Stardust
…
Aria sat at the table writing out the shopping list for the day. Ironhide was due to come over any minute now. They had planned to spend all of Saturday together for weeks now.
He was always amused by the things at the store, so that would be their first stop. Then there was a new coffee shop Aria wanted to try out. After that, they could go out to the viewpoint by the river then maybe go to Blue Bella's and listen to some music.
She scribbled down peaches on the list as the rumble of Ironhide's engine came from outside. She opened the front door just as he was walking up the steps.
"Is that new?" He gestured to her dress.
She stepped outside and spun, the material flowing around her legs. "Yeah, you like it?"
"I do. Does it come with footwear?"
Aria scoffed. "Don't ruin a nice moment."
Ironhide flashed her his usual grin and followed her inside.
Aria started getting ready to go. "How are things at the base?"
"I talked to Optimus. It seems he is already aware of Sentinel's indifference towards humans. However, Sentinel's behavior extends beyond humans now," Ironhide said, leaning against the counter.
"What do you mean?"
"He's been different since he left the base. After you left yesterday, he did the same thing to Sideswipe and Amber as he did to us. I think he did something to the twins too, they refuse to go near him."
"And he wasn't always like that?"
Ironhide shook his head. "No. Never."
"Are Amber and Sideswipe okay?"
"Sideswipe took it in stride. I didn't get a chance to talk to Amber. She left immediately after."
Aria grabbed her purse and went to put on her shoes. "She probably wasn't happy. She already had a bad experience with him. I hope she doesn't quit because of it."
"Amber's a strong woman, she'll be alright."
Before Ironhide helped her up into the passenger seat, Aria waved to one of the neighbours who was guiding her child to the condo a few doors down. Ironhide stared for a moment too, then followed Aria's lead and gave a small wave.
The woman held the toddler's wrist and helped the little boy wave back.
"Human children are so small," Ironhide said as he began backing out.
"Well you've seen where they come from, haven't you?"
He nodded then looked over to her. "And you could create one too, if you wanted?"
Aria's cheeks heated up as Ironhide continued to gaze at her earnestly. Suddenly, pedestrians became more interesting.
"I mean, technically yes. I just don't really want kids." She met his eyes. "Do Cybertronians…have kids?"
Now Ironhide had the grace to look abashed, even if was only for a second. "Not at all like humans do." He looked back at the road. "Cybertron," he began, "unlike Earth, has a living core, almost like a supercomputer. From time to time, it created hot spots on the surface of the planet, and in those spots, Cybertronian sparks would form. Those sparks would be picked up and coated with a special type of living metal. Each spark has a unique code, like genetics, that when combined with the metal, would form into a unique Cybertronian."
"Like a child Cybertronian or a fully grown one?"
"Fully grown, but naïve and uncoordinated. Though, it isn't a long process. The Cybertronians that found the spark and infused it become its parents."
"What were your parents like?"
This, Ironhide didn't answer for a long time.
"I was not created in the traditional way. When the war began, Decepticons began collecting all the sparks they could find then scan them and destroy the weak ones. The remaining would be born into the ranks of the Decepticon army." He never met her eye. "I was not created because of love, but because of war."
She reached over, touching his arm. "But you are loved now. By the Autobots, by me, by Sirius, by my parents—and they'll happily give you all the unsolicited advice you could never ask for." She laughed. "And if it makes any difference, I was an accident."
His sad smile grew softer. "Thank you, Aria."
…
The shopping trip ended with Aria throwing peaches at Ironhide's holoform.
He'd decided to test her newfound strength by loading her arms up will all the bags. He'd forgotten the bag of peaches though, putting it in her hand as an afterthought. She ended up dropping the bag in the parking lot. Enraged by the avoidable incident and the loss of perfectly good peaches, they became projectile weapons.
To her dismay. He caught all of them.
The peach debacle over and groceries in the backseat, they headed to their next stop.
"I think we passed it already. I swear it was that last turn." Aria twisted back in the seat.
"Why do you always doubt my navigation system?"
"Oh I'm sorry Mr. Robot in Disguise. Please, continue to take the long route."
"I will, and I'll park on the correct side of the road because of it."
He'd been right. And only gloated about it for a few minutes.
He came around to help her out of his alt form. Instead of taking her hand, he picked her up by her waist, giving her a spin before putting her down.
Aria giggled, kissing him on the cheek.
"Aria?"
Both Aria and Ironhide turned. There, by the front door of the coffee shop, was Carly.
"Oh, hello Carly!"
But Carly's eyes were glued to Ironhide's alt form. "Is that an Autobot?" she whisper-yelled.
Aria put a finger to her lips and went over to her. "Yes, Ironhide," she whispered back.
Carly squinted as if trying to recall the name. "Is he your guardian?"
"Uh…"
"Yes." Ironhide came to Aria's side.
"Oh, this is John. He works for NEST."
As the two greeted each other, Aria couldn't help but notice the once over Carly did.
"You two coming in? I believe we did say we should get coffee together sometime."
"Yeah, sounds great."
While they waited, Carly explained that she worked nearby and was headed home after.
"How are Wheelie and Brains?"
Carly let out a groan. "Aria, I have no idea how you dealt with Wheelie. He's such a—a pervert."
"Just make him do the laundry. Gets it out of his system, plus he folds well."
"Huh. Maybe I will."
After ordering drinks and Ironhide insisting that he didn't need anything, they sat down at a table by the window.
"Sam's been acting so strangely since the incident at his office. He has Brains and Wheelie doing all kinds of research about astronauts of all things. He's printed about twelve missing people articles dating back to the eighties."
Sam was researching missing people and astronauts. Did he know something no one else knew? But how?
"Does he think it has something to do with the Decepticons?"
"He must. But I'm worried about him. I don't want him going off and doing something stupid and getting himself hurt or killed." There was a faraway look in Carly's eyes.
"We will do what we can to keep him safe," Ironhide said.
"Can you really promise that?" she said rather aggressively then deflated. "It's just…I've already lost my brother to war. I can't bear the thought of the same thing happening to Sam."
"I can promise you that we—and the Autobots will protect him at all costs."
Aria resisted the urge to snap her neck towards him. At all costs? At all costs? What did that mean? Sam's life was no more important than Ironhide's. From her point of view, Sam should stop doing whatever he was doing to protect the Autobots at all costs, not meddling with information that no one else knew about.
"Thank you, John. That means a lot to me."
They talked for a bit longer which relaxed Carly. Aria pressed herself to stay engaged.
Why couldn't Sam do what she was doing? Stay low and keep himself safe so he didn't have to depend on the Autobots to protect him. It wasn't rocket science. In fact, it was the obvious thing to do. Was self preservation an instinct he lacked?
"I'd better get going," Carly said after about an hour. "I have a work party tonight that I have to convince Sam to go to."
Outside, Carly gave Aria a hug. "Thank you for listening. It means a lot." She released her. "You too take care of each other. And you," she added, looking at Ironhide's alt mode.
Ironhide gave a faint nod.
They parted ways.
"Should we be worried about Sam? Maybe he's onto something."
"Bee is with him and we have—"
"Sentinel, I know."
"We may not see eye to eye with him, but he is still an Autobot. Even Megatron would be foolish to try anything."
Unfortunately, blind faith in Sentinel didn't come as easily to her.
Back at her condo, they unloaded groceries. This time, Aria made Ironhide carry everything in, which he did effortlessly.
Aria put some cans away in the cupboard. "So what exactly did you mean when you said 'at all costs'?" she asked, keeping her voice casual.
When there was no answer, she straightened to find Ironhide caught off guard.
"Aria, it is our duty to protect humans. Sam especially—"
"Yes, which is fine. But at all costs? Do you know what that actually means?"
"I would die to protect him."
"And where does that leave me, Ironhide, huh?"
"Aria—"
"Sam may be your friend, but I love you. You're everything to me! I don't want ever want to hear you say you'd die to protect anyone, even me! I want you to live!"
Despite her outburst, Ironhide came closer to her, pulling her into his arms. His chin rested on the crown of her head.
"As much as I try to hide it from you, it is the reality of the life I live. I'm a soldier and protecting those I care about at any cost is what I must do."
"Can't we just run away or something?" Her voice muffled against his chest.
"There are days I want to. But I cannot. I made a vow when I became an Autobot. To fight to the end or until all are one."
"Do you think that will ever happen?"
"All we can do is hope that it will."
They stayed like that a while longer.
"Will you at least try not to be reckless? That protecting at all costs will only be an absolute last resort?"
"Me? Reckless? Who told you that?"
"I won't name names for their protection, but I have heard the rest of the eye-scar story."
He hummed. "Chromia."
"It sounded like you were both pretty reckless. Her running into fights, you running in after her."
"I never did realize it until I got to know you. She would put me in harm's way while you would do everything in your power to keep me from it. I knew how it felt to love, but not how it felt to be loved. And now I do.
…
Ironhide helped Aria finish putting away the groceries. Ironhide's version of helping, however, was picking Aria up and setting her on the counter and doing it all himself under Aria's direction.
"So do you want to go to the viewpoint after, or Blue Bella's? I think George is playing a piano concerto tonight."
Ironhide closed the fridge. "What if we stay here for a while?"
"We always stay here."
He came over to her, standing between her legs that dangled from the counter.
"I want to kiss you again."
Aria absently lowered her eyes to his lips and the angle of his jaw. "We do kiss."
"I mean like before, in the base."
The tingle in her chest amplified her rising heartbeat. The thought of that night still made her swoon.
"Oh, you mean kiss kiss." Her voice was strangely weak. It was like she was a teenager again. Some blurred line between nervousness, excitement, and some other feeling she wasn't willing to admit.
"Yes, because we like like each other."
She slid her hand on his chest and grabbed his shirt. "Are you going to tease me or kiss me?"
He answered by pulling her to his body and putting his lips on hers. She gripped his shirt while her other hand ran up his arm.
She parted her lips, deepening the kiss. Her tongue met his. Wrapping an arm around her, he pulled her from the counter and pressed her against the wall. His hands slipped up her dress and explored her body. Her waist, her butt, her stomach, her chest, her leg.
She tilted her head back to catch her breath only to let out a sigh as his hand caressed her thigh.
"Do you know what you're doing?" she breathed.
"I have an idea."
"Then touch me." She took his hand and put it between her thighs.
By some miracle or previous research, he knew what to do.
He kissed her as she panted. She groped at his hair, his neck, his shoulders. She tossed her head back. Ironhide went for her neck, kissing every inch of exposed skin from her jaw to her collarbone. Then when she couldn't hold it in any longer, she squeezed her eyes shut and let out a moan.
She relaxed, pressing her cheek to his chest and using his body to support her weak legs.
"I can't believe you just did that," she said, catching her breath.
"Did I do it right?" Ironhide's deep voice reverberated through her ear pressed against him.
"Yes, but I'm not going to ask how you knew to do that."
"Just pretend I'm a natural."
His body suddenly stiffened.
"Hide?"
No answer.
She stepped away from him and looked up at his face which was completely impassive.
Then he came back. His eyes locked with hers. "I have to get you out of the city."
He didn't give her time to question him. He picked her up and carried her to the front door.
"Ironhide, what's going on?"
"Decepticons."
He put her in his alt mode, vanishing as soon as she was in the seat.
A neighbour's scream was cut off by the door closing.
The seatbelt wrapped around her like a boa constrictor. "What do you mean Decepticons? Where?"
"In the city. I'm taking you to Will's house. You'll be safe there." He was already on the road.
"Will's house? Doesn't he have a wife and daughter? Why would you bring me there?" She struggled against the seatbelt that refused to budge.
Ironhide ran a red light. She flinched as an oncoming vehicle nearly hit them.
"They are ten miles out of the city. You won't be found."
Won't be found? Was he crazy? Of course she would. Instantly.
"The Perceptor, Ironhide, remember?"
He slammed on the brakes. If she hadn't been pressed against the seat by the seatbelt, her face would have hit the dash. Her stomach lurched when Ironhide then spun around on the freeway.
"The base then. But you will stay hidden, let us protect you."
"I will but—" Not at all costs.
His engine roared as he weaved in and out of traffic at twice the speed. Flashing lights caught Aria's eye from the mirror. A police car was chasing them.
It caught up, driving beside them, siren wailing.
"To punish and enslave…" Aria read. Oh no. The window was heavily tinted but there was no driver.
"Barricade." Ironhide swerved, hitting the Decepticon alt mode.
Barricade recovered, now on their tail.
The sound of Ironhide's engine was deafening, yet Barricade could keep up.
The glove box opened in front of her. Inside was a familiar black piece of metal. Her bow.
"How did you get this?" she yelled over the noise.
"Aria, I need you to shoot Barricade. We cannot lead him back to the base."
"Me? Why can't you?"
"I would have to transform. Now shoot him, quickly!"
The bow transformed as Aria grabbed it, nearly extending the width of the cab. The exploding arrows were beneath it. Her seat spun around just as she picked them up. The rear window rolled down, giving her a clear line of sight to Barricade.
She drew back the bow. It was awkward in the confined space. She channeled Energon through her and into the arrow that began to glow vibrant cerulean.
Barricades form began to shift. Two large guns formed where the doors were. Cars swerved out of the way, crashing into walls and other vehicles.
"Shoot him!"
But Aria didn't get the chance.
Blinding flashes of fire erupted from the guns. She tensed, squeezing her eyes shut.
Then weightlessness.
She opened her eyes. She was airborne. Missiles streaked past her and Ironhide who was transforming midair. His hand was around her.
The bow. The bow was still in her hand.
She let go of the string. Faster than the eye could see, the arrow struck Barricade's windshield.
Ironhide's body shielded her from the blast an instant later.
Next thing she knew, she was back in the passenger seat, Barricade nowhere to be seen behind them.
Her head fell back on the seat. "Have I told you, I love you?"
"You can tell me all you want when we make it back to the base."
"Calling all Autobots to rendezvous at NEST headquarters." Optimus's voice said through the speaker.
"On it, Prime."
They made it back to the base in record time. Ironhide opened his door and Aira was immediately grabbed by two of the guards and pulled towards the building.
Ironhide then spun around and drove back out of the base.
"Ironhide, where are you going?" she shouted after him.
"He was requested for backup, they'll be back in a minute, I'm sure." The one guard said.
Aria yanked her arm from his grip, surprising him. "Backup for who? Are there more Decepticons?"
"Two left. Following Bee and the others bringing Sentinel back." He grabbed her arm again, forcing her to continue into the base. "We have to get you into the bunker until they're eliminated."
"No!" Aria ripped her arm out of his grip harder this time. "I'm staying right here until Ironhide gets back."
"I don't know what you two have going, but whatever weird crush you have isn't an excuse to ignore orders given by a superior."
"Garrett, let her stay." Will came over.
"Yes, sir!" Garrett replied, stepping away from Aria but remaining beside her at attention.
"Aria, if things look like they're going south, you're getting in that bunker. Do I make myself clear?"
Aria nodded quickly.
"Good." He said and moved on.
At least he didn't notice the small metal rod she held behind her back.
Flashes of light and an explosion drew everyone's attention toward an area a few blocks away. Garrett gripped his gun tighter.
Was that where Ironhide was?
She swallowed. Would he come back?
Cars sped down the ramp into the area in front of her. Bumblebee, Sentinel, and Mirage followed by Sideswipe and finally, Ironhide.
Aria put a hand on her chest, over the shard and let out a breath. He made it.
Sam got out of Bee and began hurriedly talking to Will.
Will barked at Ironhide to protect Sentinel.
Ironhide transformed. "Consider it done," he said.
Aria's eyes found his and then to the wound on his chest. He looked like he was about to say something to her but was interrupted by Sentinel.
"What you must realize, my Autobot brothers, is that we were never going to win the war. For the sake of our planet's survival, a deal had to be made…with Megatron."
A gun cocked. Sentinel turned.
A blast. And then another.
Ironhide was on the ground.
Her mouth was open, screaming.
She was running. Or falling.
The gun was aimed at her.
She reached out for Ironhide.
His hand grabbed her, pulling her into his body.
Another blast.
Hot. Blazing. Blinding,
His grip went slack.
Everything sounded like it was underwater. Like it wasn't real.
Hollow sounds of gunfire like pebbles being dropped into a pool.
This wasn't happening.
"Are you okay?"
But he wasn't. He was looking at his hand as it disintegrated.
He turned his head, weakly looking at her with dimming eyes. "Aria…"
She touched his face until it faded away.
And all that was left in her hand was…
Stardust.
…