CHAPTER 29
Three Little Worlds

Jeff leaned against his guardian's alt mode quietly as he stared up at the stars. Prowl was mostly silent, still deep in thought in regards to the chaos of the day before. But Jeff didn't mind, the silence, and the quiet night were more than welcome after that. "Jeff?" Jeff shifted a bit at the voice of Prowl "You know that I do not get all too lonely out here, if you wish to go in and watch television with the Epps family." He noted.

"Nah, I'm enjoying the peace and quiet. Their twins are kinda wild." Jeff patted Prowl's hood gently, to which the engine rumbled under him "Besides, I like spending time with you. You know that." He added thoughtfully "I wish we had a bigger backyard though. We're gonna miss some training time and all." He admitted.

"We can go a week without training." Prowl replied "You've been working hard at it."

Jeff smiled a bit, knowing Prowl was right about that. Though he had come to enjoy their training lessons, as long as it wasn't sparring, as Jeff still doubted he'd ever understand that fighting style. Leaning back again, and resting his head against the window, Jeff allowed himself to relax. "Hey Prowl?" Jeff paused a moment "I'm sorry you're in this situation because of me, I mean... I know you should be back there." He explained.

Prowl knew he should be too, but at the same time, that didn't seem to matter. "You were scared, and I do not blame you in the least. You've never been in such a situation before." Prowl replied "Granted, should your stay last much longer, you will need to learn how to take orders better." He shifted a bit on his wheels "But we can work on that, at least." He explained.

"I never was good at that."

Prowl knew that much in only a few months. He'd often had to reorganize some of his training methods in order to make the boy work with him more. "Mmm. As long as you're living under my roof? You're going to be working on that." Prowl replied honestly "I don't mind you doing your own thing in some situations, but when it comes to Decepticon situations? You will do what I say from now on." He added.

Jeff turned over onto his side a bit, shaking his head slightly. "Okay, mom." He teased lightly.

Dad... Prowl corrected within his own thoughts.

"I'm strict because I care, Jeff. Please do not take such actions the wrong way." Prowl rumbled his engines lightly "Cracking down will only ensure ninety-nine percent more proficiency in preventing last night from repeating itself." He added, his thoughts becoming deep, yet again contemplating what could have happened "Would you mind removing yourself for a moment?" He questioned.

Jeff hopped off of the alternate mode, and allowed Prowl to transform beside him. The mech crouched a bit, and picked Jeff up, setting him on his shoulder. "Whoa, Prowl, what are you doing?" Jeff questioned.

"Third star to the right."

Jeff's eyes traced where Prowl pointed in the night sky to a large, beaming star. "Is that...?" Jeff began.

"When Earth enters a certain orbit, it can be seen." Prowl explained, his optics turning to Jeff "It's not Cybertron itself, it has been gone for some time. But it is the galaxy it once occupied." The mech smiled slowly "That was my home." He added.

Jeff had to frown a little himself at the use of the word "was". "Instead you're stuck down here with me." Jeff replied quietly "That must suck for you, I mean, everything that Sides has told me about Cybertron is so amazing." He paused a bit "I wish I lived there. It sounds like a much better place than here." He added.

Prowl stared at Jeff quietly, gently reaching a finger up to him. "Life on Earth had yielded it's rewards as well, Jeff." Prowl spoke quietly "Had I not come to Earth, I would not have discovered many things." He then paused a moment, moving him onto his hand "And i would never have met you." He added "One of the many things I consider the higher points of my life cycle." He admitted.

"Why would it be?"

Prowl was silent for a moment, uncertain of how to answer that. His golden optics looked thoughtful, and searched for the best answer. Holding Jeff close to his spark, and seating himself on the ground, he shook his head. "Because you are very special to me Jeff, I've never felt so close or warm towards a human before." He admitted, then quietly added "I love you, Jeff, much in the same way I know my creators loved me." He added "Which is one of the many reasons why being on Earth has been rewarding. This feeling... This love I feel for you." His door wings twitched "That's why."

Jeff nearly fell off the palm of his hand in shock at the words that had just came out of his mouth. Prowl had just admitted to loving him, and he knew what it meant. He felt tears well up in his eyes, though he wasn't sure why, if he was happy, why was he crying? Pushing the tears away with the sleeve of his shirt, he allowed Prowl to hold him in such a manner. "Jeff!" He was brought out of his thoughts by Epps in the doorway "Wanna watch a movie? We're putting on Wreck-It Ralph!"

Jeff was silent a moment, but nodded his head, allowing Prowl to lower him to the ground. As he made his way towards the door, he stopped in his tracks. "Prowl?" The mech turned to look at him again "I love you too."

As Jeff headed into the home, Prowl couldn't contain the happiness his spark felt. He stood a bit again, and stared out towards the stars, towards Cybertron. To be truthful, he still missed his home. He missed the towering skyscrapers, he missed the sheer beauty, he missed his home, his family, his old energon bar. His optics shuttered silently, it was all but a distant memory anymore, which only made him feel more and more saddened. His optics turned towards the home, where Jeff was seated with the Epps family, watching the film they spoke of.

He knew that he could never have his life on Cybertron back. But perhaps here, with the young boy he had come to love, he could truly start a new life. One that while not as glamorous as his old one, would be just as rewarding. With a deep breath, he transformed down, and drove to the front of the home. He'd recharge well tonight with that thought, knowing that from here, things would be much better. Or so he hoped.

...

A/N: Yes, I know, another short chapter. But I really felt like this scene itself needed to be a standalone chapters. Reviews make my day!