Chapter Text
Ironhide couldn’t bring himself to step into his quarters. He had opened the door to them but had just stayed standing in the doorway, staring in. His optics were locked onto Wasp’s side of the room. The Elite Guard had come in just a few megacycles earlier and had taken every single personal item of Wasp’s, leaving it barren besides the berth that had been there when they first moved in. His spark ached. He reached up to press his servo against his optics as he felt coolant begin to form in them.
“Ironhide?”
He jumped when he heard the voice. He turned his helm to see Longarm a little way down the hallway. He must have been heading to his own quarters that were a few doors down.
“Oh, hey, Longarm,” Ironhide greeted him, forcing a smile. “I just, um…”
Longarm walked closer until he was eventually at Ironhide’s side. Ironhide’s smile faded and his gaze fell onto Wasp’s empty berth once more.
“Having trouble going back to your quarters?” Longarm softly asked. Ironhide nodded. “I don't blame you. You seemed to be really good friends with Wasp. I can’t imagine what you’re going through right now.”
“I don’t even know what to think about it all, y’know?” he blurted out. “We were just… so close. I’m having a hard time convincing myself that it was all fake.“
Ironhide reset his vocal synthesizer, hoping it would keep him from completely breaking down.
“Like, how can any bot just act like they care about someone so much?” he managed to choke out. “I know that Decepticons are horrible and all but, Primus , are they really that bad?”
Longarm struggled to speak for a moment. He sighed as his face fell.
“I don’t know, Ironhide,” he admitted. “I wish there was something I could do or say to ease your pain but I’m not sure there is. I think you just need to give yourself time to heal.”
Ironhide stared at the floor. Maybe Longarm was right. Maybe this would pass and he would eventually get better… but right now, he was in so much pain, more than he ever thought he was capable of.
“You know, I still have that spare berth in my quarters,” Longarm suddenly said. “You’re more than welcome to move in if you feel too uncomfortable in here.”
Ironhide awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck. “Thanks. I guess it’d make sense for us to room together since we’re the only two left in our platoon now.”
They both winced at that. Ironhide nervously kicked at the ground. Longarm placed a servo on his shoulder and offered him a small smile.
“I’m so sorry you’re having to go through all of this, Ironhide. It’s been a long, rough day. I know it’s not much, but I’m here for you if you need me,” he gently said. “You’re a good, strong bot, ‘Hide. You’ll get through this, and I’ll be with you every step of the way.”
Ironhide nodded in acknowledgment.
“Want me to help you move your stuff?”
Ironhide hesitated, but then smiled back. “Uh, yeah. Sure. Thanks, bud.”