Our Future Together

Chapter 3

A week had passed, and Ironhide was at his grandparents house. Ironhide was working on his truck when he saw his friends pull in. "Hey, guys." An elderly man, Marcus, greeted. He was Ironhide's grandfather.

"Who's this dashing young man?" A sweet elderly woman, Rosaline, asked.

"Oh, this is our friend William Lennox. Will, these are Ironhide's grandparents, Marcus and Rosaline." Epps stated.

"Please, call us Rose and Marc. Hey, Ryan! You've got some visitors!" Marcus smiled. Ironhide soon walked out, and froze. Will's face got a deep shade of red, seeing Ironhide shirtless.

"Will? You good?" Wheeljack chuckled.

"Yeah, I'm fine." Will replied, his eyes not leaving Ironhide. Jazz, deciding to be cheeky, wolf-whistled at Ironhide.

"Damn, 'Hide. Lookin' good." He smirked. Ironhide glared at him.

"The bruise on your nose is almost gone." Ratchet remarked.

"Bruise?" Rose asked.

"It's nothing. Not a big deal." Ironhide muttered.

"It looked like it hurt." Ratchet frowned. Ironhide just quickly walked off, the others following him.

"Can I help?" Will asked.

"Yeah, sure. Just hand me whatever tools I need." Ironhide replied. Will nodded, happy to help.

"I think Ryan's got an admirer." Rose giggled.

"I agree, Rose." Marcus agreed.

"We have a little bet going. Epps thinks Will will make the first move, but Jazz thinks Ironhide will make the first move." Optimus chuckled.

"He seems more relaxed around that Will boy. I like him already." Rosaline stated.

"Alright, start it, Will!" Ironhide ordered. Will did as told, and Ironhide's truck roared to life. When told to, Will shut the truck off, and Ironhide closed the hood.

"What exactly was wrong with it?" Will asked.

"It kept leaking oil and transmission fluid, and I wanted to see why." Ironhide stated. Will walked over to him, and stood by him.

"How much did this truck cost you exactly?" Will questioned.

"To be technical, my grandparents bought me the truck." Ironhide replied.

"No, you did extra work around here for us, so we paid you." Marcus gently corrected.

"It wasn't too bad of a price, but it wasn't cheap." Ironhide replied, going underneath the truck to check everything.

"What make and model is this?" Will asked.

"Why are you interested in my truck?" Ironhide asked, smirking. Will blushed harder.

"I just am. I like trucks." Will replied.

"It's a GMC TopKick. 2007 make. C5500 4x4 Monroe Conversion. I did my own upgrades as I saw fit. It has a Duramax 6.6-liter turbodiesel V-8 engine." Ironhide replied. Will was surprised.

"Last I knew, my uncle told me those trucks cost a fortune." Will stated.

"Most of the time, yes. But not all of the time." Ironhide chuckled, sliding back out. Inside his grandparents house, Ironhide came back out, freshly showered.

"So, Will. Tell us more about yourself." Rose stated, setting a tray of cookies, and brownies on the table.

"Uh, well, most of my family members had been in the military, my uncle included. I've been home-schooled most of my life. I'm an only child, my favorite subject is mechanics and history. I live with my aunt and uncle, I've known Epps since we were two and three. I'm single." Will stated.

"Where are your parents?" Marcus asked.

"Uh, last I knew, both in jail. My mom was a drug addict, and my father was an alcoholic. CPS was called by my aunt when she found me in my crib, neglected, parents passed out in a different room. They eventually got custody of me again when I was seven. They locked me in rooms, and one day, my uncle came over, found  me, and they got sent to jail." Will explained.

"Oh my-- I'm so sorry, Will." Rose stated.

"Don't be. It's their own faults." Will shrugged.

"But, other than that, it seems like you have a good life." Cade stated.

"I do." Will smiled.

"So, you said you have family in the military. Is that what you wanna do when you get old enough?" Marcus asked.

"Fifth generation, Sir. Yeah, I wanna go to the Army." Will replied.

"No need for 'sirs', Will. You can call me Marc or Marcus." Marcus chuckled.

"So.. mind if I ask some questions about Ironhide?" Will asked.

"Go ahead. He can answer some questions too." Rosaline smiled.

"So how old is he?" Will asked.

"16." Ironhide replied.

"Do you have any hobbies?" Will asked.

"Workin' on my truck, helpin' my grandparents--" Ironhide started.

"Hanging out with the wrong crowds." Marcus cut in.

"Oh come on. It was two times." Ironhide huffed.

"And you nearly ended up in juvie both times." Rose chuckled, softly. 

"Do you a favorite genre of music?" Will asked.

"Metal, rock, hardcore, heavy metal, that sort of shit." Ironhide replied.

"So like Evanescence, Linkin Park, that stuff?" Will guessed.

"Yep." Ironhide replied.

"You got any talents?" Jazz asked.

"He can surf, bake/cook, he's a great mechanic." Rose praised.

"So, Will, I have a question for you." Marcus stated.

"Okay." Will replied.

"Do you have a crush on Ryan?" Marcus asked. Ironhide's head darted up, his eyes looking at his grandfather in disbelief. Will, on the other hand, was a flustered, blushing mess.

"Dude, look at Will's face!" Bee grinned. 

"Honest answer... yes. I do." Will stated. Ironhide turned and looked at Will.

"You.. like me?" He asked.

"Yep." Will replied.

When night fell, Ironhide decided to take Will home, as usual. The ride was awkward for a while. Once Ironhide left, Will was left wondering if he had just ruined his and Ironhide's friendship by telling the truth.