It was a chilly winter morning in New York City like always up north. This was one time of year Jazz hated and loved at the same time. He loved that Christmas was coming in a couple months. However, he hated it because at times New York would be hit by major snowstorms. But he decided it wasn’t so bad as long as he was with Prowl. This would be their first winter together as not only room mates, as intended at first when Jazz first came, but as lovers as well. The apartment was the lushest one on the block. It was right above a dojo where Prowl worked. Jazz still couldn’t believe how the two of them hit it off when they were just going to be room mates. They were so different in many ways. Prowl was just a simple martial arts teacher while Jazz was a famous Broadway Star. But some how they made it work. He was finishing up moving Prowl’s roof top plants to their special green house for the winter. Jazz was getting ready to go to the theater and start rehearsal for the next play that was going to start when he saw Prowl putting Christmas wrapping paper over a huge, empty box. “Prowler...why are you wrapping up an empty box?” he couldn’t help but ask his smaller lover.
“It’s a donation box.” Prowl explained “I hope this year it will get filled.”
“Filled with what?”
“Toys,” Prowl said simplify, “for kids who don’t get any for Christmas. I always do this each year because I knew what it was like.” Jazz then knew what Prowl was getting at. Prowl was an orphan long ago before Yoketron adopted him. Prowl probably didn’t have any toys for Christmas as a kid either.
“Ya mean it’s never been full before?” Jazz asked.
Prowl shook his head sadly. “No, most people, and some of my students just thought it was a trash can.”
“Then perhaps this time it will be different.” Jazz said with a smile “I’m here now. Maybe I’ll bring you some good luck.”
Prowl couldn’t help but laugh a bit. “Maybe, who knows? You better get going or you’ll be late.”
“Okay see ya later.”
“Later. Oh Optimus, Ratchet, and Ironhide are coming by tonight for a game.”
“Cool.” Jazz said as he gave Prowl a quick kiss on the cheek before he left the apartment.
- - -
Later on that afternoon, Jazz arrived back at the apartment. He walked through the front door of the dojo. He saw the decorative box Prowl had made sitting just by the door. Jazz just couldn’t help but peer inside to see if there was something in it. Sadly all that was there was a gum wrapper. Jazz reached in to remove it and took it upstairs with him so it can be thrown away. He spies Prowl in the kitchen area of their apartment. By the looks of it, he was making dinner for them and their friends who were coming over soon. “I’m back, Prowler,” he said as he kissed his lover on the cheek.
“I can see that.” Prowl said with a small laugh.
Jazz couldn’t help but smile. “Need any help?”
“No, I’m almost done here unless you want to set up the table?”
“Sure, I can do that.”
- - -
Just as Jazz was finishing up setting the table the door bell rang. “I’ll get it Prowler.” he said.
“Sure thing.”
Jazz went down stairs to see their three friends waiting for him. “Hey dudes.” He said cheerfully.
“Good evening Jazz,” the youngest of the three men said with a smile. “I figured it was once again time for the Toys for Tots drive Prowl likes to participate in. I thought I could contribute this year.” The young firefighter removes a red rubber ball from the bag he was carrying.
“Prowler will be happy to know that something is in his box this year, Optimus.” Jazz said with a smile.
“Ironhide and myself chipped in for something for the kids too,” the older doctor said. He added a very beautiful puzzle that looked like it had pictures of puppies and kittens on it into the box too.
“Well what are we waiting for?” Ironhide said with a sigh “Let’s get upstairs. I want to win a hand at least once tonight.” Jazz couldn’t help but laugh at the older retired army soldier.
- - -
The next day Jazz came back from the theater and before he headed upstairs into the apartment he placed a big teddy bear in the box. “I hope this helps, Prowler.” he said softly to himself with a smile.