randomplaces | BW 'verse. The Axalon. Growing pains.

"Cheetor, you can't get involved that way with a human!"

"Why not? You are!"

"I AM NOT!" The scandalized roar shook the water in the fishbowl on the main computer console.

Rhinox looked at his fish, then sprinkled a few crumbs into the water before finishing his sandwich with two bites, his expression quirking as he heard the youngest crew member leave the ship in a huff.

"Welcome to cybernetic puberty," he said, not looking up as his captain slumped into the chair next to him.

Optimus Primal growled at him, then rubbed his face and grumbled about what Cheetor had said.

"I can see where he gets the idea." Rhinoxs' thick fingers flew over his keyboard.

Optimus paused and gave him a disgusted look.

"You're raising a child with a human woman. A child who has a very unmistakable Maximal characteristic."

".... And we still can't figure out how the Vok did that." Optimus shook his head and folded his arms over his chest. "I wish I could send Cheetor back."

"He decided to stay, just like the rest of us." Rhinox tapped the fishbowl and then reached for his other sandwich. "He's just adapting in his own way."

"You're not concerned about this at all?" The gorilla-former looked at him incredulously.

"Some people can live their whole lives single, and be content." Rhinox paused to watch the fat little green fish dart back and forth excitedly and quirked a small smile as he obligingly gave it some more crumbs. "Others can't. Cheetor's young, and he's surrounded by people who are bonded. At least he's not following Blackarachnia around anymore."

"But...."

"What's the problem? There have been human/Cybertronian relationships since Optimus' crew first woke up on Earth. And even if we find more of the stasis pods Cheetor's options are rather limited." Rhinox finally turned to look at him, his brow ridge lowered in a frown. "He's known Tirza and her brother since they were small, and he's turning out to be a smart bot. Give him a little credit."

Optimus sighed and nodded. "Fine. But it still doesn't seem right."

"It's more right than what our guards are doing."

"What?" Optimus looked at the monitor just in time to see Rattrap pass a flask to Dinobot. "Oh that's just Prime."

Rhinox watched him go to confiscate the offending beverage container, and then settled back to inputing his data and talking to his fish.