Unforeseen

Chapter 31

I do not own Transformers or Iron Giant (which is given a brief reference). I only own my OC's.

Chapter 31

"Ow, ow, ow," I repeated into Ron's shoulder.

"Sorry." His human version was attaching my wounded hand, prying all the pebbles and grit lodged between the flesh. Who would have thought this old barn had running water. Turned out it was actually still used, there was plenty of modern equipment crammed inside to prove it.

It had been a hassle getting Grimlock to shut up and sit down in there, but Sunstreaker, as it turned out the yellow Autobot's name was, had him under control… for the moment. Ironhide had taken away his sword and passed a great many threats upon him, most of which went right over my head due to the language gap. But even Ironhide had to admit Grimlock had probably only settled down because he realized his comrades weren't here.

It had only taken a cannon exploding, several dents and being tackled to the ground for him to figure that out.

My teeth bit harder into Ron's shoulder as he wrestled with a particularly stubborn pebble.

"Sorry," he mumbled again, but didn't stop.

Biting this guy was like biting sheet metal, tasted like it too, but I had to admit it helped. I doubted it was good for my teeth though.

Somewhere along the lines between this human form reappearing and the moment he started on my hand I had decided on keeping the names as I knew them – Ron for the human looking one and Ironhide for, well, himself. Realistically I should have been calling both Ironhide, but if I focused on one step at a time I'd eventually get it right. Besides, it'd be weird if I suddenly started calling him by his un-human name in front of everyone. My life was complicated enough as it were. I didn't need to add a million and a half unanswerable questions to it.

And did this water have to be so cold! For once I wished spigots would give warm water. My hand was getting an extra sting from the chill.

Trevor came out from the barn with a solid frown. "Is Grimlock always this bad?" His face was clean, save for the rapidly forming scab on his chin, thanks to the water supply. His clothes were an entirely different story, not that I could talk much. I had yet to wash my own face too. Ron was far more concerned with my hand to even bother with the blood from my nose, which had thankfully stopped, and dirt caked on my face.

"No," Ron answered. "But often enough to have a reputation."

The boy sat down and put his head in his hands. He had that pathetic look kids always wore when they knew they were in trouble. "Mom is going to be so mad at us."

I groaned. I had completely forgotten about Claire. She was going to hang me by my toes when she saw Trevor. Jessy would probably beat me like a piñata after that.

"We'll worry about that later." Ron finally pulled my hand out from under the water. I didn't dare look, I had seen enough of it when it was dirty I really didn't need to see it now that it was clean and bleeding anew. "I need you to take off your coat Mel."

Only now did I reclaim my teeth. "Why?" I moaned.

"I need something to wrap this and your jacket is already shredded."

Not entirely, but I got the point. He helped me take it off. It was cool out, nothing like in Washington but there was a low pressure system in the area making it jacket worthy all the same. Ron proceeded to rip the fabric into strips and rinse them clean.