Transformers ( Bayverse ) - I Bleed Into Darkness

4 - Cautionary Neglect

    Optimus glared at the weapon master as their paths crossed on the city streets, flashing his bright headlights and revving his engine. IronHide returned his favor and the Prime huffed; he was disappointed, concerned. They still had no idea what had happened to Fay. They could only imagine what would happen if the Decepticons got to her first. They couldn’t protect her like this. But how much protection did she really need?

    “She may not have acted so adversely had you not interfered, IronHide,” Optimus stated. IronHide was going to retort when his commander spoke again. “It was a mistake to give you that responsibility at all. Obviously she couldn’t handle your presence along with the truth of her heritage all on one night.”

    IronHide groaned, revving his engine louder, furious at Optimus’s insinuation that her reaction was his fault. It hadn’t been his intent to terrify her. Yes, his voice had sent her over the edge, but he certainly wasn’t the sole cause for it. “If you had just let me play my role, introduced me before you dumped everything else on her, maybe it would have gone better. Maybe then she wouldn’t have been so panicked because you decided to put all of this on her on the anniversary. The only day, besides this one, that could possibly compare in how horribly it has scarred her.”

    Optimus’s wipers swiped across his windshield as he watched the the dark mech that sat so near him. “Are you insinuating that I shouldn’t have informed her?”

    “How many times do I have to repeat myself?” IronHide’s engine roared, carrying his frustration and anger. “I’m saying you could have at least picked a better day to do it! Today is horrid enough without piling on the added drama! Do you even know how close she’s been to self-harm on these days before? She’s gotten so close it isn’t even funny, Optimus. And what do you think it’s done to her to have her world shattered. Her WORLD, Optimus. Everything she’s ever known has been stolen and warped beyond recognition. Can you blame her for her reaction? Can you blame me for wanting to comfort her? I was her guardian before you were. I know her better. And obviously you didn’t take your task seriously enough to learn to know her. I WARNED you about this . . . I told you to learn . . . I told you to pay attention . . .”

    Optimus vented, his own engine becoming immensely quiet. IronHide didn’t know. IronHide couldn’t possibly understand. Optimus knew her. He understood how much it would hurt her to learn the truth on the anniversary, but he’d . . . ignored it. Convincing himself that somehow, by pretending it didn’t matter when she learned the truth of her heritage meant he’d reinforced the line between them. The one he’d broken temporarily. The one he knew he should’ve reinforced, should’ve kept in place from the start, but he hadn’t. He’d failed. And it had led to something far too strong developing between them.

    “I did pay attention,” Optimus murmured. “Perhaps too close . . . Perhaps her reaction is partly because I could not comfort her as she had expected me to . . . Perhaps part of the reason she fled is because she could not accept the shift in the way she saw me . . .” His voice became distant and IronHide sat in silence for a moment, listening to the confession coming from his commander for a moment, processing.

    IronHide huffed, squealing his tires against the pavement as he drove off, far away from Optimus, from what the Prime had just convinced to. IronHide couldn’t believe it. The Prime, Optimus Prime of all beings, had actually felt something for one that could be their biggest enemy if they didn’t play their cards just right? A bitter taste invaded his palate as his thoughts turned south, as he thought about all the implications.

    And yet, hadn’t the weapons specialist felt something for her, too? He revved his engine as he drove far from the Prime down the street. No. He was different from Optimus. What they’d felt was different. And yet, the thought kept bothering him. Was he really any better than Optimus himself?