Summer was almost over. No one could deny that, even if they had wanted to. The leaves on the trees were changing their colours from dark green to gold, orange, yellow, and red. Some even had tinges of brown to them. The wind, whenever it blew, brought a slight chill and a rather distinct scent to it . . . the scent of fall.
Ironhide smiled to himself as he surveyed the fall foliage, his blue optics warm and alive. The day promised to be, at the very least, leisurely and peaceful. He had the day to himself. No youngsters running around, scaring him out of his wits. No medics telling him what he did and didn't need. As much as he loved his children and his brothers, he needed a break. Thank Primus 'At'prafen and Hot Rod had agreed to watch the girls while he took some time for himself.
The drive from the City had been rather relaxing. Sunshine had beat down, not as hot as it had been the past several weeks - he believed the temperatures had reached an all-time high of one hundred degrees - but still warm enough to ease the tension out of his muscle cables. He couldn't recall when he had last looked at the sun and saw it for what it truly was. Not since Chromia had died . . .
I wish you'd stop beating yourself up for that . . .
I'm not, he told the voice in his head. It's just been a long time. That's all.
The voice had nothing to say to that, allowing Ironhide to reflect on the values of the sun. Of course, it had always been viewed as a power source of some kind. Whether it came in the form of light, heat, or electricity, the sun had a great value and impact on Earth. Without it, the humans would have shriveled up long ago. They were very dependent on it, even if they didn't like to admit it.
Now Ironhide looked at the sun and saw an old friend. It had been a constant in his life when nothing else had. Every morning, the sun said "hello" then "good night" in the evenings. He silently apologized for all of the times he had cursed it.
"It was nothing against ya, buddy," he said. "I just couldn't bear remembering. It had been sunny that day . . ."
The sun said nothing in response. It just shone on, as it always did.
"I'm glad you're still around, old friend. I hope someday the kids will understand what it is you have to give, like I do. It's a lot more than what anyone else has to give in this day age."
Ironhide found a small clearing and stretched out, closing his optics. Funny, how the sun could show the worst and yet . . . and yet warm the soul at the same time.
Finis