Transformers ( Bayverse ) - I Bleed Into Darkness

37 - Half There

        Fay tried to control her breathing as she struck the punching bag, her mind buzzing. Thankfully, her father had shown up during visiting hours today. While it had been immensely awkward to try and explain things to him, to assure him that she wasn’t making a mistake and that she and Optimus hadn’t done anything inappropriate, he’d calmed down from yesterday. While Harvey -- it felt strange to think of him as Ironhide -- didn’t like the fact that Fay and Optimus were close, given his pre existing relationship with commander, he tolerated it. Harvey’s only request was that Fay be careful, make certain that she was truly interested in Optimus before they moved any further than they already had.

        When he’d said it, Harvey almost seemed pained to relent that much.

        ~~~

        “Dad, I promise we’re okay . . . I mean, he’s a Prime, how much safer can it get? Who else is going to be that safe around me? Also, who else is going to fight that hard if I’m in trouble?” She paused, and Harvey raised a skeptical brow. Fay smiled. “I mean besides you, Dad. Of course you’re going to fight for me. I mean, someone who isn’t technically family.”

        Harvey let out a slow breath, giving a nod. “I know, Fair . . . I’m just . . . I missed so much with you . . . Promise me you’re not going to rush into things with him. Promise me that you’re not going to let yourself get out of control,” he told her reluctantly. His voice wavered just slightly, like the mere thought of her with a man romantically caused him physical pain. In that sense, Harvey had very much so taken on the typical traits of a human father.

        “Out of control?” Fay asked, blinking, before her lips spread into a smile and she laughed briefly. “Dad, you’re talking to the girl who slammed a door in Optimus’s face countless times, called him a creep, stole a truck-! Mom always said I had your heart . . . So where do you think that behavior comes from?” Fay tilted her head slightly, smiling cautiously, trying to lighten the mood between them.

        Harvey let out another slow breath, wrapping his arms around her firmly. “You are still my little girl, Farrah. I know that I missed plenty of things over the years, and I struggle with that, but I’m trying. The fact that the first relationship I witness you having is that with you around my commander makes this a difficult thing to tackle. Given how I know him, given how I have always known him, I do not believe him a proper candidate for dating the girl I have taken on as my daughter. The femme I have accepted as my own sparkling. I apologize for my closed processor, but please understand and bear with me. You are very important to me. To the Autobots. To our cause. I do not wish for you to be bitter with Optimus as it would harm us on a greater scale. If you cannot stave off being . . . ‘With’ him . . . Then please approach it with much caution.”

        “I will, Dad . . .” Fay assured him quietly, relaxing into his embrace. “Even if he becomes my Prince somewhere way down the road, you’re still my king . . .”

        Harvey let out a half-hearted, short-lived laugh. “Sweetie, if anyone should be classified as ‘king’ it would be the Prime. And if he decides, and you consent, to eventually making you his ‘queen’, then he damn well better ask my permission first. That is the tradition you grew with, and I plan to uphold it.”

        Fay laughed a bit. “I love you, Dad . . . You’re just . . . Crazy . . . But a good kind of crazy. I like it. It’s sweet of you. Mom would say you’re why I’m so impulsive, you know.”

        Harvey gave a small nod, a cautious smile on his face. “I know, Fair . . . I love you, too . . . Before I forget, though, I’ve been asked to inform you that we’ll be meeting up again tonight. The ‘Bots so that we may get together. We think it’s best if you see us as often as possible. At least once a week. We would prefer to keep close tabs on you. And the more often you can be under the protection of the Autobots, the better.”