The Poet and the Thief

Ch.5 Adventures are best enjoyed together

(!!!!!AGAIN ALL CREIDS GO TO KingOfTheOranges ON Ao3 NONE OF THIS BELONGS TO ME! ANY ENJOY!!!!!)

It had been a few days since Tommy had learnt about changelings, how to become one. He had gone back to see Will afterwards but only once; to his dismay. He wanted to go back every day, but he couldn't risk the village getting anymore suspicious. Mx Cromer was already on to his disappearances, and Tommy was sure they weren't the only one. When he wasn't lamenting over his predicament he was doing the usual small jobs, much less chatty than normal. The only one to pick up on it was Ms. Willow but it was dropped quickly, Tommy blaming it on tiredness. Some days he'd walk past the tree line, muttering a soft hello to whatever, whoever, was listening. He never got a response, but some days the birds he loved would grow closer; louder. It always made Tommy smile, especially when he finally saw one. A crow, seemingly following him as he returned back to the village. It flew nearby, resting on rooftops and lamps whenever Tommy stopped. It was reassuring to the boy that something was watching over him, especially from the forest. It was a tiring, grueling few days but he managed, keeping himself going with promises to return home. To the forest.

Dawn hit on the fourth day he had spent away from the forest, Tommy couldn't take it anymore. Retying his bandana, he pulled himself up with the help of the boxes. As always his vision blurred momentarily before he could set off, but the boy didn't let that stop him. He took the familiar path out slowly so his vision could clear, only speeding up when he could see properly again. No one was out and about yet, maybe some were awake but they wouldn't see him so he didn't worry about that. Barely contained laughter shook him as he practically ran to the forest, eyes lighting up as the path came into sight. Feet left cobble and met grass, the forest silencing any noise behind him. All he heard, and cared about, was the noises of the forest. Distant birds, hooved creatures stumbling about in the early morning light. Tommy felt like he could breathe again, not suffocated by smoke or large crowds or his own fear of being caught.

"I'm back." He was speaking to the forest but to his shock he heard a reply.

"That you are Kid." There in all his glory was Green, leant against a tree nearby. And on his head? Tommy's flower crown he had left. Tommy grinned at the other, proudly wearing the ring still.

"Green, it's certainly been awhile." He didn't hesitate to walk over. "Can't say I didn't miss you, like the gift?" Green snorted before nodding, careful not to knock said gift to the floor.

"It's pretty good, didn't think a village dweller would be so skilled with plants." The two didn't need to mention that they had started walking, taking whatever direction led them away from the village the quickest.

"I dunno when I learnt to make them, must've been when I was younger." Tommy shrugged as they traversed the uneven ground, careful of the brambles that poked out from the bushes.

"Did you like the ring?" Green seemed more curious than anything, looking down at the boy. Of course the man didn't have to look where he was going, he probably knew this place like the back of his hand.

"I do! I wear it all the time." Tommy wasn't afraid to admit it, proudly holding up the hand with it on. Beside it was the iron ring which made Green scoff, taking his hand to inspect the foreign object.

"Iron? Planning to kill me already?" Green wasn't actually offended, he knew what that village was like. Tommy on the other hand was incredibly panicked by this, immediately shoving it as deep into his pocket as he could.