Chapter Text
Tim was surely not the perfect daughter.
Way the opposite for his parents, who made this clear for him when they returned back home one day.
Because the little boy still had his hair short when his parents returns. For the drake “a girl can’t have short hair, it is hideous, what did you have in mind Jane ?”.
And when your kid that never had a problem before start to create one, what do you do ? Of course, you put them in their room, lock them and forget them until they find a way out because you’re already gone for another travel.
Yet it is not for that, that Tim kept his hair long. Actually, he just calculated the right time to cut it and let them grow until when his parents were back he would have an “adequate” hairstyle. Because, short hair felt like right, like him.
You know what ? He would never regret this decision.
One day he was walking to the market, normally he didn’t often leave the house but today he had to. While walking, an old lady asked him for help, obviously he helped her. After that she thanked him “ you’re such a helpful young man”
Than the butcher call him “son”. It was the best evening, a warm feeling followed him all the day after, stronger than before , spreading across his entire body, a goofy smile accompanied it.
It was right.
He knew that because he never felt this sensation about be calling miss, young lady, daughter of Janet, or whatever.
He liked it.
Time passed, his parents never discovered about his hair again. Every time they would left for a big travel, the young boy would run to cut his hair. He liked more to go outside, to gained this sort of validation by the other.
Yet he didn’t really like to let his hair grown, every inch gained caused him pain. A pain that he had never experienced before, but one that now consumed his days, especially when he was around his parents. Nothing was stopping it , yet the feeling was less intense on days when his hair was short and strangers called him by boys' nicknames.
He try to forget it, mainly when he was with his parents. He didn’t want to ruins the moment, there were so rare. So he just put this feeling in a case and tried to live with it. Tried to smile normally, not like if a hand were preventing him from breathing normally, or as if he were becoming hypersensitive to his own body.
A thing that could reduce this… discomfort was to wear boy’s clothe, which he loved. He find old clothe in the attic, which belonged to his father. So everyday he would wore those.
Tim was always careful for his parents to never know about all of those. If they came to know, it would be way worse than the last time. They would hate him for not being what they wanted. For not doing what they want.
But those little things that his parents hate, make him feel better.
It was wrong, he knew it.
But at the contrary what Jack and Janet want him to be make him feel bad, really bad. Even his body was against him, and he didn’t know what to do.
With hair short Tim felt good, with long disgusting. Worst that this feeling of disgust isn’t only with his hair, but his entire body. At thirteen, his mother was happy to see her “daughter” started to show sign of puberty.
What Tim saw was a problem, only proof that he was not a true boy.
A ball of disgust grow more and more when the teenager looked at his body, often causing him burst into tears for no reason. The only thing that could hide that, was his father’s clothe, to big, but perfect to hide, to feel better.
Not always enough.
One more proof that what he was doing was bad. Because he knew nobody should feel like that, but Tim did.
During night, when a couldn’t sleep, one word turned in his mind. One name.
Tim
It also giving him a warm feeling of satisfaction.
When he looked at his door, something kept getting stuck in his throat. He would see his mother, the same kindly smile she had when he was little, calling him by the name she gave him.
Shame.
At the end it was also shame the problem. He was the problem. Because a kid wouldn’t act like this with their parents.
They would be so disappointed, they gave him everything that anyone could want but he just rejected it. ungrateful. So he would again, cry, in silent, in a house where none could hear him. Alone.
No comfort.
One day, when his parents where at home for once.
When his hair would have grown enough to fit to a girl; when he would wore the dress his mother love to see him with; when he would put away this disgusting ball of negative feeling; when he would act like if he could breath normally and that he didn’t wanted to scratch his arm; or also when he would have to put a perfect smile in his face even if its too bright too forced too thight.
Janet proposed to go for a walk in the forest. Only her and Tim, “a girl adventure”. It was start of spring, maybe the perfect season for a walk. Flowers bloom, bird sang, tree grown, colours came back.
Even if Janet didn’t really like to get dirty, except for work of course, she still wanted to pass a moment alone without Jake. Tim didn’t really like the name of their adventure, but the young boy was happy to have the chance to pass a moment alone with his mother.
The forest was forbidden, yet for his mother it was a problem at all, after all it was forbidden for children only, here he would be with his mother. Strange way of thinking, because the young boy was sure that the forest was forbidden for everyone but they never really had time together, he didn’t wanted to ruins it so he didn’t complains and followed her.
They left the manor when the sun rose, with nothing else than a basket for lunch. Maybe they should have take a map, but Janet was sure that they would find the way home easily, Tim didn’t complain again but wasn’t sure about this mother’s affirmation.
The morning was cold, but nothing that a jacket couldn’t protect from. The forest was still beautiful as the first time he went there during day.
Flowers rose gently with the sun, the dew flood-lighted there colourful petal as some little crystals, lighted the top of the tee with that the return of the leaf. The morning bird’s song followed the duo in all the morning. His mother telling him the story of their travel , what the ysaw, discovered without looking at the nature around them. At the opposite, the young kid couldn’t stop looking around him. The life, from the plant to the insect to some forest creature.
Then he looked at his mother; she was magnificent. She was the very definition of aristocratic beauty; the sunlight catching her brown hair made the few strands of grey sparkle, serving only to accentuate her loveliness. To her, these were not signs of ageing, but rather accessories that highlighted the braid she had styled that morning; the very same braid she had wanted Tim to wear in his own hair. It was a magnificent French braid, a memento from her honeymoon. The young man thought it looked perfect on his mother, but on himself, it seemed like a poor imitation, awkwardly placed and entirely out of place.
Moreover, she had insisted on wearing the same makeup, something that felt heavy on Tim, pulling at his skin like plastic stuck on with tape. Yet on his mother, it looked natural, as if she had been born for those colors. A touch of gray eyeshadow accentuating her sky-blue eyes, mascara lengthening her lashes to stunning effect, and a hint of red lipstick provided the finishing touch.. No too much, perfect, natural on her.
Janet radiated grace, accentuated by her pale blue dress.
She was a beauty, the very definition of a woman from a good family. Exactly what his parents wanted for him.
On his mother, it had looked natural; on him, it seemed merely overdone, fake. Yet his mother thought it was perfect. Tim simply felt as though he were in another skin, a skin that wasn't his own and he forced himself not to scratch at it in an attempt to break free.
He tried to forget that feeling by losing himself in the descriptions of the landscape his mother gave, and in the spectacle the forest offered, a play of colours created by the sunlight. That was the only thing that allowed Tim to breathe normally, to forget himself and simply focus on his surroundings, on anything other than his whirlwind of thoughts.
When the sun was above them, they stopped on a hill , at the foot of a large oak tree, sheltering them from the midday sun, to lunch. It felt more warm than the morning but the wind made it cool. They sat together on a blanket that Janet took in the basket. “Ladies should never get dirty, honey”.
They ate gently, Tim kept listening to his mother voice while watching the hill.
After eating, his mother took a cplat of chess and they started to play. It was a bit hard, because Tim didn’t play to it often, but after a moment he started to enjoy it.
He could even forget for a bit all the nickname his mother gave him.
Then, after deciding that it could be time to go, his mother put in the basket the chess plate. After that, they took the exact same path they took to come there.
More they walked and more the sun went down while more the moon rose. They weren’t in the right way, the boy just knew it, of course he tried to prevent his mother , but she didn’t wanted to hear. After all, she was Janet drake, she would never be lost, and they took the same way to come.
Arrived at a crossroads that they never met, the youngest turned his head one second to look around before turned back yet there were none. He tried to make out his mother's form in the dim light, but nothing, she just vanished. At her place was another form, no, two. One shorter than his mother, the other taller. He stepped back.
As magic a torch lit up in the hand of one of the shadow. The one who held the torch was the same fae that he met four years ago. He did another step back but was stop by a tree.
The fae didn’t change a lot, maybe a bit taller and the other wasn’t exactly the same, however it was the same grin of sharp teeth and the same hypnotized eyes.
The smaller ,surely another fae, was shorter, thought they look alike. Even if thanks to the light, Tim could distinguished that its hair wasn’t all dark, because there were some orange reflect, actually it was also a bit curlier than the taller’s or also the little greenish tinge in the eyes.
He didn’t really though before speacking but said:
-Are you fae ?
-Direct the little one ! The smaller one didn’t have the same voice as the taller of his memory, higher-pitched, lighter, a different kind of tinkling sound.
-How could you know that ? In fact the taller, didn’t have the same voice Still a certain ringing sound, but more hoarse.
Before givin a answer, Tim look again around. Then answered in a whisper:
-We met , I did some rescearch. He looked at the taller’s eyes, it was hypnotised in a stranger way, as if the depths were trying to draw him in and drown him in that vast ocean of blue. So you are. Where is my mother ?
-We met ? He tilted his head, as a bird. Oh. You’re that kid. A glimmer of recognition flashed in his eyes.
-You’re mother is alright, for now. Answered the other.
-How could I know ? On his guards.
-If we met, that mean I let you go. So why wouldn’t you trust me ? And if you know what we are you know that we, fae, don’t lie.
-You let me go because you had no power over me, that not trustful. And you can’t lie but you can omit thing.
-He isn’t wrong ! The smaller laughed, his smile bigger.
-Ok, you got maybe a point. The taller crossed his arm, ignoring the fae. But this exact fact make me curious about you. So why would I kill you? After all, we like game
-Wait a second, his name doesn’t have powers ? How ? His gaze shifted to Tim and then to his companion, seeking answers.
He- His, The fae used he, him. Even if he looked not like a boy. Even with his long hair, the makeup and the dress that hide nothing. They saw him as a boy. The only person who could kill him saw him as a boy ! Maybe not the worst way of dying.
They still have his mother, thought. Tim shouldn’t think about this.
-He..They.. It ? Pointing to the taller. Said that it wasn’t the “good name” or something like this. That it didn’t fit to my identity.
The boy didn’t mention that thank to that he discovered a new name, that fit. He knew this because it felt right. Every time he would say out loud to himself or write in his book. He got page and page, of just this writing inside: Tim, Timothy Drake, Timothy Jackson Drake.
The only tangible proof of his existence.
In the bad days, it make him feel a bit better, not always enough. When his though are too loud, or his parents are here, or when stranger stopped to call him young man to miss It was like multiple knife in his stomach, each time. Again and again.
He was like a fish trying to to go up the river against the current. Trying to find thing to cover the injury of simples words.
Yet here , something that wanted his death or using him as a toys undeerstood more than himself or his own parents what he was. Make him feel well. It was totally wrong.
-You can use he for he and me. Helped curly hair. Even if we’re not human, that the closet thing you have in your language. So your name didn’t fit. Does it now ? If you want we can tell you ?
-The other told me to not give my name. The young man emphasized
-And you’re listening to me over your mother ? An amusement grin appeared on his face. Because you had no problem back them. And I helped you, it would just be a give back.
-I didn’t ask, and I was tired. Tried Tim to justified his past words.
-He got a tongue ,dickhead !
Was it his name ? Tim wasn’t sure.
-But we’re not going to kill you, so trust us ! Continued the smaller one.
-No thanks.
Then, he just tried something to try something, no hope in this act.
-But I do want to come back home with my mother.
-And You've got some nerve.! I’m really starting to like you. Tim was surprised how much a smile could be big. And sharp.
-Like you said, if you wanted me dead I would already be. The same thing with trapping me.
-You’re smart. Accepted the tall one. We let you go with your mother.
-Seriously ? Everyone could heard his surprise.
-But.
-I knew it… Sighed Tim
-Of course, buddy ! We’re fae. You have to promised us to come back in the forest. to Pay with us. He said it with an innocent smile
-Like I’m a toy or I’m actually playing with you.
-You will see.
It was very risky, but he had no other option. For him and his mother, he didn’t even know if she was hurt or where she was. So he accepted.
-Okay, I promised, but only if you show us the way back home.
-Of course. By the way, you can call me Dick and him it’s Jay.
He took the hand, a blue light wrapped the handshake, like a thread connecting the two arms, and reached his heart. Closed around his heart, wrapping his entire body in a sort of invisible chain, before the feeling vanished as quickly as it had appeared. He looked at his hand, nothing.
Looking up, the fae were gone, standing in front of him was his mother. At his left, the forest, at his right Drake Manor.
-You see, I knew the way. You should always trust your mother, sweetheart.
Tim followed his mother, in a sort of trans, walking to the door. He tried to look at Janet, she seem normal as if nothing happened.
She wasn’t hurt.
Back to his room, looking at his hand, nothing.
He resigned himself to sleep, exhausted by the day. He put the encounter out of his mind as soon as the two figures had left, and surrendered to the arms of Morpheus.
Few days after, his parents were gone again.
Something happened when he was in front of the mirror. Like always he was cutting his hair back to the way he preferred, even if it was not a pro work instead it was a way he liked. But still there were something off. He just feel it, and the ball in his stomach grown. His face was too round, too feminine, his chest too big, his arm too thin in a girl way, his cuisine too round, too big. He repeat that again and again, just looking at himself in a spiral of thought.
Suddenly everything shut down when a though came of nowhere. It wasn’t exactly his little voice, it was more cheerful, like a melody or little bells : Why not go to the forest today ?
The voice came with this tightening in the chest, the blue thread. It wasn’t yet hurting, but a discomfort, more like a guide, or a dog that is trying to lead you somewhere by pulling on the leash in excitement and it was hard to keep them calm.
He forget everything else, just this thought. Who lead him.
Like in a fog, the young boy followed his instinct. His legs knew where to go, he didn’t remember anything on the way. The next thing he saw , was a pasture. In the middle he recognized the two fae, watching him. He didn’t know how he end up there but still made his way to the others.
-Great ! Right in time.
-What should we play ?
-What about hide and seek!
They weren’t surprised of him being their. Just kept smiling.
Both of them find an agreement really fast, as if they already decide before he arrived. Then they looked at the youngest. Two pairs of eyes fixed on him., not there usual look, a lively, fierce, sharp, a predator look. Without being told what he was, he knew and just ran.
He was the prey.
He ran in the forest, far as he could, fast as his legs could, not knowing were, just ran, dodging tree, rock, bush, jumping above root, never looking back.
He didn’t look around to find some landmarks, just ran, with no thought except the one too run. He could die.
It seem as the forest didn’t want him to ran away, blocking him, closing in on him, making him stumble and disorienting him. There was almost no sunlight, obscured by the trees; there were no point of reference when he stopped at an intersection, everything looked the same. There was no sound other than his own ragged breathing; sweat trickled down his forehead; there was no sign of life. A branch snapped, and he ran.. It could be a dear or one of the fae, a prey or a predator. If you’re the prey you don’t care chich one it was, you ran.
He jumped over a big rock, and crouched down, making himself as small as possible. In front of him, a bush; behind him, the rock. He hid his mouth behind his hand to cover his respiration, his breath. He new, have to focus about this around him. The wind in the Tree leaves, the stream not far off, a bird in flight, suddenly, he could hear it all. His heart in his chest was beating wildly. He felt his blood in his veins, spread throughout his body, his legs which hurt by a so fast running, his arm grazed.
It was strange, it wasn’t a good situation yet he felt a sort of peace. For not thinking about himself but about around him. Being focus on something else.
It felt like peace, just him breathing.
From nowhere ,the head of Jay was above him.
-Found you !
Tim couldn’t hold a laugh before jumping again above the rock and ran again. But this time with a smile on his face. He passed through Dick, and ran. Not for his life, but for fun. It was fun. He didn’t remember why he was afraid.
After all a play in the forest was just fun, there were no danger. He heard them following him, but he continued to ran between tree. The sun was bright, showing the way, the forest life full. Quickly laughs echoed throughout the forest.
They finally caught him around the prairie, and just fell on the ground and laughed.
And all the afternoon passed in this atmosphere, between games and laugh. No danger, he even started to forget what was stranger with them. It was just two kid, like him, right ?
Everything felt right. Just three boys playing together. Smiles wasn’t too sharp, eyes weren’t glowing, voice were just different because of adolescence, the nails were just a bit longer but everyone could have long nails.
When the sun start its way down, the two older lead him to the edge of the forest. Talking , squabbling like brothers asking Tim his point of view.
It was one of the best afternoon he ever passed. He wasn’t alone, he was include, he was a boy hanging out with friend.
Friend. They acted as if he was part of their group since ever. Never doubted of him being a boy. He didn’t want to leave.
He wasn’t alone, he could be him here, he didn’t though one time about how they saw him, if he was masculine enough, he felt right all the afternoon. At the manor everything would fall.
By impulsivity he said:
-You can call me Tim.
It was the first time he said his name to someone. The first time someone hear his name, knew how he was call.
The two looked at him, surprised. So surprised that their smile faded a bit.
-What ?
-You gave me your nickname, it is only fair for me to do the same.
- So you agree to met again ? The smile was back stronger then before, the slight melody accent heightened his joy
-If it’s not a problem, I think it was great today.
The brothers both agreed , then let him go. There were a next time, but nothing dangerous. He kept his smile longer after he left.
The next time, it had been the same thing. A feeling that lead him in the forest. He stopped questioned about this. It never hurt after all.
The next time was the same.
And the day after.
And after.
And after.
He lost the track of how many times he went to the forest.
All the days were the same, they always played, talked, had fun, always with this feeling in his stomach. Always in company of another stomach of warmness.
He knew, he should being more concern about this. About following just a stranger feeling coming from nowhere. About forget to be careful. But for the first time of his entire life he was him. He was himself with people not only alone in his room. His life wasn’t just black and white, cold, surrounded by disgust, sickness any more. He didn’t care of the danger. Nobody cared.
Tim
Timbo
Baby bird
Buddy
Kiddo
He
It was the only place he felt happy.
He didn’t have to be perfect ,to act as someone he wasn’t, to hid himself.
So every time, they called him, he answered. Every time he went there, he was detaching himself from his other life.
Yet every night he went back. But each day he left a part of himself with them.
He talked about his life, they comforted him someday. Make him forget.
Nobody was in the manor , nobody could have known that the Drake kid left his house nearly each day to go to the forest.
It was a new habit.
Of course, everything had to go wrong one day. Paradise doesn’t exist. His parents weren’t suppose to come back before a few more months. So Tim cut his hair again, it was starting to be too uncomfortable.
But his parents came home early. They didn’t like what they found.
The young boy didn't remember what happen, not clearly.
He remember a pain on his cheek, something crashed on the floor, screaming, disappointed look. Someone pulling him by his hair, they throw him in his room.
When he opened again his eyes, the room was a mess. Normally he didn’t have much thing, still books were on the floor, some damage, other that miss some sheet.
On his desk, his diary was missing. The one with his name writing in.
His wardrobe was open; he could not find his father's old clothes. Only dresses.
There was a heavy silence. silence, no noise, no voice. Cold. Alone.
He sat down. His mind in a fog. Dizzy. The boy felt nothing. Just in his mind. Surrender by his thought.
Something was wrong with him.
A kid should be loved. He wasn’t.
He shouldn’t be different.
Be normal
Why shouldn’t he be normal ?
If he was a girl… if he was his parents would love him. He would be normal.
Or just being a truth boy.
He was just a mistake.
An error.
The boy was just standing, A flood of thoughts tormented him. His head was spinning; he did not know how long he remained there.
Gradually, his eyelids fluttered. Without realizing it, he fell asleep. the last thing he understood was the sing of a bird.
Then nothing. No more thought, no more feeling.
No fear, no sadness, no anguish.
His dream lead him in front of a manor. Not drake’s, another. You could think it was the same by the style but it was in the forest. And there was ivy on all the front wall, but before entering you had to pass a little garden. It was different from the wild vegetation of the forest, it was well cut, with different path of colour. A stone way was leading to a front door. The architecture seem the same as his manor but it was alive, full. You could think that looked alike to a haunted house, strangely no, it was well-maintained.
The door opened when he walked to it, yet nobody was here.
The entrance was only light by the outside light, but there was proof of life. Some lost shoes, painting of living people and no just standing people, a bag was close to the stair in front of him. Moreover he heard voice, coming from a room to his left. Under the door, he could see the door. Something was drawing him closer, closer he walk to it, more he felt the radiate heat from the room.
He could smell something, something so delicious.
The voice were light, no scream, just little chat, laugh. Like an orchestra of instrument, all the voice were meant o be there. None was put to the corner. Only one word he knew could describe this. A family.
Tim raised his hand to open the door, before he could do anything, he woke up.
In his bed
In his room.
In the cold.
With no voice.
No laugh.
No good smell.
No warm.
No family.
He tried to remember his dream, but it started to fade.
But he started to remember his evening.
The ball of disgust grew again in his stomach, with another ball this one of hunger. Remembering him that he didn’t eat last night. With a sigh of resignment, Tim left his bed, and made his way to the kitchen.
There were no sound, noise or voice in the corridor except the one of his own step. He passed in front of his parent’s bedroom, but the young boy find it open with no sign of life.
So he continued his way, passing through some empty room; one was full of thing his parents brought from there travel, another was a living room where each furniture was covert by a sheet to prevent from dust.
And finally the hall, empty of life. No shoes close to the door except his, no bag, all the painting pictured standing people with stoic face. His ancestor, and in front of the door the only one he made with his parents.
The three of them, his mother sat on a red chair, in a beautiful blue dress, with a slight red make up to higjlight her cold blue eyes, a confident look. His father stood behind the left side of the armchair. Standing tall, he wore a black suit with touches of red. And finally between Jake and Janet in the front.. him. It wasn’t him, he didn’t’ recognized the person. It was supposed to be him, but can’t recall the last time he considerer this person him.
It felt wrong to say it was him, it was the person his parents wanted Tim to be, not Tim.
It was a perfect family, but the smile were fake, just what his parents wanted to show the world.
He ignored the portrait and continued to walk to reach the kitchen. Feeling the gaze of his parents following him.
The kitchen was empty.
None. Janet wasn’t drinking a coffee, Jake wasn’t reading the news.
There were already gone.
Though, he noticed a letter ? He took it, it was addressed to his old name. Tim completely forget his belly and started to read.
It wasn’t good.
Not at all.
The boy wanted to vomit.
Dear Jane.
We are very disappointed from your behaviours, it is not like that that we raised you. What were you thinking ? We thought that you were grow enough to left alone in the house, but it seem to be a mistake. It is for this reason, that we are putting you in a boarding school for young lady. There you would be teaches to be an honourable young lady of the aristocracy. It is a shame that we have to put there, but we are sure that the Sisters would know how to correct you.
It was a tarnish for the family to leave the house with this get-up et that hairstyle.
The valet would be there next week, make your stuff we will only see each other at the end of the year. Maybe it would be enough for you to be a real lady.
We have an important appointment so we would not be here with you.
Do not be a disgrace for the Drake family again.
Your parents,
Janet and Jack Drake.
Without noticing, Tim started to scratch his arm, quickly, it became red. He only stopped, when it started to really hurt. He couldn’t stop but crying. A convent ?He was going to die. Or worse, be sent to the asylum.
A part of his brain noticed a sensation emerging inside his body.. The one that leaded him to his friends. He didn’t want to go today, he just wanted to.. He didn’t know what he wanted. Just being different. A sudden wave of nausea washed over him, he wasn’t hungry anymore. But the sensation grew increasingly insistent. Pulling at him.
He didn’t want, but he stood up and let the string lead him on the way.
His hair were a mess, so do his face and his clothe too, the only left from his father.
All the way, he was in a fog, dizzy, his head was turning, his body It made him itch, made him scratch all over; arms, neck, cheek, the back of his neck.
His legs didn’t stop him to the usual spot, the young boy didn’t notice, actually he stopped in front of a mansion. He couldn’t put the finger on but he knew the place.
An old mansion, with some similarities to drake mansion. There were ivy all over the front, but the house wasn’t hurt by time, it only gave it some charm.
All around were path of flower, berry bush, and wonderful perfume. It was captivating, beautiful, delightful.
So much that he started to forget his discomfort, looking all around and making his way to the door. Which opened just before he come to it, by an old man.
Which despite his age seem to be in a top form.
Yet, he wasn’t human. As his friend he had sparkle in his old royal blue eyes. It seem that he was a kind of butler because of his uniform, however he didn’t seem surprised by a young kid standing in front of the door. The same reaction from Dick and Jay each time he would come to play, the butler knew he was coming.
But before one of the them could say something, running footsteps were coming to their direction. Quickly Tim recognized his just mentioned friend, doing a maybe ..race ?to the front door.
The old fae, turned back to the news come and started to make them a lesson about no running in the manor, thought the looking they shared together showed that it wasn’t the first time they get this discussions. The old fae, look more resigned than angry, his voice sounded like the hooting of an owl in the night., it seem that every fae had a sort of melodic voice which had common point with birds.
Despite the lesson, both of the news come had bright smiles, which vanished quickly when they saw how the little boy looks.
He had a dishevelled appearance, puffy eyes, redness on the neck, a mark from his father's belt, rumpled and dirty clothes, and slightly greasy hair.
Be fore they could tell their concerned, the older fae turned back to Tim,
-My excused, young man, for their behaviour. Now you shouldn’t rest outside, come inside.
The young boy followed the old fae’s instruction, and put off his shoes, putting it with the others.
-If I may introduced me, you can call me Alfie. And you’re should by Tim, right ?
The young boy nodded. It was common for fae to not use real name, only nickname.
-Very well, young master. Then he turned to the other two fae. Why don’t you show your friend the living room while I’m preparing some tea ?
-Of course ,Alfie. Said them both at the same time.
They asked nothing, just showing him the way , then in the living room they started to play some games.
Nothing was said, or ask.
Nothing about the fact that Tim was quieter today, or how he looked.
They played as if nothing was wrong. Little by little, the human started to feel better and real be there with them.
He didn’t notice the butler put some tea and cookies, but when he discovered that they appeared he couldn’t stop himself to try one. Than another, and another.
There were delicious. Crunchy just the way he liked it, the chocolate was still melting, neither too cold nor too hot, the best cookie. Suddenly he remembered how much he was hungry, the feas swept away his excuse when the boy realized he had eaten everything.
The evening passed, Tim forget everything around. Times, parents, everything. It felt liberating.
But then, the old fae came back.
-Young masters, it is soon sun set, maybe master Tim should go home.
Alfie was right, when he watched thought the window the forest was soon full of shadow.
-Already ? Said sadly Jay.
Before the boy could excuse himself to have rested so much times in their home dick did a proposition.
-He could sleep here ?
-yeah ! Agreed quickly his brother. Pyjama party, it would funnier with you Timberlina ! You’re way more cool than dickhead.
Dick struck his brother; while Alfie was deep in thought, he turned towards the person in question.
-What would you prefer ? It is true that it could be dangerous outside
-Yeah totally ! Agreed both of the fae.
-I.. I don’t know, I don’t want to bother you. Tim looked at his hand , he didn’t like to be a problem.
-Nonsense, we have more than enough room or stuff for you to use. And I always cooks fro more than 4 person.
4? That meant there were another fae in the house.
-yet, I must know if your parents know where you are and could be afraid of you no being there.
-Don’t worry ,sir. The boy said it as it is was oblivious. My parents aren’t at home. There are none.
This last sentence make thrown all the fae in the room. He couldn’t understand what.
It is true that it could have been dangerous for a so young boy to rest in an unknow house, without anyone know where he was. However, it had been a hard day for the boy. He didn’t want to care. If they wanted to harm him, they could have done so long ago.
And one more night in paradise, what harm could it do?
-It would be awesome! Jay was the first to answered. We’re going to have so much fun, that we’re not going to sleep !
Alfie He cleared his throat, shooting a sharp look at the young fae. She apologized but cast a sidelong glance at Tim, who couldn't help but stifle a chuckle behind his hand, though the old fae’s expression only softened.
-C’mon let’s play more ! Taking Tim hand to put him back to the couch.
-hey, what about me? While Following Jay
-Nobody care about you.
-Young master. Intervened Alfie.
-Sorry just the truth.
So all of them regained their place and continued to play.
After a while, they were call to the dinning room by Alfie. There, someone was already sat. The two fae didn’t seem to have any problem with the person, they just took place. Tim took a moment, watching the fae. He was older than his friends but younger than Alfie. Same dark hair as dick, also blue eyes but more surrendered by shadow, like deep water of the ocean. If you looked too close you could fall and never see the sky again, he was looking at him. Analysing the boy, he didn’t smile brightly at the kids, more like a little smirk, one that said he knew something that you didn't.
He did a gesture to the table for the boy to sat. He took the seat between Jay and Dick.
The room was silence, before the fae started to speak, a husky, deep, melodious timbre.
-Ho was your afternoons boys ?
While the other were trying to describe their afternoon, each shifting, arguing, and simultaneously describing different things, while the fae smiled with greater affection yet kept watching him. Then he cut off the young ones' conversation to ask Tim directly.
-What about you ? Tim is that right ?
The boy nodded.
-of course I forget to introduce myself, you can call me B.
-B ?couldn't help but ask the boy.
-Yep or old man. Joked Jay.
-Also, he rolled his eyes. So how was your afternoon, I hear you will rest with us to night.
-Yes, thank you for that, sir. And it was great, I really enjoyed my time with you.. Sons ?
Jay stuck out his tongue, but no one disputed his statement. Then the conversation resumed. Everyone asked questions or shared anecdotes; they included Tim and smiled kindly at him, especially B. It felt good. They weren't misgendering him. It was like being part of something, a family thing. Like watching a family interact, but being on the inside.
The diner was also absolutism delicious, he couldn’t help but ask for more and nobody question it again. He was accepted.
Then the fae, show him the way to a bath, gave him a toothbrush.
The clothe were a bit tall but not as much as his father’s old. In the mirror he looked as a young boy.
Strangely, he didn’t felt disgust. He felt way better than the morning. He gentle smile appeared on his face, then he made his way in the maze of corridor to the living room. He just knew the way.
There Blankets and pillows had been spread out on the floor. Jay and Dick seemed to be bickering with the pillows, but shortly after Tim arrived, B showed up; this made them stop and innocently slip under their blankets. Tim settled down in the middle once again.
Then Alfie gave them a good night, a B did the same. But he also go to kiss the forehead of his kids. Before leaving he did a surprised thing for Tim.
He also gave him a kiss. It was the first time someone would to this.
Then B left the room, turning off the light.
There were no more sound, just their respiration.
After a moment in the dark, Tim whispered, he needed to confess.
-I’m going away. There were no answer, but he knew they were listening. My parent want me to go to a convent(??). For young ladies.
-What do you want ?
-.. Not that.
He curled up in the blanket. Staring into the darkness.
-I don’t like home. It doesn’t feel as home. It’s cold, lonely. Some tears start to form to the corner of his eyes. I love them. But they’renever here. They don’t like me. They.. They like someone else who doesn’t exist. And because I’m not what they want, they putting me away. I..I don’t want to leave.
A pair of arms wrapped around him; big, strong, warm, and supportive. Dick’s scent was like freshly popped popcorn. The boy allowed himself to cry. A small sob broke the silence. Then a second, quieter one. Jay, smaller, yet just as much a source of support for Tim. He smelled like a wood fire.
-What do you want ,Tim ? Asked one of them in a whisper.
He knew there was something under the voice. The deep and melodic voice.
It seem like there eyes where glowing stronger, Something stirred deep within him..
-I.. I don’t want to go there. I don’t want to leave you.
-And if you didn’t have to leave.
He knew what he had to do.
There were only one way to end this.
The first time he broke this rules he caused him no harm. At the contrary in a way it helped him. Only in a way, the fae didn’t harm him, he helped him understand who he was. That who he was wasn’t what his parents wanted. It is them that hurt him. Slapped him, made him cry, abandoned him.
One of the most important rule was not to tell to stranger your name. Yet, they were not stranger. It was his friends who just wanted him to help him.
-My name …
He hesitated a second.
-My name is Timothy Jackson drake.
His eyes started to close, he was so tired. He couldn’t open his eyes, he was good. Hug by his brothers, warm, in a safe place.
Soon he lost conscience.
________________
Two month later, a message circulated thought the village, on the new, on the milk bottle, in the gossip, with one picture and a missing tampon.
On this one was a kid, young maybe around nine, the last pictured took of them. The poor kids had been missing.
Unfortunately, there were no much hint for the police officer, the parents came home two month after there receive a letter of a convent that told them that their kid never show up in their establishment. They came home to understand the situation, but instead they find their house empty. No sign of life since a lot of time.
Dust in all the room. The kid bedroom wasn’t change, since they went away. Still the same. Just more dust and no life inside.
They researched everywhere, every part of the manor.
There was something that changed when the drake came back the first time from there trip. One book was open on a desk in the library. Open to a certain page.
Be careful, fae likes to created trap to find their victims. They could seem friendly but always be on your guard. Their victims are usually lonely, and lost kid.
Jake didn’t read it, he just closed it and put it away. Forget it.
Nobody in the village could help. They never saw the child. Some of them noticed some similarities to the lonely boy that came some day in the market but nothing more. No sign of any Jane Drake.
The seek in the entire village, and the neighbour’s, even in the forest but nothing.
One month later, the Drake gave up. They organized a ceremony, no corps in the coffin. Some word had been said, but nothing really personal. How could they ?
They didn’t know their child.
There were crying a girl, that they never knew, never really existed.
Nobody ever knew about the end of the story, the boy of the market never came back.