CHAPTER 25
Open House

The night of the open house, Tony had practically ran smack dab into Will on the way down the stairs. Will smiled a bit, looking him up and down. Tony had actually dressed up quite nicely for the event. Whereas most kids would just come as-is this was Tony's first time there with a legal guardian, and he wanted to look nice. "Wow, Tony, you're looking really good." Wiil smiled "I don't think I've ever seen you dress this good." He added.

"Thanks Uncle Will." Tony smiled, his face going red "I just really wanted to look good. You know. This is my first time with one of my legal guardians there. Like, ever." Tony smiled a bit "And I mean, man, I get to introduce Ironhide as my Dad. Can you imagine the look on everyone's faces?" Will smirked, Tony's eyes fell "I'm sorry, I mean, a week ago it would have been you and Sarah and-" He began.

"Hey, don't worry about it, we nudged you guys to eachother." Will winked at Tony, placing a hand on his shoulder "Go out and have fun tonight, for me, alright? Knowing we're both VERY happy for you, and for Ironhide." He stated, a genuine smile on his face "Tell Ironhide he'll have to deal with me if he screws things up too much, or hell, even at all." He explained.

"Thanks Uncle Will!" Tony replied, hugging him and rushing for the door "And trust me, I'll let him know." He laughed as he headed out.

Ironhide himself was nervous, as it was his first time at a human version of this function. He'd been with Bumblebee on Cybertron to something similar, but then again, this was his first time where he actually was a parent. It wasn't just being the legal guardian anymore, now he was going with a boy he had every plan to adopt and keep safe as long as he needed to be kept safe. "Wow, looking good, youngling." Ironhide's holoform smiled "I guess you're excited then, eh?" He asked.

"It's my first time at one of these things where I had an actual legal guardian." Tony adjusted his clothes a bit "I mean I totally get to introduce you as my Dad. For the first time, in public." Tony grinned, he felt his heart race a bit "Hell yeah, I'm excited!" Tony grinned as the passenger's side door opened up "I hope you are, at least... A little too?" He asked, nervously.

"I'm just as excited, yes." Ironhide smirked "Buckle up."

Ironhide inwardly worried in a way he didn't show Tony. He knew that the two of them could be separated at any time that night, and it was the perfect place for Jason to strike, too perfect. It worried him that in the end, this could be his chance to strike. Yet, this was supposed to be a fun night, for him to learn more about how Tony was doing at school. As well as a night where Tony could finally be there to show off his Father, and while that sounded wrong. Ironhide knew that most kids thought he was nothing more than a Foster Kid. He'd even been teased about that, and wanted to see the look on the bullies faces when he showed up with an Autobot Father.

"Now I want you to remember." Ironhide's holoform turned his head toward Tony, who stared back at him "Prowl and Michael will be outside the school. If we get separated and something seems off. You are to go to the WEST Parking Lot." Tony nodded his head slowly "I don't care what is happening, you are NOT to be alone, especially if you notice something off, do you understand?" He asked.

"I know, Dad." Tony smiled "I promise, I won't forget."

"Good, because I want to have fun, but I'm not ignoring the fact of what is taking place right now." Ironhide noted, he quietly reminded himself of the man's appearance "If he shows up and makes a grab at you when I'm nearby. Just scream, I will hear you." He noted, Tony nodded his head slowly "I apologize for bringing all of this up, I am simply... Nervous." He added.

"I get it Dad, I'd be the same way." Tony nodded his head a bit.

Tony leaned against his Father's seats comfortably. Ever since this had all happened, he'd noticed how comforting it was being inside of Ironhide. It made you feel even closer to your caretaker than he would a human one. "So do I get to brag about my awesome weapons specialist 'caretaker'?" Tony asked with a grin "Or do I have to make something up? Because I really want to talk about your cannons." He teased.

"I don't think an alias is required any longer, not with the world aware of our existence." Ironhide chuckled deeply, his holoform grinned widely "Besides, any excuse to talk about my babies, well, is a good excuse." Ironhide replied, speaking just a tad bit conceitedly "Well, I suppose my babies aren't entirely my babies anymore." He said with a chuckle.

"Wow, big tough Ironhide considers me his 'baby boy'?" Tony translated "If I didn't know any better I'd say you were going soft on me." He added.

Ironhide rolled his eyes at the boy a bit, he was still a smartass. But Ironhide supposed he'd have to get used to it now, it was just how the boy was. The more time he spent with him, the more he became accustomed to it. "Not quite, I simply meant that some of these cannons are older than your most distant anncestors. Making you the 'baby' of the family." Tony rolled his eyes this time, but laughed "Don't laugh, it means I get to spoil you more." He noted.

"You spoil your cannons?"

That one, Ironhide didn't answer as he finally pulled into the parking lot. Scanning the surrounding area slowly, he only opened his door when he was satisfied that the area was, for the moment at least, clear of danger. Tony climbed out slowly, as Ironhide's holoform also climbed out. He rearranged the holoforms appearance on the way out, dressing it in a formal military uniform, clean cut, grey haired, a rough beard on his face. "Wow Dad." Tony noted as he stepped back and looked him up and down "You look sharp." He added.

"So that I may make an impression as well." Ironhide told him, shifting uncomfortably "I've only done this a handful of times, and it is far from easy for me. I hate being formal. So consider it an honor." He chuckled slightly, putting an arm around the boy gently, he smiled, and kissed the top of his head "C'mon my boy, I came here to finally learn a bit more about your life outside of the house." He winked "Let's get started, shall we?" He asked as they made their way into the school.

...

Ironhide had gotten a few shifty looks thus far during the night. Of course, his name wasn't exactly conventional, and his status was new. But he had still needed to hold back irritation towards them. He simply stood there and took it, as otherwise, they all seemed very calm towards him. Of course, he'd only been to two classes so far, so no one could be too certain, not yet, at least. His Math teacher had explained his struggles in Math due to Tony's Non-Verbal Learning Disorder, which Ironhide knew he might be able to help him with, easily.

His History teacher had practically spent an hour praising the boy to high heaven. Stating that he was not only one of his best students, but that Tony was already a grade level ahead of his peers in terms of knowledge. Ironhide had smiled about that, knowing that despite his struggles, Tony was clearly putting up a fight, he was not going to let him get him down. His PE teacher, though? Ironhide had already spent fifteen minutes too long with the man. As stereotyped as it may have been, the man was a bully.

He looked and acted like the type of man that praised the all-stars, and thought very little of those not into sports. He'd noticed that the man had praised the group of boy's whom had tormented Tony and whom he'd chased off. But the first thing that he'd stated to him was simple as he looked his holoform up and down. "You're his legal guardian, yet he's still a skinny little guy." The man patted his arm "What's wrong, sir? Do you want the boy to be picked on forever?" He asked.

Ironhide nearly knocked him off his feet right then and there. He very well might have too, as the man seemed to continue on, had Tony not quickly dragged him away. So far, the mech had managed to keep his cool, but if there were any more like the gym teacher, he didn't know how much longer that would last. After all, brute strength didn't always make a man, though it certainly made him at times. "Dad, you need to calm down, Coach Dallon is an asshole." Tony replied.

"That he may be, but it's just fragged up. Teachers should not be picking on those not athletic." Ironhide growled quietly, he shook his head "I'm a retired teacher, I taught at the academy. Back then, if someone was smaller, if they needed help. I gave it to them, frag it." He shook his head a bit, taking a deep breath "But I promised to keep calm, and I plan to keep that promise." He noted, taking a deep breath "Where do you want to go next?" He asked.

Tony looked thoughtful, and stared over at him. "The bathroom, actually. But I think you'd probably enjoy metal shop." Tony grinned, Ironhide nodded, having heard of it "Be right back, okay big guy?" Ironhide only nodded.

Tony made his way calmly towards the boy's bathroom, his eyes open and waiting for anything out of the ordinary. He made his way into the bathroom, going about his business as usual. Of course, he thought nothing of the footsteps behind him until the hand the gripped his neck hard. Thrusting him against the wall with his pants down in humiliation. "I have half a mind to KILL you." That dark voice hissed into his ear "You went to the cops about me, didn't you? And then you went with that hunk of metal."

Tony knew his Father's hard grip anywhere, he moved his head to scream but felt a hand clamp against his mouth. Jason slammed his head against the wall again warningly. "Now, now, do you really think fighting me will get you anywhere? You think that'll do you ANY good?" Tony felt tears in his eyes "I have the upper hand here, Anthony, you know that. I'm stronger, and you're the one with your pants down. So I'd be a good boy, and just shut the FUCK up." He added harshly.

Tony knew the threat was true, but thanks to Ironhide, he was not entirely weak. He and Prowl had taught him over the last week, teaching him how to fight back, how to escape. With a violent thrust, Tony managed to elbow him in the groin, knocking him over. Tony pulled his pants up quickly, running as best he could. He felt Jason grab onto his arms, gripping his wrists hard, Tony screamed, feeling his Father proceed to punch him in the back, digging in, Tony quickly headbutted his Father.

His pants half down, nearly around his knees, underwear sticking out, he rushed as quickly as he could out of the bathroom. He could hear his Father getting up, rushing for the large window nearby. By the time he had crawled out, he was bleeding from his head and back, his body weak, and tears stinging his eyes. He could hear people all around before a familiar voice shouted in the crowd. "Get out of the way! Get out of the fragging way!" Tony stared up as Ironhide crouched beside him "Tony, Tony... Primus almighty, are you alright?" Tony shook his head.

"He found me Dad, he found me!" Tony stated, his body trembling and completely freaking out.

Ironhide scanned for any sign of the man, but upon finding nothing carefully lifted Tony up as best he could. Allowing Tony the chance to pull his pants back up, Ironhide carefully supported him. "Somebody, call 888-5143. Ask for Ratchet, he needs a fragging medic!" No one moved "NOW!" He added.

All Ironhide could feel more fear in his spark than ever now, the man had not only found Tony. But he had just attacked him, beaten the crap out of him again, and he had been able to do nothing to prevent it. Supporting him as he carefully carried him away from the crowd, it was all Ironhide could do to say a few short words. "It's okay Tony, you're alright. Just stay with me boy." He noted, what else could he possibly do?