Transformers Book of One-Shots Book 2 ✔

G1 | Ironhide X Optimus Prime; My Partner is My Commander

Request by; @IRONHIDE4ever

It's the beginning of the war, and rookie Ironhide doubts if he can be a soldier since everyone is disappointed in him, except for Optimus. Even with the war, the two have come to like each other but never told the other. until Optimus finds Ironhide self-harming. Getting Ironhide to the medbay turns into the opportunity for a love confession. Soon, the two discover they're having twins.
Warning; self-harming

Everyone was livid at Ironhide. The rookie failed his mission, which argumentatively was supposed to be simple. Even his parents claim a rookie should have succeeded. Ironhide thinks he can't be a soldier, even if this is his tenth mission. With the war going on, he'd be killed by Decepticons eventually.

Optimus didn't know Ironhide was getting scolded, though he was informed about the mission. No one was killed, but there was no getting information about the cons next attack. While the knowledge could have been key in ending the war before Cybertron is destroyed and millions more are killed, Optimus doesn't think it's a reason to be angry at Ironhide. Rookie or not, mistakes are made. He has to talk to Ironhie before talking to the others.

While Optimus is worried about Ironhide, he didn't think he'd find Irobhide self-harming.
"...no one will care I'm dead," he hears Ironhide.
Optimus moves quickly but quietly not to startle Ironhide, and he moves the blade the wrong way.
Ironhide sees who took the weapon out of his hand. Finding it hard to believe the leader of the Autobots came to stop him.
"Come to scold me, then kill me?" Ironhide asks.
Optimus doesn't like how calmly Ironhide is saying that.
"No, I-"
"I know I'm a terrible soldier. Who knows what the cons have planned? I could have saved thousands, maybe millions, if I didn't screw up."
This is concerning. Optimus worries. It's not good for a soldier to talk like this, but he needs help, not termination from our ranks.
"Ironhide! Not every mission will be a success. The fact that the others don't realize that is troubling. We haven't seen war, only our ancestors. We are all rookies learning how to fight or lead. The war is still new, and I hope to end it quickly. Come, we must take care of your wounds."
Optimus carries Ironhide to the medbay. Ironhide is now worried about what Ratchet will say when he tells the medic how he got the cuts.

Ratchet is horrified to see what Ironhide did. Immediately, Optimus tells Ratchet not to ask Ironhide anything about the injuries. which both Ironhide and Ratchet question.
"What's my punishment?" Ironhide asks once Ratchet leaves the two alone. Ironhide couldn't believe what he was hearing, even if Optimus wasn't a leader of an army with a war going on. No way a mech like Optimus is in love with a mech like Ironhide.
There's only one way to prove I'm not lying. Optimus believes.
Ironhide can't believe Optimus is kissing him.
"Is this proof enough that I'm not joking?" Optimus asks.
Ironhide stares, shocked, uncertain of what to say. He's seriously going to be dating the Autobot leader.

Even with a war going on, the two find time alone. Within a few months, the two discuss adding a sparkling, even with the war. Optimus is certain he can end the war soon. Even while thinking if Optimus's plan won't work, the two still decide to have a sparkling. They know the risk but believe the team can help keep the little one safe. Optimus thought Ironhide was suggesting he should be the carrier since Prime is the leader and needs to be on the battlefield. Still, Ironhide thinks it's a way to keep him from being sent on missions or joining the battle without being dishonorably discharged. Though he suspects his parents will not be pleased, he won't be fighting in the war.

Ironhide and Optimus couldn't believe they're having twins. They're still happy but worry about keeping two little ones safe during the war. Ratchet can't believe the two weren't careful.

While he can't do extra training while sparked, Ironhide studies past warriors, hoping to do better, even to protect his kids from a Decepticon attack, until he becomes a better soldier.

Optimus worries he'll miss the birth of his sparklings but hopes that Jazz can handle it if anything arises. He walks into the berthroom, seeing Ironhide in pain.

"I think it's time," Ironhide pants and tries to stand up but falls to his knees, "and I think one of them is in a hurry. So much pressure."
Optimus runs down the hall, carrying Ironhide.

"Ratchet!" Optimus yells as he puts Ironhide in the berth.
At this point, Ironhide can't wait. Optimus removes Ironhide's interface panel, shocked at what he sees.
"Frag, it's burning!" Ironhide cries.
"You were right; somebot is in a hurry. They're crowning. Come on, push."
Ratchet wasn't in his office like Optimus was hoping. Rather, the medic is returning to the medbay, worried about the screaming he's hearing. He witnesses the sparkling being born when he gets to the room where the screaming is coming from.
"It's a (mech/ femme)," Optimus tells Ironhide.
Ratchet worries about how quickly this sparkling came and how tired Ironhide could be. The twin could take much longer to come. He hates getting a tool to help with the delivery.
The two get a little time with their sparkling before Ironhide needs to push again. Optimus can put the sleeping sparkling in a crib in another room.

As Ratchet feared, the quick delivery has left Ironhide tired as he doesn't feel the twin descending far with each push.
"It's been forty minutes. I need to assist with the delivery," Ratchet explains.
"I don't need help!" Ironhide yells.
"Normally, I'd say fine. This is a little slow, but the sparkling is barely coming down."
Optimus knows Ironhide is tired but would rather not force the delivery Ironhide doesn't want. He convinces his sparkmate to try delivering while standing up. The taller mech supports the shorter one.

Within ten minutes, the sparkling is crowning, and Ironhide screams even though it's the second time feeling the helm crown. Soon, the two have a (mech/ femme). Ironhide is ready for a recharge, which does worry Optimus and Ratchet a little. Even though Ironhide just delivered twins.
Optimus stays in the medbay with his sparklings. Still finding it hard to believe these are his sparklings.

Ironhide only takes a short nap before looking to meet his sparklings. Even with the war raging on with no end in sight, the two Autobots are happy that two new Cybertronians were born. Aware of the extra work they added to their lives.