(There's a full on story on this love story like 15 chapters long but imma put it into like 3 parts, if you catch the name Emily or different characteristics that's my fault because it was originally just a random love story with ironhide)

It was quiet in the hanger. Most of the soldiers had went home or crashed in the bunker. As usual, Optimus was out on a routinely night drive with Bumblebee tagging along. Wheeljack and Ratchet quietly working and collaborating on a project while Sideswipe bugged them. The wreckers and Mirage were recharging. Lennox and Epps and a few of the remaining soldiers were playing a friendly game of poker. Leaving Ironhide on his own for the night. He vented a sigh as he transformed from his alt mode and walked out of the building. He looked around to see it was pretty deserted but as he walked around some more he heard laughter.

Knowing most of the soldiers were gone he decided to investigate on his own. He walked around the side of the building to see a few teenagers messing around, causing undoubtedly trouble. "Hey!" Ironhide barked

"Oh shit it's the popo!" One shouted as they all scattered, going in a few directions as he clearly seen them jump the fence and heard distant laughter and cheering, all except one.

"Wait!" They yelled, attempting to get up off the ground where they sat but the attempt was failed as they collapsed on their hands and knees yelling out in agony.

"Dammit.." Their breathing sounded labored

Ironhide frowned as he approached the human but suddenly realized their leg was awkwardly positioned. It was pretty obvious now that their leg was undoubtedly broken. They were completely helpless. Heaving an annoyed sigh he knew he couldn't leave them like that.

"Hey." He called out.

They froze in the position they were in before looking back at him.

"Do you need some help?" He asked

silence. He inwardly hummed "I won't hurt you." He added

Nothing. They just sat there looking at him, he still couldn't see their face with a hoodie on them as he walked closer and picked /her/ up as she made a noise Ironhide couldn't describe. A pained one or scared? It wasn't a whimper or cry. Grabbing the hood he pulled it back off their head to reveal the girl's face. She had (h/c) hair and looked to be about (age). Her crystal blue eyes winced before looking at him, just a dead stare she didn't look afraid or anything.

"What are you doing here?" Ironhide growled

She didn't seem phased "I don't know... Where am I exactly?"

He grunted 'how could she not know where she is?' He thought

"Y/n!?" Lennox's voice shouted in panic.

Ironhide looked back to see the captain walking out of the door as he ran over to him "Ironhide! Put her down, please."

"Lennox..?" The girl asked

Obeying Lennox he set her down "You know her?"

"It's my neighbors daughter. My god, y/n, what happened?" He asked crouching down to the girl looking at her leg

"I was just out with some friends... I'm not sure but something went wrong and I fell trying to climb something." She explained

"Those kids were vandalizing military property." Ironhide growled

Lennox looked up at Ironhide and sighed "She can't see. She's blind, Ironhide."

Ironhide's sudden realization kicked in, that's why she didn't freak out. She can't see him. Not only was her leg broken but she was blind, she had no idea what happened.

"Come on." Lennox said picking her up in his arms, carrying her bridal style back inside keeping in mind of her leg

Ironhide followed in as Lennox called for the medic, they brought her into their care, fixing her up. Letting her stay over night. Considering... Well.. She's blind! She can't see the Autobots, she can only hear them.

Ironhide summoned his holoform as he walked into the medical room to see her sitting there. He softly tapped his knuckles on the door as she looked up "Lennox...?"

"No, it's uh, Ironhide." He said

"You were the one that found me."

"Yeah.." He nodded but cleared his throat "So.. Did Lennox tell you where you are?"

"Yes.. It's unfortunate." She said with a small frown "I never did have the best of friends, leave it to me to find the criminals, huh?" She said with a small smile

He looked at her with slight sympathy. "Can I ask you something?"

She gave a light nod "Anything."

"How did you go blind?" He asked curiously

She softly chuckled "I haven't been asked that in awhile.."

"You don't have to answer-"

"No, it's fine.." She said with a small smile "I wasn't always blind, but ever since I was 4 I had poor eye sight, it just got so bad everything was so blurry I could only make out shapes, but when I was 6 my sight finally slipped and.. All I saw was darkness."

Ironhide frowned "How did you meet Lennox?"

She smiled "Lennox? I met him when I was 8.. He was my babysitter, he was so nice, just a really great guy. Sometimes I still like to think of him looking out for me."

A throat clear was then audible, Ironhide flinched looking back to the door to see Lennox standing there

"y/n, you should lay down, get some sleep, okay?" He said walking over

"There he goes again.." She chuckled

Ironhide slightly smirked to see how Lennox was treating her like a young child, but seen how he did seem more of a fatherly figure to her.

Lennox ushered him out of the room, leaving her alone

"Lennox?" Ironhide asked as they walked down the hall

"Hm?" Lennox looked at Ironhide

"What really happened to her?" He frowned

Lennox glanced away but sighed "I found her in an abandoned house when she was 8, her parents had locked her away in a windowless room for most of her life, she went blind because of light deprivation.. You can't do that to a child or it messes up their eyes.." He frowned, hatred shined in his eyes "It was truly terrible what those people did.. I took her into my own family for a few months and gave her the care she needed but then she got adopted by my neighbors when she was 9, they're really good people so I know she's getting the proper care she needs."

"Humans..." Ironhide softly growled

"There are some bad people out there, Ironhide, but don't forget there's also a lot of good ones, too." Lennox said clasping a hand on his shoulder

Ironhide grunted with a nod, understanding

"And she's supposed to get eye surgery done soon, she's been waiting a few years so if everything goes properly she will see again.. But if her body rejects the new eyes then she'll never be able to see again." Lennox explained

Ironhide nodded as they continued to walk down the hall and into the hanger. By now Optimus and Bumblebee were back, and they were all recharging. So Ironhide joined them as his holoform disappeared, he transformed into his alt mode and proceeded to power down. But his mind kept wandering to y/n.

ironhide kept waking up from recharge, he couldn't stay recharging. Something felt off so he summoned his holoform again and walked to the medical room. It was about 2am, what could be wrong at 2am? Everyone's sleeping. Or Atleast they should be.

As he approached the room he took notice that it was pretty quiet, everyone was sleeping.

He walked in to see y/n laying on her side but listened to her breathing, it wasn't as slow is as a sleeping human, she was still awake

"You're supposed to be sleeping.." Ironhide said in a hushed tone

He seen her visibly flinch but he moved over to her side, grasping her hand into his own "Sh.." He hushed "It's me, Ironhide.."

"Ironhide?" She asked quietly, grasping his hand "what are you doing up?"

"Same as you.."

"You can't sleep either, huh?" She asked quietly with a small smile

"Not really.." He replied "how come you can't sleep?"

"I'm not sure.." She murmured "how about you?"

"I'm not sure either." He lightly scoffed "But something told me to check on you.."

She smiled and quietly chuckled "Guess it knew we both couldn't sleep.."

"Yeah, maybe.." He shrugged

They sat there in silence for awhile. Neither needed to talk to know what they were going through.

Both bitten by the love bug it was pretty obvious Ironhide now had a certain someone to protect. Not just from decepticons but from a lot of things.. For once, Ironhide was at peace as he pulled over a chair and sat by the bed. Then they started to quietly talk.

"Ironhide.."

He softly hummed in acknowledgement.

"Describe yourself... I- I wanna visualize you.."

He slightly smirked "well I'm much taller than you.. I have black hair and blue eyes that could pierce the human soul.."

She quietly giggled at his description

"And I work out." He added "quite ripped if I must say so myself." He smirked to see her blush "a man to steal your heart away.." He whispered close to her ear

"I think you've accomplished that, sir.." She giggled

Ironhide smirked to hear this for himself "I didn't think it was possible but I think i might of fallen for you myself.." He said gently brushing a finger on her cheek that felt hot from blush

"Tell me.. What made you so quick to assume I was the one?" Ironhide asked

"I may be blind but I don't need to be to know when I found a good person.. You found me, might of been a little angry at first but I know I'm trespassing, but then.. You were caring. You got that strong, protective vibe.." she chuckled

"I can be very protective.." he murmured softly

She smiled softly "Why did you join the military?"

"To save innocent people like you and beat up bad guys.." he smirked "I'm a weapon specialist.."

"Ironhide, the weapon specialist.. it has a ring to it" she said softly, reaching up

Ironhide grasped her hand, placing it on his cheek, interlocking their fingers, she smiled and softly chuckled

"You catch on quick.."

He smirked and leaned down, gently pressing their lips together as she softly gasped in surprised but purred in content, kissing back.

Ironhide unlocked their fingers as he used his hand to support himself as he slightly hovered over her, his other hand gently cupping her cheek.

She slid her hand to the back of his head, ruffling his hair as he softly chuckled, gently pecking her lips

Little did they know they'd have company.

-???'s POV-

I sat up from the couch I fell asleep to see Lennox asleep in the chair, and a few of the other soldiers asleep.

I looked at the clock that read 3:23a.m., softly groaning I stood up and walked out of the room, listening to the sounds of the base. Quiet.. no. Someone was talking. 2 people.. I couldn't quite hear them but something must of been funny because I heard the faint chuckles and giggles. I kept looking in every room I passed to find the source but it was either empty or had sleeping solders.

It started to become a little more clear as I got to the medical wing.

I heard a hushed chuckle again before it got quiet, I stopped before marching on when I heard hushed voices

I realized one was y/n.. And the other sounded like Ironhide but that's impossible. But I stopped at one room to see Ironhide and y /n having 'a night to remember'.

y/n was pressing a hand into his chest as she softly giggled as he lowly growled. But I knew there was a playful side in him somewhere.. this was it.

"You tease too much.." she murmured

"I agree.." I said

Ironhide looked up at me a few moments before becoming clear away from y/n, folding his arms

"Hey, shouldn't you two be sleeping?" I folded my arms

"Epps?" Y/n frowned

I chuckled "What gave it away?"

"Your voice." she smiled a moment before sitting up and it was gone "Wait- don't tell Lennox"

"I gotta see about that one but I'm not making any promises, you know he's like a father to you, he wants to know everything.. And this is pretty big" I smiled as I looked over to Ironhide, he looked like a pouting child that just got caught doing something he wasn't supposed to..

She folded her arms "Epps.."

I walked over patting her head "Alright, just go to sleep."

She slightly nodded as I walked out, Ironhide stayed a few moments saying goodnight before walking out.

I looked at him a few times as we walked down the hall "With y/n, huh, I don't know, Ironhide.. y/n is like Lennox's baby.. He really cares about her, I think he'd want a real man to take y/n.." I smiled

He softly growled "Don't push it.. And don't tell Lennox either."

"You're really slipping on your game, Ironhide." I said honestly.

He frowned, even in the darkened hallways I could tell he was pissed.

"Alright look, I won't tell Lennox. Just don't let it happen again. He's very protective of her.. I'd hate for him to find out about you two, he'll guard her house." I joked clasping my hand on his shoulder

He didn't laugh so I removed my hand as we continued to walk down the hall, I returned to my quarters and Ironhide returned to the hanger. I made sure of it.

As Ironhide onlined from his recharge he found the soldiers up and walking around. One was Epps, as he started to walk infront of me, he started his engine and revved it, moving forward in a threatening manner.

He laughed, patting ironhide's dash "Whoa, good morning to you too, big guy.."

He glanced around noticing Epps was playing it off because of the other soldiers and transformed when everyone was clear.

"You're up early." Bumblebee played from his radio

Ironhide shrugged him off as Lennox walked over to him "Hey, Ironhide, you're on guard with Bumblebee this morning."

"On it.." Ironhide said heading to his position.

"Hey, hey, Ironhide." Rick, one of the other humans he had close relation to called, walking over he crouched down

"I heard you knocked it out of the park with y/n." Rick smirked "Nice, she's a sweet girl, ya know. Ya better keep her because I know a few guys that has their eye on 'er." he laughed

Ironhide softly growled "How'd you find out?"

"I heard Epps and a few of the boys talkin this morning, said he found you and y/n getting pretty flirty. It's a good thing man, it shows you're not just a machine, you got feelings" he explained

"Epps.." Ironhide growled

"Hey- where you going??" he called

Ironhide walked back into the hanger and found Epps at a table with a few other friends as they laughed, chatting away. "You." he snarled, snatching up Epps making the others panick

"Ironhide." Optimus' said with his deep warning tone

"Hey, if that was about the bet yesterday, I don't got the money yet, 'hide. how bout we take a ride and settle this?" Epps said suggesting a way out

Ironhide softly grunted before transforming, allowing Epps to jump in the front seat as they drove outside to the gate, Epps gave the ok as they found their way down the road, the seatbelt came across Epps.

"Epps, you said you wouldn't say anything!" Ironhide growled

"whoa, hey, I didn't say that. I said I wouldn't tell Lennox, and I didn't, I warned the boys to keep a low profile.." Epps explained "You're safe, Ironhide."

"Oh? so what about the ears that overhear you?" he growled, tightening the seatbelt

"Hey- this is getting dangerously tight- and I was quiet about it."

"Ricky heard you.." he grumbled

"Ricky?? he's a rookie, don't worry about it, Ironhide.." Epps said calmly

Ironhide softly growled but loosened the seatbelt "Not another word to anyone."

"Alright, alright.." he said putting his hands up defensively. "Not another word."

"Good." Ironhide grumbled

The two remained out for awhile, considering it 'patrol'. About an hour and a half they turned back and headed back to base.

As Ironhide drove in he took notice in a few soldiers murmuring among themselves.

Some chuckled as Ironnhide passed but others remained straight faced.

He didn't understand why as Epps jumped out and he transformed back at the hanger as Bumblebee silently kept guard in alt mode at the main gate but as Lennox assigned him, he went back and sat there at the main gate with Bumblebee.

Turns out they had a special guest, Charolette Mearing.

She came and went as the day was soon the afternoon.

Lennox spoke with Ironhide about having to take y/n home. So he volunteered, and after much questioning, Lennox allowed it.

He was given the coordinates and Lennox contacted her parents before they shoved off. Ironhide summoned his holoform as they drove down the road, she sat in the passenger seat, quietly sitting there.

"Lennox.. Told me what really happened. Why did you lie?" Ironhide asked

She frowned a little as she sat there a few moments before answering "It isn't easy remembering all that stuff.. I went through years of counseling and rehabilitation. It seems like the best thing to do is just lie sometimes." She sighed "I'm sorry, Ironhide."

Ironhide sat there taking it in before sighing "It's fine."

They quietly sat there for the remainder of the time as Ironhide pulled up to the house Lennox told him to drop her off at. "Well, here it is.." he jumped out and went over to the passenger side, helping her out as she softly sighed

"Thanks for.. everything, Ironhide."

"I'll see you around." Ironhide smiled helping her up to the door as a man stepped out and held the door open

He kindly nodded to Ironhide "Thank you, sir. Welcome home, y/n." he said taking her hand and leading her inside as Ironhide walked back to his form before disappearing and driving back to HQ.