Familiar | Doctor Who

The Doctor

Bright golden eyes opened, wobbly legs stretching to stand unsteadily as they inhaled air for the first time. The cool summer air breezed past their dark fur, their head rolling back to gaze at the many moons in the orange sky.

They knew what they were, their purpose. Inhaling deeply, searching for the location of their purpose, the scent slowly overcame them. Throwing their head back once more, a mighty howl left their lips.

A name sung in their mind. The future name, the chosen name, the name they must protect.

The Doctor.

They had walked for miles before they reached the wooden cabin, the door gently swaying in the wind. It had turned dark in the time it took to reach this location, but they didn't mind. Their ear twitched, the subtle sound of crying ringing out in the silent night. They couldn't see the source of the crying, but they knew, it was the Doctor.

Creeping into the cabin, sniffing the air occasionally, they finally noticed the boy curled up in a single bed. All alone. A soft whimper left their lips as they watched the boy cry, the sound jolting him from the bed in shock.

"Who are you?" The boys voice was soft, trembling from crying.

"I don't have a name." The boy jumped as the wolf stepped forwards, hearing the voice inside his head.

"I look after you. Protect." The wolf was hesitant as they stepped towards the shaking boy, not wanting to scare him.

"F-familiar? You're my familiar? The woman at the orphanage told us about them." A small smile lit up the boys tear stricken face.

"Yes. Protect." Nuzzling their head against the small boy, they paused momentarily as he tensed before relaxing, running a hand through their black fur.

"I'm Theta." The wolf frowned, that was not the name that rang in their head. They didn't worry though, they could feel the pull towards the small boy, this was the Doctor.

"You need a name." Theta hummed thoughtfully, his hand still stroking them gently, a growl like purr emitting from the back of their throat.

"Y/N. I think that suits you. You're Y/N."

"Y/N." The wolf, Y/N, repeated with child like glee, the rumbling in their chest getting louder.

"I'm going to the academy today, Y/N!" Theta smiled, bouncing on his feet as he asked to his companion.

"They said you can come, they allow familiars to come...but you have to change to look like a time lord." The boy frowned slightly.

"Anything for Theta. How?" Y/N had grown, reaching up to Theta's waist.

"T-they just said change." Theta sighed sadly at Y/N's defeated look, their head tilting to the floor.

"It's ok! We'll figure it out together, I'll help you." A sound of happiness left Y/N s they jumped up, tackling the boys frame to the ground, licking his face in appreciation as he laughed and tried to push them away.

"Gross. Common, Y/N, let's find out how you can change, and then we can go to the Academy together."

It took hours upon hours, but finally, a male timelord sat cross legged before Theta, a look of wonder on his face as he gazed down at his body.

"You did it!" Theta grinned happily, having told Y/N to take the male form so that they could be in the same class together.

"Th-" Y/N frowned, coughing as he stumbled over his words, not used to having a real voice that was not telepathic.

"Theta." His voice cracked and sounded odd, but Theta didn't mind, he simply laughed in joy.

Y/N beamed, a blush covering his cheeks, proud he had impressed his timelord.

"I don't know what to choose, Y/N." Theta sighed, rubbing his temple as he tried to rack his brain for a good name. It was the day that he had to choose his title and he had idea what he wanted to be called.

"I can't tell you, Theta. You have to choose, it has to be personal to you." Y/N sat by Thetas side in his timelord form, titling his head as a soft whimper left his mouth at his timelords anguish.

"You know though, don't you? The Academy told us that familiars can travel though time so from the moment they are born they know their timelords chosen name." Theta looked to Y/N with pleading eyes.

"I know. I don't know the meaning of the word, but I know."

"Please, just tell me." Another whimper left Y/N as he contemplated if he should tell Theta.. he knew it was forbidden, familiars were not aloud to tell their timelords their chosen name, but he couldn't say no to Theta's begging eyes.

"The Doctor."

"It means healer." Theta explained once Y/N spoke, taking his hand to assure him he did nothing wrong.

"I like it." Y/N smiled brightly at Theta's response.

The Doctor.