[G1 AU] Dinobots: Proving Oneself
Jan. 28th, 2008 05:01 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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deceptikittyTitle: Proving Oneself (co-written with ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
okami_hu)
Arc: Sparklight
Rating: G
Characters: Grimlock, Swoop, Sludge, Snarl, Slag
Summary: Teenage Dinobots. Oh, the horrors. (sticky - glossary of terms)
It was a fine day. The small tribe followed its usual routine – Landslide and Berserk went to hunt, Deepmoor and Sunsong left to the energon well nearby to make cubes and Tusk stayed with Oceanborn at the village. The Dino younglings were left alone, like every time the chores didn't need extra hands – they had a lot of time to grow, get stronger, faster, and practice their hunting skills.
There was five of them, all strong, promising heirs. They still had some growing to do, except for Swoop, who, despite being the eldest of the bunch, had the most delicate frame - but he was also the smartest, a healer on training, and he was the only one in the tribe, who possessed the ability to fly.
Sludge was the tallest, and maybe the strongest in the team, but also the slowest, both physically and mentally. Still, he was loved by all for his kind nature and his unshakeable loyalty to Grimlock, who was already leading them, even if Sludge was a bit older than him.
Snarl, the quiet, passive son of the tribe's Cubemaker, and the aggressive, almost reckless Slag, the youngest of the five made the little group complete. Sometimes, they even went to hunt together, following Grimlock's lead, and Swoop's advices. They formed an effective unit, and their creators were proud of them.
Grimlock was, by far, the loudest of the group. He was a braggart and rather obnoxious in his own way, not even hesitating to declare himself the leader of the young ones and not just because he was the tribe leader's heir, and he greatly anticipated the day he would leave the tribe and start his own - not because he did not like the current tribe though. Far from it. Grimlock adored his sire and looked up to him with great respect; he was simply a restless youngling eager for adventure and often rattled on about his "plans" for the future to anyone who would listen - and even those who would not.
In fact, that was what he was doing now.
"Me Grimlock ready," he declared with a huff. He still had quite a bit to go in his development, his armor still not yet completely filled out, but he was as tall as he was going to get, and if he grew in girth as well as he had in height, he was going to be a massive mech. "This best time to leave. Sun-time warm - good hunting. Grimlock ready to make pack."
And, there were things which simply refused to grow. Like the others' interest in leaving. Today, the little team did not seem any bit more excited about Grimlock's plans like any other time. Snarl was sprawled out on the sun, absorbing the warm rays, Sludge was watching a huge butterfly and Slag was munching on an energon stick. Those delicacies were easy to make if the mech found the right kind of substance – a denser kind of energon, which, when exposed to intense heat, hardened. Swoop was toying with one of his in-built healer tools - he was quite proud of them - and he watched Grimlock to pace, with definite - albeit not too obvious - interest.
Fortunately, as always, Grimlock either did not notice his companions' lack of interest or chose not to be affected by it. Instead, he continued, "Know good hunting ground too. Him Berserk take Grimlock there before. Us could go to sunrise - other side of hunting ground. Good land there." He nodded, pleased with the plan. It was skirting Predacon territory, but as long as they stayed low and did not draw attention to themselves, they should be able to avoid detection by the enemy.
Snarl eventually sat up and clicked. "We too young to make own pack," he declared with his usual realistic approach. He wasn't even too far from the truth. Slag snorted and nodded, gesturing with his energon stick. "Yeah. Him Landslide leave you Grimlock not make pack." He had some grudges against the chief's heir; Grimlock was able - and at times, very eager - to beat him.
Sludge didn't appear to be there, he still watched the butterfly. Swoop stretched a bit, glanced at Snarl, then Grimlock, and nodded. "New pack, big responsibility."
Grimlock growled at the lack of enthusiasm. How could they say that? He was the strongest of all of them - surely they knew he could protect them. "Me Grimlock not too little!" he countered heatedly. This was not the first occurrence of this argument nor would it likely be the last. "Grimlock ready!" He stomped one foot on the ground as if that made his claim true.
Swoop shook his head. "We not say you Grimlock little. But pack is difficult to have. Can you care for pack as leader should? Can you Grimlock feed pack, keep pack well?"
Slag straightened at that and snorted. "Me Slag need no leader to care! Me Slag care for self!" He let out a loud huff and punched Swoop in the arm. That, at least, gained the attention of his brother, and Sludge glared, ready to step in if Slag wanted to do more.
That drew Grimlock's attention as well, and he gave Slag a warning growl just before he favored Swoop with an offended glare. "Grimlock make pack - take care of pack!" he insisted. The argument rarely escalated this far before. He had full confidence in his ability, and it actually hurt that they so clearly did not feel the same. "Know good hunting ground - know good energon spots!" Grimlock added in an attempt to plead his case.
"Predacons know them, too," Snarl insisted, and he curled up a bit, giving a few involuntary clicks of distress. "We no match for them Predacons. Predacons eat young dinos."
Swoop rubbed his arm, and threw a glance at Snarl. Something was wrong with him... He wasn't usually like that. Silent and stoic, yes, but not a coward. Though, his caution was understandable; Predacons were vicious, strong and mean - there were always fights between the Dinos and them. Sparklings were easier to chew, and albeit the Dinobots hardly sank so low as to attack something that small and harmless, the Predacons hardly had any moral qualms about it.
Grimlock snarled angrily. He knew that - he knew places through the hunting grounds where the Predacons were very unlikely to find them, but obviously, none of them were willing to hear it. "Fine. Me Grimlock make pack without you cowards!" With that, he turned and stormed away, vents almost drowning out his growling as they tried to cool off the heat generated by his anger.
Sludge winced - he didn't like when one of his own were angry. Slag growled and stuffed the last of his stick into his mouth. He couldn't care less about Grimlock's aggravation.
Snarl laid back on the ground. "Now panel locks broke, him Grimlock think can kill them Predacons one hand." He shook his head and offlined his optics.
Swoop, on the other hand, was worried. He genuinely liked Grimlock, but he also knew him well, since they shared the Chief's cave - he was prone to do rash things once angered. Landslide always said, his heir took after his bearer, Landslide's previous mate, Wildfire... But, Wildfire eventually was ripped apart by Predacons. Swoop stoop up and hurried after his friend. He wanted to make sure he won't to anything stupid.
Grimlock headed straight for Landslide's cave. If he knew he was being followed, he did not show it. He would show them - he would fill up his fuel tanks and leave when the moons rose, and he would prove to them that he was strong enough to take care of them as well as himself.
"Grimlock! Wait for me Swoop...!" The slender flier saw that his friend was practically steaming, and he felt a little bad, too. After all, Grimlock indeed was strong; Landslide taught him himself, and even Sludge had to work if he wanted to keep Grimlock down. It's just... He was so stubborn, and such a sparkling sometimes...!
Grimlock growled loudly but forced himself to stop and turn just enough so he could give Swoop another glare. Had it been any of the others, he would have ignored them, but he liked Swoop - Swoop normally did not anger him so.
"What Swoop want?" Grimlock demanded once Swoop was close enough to hear him. "You Swoop not think Grimlock strong either."
The slender mech stopped a few steps away, and lowered his head a bit embarrassed. He folded his hands behind his back. "You Grimlock chief's heir..." he admitted, poking the dirt with his foot, "but leading difficult. Living alone hard... hunt for prey, keep together. I know it, been that way." There were effective, if they held together... IF they managed to hold together. Slag was a born rebel, Sludge needed things to be explained properly, and Snarl was sometimes about as responsive as a piece of rock. The adults could manage them fine... But Swoop had some doubts about Grimlock.
Grimlock turned to face him completely. "If you Swoop can do it, then me Grimlock can too. Grimlock stronger." He believed that with his very spark - if even Swoop could make it with little more than his makers, surely Grimlock could take care of a pack of perfectly capable younglings.
The young healer pouted a bit. He highly respected his parents, and what Grimlock said, sounded as belittling their efforts. "Me Swoop's creators took care of Swoop," he pointed out. "Him Thunder was good warrior... still got eaten by Predacons. Oceanborn knew she not strong enough, we came to Landslide's tribe. Dinos not strong enough alone. Tribe stronger. Landslide keeps tribe well-"
Maybe he wanted to continue, but Grimlock cut in. "Grimlock not need Landslide no more! Him send Grimlock away soon anyway - Grimlock save him trouble and go now!" A growl rolled in the younger Dinobot's chest. He had overheard his sire talking to Oceanborn the day after the ceremony to break the locks on Grimlock's panel - he had heard Landslide mention that Grimlock was nearly the age Landslide himself was when he started his own pack. Grimlock took it to mean he should leave and do the same.
Swoop resisted the urge to sigh. He heard the same talk - after all, they all lived together - and from his point of view, Landslide had no intention to send Grimlock away. After all, he made sure that everybody knows his heir will be the chief one day. But Grimlock was stubborn, and if he wanted to go, one could be sure that he will go. Swoop thought, it'd be better then to go together, than let his obstinate friend wander alone. He reached out, and placed a hand on Grimlock's arm. "You Grimlock strong and brave, me Swoop know that. Maybe..." he tilted his head to the side lightly, "prove others that? We make good pack. Just..." he trailed off. He couldn't hide that he was uneasy a little.
Anger finally began to lower to a faint simmer as Grimlock finally heard what he hoped was the beginnings of acceptance if not the encouragement he was hoping for. He tilted his head to the side and leaned forward just a little so he could look into Swoop's face searchingly. "Swoop come with Grimlock?" he asked, both dreading and expecting rejection.
"Me Swoop would like that..." He really did. It would be nice, to be alone with Grimlock, charming him away properly, spoil him rotten and getting spoiled in return... "But me Swoop not strong yet. Me Swoop just flies and heals... somewhat." Sometimes, when he fussed about it, Oceanborn always told his son, that healers are very important in a tribe. They could save warriors and help new life to see the daylight. However, even if it eased Swoop 's worries for a while, it didn't change the fact, that he was not born to battle. He was the smallest, the most slender, and if his wings were somehow disabled, he had the least chance against any Predacon. "Me Swoop afraid a bit."
The wing-like protrusions on Grimlock's back hiked up further as he insisted, "Grimlock protect! Me Grimlock strong - keep you Swoop safe!" Why would no one believe him when he said that? Even Landslide had complimented Grimlock's strength. The young Dinobot knew he was perfectly capable of protecting Swoop and anyone else who would join his pack, but no one else would believe him, and he hated that.
"Me Swoop know that. Me Swoop thank for that," The young flier smiled and pulled a bit closer. "You Grimlock prove us. Go to hunt, come back with prey. How about that?" Perhaps it'll buy them some time... Swoop knew it might not be an entirely bad idea to leave for a while - it'd teach them much. But he also knew that at least one of them had to be capable to hunt alone. The others never left without the adults, and though they have returned with prey the five of them caught together, it was not enough. If Grimlock can indeed make it, it'll be proof enough that he can care for his pack.
Grimlock rumbled in thought as he considered that suggestion. He did not quite see the point in going out and hunting when there was plenty of food, but he supposed it would have to be done if that was the only way to prove himself to them. Besides - it would not be hard. "Fine," he finally agreed. "Me Grimlock back soon." He then turned to change his course to head out of the village rather than his cavern home. He would show them he was not all talk.
Okay, that was about done... Now, the only thing Swoop had to do was hope and pray. If Grimlock returned with an impressive enough prey, that will be the glorious beginning of a new pack. If he didn't, and Landslide found out that his adopted heir sent him into termination... the young flier was not sure Oceanborn and his wings would save him from the tribe leader's wrath. "Grimlock!" he called after his departing friend, "Be careful! And smart - dead Dinobots very bad tribe leaders."
Grimlock snorted and puffed out his chest which he then tapped a fist against. "Grimlock show all," he declared proudly. "Me Grimlock good leader!" He nodded, confident in himself and his own strength, and his visor gave a small flash of thankfulness. He truly appreciated Swoop's confidence in him and for giving him this chance.
He was adorable when he did that. Swoop couldn't resist. With a small laugh, he quickly crossed the short distance between them, and gave his friend a quick hug. Grimlock's lanky frame was warm, and when he had the chance, the young healer really liked to curl up against him.
The younger Dinobot growled in surprise. It was not an uncommon occurrence for Swoop to latch onto him like that, but it usually happened when Grimlock was expecting it. "Swoop?" He reached up with one hand to touch the other Dinobot's shoulder, his visor flickering in a surprised blink.
"Don't get eaten!" Swoop practically commanded, rubbing Grimlock's waist plating. "You Grimlock die, Landslide will be pissed and eat me Swoop for sending Chief's heir to Pit... And we youngsters have no leader then." On a sudden impulse, he leaned forward, and pressed his lips against Grimlock's mask in a gentle kiss.
Grimlock growled again, and his vents hissed quietly in response to both Swoop's face against his as well as Swoop's smaller hands on his waist. He felt his spark leap in his chest before he replied, "Grimlock not get eaten - Grimlock strong!" He quickly leaned forward and nuzzled his face plate against Swoop's cheek, his growl lowering to a content purr. "Back soon - promise."
Swoop nodded to that, smiling happily, and after tracing his finger along the side of Grimlock's head, he took a step back. "See you Grimlock soon, then."
Grimlock nodded and stepped back before he turned to jog the rest of the way out of the village, unable to resist a few joyful hops along the way.
The young healer watched, giggling to himself quietly. He lifted his hand and rubbed his face where Grimlock nuzzled him - there was no point in denying, that it made him warm in the inside, body and spark as well. With a small sigh, he eventually turned to walk back to the others, and perhaps try to make them do something productive, while their future chief returns.
okami_hu)Arc: Sparklight
Rating: G
Characters: Grimlock, Swoop, Sludge, Snarl, Slag
Summary: Teenage Dinobots. Oh, the horrors. (sticky - glossary of terms)
It was a fine day. The small tribe followed its usual routine – Landslide and Berserk went to hunt, Deepmoor and Sunsong left to the energon well nearby to make cubes and Tusk stayed with Oceanborn at the village. The Dino younglings were left alone, like every time the chores didn't need extra hands – they had a lot of time to grow, get stronger, faster, and practice their hunting skills.
There was five of them, all strong, promising heirs. They still had some growing to do, except for Swoop, who, despite being the eldest of the bunch, had the most delicate frame - but he was also the smartest, a healer on training, and he was the only one in the tribe, who possessed the ability to fly.
Sludge was the tallest, and maybe the strongest in the team, but also the slowest, both physically and mentally. Still, he was loved by all for his kind nature and his unshakeable loyalty to Grimlock, who was already leading them, even if Sludge was a bit older than him.
Snarl, the quiet, passive son of the tribe's Cubemaker, and the aggressive, almost reckless Slag, the youngest of the five made the little group complete. Sometimes, they even went to hunt together, following Grimlock's lead, and Swoop's advices. They formed an effective unit, and their creators were proud of them.
Grimlock was, by far, the loudest of the group. He was a braggart and rather obnoxious in his own way, not even hesitating to declare himself the leader of the young ones and not just because he was the tribe leader's heir, and he greatly anticipated the day he would leave the tribe and start his own - not because he did not like the current tribe though. Far from it. Grimlock adored his sire and looked up to him with great respect; he was simply a restless youngling eager for adventure and often rattled on about his "plans" for the future to anyone who would listen - and even those who would not.
In fact, that was what he was doing now.
"Me Grimlock ready," he declared with a huff. He still had quite a bit to go in his development, his armor still not yet completely filled out, but he was as tall as he was going to get, and if he grew in girth as well as he had in height, he was going to be a massive mech. "This best time to leave. Sun-time warm - good hunting. Grimlock ready to make pack."
And, there were things which simply refused to grow. Like the others' interest in leaving. Today, the little team did not seem any bit more excited about Grimlock's plans like any other time. Snarl was sprawled out on the sun, absorbing the warm rays, Sludge was watching a huge butterfly and Slag was munching on an energon stick. Those delicacies were easy to make if the mech found the right kind of substance – a denser kind of energon, which, when exposed to intense heat, hardened. Swoop was toying with one of his in-built healer tools - he was quite proud of them - and he watched Grimlock to pace, with definite - albeit not too obvious - interest.
Fortunately, as always, Grimlock either did not notice his companions' lack of interest or chose not to be affected by it. Instead, he continued, "Know good hunting ground too. Him Berserk take Grimlock there before. Us could go to sunrise - other side of hunting ground. Good land there." He nodded, pleased with the plan. It was skirting Predacon territory, but as long as they stayed low and did not draw attention to themselves, they should be able to avoid detection by the enemy.
Snarl eventually sat up and clicked. "We too young to make own pack," he declared with his usual realistic approach. He wasn't even too far from the truth. Slag snorted and nodded, gesturing with his energon stick. "Yeah. Him Landslide leave you Grimlock not make pack." He had some grudges against the chief's heir; Grimlock was able - and at times, very eager - to beat him.
Sludge didn't appear to be there, he still watched the butterfly. Swoop stretched a bit, glanced at Snarl, then Grimlock, and nodded. "New pack, big responsibility."
Grimlock growled at the lack of enthusiasm. How could they say that? He was the strongest of all of them - surely they knew he could protect them. "Me Grimlock not too little!" he countered heatedly. This was not the first occurrence of this argument nor would it likely be the last. "Grimlock ready!" He stomped one foot on the ground as if that made his claim true.
Swoop shook his head. "We not say you Grimlock little. But pack is difficult to have. Can you care for pack as leader should? Can you Grimlock feed pack, keep pack well?"
Slag straightened at that and snorted. "Me Slag need no leader to care! Me Slag care for self!" He let out a loud huff and punched Swoop in the arm. That, at least, gained the attention of his brother, and Sludge glared, ready to step in if Slag wanted to do more.
That drew Grimlock's attention as well, and he gave Slag a warning growl just before he favored Swoop with an offended glare. "Grimlock make pack - take care of pack!" he insisted. The argument rarely escalated this far before. He had full confidence in his ability, and it actually hurt that they so clearly did not feel the same. "Know good hunting ground - know good energon spots!" Grimlock added in an attempt to plead his case.
"Predacons know them, too," Snarl insisted, and he curled up a bit, giving a few involuntary clicks of distress. "We no match for them Predacons. Predacons eat young dinos."
Swoop rubbed his arm, and threw a glance at Snarl. Something was wrong with him... He wasn't usually like that. Silent and stoic, yes, but not a coward. Though, his caution was understandable; Predacons were vicious, strong and mean - there were always fights between the Dinos and them. Sparklings were easier to chew, and albeit the Dinobots hardly sank so low as to attack something that small and harmless, the Predacons hardly had any moral qualms about it.
Grimlock snarled angrily. He knew that - he knew places through the hunting grounds where the Predacons were very unlikely to find them, but obviously, none of them were willing to hear it. "Fine. Me Grimlock make pack without you cowards!" With that, he turned and stormed away, vents almost drowning out his growling as they tried to cool off the heat generated by his anger.
Sludge winced - he didn't like when one of his own were angry. Slag growled and stuffed the last of his stick into his mouth. He couldn't care less about Grimlock's aggravation.
Snarl laid back on the ground. "Now panel locks broke, him Grimlock think can kill them Predacons one hand." He shook his head and offlined his optics.
Swoop, on the other hand, was worried. He genuinely liked Grimlock, but he also knew him well, since they shared the Chief's cave - he was prone to do rash things once angered. Landslide always said, his heir took after his bearer, Landslide's previous mate, Wildfire... But, Wildfire eventually was ripped apart by Predacons. Swoop stoop up and hurried after his friend. He wanted to make sure he won't to anything stupid.
Grimlock headed straight for Landslide's cave. If he knew he was being followed, he did not show it. He would show them - he would fill up his fuel tanks and leave when the moons rose, and he would prove to them that he was strong enough to take care of them as well as himself.
"Grimlock! Wait for me Swoop...!" The slender flier saw that his friend was practically steaming, and he felt a little bad, too. After all, Grimlock indeed was strong; Landslide taught him himself, and even Sludge had to work if he wanted to keep Grimlock down. It's just... He was so stubborn, and such a sparkling sometimes...!
Grimlock growled loudly but forced himself to stop and turn just enough so he could give Swoop another glare. Had it been any of the others, he would have ignored them, but he liked Swoop - Swoop normally did not anger him so.
"What Swoop want?" Grimlock demanded once Swoop was close enough to hear him. "You Swoop not think Grimlock strong either."
The slender mech stopped a few steps away, and lowered his head a bit embarrassed. He folded his hands behind his back. "You Grimlock chief's heir..." he admitted, poking the dirt with his foot, "but leading difficult. Living alone hard... hunt for prey, keep together. I know it, been that way." There were effective, if they held together... IF they managed to hold together. Slag was a born rebel, Sludge needed things to be explained properly, and Snarl was sometimes about as responsive as a piece of rock. The adults could manage them fine... But Swoop had some doubts about Grimlock.
Grimlock turned to face him completely. "If you Swoop can do it, then me Grimlock can too. Grimlock stronger." He believed that with his very spark - if even Swoop could make it with little more than his makers, surely Grimlock could take care of a pack of perfectly capable younglings.
The young healer pouted a bit. He highly respected his parents, and what Grimlock said, sounded as belittling their efforts. "Me Swoop's creators took care of Swoop," he pointed out. "Him Thunder was good warrior... still got eaten by Predacons. Oceanborn knew she not strong enough, we came to Landslide's tribe. Dinos not strong enough alone. Tribe stronger. Landslide keeps tribe well-"
Maybe he wanted to continue, but Grimlock cut in. "Grimlock not need Landslide no more! Him send Grimlock away soon anyway - Grimlock save him trouble and go now!" A growl rolled in the younger Dinobot's chest. He had overheard his sire talking to Oceanborn the day after the ceremony to break the locks on Grimlock's panel - he had heard Landslide mention that Grimlock was nearly the age Landslide himself was when he started his own pack. Grimlock took it to mean he should leave and do the same.
Swoop resisted the urge to sigh. He heard the same talk - after all, they all lived together - and from his point of view, Landslide had no intention to send Grimlock away. After all, he made sure that everybody knows his heir will be the chief one day. But Grimlock was stubborn, and if he wanted to go, one could be sure that he will go. Swoop thought, it'd be better then to go together, than let his obstinate friend wander alone. He reached out, and placed a hand on Grimlock's arm. "You Grimlock strong and brave, me Swoop know that. Maybe..." he tilted his head to the side lightly, "prove others that? We make good pack. Just..." he trailed off. He couldn't hide that he was uneasy a little.
Anger finally began to lower to a faint simmer as Grimlock finally heard what he hoped was the beginnings of acceptance if not the encouragement he was hoping for. He tilted his head to the side and leaned forward just a little so he could look into Swoop's face searchingly. "Swoop come with Grimlock?" he asked, both dreading and expecting rejection.
"Me Swoop would like that..." He really did. It would be nice, to be alone with Grimlock, charming him away properly, spoil him rotten and getting spoiled in return... "But me Swoop not strong yet. Me Swoop just flies and heals... somewhat." Sometimes, when he fussed about it, Oceanborn always told his son, that healers are very important in a tribe. They could save warriors and help new life to see the daylight. However, even if it eased Swoop 's worries for a while, it didn't change the fact, that he was not born to battle. He was the smallest, the most slender, and if his wings were somehow disabled, he had the least chance against any Predacon. "Me Swoop afraid a bit."
The wing-like protrusions on Grimlock's back hiked up further as he insisted, "Grimlock protect! Me Grimlock strong - keep you Swoop safe!" Why would no one believe him when he said that? Even Landslide had complimented Grimlock's strength. The young Dinobot knew he was perfectly capable of protecting Swoop and anyone else who would join his pack, but no one else would believe him, and he hated that.
"Me Swoop know that. Me Swoop thank for that," The young flier smiled and pulled a bit closer. "You Grimlock prove us. Go to hunt, come back with prey. How about that?" Perhaps it'll buy them some time... Swoop knew it might not be an entirely bad idea to leave for a while - it'd teach them much. But he also knew that at least one of them had to be capable to hunt alone. The others never left without the adults, and though they have returned with prey the five of them caught together, it was not enough. If Grimlock can indeed make it, it'll be proof enough that he can care for his pack.
Grimlock rumbled in thought as he considered that suggestion. He did not quite see the point in going out and hunting when there was plenty of food, but he supposed it would have to be done if that was the only way to prove himself to them. Besides - it would not be hard. "Fine," he finally agreed. "Me Grimlock back soon." He then turned to change his course to head out of the village rather than his cavern home. He would show them he was not all talk.
Okay, that was about done... Now, the only thing Swoop had to do was hope and pray. If Grimlock returned with an impressive enough prey, that will be the glorious beginning of a new pack. If he didn't, and Landslide found out that his adopted heir sent him into termination... the young flier was not sure Oceanborn and his wings would save him from the tribe leader's wrath. "Grimlock!" he called after his departing friend, "Be careful! And smart - dead Dinobots very bad tribe leaders."
Grimlock snorted and puffed out his chest which he then tapped a fist against. "Grimlock show all," he declared proudly. "Me Grimlock good leader!" He nodded, confident in himself and his own strength, and his visor gave a small flash of thankfulness. He truly appreciated Swoop's confidence in him and for giving him this chance.
He was adorable when he did that. Swoop couldn't resist. With a small laugh, he quickly crossed the short distance between them, and gave his friend a quick hug. Grimlock's lanky frame was warm, and when he had the chance, the young healer really liked to curl up against him.
The younger Dinobot growled in surprise. It was not an uncommon occurrence for Swoop to latch onto him like that, but it usually happened when Grimlock was expecting it. "Swoop?" He reached up with one hand to touch the other Dinobot's shoulder, his visor flickering in a surprised blink.
"Don't get eaten!" Swoop practically commanded, rubbing Grimlock's waist plating. "You Grimlock die, Landslide will be pissed and eat me Swoop for sending Chief's heir to Pit... And we youngsters have no leader then." On a sudden impulse, he leaned forward, and pressed his lips against Grimlock's mask in a gentle kiss.
Grimlock growled again, and his vents hissed quietly in response to both Swoop's face against his as well as Swoop's smaller hands on his waist. He felt his spark leap in his chest before he replied, "Grimlock not get eaten - Grimlock strong!" He quickly leaned forward and nuzzled his face plate against Swoop's cheek, his growl lowering to a content purr. "Back soon - promise."
Swoop nodded to that, smiling happily, and after tracing his finger along the side of Grimlock's head, he took a step back. "See you Grimlock soon, then."
Grimlock nodded and stepped back before he turned to jog the rest of the way out of the village, unable to resist a few joyful hops along the way.
The young healer watched, giggling to himself quietly. He lifted his hand and rubbed his face where Grimlock nuzzled him - there was no point in denying, that it made him warm in the inside, body and spark as well. With a small sigh, he eventually turned to walk back to the others, and perhaps try to make them do something productive, while their future chief returns.
