Sideswipe stood on the tips of his tiny pedes, leaning precariously over the edge of the baby pen, his tiny servos gripping the top rail. His little vents puffed with effort as he tried to hoist himself higher, his optics fixed longingly on the window. The stars outside glittered like a million tiny treasures, and all he wanted was to get closer.

“Mmmph!” he grunted, his baby-sized frame wobbling as he reached one chubby servo toward the stars. “Wanna see da spawkly lights!”

You glanced up from your seat and immediately sighed. “Sideswipe, what are you doing?”

He froze, his tiny wings twitching as he looked over his shoulder at you, caught in the act. His optics were wide with innocence. “Uh…nuffin’?”

“Uh-huh,” you said, standing and walking over to him. “Looks to me like you’re trying to escape again.”

He puffed out his cheeks in a pout, his grip tightening on the rail. “No ’scape! Jus’…jus’ wanna see da staws! Dey shiny!” His little voice was full of wonder, completely forgetting that he was supposed to be sneaky.

You softened, crouching down to his level. “The stars, huh? And what exactly were you planning to do if you managed to climb out? You’re too little to reach the window, you know.”

Sideswipe huffed, his tiny wings sagging. “Wanna fly! Wanna touch ’em!” He looked up at you with his big optics, his lips wobbling in frustration. “Dey so pwetty…don’ wanna be stuck in da box.”

You couldn’t help but smile at his determination, even as you gently plucked him from the edge of the pen and cradled him in your arms. “The stars will still be there tomorrow, you know. But you can’t go climbing out of your pen every time you want something.”

“Bu’ I wanna…” he mumbled, snuggling against you with a tired little huff. His tiny servo clung to your arm as his vents gave a soft whine. “Wanna see ’em wiff you…”