Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Winter nights are harsh but often beautiful. Inky sky wasn’t obscured by anything, bright speckles of stars and pale moon did fine job of lighting the area up. The village was really small, nestled snugly on the edge of ancient forest, close but not encroaching on its territory. It was an old settlement, old enough to still remember and abide by the rules of politeness.

But in the night no one was polite, most were to busy snoring or doing… things. But most were snoring.

In one chilly room tiny, weak gasps breached the quiet. Shoved in the corner stood a flimsy wooden crib that held too much blankets for its only occupant. Baby was very small, with a shock of golden locks adorning its head. Anyone could tell that it was sick, its chest was barely fluttering beneath faint breaths and its skin pale, nearly shining in milky light of the moon.

Something shifted in the shadows outside the window. And then again, closer. And suddenly the shadow was inside the room, filling it quickly. It stretched and now it had hands, and face, and two magnificent black wings. Icy eyes shone gently in the dark, never really moving away from the crib.

„Hey mate.” Creature stepped closer and peered inside the crib, soft coo on its lips. „you’re a tiny one, eh?”

Baby peeled its eyelids open, stormy eyes regarding stranger with curiosity. Boy- because it was a boy- smiled and giggled breathlessly. Another coo resounded frim creature, eyes still impossibly soft.

„Such a precious little fledgling. Hair like gold, hm? Techno will like it, I’m sure. Tiny golden nugget.”

More giggles, tad bit stronger than the last ones. Stranger laughed gently too and after a tiny while an arm reached inside strangers robes. Just like that, creature held an identical baby to the one still struggling to breathe in the crib.

„It’s chilly in here, eh mate? Better if we get going.”

Gentle hand reached inside the crib, ready to scoop up the boy. But before it got even close to the blankets something snapped and flashed angrily. Creature recoiled and hissed quietly, eyes instantly zeroing on frayed red ribbod tied innocently to the rib of the crib. Chill in the air dropped to the proper cold, shadows curling into shapes of wispy crows, all hissing, all glaring towards the ribbon.

With atmosphere changing so quickly, baby startled and his tiny face scrunched immiediately. Creatures eyes snapped back to him.

„Oh no no no, shh, it’s okay little one, I’m not angry!” It tried reaching for him again and once again something snapped and flashed, singeing the tips of creatures fingers. „Shit!”

Quiet wails ripped the silence in the room. Creatures hands fluttered anxiously still trying to hold onto not-baby, large wings caging them all, uselessly trying to shush the crying child.

„It’s okay mate, shush, sh… Don’t cry, it’s alright!”

But crying didn’t stop, it grew in strength, forcing the boy to choke and gasp. Creature tried to soothe the child to no avail and soon in the distant part of the house resounded small thud.

„Tommy?!”

Strangers face became stormy, whole body going taunt.

„Tommy!”

The not-baby stirred in creatures arms and with tiny gasp, it rotted away, till there was nothing left of it but some wood, sticks and precious golden flecks that fell uselessly to the floor. Creature furrowed its brows, tsking in displeasure. Sound of someone running was getting closer.

„Tommy!”

Door to the room flew open, shadows retreating mere seconds earlier. Frantic looking woman barged inside, instantly running up to the crib, taking crying baby into her arms.

„Oh gods Tommy. Shush, now, it’s okay, aunty’s here. Breathe baby, shush, shush…”

She cradled wailing child close to her chest, softly carding fingers through the golden locks. Woman fussed and focused on calming boy down, so the rotting into nothingness wooden sticks and bark layed unnoticed.

Somewhere from afar, from between woods, icy eyes bore into the pair, crinkling in displeasure. It failed to bring the little one with it, back where it would be pampered and loved. Creature should move on but it stayed, watching till early morning, till the child fell into fitfull sleep. A sigh rippled through its chest.

Shame.

Chapter Text

It was nice day outside, sun was shining bright and warm, birds yelling and singing, and insects buzzing happily between flowers in the field where Tommy was left by his aunty. She weaved golden petals in his hair and sew some bulbs into his clothes. Tommy could play alone, as long as he remembered rules and kept tiny sack with four leaf clovers around his neck. And aunty wasn’t really that far- close enough to hear him, even if three year old tried really, really hard to be quiet.

But right now Tommy wasn’t trying to be quiet, Tommy was playing, chasing bees and moths that fluttered around him. He was really close to catching one, with soft, fuzzy looking wings. In his chase, he stumbled closer to the edge of the field, still far but he could now try and see between the trees of the forest. Tommy stopped and looked curiously, not curious enough to wander but enough to stare. Something blinked at him from afar. It flashed and sparkled like glitter, slowly becoming bigger and shinier. Boy felt how his mouth fell open as he watched the buzz flicker in the forest. Moment passed and then there stood a man. He was tall and had a fluffy brown hair. His eyes sparkled in the sun and Tommy was awed.

Man laughed, it sounded like windchimes that boy saw in bakers shop. It was really pretty and Tommys cheeks flushed.

„Hello there” man crooned in silky voice.

„Hi” Tommy replied shyly.

Man giggled again and the sound of it made something melt in boys chest. He liked strangers laugh, he wanted to hear more of it. Man came closer to the edge of the forest, though he didn’t come nowhere near golden flowers. He smiled gently.

„What are you doing here, hm?”

Tommy brightened at the question.

„Catching buttflies!”

Joyous scream startled man, who fought against another smile.

„I-I’m sorry, you’re catching what?”

„Buttflies!”

Stranger laughed again and Tommys face lit up.

„Right, right, butt-” another giggle „buttflies. Right.” Man looked at the toddler with mirth in his eyes. „So you like pretty buttflies? I know a place where they go dance, want me to show you?”

Tommy blinked and tilted his head a little „But the Clementine is here?” He pointed to especially fuzzy looking moth. Stranger sighed, because clearly, he also knew that dancing butterflies were nothing compared to such a royal beauty like Clementine The Moth.

„Do you like any other animals? Squirrels, foxes-” stranger started counting on his fingers and animals appeared as if from thin air. Flamy fox curled between his legs, chestnut colored squirrels jumping on his shoulders „-snakes, bunnies, deers-” fluffy gray ball of fur hopped closer from behind trees, closely followed by glinting snake and magnificent doe „-spiders? Maybe doves?”

Sky blue eyes sparkled „I like cows!”

Stranger let out choked little laugh. „Cows, huh? That… Can be arranged.” And just like that, right next to him wobbled young calf with beutiful cream hide.

Tommy gasped and came closer to the edge of golden flower field, so much closer to the forest, while stranger watched hungrily. He still stood between trees but he didn’t look as relaxed now, he seemed to tense, similarly to cat before it would pounce. Yet toddler had his eyes only for the small cow.

„His name is Henry!”

Air went taut for a second and calf looked right at the child. Its eyes suddenly became more focused, more intelligent but the moment was gone as quickly, atmosphere coming back to lazy heat of the day. Tommy smiled and looked at the stranger again. From this close, he seemed even prettier, with perfect skin and hair, and clothes and those pretty golden eyes.

So, just like aunty had taught him, Tommy reached to the sack around his neck and pulled out a clover and held it out towards the stranger.

Clover burst into flames, that didn’t hurt Tommy. He blinked and looked at the stranger carefully. Suddenly, the man didn’t look as warm. His hair was still fluffy but now brown was streaked with some white and silver. His skin still looked perfect, except it was more pale than the moon, sparkly in a way he didn’t see anyones else. His ears seemed longer, pointier and his teeth that Tommy saw when stranger opened his mouth in shock, were sharp, like those of a wild cat. But his eyes were totally diffrent, no more were they just light like a sun, they looked like swirling molten gold with glitter and sunrays, no sclera or iris in sight.

Stranger jolted violently and in less a second he looked normal again. Tommy pouted a little.

„You looked pretty!”

„Aw, did I? Don’t do that again though, okay? Or… you can, if you want to come with me?” man smiled, his teeth no longer deadly sharp.

Toddler in response just flopped down onto the ground, still safely in the reach of golden flowers. Stranger snorted quietly.

„No, that’s not it, you little gremlin. Come on, we can go on a quick walk together, yes?”

„I don’t wanna walkies. I’m tired.”

Stranger shuffled half a step closer, still smiling at the child. He opens his mouth and starts singing, gentle sound, lovelier even than his laugh, the sound dancing and reaching, nearly wrapping itself around the tiny kid… but the song succeded only in making golden flowers around toddler to shake violently. Man looked at them like they personally offended him, which to Tommy was pretty funny.

„More, more!”

Corner of mans mouth twitched a little. „You liked it gremlin?”

Tommy nodded happily. They were really close now, stranger kept inching closer, his hands twitched weirdly. He looked hungrily at Tommy again, his gaze intent. It was as if…

The silence was pierced by the scream of Tommys aunty, which made the kid startle back. He glanced back but quickly came back to staring at the stranger. Stranger who suddenly looked scary, scarier than monsters under the bed, sunken eyes too intent, teeth bared and whole aura going icy. Tommys bottom lip started wobbling and just like that, he started crying, which made aunty scream louder, she was coming closer, quickly.

Stranger reached towards Tommy, apologies on his tongue, he was coming closer, despite how golden flowers shook violently at him. But aunty was close, very close, her wild hair visible now above plants. Man clenched his fists and with last mournful look at the child he turned and dissipated between the trees of the forest, all glitter and precious dust.

Aunty scooped the crying child into her arms and looked frantically around. She could have sworn she saw… but… There was nothing to see. She let shaky breath escape her.

„I’m here Toms, I’m sorry, did I scare you? Here, don’t cry… Let’s go home for today, yes? We both deserve a cookie.”

Tommy held tightly onto his aunt, soaking up the warmth and protection and love that she offered… And in his small, childish heart he still yearned for more. For… someone more.

Chapter Text

The forest was very beautiful. It was not touched by villagers axes, nor was it visited by the hunters. Laws of politeness allowed them to come and gather some things, as long as they remembered to do so in moderation. All in all, the place was peaceful, though considered dangerous. Maybe that’s why it became such a siren song for the village kids, who always tried to sneak between woods, rarely succeding because adults kept their eye on them.

Not on the nine year old Tommy, though. He wandered mostly alone, adorned in iron rings, with his golden flowers weaved into clothes, satchel with clovers and his trusty ‘sword’. It was just a walking stick carved from ash wood but his aunty encouraged him to carry it around and what nine year old would say no to walking with something so ideal to whacking other kids? Not that he did that THAT often, of course.

But the point still stood, Tommy was not watched as closely as the other kids in the village. It may had something to do with how his aunty was getting busier and busier and sicker too. They both had weak health and needing days alone, to recover were normal to them. That left Tommy to roam freely, kid often used that chance to sneak to the forest. He felt at home under the leaves that covered the sky. He hummed to himself, picking berries, finding new and old paths, observing animals. Sure, village claimed that forest was dangerous but it never seemed that way to the blonde. It was simply beautiful and nice.

Tommy climbed over a fallen tree trunk and stumbled only a little. His grumbling over the fact was quickly cut off though as he noticed something in the grass. Blonde kneeled and carefully bowed closer to the ground.

„Well hello there gorgeus. How is your day going?”

Clear adoration in his voice was directed at a decently sized spider. Said spider wiggled a little in response. Smile broke on Tommys face.

„Yeah, me too. I have a fan-tasti-tick day, you know? Lots and lots of women tried to talk to me and I had to let them down gently because I am big man, the biggest man!”

Spider stared at him in understanding.

„Exactly! That’s what I told them, I told them I can’t give them all my time cause I have per-sonn-al life and such a big man like me needs his alone time! Ah, you get me so well. Do you have a name?”

Spider didn’t shrug because gods didn’t think to give it shoulders but Tommy still understood.

„That sucks. Hm… maybe… Oh!”

Tommy scooped spider gently into his hands and arachnid didn’t protest.

„From now on, you’re Shroud, how does that sound, eh?”

Shroud seemed pleased enough. Tommy smiled brightly, slowly getting up from his kneeled position. The smiled faltered a little.

„Shroud, your leg! Oh no, who did that?”

Shroud wiggled his bent leg, like if trying to tell Tommy to not worry too much. Blonde pursed his lips and looked around.

„Don’t worry, I’ll find some help! I just… need… Um…”

Boy put spider on his shoulder and grabbed his sword again and went further into woods. There must be something that could help arachnid, right? It was its home afterall.

It didn’t take that long to find… something. Maybe half an hour later Tommy and Shroud stumbled onto small clearing where an unknown to blonde man stood. He was broad and tall and if Tommy wasn’t such a big man himself, he would say that brute seemed… terrifying. Too tall, too clean, too still under flecks of sunlight that danced in the pink hair. Tommy noticed with some unease that man carried large, real sword, he didn’t even bother to hide it properly under the cloak. Blonde shifted slightly, trying to back away quietly, but as universe has it, he stomped on a twig that cracked loudly. Immiediately there were blood red, intent eyes on him.

„Um.. hi?”

Man turned to him, and oh gods, if that wasn’t even worse. He wasn’t only tall and armed- he looked RICH. And rich people were always mean. Tommy scrunched his nose a little bit. They always came to the village, acted very rude, took more money for themselves and left nearly nothing for the rest. Tommy didn’t like the rich.

„Hullo.” Man said and the sound nearly rattled Tommys teeth. „Can you give me your name kid?”

Blonde puffed up, he wasn’t a kid! „It’s not your buisness bitch!” Wait, aunty always told him to be polite. Um. „Not your bisness, mister bitch!” He added, quite pleased with himself. He was so smart and so polite!

Man snorted quiet laugh. „Fair enough kid.”

Tommy cocked his head. „Well, what’s YOUR name?”

„Well that’s not fair now. Why should I give you my name if you didn’t give me yours?”

Boy brightened immiediately. „Cause you’re a wrongun!”

„A… what now?”

„Wrongun! You’re in forest and look like sonof-bish-ops, like aunty always says! And you have sword and look weird! And you talk to random kid in forests, you know you’re not supposed to do that ya know?!”

„Kid, you’re rambling.”

„Am not!” Tommy roared and with all his nine year old might took a big swing and whacked the weirdo with his sword (that mournfoully, was still only a walking stick). Deep satisfaction nestled in his chest when man actually grimaced a little.

„Don’t do that.”

Tommy just tried to whack him again but to his great dissapointment, man dodged his attack.

„No fair!”

„Sure, sure. What are you doing in the forest, hm?”

Tommy pouted a little. „I’m looking for help for Shroud, look at his leg! I don’t know how to put bandages on small legs, so I’m looking for his family. And I’ll return him and they’ll help and I’ll be a hero! But it is normal for a big man To-” and here blonde clamped a hand on his mouth. Boy glared viciously at the pink haired brute.

„I didn’t do anything kid, it was all you” he smirked. „But… I can help you with the spider.”

Tommy who was ready to start spitting insults at the weirdo, stopped in place. „Really?”

„Ya, I can do you a favor.” Something glinted dangerously in mans eyes.

But it was help and Tommy was generous and very strong and brave and he decided to trust man with Shrouds safety. Boy scooped the spider gently and brought him closer to his face.

„Okay Shroud, you’re gonna be okay, okay? You’re really cool and massive and your leg is gonna be fixed in no time!” Tommy looked at the man and after a second he dug into the pockets.

„Here, now we’re even! Thanks, bye!” And in seconds, boy dropped the spider and some salted caramel candies into strangers hand.

„Heh? No, wait-”

„Bye!”

After all, Tommy could’t just stay in the forest, right? He needed to go back to his aunty.

Chapter Text

Tommy cut another dried golden flower out from his jacket. He never really noticed them, they were just a constant in all of his clothes. Simply something that was with him at all times, like the iron rings that now layed secure in a box near his bed, or like a clover satchel that now hung on the hooks with the keys. Getting rid of the flowers was taking forever but he couldn’t ditch all of his clothes and go to the forest right away, no matter how much he wanted to. It was winter after all.

Tommy hunched a little more above his work. The house was cold as hell, he didn’t have a mind to start a fire today. There was a possibility that he wouldn’t come back so why should he care if the house was cold? It was only Tommy inside. Boy grumbled and dug palms into his eyes in futile attempt to drive away unnecesary thoughts.

He was the biggest man, he could do this. There wasn’t a lot of diffrent options for him now, anyway. He could only hope that the fae in The Forest will be as eager to see him, want something from him, as they were his whole life.

If one were to believe village folk, fae always tried to snatch Tommy up. Since he was a baby, really. Tommy wasn’t sure if he believed that the creatures were this persistent but he had to admit that it wasn’t unusual for him to meet one whenever he so happened to be close to The Forest. Thanks to this meetings Tommy was a master when it comes to Laws of Politeness, all the while managing to cuss everyone to hell and back. It was a fantastic skill to have when tax collectors, barons and their stupid fricking guards came to the village. Especially when bastards started to come more often than ever before. Tommy grit his teeth at the mere thought.

It truly was their fault that he was in this position now. If they stopped coming or just slowed down with stuffing their own effing pockets with villagers money, Tommy would be able to keep the house and to pay for the funeral. But as he stood now, he had nothing. Barely enough to scrape for a coffin, if they even allow Tommy to do as much. He was barely sixteen and while it was a great number of years to live and he was a big man, everyone around him insisted he was still a child and he couldn’t live alone. Blonde always had to fight the urge to not snap at whoever was spouting that particular bullshit. He could take care of himself perfectly fine, he was in fact doing so for two years now because even when aunty still lived, she was so sick that she barely moved from the bed anyway. Tommy should get extra points, he was taking care for himself and for aunty and he was fine!

If he got moved to the orphanage, he would have a hard time coming back here to take care of the house. And more importantly, he will have no money for the tax that was collected nearly every damn month now. He would have half year before they would take the home for themselves and tear it down or some bullshit. Whatever richmen did to poor little houses that were not up to their snobby standard.

And that brought him back to present moment. To cutting out golden flowers from his jacket that protected him so many times. Tommy smiled to himself faintly.

There was one fae that loved to sing to him. He would always glare at his clothes when the lure didn’t work but it wasn’t really serious after the first six times. Wil, because that was what the fae allowed Tommy to call him, was always willing to talk to him for hours and what’s more, was willing to LISTEN to him for hours. He acted like he had personal vendetta against flowers weaved inside Tommys clothes, always said some cursed shit, like how much he loved eating sand and how he planned to eradicate anteaters all over The Forest. Tommy pointed out that there weren’t any anteaters there, they were too far north but Wil just smiled all cryptic and shit and dropped the topic.

Well, Tommy mused to himself, at least now I will experience the full extent of fairy song. Not like he didn’t like Wils music normally but… eh.

Maybe he won’t meet Wil though. Maybe this time it will be Blade, the other fae that he frequently saw. While it was great to joke around with him, Blade usually sparred with Tommy. It was… strange at first. Fae proposed the lessons after another unsuccesful attempt of attack from Tommy. Ash wood hurt fae at least a little, so after some careful wording, kid accepted. It was hard but spare praises that Blade offered always managed to make blondes day. And when they didn’t fight or talk, they both just cared for greenery in The Forest. Blade suprisingly had a green thumb and even more suprisingly, Tommy had too. They worked together for hours, wild carrots, potatos, berries or wheat, you name it, they probably tended to it at some point. These were nice days.

Without his ‘sword’(that was still only a walking stick), Blade won’t have any problem with disarming him and… and what then? Tommy chewed his lip nervously. He didn’t really know what they could want from him. Village folk always insisted that fae won’t break the Laws, but they won’t hesitate to kidnap a human and be cruel to them just cause they could. Or make a human into eternal servant. And it’s not like Tommy could completely disregard these… assumptions.

He watched Phil work multiple times after all. Ancient Fae (he always squawked in pretend anger when Tommy made fun of his age, even when his aura felt heavier than any other fae so he must have been truly ancient) let Tommy tag along when he build magical structures in The Forest. Tommy never allowed himself to follow the Fae too deep but even the „small” creations were magnificent to him. Bridges made of roots and bushes that should never be crossed, columns and garlands around mushroom rings that made already enticing traps even more irresistable. Watching Phil was magical in itself. No matter if he worked on terraforming the forest creak or made houses for squirells, he put the equal amounts of work into each project, defty hands adding details, sharp eyes finding flaws and magnificent wings bringing him close to whatever he needed to see better. Phil was kind to Tommy. They talked longer than the Laws required from them and boy was glad for it, truly. He never admitted it to the Fae but somewhere along the years, he maybe, kinda, just a little… started to see the Ancient one as a father figure? Who could really blame him tho? He never had anyone who would teach him stuff like Phil did, gently and patiently guiding when Tommy would inevitably lost his focus. No one gave him advice like Phil did, no one cared about his scraped knees or problems in school like Phil did. Beside aunty but it was just not the same.

So when he observed Phil create traps to ensnare other creatures (other humans) he didn’t care as much as he probably should. He let himself crack jokes, to be loud and annoying and relished in the attention and positive responses that Phil gave him. Tommy daydreamed about what-ifs, small fantasy where Phil would be his dad or at least cool, close uncle that would listen and bring him closer if Tommy ever broke down. He would encase them both in his black wings and Tommy would be safe, protected while at his most fragile. Kid often glanced at the shadowy feathers and wondered how it would feel to run his fingers through them… But he couldn’t test it, ever. After all, he wore iron rings, which would hurt the Fae.

Maybe it will be Phil who will find him. Maybe he will let Tommy touch his wings before…

Last flower got ripped from the jacket and Tommy took deep breath. Okay, times out, no more dillydalling. Blonde slapped his cheeks a few times to regain focus and quickly scanned room for anything he could have missed. He felt weird preparing to leave without anything to repel the fae but that was kinda the point, wasn’t it? Tommy put on the jacket and closed his room and then sweeped house for what would probably be the last time. He cleaned day before so dust hasn’t even managed to settle. Tommy took the key and went outside, where cold immiediately started to nip at his cheeks. Boy scowled a little while locking the door.

So. This was it. Tommy turned towards The Forest and started trudging through a thin layer of snow. He didn’t bother with saying goodbye to anyone in the village. People here were friendly but he never made any lasting connections here, his aunt was better at it. They may not even notice he’s gone, they may think that orphanage came quicker for him. He doubted that anyone will think twice about it, everyone was saddled with their own problems. No one here would help.

He was now deeper between the trees than ever before. His breath came out in puffs, chill was biting harsher each second.

Fitting, Tommy thought, that they all would bother me when they couldn’t touch but when I’m looking for them, they leave me in this fricking cold.

Teenager hugged himself, trying to fend off the chill at least a little bit. He kept going, even as snow piles kept growing, when they reached to his knees, even as the light started to dim and The Forest grew dark. Even as his teeth started clacking and his fingertips grew numb and changed to a worrying shade of blue. He never went this far into The Forest and in any other occasion he would try to see more of this forbidden land but Tommy was currently very cold and pretty tired. He merely glanced at the marvelous structures that he knew must have come from under Phils hand, he barely noticed some fallen, cut trees, that were absolutely covered in greenery that had no right to survive in winter. Tommy just kept walking.

Finally though, his ears picked up a new sound. Soft strumming of guitar and even a lovelier voice called to him in the distance, promising warmth and rest. Tommy let his eyelids drop a little. Gods, he was so tired. Something in the back of his mind screeched against the song but his body was already moving towards the source of the music. It took him next half an hour to get to small clearing where snow covered the ground in only a thin layer and on some rocks in the middle sat a creature glittering like sun or gold. Blonde shuffled closer, strangely eager to hear more of the song. It was so pretty, he wanted- no, he needed to hear more.

„Gremlin? What are you doing here?”

Tommy blinked slowly. Music stopped and he couldn’t keep low whine of dissapointment.

„Wha… Gremlin child? What’s wrong?”

There was someone before him. Tommy swayed a little in place and with more effort than it should take, he raised his head and looked at the… someone.

„...Wil?” Blonde mumbled. His teeth stopped clicking. That’s good, right?

„Are you entralled? What the heck? How did you… What are you doing here? Wait, weren’t these horrid marigolds and daisies keeping you from the charm?”

„Left ‘em at ‘ome. So you wouldn’… go.”

Oh, there were warm hands on his face. Tommy let a soft sigh escape him, it was really nice. He felt like sleeping, right about now.

„You’re not making any sense gremlin. You’re also ice cold, what were you thinking, huh? Come on, let’s warm you up before your nose falls off.” Wil laughed gently and tugged Tommy towards the rocks.

They both sat down and Wil immiediately engulfed Tommy in a warm hug. Through muddled thoughts, the boy decided that it was the best feeling ever. Which became even better, when the warm chest that he was cuddled against started vibrating in the low purr.

„I must say… It is nice to finally touch you gremlin. You were always swamped in the nasty shit but now? This is very nice” Wil purred softly.

Tommy offered only a quiet hum. They stayed like that for some time, teenagers mind slowly shaking off the charm of fae song and his body warming up.

„Why is the child here.”

Wil groaned loudly and turned to send a glare towards someone above Tommys head. The someone with very low, very familiar voice.

„’ello Blade…” Tommy mumbled quietly, not exactly willing to leave the hug.

See, he wasn’t clingy or touch starved or some shit, he wasn’t. But it was warm. And Wil was a bitch and he was probably cold and he was stealing all of Tommys warmth so in reality, it was Tommy being the big man and he was letting it happen! Because he didn’t want Wil to be cold.

Wil crooned softly and carded his absurdly long fingers through blonde locks and holy shit, that was so nice.

„Hullo.”

There was a brief moment of silence that was broken by a displeased sigh from Wil.

„I don’t know either, stop looking at me like that. I was practicing my songs when he came from woods, he doesn’t have any flowers or iron on him and I charmed him by accident. Happy?”

There came some weird chuff sound from behind him and Tommy turned his head and cracked open an eye. It was Blade, practically swaddled in thick looking cape with a ridiculous amount of fur at the hood. It looked warm and soft and Tommy wanted to touch it.

„He came here by himself?”

„Well, I didn’t lead him here, so unless you finally figured how to bring back a child and not salted caramels…”

„Will you ever let it go?”

There was a sharp bark of laughter. Tommy scrunched up his nose a little, the noise was breaking him out of the haze of charm quicker. It didn’t mean shit when he was still exhausted and cold as hell from his trek to the clearing but it was nice to have some control over his thoughts.

„That jacket doesn’t look thick, he must be freezing.”

„He is pretty cold.”

Small grunt and Blade was now practically hovering over both of them.

„We should bring him back home.”

Wil hummed in agreement.

„Give him to me, I’ll carry him.”

Ah, problems. Arms around him suddenly tightened.

„What? No! He came to me, why should I give him to you?!”

„Well, can you carry him? Without dropping him, bumping his head…” „Hey!” „...and keep him warm at the same time?”

Even Tommy felt the glare that Wil sent towards the Blade.

„You’re a right bitch Techno. A bitch I say.”

Blade snorted quietly and after a moment Tommy felt a new pair of hands touching him, lifting him up. Oh, Blade was holding him, hiding him under the cape. It was so warm. It wouldn’t harm to let his eyes slip shut for a minute, right? Just a small minute. They won’t even notice…

***

Someone was carding their fingers through his hair. Tommy sighed and sinked deeper into the softness that he layed on, he was comfortable and warm. He didn’t remember his bed being this nice. It smelled heavenly too, a combination of pine needles, caramel, dirt… Summer, Fall and Winter, all combined into one smell. It was better than the candles his aunty loved so much. His bed never smelled like that, if he thought about it. It was always daisies, marigolds and roses.

Tommy stirred a little at the thought and the fingers that were working on knots in his hair stilled for a second.

„Hey mate, you’re waking up?”

Ah, shit. That’s why it’s diffrent. Tommy peeled his eyelids open and looked up and sure enough, he found Phil sitting beside him, smiling down with his stupid, not at all heart warming look of fondness. Teenager blinked and tried to start up his brain. Man, naps suck, why does he always fell into the lie of „rest” that they offered? He would like his clear thinking back, please.

„Hrmpf.” Ah. Peak of eloquency right here.

But Phil didn’t seem to mind if one were to judge it after the laugh that Fae let out. Tommy received some more headpats before Phil went back to fighting with knots in boys hair. It felt nice, nice enough that human let himself to lay back down and relax some more. They spent a few minutes in comfortable silence before Tommy finally yawned and decided it was time to get back to consciousness fully.

„Where am I?”

Phil hummed quietly, still pretty engrossed in his attempt to tame the golden hair.

„We’re in my nest. Boys brought you here, sleepy as a baby.”

„’m not a baby” Tommy muttered.

„Of course” Phil chuckled. „Anyway, since you’re up, wanna tell me what happened? Why did you come so far into the woods without you’re silly knick nacks?”

Tommy sighed and moved to sit up. It was slightly difficult since the nest was very soft and was sinking beneath him whenever he moved. But he managed. He rubbed his eyes a little and stifled another small yawn. Phils wings puffed up slightly and he had another weirdly soft expression on his face, that did nothing to Tommys heart. Absolutely zero. Nothing.

„I… came to The Forest looking for you.”

Phils eyes suddenly sharpened, he looked… strangely eager? Tommy didn’t know if that was a good or bad sign for him but he didn’t have means to back away anymore, could as well finish it.

„Did you now? Why were you looking for us mate?” Phil crooned, his wings poofing up even more.

Tommy bit his lip. He was going to do it. Didn’t mean he wasn’t allowed to not be nervous.

„I… I wanted to ask for a favor.”

The air crackled with sudden surge of energy. Phil cocked his head to the side, motion so birdlike that it would normally make Tommy crack some joke or tease him but this time gaze of the Ancient Fae was too intense for the teenager to try to attempt that. Tommy swallowed thickly.

„And… what favor would you want to ask of us?”

This is it. Tommy took a deep breath and squared his shoulders.

„My aunt passed away recently.”

„My condolences.”

Tommy nodded stifly.

„I knew it was coming. But… She was my only family. And she didn’t leave much. I… I’m going to be sent to the orphanage, down the mountain, three cities from here.”

The Fae seemed to stiffen slightly at that but didn’t spoke. For now. Tommy took it as his clue to continue.

„But if I go, I won’t be able to ensure aunty got the funeral she wanted and deserved. And I won’t be able to keep her house. The bastards from that grovelfaced baron are taking so much money for taxes and if I won’t cough up enough, they will take it a-and…” he had to stop for a second, just to squash the fury in his chest. „I want to preserve her house. And to give her good funeral. S-so… Can you help me somehow…? I know you have tricks and shit! It wouldn’t really take very much, village is scared of you guys if you just… I don’t know, if you made a fence or something, o-or grew a fairy ring around the house, they would leave it alone! I… Please Phil. These wronguns will take it apart, that’s… all I have left of my family” words were choked up, much more silent and unsure than what Tommy tried to portray. And he was close to crying, great.

Phil didn’t move, still observing Tommy like a predator would ogle its prey. It was super fricking unnerving.

„And,” Ancient Fae started, „what would you be willing to offer for such favor?”

What would he offer? What could he really offer? Tommy hunched a little on himself.

„I don’t have a lot big man. I… What would you want, I guess?”

Ah, there was that dangerous glint and oppresing feeling of crushing magic. Phil spread his wings and Tommy followed appendages with his gaze.

„There is one thing you could give us… Your name.”

Tommy jolted unwillingly. His mouth went dry in seconds and he felt a twinge of fear in his heart. His name. That’s one thing that everyone agreed that you should never, ever entrust Fae with. They held importance in the Laws of Politeness and if someone owned your name, they owned you. Phil could do whatever he would want. Enslave him, make him do horrible things in the Fae name or… stuff.

But would he do something like that? Tommys heart panged with pain when he thought about the kindness that the Ancient One always showed him. And… Wil liked him too, Blade sometimes seemed fond of him. Maybe they wouldn’t be bad. Maybe he would just… work. He could work, help. Yes, he was signing away his whole existence for a house and a grave. But it was more than that. It was his legacy and his love and respect for his aunty. She deserved it.

Tommy took a deep breath.

„Okay” he said weakly.

Phil smiled softly but his eyes were still terrifyingly intent.

„Lets hear it then, mate.”

Teenager came closer to the Ancient Fae and with a last soft breath, gave away his life.

„My name is Tommy.”

Magic seized his body and for one second he regretted everything, he wanted to snatch the words back, to not be in the nest, in The Forest. But in the next second Phil looked so proud, so happy and oh, he was hugging Tommy, arms and wings keeping them close and the blonde melted. It happened and he could not change it and Phil was still kind. It’s no wonder his tears finally broke.

„Tommy. Tommy. Sh, my darling. It’s going to be okay, everything will be now right how it was supposed to be. Tommy.”

His name rolling on the Ancient Fae tongue held magic that surged through his body again and again. Phil sounded happy. And… Strangely, Tommy was happy too.

They sat like that for what seemed hours. It was filled with Phil softly calling Tommys name, gentle crying and a bird chirp here and there. Which, after Tommy calmed down a little, boy started to tease Fae about.

Till something crashed below the nest. Tommy curiously poked his nose out of safe embrace of wings, while Phil merely scoffed with fond roll of his eyes.

„Where and how is my dear gremlin?! Phil!”

„We’re in the nest you dramatic baby! Stop wrecking my house!”

There was a few more crashes before Wil showed at the edge of the nest, Blade closely following. Brown haired fae smiled all feral like when he spotted the human wrapped in shadowy wings.

„Aww, are you comfy gremlin child?” Wil crooned.

„I’m not an effing child you Wilbitch!”

Fae cackled loudly. „Oh, it’s so good to see you back in spirits! I was worried for a second man!” His eyes glinted a bit. „Since you’re here… And can’t get out… We can cuddle, right?!”

At that Phil chuckled and lifted a wing to let the fae join the hug.

„Wha?! No! No, stay away you… nuuu, you’re crushing me you dick!”

„Aw, I’m happy I see you too gremlin!”

„Agh! Blaaaaade! Help me!” Tommy whined.

But alas, he was abandoned because Blade was also a massive bitch and he just settled close to them, looking far too amused for Tommys taste. That was outrageous! Tommy did not deserve that treatment! But Phil draped his wings over all of them and, okay, maybe it was a lil bit nice, just tiny amount of niceness. Tommy made sure to grumble anyway.

Phil laughed again.

„Boys.”

Everyone looked at the Ancient Fae who smiled impossibly warm.

„His name is Tommy.”

His name belonged to all of them. Just like that. Tommy looked unsure towards the other fae, he feared and anticipated their reactions. It could have been dangerous but… Tommy wanted to believe that they will be kind too, just like Phil still was.

Wil looked starstruck, in the best definition of the word. Or, rather, he looked as if he just received a twinkling star, right of the night sky.

„He gave you his name?”

Blade was looking at him with dilated pupils which made him look… softer. More enarmored, maybe? Tommy blinked slowly and the brute leaned down till they gently bonked their foreheads together. Intimate, soft and so effing good, that Tommy nearly teared up again.

„Welcome home, runt.”

These bitches wanted him crying again, was that it?

He felt Wil burying his nose in the crown of his head. He was about to swat him away, this closeness was making him choked up and mushy and he wanted none of that but then fae spoke up.

„My name is Wilbur.”

Magic surged through humans body once again and left him gasping for air.

„You… but your name…”

„My name is Technoblade.”

Tommy trembled again. It was so much, nearly too much- he owned them just like they owned him now, and he didn’t understand-

There were fingers at his chin, that gently guided his head, till his gaze locked with Ancient Fae. There was another smile and…

„My name is Philza. Welcome home, mate.”

And maybe it was silly, maybe it was ironic that the child that was protected from Fae from the earliest years ended surrounded by these beings, cuddled and loved but that’s just what happened to Tommy.

And maybe he didn’t have anyone outside The Forest but it wasn’t such a damning thought anymore. Because now, whenever he called, someone would come to him. He had a new family, that consisted of very persistent bastards that apparently tried to get him for his whole life. And hey, if that wasn’t a nice thought- he was wanted and loved, and he could love them right back.

How polite of him, eh?