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And Things Remain the Same
Characters: Ratrap, Dinobot, Rhinox, Optimus
Prompt: Too Much
Word count: 283 words
Rating: General
Summary: Even Ratrap has his limits.
Author's Notes: Sequel to Commander in Absentia. Both contain spoilers for season 1, 'Chain of Command'.

* * *

For the next few weeks, Dinobot defers to Ratrap's judgement. He's not nice about it but he pretty much follows Ratrap's orders as if he were Optimus Primal. To Ratrap it feels creepy to have the ridiculously large ex-Predacon lowering his voice respectfully and carefully, as if Ratrap is some sort of invalid that needs to be coddled.

Optimus and Rhinox say nothing but its obvious they are pleased at this turn of events, though they try not to be when Ratrap is near. Which is just as well, because the situation is slowly driving Ratrap bananas. He punctuates this point to Rhinox by waving a banana he has pilfered from the stores of their Illustrious Leader. Rhinox smiles and is reasonable about it, which does little to improve Ratrap's mood.

He finally snaps, literally and figuratively, his front teeth cracking shut where Dinobot's clawed hand was a second before. He tells old chopperface to get a grip. There is a pause as Dinobot studies him through slanted eyes. Ratrap wonders if he's crossed a line and unknowingly disrespected the other bot's honour beyond forgiveness or civility. Instead, Dinobot responds with a quip about how getting a grip would mean getting closer to the stench of vermin and things are achingly familiar as they go downhill from there.

After that, things do more or less back to normal. At least, that's what Ratrap tells himself. If Dinobot's bickering now comes across as the banter between equals, then that's just lizard lips losing his touch or tripping over his enigmatic sense of honour. It has nothing in the pit to do with respect. And isn't mutual, not at all. That's what Ratrap tells himself.

The End
Disclaimer: Neither BeastWars nor Transformers belong to me, sadly enough.

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