Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“The time is almost upon us…”

“The prophecy will be fulfilled…”

“Should it come true, we will lose all that we have built…”

Conspiratorial whispers passed along the chamber, robed figures with faces cloaked in shadow sharing in the dark secret.

“Friends! Have no fear!” One of the figures strode forward into the center of the room, addressing all of her companions at once. “This is but a minor setback. They cannot return.” She chuckled. “How could they?”

Another figure, a male, scoffed in reply. “The prophecy is clear. It leaves no room for misinterpretation, my friend. They will return, make no mistake.”

“And this…” A third being sat, poring over her notes carefully, “Human mentioned in the prophecy…” She adjusted her reading glasses, frowning. “They will have magic at their disposal. Powerful magic. A godchild, surely. They will most definitely not work for us. Nor would their godparent.”

The first figure raised an eyebrow. “Then we will simply defeat them. All of them. We did it before, we will do so again.” She smirked. “Especially considering how weak and fragile they will be compared to how they once were. We hold all the cards now.” Her attention turned to a portrait, bearing the only known image of the two subjects of their current discussion. She and her co-conspirators had all but destroyed the memory of them. “And they will never return to power…”

Chapter Text

The alarm clock screeched loudly at seven a.m. on the dot, making the young boy it was in the unfortunate proximity of groan. Timothy Tiberius Turner, known simply as Timmy, grumbled seven simple words, “I wish the alarm clock was gone.”

In response, a magical ‘poof’ noise came from the direction of his bedside table, the small fishbowl glowing a soft magenta colour in response to his words. The ringing stopped, and Timmy only gave the now missing clock a brief glance before smiling. “Much better.” Now he could get to sleep in peace.

Or at least he would be able to, if other people simply let him. “Timmy…” A high-pitched ding heralded the arrival of his godmother, Wanda. “Come on, sport. You know you can’t stay in bed all day. You’ve got school.”

Timmy scoffed sleepily. “Why’d I have to go to school?”

Another ding. “Yeah, why?” Cosmo, his godfather.

The boy could picture Wanda’s scalding glare at her husband already. Sure enough, when he opened his eyes, there they were. Wands and wings and all. His fairy godparents. Even now, just a few years after getting them, he was amazed he had them. Fairies and magic were make-believe to many. But he was one of the lucky few to know the truth. All because he was unlucky enough to have a babysitter, teacher, and school bullies who made his life miserable.

“Because it’s the law, Cosmo.” Wanda sighed, pushing a stray lock of her swirled pink hair behind her ear. “We’re not letting our godchild go to juvie for truancy. He’s claimed too many sick days already.”

Cosmo raised an eyebrow. “That’s a thing? I thought the parents just had to pay a fine. Especially since Timmy’s only twelve.” He did his best to smooth down his messy green hair, barely even bothering to adjust his skewed tie. Timmy grimaced. Probably a rough night with the baby. He wouldn’t be surprised. Poof was having growing pains right now, and both of his godparents looked exhausted practically every night.

Wanda shrugged. “Honestly, I don’t know. But I do not want to find out.” Her husband made a small ‘Oh’ sound. She floated over to her godson. “Besides, you’re failing Mr. Crocker’s class as it is.”

Timmy frowned. “Mr. Crocker fails everyone. Plus, he’s still as fairy obsessed as ever. Even more, actually. And by staying home, I can keep you three away from him.”

The pink-haired fairy grinned. “What else is new? We can handle him. Up you get now, young man.” She said matter-of-factly, pointing to the neat pile of clothes she’d left for him last night.

“Yes, Mom.” He sighed, as surprised as his godparents were at his own response. No-one said anything though as he picked up the pile and went into his bathroom to get ready for school.

When he was out of sight, Cosmo nudged Wanda gently. “Did you hear that, snookie?”

“He called me Mom.” His wife sighed. “It’s not the first time this has happened with one of our godchildren, Cosmo. It won’t be the last.” Wanda raised an eyebrow, a clear sign that they were done talking about it. “Remember the first and most sacred rule of fairy godparenting…”

Her husband sighed. “’Don’t get too attached.’” He recited the words Jorgen von Strangle threw at them every time they were assigned a new godkid, melancholy at the reminder. He knew the rules, like all godparents did, in spite of his otherwise oblivious nature. But that didn’t change the facts. And the facts were that Timmy was… different from all the others. He knew it. He just wasn’t sure how to express that to his wife. “It just never gets any easier.” Cosmo said instead, looking sadly at the door they’d seen their godson go through just a few minutes ago.

“I know.” Wanda had a similar look on her face, sympathetic. “Why don’t you grab Poof, and we’ll all join Timmy at school today? I have a feeling he needs all of us.” Recently, they’d been experimenting with a new system. One adult fairy would stay home with the baby, while the other would stick close to Timmy. It had worked surprisingly well so far, but Wanda had a feeling about today.

Cosmo nodded, grateful for a distraction. “Okay, sweetie.” He raised his wand, disappearing with a poof back into the fishbowl. Just as he did so, Timmy emerged from his bathroom, now donning his iconic pink hat and shirt.

“Alright,” Timmy grabbed a strap of his backpack, dragging it over to his godmother. “I’m ready as I’ll ever be.” He looked around briefly. “Where’s Cosmo? I thought he was joining me at school today.”

“There’s been a teeny-tiny change of plans, sport.” Wanda explained. “We’re all coming with you today. Cosmo’s just getting Poof ready.”

Timmy frowned. “What about Crocker? I wasn’t kidding when I said he’s more obsessed with fairies than ever! I don’t like the idea of him being around Poof…”

The godmother smiled softly at her godson. “Such a good big brother…” She praised, much to Timmy’s embarrassment. As reckless and impulsive as he was most of the time, he was such a sweet boy. He reminded her a lot of Cosmo, actually. “Don’t worry, sweetie. We’ve handled far worse than whatever Crocker can throw at us.”

“I-I guess…” Timmy relented. “But I still don’t like it.”

“I know…” Wanda sighed. She didn’t either. But they stood a better chance united than apart. Her and her husband’s magic was stronger together.

Cosmo appeared back in the room in a cloud of pink smoke, cradling his purple-haired baby carefully. Wanda went over to join her husband, Poof cooing softly in his father’s arms, and Timmy took the moment to think. These three impossible fairies were his family. More so than the two adult humans who’d raised him, his flesh and blood. Timmy wouldn’t trade them for the world.

His parents loved him, he knew they did. His godparents did too. The difference came in just how they showed it. Cosmo and Wanda went above and beyond, even beyond the wishes they were assigned to grant as his godparents. One or both of them was always around, making sure he cleaned up after himself, checking he’d crushed his teeth, making sure he was eating. His parents left him with a babysitter from the depths of hell most nights. Which reminded him… “Hey, Cosmo? Wanda?”

“Yeah, Timmy?” His godfather replied, handing Poof off to Wanda when she held her arms out for him. “What’s up?”

“Is Vicky coming today?” Timmy asked, grimacing. He hated asking. But he had to know. He had to mentally prepare.

Wanda frowned. “Your parents don’t have plans, sport. She won’t.”

Timmy huffed softly. “Knowing her she’ll probably just convince them to leave for the night.” He grinned sardonically. “Maybe bribe them with tickets to that special exhibition at the Dimmsdale Pencil Museum. Dad won’t be able to resist it.” Both fairies frowned at their godchild’s sad acceptance.

“Oh, Timmy!” As if on cue, Mr. Turner, Timmy’s father, yelled from downstairs. “Your mother and I have been offered tickets to the Dimmsdale Pencil Museum! The exhibition is tonight, so we’ll be leaving you with Vicky!”

Timmy made a ‘See?’ gesture with his arms. “Did I not call this?”

“Well…” Cosmo tried. “We don’t know it was Vicky.”

Timmy raised an eyebrow, just as his mother confirmed his suspicions. “She’s such a nice girl, offering us a night out! We’ll be gone when you get back from school. It’s an all evening one!”

The fairies winced, exchanging a look. Timmy sighed. “Let’s just get today over with, already.” He pulled his backpack on, and his godfamily disappeared, reappearing as keychains on his left strap.

Francis, the school bully, had a favourite target. And of course, that favourite target was Timmy. The boy held back his tears as he struggled from the beat down he’d just received, through the door of Mr. Crocker’s classroom, just as the bell rang. Thank goodness, maybe he wouldn’t be marked down as-

“Late, Turner!” The middle-aged teacher snapped as the boy all but fell through the frame. It genuinely baffled Timmy how he’d gotten into the profession. He hated kids, especially Timmy, and everyone knew it.

As always, he tried to fight it. “But, Mr. Crocker-!”

And as always, he was shot down. “Late! Detention! Sit down!” His classmates laughed as he despondently walked over to his seat. Timmy sighed. He knew he couldn’t stop it, and he certainly knew Crocker wouldn’t. He was used to it by now. Only Chester and A.J., two of his oldest friends, looked at him with anything other than ridicule. And even they had kept their distance lately. Only when Timmy sat down did Crocker begin his lesson.

“Today class, we will be discussing FAIRIES!” The man spasmed when he finished his sentence. The whole class groaned. Same as always. Under his desk, Timmy could sense his godparents hanging onto every word, ready to correct any… misconceptions the teacher had about a species he supposedly knew so much about. “Please, please, hold onto your excitement. I know how much we all love this topic.” Timmy hid an eyeroll. No-one except Crocker enjoyed talking about fairies. Well, barring Timmy himself, but the brown haired godkid wasn’t about to let the man know that. “It’s even part of the curriculum this time!” This piqued several people’s interests, including Timmy.

Crocker, sensing the increased attention of the class, became somehow even more animated than before as he brought out a book. “For the next week or so, we will be reading and discussing A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a play written in the 16th century by William Shakespeare.” A hand shot up. “Yes, A.J.?”

The young scientist asked his question. “Is this the one with the King and Queen of the Fairies?”

“Yes! Oberon and Titania! Two figures we will discuss in depth over the next few days.” Crocker was thrilled, clearly, to not be in trouble for teaching a class about fairies. He turned, grabbing a piece of chalk, and wrote the day, date, and task on the board. “Today, we will read and discuss Act 1. Chester, give out the books, and we’ll get started.”

Everyone started whispering excitedly while copies of the play were handed out. Timmy took the chance to grab his notebook and pen, as well as talk to his godparents. “I didn’t know you guys had a King and Queen.” He whispered to the green, pink and purple keychains.

His godparents simply frowned; expressions just about visible on the small surfaces. Poof looked at his parents, confused. Wanda whispered back. “We don’t…” She said it almost questioningly, as if she wasn’t sure herself.

Another familiar voice interrupted. “Hey, Timmy.” The boy jumped, hitting the back of his head on the desk. “Sorry, dude.” Chester winced audibly in sympathy, reaching to give his friend a hand. Timmy politely declined, pulling out his supplies and sitting up in his seat. “You okay?” The blond presented him with a copy of the play. “I don’t just mean the nasty bump you just took.”

“Francis.” Was the only thing Timmy said in reply, making Chester grimace even more. The other boy looked like he was about to punch someone. Most likely Francis. “It’s okay, Chester, really. I’ve had worse from him.”

“Doesn’t make it okay.” Chester frowned. The two boys looked up when their teacher cleared his throat. The whole class was looking their way, and they both flushed in embarrassment. “Ah, dang it. Talk more at recess? A.J. and I wanna talk to you about something.” Timmy nodded, and Chester grinned, before continuing his task. “See you then, Tim.” The brunet found himself excited. The three of them hadn’t hung out in ages. Hopefully, this wouldn’t be a one off.

Timmy started listening carefully as Crocker assigned character roles to the class, not surprised in the slightest when the teacher cast himself as both Theseus and the Fairy King, writing names on the board. He also wasn’t surprised to see he hadn’t been cast as anyone. Despite that, he’d always found class reading tasks fun. He was sure this wouldn’t be any different.

“Well,” A.J. began as his friends joined him on their favourite section of the jungle gym. The prodigy perched on one of the bars. “That was something else.”

Chester shrugged, leaning with his back against one of the poles. “Hey, at least we’re learning what we should be for once.”

“Amen to that.” Timmy agreed. “I actually listened and made notes.” He smirked. Like A.J., he found a spot on one of the bars.

A.J. and Chester both had stunned looks on their faces. “Whoa. Notes?” A.J. breathed in faux shock. “Who are you, and what have you done with Timmy Turner?” The three boys all laughed, before the conversation turned significantly more sober.

“We both owe you a massive apology, Timmy.” Chester came out with the elephant in the room; the rift that had formed between them. Timmy felt his throat close up with emotion.

A.J. continued for their friend. “Yeah. We realise we’ve kinda… shut you out. That was wrong of us. And childish. Really wrong and childish.” He sighed. “And we’re sorry it took us so long to see it.”

“Guys…” Timmy started, before being shushed by Chester.

“You don’t have to forgive us.” Timmy gave him a look.

“What do you mean, I don’t have to forgive you? Of course I forgive you!” He declared. “Just please, don’t do it again? I’ve been kind of lost without you.”

The other two boys shared a look, and then started beaming from ear to ear. “Never again, Timmy!” Chester promised, launching himself up onto the bar to give his friend a hug. Not just any hug. It was one of those bone crushing ones that made you feel squashed, but oh-so secure.

A.J. hugged him on the other side, grinning. “If we ever do it again, call us out on it.”

Timmy chuckled. “I will.” All three boys had matching smiles on their faces. “I’ve missed you guys…”

“We’ve missed you too.” Chester let go of the bear hug. “Now, let’s talk about how we’re gonna make Francis pay…” He slammed his fist into his open palm. Thankfully, Timmy managed to talk his hot-headed friend out of that particular suicide mission.

He’d had such a decent second half of the school day, minus detention, that he’d almost forgotten Vicky. Almost. As he approached his house, he decided that not even she was going to ruin this day. “Cosmo, Wanda, I wish Vicky would lose her voice.”

“Ooh…” His godmother sounded impressed. “That’s a new one.” She raised her wand, granting the wish. When the magic was done, Timmy strode into the house, no fear in his gaze when he saw Vicky standing there.

“I’m going to my room.” He said simply. Vicky’s face contorted into a snarl and she opened her mouth to yell at him. Nothing came out. “Oh, that’s fine by you, is it?” Timmy turned around, hiding a smile. Out the corner of his eye, Vicky looked furious, trying to tell him otherwise. “Huh, you’re quiet tonight. Lose your voice?” He reached the top of the stairs, just as Vicky started barrelling up after him. “Feel better soon.” Those were his parting words to her, leaving her in stunned silence as his bedroom slammed in her face. “Cosmo?” He looked to the fairies who’d just materialised next to him.

“One forget-me-knob coming up!” The doorknob glowed green as the godfather worked his magic, before fading slowly.

“That should keep her away.” Timmy sighed in relief. Outwardly, he’d appeared confident. But even a silent Vicky was a dangerous one. Abandoning his school bag and homework for now, he collapsed onto his bed. “What a day.”

Wanda floated above him, smiling. “Aren’t you glad you went after all?”

Cosmo echoed his wife. “A class you actually enjoyed, reuniting with Chestnut and E.J., today has had it all!”

“Yes! And-“ Wanda paused, processing what her husband had just said. “His friends are Chester and A.J., sweetheart.”

Timmy chuckled. “It’s alright Wanda, he almost had it this time.”

“I did?!” Cosmo fluttered excitedly near his godson. “Do I win a prize?”

His antics were ignored as Timmy broached the next topic of conversation. “So… you guys really don’t have a royal family?” The godkid was genuinely confused. It seemed like a forgone conclusion in a culture as ancient as the fairies, even if the role of a monarch may just be ceremonial now.

Wanda shook her head. “Jorgen and the Fairy Council are the be-all and end-all of governance and law-making.” She stated matter-of-factly.

“Were they always?” Timmy countered. He couldn’t help but ask the question, ‘What if?’

His godmother frowned. “I’m certain they were, sport. Ever since I could remember, they’ve been there. The Council to make rules, and a Von Strangle to enforce them.” Poof held out his arms towards her, wanting her attention. She picked him up, soothing him. “Don’t worry about it, Timmy. It’s probably all just a figment of Shakespeare’s imagination.”

That's where she left it. Normally, with something like this, Timmy might agree with her and let it go. But this time? This time, he wasn't sure he should...

Chapter Text

The week went by surprisingly quickly; the status quo maintained for the most part. The only exception was how Timmy hung onto every word Mr. Crocker was saying in class, making note of every key point, much to the surprise of everyone around him. He even found himself speeding through the pop quiz of the week, but didn’t exactly have high hopes for a good grade this time. Knowing Crocker, he’d find something to fail him for, even if he answered every question right.

Well, regardless of what the next week of school would bring, it was now the weekend. Which meant that Timmy was finally free to do a bit more research on the ever elusive Titania and Oberon. Just how was the problem. Fairy World’s library had turned up no results so far, and despite his insistence to check every nook and cranny, there was no way he would risk a journey to Anti-Fairy World for something like this. So, Dimmsdale Library it was.

He groaned as he closed yet another book that had yielded no answers, cautiously reaching to place it in the growing skyscraper of read tomes. Timmy picked up the next one on his list, looking out for even the slightest mention of a fairy ruler. He was so immersed in what he was doing, he didn’t notice his fairies poof in behind him, wary of the public setting.

Wanda sighed, exchanging a worried look with her husband before making her way over to their godson. “Timmy? Sweetie, I think it’s time to give it a rest for now.” She frowned when she received no answer. This was the most engrossed he’d ever been in any sort of academic studies, and to be quite honest, it scared her that it was fairy related. It reminded her too much of another godchild she’d had years ago. Too much of Crocker… “Timmy, come on. You’ve been at this all day.”

“Yeah!” Cosmo said in agreement, trying to squeeze between the book and his godson. “Plus, didn’t you plan to meet your friends today?”

That got a reaction from Timmy, who gasped, slamming the open book down on the table in front of him. “I forgot!” The bang startled Poof awake, who up until then, had been nestled peacefully in his father’s arms. The baby whined at the loud noise, before letting out a sharp cry that pierced the air around them.

Cosmo and Wanda quickly shifted themselves and Poof into human forms, bracing themselves for an inevitable visit from the librarian. Sure enough, a stern looking red-haired woman donning a light blue cardigan walked past, glaring at the group as the baby continued to cry. Cosmo winced, muttering a few hushed apologies as he passed her, with the goal of poofing away once both he and his son were outside.

Satisfied, the librarian gave Timmy and Wanda a warning look, before sliding away. “Sorry, Wanda.” Timmy looked guiltily at his godmother, whispering now that they were on the librarian’s watchlist. “I know I’ve been a little… distracted lately. It’s just…”

“Your gut is telling you there’s something more to all this?” Timmy nodded, and Wanda frowned. “Timmy, if you really want to keep looking into it, neither of us are going to stop you. But I mean it when I say that there is no King or Queen of the Fairies.”

“Maybe there used to be…”

Wanda was about to say something in reply, when she was interrupted by an unfortunately familiar voice. “Turner!” She poofed out of sight, just in time for Denzel Crocker to come bounding round the corner. “I couldn’t help but overhear!” The teacher frowned. “Wait a second…”

Timmy froze. This wasn’t good. “Overhear what?” He tried to distract him from the absence of a second person.

“Could’ve sworn someone else was here…”

“Are you sure you’re not imagining things?” Usually, Timmy wouldn’t dare get this bold and question the fruit loop, but they weren’t on school property, so it was fair game.

Crocker frowned, the mystery voice forgotten. “No! You’re looking for fairies too, I’m sure of it!” Timmy breathed a sigh of relief. Sure, it wasn’t ideal for his fairy-hunting teacher to know about his research, but it was better than him potentially finding Wanda. The man squinted. “I didn’t realise our recent topic in class interested you so much.”

Uh-oh. Think, Turner, think! “Well, you talk about them so much, it’s kinda hard not to...”

His teacher hummed. Timmy could practically feel the sweat running down his brow. “Well why didn’t you say so?”

“...What?”

“How about you join me on my next fairy-hunting trip? I could be your mentor!”

“What?”

“I’ll make sure I get your parents’ permission first, of course, but-!”

Timmy’s brain kicked in again after being thoroughly and utterly blindsided. There was no way he’d do that. “No thank you, Mr. Crocker. I’m good.” Be Crocker’s fairy-hunting protege? Not in a million years! Having him as his teacher was bad enough.

“Oh, are you sure?” Was it just Timmy, or did Crocker look disappointed? “They can be quite exciting!”

“Yeah, I’m sure.” Timmy offered a fake smile that he really hoped didn’t look like a grimace, and looked at the clock. “Oh, would you look at the time! I gotta meet up with Chester and A.J.!” He started picking up the books he had left to look over, and went to check them out at the front desk. “Sorry, gotta go!” And with that, he left the fairy-obsessed teacher to his thoughts.

When he finally reached the desk, the librarian from earlier smiled in sympathy. “He talks to anyone who’s researching fairies like that.” She huffed. “Always asks them if they want to join him on a trip in his ‘Unsuspecting Van’.” She made quotation marks with her hands, a disgusted look on her face. “Sometimes, he doesn’t even mention the fairy thing.” Timmy winced. His teacher had no idea what other people thought of him, did he? “The amount of times we’ve called the police on him…”

“I can imagine.” Timmy sighed as she started scanning his books. He didn’t say anything about Crocker being his teacher. Unlike most adults in his life, she seemed to have more than two brain cells to rub together, and he really didn’t want anyone else to get involved. “I don’t think he’ll ask me again though.”

“He better not…” Her face darkened, voice adopting an angry tone. “If he does, you come to old Rosalind and I’ll sort him out for you.”

He nodded gratefully. “Thank you. I will.” A pang of guilt set in. He couldn’t come to her. He couldn’t risk her looking just a bit too closely and finding out why Crocker was so fixated on him. He couldn’t lose Cosmo, Wanda and Poof… “And, sorry about earlier. I was way too loud.”

“It’s fine, don’t worry. It happens more often than you think. Especially with baby siblings.” She chuckled. “Let your Dad know that as well. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone that mortified.”

Timmy sighed internally. “I will.” Oh, how he wished he could actually call them his blood family. Unfortunately, it was one wish he knew for certain they could never grant. At the very least, he was glad someone assumed his godparents were his actual parents. They sure felt like it… “Those were my godparents though. They’re looking after me today.”

“My mistake!” She rubbed the back of her neck, embarrassed. “You’re all set, books are due back in two weeks.”

“Thanks Rosalind! I won’t forget!”

“No problem, Timmy!” It was only when Timmy got outside the building when he stopped and paused. How had she known his name…? Oh well, he couldn’t think about that right now. He had things to do and people to see.

He winced as a sharp pain in his head hit him suddenly. Cosmo and Wanda poofed next to him worriedly. “Are you okay, Timmy?”

“Just a headache, Wanda. It’s fine.” As quickly as it had appeared, it vanished, and Timmy grinned. “Now, let’s get this party started!”

His excitement was contagious. Cosmo gasped in amazement. “Party? Where?!”

“I wish I was at Chester’s!” His godparents were more than happy to oblige…

Timmy waited until after his hang-out with Chester and A.J. to take the books home. He had already been running late, and he didn’t want to worry his friends. A.J.’s face lit up when he opened the door to Chester’s caravan. “Timmy! You made it!” The other boy gave him a quick hug.

He chuckled, returning the gesture. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world!” A.J. led him inside, where Chester was getting some snacks ready.

A.J. grinned. “Are you ready for the season premiere?”

“Born ready…” Timmy smirked. They’d been waiting for the latest season of ‘The Crash Nebula Adventures’ all week.

“Pick your poison, young Turner…” Chester muttered ominously, making the other two boys laugh. “We have it all…”

Timmy rolled his eyes fondly and grabbed a bowl. “Thanks, Chester!” His eyes widened in remembrance. “Anywhere I can put my books?”

Chester almost dropped his own snacks. “Books?” He asked incredulously. “What are you doing with books?”

“He can put them with mine.” A.J. shrugged, pointing to where his bag sat innocently next to the counter. “Come on, Chess. It’s not that weird to want to get his grades up.”

“I guess.” Chester relented, attention now on cleaning up the kitchen.

A.J. raised an eyebrow as the spine of one of the books caught his eye. “Are those about fairies…?” The statement immediately had Chester on high alert.

“Should we be worried?”

“I’m not turning into Crocker guys, don’t worry. Just curious what all the fuss is about.” Timmy quickly deflected. “I just don’t know if Crocker knows that…”

“Go on.” A.J. prompted, concerned.

Timmy sighed. “He was at the library earlier.” Best to admit it. “Saw what I was reading and wanted to turn me into his fairy-hunting protege.”

“You said no, right?”

“Obviously.” He confirmed, causing A.J. to sigh in relief. “I’m not the only one he’s asked, according to the librarian.”

“I know.” A.J.’s reply made Timmy and Chester grimace. “He asked me, since I’m top of the class. Only once though, so hopefully he won’t ask you again either.”

Timmy smiled at his friend’s reassurance. “Hopefully.”

Chester gasped when an alarm went off on the other side of the kitchenette, taking his friends' minds off their teacher's odd habits. “It’s starting!”

Just a few seconds later, Chester’s dad leaned in from what Timmy immediately recognised as the caravan’s one and only bedroom. “Chester McBadbat, turn off that alarm.” Chester obliged, grinning apologetically at his father. “Hi, Timmy! Long time no see!” He waved to him, and Timmy waved politely back as the TV switched on. “Hope you boys enjoy the show; wake me if you need anything!”

A.J. grinned. “Thanks, Mr. McBadbat! We will!”

Happy and content, the three pre-teens watched their show, laughing at every joke and hanging on the edges of their seats at every twist and turn. Timmy smiled. It had been well worth the wait, and he didn’t just mean the show…