FIC: Oh, My Little Soldier Boy (Human Series)
Title: Oh, My Little Soldier Boy
Author: Keelywolfe
Fandom: Transformers
Rating: R
Pairing(s): Ironhide/Lennox
Summary: Part 40 of the ‘human’ series, which are available, in order, here in my Main Fiction post.
Ironhide would never have admitted, to anyone, but when they had first encountered organic species, it had taken him some time to understand the concept of gender. Oh, on first impressions, it had seemed simple enough; the first organics that Ironhide had met had been similar to humans in that they had possessed two genders for the purposes of procreation. After you got past that little distasteful way of reproducing, the necessity of two contrasting sexes was easy enough. Hell, most mechs had notable differences in their protoforms based on their function, location of creation, even preference. Made sense that other species would have their differences.
It wasn't until he'd looked closer that he'd realized it was nothing so simple as 'innie' and 'outie' parts. There were certain sociological functions that were associated with gender and a certain expectation inherent in their personality as well as cultural conditioning. It had been true of every gendered organic species that he'd ever met.
In a word, organics were weird.
Most Autobots took to the concept with little difficulty, playing at whatever gender they decided matched with the organic's perceptions. Amongst the humans, most had chosen to identify as male, to match their comrades-in-arms. Worked out fine and the soldiers seemed comfortable with their assumptions. Wasn't much need to point out that Autobots didn't have a sex and didn't much want one, thanks, but Ironhide would leave those sort of technicalities to the science-types. He was happier helping teach the human soldiers new ways to blow things up.
Out of all the 'bots on Earth, only Arcee had chosen to lean towards the female side. Her reasoning had been well-considered and pointed, or at least Ironhide figured it was, knowing her. He hadn't paid a damned bit of attention to her chatter on the subject, just grunted at the appropriate pauses. Since when did he care what holoform anyone used, so long as they weren't letting any dangling bits hang out in public? Didn't matter what gender they pretended at, it didn't make it true, so just pick one and to hell with the reasons.
It wasn't until Arcee had commented on his own difficulties in choosing a form that he'd actually started listening.
They'd been on the training grounds, both flopped in the dirt after a very vigorous session; Arcee had more than proving that at least she had kept up with her battle routines during their long travels. Ironhide had grudgingly approved her for combat even as he silently grumbled that if Ratchet hadn't tried to tear his struts out earlier in the day, she wouldn't have stood a chance.
She'd been chattering on about human gender stereotypes, some kinda bullshit, and Ironhide had just been grunting at a likely-seeming pause when his audios caught. "…in fact, maybe you'd have better luck with your holoform if you expanded your test parameters a little. No rule says that you have to stick with the first gender you tried out."
"Think so?" Ironhide had asked, a little curious despite himself. If he was going to work around the humans, he needed a holoform and really, he couldn't keep thumbing his way through forms, trying to find a snug fit. Humans liked things to be stable and didn't quite know what to make of the 'bots changing appearances all the damned time. He was in a command position and soldiers needed to know who to listen to; not like the humans could send a quick identity request. Far as he knew, he was the only one left who hadn't picked one and he'd been here for longer than most of 'em.
Arcee had shrugged, a very human gesture that made Ironhide smirk. Quick adapter, that one. "Can't hurt to try. Make up a female form and give it a shot." She gave him a smirk of her own, flicking him on a sensitive sensor array that made him hiss in startled pain. "At the very least, it'll shake up the humans a little."
He hadn't wanted to admit it at the time, but Ironhide hadn't gotten that little joke. But he just hated to let anyone get one up over him, so he'd grunted in agreement and then taken her advice.
It was only now, walking around the troops and shouting orders to help with mission prep, that Ironhide got it. The soldiers were professionals, no doubt of that, and they did their jobs with startling efficiency for organics. Snapped straight to following orders, these ones, and Ironhide had a fine appreciation for that kind of obedience. But obedient or not, there was no way their human comrades could hope to hide their reactions.
Might think they were, would've if he'd actually been human. A human female might not notice gazes that lingered just a little too long, the faint hoarseness in a voice that declared, "Yes, sir!" to an order. They sure as hell wouldn't notice the abrupt surge of pheromones that had washed over him from all the males present the time he'd stooped to pick up a crate of munitions, hefting a load that no human, male or female, could've hoped to carry.
Ironhide didn't bother to wonder why him lugging around crates was so appealing. It was sure as hell a lot more fun to add a little more sway to his hips when he did it, to make sure he twisted just so when he set it down. Every eye in the hanger had been on him for a brief second and it'd been difficult not to preen under the heat of that attention. Sunstreaker liked to think of himself as the resident expert in organic seduction but he should've done a little more research on humans before settling on his form because Ironhide was obviously in the premium configuration here.
Oh, hell, yeah, Ironhide decided. This form he was keeping.
It wasn't until he was half-sprawled over his own hood, studying the blueprints of the industrial area where Bumblebee had discovered the thermic trace, that he'd noticed something…off. Lennox was with him, as he had been most of the day and he'd just started pointing out an area of concern when another soldier had walked past them.
To Ironhide's bemusement, Lennox bit off whatever he had been about to say, pausing to glare at the other soldier. The young man, a low-ranking officer and no fool, had scurried off quickly before his commander could add a few barking commands to his glower.
Huh.
Organics were weird was a philosophy that Ironhide had long subscribed to but this was weirder than most.
For his part, once they were alone again Lennox only focused back on the blueprints, "Like I was saying, this spot right here could be a concern if-"
"Is something wrong?" Ironhide interrupted bluntly. If Lennox was in a twist over something it would be better to get it out into the open now, before they were in the field and it could distract them. Bee had only found one thermic trace but that meant fuck all as far as Ironhide was concerned. Decepticons could pull better ambushes than that while they were in recharge.
Lennox blinked, startled, his attention flicking between Ironhide had the blueprints, "It's not wrong, just a concern if anyone gets cornered in this area, there's no clear escape route."
Oh, bullshit. Ironhide was torn between amusement and annoyance. "Is something wrong with you?" he clarified, propping his chin on one hand as he stared at the human, directly challenging. His interest in playing to the polite rules of human society was exactly zero, not when they were fast approaching mission time.
To his confusion, Lennox went very still, the hand that had been pointing at the vulnerable area tightened slowly into a fist. His concern increased significantly as Lennox remained silent, his eyes on the blueprint.
Ah, shit.
This was entirely his fault. He'd known they'd be up for a mission soon, he'd damn well known it, and still last night he'd…well…they had…Well, Ironhide was no longer the only mech on base who had to resort to self-service or at least not last night. Should have fucking known better, two leaders should not end up as bedfellows, Ironhide knew that, and now things were going to be awkward between them.
Instead, he'd been thinking with overheated circuits instead of actual logic and now Lennox seemed to be regretting their impulsiveness at a moment when they needed all their focus on the mission.
It was with no small amount of his own faint hurt that Ironhide drew back, giving Lennox a little distance. Humans considered proximity to be intimate and while Ironhide had never much worried about it before, now might be time to consider it.
If Lennox were a fellow mech, he might have a chance at repairing this damage but with a human? He had no clue what the proper response should be. It wasn't like they'd even done much, Ironhide couldn't help but think irritably. Hell, if he'd known he was going to lose a friend and comrade to the awkward discomfort of a bad aftermath, he'd sure as fuck done more than a little groping.
Ah, but that had been nice enough. They hadn't even managed to remove any clothing, real or holographic, but even the friction of the fabric between them had been exciting, unfamiliar as Ironhide was with touching to overload. The television had been flickering staticky light over them, the movie they'd been pretending to watch long since over and Lennox had been moaning beneath him, Ironhide happily sprawled between the human's spread legs as he rubbed against the hard pressure of Lennox's erection…
With a disturbed jolt, Ironhide realized he was getting aroused just remembering it. Seducing organics wasn't exactly his forte, perhaps he shouldn't have stayed the night? It'd taken conscious effort to keep channeling power to his receptors and Lennox hadn't seemed disturbed to see him when he'd awoken, both of them cramped from the small sofa, but perhaps he'd been concealing his reactions and-
A hand caught his own, stopping Ironhide from withdrawing further. He hesitated, watching with growing confusion and worry as a muscle worked in Lennox's jaw, a tic tic tic of visible frustration before the human finally muttered, "They're all staring at you."
Staring? Ironhide blinked and looked down at his form. It seemed to be in order. The all-important clothing was covering his form properly,--and that was a mistake he never wanted to make again-nothing was exposed that shouldn't be.
Perhaps it was the weapons? All the soldiers on base were armed and Ironhide had made sure his holoform always carried a weapon as well. He was currently carrying a modified Glock in a holster in the small of his back, as well as an M1911 strapped to his leg, along with various small explosives and incendiaries that the humans weren't cleared to carry yet. Well, and a few blade weapons that were part of his holographic form, including a spring-loaded one in the toe of each of his boots. No such thing as excessive when it came to weapons, as far as Ironhide was concerned.
"All right, they're staring. Is that a problem, Lennox?" Ironhide asked, gruffly, when it became clear that the human wasn't going to add to his statement. Patience was also not going to be a quality that was listed at the top of his strengths but today Ironhide struggled to maintain just a little. He forced himself to soften his tone, asking quietly, "Will?"
Lennox sighed, rubbing awkwardly between his eyes. "'Hide, you look like a very attractive woman."
Hell, yeah, he did. "Of course I do, I created this."
"Yeah, but-"
"You'd prefer I was unattractive?" That didn't mesh with all the data he'd accumulated about humans but if that was what Lennox wanted…
"No, I wouldn't!" Lennox said in a furious whisper. "I just...don't like them staring at you."
Ironhide considered that for a long moment, turning that statement over in his head along with what he knew about humans. He tapped a finger on his hood, twisting around this little puzzle to be solved until…"You're jealous!" he said triumphantly.
Lennox groaned aloud. "Would you keep it down?" he hissed.
"No, don't even try to deny it," Ironhide gloated, more relieved that it was something so simple than he cared to admit. "You don't want them to stare because of your possessive feelings towards me!"
"No. I don't."
Something of Lennox's quiet admission caught him and Ironhide deflated. Here he was with a human who had emotions towards him, felt possessive of him, and he was reveling in it as though he'd won the energon sweepstakes.
Ironhide let out a harsh breath, dragging his fingers through his long, and attractive, human hair.
"I'm…not sure how I can make them not stare at me," Ironhide admitted softly. "It's not intentional." Well, not all of it. He sure as hell wasn't going to offer to be unattractive again. One time deal, that one.
"Of course it's not," Lennox sighed, "And look, I know this is stupid. You and me, we…we're not…" And of course Lennox would be just as bad at this as Ironhide. They were soldiers, not poets, and Ironhide wasn't interested in pretty words, thanks. He preferred the physical to the verbal.
"If it soothes you to know it, I promise this form is completely yours." He drew one hand slowly down his hip, cupping the curve of his backside in a way that he hoped was suggestive. All those videos on youtube had to be useful for something.
Lennox's reaction was gratifying. "Okay," he said, somewhat inanely, bright heat shining in his eyes and the flush of arousal heating through him.
Oh, he was so getting laid again tonight. Maybe even the next night and after the battle? It would be his turn to assault his fellow Autobots with pheromones and shouts of pleasure, hell, yes, the very stars were going to hear Will screaming his name-
Ironhide winced hard, dropping to one knee in an automatic defensive crouch at the sudden scream of static broadcasting through his communication links. It hurt like a motherfucker and he desperately tried to shut it down even as it forced open every communications circuit he had, assaulting him with someone else's agony/fear/pain/helpme/agony
He dimly heard Lennox shout, heard his own high whine of Cybertronian pain mingle with the cries of every other Autobot on base before it cut off sharply and he could only collapse in relief. Consciousness returned slowly until Ironhide found himself still in a holoform, blinking up at Lennox as the human held him off the concrete floor.
"Something is very wrong," Ironhide whispered hoarsely, echoing silence in his head. Quickly, he jerked himself from Lennox, merging into his real form and he was already tearing away, wheels screaming, before the human could even voice his concern. Slowly, his com links were coming back online, every circuit filled with the voices of his comrades, demanding, fearful voices that all wanted to know what the hell had just happened.
Not one voice seemed to know but whatever the hell it was, Ironhide was boosting their defense grid now.
He'd worry about the details later.
-finis-
Next Chapter
Author: Keelywolfe
Fandom: Transformers
Rating: R
Pairing(s): Ironhide/Lennox
Summary: Part 40 of the ‘human’ series, which are available, in order, here in my Main Fiction post.
Ironhide would never have admitted, to anyone, but when they had first encountered organic species, it had taken him some time to understand the concept of gender. Oh, on first impressions, it had seemed simple enough; the first organics that Ironhide had met had been similar to humans in that they had possessed two genders for the purposes of procreation. After you got past that little distasteful way of reproducing, the necessity of two contrasting sexes was easy enough. Hell, most mechs had notable differences in their protoforms based on their function, location of creation, even preference. Made sense that other species would have their differences.
It wasn't until he'd looked closer that he'd realized it was nothing so simple as 'innie' and 'outie' parts. There were certain sociological functions that were associated with gender and a certain expectation inherent in their personality as well as cultural conditioning. It had been true of every gendered organic species that he'd ever met.
In a word, organics were weird.
Most Autobots took to the concept with little difficulty, playing at whatever gender they decided matched with the organic's perceptions. Amongst the humans, most had chosen to identify as male, to match their comrades-in-arms. Worked out fine and the soldiers seemed comfortable with their assumptions. Wasn't much need to point out that Autobots didn't have a sex and didn't much want one, thanks, but Ironhide would leave those sort of technicalities to the science-types. He was happier helping teach the human soldiers new ways to blow things up.
Out of all the 'bots on Earth, only Arcee had chosen to lean towards the female side. Her reasoning had been well-considered and pointed, or at least Ironhide figured it was, knowing her. He hadn't paid a damned bit of attention to her chatter on the subject, just grunted at the appropriate pauses. Since when did he care what holoform anyone used, so long as they weren't letting any dangling bits hang out in public? Didn't matter what gender they pretended at, it didn't make it true, so just pick one and to hell with the reasons.
It wasn't until Arcee had commented on his own difficulties in choosing a form that he'd actually started listening.
They'd been on the training grounds, both flopped in the dirt after a very vigorous session; Arcee had more than proving that at least she had kept up with her battle routines during their long travels. Ironhide had grudgingly approved her for combat even as he silently grumbled that if Ratchet hadn't tried to tear his struts out earlier in the day, she wouldn't have stood a chance.
She'd been chattering on about human gender stereotypes, some kinda bullshit, and Ironhide had just been grunting at a likely-seeming pause when his audios caught. "…in fact, maybe you'd have better luck with your holoform if you expanded your test parameters a little. No rule says that you have to stick with the first gender you tried out."
"Think so?" Ironhide had asked, a little curious despite himself. If he was going to work around the humans, he needed a holoform and really, he couldn't keep thumbing his way through forms, trying to find a snug fit. Humans liked things to be stable and didn't quite know what to make of the 'bots changing appearances all the damned time. He was in a command position and soldiers needed to know who to listen to; not like the humans could send a quick identity request. Far as he knew, he was the only one left who hadn't picked one and he'd been here for longer than most of 'em.
Arcee had shrugged, a very human gesture that made Ironhide smirk. Quick adapter, that one. "Can't hurt to try. Make up a female form and give it a shot." She gave him a smirk of her own, flicking him on a sensitive sensor array that made him hiss in startled pain. "At the very least, it'll shake up the humans a little."
He hadn't wanted to admit it at the time, but Ironhide hadn't gotten that little joke. But he just hated to let anyone get one up over him, so he'd grunted in agreement and then taken her advice.
It was only now, walking around the troops and shouting orders to help with mission prep, that Ironhide got it. The soldiers were professionals, no doubt of that, and they did their jobs with startling efficiency for organics. Snapped straight to following orders, these ones, and Ironhide had a fine appreciation for that kind of obedience. But obedient or not, there was no way their human comrades could hope to hide their reactions.
Might think they were, would've if he'd actually been human. A human female might not notice gazes that lingered just a little too long, the faint hoarseness in a voice that declared, "Yes, sir!" to an order. They sure as hell wouldn't notice the abrupt surge of pheromones that had washed over him from all the males present the time he'd stooped to pick up a crate of munitions, hefting a load that no human, male or female, could've hoped to carry.
Ironhide didn't bother to wonder why him lugging around crates was so appealing. It was sure as hell a lot more fun to add a little more sway to his hips when he did it, to make sure he twisted just so when he set it down. Every eye in the hanger had been on him for a brief second and it'd been difficult not to preen under the heat of that attention. Sunstreaker liked to think of himself as the resident expert in organic seduction but he should've done a little more research on humans before settling on his form because Ironhide was obviously in the premium configuration here.
Oh, hell, yeah, Ironhide decided. This form he was keeping.
It wasn't until he was half-sprawled over his own hood, studying the blueprints of the industrial area where Bumblebee had discovered the thermic trace, that he'd noticed something…off. Lennox was with him, as he had been most of the day and he'd just started pointing out an area of concern when another soldier had walked past them.
To Ironhide's bemusement, Lennox bit off whatever he had been about to say, pausing to glare at the other soldier. The young man, a low-ranking officer and no fool, had scurried off quickly before his commander could add a few barking commands to his glower.
Huh.
Organics were weird was a philosophy that Ironhide had long subscribed to but this was weirder than most.
For his part, once they were alone again Lennox only focused back on the blueprints, "Like I was saying, this spot right here could be a concern if-"
"Is something wrong?" Ironhide interrupted bluntly. If Lennox was in a twist over something it would be better to get it out into the open now, before they were in the field and it could distract them. Bee had only found one thermic trace but that meant fuck all as far as Ironhide was concerned. Decepticons could pull better ambushes than that while they were in recharge.
Lennox blinked, startled, his attention flicking between Ironhide had the blueprints, "It's not wrong, just a concern if anyone gets cornered in this area, there's no clear escape route."
Oh, bullshit. Ironhide was torn between amusement and annoyance. "Is something wrong with you?" he clarified, propping his chin on one hand as he stared at the human, directly challenging. His interest in playing to the polite rules of human society was exactly zero, not when they were fast approaching mission time.
To his confusion, Lennox went very still, the hand that had been pointing at the vulnerable area tightened slowly into a fist. His concern increased significantly as Lennox remained silent, his eyes on the blueprint.
Ah, shit.
This was entirely his fault. He'd known they'd be up for a mission soon, he'd damn well known it, and still last night he'd…well…they had…Well, Ironhide was no longer the only mech on base who had to resort to self-service or at least not last night. Should have fucking known better, two leaders should not end up as bedfellows, Ironhide knew that, and now things were going to be awkward between them.
Instead, he'd been thinking with overheated circuits instead of actual logic and now Lennox seemed to be regretting their impulsiveness at a moment when they needed all their focus on the mission.
It was with no small amount of his own faint hurt that Ironhide drew back, giving Lennox a little distance. Humans considered proximity to be intimate and while Ironhide had never much worried about it before, now might be time to consider it.
If Lennox were a fellow mech, he might have a chance at repairing this damage but with a human? He had no clue what the proper response should be. It wasn't like they'd even done much, Ironhide couldn't help but think irritably. Hell, if he'd known he was going to lose a friend and comrade to the awkward discomfort of a bad aftermath, he'd sure as fuck done more than a little groping.
Ah, but that had been nice enough. They hadn't even managed to remove any clothing, real or holographic, but even the friction of the fabric between them had been exciting, unfamiliar as Ironhide was with touching to overload. The television had been flickering staticky light over them, the movie they'd been pretending to watch long since over and Lennox had been moaning beneath him, Ironhide happily sprawled between the human's spread legs as he rubbed against the hard pressure of Lennox's erection…
With a disturbed jolt, Ironhide realized he was getting aroused just remembering it. Seducing organics wasn't exactly his forte, perhaps he shouldn't have stayed the night? It'd taken conscious effort to keep channeling power to his receptors and Lennox hadn't seemed disturbed to see him when he'd awoken, both of them cramped from the small sofa, but perhaps he'd been concealing his reactions and-
A hand caught his own, stopping Ironhide from withdrawing further. He hesitated, watching with growing confusion and worry as a muscle worked in Lennox's jaw, a tic tic tic of visible frustration before the human finally muttered, "They're all staring at you."
Staring? Ironhide blinked and looked down at his form. It seemed to be in order. The all-important clothing was covering his form properly,--and that was a mistake he never wanted to make again-nothing was exposed that shouldn't be.
Perhaps it was the weapons? All the soldiers on base were armed and Ironhide had made sure his holoform always carried a weapon as well. He was currently carrying a modified Glock in a holster in the small of his back, as well as an M1911 strapped to his leg, along with various small explosives and incendiaries that the humans weren't cleared to carry yet. Well, and a few blade weapons that were part of his holographic form, including a spring-loaded one in the toe of each of his boots. No such thing as excessive when it came to weapons, as far as Ironhide was concerned.
"All right, they're staring. Is that a problem, Lennox?" Ironhide asked, gruffly, when it became clear that the human wasn't going to add to his statement. Patience was also not going to be a quality that was listed at the top of his strengths but today Ironhide struggled to maintain just a little. He forced himself to soften his tone, asking quietly, "Will?"
Lennox sighed, rubbing awkwardly between his eyes. "'Hide, you look like a very attractive woman."
Hell, yeah, he did. "Of course I do, I created this."
"Yeah, but-"
"You'd prefer I was unattractive?" That didn't mesh with all the data he'd accumulated about humans but if that was what Lennox wanted…
"No, I wouldn't!" Lennox said in a furious whisper. "I just...don't like them staring at you."
Ironhide considered that for a long moment, turning that statement over in his head along with what he knew about humans. He tapped a finger on his hood, twisting around this little puzzle to be solved until…"You're jealous!" he said triumphantly.
Lennox groaned aloud. "Would you keep it down?" he hissed.
"No, don't even try to deny it," Ironhide gloated, more relieved that it was something so simple than he cared to admit. "You don't want them to stare because of your possessive feelings towards me!"
"No. I don't."
Something of Lennox's quiet admission caught him and Ironhide deflated. Here he was with a human who had emotions towards him, felt possessive of him, and he was reveling in it as though he'd won the energon sweepstakes.
Ironhide let out a harsh breath, dragging his fingers through his long, and attractive, human hair.
"I'm…not sure how I can make them not stare at me," Ironhide admitted softly. "It's not intentional." Well, not all of it. He sure as hell wasn't going to offer to be unattractive again. One time deal, that one.
"Of course it's not," Lennox sighed, "And look, I know this is stupid. You and me, we…we're not…" And of course Lennox would be just as bad at this as Ironhide. They were soldiers, not poets, and Ironhide wasn't interested in pretty words, thanks. He preferred the physical to the verbal.
"If it soothes you to know it, I promise this form is completely yours." He drew one hand slowly down his hip, cupping the curve of his backside in a way that he hoped was suggestive. All those videos on youtube had to be useful for something.
Lennox's reaction was gratifying. "Okay," he said, somewhat inanely, bright heat shining in his eyes and the flush of arousal heating through him.
Oh, he was so getting laid again tonight. Maybe even the next night and after the battle? It would be his turn to assault his fellow Autobots with pheromones and shouts of pleasure, hell, yes, the very stars were going to hear Will screaming his name-
Ironhide winced hard, dropping to one knee in an automatic defensive crouch at the sudden scream of static broadcasting through his communication links. It hurt like a motherfucker and he desperately tried to shut it down even as it forced open every communications circuit he had, assaulting him with someone else's agony/fear/pain/helpme/agony
He dimly heard Lennox shout, heard his own high whine of Cybertronian pain mingle with the cries of every other Autobot on base before it cut off sharply and he could only collapse in relief. Consciousness returned slowly until Ironhide found himself still in a holoform, blinking up at Lennox as the human held him off the concrete floor.
"Something is very wrong," Ironhide whispered hoarsely, echoing silence in his head. Quickly, he jerked himself from Lennox, merging into his real form and he was already tearing away, wheels screaming, before the human could even voice his concern. Slowly, his com links were coming back online, every circuit filled with the voices of his comrades, demanding, fearful voices that all wanted to know what the hell had just happened.
Not one voice seemed to know but whatever the hell it was, Ironhide was boosting their defense grid now.
He'd worry about the details later.
-finis-
Next Chapter