Chapter Text
Before we get into this, I would like to share an official design for TimeDeo from this AU series! Made by yours truly
And now, enjoy the first chapter!!<3
The sun rose with its comforting warmth surrounding the magical forest. The morning dew clung to grass and flowers, giving the environment an innocent-like look. The sunlight reached the guardian's face, awakening him from his sleep.
First things that was heard was a yawn, followed by a twinkle of the guardian's wings as he sat up from his big, fancy stump-like bed and stretched. Pointy ears twitched as the sunlight tickled his face again.
He stands up from his bed, immediately aiming for his bathroom with eyes half closed, and tired. Reaching for the giant purple flower hanging from the open ceiling, he pours a bit of its water contents into his hands, and washes his face with it in front of mirror decorated with vines and roses.
"Another day." He hums.
The man's name is TimeDeo; the guardian of the magical forest he lives in. Not a simple guardian, no. TimeDeo was a fairy, a sacred creature who will walk on these lands for as long as the forest lives, and thrives. And despite being given such a responsibility at a young age, Deo was making the most of it. He was nearing 18 years old, and the forest had never been safer.
The guardian ruffled his chocolate brown locks, his fringe falling delicately over his fancy black antlers. Those things were hard to take care of sometimes, Deo was just a little toddler when they first sprouted, around the same time his ears started to sharpen into an elf ear shape. It was a difficult time for the boy..
Deo looks himself over one last time in the mirror, before heading back to his bedroom, where he changes from his night clothing to, in his opinion, an iconic orange sweater with a white undershirt underneath, before making his way to the bedroom door. On his way, Deo swiftly grabbed black sunglasses from his bedside table, and put them on without hesitation.
It was an accessory to the brunette for as long as he could remember. He wore them all day every day, only rarely taking them off. His eyes were an enigma; honey coloured orbs that brought warmth, and safety to whoever looked at them.
The problem was, Deo didn't want that. He wants to look threatening when he's protecting his forest. His black shades covered his eyes completely, shutting out the warmth, and everything nice his eyes brought.
It might have been oddly cruel, but it was really a small price to pay.
He also spared a brief glance at a familiar red hat that laid next to the sunglasses. Also an accessory that stuck by Deo for the longest time.
He smiled, "Once these things shed, it'll be your time again." He gestures to the black antlers growing out of his head. It was quite a challenge to part from his "Christmas" hat, as his ancestor called it. But Deo walked with his antlers with pride. Apparently it was quite rare for a fairy to sprout horns, antlers.. just anything besides wings. He heard that guardians with such magnificent features were stronger.. they tended to last longer in their praised place. That was Deo's goal already; Make the forest proud, and keep him around.
As Deo left his bedroom, he grabbed a belt from his wardrobe, strapping it on before reaching for his weapon. The Midas' Sword, the fairies called it. Forged by the forest itself, made from an evil king's spirit who once ruled over these lands. The sword that got the evil king to kneel in an attempt to beg for life as his own wickedness was used against him. Before the sword pierced his chest.
At least that's what the legends said.
Deo held mighty respect for this blade, having it passed onto him by his ancestors. Though, he never got to use it a whole lot, being already a good enough guardian as one can be. There was rarely an enemy. Which, in fact, bummed him out quite a bit. Sure, Deo liked the life of a docile fairy guardian, but he had the spirit of a fighter. He just wishes there was some action for him from time to time.
With a small sigh, the brunette fiddled with the sword, stroking the smooth enchanted metal along its blade, before sheathing it to his belt. Walking past a small kitchen, he leaves his humble house that stood under one of the bigger trees' roots.
The mornings were Deo's favourite. The air was fresh, the sunrise was a sight to see. One of Deo's favourite things though, was watching animals going out of their dens and homes to go for their morning walks, and hunts. Squirrels would chase each other in the tall, redwood trees, mighty deers would go to their favourite river for a drink. And birds would settle down on Deo's antlers, singing a tune as he walked.
And of course, he couldn't forget about his little fairy helpers that watched over the forest in places he couldn't be in. Little fairies that didn't quite have names, or any other purpose than to serve him, but he loved them with all of his heart.
Speaking of.. He should check on them!
With quite the pep in his step, the guardian set off along a familiar path, the flutter of his wings lifting him ever so lightly, adding an elegant touch to his stride. As expected, a few singing birds sat down on Deo's deer-like antlers, singing a familiar tune as a greeting. He had named the tune Crystal Dolphin, for no clear reason, really. It kind of made him think about the ocean. Bobbing his head along to the soft chirps of the birds, the brunette waved, or nodded at every animal he walked by as a greeting. He couldn't speak to animals directly, but the creatures knew the brave fairy who made sure their home was safe.
He looks down as he walks by a number of big, wide trees. They loom over him, as if they were watching his every move. He hums, stopping in his tracks by a few bushes. He stopped to think, but also to let a family of rabbits hop over the path to get to their food source. He smiled at them briefly.
"I should pay a visit to the Elder Tree later today.. What do you guys think?" His honey coloured eyes dart up to look at the birds who are still glued to his antlers. "Think he's going to replace me soon?" He asks, a sly giggle making its way out as the birds chirp frantically, and flap their wings. They look about ready to collapse from his question.
"I know, I know I'm irreplaceable. Best guardian in the past millennium, right? That's what he tells you about me."
He gets softer chirps in response; probably an agreement.
It was an honour being so praised by the forest, and especially the Elder Tree. After all, he knew best. He had been here since the beginning of the forest. Since it was only a small patch of green.
Sometimes it was scary though. A big responsibility has been forced onto his shoulders since he was a child, and it only got heavier as time went on, with everyone counting on him twice as much for being so strong. Sometimes he wished he could get away from it all.. maybe find someone, if maybe just a friend, or a-
"Hey! Leave those alone you dirty feline!"
A gentle voice snapped the fairy out of his thoughts. That was the voice of one of his precious helpers! Senses going on alert, Deo starts booking it towards the commotion, scaring the poor birds away. They probably didn't want to interrupt the guardian doing his job.
He runs past the wide trees, and into a part where the trees are as slim as thick rope. The treetops were decorated with pink leaves that reeked of late spring. A pond sat nearby, and around it were planted bushes with the most juicy fruits and berries for the wildlife around.
Wouldn't you know it, a havoc caused around food.
Deo's eyes landed on a clump of people all in one place. A few of his fairy helpers, and a.. a raccoon boy of some sorts? A hybrid? He hasn't seen those in a long time.
The boy had a head full of blonde locks, he was crouched in front of the bushes, fists full of berries. His mouth was a little dirty, probably having eaten a bunch already.
"They're not yours!" One of the small fairies chirped, tugging at one of the boy's blonde raccoon ears, to which the boy responded by waving his hand around, as if shooing away an annoying bug.
"First of!"
The blonde spoke, his voice was brash. That Deo could tell from that one sentence alone.
"I am not a feline, nor I am dirty! Raccoons are the cleanest animals alive, and they're dangerous canines!" The boy spat, blueberry juice dirtying the corners of his mouth as he hoarded some strawberries and blueberries into the pockets of the brown shorts he was wearing. His baseball shirt was all dirty too..
Deo stood still a little longer as the family of rabbits he had let pass earlier hopped away from the bushes. They hid behind his legs for a few moments, before disappearing completely. The guardian hummed, what a rude raccoon. Something was silly about him though, it drove him closer.
The hybrid couldn't be older than 15, or 16 years old. Which brings another question, what was he doing here alone? Didn't raccoons live in dens with their families? That just brings more questions.. If he was from around here, why would he decide to cause commotion, knowing full well the forest is at its peak with its guardian?
Few more questions and theories popped up in his head, before the guardian decided to finally step in.
This was no dangerous situation. The sacred weapon of the fairies wouldn't have to be used today. Just like every day.
With gentle steps, Deo stepped out of the blind spot, approaching the hybrid who was no doubt a messy eater. He heard gasps from his fairies, some of them cheering his name quietly.
He had caught the boy's attention with an "Actually," as he had stopped in front of him, his strong, lean figure casting shadow onto the younger boy.
"You're both wrong; Raccoons aren't canines. They're much closer to bears, so they belong to the Ursidae family."
The blonde stared up at him, blonde, fluffy ears flickering, and Deo swore he has never seen more beautiful eyes. He has, they were similar.
The boy had the brightest, ocean blue eyes. They were full of life, nearly sparkling as he stared up at the fairy. Deo lost his voice for a second, the pure feeling of awe making him go speechless as he was reminded of someone important to him.
But it didn't last that long.
"But you're right, raccoons are one of the most clean and hygienic animals." A smirk made its way to his face, crossing his arms. The boy's dark, clawed hands twitched a little bit, one or two blueberries falling from his grasp.
"You seem to be an exception though, raccoon child."
This sentence seemed to have set off the younger.
"Hey, that's Big Man Tommyinnit for you!" He pointed a blue tinted claw at Deo, his tail wrapping itself around his own torso. A sign of fear?
Well, now he knew the kid's name is Tommy. That's one of his many questions answered.
Tommy then stood up abruptly, jumping to his feet, revealing his surprising height. He was only a few inches shorter than the brunette.
"The biggest of men you'll ever see in-" He paused. "Wherever we are."
Deo giggled, aware that the raccoon's cheeks were tainting a cute pink colour. So he also didn't know about the magical forest.
"Uh huh. Stealing is very big man-y."
Was the brunette taking this as a game? Most definitely. It's been a long time since he talked to someone like this.
"Stealing-? It's a forest, man!" Tommy recoiled a little, ears flattening ever so slightly.
"And I rule it." He didn't really.
"You gotta rent those bushes at my place if you want to eat their fruit." He tilted his head, the sunlight was reflecting in his sunglasses. It wasn't true, the berries were free to eat.. it was just funny.
"And that blueberry bush was rented for the rabbits you've chased away." Deo added. He saw Tommy tense at that, his fluffy ears now flattening against his blonde locks completely. He looked.. sad. Ready to cry, Deo could say.
"Uh.. I'm joking! It's all free. You've just scared them on accident." Deo didn't notice, but his fairies floated around his antlers, before one of them cheered. "It's true that he rules it around here, he's a guardian!"
And at that single sentence, the younger's eyes widened. There was a faint sparkle, as if he was fascinated, before his eyebrows scrunched up. The brunette tensed, taking a step back.
"You um, you okay, raccoon child?" He asked, tilting his head slightly, gently reaching for the younger's hand. He couldn't help himself with the nickname. Though, all of the blonde's playful energy was gone. Deo was only able to brush his hand against Tommy's, before, in a matter of seconds, he dropped the remaining berries from his hands with a quiet chitter, before running away from his spot by the bushes in flimsy sneakers.
Fairies sat down on his antlers as he was left stood there, arm outstretched. He got to touch the blonde's hand before he ran away. Did he get scared? Has he never seem a guardian before in his life? Or even a better question, does he know about forest guardians at all?
Deo scrunched his eyes underneath his sunglasses, staring towards the direction tommy ran off to. He cleared his throat.
"Well everyone," He looks up at the helpers who made themselves comfortable on his heavy pride, shaking his head lightly to get them off. "Let's get back to work, hm? I have some things to do myself."
He left the spring reeked forest in confusion as he waved at his fairies, and all the animals who could finally eat their breakfast in peace. Now he regretted going to speak to the Elder Tree.