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The fae were always something that the humans avoided. It was always common knowledge for the villagers that fae were tricksters that are better to be avoided altogether.
Fae were prone to manipulate any stray human who wandered a little too far into the forest. Fae made deals that no matter how it was worded, would end up poorly for the poor human.
Or at least, that’s what Grian was told his entire life. He was raised in the village for as long as he could remember and with a known fairy infested woods right on the edge of it, he was raised with these beliefs.
It wasn’t even because fae was evil. No. It was a precautionary tale to keep the townsfolk safe. Due to these stories, Grian never found himself straying too far away from home and especially not in the woods.
He had a whole life for himself, friends and a part time job, so he would not want to risk a wrong interaction with a fae turning his entire life on its head.
Not only because of that, but Grian always knew he looked a little more mystical than the normal human.
His ears were pointed a little too much for a human. His hair was a little too bronze for it to just be a normal human color. His eyes were a little too ominous and voidlike for it to be human.
Back in the deep crevices of his mind, Grian knew that he was most likely not human. Perhaps a changeling that spent a little too long in the human realm for full face features to manifest due to the lack of intense magic, but he continued to push that thought away.
If he let himself wonder if he were truly a fae, he’d spiral.
So he takes in a deep breath and continues to walk to the small farm that his best friend, Scar, owned. He just wanted to see his friend and possibly see if maybe he can play a prank on him to get him back for dragging him around town while he was knocked out after a long day.
As he gets closer to the small farm, Grian takes notice of the kid on the other side of the fence talking to Scar.
The kid looks no older than 16 at the most. He’s tall, very lanky, with bright blond hair(it’s golden. It’s golden hair) and blue eyes. Scar leans against the fence and throws back his head as he laughs. At what? Grian has no clue but the kid seems to be enjoying Scar’s company.
It’s nice to see. Scar truly was great company.
Mid laugh, Scar’s gaze flicks over and he freezes for a moment as he sees Groan still heading over.
Scar begins to wave with a great smile on his tan scarred skin, “Hey G! I want you to meet someone!”
The kid looks over with a smile. He squints his eyes as if he’s inspecting Grian. As soon as Grian notices, the kid drops the look and waves.
“Hey Scar!” Grian greets. “Who’s this?”
With much excitement, Scar motions to the kid.
“Grian, this is Tommy. Tommy, this is Grian, my best friend.”
Tommy puts out his hand, “It’s nice to meet you Grian. Scar’s said some good things about you.”
“Oh?” Grian glares at Scar as he takes Tommy’s hand, “Like what?”
Tommy spluttered out a laugh, “That you’re very easy to carry.”
“Scar!”
And this was the beginning of the end of what Grian knew was his “normal” life. Tommy became a more normal part of Grian’s day seeing as Scar ended up hiring the kid to help out around the farm.
Tommy was an… odd kid to say the least.
He was loud and abrasive. He loved cursing and causing mayhem wherever he went but it was endearing and Grian truly did enjoy spending time with the kid. But he was also strangely cagey about himself and where he came from before coming to their town.
He’s only been able to pry a few details from the kid’s mouth.
“So Tommy,” Grian starts as he stares up at the sky, “Got any family?”
It was a beautiful day. Scar was out running errands, so Grian and Tommy decided to stay behind and cloudgaze.
Tommy hums, “Yup. I got a mom, dad, and two brothers.”
“Really? Where are they? You seem kinda young to be by yourself.”
“Hey!” Tommy shouted, “I’m a big man. I don’t need anyone to watch over me. I can take great care of myself!”
“Uh huh. I had to fish you out of the well the other day after you fell in. I highly doubt that a big man would fall down a well.”
“Oh shut it you giant nerd. I am more than capable enough. Besides, my family knows exactly where I am and know to get here in case they need me. They just don’t need me right now I guess.”
Grian furrows his brow and sits up, “You good man?”
“Huh?” Tommy turns his head to see Grian looking concerned, “Of course? WHy wouldn’t I be?”
“Does your family… do they not care about you? I’m sorry if that seems kinda brash of me to ask–”
“Nah you’re good.” Tommy closes his eyes. He looks peaceful. “They care. They just trust me. I said I had a gut feeling about something about my oldest brother and they’re letting me go out on my own to see if my gut feeling is true or not.”
“Can I ask what–”
“No. You can’t ask. I need more time to find out if my gut feeling is right or not.” Tommy sighs, “But I’ll tell you one day. Ok?”
Grian can’t really argue with that. Besides, he doesn’t wanna push Tommy more than he already did with his earlier question.
Still, Grian couldn’t get too many straight answers from Tommy as he’s like. Certain things about where he’s from, what he was doing before coming here, or even favorite things to do, Tommy kept to himself.
But Tommy did tell him that his older brother’s name is Techno and he hasn’t seen his oldest brother since he was very very young. Tommy looked very sad when he mentioned this in passing.
“I was maybe two or three? I don’t even really remember him. He was nice and he enjoyed playing jokes on people. All I really have are feelings and stories about him. I feel like I know him but I know that I really don’t and it kinda sucks.”
“Oh, I’m sorry Tommy. Do you know his name?”
“Gr–nothing.” Tommy bit his tongue, “I don’t wanna talk about him anymore. Can we please talk about something else?”
Grian only brought it up once more and that was the last time.
It was a few days after Grian first learned about Tommy’s mysterious oldest brother.
“Your oldest brother, you’re here because you have a gut feeling about him right? Do you think he’s living in this town?”
“Grian-”
“I know everyone here. If you want, I can help you try and find him.”
“Wait Grian-”
“You clearly miss him and if I can help you, ten I will and–”
“GRIAN!” Tommy shouts, his eyes seem to darken, “I do not want to talk about this with you right now. Shut up. Just shut up. I’m… I’m leaving.”
Tommy stood up and walked away. “Tell Scar I left and I’m sorry I didn’t say bye.”
And that was the last time Grian mentioned anything about Tommy’s family. He truly felt bad for pushing but he still spoke about his own upbringing.
Grian was always a very truthful person. He couldn’t lie to save his life(just another reason he ignored why he may be some sort of fae) but he had no reason to lie.
He told Tommy everything the kid wanted to know.
He was raised in an orphanage with people who he eventually grew to see as family. He worked hard to do right by both himself and the people who helped take care of him. Grian tried to find his family once he was a teenager but gave up because there was no trail to follow no matter how many people he asked.
It was lonely but hey, that’s just how life goes sometimes.
Tommy looked sad.
Tommy slowly grew on Grian in a way that the older man saw the teenager more so of a little brother rather than just a kid he befriended.
Scar took notice of how protective Grian was and got over Tommy and thought it endearing.
Tommy seemed to agree with Scar even while acting like a little shit to Grian in the process. But hey, that’s what little siblings are for in the first place.
More time passed. Even longer passes since Grian last heard about Tommy’s brother but then out of nowhere, Tommy mentioned it himself.
“I think I found my brother and I’m going to bring him home.”
Grian froze.
Tommy had found his brother. Tommy was leaving.
He was glad Tommy found his brother. But Tommy was leaving. Grian was going to lose Tommy.
“Oh.” Grian puts on a smile because he refuses to look upset about Tommy finding his long lost family. “When are you bringing him home?”
“Soon. My dad is coming later and I want you to meet him. I’ve told him a lot about you and he wants to meet you.”
Grian nearly chokes on his own breath, “Me? Why? I didn’t do anything? Wouldn’t he want to see his own son first?”
“Don’t worry about my brother. My dad wants to meet you because of how kind you’ve been to me while I’ve been here. He wants to say hi.”
“I don’t know Tommy…”
“Please G.” Tommy pleads, “It’ll mean a lot to me if you meet him.”
After a few seconds, Grian sighs, “Fine. When and where are we meeting your father?”
Tommy pumps his fist in the air and excitement. “ this is going to be fucking awesome.” He bounces on the balls of his feet as he continues to smile. “ Tonight he's going to come from the edge of the Woods. I'll take you there myself. He's going to be so happy to see you.”
“Wait a second. We’re not going into the forest are we?”
Tommy stops for a moment, “Why?”
“I was always told to avoid going too far into the woods.”
“I promise it’s fine. I promise, nothing is going to happen.”
And Grian wants to argue. He does. But he can't find it in himself to attempt to. He lets out a breath and nods. “ okay. fine. We'll meet your dad tonight.”
Unbeknownst to Grian, this would be the last day of what he thought he knew.
Nightfall came quickly and Tommy was excitedly waiting to bring Grian to his father, To their father.
Tommy had been almost positive from when he first met Grian that he was his lost oldest brother but he wasn’t 100% certain. He wanted to be sure but also, he wanted to build a relationship with him.
Tommy had grown up with stories about Grian since he was a babe and he had been wanting to meet the older brother he looked up to so much.
Grian has been everything he ever wanted and more. He even took notice of Grian’s dormant fae features. Once they went back to their realm, the magic around them would make him look more like the prince he was meant to be.
It would be a big adjustment period from human man to fae prince, but Grian would be fine. He had an entire family waiting for him back home.
Back in a home he never even knew he had.
So when the pair walk to the woods, Tommy couldn’t help but hold in his excitement.
“His name is Phil. He’s really cool and you’re gonna love him, I promise.He’s going to love you.”
“I don’t know Tom” Grian spoke with a lighthearted tone but Tommy stopped.
“Grian. I promise you, he’s going to love you. You’re perfect. Please, he’s going to adore you.”
Tommy’s words sit in his heart and a warmth covers his entire being like a cozy blanket.
“Ok. I believe you.”
The two continue to walk. They walk further into the woods than Grian had originally imagined as well but Tommy only seemed to grow more excited so Grian held his tongue.
Finally, standing in the middle of what looks like a fairy ring, was a man. He was tall with glowing hair. He wore a golden and ivy crown. His ears were pointed and his clothes were nothing less than regal.
This was Tommy’s dad.
“Dad!” Tommy shouts and throws himself into his father’s arms.
“Tommy. How are you? Have you had fun with the humans?”
He nods, “I have. And I brought someone for you too.”
Phil looks over and makes eye contact with Grian who shyly waves his hand.
These were fae. Grian befriended a fae and wa now in the woods with two of them
“Hi… uh… I’m Grian.”
He had heard the stories to never give a fae your name but nothing happened. He did not feel restrained to being taken. If anything, it felt right. Grian felt right.
“Grian?” Phil breathed with awe in his voice, “My name is Phil. It’s great to see you again.”
“Again?” Grian questioned.
“Yes. Did Tommy not tell you?” Phil steps out of the fairy circle.
“Tell me what?”
“You’re my son.”
“I…no?” Grian took a step back.
“You are. Tommy has told me so much about you.” Phil reaches out, “You’ve grown up so much since I last saw you Grian.”
“No. No that’s not possible. You’re a fae-”
“I know. I know you know that you’re not human.” Phil’s lip curl, “Am I right?”
Grian froze.
“It’s ok, my child. It’s time you come home. I’m sorry you had to be raised alone in the human world but it’s time you come home with your real family. I never meant for you to get lost here but we’ll make up for lost time. You mother and other brother miss you dearly.”
“I can’t just go with you. I have a whole life here.”
“You can always come back. You can always visit if you please but you need to come home now.”
“I’m a fairy?”
Phil nods. Grian looks over to Tommy who now looks much more magical than he did a few minutes prior.
“I just wanted to get to know you before I brought you home. Please, Grian.”
And how could Grian say no? Tommy was like– is. Tommy is his little brother. He can’t just say no.
“Ok.”Grian bites his lip anxiously, “Let’s go then.”
Gone is everything Grian thought he knew and now he begins a new life. A life he was meant to live in the first place. He knows he’ll be fine though. He has his little brother to help him out.