A/N: Someone asked me earlier to update this. I'd written about half of this earlier and decided to add a bit more today. I've been very frustrated with everything lately, so if it comes out in my writing, I'm sorry.
Cosmo and Wanda had found an unoccupied house on the outskirts of town and promptly decorated it in their traditional pink and green fashion. Timmy wasn't in the mood to appreciate it, however. They'd duplicated his room and weren't sure how to respond to him. Their godson was brooding, every once in a while snapping something and expecting one of them, if not both, to agree. Wanda was unnerved. Timmy had never been quite like this before. Then again, he'd never suffered anything like this before.
Wanda didn't usually advocate violence, but she would have done if she had the opportunity in this case. She wasn't sure who she was angrier at-Timmy's parents or Vicky. It galled her that they hadn't believed their son. Moreover, they'd taken Vicky's side, as if that woman hadn't survived on pure spite and malice since the day of her birth. Hell, probably since her conception. Vicky was evil to the core and while she knew Timmy's parents were simpletons, she'd have thought they would have at least responded to Timmy's heartfelt emotional pleas. Of course, Wanda had been expecting too much out of them. She should have known better.
"Do you wanna play the not-study game?" Cosmo asked, desperate for a change of pace and a semblance of normalcy. Timmy's eyes slid over to him and Cosmo cringed at the hostility their godson radiated. It was making Wanda not want to stay in the same room and she knew Cosmo felt similarly. Their gazes met; Wanda was reluctant to leave Timmy alone, especially in light of the attempted suicidal ideation wish. However, he clearly didn't want their presence.
Timmy curled up on his bed. She could only guess at the thoughts running through his mind. If she had wanted to, she could have skimmed his mind using a spell, but she respected his privacy. Besides, she didn't need to be a mind-reader to know he was full to the brim with self-loathing.
"We'll call you when dinner's ready," Wanda said, forgetting for a beat she didn't need to cook the mortal way. If he was hungry, she could poof up his favorite food in an instant.
Timmy glared balefully at the faerie duo. One might have thought they'd been the ones to forsake him rather than his biological parents. Wanda didn't get where the anger was coming from, beyond the self-loathing. Timmy had never been an angry kid; sure, he had his outbursts, but that was normal. This shade of rage was not, much like today in general.
"Timmy?" Wanda ventured and put a hand on his shoulder. Timmy whirled, jerking away from her touch. Wanda pretended, for her sanity's sake, that Timmy's rejection didn't sting.
"Yeah, yeah, fine, go," Timmy snapped. "I wish you two would leave me alone."
Cosmo and Wanda exchanged uneasy glances and held up their wands. They reappeared in the living room, where Wanda was mulling over the situation on the loveseat. Or, rather, floating above it.
"I'm going to check on Tootie," Wanda said after a protracted period of silence.
"What? Why?" Cosmo said. Any other person might've been suspicious, but Cosmo looked baffled. Wanda didn't have the time or inclination to explain to him Tootie's origins or why keeping an eye on her now was so important. Hopefully, she wouldn't need to delve into that.
Wanda didn't want to believe Tootie was capable of the same depraved behaviour. Still, that didn't mean she didn't want to touch base with the half-faerie. The problem was that the last time she'd checked in on her, Wanda had done so without Timmy or Cosmo being aware. Cosmo turned gigantic pleading green eyes upon her and she almost caved. Almost. This was too important to succumb to his puppy dog eyes, no matter how entrancing.
"You should stay here in case Timmy needs you," she said, as if they couldn't magically materialize at Timmy's side the instant he said their names.
Wanda needed to talk to Tootie, which she couldn't do if Cosmo tagged along. Cosmo didn't know Tootie knew about her and the less he knew in general, the better Wanda liked it. In the beginning, she'd felt guilty about going behind Cosmo's back with this, but then she'd thought of all the nasty comments he'd made to her over the years and her guilt usually faded. They'd been on the brink of a divorce when Poof had arrived.
Cosmo had changed since then and returned, more or less, to his normal self after some counseling. Wanda continued to check on Tootie, because it was imperative someone keep an eye on the only half-faerie allowed on Earth. By now, not telling Cosmo was part habit, part self-preservation. Cosmo wouldn't react well to her keeping secrets and it might bring up any lingering issues between them. No, it was best for Cosmo to remain ignorant.
"Maybe he'll change his mind and want to play video games?" Cosmo said, though he looked skeptical. Even Cosmo, who was as dull as a broken lightbulb, knew Timmy's mood was unlikely to shift. Wanda didn't feel like arguing and pecked Cosmo on the cheek before disappearing to Tootie's house.
To Wanda's relief, Chloe wasn't there. Chloe was another headache Wanda would just as soon not involve herself with. Over time, Wanda felt toward Chloe as she typically felt toward any godchild she'd lost-she grieved her, but she had also moved on. Timmy occupied most of her time, anyway.
Wanda glanced around Tootie's room and took stock of it. Perhaps because of Wanda's intercession, Tootie had fewer pictures of Timmy hanging on her walls. This was not to say Tootie had abandoned her obsession, but she had toned it down a fair amount. Unfortunately, fantasy art had taken its place and Wanda felt uneasy looking at all the different depictions of faeries Tootie had tracked down. On the plus side, Tootie had yet to locate any faeries resembling herself or Cosmo, which would've been a dead giveaway.
The faerie princess set had vanished ages ago and Tootie had a desk with a laptop open on it. The screensaver showed herself with Chloe and Wanda grimaced. Chloe and Tootie were each other's only friends, if Wanda didn't count Timmy, who was only friends with Chloe because of obligation. Chloe wasn't exactly high on the social ladder. She tended to rub people the wrong way.
"I was wondering when you'd show up," Tootie said, interrupting Wanda's inspection. She closed the door behind her and shut the window. They were on the second floor, at least. It was unlikely anyone would sneak up on them, though that hadn't prevented Crocker from trying a time or two. Wanda disliked Crocker too, though her dislike was tempered with pity. She still didn't remember being his godmother, but she felt sorry for how he'd turned out.
"What is going on with Timmy?" Tootie said. She wasn't one to bandy words.
"It's none of your concern," Wanda said. It wasn't her secret to tell. Tootie's eyes narrowed and her face grew taut.
"It is my concern because he acted like I tried to kill him," Tootie said. "Is that what Vicky did? Because she's tried to kill him before and he never reacted like that."
Wanda couldn't stifle the harsh laughter burning her throat. She wished it'd been a simple matter of life or death. That was par for the course for Timmy and Vicky.
"Wanda?" Tootie said and looked troubled. "What happened last night?"
"Where were you and Chloe last night?" Wanda said, startling Tootie further.
"We crashed Trixie Tang's New Year's party and then we came to say hi to Timmy before, you know, he went apeshit on us," Tootie said, blinking rapidly. "Why do you ask?"
"Of course, Trixie Tang," Wanda muttered. Her gaze sharpened. "Language."
"I'm not your godkid," Tootie said. Wanda gave her a withering look that said it didn't matter and Tootie scowled, dropping her gaze for a few seconds before looking back up at Wanda. Wanda floated at eye level, which was harder now that the kids had grown older and taller.
"Seriously, what happened last night?" Tootie said.
"Did you use any magic?" Wanda said. "Did anyone see you?"
"No, not that I know of," Tootie said. "Most of the kids there were completely wasted and/or high. What does this have to do with anything?"
"Nothing, nothing," Wanda said. "Just stay away from Timmy until this all plays out."
"Until what plays out?" Tootie said, wrinkling her nose. "Why are you being so cryptic?"
Wanda debated with herself and weighed her options. She could tell Tootie, which would elicit Tootie's sympathy, but possibly backfire when Tootie wanted vengeance. Tootie wasn't always circumspect when using her powers. Moreover, she might increase her stalkerish behavior, trying to overcompensate for Vicky's actions. Timmy would react badly and Wanda would be forced to explain why certain magic didn't work on Tootie. Ugh, what a mess.
On the other hand, if she didn't tell Tootie, then Tootie would clamor to know. She might try to hound Wanda for the answers. Wanda wasn't great at denying children things, although Tootie was not her godchild and couldn't compel her to answer. Wanda could always poof away if things got too intense.
"I can't tell you," Wanda said and Tootie's nostrils flared.
"Why the hell not? If it has to do with Timmy and Vicky, it concerns me too." Tootie snapped and then faltered. "Can't or won't?"
"Can't," Wanda said. Timmy would've had her head on a platter if she told Tootie, anyway. The last thing Timmy needed right now was Tootie's overbearing sympathy.
"So, let me get this straight. Something is affecting my true love, something my bitch sister did to him, and you won't tell me what it was or how bad," Tootie said and folded her arms across her chest. Wanda wondered whether Tootie had enough imagination to figure it out without Wanda spelling it out. For a moment, neither female spoke. Instead, Wanda's gaze roved the room and then settled upon the halfling teenager.
"That's right," Wanda said tightly. There was nothing in what Wanda had said that would make Tootie's mind immediately jump to rape. Hell, until Cosmo and Wanda had stumbled upon it yesterday, they wouldn't have thought Vicky capable of such a heinous deed. Perhaps they should have. Perhaps they should have realized there were few, if any, linesVicky wouldn't hesitate to cross.
Tootie exhaled shakily. "It was obviously bad or you guys wouldn't have reacted the way you did."
Wanda inclined her head in assent.
"And you can't tell me any more? Or won't?" Tootie pressed.
"I've told you as much as I'm going to," Wanda said, steel in her voice. She didn't appreciate being pushed again, especially after she'd told her "no". It reminded her entirely too much of Vicky.
"And I can't ask him. Or go near him," Tootie said, her voice flat.
"Right," Wanda said coldly. She meant to be more sympathetic, but it was hard when she was being tugged in two different directions. Plus, she hadn't slept well and didn't see good sleep happening any time soon.
Tootie sighed. "What can I do?"
"For now, nothing," Wanda said and Tootie scowled.
"There must be something. I could protect Timmy!"
The idea was laughable. Wanda had enough presence of mind to fight back the hysterical laughter, at least. Tired she might be, but she tried to avoid laughing at children when they meant something in earnest. Tootie meant well. She just wasn't capable of the kind of protection Cosmo and Wanda were.
"We already have that covered, hon," Wanda said.
"I could explain to him that I'm nothing like Vicky," Tootie protested.
"I know you're not," Wanda said gently, but she was lying. Right now, she couldn't afford to rule anything out. From what Wanda had seen of Tootie, she was nothing like Vicky. However, they hadn't thought Vicky was going to make a move like that. They needed to be on guard.
"You don't believe me," Tootie said, pained. "Wanda, you know what I'm like."
"We thought we knew how depraved Vicky was too," Wanda said warningly. "We were wrong."
She poofed out and ignored Tootie's attempts to summon her back. Enough. Wanda had delivered the warning and Tootie would hopefully know better than to interfere. If she did, Wanda wouldn't be able to hold back. She looked at the young halfling with a combination of pity and exasperation. Tootie wouldn't be as easy to shake as that.
If there was one thing she and Vicky had in common, it was an almost supernatural amount of persistence.
Tootie was hurt Wanda had left her, especially since she hadn't told her the whole story. There was one possibility about what Vicky had done to Timmy, one that would have the faeries up in arms, but Tootie shied away from it. Even Vicky had limits. Right?
Timmy huddled in on himself. Wanda had been gone for a while and Cosmo was trying to distract him by putting on an old video game. Timmy didn't want to be distracted. He wanted to brood.
He couldn't believe his parents didn't believe him. No, wait, he could believe it, but he didn't want to. He didn't want to think that, when push came to shove, his parents wouldn't listen to him. Even now, his cell phone was vibrating in his pocket and he ignored it. His parents had left a few voicemails already demanding he come home.
That was a laugh. They went out so often, he was almost surprised they'd noticed he'd packed up and left. They were so self-absorbed. When had they ever cared about him? Timmy knew there had to be occasions. His parents weren't completely hopeless, but he wasn't finding anything right now.
Maybe he just wasn't in the right frame of mind to vindicate his parents.
Wanda reappeared and Timmy rounded on her.
"Where the hell have you been?" he snapped at her. Wanda spun around in thin air and gave Cosmo a meaningful look. Cosmo responded by staring blankly back. Wanda sighed.
"I had business I needed to take care of," Wanda said. "Sport, we poof off all the time."
Timmy scowled like a petulant toddler. "I don't want you to go away."
Cosmo and Wanda exchanged glances and this time, Cosmo seemed to be on the same page as his wife.
"You don't want us with you all of the time," Cosmo said.
"Vicky won't be able to reach you here," Wanda added. "You're safe."
"I thought I was safe before," Timmy snapped.
"This is different," Wanda said.
"I wish you'd tell me where you've been," Timmy said and Wanda froze. Her lips trembled and she looked panicked now. Her eyes were wide and she floated in midair with her features blanched like a deer in the headlights.
"Don't make me, sport," Wanda pleaded. "Please don't make me."
"No choice; you're my godmother," Timmy said smugly. He knew he was crossing a line. Moreover, in light of what had happened to him, perhaps he shouldn't be forcing his will onto hers. He pushed aside that irritating thought. This was completely different from what Vicky had done to him. He was demanding information. Vicky had demanded something else.
"I went to check in on Tootie," Wanda said, sighing.
"What? Why?" Timmy and Cosmo demanded. Timmy blinked, startled. Wanda had gone behind Cosmo's back. That was odd.
"She's Vicky's sister and she wanted to check in on you last night," Wanda said evasively.
"What aren't you telling me?" Timmy demanded.
"And me!" Cosmo demanded. "I'm your husband!"
"I know you are…" Wanda said and looked pained. "Believe me, I know."
She sighed, folding her arms across her chest. "I'd tell you if I could, but this isn't my secret to tell."
"You have a secret. About Tootie," Timmy said, incredulous. "What? That she has a pair of my underwear in her bedroom? Since when do you interact with any other kids who aren't your god kids?"
Wanda pressed her lips tightly together. "I can't tell you any more than I already have."
"Why the hell not?" Timmy demanded. "What the hell is up with you two?"
"Hey, this isn't my fault!" Cosmo rushed to add. "Wanda isn't telling me either!"
Timmy folded his arms tightly across his chest too, mirroring Wanda. His eyes flashed and anger rushed through him. Anger was safer than brooding. Anger meant he could hurt someone instead brooding and inflicting mental damage on himself.
"What the fuck is so important with Tootie that you can't tell anyone?" Timmy demanded.
"Language!" Wanda retorted. "I told you-this isn't my secret. If you have a problem, take it up with the Fairy World Council. But they won't tell you any more than I already have."
"This is bullshit," Timmy said, ignoring her reprimand. He flung himself back onto the couch and glowered at his godmother. "Tootie doesn't have any secrets. Not unless she's planning to rape me too?"
He threw Wanda a nasty look. "She isn't, is he? Or can you not tell me?"
"She's not," Wanda said. "She's quite concerned about you."
"I'll bet," Timmy snapped. "Probably wishes she'd gotten in on the action."
"That isn't it at all!" Wanda said. He was backing her into a corner and he didn't care. If she couldn't come up with a decent excuse, then at least he could attack her. She was a safe target.
"Oh, really?" Timmy said scathingly. "Did you talk to her?"
Wanda gritted her teeth.
"Did you?" Timmy pressed. "You've got to be shitting me, Wanda. You can't talk to Tootie. You can't show yourself to any humans without risking losing me."
"Right now, you're not exactly a prize," Wanda muttered.
"What's that supposed to mean?" he demanded.
Wanda visibly forced herself to calm down. Her fists opened and closed like she was contemplating her hands around his neck. When she smiled, it looked painful.
"I took care of the situation," she said.
"And that means…?" he said.
"It's been taken care of," Wanda said. Timmy narrowed his eyes. From experience, he knew Wanda sucked at lying. She was being awfully evasive, but he couldn't pinpoint exactly where.
"You wouldn't risk losing me," he said, making it a statement.
"Of course she wouldn't," Cosmo said. "We wouldn't want to lose you."
"Right," Wanda said tightly. "Now that that's settled, what do you want for dinner?"
No, it hadn't been settled. However, he wasn't in the mood to argue with her anymore. For one thing, he knew his godparents wouldn't risk it. For another, what the hell could Tootie and Wanda have in common besides him? Wanda had probably just made sure Tootie would stay the hell away from him. That was it.
"Whatever," Timmy said. He narrowed his eyes. "Are you sure it was nothing with Tootie?"
"You don't need to worry about her," Wanda said. She was lying by omission, but he couldn't figure out where. Again.
"C'mon, let's play video games!" Cosmo said, though he stared at Wanda too. Timmy glanced at his godmother and then back at his game. Whatever. This conversation wasn't over. Or maybe it was, once he forgot about it. ADHD, man. It was a hell of a drug.
Vicky couldn't find Timmy. His parents didn't know where he'd gone, which was weird enough as it was, but they said he'd packed up everything, including his stupid goldfish. It was amazing those goldfish had lived as long as they had, since Timmy wasn't exactly the best at taking care of things.
Then there was the matter of that strange new house on the town's outskirts. It looked like a mansion and stuck out like a sore thumb. There was also a weird forcefield around it, which only repelled her. It was just another list of weird things happening in Dimmsdale, but Vicky had had her fill of them.
Though she didn't believe in faeries, she was starting to wonder if maybe, just maybe, Crocker might've been right about Timmy. There was definitely something strange about the twerp and everything surrounding him.
