Dance With The Devil - Breaking Benjamin
Here I stand,
Helpless and left for dead.
"How are you feeling?"
"Huh?" Ruby lifted her head and caught gaze with the rear view mirror. They were driving along the highway in between towns, the night sky dotted with stars against an inky black canvas. They'd stopped only a few times to give the human female a couple of bathroom breaks, and once for Ironhide to stasis on the side of the road.
"How are you feeling?" Ironhide repeated from the speakers, "You've been...quiet, for the last few days. Is it about...him?"
The Autobot didn't miss the way her eyes narrowed vacantly as she watched the road. It had been six months since their mission in Los Angeles to locate her father, and they had recently decided to take a road trip together; for the chance to just breathe. The Topkick weapons specialist had been sure to inform Optimus of the situation, formally requesting a few weeks of leave from duty to spend the time with his human bond.
The fact that Ruby's aforementioned father was alive and unharmed, despite what Ironhide had wanted to do to the vile spit of a man, was enough to make him somewhat regret his commander's nobility about freedom. Just the mere thought process of what Tito LéTorez had done to Ruby filled him with a dark rage that was so intense, he would admit that he had entertained the thought of what he might have done if the Autobot code didn't restrain him.
Ruby was his bonded, any threat to her was a direct threat on him; and Ironhide had never been one to take threats.
"No." Ruby whispered, in answer to his question. But she paused for a moment, tracing her fingers tensely against the leather upholstery of the truck's cabin; then her voice exhaled in a whisper, "Well...maybe a little..."
"Take your time." He said calmly, knowing the young woman well enough that if he pushed her she could potentially clam up; although she was getting better at trusting, with time. She had spent so long relying on nobody but herself and the drugs she used as an escape that it was difficult for her to be in situations of social dependence.
Ironhide understood her, he knew her mind.
He had earned her trust, it certainly hadn't been easy and every now and again there would be things she didn't want to divulge to him; but her trust was still there. The brash, thick-skinned warrior waited patiently for the woman to speak again; her voice a thoughtful whisper.
"I was just...thinking, that's all. What if that fucker, Tito, comes looking for me?"
Ironhide scoffed at the very idea, "He wouldn't dare. Not after our little...chat. He will never be in your life again."
Ruby tensed her fingers into slight fists, an action which didn't go unnoticed by Ironhide. "You can't know that, Ironhide.. What if one day-?"
"-Ruby." He said quickly, cutting her off with a gentle tone, "Do you really think I would let that glitch anywhere near you?"
There was a long paused before Ruby actually answered, her eyes downcast at the realization and truth in his words; the sincerity of his promise. "...No..."
A heavy sigh resounded from the speakers; Ironhide was clearly frustrated by her frame of mind, but he was not angry with her. It was only natural for her to still be afraid, after all only the man had terrorized her for the entire first half of her life; causing her fear and pain that no sentient being should ever have to suffer. Even so, it still concerned him that she still had issues with believing that he was there for her.
