A Dust of Snow

…

The following day Aria lounged on the couch while pouring over sheets of music. It was Sunday, and that meant rehearsals. The Opera wasn't until the coming summer, but she still had a lot of practicing to do.

She usually started by reading the lines of French music to practice her pronunciation, then warmed up her voice before actually singing the piece. She also made herself some tea, like she usually did before singing.

It was nice finally being able to relax. The night before, her and Wheelie went out to the rose garden in front of the porch to bury Jetfire's spark. It took Aria a while to dig the small hole since the ground was frozen. When she placed the spark in its resting place, Wheelie said a small word in Cybertonian.

Aria thanked Jetfire one last time for not forgetting her in the desert. All though it was a traumatic experience, she was glad she followed him.

She placed a stone over the spot and Wheelie carved small symbols into it, Jetfire's name.

After, they watched some television. Aria curled up with a blanket on the couch in front of the windows. Sirius lay on the floor by her, half sleeping, half watching Wheelie on the other couch adjacent to the one Aria occupied. A documentary about killer bees kept the Autobot oddly intrigued.

Before singing practice, she introduced Wheelie to the cleaning supplies. She handed him a mop and filled up a bucket in the sink despite his complaints. She demonstrated her professional mopping technique then observed her new apprentice.

Surprisingly, Wheelie mimicked her perfectly. If anything, he was actually faster. Aria leaned back against the counter and crossed her arms. Okay, so the alien robot was better at cleaning than her.

After that, she introduced Wheelie to the horses. He chose to follow her out to the pasture in toy truck form. When he transformed into his bipedal self, the horses jumped back and trotted around in a large circle, then came back to investigate further. Aria told Wheelie to stay still while the horses slowly approached.

"Dumb animals," Wheelie had commented as Azimuth and Zennith thoroughly sniffed his face.

Aria brushed her fingers through Azimuth's dark mane. "You should sneak up behind one and say that." She gave Wheelie a sly grin. He returned it with a skeptical look of his own.

It wasn't much later when Wheelie decided to go upstairs to the guest bedroom to nap, or whatever the robot equivalent was. Aria made herself a cup of tea and made herself comfortable on the couch where she still sat presently.

She laid down on her back with her head on a pillow and her feet propped up on the opposite armrest. Taking a deep breath, she began warming up her voice with scales. She couldn't sing high enough to be a true soprano, much to her mother's disappointment. But she was cast as a mezzo-soprano which was the next best thing.

She thought of Ironhide as she sang. His face before he stormed away. How angry he had been over Wheelie, even though he did nothing to warrant it since becoming an Autobot. Everyone else trusted him, but not Ironhide.

Then again, Ironhide wasn't one to trust easily.

She sang a high C when Wheelie thumped down the stairs.

"Holy hell, what is that god forsaken noise?"

Aria sat up on her knees and turned to face Wheelie at the base of the stairs behind the couch. "Oh sorry Wheelie, I was just practicing."

"For what, a horror movie?" Wheelie jumped up on the other couch in front of the window. He flipped on the television.

Aria twisted back around to face Wheelie. She glanced at the crime show that switched to.

"I was singing not screaming. There is a difference," she clarified.

"Coulda fooled me." Wheelie didn't take his eyes off the T.V.

"I can't sound that bad," she said. Unless maybe it's a Transformer thing, Ironhide didn't seem to like her voice either.

Wheelie jumped at the sound of the phone ringing. Aria leaned over to the side table and answered it with a curious hello.

"Hey Aria, it's Lennox."

"Oh, hey!" Lennox was calling again? Probably checking up on Wheelie.

There was a short pause. "You haven't happened to see Ironhide today, have you?"

"I haven't seen him. He hasn't come back yet?"

"No not yet. Don't worry, it's not the first time," he reassured her. "Just let me know if you see him."

"Yes, I'll do that." Aria nodded.

Lennox gave her his cell number and said his goodbye.

Aria got up. May as well get ready, seeing as she'd be taking the bus to rehearsal today. Going with Ironhide shaved a half hour off of commuting time, so she found herself getting dressed later and later.

Entering her room, she closed the door. It was strange having a roommate now. Privacy was no longer a luxury she had.

Would Wheelie even care if he saw her naked? They were completely different after all.

Suddenly the image of Wheelie humping Mikaela's leg violated her mind. Okay, maybe he would.

Aria washed her face, brushed her teeth and the rest of her usual routine. She put on a pair of high waisted jeans and tucked her white sweater into them. She also switched out her everyday glasses with her fancy pair. She was ready.

It was just after two o'clock. She had to leave for the bus stop soon.

In the mean time she sat back down on the couch, another hot cup of tea in hand. Wheelie was watching another episode of Cold Case Files, totally engrossed.

"Do I have to worry about you killing me now?" She laughed.

Wheelie was about to reply when they both turned their heads at the sound of an engine and tires rolling through deep snow. It sounded like-

"Oh shit," Wheelie looked at her. "Speaking of killing."

"Huh?" Aria pulled the white curtains aside to reveal Ironhide entering the driveway and heading around to the back of the house.

She ignored Wheelie's pleas to not let Ironhide kill him while she put on her outerwear. He came! But was he still mad? Would he yell at her?

It was a risk she was willing to take. All dressed up she grabbed her tea and went to the back door. She put on her boots and went outside.

She closed the door behind her and was about to say hello when she paused.

There was no sound outside. No birds, no wind, nothing. It was entirely silent. Ironhide stood in her backyard looking up toward the gray sky. He watched the falling snow.

If she breathed too loudly, she'd ruin the stillness of the moment. Instead, she softly sat down on the steps of the back deck.

Ironhide raised a hand, as if he were trying to catch the snow. He resembled a child who had never seen snowfall before. Perhaps this was the first time he stopped to truly observe it.

Fluffy snowflakes landed on his metal body and melted as they made contact. Small drops of water glistened on his dark armor. Wisps of steam surrounded his form. A distinct metallic smell mixed with the cold winter air.

Normally the Cybertonians stood apart from nature, juxtaposed against the organic life of earth. But now, he blended in with it. Like he belonged.

She took another sip of tea. Outside of her thoughts, the peaceful silence remained. A poem she once learned in school popped into her mind. Maybe Ironhide would like it.

"The way a crow

Shook down on me

The dust of snow

From a hemlock tree"

Ironhide turned his gaze from the snow and looked down at her, a curious look on his face. She smiled at him and continued.

"Has given my heart

A change of mood

And saved some part

Of the day I had rued."

Ironhide took a few steps closer, large foot prints in the snow left in his wake. He kneeled down in front of her.

His face was so close to her. Every scrape that made up each etched symbol. The jagged edges of his half scarred face. The individual fragments that made up his blue eyes. It was all clear, all so detailed.

It was like seeing him for the first time.

"That is a strange manner of speaking," he rumbled.

She watched Ironhide's gaze follow the puff of condensed air that left her mouth. Her face felt warm.

"It's called a poem."

"What is that?" Ironhide tilted his head slightly.

"Poetry is a form of art that uses the sounds and meanings of words that makes it sound beautiful when read aloud." It was a simple enough answer without getting too into it.

The way he looked at her was strange. Before, when Optimus looked at her closely, his eyes always flickered, like he was analyzing every inch of her, trying to figure her out.

But Ironhide didn't. His gaze was steady as he looked at her. He looked content.

"It suits you then," he said, then straightened, barely pausing before moving on. "Aria I have come to apologize for my behavior. I realize now that I frightened you, and that was not what I meant to do."

He…was apologizing? For his behavior? She gave him a once over. Yes, it was actually Ironhide kneeling before her. He didn't seem like the type to apologize. Not like it was a bad thing she assumed wrong.

Still, the look of betrayal that had been on his face that day remained in the forefront of her mind.

Her eyes met his. "Why don't you trust Wheelie?"

"Why do you trust him?" Ironhide shot back.

"Because everyone else does, Lennox, even Optimus. And I trust them." Aria put both her hands on the tea cup. "You're the only one that doesn't, and I want to know what he did to make you feel that way."

Ironhide frowned and crossed his arms. "Being a petty Decepticon spy isn't enough reason?"

"You guys and your Autobot and Decepticon talk. You make it all sound so black and white, but I know that's not the case. It never the case with anything."

"Because," Ironhide hesitated. His eyes left hers, finding the trees instead.

"Because I was a Decepticon," he said quietly. "And I know that it isn't an easy decision to make. You don't just wake up one day and unlearn everything you've been taught your entire life and go against what you were created to do. It's not that simple."

It explained so much. Why he was made of stronger metal. Why he hadn't been a scientist like the rest of the Autobots. Why he was built to fight. Why he was so guarded.

She found herself smiling. "So now I know three Cybertonians who changed sides. Jetfire, Wheelie, and now you."

Ironhide's blue eyes were on hers again. "Your opinion of me isn't swayed?"

"Why would it be? If anything, I trust you even more now."

"You trust me?" Ironhide's words were slow.

"I do." Why wouldn't she?

The look of confusion on Ironhide's face shifted into a smirk, tension disappearing. "Humans," he said with a small shake of his head.

Something about his expression was endearing. Maybe it was the easy grin. Maybe it was the fact he was more emotive now that he got to know her.

It was only a few months ago she wouldn't have imagined him to be curious about a poem. Then again, a few months ago she wouldn't have told him one.

Speaking of poems. "Oh, it turns out Wheelie isn't a fan of my singing either."

Ironhide uncrossed his arms. "You assume I do not like your voice?"

"Well, you didn't really say that you did like it either. Actually, I don't recall you saying anything."

Ironhide's glowing eyes darted off to the side as if he were thinking of what to say.

"I found your singing to be," he searched for a word. "Skillful."

If that wasn't an Ironhide compliment, then what was? "Thank you."

He nodded. "You are welcome." Ironhide inclined his head. "I believe it is time to go."

With a nod, Aria went back inside to put her cup in the sink and retrieve her bag. She stopped and gave Sirius a pat on the head. Wheelie was relaxing on the couch, still watching T.V.

"Be good, Wheelie," Aria stood in front of the couch with her hands on her hips giving the small robot a critical stare.

He looked back up at her. "Why, you going on a date with grumpy?"

Aria coughed on air. "No, I have rehearsals like I've told you ten times today," she replied, regaining her composure.

"Whatever you say, princess." Wheelie waived her off.

Outside, Ironhide waited for her in truck form. The door opened when she approached the passenger side and closed behind her with a click. The interior was pleasantly warm. It was odd to think that was probably some form of body heat causing it.

They merged onto the busy highway, there was fresh snow on the pavement so everyone was driving much slower than usual. Ironhide spun his back tires on every turn, he seemed to like sliding around on the icy roads.

Aria leaned on the armrest on the door looking out the window. "Lennox called me today looking for you."

"He does like to try to babysit us," the radio rumbled.

"Shouldn't he be able to track you guys or something?"

"It's easy to turn off."

"Ah." Of course it was.

Quiet music filled the silence beyond the low rumble of Ironhide's engine.

So, the great Autobot Ironhide had once been a Decepticon. Was it a coincidence that the three Cybertonians closest to her had changed sides?

She'd never asked Wheelie why he defected. It was a personal decision, as Jetfire once said, and that meant it was none of her business.

Ironhide was no different. As curious as she was, it wasn't her place to ask. Even if they were friends. Plus, he never said anything about trusting her yet.

And then there was the fact he didn't expect her to trust him. Why wouldn't she though? He'd helped her back in Egypt, spotted her falling off the boat and instead of staying silent, he told Optimus. He didn't even like her back then.

He'd let her in when she ran up to him on the street like a lunatic. He'd come back to her house when she invited him. Hell, now he gave her weekly rides for absolutely no reason.

An Autobot veteran who had once been a Decepticon.

"You're unusually quiet. Are you afraid now that you know that I was a Decepticon?"

"Afraid of you? Never." Aria eyed the radio. His voice came from the speakers around her, so it seemed like the best place to look.

"You used to be."

"What, back when you were 'showing me your cannons'?" Her Ironhide impersonation was not a good one.

"It's a good way to judge a person's character."

"By seeing if they run off screaming or not?"

A chuckle came through the speakers. "Are you saying I'm wrong?"

"I mean, I wouldn't judge a person's character based solely on their fight or flight response, but I can see where you're coming from."

"And how can you tell that?"

"You're seeing if they're a warrior or not, right?" When Ironhide offered no response, she continued. "A warrior would stand their ground, and therefore someone like you, and therefore, someone you respect."

"You sound like Ratchet."

"Too many therefores?"

"Mmhm."

A question popped into her mind. "Do you respect me? Even if you don't think I'm a warrior?"

"I'll admit I didn't at first."

His words were a punch to the gut.

He spoke again, more resolute, "But I do now, Aria. I respect you for your intelligence and compassion. Something not all humans," he paused. "Or Cybertonians are capable of."

He was right.

"I wish you guys didn't have to hide."

"Technically, were not."

"That's not the point. You guys are stuck at the base day after day, constantly being supervised by the government and the military. You have no freedoms, no rights. Just cooped up like science experiments in the basement, and the only way you can get out is giving me rides to stupid opera practice. You have rules for everything. Every time I come to the base, it's more paperwork. I can't say or do anything without going to jail, and you guys can't either without being kicked off the planet. All I could offer was my place to visit, and that almost got taken away. I know life isn't supposed to be fair, but it isn't supposed to suck either."

The words left her mouth with reckless abandon. Ironhide, who had once been a Decepticon, joined the Autobots who now live on this earth to protect humans from Decepticons. To protect their freedom. But here humans were, taking those very freedoms away from the Autobots.

Compassion. It was the least she could do.

"I have been at war almost my entire life. I cannot remember a time we were not labeled Autobot or Decepticon. It is true Optimus speaks on behalf of our cause, but not of our reality. Ideologies are all that's left of peace and freedom for us, lost forever with the remains of our planet."

The air of the truck grew heavy, weighted down by his words.

"But you're still fighting, which means you haven't given up yet."

"We don't fight for our freedom anymore. On this planet, all we can do is fight for yours."

Was that it? Was that why he didn't like humans? To fight for something you couldn't have yourself. It was the ultimate sacrifice.

She lowered her gaze to her lap. "I wish there was something I could do."

"You can," he replied, "By letting me take you to stupid opera practice once a week."

Just like that his regular intonation was back.

"I didn't mean to say it like that. I look forward to the rides. Thank you, Ironhide."

"You're welcome." He moved on. "What will you be singing about today?"

Perhaps he was right in changing the subject. It was better not to dwell.

"The wonders of the Orient," she replied with mock enthusiasm. "Though French isn't my strong point."

In response, Ironhide spewed out a sentence that sounded something like French.

"Okay, now that was bad. I don't think your accent works well with French."

"My accent? It is hardly my fault I'm not good at mimicking inefficient languages."

Aria leaned back in the seat, crossing her arms much like Ironhide always did. "You're more one to let your cannons do the talking, anyway."

"Exactly," Ironhide said with a humph. "Finally, a human that understands."

"Ironhide, for you, violence is the answer."

"Is that a reference? It sounds like a reference."

Aria shrugged. "Doesn't mean it's not true."

They continued to banter for the rest of the ride there and back again. And when Aria got home, she dusted off an old poetry book and flipped through the pages.

Wheelie didn't say anything. But then again, he didn't have to. His expression said it all.

...