CHAPTER 37

When Drew began to go to Ratchet for schooling with the rest of the kids was when Ironhide realized how bad he had it. He'd started his homework at three, and it was now twelve. Drew hadn't written a single word down on the page. And his book still laid open on page one. For a moment, Ironhide questioned if Drew had been slacking off. Until he saw the distress in the boys eyes, as if he was struggling. A thought hit him rather quickly Drew had had no formal education, he'd been abused his whole life prior this mess. Did Drew even know how to read and write? "Drew." The boy jumped, and turned towards Ironhide "That homework is due tomorrow." He noted.

"I'm trying Dad, I really am." Drew bit his lip, he then added "There's just... There's a lot of-." He seemed to be looking for some sort of excuse, but was unable to find any.

"Drew, can you read, or write?" Ironhide questioned, Drew stared at him, stunned "And don't lie to me either." Drew finally gave in, taking a deep breath, he shook his head a bit, his cheeks flushing "Why didn't you tell me Drew? I could have helped you out." He stated as he crouched down.

"Same reason I didn't tell you I was abused. I didn't want to look... Weak, or worse, stupid." Drew admitted.

Ironhide frowned, hating the fact that Drew all too often sold himself short like that. Carefully rubbing his back, Ironhide closed the book. "Your teacher is your Godfather. I'll talk to him tomorrow, let him know." He told him "Until I can teach you to read and write. I'm sure we can work out an alternative." He told Drew calmly, as the boy got off the chair "It's way past yer bedtime buddy boy. Bed now." He noted.

"But my homework." Drew muttered.

"Like I said, I'll explain it to Ratchet in the morning." Ironhide told him.

Ironhide watched as Drew made his way over to the bed, collapsing in exhaustion. He carefully settled the comforter and sheets over his son, and sighed quietly. "Any other secrets?" He questioned, Drew only shook his head "Good." He noted, his holoform smiled gently, kissing the boy goodnight "Pleasant dreams baby boy." He noted, adding quietly "Love you." He noted.

"Love you too Dad."

Ironhide sighed as he left the room, checking the alarms that would alert him if anything suspicious took place. He hoped that really was the last secret that Drew was keeping. He wanted Drew to understand that he could come to him and Chromia about everything. They weren't there to judge him, they were there to love and raise him, to be there for him, and support him. Yet Ironhide knew it would take time to gain that kind of trust, especially since Drew's Foster Parents had been so cruel and abusive. He sighed, and left to go and talk to Chromia, they had a lot to talk about.

...

"He's illiterate?" Ratchet questioned, he looked up from the desk in the makeshift schoolroom, and Ironhide nodded "That explains a lot, I wasn't sure why he struggled so much. But that makes sense." He then added "This means he'll need special attention. Like every other child with special needs." He then added "I know you'll work with him on it, but so will I. Especially next weekend when you and Chromia have your night to yourselves." He smiled "Until then, I'll give him extra sessions, help him a bit, teach him the basics." He noted.

"It's very appreciated, Ratchet. He's really scared of looking 'stupid'." Ironhide said quietly, looking Ratchet in the optics "Just... Look out for him. Don't let him feel that way. I really hate seeing hm the way I did yesterday." He looked quite upset himself "He's just gotten used to life on base. And I don't want him to feel afraid of ridicule. People choose not to trust him enough as is." He shook his head a bit.

"You're really worried, aren't you?" Ratchet questioned.

"Chromia and I both are. He's been through so much, dealt with suspicions on base. Now this..." Ironhide sighed a bit "I'm just glad you and Prime look after him too. He really needs all the support he can get if ye ask me." He looked at Ratchet slowly "He doesn't say it often, but he really appreciates being surrounded by caring people, if you ask me." He added, he then added "I just want him to have as normal a life as he can in this situation. But I know it's a struggle because he has so much... Well, you know." He added.

"He'll never exactly have the most normal childhood. But for every mech and femme on this base who doesn't trust him. There are still others who do trust him, and who care about him." Ratchet said, his words very true and honest "He also has two supporting and loving adoptive parents. Not much more a child can ask for, is there?" He questioned, Ironhide nodded in agreement "Do you want to pull him out until he learns?" He questioned.

"No!" Ironhide replied, looking at Ratchet, stunned "I don't want him to feel any different! He's already got it rough enough." He added.

"I'm only offering, as I don't want him to feel the way he is either, Ironhide." Ratchet told his old friend calmly "That boy is like the son I don't have. I care about him as much as you do, and I don't like to know he's struggling." He placed his hands on his hips, and sighed a bit "He's going to feel alienated either way, Ironhide. The other kids have trauma yes, especially Alex. But Drew... His struggles started before the slag hit the fan. And that makes it much harder on him." He added.

Ironhide stared at Ratchet, he didn't want to pull Drew from his studies. But at the same time, the mech made a valid point indeed. No matter what he did, the boy would struggle, and likely feel alienated, until he could at least read and write simple words. "You really think it's better we pull him until he's caught onto the simple stuff?" Ratchet nodded, though very solemnly "That's going to devastate him Ratch." He added.

"Only if you let it. You just have to be there for him and encourage him." Ratchet shrugged.

Ironhide peered out the doorway carefully, at Drew. Who he knew could hear their conversation by the look on his face. He sighed a bit, they hadn't had Drew long but he hated to see him upset like that. He'd seen it only a handful of times, but it was just hard to see. "Drew, come in here, I know you're listening." Ironhide commented, the boy walked in after a few seconds "Drew, what do you think? This is about you, after all. Can you follow Ratchet in class?" He questioned.

"Sometimes, I mean, he does say a lot of stuff out loud. It's just the reading that gets me." Drew admitted.

"Fifty percent of what I teach is from the book though Andrew." Ratchet told him, trying to help the boy understand "I'm not trying to alienate you, kid. I just have seen you struggle and now that I know this... I just don't want you to keep struggling." He explained "And neither do your parents. Tell me, would you rather stay here and struggle every day, or let us teach you until you're ready to keep up with everyone else?" He questioned.

Drew crossed his arms, he was clearly flustered by the look he gave. He didn't want to not learn from Ratchet, but he knew his Father and Godfather both made valid points. "This is exactly why I didn't tell anyone this stuff." Drew muttered.

Ironhide tried to stop Drew from leaving, but he was out the door before he could say a word. Ratchet placed a hand on his shoulderplate to keep him from going after him. "Let him go, Ironhide, he's upset. But he needs time alone." He noted.

Ironhide took a deep breath, nodding his head. He just wished he hadn't had to hurt Drew like he had.

...

Optimus heard the thump against his foot before he even saw Drew on his butt rubbing his head. "Drew, are you alright?" Optimus questioned, helping him to his feet, he quickly noticed the tears in his eyes "How hard did you hit me?" He questioned.

"Not hard." Drew muttered.

Optimus held out a hand to stop the boy from leaving at once. He hadn't known Drew long, but as his Godson, he considered him a part of his family. And he knew his family, all of them, all too well. He knew that Drew was upset, and he was not about to let him leave before talking to him. After all, he probably understood better then anyone else what might be going on. No one knew how Optimus had been brought up, but it had involved very much the same background, a Foster home of abuse before finding a good Adoptive Family in the Pax's. "Andrew, what's wrong?" He questioned "Talk to me." He added.

"You wouldn't understand, no one does." Drew replied.

"Just like no one understands what it's like to carry the scars you carry on your body, right?" Optimus questioned, chipping at a piece of his paint to reveal a gash in his armor that had never truly gone away "You aren't the only one with scars, Drew." He noted, to which Drew stopped slightly, looking up at Optimus "What happened?" He questioned.

"I can't read, or write. So I'm getting kicked out of class. That's what happened." Drew replied, with a deep frustration in his voice.

Optimus sighed inwardly, he'd been there too. It actually disturbed him how much Drew's life had been like his, how it still was like his childhood. He'd wanted to believe no human families were as cruel, and no human life had been as harsh as his had. But he knew that had been wishful thinking, it always had been. "Been there too. I was pulled out of school because I was RIDICULED by my peers. I started school in what you would know as seventh grade. Because the Cybertronians who fostered me before, believed I was not worth the credits." Drew stared at Optimus, stunned "Few know it about me, because it was a dark time in my life. Very dark." He noted.

"You're making that up." Drew tried to argue.

"I wish I was, Andrew. I really do." Optimus told him, shaking his head "But it is the truth. When I was Orion Pax I was called everything from Slumling, to a Glitch. I was even told that I would never amount to anything." Drew noted the seriousness in Optimus's voice "I was even homeless until the Pax's found me. Lived on the streets, and begged for credits." Drew bit his lip a bit "Now look where I am, Drew. Former planetary leader, Father of five adopted children. Godfather of a boy that I know just like I was is destined for great things." He explained "It is as the old human saying goes, Drew, what doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger." He noted.

"You really-you really think I'm destined for great things?" Drew questioned.

"Usually those who are given the greatest hardships in life are Drew." Optimus noted, staring at him with softened optics "And besides, you have me, Andrew. Someone who knows what it's like. And I promise you, if you ever need my guidance, or simply someone to talk to. My doors will ALWAYS be open for you." He gently stroked the boy's cheek, pushing away his tears "Don't ever feel like you're facing it alone Drew. You have two parents who love you. And Ratchet, Elita, and I do as well." He noted, standing slowly "Now go on, Ironhide's probably worried sick." He noted.

"Yeah, I should..." Drew turned to leave, but stopped and looked back "And Optimus?" Optimus turned his head "Thank you." He whispered.

As he jogged off, even though Optimus knew he wouldn't hear him, he quietly answered. "You're more then welcome, little one." Before going on his way.