Kin

Chapter 9: Unexpected

I struggled with what could be wrong with Ironhide and I still don't know...so we'll leave it to destiny shall we?

~felina


Optimus and Ironhide sat looking down at the lounger, their helms pressed together quietly. Nothing needed to be said between them that Ratchet had not already explained. After the initial review of Ironhide's medical record and current standing, Ratchet had left.

Optimus' hand fumbled as he drew it up along the hinges to Ironhide's jaw. "No." it was quiet almost a whisper. His processor raced and he didn't know if he could handle anymore bad news.

"I'm sorry." Ironhide said his hands holding Optimus' helm still. On the crest of a sigh Ironhide spoke his words carefully. "There isn't much of a choice…" his hands fought for purchase on Optimus' helm and neck. Clutching him closely, the force between them was almost a battle as to who could hold on tighter. Neither would let go of the other, they refused.

"The risk…" Optimus broached his inquiry but was silenced by his neck being pulled forward, and metal against his lips; a kiss to silence him. Optimus wondered if his reservations were founded Ironhide would be severely compromised soon and he was trying to do his best to keep his wits about himself.

As Ironhide pulled back only a moment to nod his words laced with confidence. "…is worth it." He said and kissed the larger mech again trying to find footing to push up closer to his face, to get the larger mech on his back. It was easier for Ironhide like that, not that he needed to top Optimus or feel in power, but it was less claustrophobic on him.

Optimus keeled backward and lean precariously on the lounger that could barely hold the both of them lying down. Ironhide's words were drowned down in the touch of servos the running of glossa over exposed cables and ports, and the flood of their open bond. Emotions; happiness, anger, rage, bliss, adoration, love, hate; these things all were flowing between them openly.

Reaching up his hand Optimus pulled at Ironhide's torso plate. "We can't" Ironhide clutched Optimus' servos tightly away from the black metal. "I can't…" he uttered. He wanted to Primus he wanted to. He could feel the heat in his chassis and the tingle in his servos.

"The risk is worth it." Touching the metal against Ironhide's torso Optimus gave a soft nod. His Servo traced the delicate lines along his bumper reaching up under the black mech to pull him down. Ratchet had said they could Interface, it was only Ironhide's reservation that had kept them from it. Optimus' engine revved. Ironhide's groaned in response as he heated up faster.

"Primus…" It had escaped his vocalizer in a gasp. "All right….but slowly…ah'm hurtin." Ironhide caved under the pressure of the words, the feelings in the bond, and the hand already pulling the plate aside. Optimus' hand rose up to touch Ironhide's face, but before his servos made contact with the metal, before he could touch his beloved's helm again, a quake shook the ark. A violent crash that shook everything.

Not able to keep his hold on Optimus, Ironhide rolled to the ground crashing down over their small lounge table. Ironhide stood up and caught himself just as the ship rocked again. The floor was littered with glass and splintered metal from the table. His servos broke more glass under foot as he touched optimus' arm "What the slag!?" Ironhide groaned touching his aching helm.

The lights immediately turned red and the ship was on full alert."This is Red Alert…we have decepticons around the perimeter! Seekers in the sky…battlestations…battlestations…Prime to the command center!" The mechs exchanged looks as the ship rocked again in another violent quake.

"Slag." Ironhide looked over at Optimus' optics and helped him to stand. "Go for pits sake…I'll get Shadow to Ratchet now go!" Ironhide rolled his shoulders over and his cannons activated shunting out of the backs of his forearms and tearing around to the top. The barrels turned and he was ready.

Optimus was glad of the servo up, getting his footing just before another shake, and he pulled out his pistol. "Lets go…be careful Ironhide and stay on the ship…that's an order!"

Ironhide nodded and the two came together in a final clash. There was a kiss, a strong passionate kiss, one they might not ever have again. Ironhide forced prime back "GO! NOW GO!" he commanded.

As he ran out the door "Get to Shadow!" Optimus didn't look back.

"I will for Pits sake… Prime go!" Ironhide yelled darting out of their room and down the opposite corridor. His processor raced truth be told he was in a full out panic and trying to keep it under wraps.

The weapons specialist would meet Jazz half way down the hallway. Jazz had shadow on his back and was in a full sprint. "HIDE!" Shadow squealed for his father reaching out. Ironhide scooped him out of Jazz's arms.

"Ironhide where's prime."

"You and Prowl get to the command Center…Prime's there now." He shifted shadow around in his arms "I'll take him to Ratchet and join you." Ironhide motioned his hand "GO!" Ironhide didn't look back to see if Jazz had listened he kept moving forward clutching shadow against his torso plate.

Shadow wrapped his arms around his Ironhide's neck tightly "father?"

"It's gonna be ok kiddo." Ironhide was trying to convince himself of the statement more than the sparkling. "It's gonna be ok." He repeated and stopped looking down another hall he noted it was clear and turned going toward the medical bay. His mind continued to race anyone, even the child in his hands could see his frustration.

Ratchet was setting trays down in the medical bay full of supplies he knew he would need after the fight. He looked up as the doors hissed open and he looked at shadow. "come on …" he motioned the smaller mech towards himself. Ironhide set the child down slowly and pushed him forward to Ratchet and followed close behind.

"Can you keep me on my stabilizing servos?" Ironhide asked.

"I can do something." Ratchet turned and moved to a small table and pulled out a vile and an energon tube used for transfusions and affixed a needle to the end and then turned to the black mech. "Lower your left cannon."

Ironhide did as asked lowering the cannon down and around his stiff arm. "That gonna help?"

"Should numb you out enough to keep you at full capacity for a while." He nodded and twisted the needle into a line. If Ironhide felt any discomfort he did not show it.

Ironhide's neural lines began to numb slightly and his discomfort diminished. "Thanks Ratch." Ironhide said as the needle was withdrawn.

"Shadow will be safe with me." Ratcet put his free hand on the mechling's shoulder. The other servo holding the vile, tubes, and needle. He backed up slightly as Ironhide moved forward toward shadow.

Ironhide knelt down "I love ya kiddo…" Ironhide looked shadow over slowly and pulled him forward hugging him once more and planting a kiss on the top of his helm despite the mechling's protest and embarrassment.

"Father stop…" Shadow waved him away. He groaned.

"I love ya…be safe do as Ratchet asks and remember if ya see a decepticon."

"Run." Shadow said without hesitation.

"That's my good boy." Ironhide pat his shoulder and stood tall giving ratchet one glance before moving back down the hall weapons at the ready.

Shadow looked up "is everything gonna be ok?" his optics blinked and flickered slowly.

Ratchet looked down eyeing the black and blue mechling quietly. He wanted to lie, to say yes, but he gave an honest answer. "I'm not sure…come inside." He motioned him inside the inner office and sealed the doors from the inside. "Im going need your help sorting some things we're going to need."


To be continued.