It was another average day at the boys’ home. Tyberius, or Ty as he preferred to be called, was hanging out with his friends. Like the other boys he’d had a rough go at life so far, but he didn’t let it get him down too much.
He was a member of a rare species: a thylacine more commonly known as a Tasmanian Tiger. He had dirty blond hair tucked beneath the sweaty, dirty baseball cap he wore every day. His fur was mostly yellow, with orange sock and glove patterns on his feet, ankles, wrists and hands and dull brown stripes on his back that stretched all the way down to his thighs. He had a long, skinny but firm marsupial tail much like a kangaroo. He was athletic, short for his age and a bit skinny, yet still sported a soft tummy with some baby fat. His knees were often scraped and bruised from skating. These little things helped to single Ty out amongst his peers. Chief among them all though were his bright emerald green eyes. Always full of hope; always searching for adventure to embark on, new friends to make, or old friends to support. Behind them though, lurked loneliness. He wanted a family– a real one. One that would love him forever.
He came from a rather interesting biological family though. His father was a child star named Tanner. He had become the world’s most famous skateboarder. In fact at ten years old he had looked almost exactly like his future son; minus the cheek marks, lack of highlights on his blonde hair, and with blue eyes instead of green. Tanner would grow up to make a name for himself, and eventually ended up marrying a woman named Maria. She was a notable politician while he was a celebrity skateboarder who owned a business. Regardless of the potential controversy surrounding their marriage, they clicked.
It was sunshine and rainbows once they had a joey. They named him Tyberius, a name that many wise men and brave heroes held before him. To them it was a cool, artsy name for their happy little joey. However if this was a happy story Ty wouldn’t be in the boys’ home. The couple would end up in a few scandals too. One bad enough they’d end up in prison. This unfortunately meant Ty was sent to an orphanage for most of his early life. There he’d stay till that fateful day.
Ty knew all about his family, but didn’t talk about them. Due to their public status he knew plenty, they left him with a scrapbook of their careers including their childhoods. His dad left him with Ty’s now signature hat as well. He was mature for his age, and as such he knew they didn't want him, and in truth he didn’t want them either. Yet like his biological father he loved to skate. He also loved comics and so-called 'nerdy' things. He enjoyed reading about famous explorers and had spent hours reading about other cultures. He was drawn to the stars and the places they held. One day he hoped to travel the universe seeing all he could see and escape this rocky and boring planet.
His planet wasn’t known for space travel. By the rest of the galaxy's standards the planet was somewhat primitive, nowhere near the likes of Zane’s home. It was much like the planet Earth. Though it did have space ports and was considered a good planet for those who wanted simple lives and to forget the galaxy at large. It was off of the main rim and near the outskirts of the galaxy having its own sun and a vast climate in different areas of the planet. He lived on a continent with 4 seasons and not enough summer for the active kiddo. He hated the cold so having to wear layers in the winter was like his own personal prison.
Yet he could still be considered the cool kid around the boys’ home. However, he never let it get to his head. He looked after the younger boys and was loyal to a fault. With his golden heart, he proved to be a true friend to everyone he met. He was a hyperactive kid, eyes always sparkling with the big dreams he had.
Now eight years old, it was another typical day with his friends; all of them eagerly watching one of their other friends being adopted. They were always happy for their friends, but sad it wasn’t them, maybe even bitter beneath that. Ty and the other boys watched as a boy they knew got taken home. They said their goodbyes and wished him well; he promised to visit– they all knew it wasn’t true. But it helped them all feel better about it.
Back in his bedroom, Ty stared at the empty bed next to him. The boy had been his roommate. He was a nine year old cat and the two were good friends. While happy his friend got a loving family, Ty was also jealous. Most of all he was gonna miss him. The two boys had had some misadventures over the years. Their room was decorated with posters, toys and other things, yet now that half was mostly empty. The two shared a long hug and a promise to meet again some day. Ty would always treasure the picture they drew of each other as Power Rangers: Ty was red and his friend was blue. The two would spend hours and hours and hours playing as their favorite superheroes. They even had their own comic market in the house and school. They did pretty good, only asking for 1$ a comic. The teachers weren’t thrilled but the two made it work. His friend left behind some other drawings and posters which Ty kept as well. The other half of the room wouldn’t be filled while he was there.
Ty cried that night as the boys’ home keeper did her best to comfort him. She was always supportive whenever they felt sad or needed hugs. Her and her husband treated them as their own, but the boys knew they weren’t their forever family. The orphanage keepers couldn’t ever have their own kids but they did their best with a house full of boys of all ages. The boys had their routines as well. The older boys would scare the younger kids with a ghost story of the basement. The laundry room was in the basement and the story involved an evil janitor ghost who made a few boys disappear and he’d show up with the scent of cleaning fluids and causing the washing machines to stop working. Multiple boys including Ty believe they saw him once.
There were many stories and traditions so to speak in the boys home. Everyone had a birthday party and celebrated each holiday as some sort of huge family. When a new boy came they’d throw him a party and he’d get a few gifts and a blanket made by the orphanage keeper. Ty always felt some sort of comfort snuggled under his quilt every night. He also had a plushie of an orange shark which he named Finn and he snuggled with him every night. He named it Fin and he was there for him when no one else was. Younger boys at the house would be given a plushie with their blanket and that's where Ty got Finn. When he snuggled with his plushie he slept like the dead. When his energy gets used up the little guy dropped and went off to dream of big adventures and a better life.
The next morning however something interesting happened. Ty was requested to meet some people. His eyes lit up upon hearing he may be getting a family! His heart raced and his mind flooded with excitement and some anxiety, almost scared to get too excited and ruin it. He pushed it aside and scampered down to the meeting room, surprised to see two men of different species: a Skulldog and a Faeryx. The two were holding hands and their eyes softened seeing his excitement. He wasn’t too surprised seeing gay or lesbian couples nor did they bother him. Ty himself had a crush on a boy once. He never judged or anything, treating everyone the same. Plus these two seemed super happy together. A visually odd couple but he supposed interspecies relationships tended to stand out. The two were both a tiny bit intimidating to see but had a calming and protective presence.
They introduced themselves as Kaine and Icarus. He introduced himself barely hiding his excited stutter and wagging tail and they spent a good hour talking. He immediately felt comfortable and began to grow closer to them.He sat between them during their meeting after a while too. After a while he was sent out of the room but he stopped to hug each of them first. They said their goodbyes to him looking rather pleased and happy.
Ty walked down toward his room. He felt hopeful but paused outside the doorway, staring back to watch the office the best he could. The two men were talking to the keeper with huge smiles on their faces. Could it be? Could this be the day? He tried his best to read their lips, but couldn’t quite figure it out from there. He kept watching for the next few minutes, until the announcement came. He couldn’t believe his ears!
When a boy was adopted a special alarm would be played as a celebratory sound, followed by, “Tyberius, would you come to the office to meet your new parents?”
He felt tears welling up in his eyes and was so overjoyed it didn’t even feel real. Ty scampered down to the office practically jumping into their arms. The men embraced him, holding the boy close as if they were a family from the start. They wouldn’t be taking him home quite yet though. He’d be leaving in a week, as they needed to get the place ready. But they told him he could design his own room!
They took him out to dinner that night, letting him order anything he wanted. Then took him to a movie after. Eventually he had to go back to the boys’ home for a bit. He’d wait a week for everything to be finalized, counting down each day despite packing up most of his stuff right away. They’d request a video call daily to have him design his room.
The day came after what felt like an eternity. “Tyberius, your parents are here to pick you up. Say your goodbyes and bring your boxes to the front office.” By this point he had left only a few things unpacked. He packed up his comics, toys, skateboard, posters and drawings. He looked around at his empty room– ready for the next chapter of his life. A part of him would miss his friends and the comfort this room brought; the other part of him was ready to leave, to have a real family who loved him. His own room, in his own house…a dream that felt like it may never come true had come true. He now had two dads that loved him! They own a spaceship! He’s only been off planet once, for a house field trip to a play on the capitol world about a group of orphans striking back against their employer who was trying to make sure they didn’t get paid. Ty enjoyed the music and just even being off planet to see the capital of the galaxy. People of all races and from all over, skyscrapers past the clouds and below the ground for miles and miles. So many lights and sounds.Even the capitol Theatre looked like a city in its own right with giant sky piercing statues and spires stretching far into the heavens. The sheer scale of the building both inside and out blew his mind.If this place was so big, what was the rest of the galaxy like? He didn’t have to wonder for long because now he’d be moving to a new planet!
He gathered his things and walked down the hallway, giving his friends hugs. He’d miss them but he knew they’d be okay. When he arrived at the office Kaine and Icarus were standing there with huge grins and open arms waiting for him. He jumps into their arms, crying tears of pure joy and holding onto them for dear life. They brought his boxes to their ship, signed some final paperwork then it was time. He hugged his friends one last time then took his dads’ hands, walking between them with happy tears streaming down his face. He’d only been out the front door a few times. Walking out those doors was something he’d wanted his whole time here. It was a beautiful summer day, bright and sunny. The sun streamed down onto his tear soaked cheeks. His smile wider than ever before, he felt the wind blowing through his hair and fur. To him it felt like the very winds of freedom. His eyes lit up as he saw their ship– it looked like the ones you see in movies!
As he stepped on board he breathed a sigh of relief and turned back to look at the boys’ home one final time. He’d never have to come back. He knew this was his family now. They wouldn’t ever let him go. He sat between them in the cockpit. They kissed his forehead and started to fly. A few hours later they landed on their home planet. It looked like his old one, till he saw his house. They lived in a treehouse! Wait…a house tree? The house was carved out of a massive tree trunk. A little storefront sat at the front and beyond that a big beautiful house. They gave him a tour and at the end showed him his room. His own room! It was so big!
He had a king size bed that was as soft as can be! To the boy it felt like a mountain of softness and it was all his. The wall was decked out with posters, he had a TV, a few game consoles, new toys and a desk. Plus a big closet. It was everything a kid could ever want and he had it all now. More tears welled up in his eyes and he hugged them both and they all ended up laying on his bed comforting him. Today was the best day of his entire life and it was only the beginning; He couldn’t have asked for a better life.
