A/n: This little ficlet takes place when Prowl is autonomous enough to be left alone for a couple of hours without strict supervision. I suppose his folks figured their son could be trusted. :).

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Prowl picked up the small holopad, looked at it briefly, and then put it back in its place. The next thing he picked up was his ball, but he let it land on the floor and turned away after tossing it to the wall a couple of times. His cubes formed a semi-built tower that the little one didn't have the spark to finish, while the rest of the toys were abandoned after a few seconds.

Prowl sighed and walked up to the window to have a look at the outside world. The sun was shining brightly, and the buildings were glinting under the sunlight as though they were made of gold. Even so, Prowl couldn't enjoy the view. He rested his elbows against the window pane and placed his chin in his palms with a sigh.

Why was he feeling so miserable? There were times that he could play for hours on end without being bored at all. Now, whenever he picked up one of his toys, he lifted his gaze in search of something he couldn't name, only for his door panels to droop in resignation.

The room felt… empty.

It's not that he didn't try to solve the problem that presented itself. He did. He found out that he was feeling better whenever one, or even both, of his parents were around. So, he tried to keep them in the room as much as possible. Sometimes it worked, but there were also times that neither Swiftstrike nor Jetcloud could stay with him. They had to attend to their work.

That was what happened today as well. So, Prowl was in the house, all alone, having absolutely nothing to do and no one to talk to.

Before he could help it, his thoughts drifted to his friends, and he wondered if they ever felt that way. Probably not, he decided. A couple of his friends certainly didn't, for they were brothers. In fact, they said they never got bored, because they had each other. Prowl felt a pang of jealousy in his spark whenever they said that. He knew he wasn't supposed to feel such a bad thing, but it was hard not to. If he had a brother too, he wouldn't feel so down. Prowl was sure of it.

Maybe… if he asked his parents nicely, they would get him one?

At that thought, his spark lifted and a smile formed on his lip components. He had made up his mind. As soon as his parents came back from work, he would ask. He had nothing to lose.

With that, Prowl continued staring out the window, waiting patiently for Swiftstrike. She was always the first to arrive home.

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Swiftstrike entered her house tiredly. The day at work had been abysmal, and now she wanted nothing more than to sit down and try to relax.

The sound of pattering feet made her smile warmly. It sounded like Prowl had been waiting for the moment the door opened so he could rush to her. Sure enough, Prowl appeared and quickly hugged both of Swiftstrike's legs.

"Missed you," he said softly.

"So I see," Swiftstrike said, looking at him with fondness. She picked him up in her arms and walked into the sitting room. "I'm sorry I wasn't here."

"That's okay," Prowl replied. "I just…" The sparkling stopped midway, optics lowering as he pondered on something carefully.

"Yes, little one?" she asked, curious to hear what Prowl wanted to say.

Finally, it looked like Prowl decided to go for it. He stared at Swiftstrike straight in the optic and asked, "Mother… Can I have a little brother, please?"

Swiftstrike had to admit that she hadn't expected that question, but, truth be told, perhaps she should have. Prowl had to spend a lot of hours alone at home lately. It was only natural that he craved for some company. And yet…

"I'm afraid we can't give you one right now, Prowl."

Prowl frowned at that. "Why?"

Swiftstrike sat down and nuzzled him affectionately. "Because creating another life is very difficult, little one. That's what makes it so precious. Did you know there was a time your father and I thought we wouldn't have you either?"

Prowl's optics widened at that and he shook his head.

"Well, it's true," Swiftstrike said. "And then I found out that a new spark was created from my bonding with your father, and we were both so overjoyed that your father built a protoform body for you."

"So, can't you create another spark with father?" Prowl asked.

Swiftstrike sighed. "It didn't happen again, little one. And I don't know if it ever will."

"Oh…"

Swiftstrike detected the tone of sadness in Prowl's voice, and she knew that this wouldn't do. She caressed his chevrons with light fingers.

"But… care to tell you a secret?"

Prowl faced his mother, his curiosity piqued.

"They say that, if you want something very much, then you will get your wish one day."

Prowl gasped and stared at the femme. "Really?!"

Swiftstrike smiled broadly. "Really."

Prowl's doors fluttered giddily.

"Then I'll wait! I don't mind waiting!"

"I know, little one," Swiftstrike replied with a soft chuckle and kissed his cheek.

The End.

A/n: Whether Prowl got his wish or not, I'll leave it up to you. Personally, I like to think that he did, although perhaps not in the way that he had expected. :)