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Tommy had always been a bit of an outcast. Being a deer-centaur made him a bit different, after all. But the village he resided in made use of these differences.
Reside, not live. Tommy doesn’t think live would be the right word. He hadn’t lived in quite some time.
Tommy was around 7 years old when the people of his village decided that he was the perfect age to work.
Tommy was fitted for a harness and strapped to whatever thing they needed to pull that day. Tommy didn’t really remember when it all happened.
All he could remember was that this was his job. He worked all day. He pulled whatever wagon they strapped him to. He hauled whatever they told him to.
And then he was given a meal and tied to a fence post. Tommy wished he could at least have his own stable.
Some nice hay to lay on.
But he managed. Even on the cold, rainy nights. Even when his nose was stuffed and he could barely breathe.
Even when his back ached from the straps digging into his body like a brand.
He managed.
Currently, Tommy was pulling a small wagon with some flour and sugar to the bakery. His hooves stamped into the mud, the boy not even caring about the dirt caking his once golden coat.
This was Tommy’s favorite route. Because the bakery was on the edge of town. Which meant he got to look out at the forest.
Tommy stopped at the drop off location, letting the workers unload his cart as he stared off towards the woods.
A longing feeling pitted into his gut at the sight of swaying trees. He could imagine himself breaking through the bushes and into an open field of flowers. Just… frolicking.
Tommy began to zone out, not noticing the person speaking to him. Tommy then felt something slash against his hide, jumping as it left a burning sensation across his skin. The boy turned around, making eye contact with a man holding a whip.
“Stop daydreaming. You know very well you wouldn’t survive a day out in the wild. You’re better suited here. Where you’re useful and fed.”
Tommy nodded solemnly, starting on his route back with a new load to carry.
-/-/-/-/-/-
Tommy wasn’t entirely sure what happened. In one moment, he was being tied down. Then thunder struck.
And he got scared.
And he kicked back and it must have hit someone cause everyone started screaming and then the knot came loose and he started running.
Tommy huffed as brambles smacked into him, legs moving faster than they ever had before. Tommy stumbled into the forest, tripping over his own hooves and rolling down a hill. Bushes scraped against him, thorns cutting up his skin and shirt. He flopped to the ground, breathing heavily. Part of him didn’t want to get up.
A part of him wanted to just enjoy this moment with the dirt and let himself sink deeper into the earth.
The other part screamed for freedom.
After a moment, the rain stopped. From thundering and storming to a bright sunny day.
The weather was a fickle thing.
Tommy huffed, forcing himself up and beginning to trot further into the forest. Maybe he could find a nice river to wash off in. Maybe some berries.
He didn’t think he’d ever go back to that village, so might as well start looking out for a shelter.
Tommy stepped into a clearing, a small smile stretching up his face.
It was gorgeous. While not filled with flowers like he had dreamed of, it was close enough. Maybe one day he’d find a place open enough to truly test his speed in.
Tommy trotted through the grass, spotting a small bush at the edge of the clearing. He made his way to it, starting to pick the berries off of it. Just as he brought one to his mouth, a voice spoke.
“I believe those are poisonous, little one.”
Tommy jumped, berries flying out of his hands and hitting him in the head. The boy turned, rubbing the small nubs on the top of his head.
Tommy’s eyes trailed up the figure, ears pinning back at how tall he was. Tommy only went up to this man’s waist.
Tommy took a cautious step back, running into the brambles with a wince.
The man in front of him had curly chocolate-brown hair that cascaded down the side of his face. Jewelry was intricately woven into the curls and his face was studded with diamonds. He had pointed ears that gems dangled from,his voice was like silk and honey as he spoke with a graceful smile.
“Your mother and father should have taught you about that long ago. Where is your herd, little fawn?”
Tommy tried not to relax at the sound of the man’s voice. It was just so soothing…
“I don’t have one,” Tommy replied.
The man seemed taken aback. “Are you lost? Are there hunters in my forest?”
Tommy blinked out of stupor, shaking his head and looking to the man’s feet.
A ring of mushrooms. This was no man. This was fae.
Tommy tried to take a step away, only for the fae’s voice to sharpen. “It’s quite rude to leave without answering my questions.”
Tommy flinched back, nearly tripping over a root.
The fae softened. “You are quite small. I apologize for frightening you. I only wish to help. How old are you?”
Tommy gulped. “I’m 7, I think.”
The fae cooed. “Oh, you are a young one. Why don’t you tell me your name and what happened that brought you to me?”
Tommy forced himself to not take another step back, knowing the fae would find it rude.
“I… I shouldn’t give you my name.”
The fae blinked. “Oh, darling. I have no intentions of hurting you. You are a creature of magic, such as myself.”
Tommy’s brows scrunched together. “I have no magic.”
The brunet tilted his head. “You are a centaur. A being of the forest. And you have found yourself in my forest. Which means I am to protect you. Tell me, fawn, what brought you to my lands?”
Tommy swallowed thickly. No wonder the humans didn’t want to come out here. This was a forest belonging to a fae. Tommy wasn’t entirely sure what he got himself into.
In his hesitancy, the fae had studied him, looking over his form. “You are bound. Humans should have no claim over a centaur. Come to me, and I’ll release you from your harnesses.”
Tommy shook his head, feeling tears build up in his eyes.
He wanted to speak up and argue. But he didn’t even know what to say. There was too much. Too many questions. His mind was going through a thousand thoughts per second.
The fae were evil. But this fae was saying he should be protected?
But fae are tricksters. But fae can’t lie.
Is he magical? Where are his parents?
Where did he come from?
Why is this fae being so nice?
Why, why, why—
Tommy gripped his head, pulling on the growing antlers on his head as a choked sound came from his lips.
“Oh, darling. I deeply apologize for making you feel unsafe or overwhelmed.” The fae sat on the ground to look smaller, legs crossed. “I am sure you have a story to tell. I won’t ask any more questions until you’ve told me your story. I want to hear it all. No tricks, I promise. ”
Something clicked into place, Tommy’s anxiety melting away with the feeling of magic thrumming through his chest.
A fae promised to not trick him.
He was safe.
He could tell his story.
And so Tommy did. He spoke about all the things the village did to him. He told the fae about the workload, the lack of food, the longing for the forest. And not once did the fae interrupt him. He just listened and nodded encouragingly when Tommy was near tears.
And before he knew it, the story was over. The knot in his chest was loosened.
“Oh, little fawn. I am deeply moved by your tale. You are much too bright to be dimmed by ungrateful humans. That longing towards the forest was because of your nature. You belong with the trees and with other magical beings,” the fae explained. “You deserve much more than they have given you. You deserve freedom.”
The fae extended his hand, reaching to the tip of the mushroom ring. “I will give you true freedom, if you would let me. Step into my ring, little one. I’ll give you a home. I’ll give you fields of flowers to frolic in to your heart's content. You will have no harness. Allow me to call you mine, and I shall be yours.”
Tommy’s breath hitched. All of it sounded too good to be true. After all, why would a fae want to be near him? A creature covered in dirt and muck should not be near a creature known for cleanliness and perfection.
But… what if it all was true?
What if he could have a herd? What if he could have loving hands hold his face? What if the fae could be his? What if he could truly belong somewhere? To someone? Not in the way of being used. Not in the way his harness has a brand of his previous village owners.
But what if he could belong to someone whose job it was to love him? To hold him? To smile at him? To adore him? Belong to someone whose responsibility it would become to care.
Tommy wanted that. He wanted it so much.
And if it were all fake… If it all came crashing down on him and he was branded and put to work…
He supposed it wouldn’t be much different than he already had experienced.
Tommy took a step forward, hand sliding into the fae’s. The fae grinned, guiding the centaur to lay down. Tommy immediately fell into the fae’s lap, the brunet holding him up.
“My name is Tommy.”
The fae brushed fingers through Tommy’s coat, fingers finding the harness and un-clipping it.
It fell to the ground with a loud thud, the boy letting out a breath of relief. Tommy’s eyes nearly shut then and there, skin pulsing with relief under where the harness used to be.
“Why hello, Tommy. My name is Wilbur.” Hands cupped Tommy’s face, bringing him to look directly into swirling, golden-brown eyes. “You can rest now, darling. You are now under my protection. I will clean your coat and find some nice clothes for you. When you wake, I’ll show you the gardens. For now, sleep well.”
Tommy’s eyes fell shut, a feeling of love filling him.
-/-/-/-/-/-
When Tommy would wake up, he’d find himself in a new, brighter realm. He’d find himself in a castle, in a bed much softer than any hay he could have ever dreamed of. He’d see Wilbur smiling at him lovingly.
And he’d be brought into a field of vibrant flowers all swaying in the breeze.
And Tommy would finally run.