More Than Meets the Eye

Forgiveness

"I can't believe you," Chromia hissed to Ironhide as we entered the hotel. "I can not believe you."

"It was the first place that popped into my head," Ironhide hissed back.

"Oh, yeah," Chromia said sarcastically. "There's a crazy Decepticon hunting for the girl we are currently protecting, so of course you would think to hide at Disneyland!"

"Do you have any other ideas?" Ironhide snapped.

"It's fine," I said quickly. "My aunt took me here once and I really liked it."

"See? She's fine with it," Ironhide told Chromia as we approached the checkin counter.

"Hi there," the lady said cheerfully. "How can I help you?"

"Uh, hi. We'd like to get a room, please," Ironhide said as he laid some money on the counter.

"Sure thing," the lady chirped. "Family vacation?"

"Uh... Yeah," Ironhide said quickly.

"Well, I hope you enjoy your stay," the lady said as she handed Ironhide a key. "Room 657, fifth floor and third door to your right."

"Thank you," Chromia said quickly before dragging me and Ironhide away. "If I see so much as a tiara in any of the rooms, I will kill you," she growled to Ironhide.

**

I woke up to the sound of hushed voices coming from outside my bedroom. It took me only a minute to realize that these voices belonged to Ironhide and Chromia.

"Are you sure, Hide?" Chromia asked. "I could stay with her."

"No. There's... There's something I need to take care of."

I cracked the door open slightly so I could see them. Chromia put a hand on Ironhide's face while he looked away sadly.

"I understand," she said softly. "And I'm sure she will too."

"How do you know?" Ironhide asked uncertainly. "I almost killed her."

"Yeah, that was pretty stupid."

Ironhide grunted.

"That's not helping."

"You didn't let me finish," Chromia said. "It was stupid, but you're trying to make up for it, and she knows it. Besides, I've known her longer than you have, and I know that she'll listen."

Ironhide sighed before giving her a gentle kiss.

"I'll be back soon," she told him before opening the door and quietly slipping out.

Ironhide watched her leave, then sighed.

"I know your awake, kid."

I jumped slightly before coming outside. How did he know I was there?

"I heard the door open," he said bluntly, as if he knew what I was thinking.

"... Oh."

"I'm actually glad you're awake," he said. "I... I wanted to talk to you."

"Why?" I asked. "No offense, but I thought you hated me."

Ironhide sighed. "Yeah, I guess it's my fault you think that," he said softly. "But that's what I wanted to talk to you about. I know I may have acted otherwise, but I don't hate you. I actually admire you."

... Well I didn't see that coming.

"Y-you what?"

Ironhide smiled softly.

"Wasn't expecting that, huh? But it's true. You're braver then any other human I know. I expected you to take off if you ever found out about Bee, but you stayed by him. You even came back for him."

"Why wouldn't I?" I asked. "I love him."

"I know," Ironhide said. "That's why I was scared for you."

"You were scared for me?"

Ironhide nodded.

"Why?"

"... I knew something like this would happen," he said softly. "Ever since that day when I first saw you."

"You mean when Barricade attacked me?" I asked.

"Yup," Ironhide confirmed. "I remember how small and fragile you looked to me... I just couldn't bear the thought of you getting hurt. That's why I tried to make you stay away from us, but I underestimated how much you cared about Bumblebee."

Ironhide looked down at me sadly.

"I thought Barricade was trying to use you to bait Bumblebee... That's why I convinced him to stay away from you, so you wouldn't get hurt. I didn't count on you coming back... But you did and I... I lost my cool."

"I guess I didn't really help with that."

Ironhide shook his head. "It wasn't your fault," he told me. "It was mine. I've never been good at controlling my temper, but that's no excuse to what I almost did to you. What I'm trying to say is... I'm... I'm s-"

"I forgive you," I said, knowing what he was getting at. "And I should be the one saying sorry. I mean, I did punch you."

"I was quite impressed, actually," he said. "I didn't know you could punch like that."

"Chromia taught me," I told him, smiling slightly.

"That makes sense," Ironhide chuckled. He looked at me for a moment, as in deep thought. "Bumblebee is lucky to have you. I've never seen him so happy."

I smiled up at him. "I'm lucky to have him. I've never felt this way about anyone before."

Ironhide smiled back. For awhile we just stood there before Ironhide cleared his throat awkwardly.

"Well... You, uh, should get back to bed," he said quickly. "You need your rest."

I smiled softly before heading into my room. I was about to close the door, but stopped at looked back at Ironhide.

"Thank you," I said. "For everything."

Ironhide looked surprised for a moment before nodding. I nodded back before closing the door.