.

"That's what Predacons do, Primal. We go back on our words."

He could see the disappointment written all over the ape-bot's face.

"But you're not a Predacon. You're a Maximal."

"You're wrong!" He snapped back. "I've changed my activation code, I've served you and the others for well over two decacycles now, but I'm no Maximal. I'm a Predacon, through and through. We never keep our promises. Not for long anyway."

"Are you trying to tell me something, Dinobot?" Optimus crossed his arms and glared back at the retreating raptor.

"Only that trivial matters such as this merit no promises. And besides, you guessed wrong."

He turned and walked out of the door way, muttering just loudly enough for his friend to hear him.

"It wasn't my heart that was broken..."

~ ~ ~

Blinding pleasure, and blissful rest.

The two Predacons lay entwined on the floor of the private quarters. Sparks thrumming softly in the lazy aftershocks of their overload. Digits woven together as one clawed hand held the other's metal one.

Dinobot closed his optics and sighed. His head pillowed on the much larger mech's transmetal chest. For a moment it was as if everything that had happened all that time ago had been forgotten. Forgiven. That they were no longer separate, but one again.

"Just like old times..." The tyrant hummed a pleased sound and deftly traced his digits up his warrior's back.

"Yes..." The raptor hissed as he focused on that gentle sensation. "Only something's still out of place."

"I doubt it will ever be the same. But we can at least try."

He smiled as he looked up into his partner's calm face. He almost forgot what it looked like to see Megatron so placid. Dinobot propped himself up on one elbow and leaned in for a quick kiss before the less affectionate mech would loose interest in lounging around lazily on the steel floor. He was never one to cuddle, usually jumping straight up and off to find something more entertaining.

Megatron sat up as soon as their lips parted, pushing the other off his chest as he did so. Both getting to their feet and straightening themselves.

"So, I guess you're a fully reinstated Predacon now." He rested a hand on Dinobot's shoulder. "Welcome back."

"That was one slag of a welcoming party..." He replied slyly.

Megatron grinned as he leaned in for another quick kiss, happy to finally have back what was rightfully his. The smaller Pred grinned back. Tilting his head up to meet the other. But something still wasn't right. He knew it before and he knew it now. Something other then betrayal had seeped in. Something that had Megatron's mind occupied. He could always read the other's thoughts so well. That was how they got along so perfectly. Megatron would think up a plan, and without discussing it, Dinobot would just act. He knew what it was that the tyrant wanted. He knew when Megatron was absorbed in something. And he knew when he was distracted.

Megatron was definitely distracted.

Before he had a chance to question his partner on it, the door to their private meeting slid open to reveal what it was that was continuing to worm it's way between them.

His back was to the door and he couldn't see the mech that had barged in. But the look on Megatron's face told him who it was.

"Royalty! F-forgive my interruption...I...I just wanted to report that the other's have all been properly healed and are ready for action."

Megaton dropped the raptor-bot like he had suddenly become scorching hot, stepping around him and towards the doorway. Dinobot turned to watch his partner, surprisingly flustered, acknowledge and dismiss the intrusive Predacon.

"Oh umm...Thank you Inferno. You may leave now."

The expression on Inferno's face said it all. He knew what had just happened and it was obvious by the dirty glare he shot at Dinobot that he wasn't pleased. If anything, he looked hurt.

Megatron quickly shut the door, sighing as it once again blocked them from the others. He turned to face the raptor leaning back on the door as if looking for support. A sudden flush of guilt as he avoided optic contact with the smaller mech.

"You didn't lock the door..." Dinobot growled.

"I didn't think he would report until later." The rex crossed his arms.

He wasn't thrilled. Dinobot had his suspicions about the ant for some time now. Never did he have any proof. It seemed he didn't need any. Megatron was giving him all the evidence he needed.

"What are you so angry about?" The transmetal shot a nasty glare, picking up on the other's hostility as if he had a special radar for it.

"Nothing much. Just your loyal pawn."

A cruel laugh as Megatron understood the situation.

"Yes. It's true!" They tyrant shrugged and shook his head. "You caught me red handed! Am I supposed to believe you are jealous?"

Dinobot crossed his arms, leaning a little heavier on one foot, taking on an unamused stance.

"You know I'm not."

"Of course. If you were, Inferno would already be dead!" Megatron chuckled. "You would never punish me for cheating, but the other would certainly die a quick death."

"Exactly. I'm not jealous. Just disappointed."

"Oh? So sorry to disappoint you." He sneered sarcastically. "Hard to believe that I would deny myself such a fun little toy just because you broke up with me!"

"You'd best be careful how you treat him, Megatron. Your little toy seems to have a little crush. Hate to see him get his feelings hurt!"

Megatron scoffed. Glaring at the other in disgust.

"The ant, although his choice in titles is unfortunate, sees me as Royalty. Not just some Predacon who earned the position as leader, no, I was BORN with this right! Being a consort to just any old mech in a position of power is one thing. But to be a consort to a King? Well he's got more to loose then."

"You give him too little credit." Dinobot shook his head. "I saw him Megatron. He knows what we did. You might as well have dug a knife in his back too."

"You feel sorry for him then?"

"Hardly. I just don't wish to destroy such a loyal pawn to our cause over hurt feelings. We've had enough trouble because of stupid slag like that."

"Agreed. So let's just forget this and move on shall we. Now that you're here, I have no use for him anymore."

Megatron made his way over to his seat and sat down, sighing and putting a hand to his temples as if a sudden headache came on. Dinobot watched him in silence. He didn't like the idea of Megatron being so desperate as to use the ant-bot for any kind of gratification. It wasn't normal for his partner. He was never one to be so shallow and needy. He had broken the stalwart Predacon. And the guilt seeped in even stronger then Inferno's presence.

"I know what you must think of me. You're disgusted." Megatron rubbed at the side of his head, trying to relieve the pressure that seemed to build up behind his optics.

"I don't think much." Dinobot moved to take a seat on the armrest of the chair. "Just that you've been hurt beyond simple repair and needed a way to vent."

The tyrant wrapped his arm around his partner's waste in a small embrace.

"Well, you'll give me plenty of opportunities to vent. And if the ant gives you any trouble, try to make his demise quick and painless."

"Can't promise..."

They both shared a laugh. First time in over two decacycles.

"We'll discuss my plans for the Ark later. For now, my agenda will remain a secret just a little longer. But why don't you tell me about those Golden Disks that you stole?"

Dinobot grimaced.

"Oh right. Those."

~ ~ ~

Optimus watched as Dinobot left. Whatever the Predacon's decision would be, Optimus knew he couldn't judge. He still had faith that his friend would make the right choice, but was prepared for the long line of wrong choices he would surely make before that. After all, emotion was not something to take lightly. Whatever happened between him and his former comrade would stay his business. Optimus wouldn't pry any longer. But being the soft shelled Maximal that he was, he always left a door open.

"Dinobot. If you ever need to talk, I'm always here."

Without breaking his pace, the Predacon warrior responded.

"You know Optimus? Sometimes you can be pretty transparent yourself."

END