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Tommy’s problem as a shapeshifter was he was always so curious.
Maybe that wasn’t such an issue for humans. Tommy wouldn’t know, he didn’t masquerade as one often, but as a shapeshifter he get into deep trouble fast just by shifting into the right form and passing security.
He’d done it again. He’d slipped past initial impressions and modified his form to copy exactly what was in front of him. Even… even magic.
This was his biggest con yet he thought as he met the eyes of a fae. His bright pink hair and sharp red eyes made the world around him look more vibrant when Tommy stared at him head on.
Tommy was doing that too… He imagined the powerful creature was seeing a dazzling blonde fae with mesmerising blue irises, light shifting around him to highlight all his best angles.
Tommy wasn’t a fae. He wasn’t anything even close to a fae and though the ancient being before him could sniff his kind from a mile away Tommy was fooling him. He’d copied too perfectly. His magic smelled the exact same.
Tommy grinned flashing his sharp teeth. The fae sighed rolling his eyes as elegantly as royalty.
“How did you get in here?” Techno asked.
“I’m a mastermind!” Tommy teased. “A stealth artist and a-“
“Thief.” The fae supplied.
“I haven’t stolen anything!” Tommy refuted.
“Not yet.”
“I ain’t no thief!” Tommy shouted throwing his arms out and making magic sparkle around him.
God that didn’t happen for lesser fae, he checked in on Techno and saw his eyebrow raise. He’d noticed too. Tommy was ‘powerful’ by fae standards.
“I came to see what all the fuss was about! A ball? And I wasn’t invited?!” He acted appalled.
“You are nothing here.” Techno turned his head away dismissively. “You hold no land and no title why would I invite you?”
“I’ve got titles! Plenty of titles!”
“Like?” Techno tilted his head just enough to catch his eye over his shoulder.
“Like- like I’d tell you.” Tommy crossed his arms.
He knew anything he said would catch him out. Fae social classes were nothing like a dragons or racoons. You didn’t fight like a savage to get what you wanted, you spun tales and found loopholes to break your enemies apart.
Techno scoffed walking away.
“Hey!” Tommy shouted. “I wasn’t done talking to you!”
Techno ignored him as he traveled smoothly down the hall.
“You’re being rude!”
The fae froze like a spell was cast over him. As Tommy caught up the tension in Techno’s shoulders fled and he looked him over meaningfully.
“Apologies.” He said automatically.
“You don’t mean it.” Tommy bared a fang with a hiss.
The fae blinked at him, surprised by the feral sound. He turned slowly and bowed slightly keeping his eyes on Tommy.
“I am sincere in my apologies…” Techno said carefully. “I merely felt your lack of cooperation in the conversation was…” He considered his next words.
“Lack of cooperation?” Tommy spat. “What on Earth are you talking about?”
“Your titles.” Techno replied testily. “You didn’t share them.” He stood with a flourish of his hands. Tommy was jealous on how he could settle his clothes and hair so easily, even his copious amounts of jewellery didn’t jingle unless he commanded them to.
“Look Techno.” Tommy glared at him. “You didn’t greet me properly when I entered your territory, you called me a thief and you’ve been dismissing me for months now on the basis that I don’t meet your standards.”
He could feel his eyes heat up as magic fizzled in the air, this wasn’t something a shapeshifter was able to do. Sure he could copy visuals, pick up culture and language in a cinch but magic was always meant to be basic. This wasn’t basic. The fae’s eyes widened minutely. Tommy was presenting as powerful.
“Have you ever considered that my lack of cooperation stems from your behaviour?” Tommy growled. “If you treated me nicer maybe we wouldn’t be butting heads all the time!”
The fae bowed deeper making Tommy’s magic fizzle out in shock.
Techno never bowed… Sure the small one he’d done before was given to a million fae to appease testy lords and ladies. Even his swift dry apology was commonplace but a deep bow?
“I atone for my sins.” Techno said hurriedly. “It is a dishonour that I couldn’t pick up the strength of your power. You are clearly remarkable-”
“As all the others.” Tommy huffed crossing his arms. He taped his finger with a frown. He didn’t like this new behaviour in the fae, Techno bowed to no one… least of all a shapeshifter.
Techno looked up in surprise. Tommy’s magic was gone. He’d let it disappear into the aether.
A shapeshifter’s magic only worked for short sharp displays. It was all visual. All a lie. Techno straightened.
“Are you…” He cleared his throat. “Would you like to join me?” He waved down the hall.
Tommy’s eyes widened as he looked to him.
“I was heading to the training grounds.” The fae said awkwardly. “Balls were never quite my thing…”
Tommy lit up. “Sure big man!” He bounced up beside him. “Lead the way!” He laughed.
The simple earing in his right ear jingled at his swift movements. Techno’s eyes drew to it for a moment.
“Alright…” Techno began walking again.
“How good are you with a sword?” Tommy asked. “I’m the best.” He puffed his chest out.
“Really?” Techno deadpanned. “Do you not know who I am?”
“Enlighten me.” Tommy teased. “The legends have slipped my mind.”
Techno was widely popular for his strength in battle. He bowed to no one because he could kill faster than a fae could mutter a curse. Tommy knew all this. The fae was dangerous and for some twisted reason it drew Tommy in more than it warned him away.
Tommy got what he wanted. He was fighting the fae known best for his bloodshed.
If Tommy thought too hard he couldn’t pinpoint why he wanted it so bad. Why his curiosity urged him to test the boundaries of the strongest creature alive.
Tommy threw Techno’s attack off, swinging his sword and deflecting every blow.
The fae was smiling. Tommy couldn’t remember ever seeing him smile. Not with other powerful fae, not with the High King or even with the soldiers he trained.
Tommy forced Techno’s steps to slide back and he twirled around his opponent to test his reflexes.
The fae was fast, smart, he didn’t take the bait and body slammed Tommy as he got too close.
Tommy kept his footing even as the fae charged forward and he saw the glint in Techno’s eye that he was enjoying the challenge.
Tommy was enjoying it too…
As the fae fought harder his magic turned his aura red. Techno’s hair turned darker, his eyes shifted colour and his clothes looked like the spilt blood of a thousand battles. Even his jewellery shifted in tune to his fighting. Tommy grinned latching onto his power to soak up every piece of magic he could take.
He didn’t realise how it was turning him red too. His eyes and hair changed, his clothes moved with him like a second skin as his sword shone brighter and his teeth turned sharper.
Techno was delighted and Tommy matched him like every shapeshifter was naturally inclined to do.
As the battle progressed the strength of their magic grew. It burst in waves with each hit of their weapons drawing in curious souls.
They gained an audience…
Tommy taunted and bantered parrying the fae’s sword and striking at his openings. Neither of them got hit and it made Tommy wonder how he fought a little too well for his experience.
The realisation made him stumble and Techno took the opening enthusiastically.
Tommy was thrown to the ground and he gasped as the wind left him.
He’d been hit with a magical attack not just a physical one so his form disappeared in a moments notice leaving him raw and open.
He heaved looking up to meet those red eyes that offered him such a tantalising challenge. The fae was shocked and disgusted.
“Shapeshifter.” He growled.
“Tech-“ Tommy wheezed. “I’m-“
The fae marched towards him grabbing the collar of his shirt and lifting him up.
“You dare deceive me?! Do you know who I am? What I’m capable of?!”
“Yes, yes, I do.” Tommy grabbed his wrists weakly. His powers were still feeding off Techno’s. He could feel his form rippling just as the fae shook him.
“Stop that!”
“I can’t!” Tommy gasped. “I’m sorry, I can’t…” He bowed his head.
Within a moment he was the same fae as before. Blonde hair sparkling unnaturally, blue eyes aimed at the floor.
The audience around them were chattering and hissing at the imposter among their midst. Techno had to kill him. This was a display now. A public execution.
Techno rattled a growl as he pulled Tommy closer to his face. The shapeshifter flinched at his hot breath and sharp teeth.
“Why did you do it?” Techno asked quietly.
Tommy shivered as he shifted his grip on the fae’s wrists. “I don’t know…” He closed his eyes helplessly.
“Give me a better answer than that!” Techno hissed in offence.
“I-“ Tommy’s shoulders curled up. “I got drawn in!” He shook his head. “It’s stupid, stupid. I knew it was dangerous. I knew you would get angry!”
“Then why did you do it?!” Techno insisted.
“Because of you!” Tommy admitted. He met the fae’s eyes and his breath caught. The red reminded him of a vampires and it so enticingly held his attention like a thrall. That was the power of the fae. Their beauty enraptured you until it was too late. Until you were too close.
Tommy was too close…
“Me?” Techno replied flatly.
“You… are the best of the best.” Tommy said slowly. “You are the strongest and the most fascinating. Even from a distance…” He swallowed. “I guess I got tricked didn’t I?” He chuckled. “Fell for your charm like every other stupid human.”
The fae narrowed his eyes. “You really are a thief.” He said.
Tommy exhaled losing the adrenaline in his body. “Yeah…” He agreed. “All I wanted was your attention.” He grit his teeth. “I got what I wanted…” He tilted his head to bare his neck.
Tommy had shifted into many creatures in his lifetime. Simple animals, magical entities and proud predators. There was a universal language amongst all of them even when Tommy acted as prey.
Techno’s eyes widened at his submission. Fae were too proud to ever bare their weaknesses for the world to see.
His grip on Tommy’s shirt tightened then within a blink he stepped forward and warped into the castle.
Tommy spluttered. “What- How?”
“You aren’t after my magic…” Techno said curiously. Tommy swallowed as the fae looked him over. “And you have no bad intent…” He said in surprise.
“I-“
Techno dropped him to the floor making him gasp.
Tommy watched as Techno moved to the window. He looked over the crowd in his courtyard, all angry and growling at each other.
“I’m sorry…” Tommy said weakly.
The fae hummed tilting his head as the door burst open.
“Techno!”
Tommy whipped his head to the newcomer. It was the fae’s brother.
Wilbur met Techno’s eye then when their expressions flashed in silent communication he turned his sharp gaze to Tommy.
“Shapeshifter.” He growled in disgust.
Tommy dipped his head. It wasn’t surprising the fae hated shapeshifters, nearly every species disowned and exiled him from their ranks.
The fae’s feet entered his vision and he bowed his head deeper making Wilbur scoff. “Have you no pride?”
Tommy flinched and looked up. “What?”
“I heard you bared your neck to my brother and now you bow your head to me? If there’s one thing you should know about the fae is we hate weakness.”
Tommy looked carefully to Techno then flicked his eyes back to Wilbur. “You… want me to fight you?” He asked.
“I want you to defend yourself.” Wilbur corrected with a hiss. He threw his foot forward and Tommy dodged staring up at him with wide eyes from the floor.
“That’s better.” Wilbur nodded. He turned to Techno and joined his side. “So why is he still alive?”
Techno scoffed looking Tommy over. “He is… strong.”
Wilbur rolled his eyes at his answer. “Always so easily impressed Techno.” He walked over to the window. “Dad’s not going to be happy about this.”
Tommy looked between them in confusion.
“I think dad will be quite happy actually.” Techno jabbed at his brother.
Wilbur shrugged as he kept watching the commotion outside. “You’ve made a mess for me to clean up.”
“You enjoy the work.” Techno sighed.
Wilbur grinned. “Maybe I do…” He conceded. “But I didn’t ask for more fuel to the fire.” He slid his eyes to Tommy. “You’re going to be the talk of the century. I hope you like popularity.”
Tommy shivered.
The door opened again and in came the High King. Tommy bowed his head swiftly freaking out that the most powerful creature in all of fae kind was in the same room as him.
“Your majesty.” Techno mocked as he crossed his arms.
“Techno.” The King said amused.
Wilbur made a dramatic bow. “Evening dad.” He cocked his head. “Wonderful day for some drama don’t you think?”
Tommy paled at the two princes greeting their father. Tommy knew Techno was a general and one of the most highly respected fae in all the land but a prince?
“What do we have here?” The King asked towards Tommy.
“A shapeshifter.” Wilbur bounced over to his brothers shoulder. “And guess who wants to keep him?”
“Keep?” Tommy couldn’t help blurting out. He tensed at the High King’s eyes on him but he was too busy looking to Techno for a sign this was a misunderstanding.
Techno was watching him closely. “You think I’d let you go?”
“You think I’d accept being kept?” Tommy spat. He could feel his magic flaring again. Three powerful fae were in the room and Tommy was matching their energy. His eyes turned black and his aura turned red as his hair floated around his face. “I’m not an animal.” His voice echoed with power.
“Really?” Wilbur hummed. “I thought that’s what your species were well known for,” He smiled. “Filthy little animals that steal and cheat and lie-“
“Wilbur that’s enough-“ The King interrupted.
Tommy shot his hand out throwing a burst of magic at Wilbur’s face. The fae grinned as it flew towards him, Techno’s hand reaching out and intercepting the blow.
Tommy’s eyes widened as he looked to Techno. The fae was shaking his hand out with a frown at him. “So you are using my magic.” He said.
Tommy bared his teeth. “I’m using my own actually.” He growled.
“How does that work?” Wilbur asked curiously.
Tommy’s spine straightened. He was appalled they were having this conversation. He moved his eyes to the High King then pouted at Techno.
“I’m leaving.” He declared.
“Be my guest.” Techno waved his arm out.
Tommy stood and balled his hands into fists. Something was off here. Fae were all about tricks.
“Before you go…” Techno said idly. “I believe you owe me a deal for your deception.”
“I don’t owe you anything.” Tommy growled.
“Don’t you?” Techno acted surprised. “You entered my land without stating your true nature, you sparred me in my own court and used my own magic against me.” His eyes turned dark as he glared at Tommy. “You’ve caused me a mess that needs to be dealt with.” He waved outside to the fae that would be gossiping and jeering at Techno’s behaviour. He should’ve publicly executed Tommy. That was tradition for a non fae infiltrating a court. It was an insult.
Tommy frowned and thought it over.
“I suppose…” He conceded. If he gave Techno his deal there would be no debt. Tommy wouldn’t be hunted down.
It was risky to make a deal with the fae but it was riskier to leave indebted to the prince.
Tommy straightened and let the magic he’d gathered settle properly into his form. He was as honest and deceiving as Techno now. They were on even ground.
“What do you propose?” Tommy asked carefully.
Techno grinned sharply. “Will?” He tilted his head to his brother.
Wilbur happily stepped forward. “We want your name.” He held his hand out. “Just to start easy.” He said innocently.
Tommy frowned at him. “You can call me Tommy.” He replied.
It wasn’t his True Name and Wilbur could tell. He pouted in disappointment.
“Is our deal fulfilled?” Tommy asked.
“Oh heavens no.” Wilbur smiled. “There should be terms. Give and take on both sides no?”
Tommy glared at him. “Your next words will be under contract.” He warned. “Don’t ask for things that do not relieve my debt.”
Wilbur giggled giddily. “Said like a true fae.” He stepped closer. “Well then… Tommy.” He said for emphasis. “The terms are as follows, you get to keep your life and we clean up the social mess outside,” He smiled. “for your returned presence at the castle for as long as you deceived us. Do you agree to those terms?”
Tommy pinched his lips thinking the deal over. Wilbur was a master of words. It was well known that if you wanted to succeed in your end of a deal you went to Techno not Will.
“I do not agree to those terms.” He decided.
All the fae in the room tensed, eyes glowing with magic.
“Instead I offer new terms.” Tommy appeased. “I will stay only for as long as I deceived you.” He stated. “Afterwards I am free without pursuit.” He gave Techno a meaningful look. “During my time in this castle I do no have to do anything you say.” He narrowed his eyes at Wilbur. “I am independent with no influence or magical sway. I will be safe.” He carefully looked to the High King. “And I will be treated with respect. You will protect me from any dishonour fae outside our agreement give me. And in return…” He sighed. “I will help clean up the social mess I’ve made.” He met Techno’s eye. “Do you agree to these terms?” He asked.
Technoblade smiled at him then passed a look to his brother.
Wilbur nodded and Techno stepped forward with his hand held out. “I agree to those terms.” He said.
Tommy took his hand and their contract locked into place. Tommy could feel it in his magic. He was bound to the terms he’d set. He couldn’t leave before his three months was up.
“Great.” Tommy withdrew his hand and rubbed it on his clothes. “It’s an honour and all that.” He rolled his eyes.
Techno scoffed.
“Do I get a room?” He checked.
He technically hadn’t asked for one so it was well within their right to make him sleep on the floor. Then again… would that be a breach of ‘treating him with respect?’
“Ha ha! Already so demanding!” Wilbur laughed as he flourished his hands. “These next few months will be a treat!” He gave a pointed look to his father.
The High King was watching Tommy closely, it was the most terrifying experience to exist under his gaze.
“I suppose I have some basic guest rooms you could use.” Techno drawled. “But don’t expect anything lavish.” He warned.
Tommy crossed his arms. “Wasn’t planning on it.” He scowled at Wilbur. “Fae don’t like shapeshifters after all.”
Turns out the fae really liked Tommy. Techno was fascinated by his magic and fighting, Wilbur was interested in how Tommy used his shifting abilities and Phil liked having something new going on in his court. They’d never had a shapeshifter stick around.
Tommy expected scorn and vitriol from the High King and his sons but they didn’t struggle at all with the terms he’d set. They respected him, they defended him against other fae and they made no move to hypnotise or cast a spell on him.
Tommy was having to adjust to them looking after him. They sought him out and gave him all he needed, they gave him entertainment and taught him a thing or two about how fae worked. It was nothing like how he expected things to go. The ‘social mess’ he was tasked to clean up was fixed swiftly in his first week of staying with them. Wilbur knew exactly how to cut arguments off and the power of Phil’s status left no room for the fae to budge on the family’s decision.
It wasn’t up for debate… a shapeshifter had entered their ranks and Technoblade had struck a deal with the critter. No one knew what the deal was but they were smart enough not to stick their noses where they didn’t belong.
Tommy’s only responsibility was staying on Technoblade’s territory until his time was up. It was exceptionally easy and he was waiting for the other ball to drop.
He was enjoying himself… and when he enjoyed himself that’s when things went bad.
The last month of Tommy’s stay was the best he’d ever experienced with a group that wasn’t his own species. The fae gave him passing pats, messing with his hair and pulling him into side hugs. They each had a special bond with Tommy and the boy had grown more in his skills and identity than he’d ever done in his whole time on earth.
He was missing them even as he still spent time with them knowing it had to end at some point.
He couldn’t live as a fae… he wasn’t one. (And they knew that. They were immensely accepting of his shapeshifter abilities. He got to be whatever he wanted, when he wanted.)
Tommy couldn’t gather the words to say how he felt. How he yearned to stay with them. How he wanted to keep having what they gave him.
The time came when his contract was up and Tommy left with a swift goodbye. He couldn’t handle doing it slow. He didn’t want to drag out the pain.
They didn’t follow him. Tommy knew they couldn’t but it still stung. This was his decision. Could he risk going back? Could he risk learning that the past three months was a ruse? That they’d never actually cared for him?
Tommy lasted a week. It was all he could do before his loneliness consumed him. He snuck into Techno’s room.
“Techno.”
Techno looked up and locked eyes with him immediately.
Tommy bobbed his head, dropping from the ceiling and shifting from the lemur he’d been to the fae he often presented as.
“H-hey.” He fiddled with his hands nervously.
“Hey.” Techno smiled.
Tommy didn’t know what to say further than that. He wasn’t able to spy on them and gather courage after observing, the fae would be able to sense him too easily. This was the only way he could get answers.
“How… how are you?” Tommy tilted his head so he was looking past his fringe at the fae. He knew he shouldn’t be here, there was nothing owed between them, sticking around was begging for another mistake to strike.
“I’m well…” Techno said slowly. It was a tell that he was lying. Techno was trying to find a loophole.
Tommy stiffened and looked up at him properly.
“What’s wrong?” He asked.
“Nothing.” Techno chuckled waving his hands. “It’s a small problem. Should take no time at all to fix.”
Tommy nodded dropping his shoulders. “That’s good.” He sighed. “Can I help in any way?”
Techno’s lips pinched. “You already are…” He admitted.
Tommy frowned.
He was already…? Oh.
“Did you… were you missing me?” He asked.
Techno snorted looking him over fondly. “You could say that…”
Tommy smiled and stepped forward. “Right.” He said with more confidence. “Because the great Techno, Fae of Blood and War doesn’t have feelings like that.” He joked.
Techno embraced him as soon as Tommy was close and he melted dropping his head onto his. “No.” He agreed. “It’s nothing like that.”
Tommy snickered hugging the fae back. “It was a week loser.”
Techno squeezed him and growled lowly. “That’s only as long as you were able to keep away.”
“Hey!” Tommy looked up at him indignantly. “That’s not-!”
Techno gave him a look.
Tommy coughed avoiding his eye. “You’re only kinda close.”
“Right.” Techno replied amused. “Because the great Tommy is unpredictable.”
“Exactly!” Tommy shouted. “I’ll hear no further slander!”
The fae chuckled, his voice ringing with power. “It’s good to have you back Tommy…” He looked the boy over. “You-“ He swallowed.
Tommy met his eye and saw something conflicted swirl within them.
“I want to give you my True Name.” Techno said.
“What?!” Tommy stepped back. “Techno no-!”
“Please.” Techno closed his eyes as Tommy left his arms. He opened them to smile at him sadly. “I need to know you can call upon me if you need. Even if you never want me around… I need you to have access to me.”
Tommy’s body trembled at the thought. Such devotion meant Techno wasn’t tricking him. The fae didn’t even ask for a trade. He wasn’t asking Tommy to return the favour, Techno only wanted him to have access to him.
“I-“ He said.
Techno held his hand out and Tommy placed his hand in his automatically.
“Tommy…” Techno exhaled. “I am giving you my True Name freely and without pain.” He looked up at his face. “It’s Technoblade.”
Tommy felt the fae’s magic wash over him, Techno’s True Name was his now. His to own and his to use.
“I’m giving mine in return under the same conditions.” Tommy stated. Techno’s eyes widened in surprise as Tommy tightened his grip. “It’s TommyInnit.”
Tommy felt his magic recede for just a moment to fill Techno up. The fae rolled his shoulders realising what Tommy meant when he said his magic was his own.
They were both red fae but there was a contrast.
Techno’s power was born from bloodshed and fighting, Tommy’s power came from fighting too but it was a different form, a type of survival that every shapeshifter was familiar with. Desperation.
Tommy could shift and steal like his life depended on it because it always did. He could mimic to look exactly like Techno and he could become a carbon copy of any fae in the court so they would accept him.
Tommy had been shifting his whole life and never found acceptance. Techno was the first one to show him what that felt like.
“TommyInnit.” Techno smiled.
“Technoblade." Tommy grinned back.
“I can't believe…” Techno shook his head.
“I guess Wilbur is going to have a field day with this.” Tommy joked. “He always said we were like brothers.
Techno pouted. “Can I own your name for a little longer without him having it too? He’s going to be such a pain about this.”
Tommy held back a laugh at Techno’s pettiness. He really was a fae no matter how much he said he felt disconnected from his kind. How long did he expect to have the sole privilege of owning his name?
“I guess a few more moments can’t hurt.” Tommy shrugged.
Techno pulled him into a hug and held him tight. “Can you stay?” He asked weakly like he expected a rejection.
“Mm.” Tommy pretended to think about it. “You do realise I just signed my True Name over right? I think that’s a pretty big hint that I’m staying.”
Techno pulled away slightly to look at him. “You… you don’t want to run away?” He asked.
“Why would I?” Tommy shrugged. “What’s a shapeshifter got out there that’s better than in here?”
Techno smiled sadly. “Freedom?”
Tommy gripped his arms and kept his gaze steady. “And a whole world aiming knives at my back.” He reminded.
Techno’s face fell. “You’re so strong Tommy…”
“But I don’t have to be when I have you.” Tommy said.
Technoblade blinked. “I suppose not…” He thought back to all the fae that had tried to kill Tommy. Wilbur and him had beheaded every last one of them.
“So I’m staying.” Tommy smiled. “And truthfully…” He looked away bashfully. “I’m glad you want me too. I thought…”
Techno snorted and bumped heads with him. “We all fell for you pretty fast Tommy… None of those three months was a lie.”
“That’s good to know.” Tommy leaned more into Techno’s embrace. “I was kinda worried.”
Techno squeezed him. “That’s fair.”
“But like you told me before…” Tommy reminded. “None of us are monsters.”
“No.” Techno chuckled. “Not me and certainly not you.”
Tommy hummed in disbelief. It would take some time to unlearn the hate he’d been given but at least he had the fae to help him.
“I love you big brother Techno.” He joked.
“I love you Tommy.” The fae replied. He was wholly serious when he said it.
Tommy hugged him tighter to let him know he returned the sentiment.
He loved his new family even as he struggled to get the words out.
He couldn’t wait to share his True Name with the others.