The Guidelines

Raf watched the scenery bypass them in a blur. His mind was pondering and he seemed to be stuck on one question. His gaurdian noticed.
"What's wrong Raf? You seem distracted." Bumblebee beeped. Raf faced the radio nervously.
"Bee...what was it like before the war?" Raf asked. Bumblebee chuckled.
"Now I'm not that old. I was born into it. The Autobots found me." He explained. Raf's eyes grew wide in fascination.
"Really? And they...took you in?" Raf asked sitting straight. Bumblebee hummed in confirmation.
"There were...a lot of us back then. I don't know where they are now but...I miss them. They were the best family I ever had." Bumblebee spoke sadly. Raf frowned.
"What was it like?" Raf asked. Bumblebee sighed and took a moment.
"Well, did you know Arcee wasn't the only femme?"
"She wasn't?"
"Nope." Bumblebee began to speak with a positive tone. "She had two other sisters. And there were many others. But Chromia and Elita One were related to her. Chromia took good care of me. She raised me along with Ironhide. Everyone did. But they were...we're like gaurdians to me I guess."
"Like...like parents?" Silence. "Was Ironhide...like a father to you?" Raf said quietly. Bumblebee went quiet for a moment.
"Yeah. He was a like father to me." Bumblebee responded grimly. Raf looked down for a moment.
"What about Optimus? Or Ratchet? The way they seemed to care and talk about you...I would have thought they were..." Raf trailed off.
"Optimus and Ratchet were really close too. Still are. Ever since we lost Ironhide...Optimus kinda took over as a father figure for him. Arcee felt the need to fill in for Chromia for me sometimes too. But out of everyone...Optimus is closest to me."
"How did he...go? Ironhide I mean," Raf whispered.
"I'm...not sure."
"I still don't understand something..." Raf spoke up.
"How's that?"
"If Optimus is so close to you, then how did Ironhide become a father figure first?"
"Well...it wasn't his intention, really."
"Who's?"
"Ironhide's..."