Ironhide knew what Sam saw when he looked at the Autobot warriors. Loyalty that knew no bounds and friends who'd die for one another. Companionship that only war forged in its worst times and partners who knew each other so well that they were in perfect harmony on the battle field. A perfect well oiled machine working towards the bright future that remained in sight, if just barely. He knew because he was one of the mechs who continued to feed the young human such a sugar coated version.
While what Sam saw was true, what they didn't let him see was the darker side of the past. Humans had a difficult time accepting things that they, for so long, had known to be wrong. While the young human knew war brought pain and suffering he didn't know what sort they suffered, if any at all. If he thought that any of the Autobots had done things that would forever shatter his image of them, it didn't matter if it was Prime himself who had committed such acts, Sam would no longer feel safe. He would begin to doubt and question. Things would become far more complicated than necessary therefore they said nothing and Sam never asked.
Ironhide felt Ratchet shift against his side, getting into a more comfortable position as he watched Will and Sam play some game on the screen that included cars and mass destruction. Sirens wailed on the screen as Sam cursed and Will laughed at his misfortune. Loud crash sounds came from the screen as Sam hung his head in momentary defeat. The yellow, black striped, car of his choice had become totaled by the police vehicles smashing into it. Honestly…Ironhide didn't think too hard about it.
"There goes Bumblebee," Will snickered as Sam flushed and pushed him with his foot. While Will had chosen a sleek black vehicle, Sam's choice had been rather…obvious. The yellow mech, having just entered the room, sat himself near Sam just as the totaled car reappeared on the screen in one piece. Will yelped as Sam began ramming into his car bent on revenge.
Though loud and threats of revenge were tossed in the air, Ironhide liked moments such as this. The war was momentarily forgotten and past actions didn't matter. Just the moment, the peace the humans brought in their own odd way, was all that mattered. If only it could remain that way.
Most mechs who suffered the worst of the war didn't live long enough to remember it. In a way they were the fortunate ones. They were allowed escape…they suffered for only a short time. Mechs who became autobots after being decepticons were taken out shortly after, usually by a seeker who could attack from the air and take off once the traitor's spark was diminished. The few that lived were haunted by the sparks they'd cruelly extinguished as a decepticon. Those that suffered the worst of the war became broken…lost.
Without a bonded they'd likely fade away unable to atone or find peace. Forever haunted by what they'd done. Ironhide's arm tightened slightly around Ratchet and the medic placed his hand over the black mechs in a comforting way.
Yes, it was better Sam see only what they allowed. He didn't need to see those that were broken and how they suffered. How they strived to right their wrongs…fought against themselves…barely holding onto the future that became ever more distant.
III
An idea that I just had to roll with because the plot bunny is rather vicious. It's going to be a four parter.
Transformers (c) Hasbro