Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

A lot of the time Tommy thought he was more animal than human.

He’d been human once, a long time ago. Human was his first shape he remembered having, all those years ago before he learnt to shift.

It wasn’t that he didn’t like being in the shape of a person. The thumbs were absolutely fucking amazing for a start, plus people were less likely to run away screaming compared to when he was a bear or a wolf, but equally less likely to approach than if he was something little and cute.

There was a weird divide he found, between what people found cute and what they found disgusting. Like mice for example, mice were great for when he wanted to get somewhere small, they were quick and amazing climbers once he got used to the limbs, and Tommy personally thought they were quite cute. But most people screamed when they saw him.

But there was a freedom that came with shifting that he couldn’t find anywhere else. Even if he wasn’t very good at it yet.

But could you blame him? There wasn’t exactly anyone to teach him, and shifters weren’t common knowledge. Shifting ran in bloodlines and most bloodlines had been ended, in the early years by hunters but more recently it was by people in white coats who wanted the power for themselves.

Tommy didn’t like them.

But he was getting distracted. The point was he sort of learnt shifting by trial and error, and he wasn’t very good at it.

Which led him to where he was now. Sat in the back of a car with some lady driving him somewhere, and with a police officer watching him like a hawk. Tommy would know, he’d managed to shift into a hawk once and the eyesight was fucking incredible.

He wasn’t able to fly though. The shape was weird enough, he’d spent most of the time trying to figure out how to take a couple of steps without falling over, let alone the wings. But there was another problem. Tommy found whenever he shifted, he’d end up the equivalent age in whatever shape he took. And Tommy was a bit on the young side as a human.

The police officer called him a minor. Tommy didn’t like that, he was definitely a major.

Admittedly, Tommy’s language skills were not the greatest. He knew all the important words like fuck and shit and piss, but everyone had kept throwing words he didn’t understand around like malnourished and possible abuse and feral. He liked the sound of that last one.

Animals were easier, everything was done through body language and smells and occasionally noises. Humans were just difficult to read, they’d say one thing and mean another, and they had complicated facial expressions that were different to their body language, and he just didn’t understand it.

It was probably the reason he had the police officer next to him. He’d bitten someone earlier because they wouldn’t leave him alone, but apparently humans didn’t go around biting each other.

Not normally anyway.

It was all just a huge mess. Shifting took energy and focus, and even then Tommy struggled. He’d had many attempts where he’d try to shift into one thing and end up as something else, or as a weird hybrid thing.

And not an actual hybrid, those were even harder to try and shift into. Not to mention the instincts that came with it was a nightmare to deal with. But just a weird mix of animals that probably shouldn’t be amalgamated.

So Tommy had somehow managed to get himself stuck as a human. It was probably his fault, he had been shifting into one less and less, and he wasn’t the best at shifting on a good day, so now something had gone wrong and he was stuck.

Temporarily he hoped, but he’d tried several times to shift into something else and had so far been unsuccessful. And then someone had reported to the police about some feral dirty human child eating out of a bin in an alleyway, something else humans apparently didn’t do.

Tommy didn’t understand that, why waste such good food and then not let other people finish it off for you?

So then police officers had turned up and tried to take him away, and then one of them had grabbed him, so he’d bitten them.

Tommy didn’t like these humans. Except maybe the lady driving him, she’d called herself Clara and she had nice soft eyes. She’d asked lots of weird questions like where his parents were and how old he was. Tommy felt slightly bad when he couldn’t answer them, but only because she seemed like a nice lady, but he did tell her his name and she’d smiled really nicely when he did.

She’d had an argument with another not very nice lady about where he was going to stay. The nasty lady wanted him in a group home whatever that was, but Clara didn’t seem to like it so now Tommy didn’t like it.

But Clara had argued against the group home, she’d made a lot of phone calls and now Tommy was bundled in the back of her car with a police officer next to him, on his way to somewhere. Tommy wasn’t exactly sure where yet.

“You doing alright there Tommy?” Clara called from the driver’s seat, eyes flashing up to the rearview mirror to meet his. Tommy nodded, wrapping his arms around himself. Clara had given him a hoodie that was a bit too big for him, but it meant he could wrap himself up in it and it almost felt like he was wearing fur. Almost.

“We’re almost there, I’m taking you to an old friend of mine. Do you want me to tell you about him?”

Tommy stared out the window, the sun had long since set and the sky looked almost black from inside the car, they’d left the city limits, streetlights giving way to trees. Clara kept talking.

“His name’s Phil, he’s really nice. He’s got two kids he’s adopted that are a bit older than you I think. Techno is seventeen and Wilbur is sixteen, I actually used to handle their cases and I introduced them both to Phil so I know him pretty well. He’s agreed to let you stay with them until I can figure out something more long-term.”

Yeah right. The minute Tommy can shift again he’s out of there. And he’s going to never shift into a human again, there are way too many rules and consequences.

A short while later, (Tommy struggled with reading the time) they pulled up the drive of a big house. It looked nicer than the city houses, more natural and less—blocky. There was a forest on the left side that curled around the back of the house where Tommy could see a small garden. A family car was parked in front of the house.

Clara turned the key and the rumble of the car cut off, the floor stopping shaking beneath his feet. Everything suddenly felt eerily quiet, with his human ears Tommy couldn’t hear anything outside the car. Clara turned around to face him.

“One more thing. They’re all hybrids.”

Tommy’s chest constricted. Hybrids had only ever been trouble for him, they had all the complications of humans with extra complications stuck on the top. It was hard enough trying to understand humans with their strange unspoken rules and facial expressions, but then adding on instincts and cultures on top just made them impossible to understand.

Hybrids used to be like shifters, hunted out of fear or greed. But now they lived with the humans, they didn’t need to worry about white coats dragging them off in the middle of the night.

“Now I don’t know how much interaction you’ve had with hybrids, but Phil’s fostered humans before. And he’s really good at explaining things so if you don’t understand anything or if something confuses or frightens you, you just need to tell him and he’ll explain it all, ok?”

Tommy nodded nervously, licking his lips. He was never going to ask anything, but it made Clara smile.

“Alright. Shall we go in and meet them?”

Tommy didn’t want to move but the police officer had already gotten out the car and was walking around to open his door. Tommy balled the sleeves of his hoodie up in his fists, glancing around nervously. It was dark outside, too hard for his human eyes to make out more than vague shapes, but he betted the forest would be the best place to run to once he could shift. Or maybe even before.

The door opened and Tommy slid across the seat, feet crunching onto gravel. Clara was waiting with her hand outstretched and a gentle smile on her face, like Tommy had seen parents do with their kids. It made his throat close up slightly, and he walked up to her but didn’t take the hand.

Clara walked towards the front door slowly, Tommy feeling herded by the officer behind him. She raised a hand and knocked three times on the door, and Tommy found himself leaning backwards slightly.

After a moment Tommy heard the door click and it swung open to reveal a man. He looked—a bit like Tommy. He had blond hair, but it was lighter and wispier. And he had deep blue eyes with crinkles around them, like he smiled a lot. Tommy liked them better than his dull brown eyes.

But the most striking thing about the man was the enormous pair of black wings attached to his back. They had a wicked claw on the joints at the top that looked about the size of Tommy’s hand. The wings looked like they’d barely fit through the front door, and even with the dark sky above them they seemed to shine and sparkle. They looked soft and silky, and heavy. Like a weighted blanket.

An avian. Great. Avians were hugely flock focused, so Tommy was definitely going to be ignored in favour of his actual children.

“Clara!” The man exclaimed, face splitting into a wide grin. “It’s been a while!”

“Hi Phil!” Clara chuckled, leaning forwards to give the avian a hug.

“And you must be Tommy.” Phil smiled gently down at him, feathers ruffling slightly behind him and catching Tommy’s attention immediately. “Why don’t you all come in for a hot drink, it’s getting pretty late.”

He moved back and Clara stepped over the threshold, guiding Tommy with her. The police officer followed in last, shutting the front door behind him.

Great. Now Tommy was trapped.

They followed Phil into a kitchen and Phil filled something metal with water and switched it on, it started making a weird rumble crackling noise. It was vaguely familiar, Tommy thought he’d seen one before but the name escaped him.

“Tea? Coffee? Something else?”

“Tea please.” Clara smiled, sitting herself down and gestured for Tommy to sit down with her. The policeman also asked for tea but didn’t sit, he stood by the door as though expecting Tommy to make a run for it.

Which he was seriously considering but not now with him stood there.

“Tommy? You want anything?”

Tommy shook his head, avoiding eye-contact.

“How are the boys?” Clara asked as Phil put bags of something into cups.

“They’re both great! They’ll probably be down in a minute, I woke them up and told them you were on your way.”

Clara winced. “Sorry about the time, I know it’s late.” Phil flapped a hand at her while he poured steaming water into the mugs.

“Nonsense. Anyways the boys would probably murder me if I let them miss you coming around.”

Right on cue Tommy heard a few thumps from the stairs, as though someone was falling down them. Phil winced in front of him.

The kitchen door burst open to reveal two figures. At the front was a tall lanky boy with curly brown hair, sparkling brown eyes and wire framed glasses sat askew on his nose. He was wearing pyjama bottoms and a yellow sweater. He had fins flaring on the sides of his head were his ears should be and as he grinned his teeth seemed sharper than usual.

Sirens were rare now but not unheard of, and everything Tommy had heard about them was bad. They were seriously territorial and just generally malicious.

Behind him was stood a slightly shorter boy with bright pink hair. He was in similar clothing and had a pair of reading glasses on, but his eyes were bright red and tusks jutted out on either side of his jaw. His ears were larger than a humans and slightly pointed, and were covered in gold piercings. Except for the bottom of his left ear, which had a green emerald hanging down from it.

Fucking fantastic. A piglin. Extremely possessive and aggressive. This was going so well.

How an avian, a siren and a piglin managed to coexist under the same roof Tommy didn’t want to know. Nor did he particularly want to find out. Maybe Phil drugged the water or the food or something.

Both the newcomers were grinning widely at Clara, who spun around and jumped up. Tommy curled his arms around himself, feeling suddenly vulnerable.

“Wilbur! Techno!” Clara exclaimed, engulfing them both in a hug that Tommy was definitely not jealous of. Not at all.

“Hey Clara!” The siren one grinned, voice muffled from where he was hugging her back tightly.

“Wilbur I swear you get taller every time I see you.” Clara pulled back to look the siren up and down. That must be Wilbur then, and the other one Techno.

“Maybe if you came to visit more often he wouldn’t have time to grow as much.” The piglin, Techno, pointed out but he was grinning too, tusks on full display. They looked like they could rip out Tommy’s throat.

Tommy shivered and glanced past them towards the kitchen door. The police officer met his gaze immediately and Tommy looked away.

“This is Tommy.” Clara said, pulling Tommy’s attention away from planning his quick escape.

“Hey.” Both hybrids said in unison, not coldly but certainly not with the same warmth they gave Clara.

Tommy shifted slightly, throat closed up too much to speak. He settled for jolting his head slightly. That was something humans did, right?

No one seemed to care anyways, Clara looked past Tommy towards Phil.

“Shall we get all the formalities out the way then?”

“Sure.” Phil answered. “Wilbur, Techno, why don’t you show Tommy where he’s staying. I’m sure he’s tired after such a long day.”

“Sure.” Techno grunted, grabbing Wilbur by the shoulder and pulling him out the door, not waiting to see if Tommy was following. Tommy turned helplessly to Clara.

“Go on.” She said gently, smiling with encouragement.

Tommy trailed after them, ignoring the eyes on his back. Techno and Wilbur were already halfway up the stairs, and he hurried after them.

At the top of the stair case was a landing. “That’s Phil’s room.” Wilbur said, gesturing to the door on the left. “He’s got a study downstairs so if you can’t find him he’ll either be in there or his room. Knock and wait, don’t just barge in.”

Tommy shivered at the slightly hostile tone. He’d barely been here five minutes and he was already in trouble.

Techno moved on. “This is mine, Wilbur’s is the one on the right. Don’t go in them.”

“This is the bathroom.” Wilbur pointed out. There’s a lock on the inside but Phil has a key so don’t get any ideas.”

Techno moved to the door at the end. “This is the spare room. You’ll be staying here.”

Tommy didn’t miss how it was the spare room. It was a spare room before he came, and it’ll be a spare room when he leaves. He’s an intruder here.

Not that it matters, he’ll be out of here as soon as he could shift. Which based on the welcome he’ was getting had better be sooner rather than later.

“That’s it. Dad will take you shopping at some point, I didn’t see a bag with you.”

Tommy shook his head. He’d never more than whatever was on his person.

“Ok well that’s everything. I’ll tell Dad you need some pyjamas for tonight.”

Both the hybrids started back down the stairs, leaving Tommy stood outside the spare room. He cautiously reached out a hand and pushed on the handle.

The door swung open to a bare room, a large bed in the middle. There was a window on the opposite side of the room and Tommy crossed over quickly, rattling the latch quietly. The window didn’t budge, Tommy bet it was locked.

There was a wardrobe in the corner but nothing in it. The walls were bare, the room felt cold. Honestly Tommy just wanted to sleep in the forest.

He could hear voices from the kitchen so he quietly made his way down the stairs. Techno and Wilbur had left the door slightly ajar so even with his human ears Tommy could hear Phil’s voice drifting through.

“There’s nothing on his file Clara. And you weren’t exactly clear on the phone. Hell, this doesn’t even have his age.”

“I don’t know his age.” Clara admitted. “It’s a weird case Phil, not one I’ve delt with before. He was found in an alleyway digging through bins for food, and we’ve not had reports of a missing kid that match his description for the last 3 years.”

“And before that?”

“The records aren’t that well-kept. You know the system Phil.”

There was a sigh. “What do you know about him?”

“He’s a flight risk.” The police officer spoke up. Tommy frowned. He didn’t have wings, how could he be a flight risk? “And he’s bitten an officer already.”

“He bit someone who grabbed him when he was terrified out of his mind.” Clara said sharply. “What else did you expect him to do?”

There was silence, followed by another sigh.

“I’d put him somewhere in the eleven to fourteen range for age. It’s hard to tell with how malnourished he is. And I haven’t seen any clear hybrid traits but it wouldn’t surprise me if he had traces in his blood.”

“He doesn’t speak a lot.” Wilbur piped up.

“No, the only thing he’s said to me was his name.” There was a shuffle. “He’s going to be a tricky case Phil, but he couldn’t go to a group home in his state. I just need time to find a place to put him.”

“I know Clara, and I know you wouldn’t have asked if it wasn’t desperate. Whatever I can do to help.”

“Thank you.” Clara sounded relieved. “Here.” There was a shuffle of papers. “This is a dietary plan to try and get some weight on him. And at some point we’re going to need to get him to a doctor to check his health. I don’t know if he’s been vaccinated or anything.”

“Might be worth looking into therapy as well.” Phil said thoughtfully. “But I imagine that’ll be something to look at once he’s in a long-term foster.”

“Here.” The police officer said, more papers shuffling. “Sign here. And watch him, he’s already eyeing up escape routes. If he proves too much trouble let us know, we have some things to help with flight risks.”

“Thank you,” Phil said, but there was something cold and sharp under his tone, “but I’m sure they won’t be necessary.” Tommy shivered.

There was a scrape of chairs. “And you two,” Clara said, slightly sternly. “Be nice. He’s been through a lot, I’m sure you can empathise.”

“Yes Clara.” Wilbur said quietly.

“I’m so proud of you both.” Clara said, there was a ruffle as though she was hugging them both again. “I’ll come back and visit soon.”

“To see Tommy?” Techno asked bitterly.

“To see all of you.” Clara corrected. “I’ll still keep visiting after he’s settled elsewhere.”

“Ok.” Techno whispered.

Footsteps approached the door and Tommy scabbled back up the stairs to the spare room, pausing just inside. He could hear people walking into the hall and someone paused at the bottom of the stairs.

“Tommy?” Clara called up. Tommy shuffled out the room to the top of the stairs. Clara smiled when she saw him.

“I’m off now.”

Tommy’s gaze grew wide and he tensed. He knew it was coming but he wasn’t ready for her to go yet. Clara’s gaze softened.

“Hey, come here.”

Tommy trudged heavily down the stairs, stopping just out of reach.

“I’ll be back soon.” She promised. “And remember, they’re a good family. I wouldn’t leave you with people I didn’t trust.” She reached out slowly but Tommy flinched away and she stopped, sadness clouding her vision. “Just—” she sighed. “Try and be good. Ok?”

Tommy didn’t move, but Clara smiled anyway. “I’ll see you soon.” She reiterated, following the officer out the front door, placing a quick hand on Phil’s shoulder before stepping out. Phil shut the door behind her and turned to Tommy, blue eyes sparkling slightly in the light. Tommy braced.

“Hey mate.”

Tommy blinked.

“You want anything to eat? Or to drink?”

Tommy stared for a moment before slowly shaking his head.

“Ok. The boys mentioned you need some pyjamas, we can get you your own soon but for now are you happy with a pair of Techno’s?”

Tommy was sure Techno was fucking elated at the idea of giving Tommy his pyjamas. But it was either him or Wilbur, at least the piglin was more likely to be outright in his anger rather than the siren who’d be manipulative instead. So he hesitantly nodded.

Phil grinned. “Great!” There’s some spare toothbrush and toothpaste in the bathroom, it’s pretty late so I suggest we all head to bed and go over house rules and stuff in the morning. One of us’ll knock on your door for breakfast but I don’t mind if you’d rather sleep in instead.”

Tommy groaned internally. Fucking house rules, what was it with humans and rules? And there was bound to be something hidden behind it, some sort of hidden trap that he was definitely going to get caught in. But he didn’t want to get on Phil’s bad side just yet, so he just settled for nodding. Phil’s blue eyes crinkled as he smiled, they were really nice eyes.

“Alright, I’ll see you in the morning then.”

Tommy stood for a moment watching before he realised that must’ve been some sort of cue, he turned rather robotically and walked obediently up the stairs to the spare room, not stopping until the door was shut behind him.

He didn’t bother changing into the pyjamas Phil had given him, he didn’t want to get his scent on them for one in case Techno got more pissy about it than he expected, but he also couldn’t be bothered.

He collapsed on the bed and immediately sunk into the mattress. It was soft and squishy, but he also felt like he was drowning in it.

He pulled the pillows and duvet off the bed and piled them on the floor in a heap, adjusting it until he could curl up while still facing the door. This was somewhat better, but Tommy couldn’t help the tears that stung his eyes.

He ached for the weight of a fur coat, or better ears to hear if anyone was walking towards his door, or sharp teeth to defend himself with. He wanted the quiet of being outdoors, not this house that seemed to hum and creak, not the horrible fake sunlight that filtered under his door from downstairs.

Tommy buried his head in the horribly soft pillows and sobbed.