Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Currently stuck between Mason and Corey on the couch, Liam sighs at the idea that he’ll have to relive this torment over the next week. Pack dinners at the McCall’s were usually good, a way for them to catch up and talk about things outside the whole werewolf business. But after Hayden and he broke up after she had called him to say, ‘I can’t do it anymore. I’m sorry, Liam. I’m leaving,’ it feels as though everything has changed.

Of course, he now has to sit through them alone, but that doesn’t bother him; these are his friends, after all. He should be comfortable here. Only Liam is beginning to feel like maybe his place in the pack has changed, like his breakup with Hayden has compromised it. Liam isn’t dumb, okay? He knew their relationship would end, and he’d have to deal with looks of pity from his pack mates, but he hadn’t expected it to change things so much. It had started with sly comments from Stiles, who tends to take things right to the very edge before being forcefully reeled back in by Derek. However, it still stings, even more so when the rest of the pack only give him pitiful glances as if he’s fragile, and he’d be hurt if they so much as mentioned anything relationship-related in his presence. He almost prefers Stiles’ brash treatment over the unwanted sympathy. He’d come to terms with his loss of feelings for Hayden a long time ago, so why the pack doesn’t understand he’s not bothered by it is beyond him. He sighs again as he’s locomoted into the armrest by Alec forcing his way onto the couch.

“You okay, man?” Mason asks. “That’s the third time you’ve sighed in a minute.”

“I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be?” Liam shrugs, already dreading the direction the conversation is heading.

“I don’t know, maybe the fact you and Hayden broke up around two months ago,” Mason says, trying to keep Liam’s gaze after the beta rolls his eyes, “and you’re still moping around.”

Liam scoffs, affronted and so utterly tired of having the same discussion. “I am not moping. Does it look like I’m moping?” he turns to face Corey, who startles at the sudden attention, “can a man not express his boredom?”

“To be fair, it does seem like you’re moping.” Alec pipes up from behind him with a smug grin.

Liam hates it here. He says as much as he sets about leaving his ridiculous friends behind in favour of finding Scott to make any excuse to get out of there. He doesn’t so much find Scott as Scott sort of materialises in front of him once he steps into the back garden. He wears a comforting smile and, in true Scott fashion, asks if Liam’s alright. If he’s having fun. It’s enough for Liam to feel wrong for the lie he’s about to tell.

“Yeah, thanks. Dinner was nice, but erm, I have to get going.” He manages, trying for an honest smile. He isn’t sure how well he pulls it off because Scott’s expression flitters the line of concern before settling back on a smile.

“Okay,” the older says. “But is there any particular reason you’ve been leaving dinner early these past few weeks?”

“No, of course not,” he chuckles, trying to maintain eye contact. He’d need to know what was wrong himself if he was to share it with anyone.

“You know you can tell me anything, right? I’m always here if you want to talk, Liam.”

The sentiment makes Liam’s heart swell too big in his chest, aching with the sudden urge to lay it all out. To tell his friend he feels alone, a stranger to his own pack, but the self-doubt and fear of overreacting stop him, making him bite his tongue and lie once more.

“Yeah. I know. Thanks, Scott,” he smiles, hesitating at the lingering feeling of unhappiness, “I’ll be going then.”

He strides through the house and away from where Scott watches his retreating back with a frown. He’s hoping nobody else calls him out on his bailing when a hand on his arm pulls his attention.

“Where are you going, dude?” questions Stiles. “You keep disappearing. Is it about Hayden?”

“No, this is not about-”

“Listen, man. You have to get back out there. You can’t stay hung up on her forever,” interrupts Stiles. As clever as he can be, Liam truly wishes he’d understand social cues better. “There’s plenty of fish in the sea, and it-”

Liam turns and walks out the door.

It’s infuriating that the pack don’t realise it’s not his months-old breakup that is the problem. It’s the fact that without Hayden, without a partner, it seems he suddenly amounts to less. Like Liam isn’t the first-bitten beta of the pack, like unless he’s in a relationship, nobody will take him seriously. Maybe he’s exaggerating and making a deal out of nothing, but it doesn’t feel like nothing to him. Not when everyone seems to close him off, not when they stop checking in and assume everything he’s feeling is because of Hayden. It’s exhausting. Liam knows he’s never been ‘one with his emotions’ or whatever, but he’s getting better at letting himself feel, controlling his anger and understanding what he actually feels in its stead. He’s doing better, so why does it seem everyone has given up on him before even seeing him try?

The shrill honk of a car horn in the distance brings him out of his reverie, and he realises he’s made his way into town without noticing. Beacon Hills isn’t a big town by any means, but the walkable distance from the McCall’s to his home has now tripled due to his detour. He sighs a shuddering breath and curses himself for allowing his anger to overtake him again.

Taking a moment to breathe, he begins forming a new route home, maybe past the clinic and into the woods to roam around for a while and clear his mind. His attention wavers as the frigid night breeze picks up, causing him to shiver. He decides his bed would be a better place for thinking, so he turns on his heels and starts for home but only manages halfway across the street before someone yells at him.

“Hey! You!” The voice isn’t exactly hostile, but it feels threatening, like Liam has done something unknowingly wrong.

He’s weighing his options when he smells the man getting closer, about half a meter from his back and about to reach out to touch him. He smells weird, not humanly, but like burning rubber on asphalt, the poisonous odour of Hydrogen sulfide, and, distantly, decaying flesh. He smells like danger. Liam turns around before the stranger can lay a hand on him, frantic and ready to fight.

“Hey, pretty thing,” the man drawls. Liam guesses he must be as old as his father and feels nauseated, taking a considerable step backwards in an attempt to get away.

“I was watching you from across the street. You sure are cute. Are you available for the night?” The man takes a step forward, and Liam feels himself bristle. He feels himself wanting to fight back and punch the man, threatening to rip his throat out.

The man advances further, and Liam keeps to his backward retreat. Chuckling, sounding half insane, the man raises a hand to caress Liam’s jaw. Liam snarls, batting the offending hand away, but the man only grips his wrist tightly and holds it behind his back. Liam thinks he should bite the man’s throat out instead.

But the predatory look in the man’s eyes sends fear across his body. It’s like the man isn’t going to back down, like he knows what Liam is, and claws to the neck won’t be enough to stop him, and Liam isn’t stupid, okay? He knows he can beat someone unconscious and could fight his way out of most situations if he needs to. Now doesn’t seem like one of them, but he’ll be damned if he doesn’t try.

He goes to step back and kicks the man in the shin, but then he can’t move. Looking into the man’s glowing eyes, he feels his body freeze up like someone has locked up each of his joints, rendering him immobile. He struggles against the confines of his body, against the magic placed upon him, but he does not move. He cannot move his arm out of the man’s grasp, can’t move his eyes to look elsewhere for help, can’t even move his tongue to call out to anyone listening.

Liam thinks this is it. This is where he finally dies.

Theo didn’t expect to see Liam tonight, especially not during a pack dinner, but the second he caught scent of him a few streets away, he couldn’t help but search out the younger. He stops when he sees Liam, concealed mainly by a taller man, before smelling the panic emanating from the boy, muddled with fear and anger. Upon seeing a foreign and unplaced man touching Liam like that, grabbing him, his face far too close to the beta, Theo feels an instant rush of burning hot anger pump through his veins. Feels his eyes flash and claws extend.

Liam braces for the impact of the man’s outreaching hand against his chest when he’s unexpectedly weightless; he’s knocked to the ground by a sudden release of whatever trance he was in. The man isn’t within Liam’s orbit anymore; he knows this much. Disoriented for a long moment due to the blood rushing to his ears, he struggles to sit up.

When he looks up, he isn’t sure what to expect; maybe the man was torn to shreds by one of the park members, or perhaps by sudden miracle, had vanished into the depths of hell, where Liam wishes he could put him. Instead, he finds Theo, teeth bared and eyes yellow, his claws red and dripping, standing above the man who struggles on the ground. For a second, he remembers the Theo that had gripped him away from the ghost riders before using himself as bait, who had thrown himself at a wire gate that was exploding electric to save Liam. He forgets to breathe for another moment.

Theo isn’t sure how it happens, one second, he’s thinking about digging his claws into the man’s flesh, and the next, he’s doing it. Claws buried within the meat of the man’s bicep when he rips him away from Liam. His other hand curls around the stranger’s throat, digging just to the side of his jugular to send the message across. What message exactly? Theo isn’t sure, but he wants the man to know he doesn’t get to touch Liam. The man looks through hooded eyes and has the gall to smirk, to chuckle a garbled laugh before speaking.

“Look what we have here,” he sways in his step closer to Theo, “a chimera trying to save the little wolf? What, are you, his boyfriend?”

Theo couldn’t tell you why he says what he does next, but his nerves are on fire, his blood molten in his veins, as he instinctively punches the man.

“Yeah, I fucking am.”

The man stumbles, cradling his nose but doesn’t back down. Instead, he begins to laugh, cocky. “Is that all you’ve got? Do you think one punch will keep me down? I won’t stop until I kill you and your little boyfriend.”

Theo snarls at the man. He hasn’t killed anyone since Tracy, not including the ghost riders who deserved everything they got, and he never intends to kill again, but the way the foreigner looks at Liam makes Theo think he should make an exception. He steps forward, eyes golden and heart hammering in his ribcage.

Liam struggles to his feet, knowing Theo will fight ’til the end. He means what he said the last time. He will fight with Theo. Until the end if he has to. He sees Theo advancing on the man and screams a warning before he can process it.

“Don’t look into his eyes!”

But it’s too late because Theo never looks away from a fight, and the power starts to restrain him instantly, causing him to freeze mid-step, his scent immediately turning sour. The man closes the distance and does the same thing he did to Liam; he brings his fingers to Theo’s face and strokes the line of his cheekbone.

“You’re not so bad either,” the man hums, looking down his nose at the boy with crimson eyes, “Maybe I should keep you both locked up, have my fun with you before I kill you.”

Liam wants to cry with anger. He feels sick to his stomach and furious and has his claws in the space between the man’s shoulder and neck before he can eradicate the thought. Theo is released with a shuddering gasp and falls, but Liam can’t bring himself to turn around to look at Theo. He doesn’t want the chimera to see him like this, with his hand dripping in blood, near murderous with rage. The man seems to struggle between releasing himself and trying to catch Liam’s gaze, but Liam won’t fall for it again.

He can’t bring himself to retract his hand, to take it away from the scorch of the man’s flesh. Can’t bear the thought of the man falling to the ground, limp and dead, because Liam killed him. Because he dug his claws into the man’s neck and took his life in blind fury. Liam doesn’t want to kill, no matter how much he thinks someone deserves it.

Theo takes notice of the boy’s hesitance, his change in scent, now an acidic sour, citric and bitter, and moves to save Liam from himself this time. He rounds the younger, avoiding looking into the stranger’s eyes, and grasps Liam’s blood-soaked hand with a soft, “Liam.”

“Liam, hey. Look at me,” he begs, desperate for the younger to come to his senses, “Liam, please look at me.”

Liam’s eyes drift begrudgingly towards the taller, blurred by tears. He’s irrationally terrified that Theo will be looking back at him in disgust; instead, he finds the other’s eyebrows furrowed in concern, his gaze soft and voice stern.

“You have to let go of him.”

“I can’t. I can’t, I can’t. He’ll die; I can’t.” Liam cries, his heart beating thunderously in panic.

“Yes, you can. If you didn’t stop him, he’d have killed me. He’d have killed us both, and once you die, you stay dead, Liam. You did the only thing you could.”

Liam sobs, retracting his claws and allowing Theo to pull him back, away from the man and into the taller’s chest, who holds his wrist still, one hand on his side to stop him from toppling over.

The man drops to the ground. He was mistaken to assume these kids would die effortlessly and he’d finish the job with time to spare. The force of it knocks the air out of his lungs, and he’s not down for long before he hears that voice again, grating, and hoarse in his mind. ‘You said you could kill him in one blow. I made a mistake allowing you to prove yourself.’

The man groans as his limbs seize, arms twisting with rigid movement until they’re at breaking point. Theo and Liam stay frozen, Theo keeping the younger against him as Liam shakes in horror, his breath stuck in his throat. The stranger’s eyes snap to them, then just as quickly roll back into his head, and the voice he lets out is not his own.

“You may have lived today, but it won’t be long ’til your pack is mine.”

The boys freeze in place as they see the man convulse, fall onto the gravel, and then through it, plunging into the dirt below them. Dust swirls the earth upon which the outsider once was, forming patterns in the dull breeze. There’s a sudden stillness to the night, no sound of cars in the distance, of people or animals. It feels otherworldly.

“Fuck.” Theo breathes.

Theo knows he should maybe be more horrified and should have the same reaction Liam is, shaking and in disbelief. But he’s seen things like this before, maybe not exactly, but the horror isn’t new to him. That was before he came to Beacon Hills on a suicide mission. Before, when he was nothing but a puppet to the Dread Doctors. He feels uneasy but cannot tell if it’s his own emotion or if he’s internalising Liam’s.

“What? What, Theo? He just-” Liam chokes on a sob. It’s like the dam breaks because he sways violently and struggles to breathe, unable to keep himself upright in his panic.

“I know. I know. Hey, look at me. Breathe.” Theo pulls the beta’s wrist to turn him towards himself, sees the younger’s blurred eyes and his heaving chest, and decides to place the boy’s hand on his chest instead of letting go, palm flat against the purposefully steady thump, thump, thump.

“Liam, you’ve got to breathe. Breathe with me, come on,” the older says, catching the younger’s eyes and gently coaxing him to follow suit. “That’s it. You’re doing so good. Keep breathing.”

Liam almost loses it at the command in Theo’s voice, a sudden warmth washing over him. His chest is burning with the effort of breathing, but he finds a momentary calm in how Theo looks at him, the gentle brush of his thumb over Liam’s knuckles and the faint puttering of his heart against Liam’s hand. Nobody has ever pulled him out of a fit, of rage or panic, like this before. With Hayden, he’d have to go the length to hide it so she wouldn’t tell him to grow up while looking at him with her face pinched as if she was questioning why she was even with him. But this was Theo. Theo, who had his own rage and his own panic and had saved Liam more times than he could remember.

“Okay?” questions Theo softly, his eyes never leaving the beta.

Liam becomes acutely aware of everywhere they’re touching. Their knees brush together in their proximity, Theo’s hand on Liam’s waist, Liam’s own on Theo’s chest. Theo is holding him so delicately that it feels almost too much at once; it makes him dizzy.

“Yeah,” he whispers, looking away from the older, removing himself from his grasp and stepping out. “Er, thank you.” Liam clears his throat, squirming under Theo’s analysing stare. “We need to tell the others.”

“Yeah. You should probably call them out here,” agrees Theo.

Liam nods to himself, reaching for his pocket but freezes when he registers the red on his hand. The same red on Theo’s hand, the scalding blood that had trickled from the man’s neck. Theo steps forward and shrugs off his jacket to hand to Liam before he can make himself sick over it.

“Here. Clean yourself up.”

Liam pauses but can’t bring himself to question the gesture. He takes the clothing and wipes his hands, the red smearing, fading, but never gone. In the meantime, Theo has taken it upon himself to inform the pack, already calling Scott’s number. Liam can faintly hear Scott on the other side, but his attention is on Theo, who looks more nervous than Liam had seen him before as he explains the situation. His face is doing something complicated as he avoids looking at Liam after ending the call. They stand in silence for a long while before Liam wills himself to speak up.

“What did he say?”

“You weren’t listening?” Smirks Theo, resolutely trying to pretend everything is okay.

Liam scoffs, “I don’t have a habit of eavesdropping on people, unlike you,” he pauses and, after a beat, says softer, “How did you find me anyway?”

“I was just passing. Realised you were nearby.”

“I don’t believe you.” Liam utters harsher than intended.

“Should I not have been here? You say that like you’d rather that guy have killed you.” Theo feels angry, not specifically at Liam, but at himself, for believing maybe he was wanted for once, at the asshole that tried to kill them, at the world in general.

“What? No, I just want to know how you knew I’d be here. I’m not-” Liam starts, tired of the constant misunderstanding that seems to result from his words, but he’s interrupted by the rumble of Derek’s car and the pack coming into view. He cuts himself off, instead looking at Theo with pleading eyes.

“What happened? Are you okay?” Calls Scott, looking between them. Behind him, Stiles, Mason, and Malia come into view, Derek stepping out after killing the ignition.

“We’re fine, just didn’t expect it,” states Liam, looking between Theo and the pack.

“Well, what happened?” Stiles questions, standing level with Scott.

“There was a guy that attacked us, he looked normal, l-like us, but he had these freaky powers I’ve never seen before,” says Liam, looking to Theo for help, suddenly feeling lost.

Theo gives in and continues for the younger before Mason can interrupt with his predictable question to elaborate. “If you looked into his eyes, he could control your body. Like make you completely freeze up, you can’t move at all or look away.” Theo stands tall under the eyes of the pack; he’s not about to show them how shaken up he is after almost dying. After seeing Liam almost die. He won’t let them think he’s weak.

“And what are you doing here?” Stiles demands, then turning to Liam, “What the hell is he doing here?”

“He saved me.” Liam realises that’s probably the first time he’s said it out loud and in front of other people. Theo Raeken saved him. “This concerns him just as much as it does any of us. He’s not going anywhere.”

“What, he stays so he can try and kill us again? He needs to go.” Snaps Malia, who’s backed up by Stiles and Mason. Behind them, Derek shakes his head and pointedly looks away.

Liam is furious. He understands why the pack might not have fully forgiven Theo, but they have no right to treat him like he’s expendable only because he made a mistake. Like the only use he has is saving them when they need it, and then none. It registers to him then how alone Theo must feel, how he must feel like Liam does, only worse. He looks at Theo, who looks back at him in quiet apology before he steps back, clearly upset, and turns to leave before he can catch the hurt on the younger’s face.

“No, wait,” Liam steps after him, a beat too late, before Mason stops him with a hand on his shoulder. Theo’s gone and alone; now there’s even more chance that whatever is after them will get to him. Will kill Theo.

Liam wants to cry.

He shrugs off Mason’s hand, seething. “What the fuck? He’s going to get killed out there. Why can’t you just give him a chance?” He hisses, facing the pack, who dare to look shocked at his outburst.

“We did give him a chance, remember? We gave him a chance, and he tried to fucking kill Scott!” Stiles yells and pushes his shoulder, apparently just as angry as Liam is, before Derek pulls him back, a frown on his face.

“Is this guy that attacked you a real threat?” asks Derek.

“Yes, he fucking is. He didn’t die from claws to the neck and got possessed or something before the ground swallowed him up. Whoever was controlling him said it’ll kill us all.”

“You think he wasn’t behind the attack?”

Liam stills, fuming at the lack of acknowledgement of his previous statements about the chimera. Why did nobody want to listen to him?

“Are you going to ignore what I said? If Theo’s alone, there’s more chance of him getting found.”

“Why do you care so much about him? Just because he saved your ass a couple of times, now you’re best friends?” Stiles can be seriously inconsiderate sometimes, Liam thinks.

“We’re together, okay? You guys don’t get to treat him the way you do!”
Fuck, Liam thinks. Why did he do that? He panics, eyes going wide, breath bated before he turns and rushes away to leave everything that just occurred behind.

“Wait, Liam,” Scott calls, running up after him. “I’m sorry. We never meant to make you feel like you couldn’t tell us.”

“But you did. You all did. You never asked how I was without bringing Hayden into it. I haven’t been able to talk to anyone.” Liam’s almost crying now, his anger fading into hurt. Scott goes to say something else, but Liam can’t stand being here anymore. He wants to go home. Words roll off his tongue without any thought.

“I don’t care what you guys think of us. I refuse to let you keep treating Theo like that. He tried to kill you, and that’s up to you if you hold it against him, but the rest of them don’t get to decide whether I talk to him. He’s changed, and he’s a good person and- and I like him.”

Liam’s eyes dart away from Scott’s face at that, his heart traitorously speeding up. He’s expecting Scott to call him out, but instead, Scott nods in understanding.

“I know, Liam,” Scott says, smiling softly, and pats his arm. “We’ll talk about it later. Get some rest.”

Scott knows what Theo went through with the Dread doctors, and during his time in hell, it couldn’t have been easy on him. He knows how manipulation works and has seen it first-hand. He doesn’t know if he can completely trust Theo yet, but he trusts Liam’s judgement. After watching the beta walk away and turn the corner, he returns to the pack, angry at them for what feels like the first time in ages.

Chapter Text

Liam walks briskly back home. He's exhausted and wants nothing more than to curl up and sleep. He feels a little bad for his outburst at Scott. He knows Scott is the most attuned to his packmate's feelings out of everyone and always goes the extra mile to give them a place to talk. But he's mostly still angry. Angry at the pack for not being there for him when they said they would, unjustifiably mad at Theo for never saying how he felt, for never reaching out, but most of all, enraged with himself for not realising how Theo must have been so alone. He remembers the lie he told and is angry with renewed vigour at his stupidity. Why would he say that he and Theo were dating?

Liam isn't stupid, okay? He's self-aware enough to know he has feelings for the chimera that are very non-platonic. Feelings that make his heart beat far too loud and fast, which means he has to be aware of how he's acting and how he sounds and smells when around the taller. He only thinks about these feelings at night when he's alone and can bask in the thought of what could be to appease his misery for a fleeting moment. Lately, Liam feels like that's all he's chasing; fleeting moments.

He's aware the lie he told could be a solution to multiple issues. He could finally get the pack to leave him alone about Hayden, maybe even get some fucking respect back. It would also mean, hopefully, that the pack had to spend more time with Theo, whether they liked it or not. Sooner or later, they'd have to be civil with him, especially with this unknown threat lurking. That's only if Theo isn't disgusted with Liam for even thinking Theo might want to date him, that he might even remotely like Liam enough to tolerate him.

Again, Liam's aware that Theo doesn't look at him exactly like you're supposed to at an enemy, an ally, or a friend. Theo's heart sometimes beats too fast, and his eyes linger too long for Liam to excuse it as anything else. The way he holds onto him is a moment too long to be anything but protective and purposeful. He had just called himself Liam's boyfriend, for fuck's sake.

There's also the fact he's put himself in harm's way to save Liam numerous times when none of his friends ever have. Liam's terrified; it's all wishful thinking, though, that if Theo ever finds out, he'll be appalled and never look at Liam again, never talk to him.

He turns onto his street, still pondering about Theo, and spots a familiar car parked up the other end. Speak of the devil, and the devil will appear, thinks Liam.

He quickly decides to see what's happening; he wants to apologise and maybe warn Theo about the trouble he may have caused. Liam jogs up the road to the car and raps gently on the window the chimera is leaning against. Despite his carefulness, Theo still startles a little, seemingly in his own daze. The taller rolls down his window, raising his eyebrows at the beta.

'Hey,' starts Liam, feeling awkward after having thought all their interactions through in such detail.

'Hey yourself.' Theo stares, waiting for the boy to say something before sighing and inviting him into the car to talk instead.

Liam panics as he rounds the car. What's he supposed to say to Theo? He never actually thought this through and now feels there's no way it could end well. He opens the door and slings into the seat, biting his lower lip before glancing at the elder. The car smells like comfort, he distantly registers as he settles back into the seat, feeling more at peace than he has in a while.

'Look, I'm really sorry about today,' he says, trying to calm his heart. It's wrong that they told you to go, and you didn't have to. You had every right to be there.'

'Thanks. For saying that, I guess. But you don't have to apologise to me, Liam; I bought it on myself. I'll have to deal with the fallout.'

'Except you don't. You've already proven yourself; I don't know what else they want you to do.'

Liam lets out a frustrated sigh, the anger very noticeable on his face, which makes Theo laugh a little. It's funny how quickly the beta gets angry, especially in Theo's defence. Theo doesn't think he deserves it, which makes it laughable. Because laughing at it is easier than accepting that maybe the younger does care about him.

'Why are you laughing?' asks Liam, incredulous.

'It's just you make it seem like I've already proven myself to you.'

Liam feels bashful under Theo's scrutiny. He shrugs, looking away, 'I suppose you have. You did save my life and all. More than once.'

Theo feels warm all over, a little crazy at the thought he's finally done something right. He picks up on the sweetness of Liam's scent, realises he's telling the truth, and cannot control the release of his own sickly sweet chemosignals.

'Uhm, there's kind of something else I have to apologise for.'

'What?' frowns Theo.

'I, uh, so the pack were being really mean and annoying and I might have said something to get them to back off,' Liam pauses, dreading having to admit what he did out loud.

'I know.'

'What? What do you know?' Liam feels like he will have an aneurysm with how fast his blood rushes around his body, burning his ears and cheeks, down his neck to his chest.

Theo, being the asshole he is, simply laughs at the younger's panic. Liam's almost frantic now; he can't sit still with all his nervous energy. He keeps looking at Theo, away from Theo, and then at Theo again, pleading for him to say anything.

'Scott called after you left. Said he needed to apologise for himself and the pack,' he turns with a half grin on his face, 'He also congratulated me on our relationship. He said he hopes we stay happy and don't have to hide from them anymore.'

Liam feels sick. He feels like he's fucked up astronomically, and Theo will laugh in his face and then kick him out, and then he'll never want to talk to him again.

'I'm sorry.'

'What? That's not-'

'I fucked up, I get it; I'm sorry if it made you uncomfortable. I'll tell them the truth if you want.'

'Would you calm down? Hey, look at me,' Theo half-commands, 'Liam.'

Liam's eyes snap to the chimera's with so much force that his neck hurts from the turn. Theo looks at him contemplatively, his tongue running over his lips.

'I don't mind.'

'What?' Liam is fucking confused. He'd thought, well assumed, that Theo wouldn't be okay with this.

Theo shrugs.

'You said it'll get the pack to back off, right? It'll give you the space you need. I don't mind if it helps you.'

'That's not something I expected you to say,' voices Liam.

'Yeah? Do you,' Theo pauses, considering if he wants to go through with what he's about to say. He changes his mind, clearing his throat and saying, 'I mean, it doesn't have to mean anything, right? We can help each other out.'

Liam feels like his heart is shattering, and the phantom ache of the lump in his throat makes it hard to think, or move, or breathe. He controls himself once he realises he should reply.

'Right. We'd just be helping each other out. It'll get the pack off my back and they'd be nicer to you.' He says in defeat, unable to control the slight crack of his voice. He hopes Theo doesn't question it.

Theo instantly recognises his mistake. He catches the fall of Liam's face, the crack in his voice, the way he curls in on himself and away from Theo.

'I'm going to head in, I think,' says Liam. He can't help but wonder what Theo's going to do. If he will go home or go back into town, maybe he'll find someone to spend the night with. It's not like whatever this agreement is makes him Liam's. 'Are you headed home too?'

'Yeah.'

'Where do you live anyway? You've never told anyone,' inquires Liam.

'I, uh. I've kind of been sleeping in my car.' Says Theo, embarrassed and sheepish at the thought that all Liam had to do was ask for Theo to tell him the truth.

'What? And you didn't tell anyone?'

Theo laughs at that suddenly and loudly. 'Who'd have listened if I did? I doubt anyone would lend me a couch after everything I've done.'

'Drive down.'

Theo turns to look at Liam, perplexed.

'Drive down and park in front of my house,' sighs Liam; as an afterthought, he tacks on a small, 'Please.'

Theo does as he's asked, putting the car into gear and parking down the road, now in front of Liam's house.

'Come in with me?' Asks Liam, voice a mumble as he looks through the window and into the empty driveway.

Theo is stunned for a moment. He knows how big the beta's heart is. How easily he offers help to anyone who might need it, but he hadn't expected this after how their previous conversation went. After he fucked up again by lying.

'Won't your parents mind?'

'They're out tonight.'

'Are you sure?'

'Am I sure that my parents are out tonight, or am I sure that I want you to stay over?'

'Both.'

'Yes. To both. Now come on, I'm tired.'

Liam moves first out of the car and towards the door. He stops when he hears Theo still hasn't followed, turning around and tilting his head at the boy watching him through the car windows. Theo lingers a moment longer before gathering his things from the back and walking himself up to the house. Silence falls as Liam lets them in.

'You want something to eat?'

'Not really hungry.'

'Okay. Let's head to bed then?'

'Lead the way.'

As Liam guides them upstairs, he wonders why he never thinks things through. They don't have a guest room anymore after his parents converted it into some sort of yoga studio, so he's not sure what he's supposed to tell Theo.

He directs the chimera to the bathroom in his bedroom before setting up the couch with pillows and a blanket. He sits in the house's stillness, listening to the faint heartbeat from the bathroom and cries. He can't help it; he smells Theo everywhere and can hear him everywhere. He thought he'd accepted that Theo wouldn't want him back, but this proximity, this 'arrangement', has made him realise how much he can't have. Theo will never like him.

Theo emerges, dressed in clean clothes from the car, hair dripping and a towel around his neck. He stills, hearing Liam cough to hide a sniffle. He wants to say something, to tell Liam he'll listen to whatever the beta is going through. He'll do whatever he can to help, but he knows the urgency of the younger's actions means Liam doesn't want this acknowledged, so he keeps it to himself.

'Bathroom's free,' he says instead.

'Yep.'

Liam dashes past the chimera, intent on hurrying his usual routine so he can go to sleep already. He returns sometime later to see Theo on the couch, lying down with his arm over his eyes as his chest rises and falls just short of steady. Almost like he's on the verge of sleep.

'Hey, Theo,' he says, slightly shaking the boy when he doesn't respond. The chimera looks up at him, confused, his eyes dazed and mouth downturned.

'What's wrong?' he whispers back, voice rough.

'Nothing, just, you take the bed. I made up the sofa for myself.'

Theo sits up in confusion, thinking maybe he offended the boy, but as the words register, he shakes his head.

'It's your bed. I won't make you sleep on the couch in your own room.'

'When's the last time you even slept in a bed? Just take the damn bed; it won't kill me to sleep on the couch for a night.'

'No, I'm fine here,' Theo states, reclining onto the couch again before he's stopped by Liam's hand.

'Just sleep on the bed, you stubborn bitch.'

'It's your fucking bed. You sleep on it. Bitch.'

'If I sleep on the fucking bed, will you also sleep on it?'

They are both still as the words settle into the air around them. Gosh, Theo makes Liam say some stupid things when he's annoyed.

'Alright. But you better still be there when I wake up,' scowls Theo, getting off the sofa and raising his eyebrows at Liam. 'If you move to the couch in the middle of the night, I'll eat you.'

Liam giggles a little, not able to retain it, as he goes to close the door, switch off the light and climb into bed. He feels the other side dip with Theo's weight, and an odd warmth spreads over him. He almost feels like a kid again, at his first sleepover with too much giddy energy to fall asleep.

He turns on his side, bones aching and whispers a quiet, 'Goodnight, Theo.'

'Night,' Theo whispers back. He feels like an idiot, smiling at the ceiling like a crazy person, but Liam is so fucking cute. The younger is fast to fall asleep if his deep breaths and slow heart are anything to go by.

Theo falls asleep quickly and comfortably for the first time in what feels like forever.

Liam rushes through the forest, eyes glowing and claws blood-soaked as he sprints toward a shadow in the shape of a man taller than him. He rounds the figure, raising an arm swiftly before slicing the man's throat. The man falls, slack and unmoving, the red gushing out of his neck with an impressive intensity. Liam feels alive; he can feel the smoulder of blood on his hands and in his lungs as he inhales musky air. He wants to laugh, raising his head and teeth bared as he senses another faceless shadow of a man in the distance.

He drives ahead, ready to pounce and imitates his previous ministrations. This time, he takes the time to sink his claws into the man's neck, arm curled around from the back, right to the bone and snaps it through. The man looks familiar as he falls, dead, and Liam has a moment of doubt. He steps around the lump of man and leans down, hand pulling on soft, brown locks to look at the man's face. To take a look at Theo's face.

Liam startles out of sleep, crying into the silence, frantic and panting. Theo awakes at the sudden scream, disoriented before he smells Liam, the absolute hysteria emanating from him. He sits up to find Liam staring into the space ahead of them, eyes unmoving as his chest heaves and he chokes on his tears.

'Hey, hey, hey. It's okay, Liam, you're safe,' he says quietly, reaching to gently move Liam to face him. The younger's eyes are unfocused, still unseeing, so he tries again.

'Liam, baby, look at me. You're alright. You're safe; I'm here.'

Liam focuses on the voice he's sure he's imagining and blinks, preparing for another vision of Theo dead. Instead, he sees Theo alive, breathing and calling out his name.

'Theo,' he sobs violently, the force of it making him fall forward into the chimera, who catches him and wraps his arms tightly around him.

'I'm here. You're safe,' Theo repeats, cradling Liam in his arms and swaying them softly. The younger continues to wail heartbreaking sobs with such force they surely hurt. He draws the beta closer running his hands up and down his back despite the sweat clinging to him, through his hair and keeps telling him he's okay now. Theo's here, and Liam is safe.

Eventually, the younger's cries taper out, now only occasional sniffling as he clings to Theo tiredly. His face is buried in Theo's neck, and the wetness of tears on the chimera's shirt sticks to them both. Despite it, they stay like that for a while longer.

'Are you okay, Li?' Asks the older, only half regretting the nickname once it slips out.

Liam pulls back slightly, rubbing his face, but Theo keeps him close with a hand on his back, the other in his hair.

'Y-eah,' his voice cracks, raw and scratchy, 'I'm sorr-'

'Don't apologise. You have nothing to apologise for,' Theo says sternly, using the hand in the younger's hair to make Liam look at him. The beta's eyes are red-rimmed and puffy, tear tracks drying on his face. It makes Theo's heart hurt, and he wonders what caused this reaction.

'Do you want to talk about it?' He tries, cautionary.

Liam only shakes his head, his eyes growing heavy and closing but abruptly opening again as he remembers the image of a dead Theo. His eyes water again, but Theo is quick to speak again.

'Okay. Okay, that's fine, yeah? Let's go back to sleep.'

They're once again lowered and tucked into bed, only this time, Liam doesn't let go of Theo, can't out of fear he'll wake up and find him lifeless. He reaches for Theo, who encourages it by winding a hand around Liam's back and pulling him half onto his chest.

Theo's heartbeat is all Liam can hear at this angle, an overpowering thump thump thump, which is just enough confirmation that the chimera is alive to comfort him. He finds himself falling to the sound of Theo's heart, his soft reassurance that everything is okay, that Liam is safe. He sleeps again.

Chapter Text

It's almost afternoon when Theo comes to, feeling heavy with too much rest. He remembers where he is when he feels little puffs of breath on his neck from Liam, a steady weight at his side.

He allows his mind to wander and thinks about what it'd be like if he could wake up to this every day, to the sight and smell of Liam by his side, warm and safe. He feels like, perhaps, it's not an impossible fantasy after how the younger had reacted to his words yesterday. But then he'd gone and acted like a fool. 'It doesn't have to mean anything,' he'd said, even though he knew it was the most important thing to him.

Liam is the most significant thing in his life now, and Theo is afraid his unnecessary rebuttal has cost him the only chance of being with the younger. Still, he knows this is the only time he'll be able to hold the beta like this, see this side of him, soft and vulnerable, and decides maybe he'll allow himself to be selfish. He falls into temptation and places a small kiss just above Liam's brow before carefully removing himself and heading to the bathroom.

Liam is roused from sleep by a hand running down his back and slight, wet pressure on his face before he's manoeuvred away from heat. The bed dips, and he's cold again. He remembers last night all too well, knows Theo doesn't hate him for his lie, knows Theo had seen him at his weakest and had still chosen to stay. Liam sits up, eyes burning and puffy as he rubs them, exhausted despite the amount of sleep he's gotten.

The chimera takes his time in the shower, and Liam wonders for a second if it'd be easier if he fled, away from the awkwardness and his broken heart. But fuck, this is his house, and he's the one that invited Theo in, had forced him to sleep in his bed. He knows he has no option but to face the demons he created.

Suddenly, Liam recalls the nightmare he'd had, the visceral feeling of blood on his hands. Theo's blood on his hands, and his face, eyes fixed and blank, skin pale and ice cold. He places his palm on the warm spot beside him, where Theo has left his scent, his mark. Theo's alive, he reminds himself, he was just here, and he's only in the bathroom.

His phone pings from its place across the room, and he forces himself to his feet to see what he's missed. There's a missed call and a text from Scott. A simple, 'hey, I hope you're doing okay. Pack meeting at 4. Bring Theo :) .'

Liam feels his lips twitch despite the panic settling in his chest. He makes a mental note to apologise to Scott for his brash behaviour yesterday. Theo emerges, then, from the bathroom, looking at Liam like he has something to say, but he's holding himself back.

'Hey,' Liam speaks first, looking away to gather his clothes so the taller can't see what a mess he is.

'Hey. Are you alright?'

'Yeah, course,' the beta says, trying to squeeze past the taller to save himself from the embarrassment he's beginning to feel. Theo doesn't let him get far, catching his wrist and pulling him back to look at him, holding him just short of his chest.

'Liam,' Theo mutters, 'You don't have to talk about it. You don't have to tell me anything,' Liam looks up at the boy before him and catches Theo's eyes scanning his face. 'But it did happen, and it's affecting you. I'm here either way. Whether you want to talk or not. You don't have to always act like you're okay.'

The lump is back in Liam's throat, and he feels himself tear up again; he looks away in shame and considers whether he should turn around or open himself up to Theo.

Theo has another moment of weakness and reaches up to wipe away the escaped tear from the younger's face before letting it linger on the boy's cheek. Liam looks up at him again, eyes a bright blue, and Theo feels breathless.

'Theo,' Liam whispers, 'I can't,' he swallows hard, breathing through his nose before beginning again. 'I can't tell you what it was about but I'm- I'm glad you were here. Thank you.'

Theo doesn't know what he expected, but the sudden turn from Liam refusing to talk to him mere months ago to this; to Liam taking the leap and being honest and thanking him makes Theo feel like something has shifted in their friendship. If you could even call it that. It makes him believe he's finally doing something right in life.

'Okay. That's perfectly fine. I'm glad I was here too. You don't have to go through it alone, you know.'

Liam's smile doesn't quite reach his eyes, but he nods before turning to the bathroom. He smells a mix of sweet and citric now. Theo can't decipher what exactly he's feeling.

It's sometime later when the boys are in Theo's car again, on their way to the McCall's for the scheduled pack meeting. Theo had tried to leave earlier, saying he didn't want to be any more of a burden, but Liam had threatened him with breakfast and a 'tsk, Theo. Who else is going to drive me to Scott's?'

'We need to get our story straight,' says Liam now, catching the chimera's attention, who turns to look at him for a moment before focusing back on the road.

'Right. How do we tell them it happened?'

'Uhhm. I don't know,' shrugs Liam.

Theo glares at the boy, who only shrugs again with a hesitant grin. He sighs, a little exasperated and humoured by how things are going.

'Well, Liam was just so heartbroken after Hayden left him, so I took him in, and we hung out a load, and then we got together,' he starts mockingly, turning to ask the younger, 'How's that sound?'

Liam glares. 'Don't bring Hayden into it.'

'Why?' Asks the chimera slowly, 'you still not over her?'

'I am,' Liam glares harder, turning his body to fully face Theo now. 'I'm just fucking tired of everyone mentioning her at every oppotunity.'

'Okay, okay. I won't bring her up again, jeez.'

'Shut up.' Theo is so annoying he makes Liam want to punch something. But it also feels familiar, like everything is slowly returning to normal. Liam questions for a second if it's actually normality that he wants.

Theo smirks, pleased by his teasing and the younger's reaction, but sobers up once he realises the grimace on Liam's face.

'Hey,' Theo says, reaching out to poke Liam's thigh. 'What are we actually going to tell them?'

'What you said is fine. We spent more time together and,' the beta trails off, feeling blood rush to his ears, 'one thing led to the next.'

'Okay. Another question. Feel free to shut me down if you're weirded out.' He looks at Liam, who nods, prompting him to continue.

'We have to make it believable, right? Because couples are close and act like couples and we're not a couple, so we have to pretend to act like couples act-'

'What are you saying, Theo?'

'I guess I'm asking where you draw the line. Is it okay if I hold your hand a bit? If I touch you?'

Liam's blush spreads to his neck, burning his skin as he focuses on calming his heart.

'Yeah, I guess.'

'You guess? I'm not going to do anything that makes you uncomfortable, Liam, but you have to tell me what's okay and what's not for me to know.'

Liam nods, 'Yeah, you can touch me.'

If the younger's statement causes Theo's heart to pick up, well, nobody has to know.

'Okay.'

'What about you? Where do you draw the line?'

Theo's caught off guard again. It seems Liam always comes up with ways to make the chimera's mind swirl in a desperate attempt to regain control of his body.

'The same, I guess.'

Liam snorts, 'you guess?'

'Shut up. Get out,' Theo replies, with no real heat to his words.

They exit the car and meet at the bottom of the walkway; Liam feels he will keel over with how crazy his heart is beating. Theo comes closer, running a hand down Liam's forearm before linking their hands.

'Is this okay?'

Liam licks his lips, looking down at their entwined hands, and decides it's more than okay. He nods, biting his bottom lip before leading the older to the door.

The pack has already gathered, bar from Alec, and Liam feels as though their eyes snap to them once they enter the room, like some weird horror movie shit. From outside, he could hear their laughter and the ease in the atmosphere. It feels like that's all changed now that they're here. Now that he and Theo are here together, hand in hand. He's shaking with nerves and, for a second, questions if maybe Scott had called them here in an ambush.

Liam's almost convinced a fight will break out before Scott comes barrelling from across the room and hugs Liam tight. He can feel Theo bristle from behind him as his hand tightens around Liam's.

'I'm glad you came,' Scott says before releasing Liam and looking between them, 'both of you.' He gestures for them to come in and sit before he continues. Liam can feel the questioning eyes following him as he leads Theo to a seat barely large enough for both of them.

'We need to know what happened yesterday, exactly, to understand what we're up against here. We know it was something big that attacked you two. Someone powerful enough to control people, to possess and manipulate them. Is there anything else you guys saw that could help?'

Theo looks to Liam, who takes the cue and answers the question.

'His eyes turned red when he used his magic. Like the whole eyeball, it was freaky.'

'If he used magic on you, then how did you break free?' Questions Stiles, almost accusatory with how his brows furrow and his head tilts slightly. Theo must notice Liam's discomfort because he takes over instead, moving his knee to knock into the beta's.

Theo shakes his head, 'Whatever magic he used doesn't work if you don't look him in the eye. If you do, you're totally paralysed.'

'I asked Liam. I'm sure he can speak for himself.'

The teens both bristle at that, Theo's claws itching for release and Liam, with a lump in his throat, the urge to tell Stiles to fuck off.

'Shut it, Stiles,' says Lydia from behind him.

'Theo's going to be around whether you like it or not,' Scott almost chides, looking at the human with disapproval and then at the rest of the pack.

Theo isn't sure how to describe what he feels at that moment. To see the alpha, the same one he'd previously killed, stick up for him in front of his whole pack. To see Liam ready to fight his own friends for speaking against Theo. He feels almost wanted, in a sense, but can't shift the ugly ache of suspicion.

'Is there anything else we should know?' Scott speaks up again.

Liam shakes his head, squeezing where their hands are still joined, to tell Theo it's okay; I see you.

'Okay. We need to come up with a plan. Derek, can you confirm the others will be here soon? Stiles and Lydia can search the internet for something in the meantime, and Malia and I will try to find out what we can from allied packs. The rest of you, stay on guard. From now on, we move together and always be prepared.'

There are nods here and there from the pack as Scott speaks. Theo feels overwhelmed by the normality of it all, with how easily the pack listens to Scott. He finds himself also nodding. He realises he may have been wrong in his preconceptions about the alpha and feels he must set things straight. There's a long silence before Scott nods to himself, and then turns to Lydia.

'Okay. In the meantime, we need to eat. I ordered us dinner,' Lydia announces before she looks at Liam and Theo. 'You guys will stay, won't you?'

Liam isn't sure whether Theo would want to stay, and he doesn't want to assume, so he looks to the chimera, who's already looking at him and raises a brow.

'Yeah,' Says Theo, then after a beat, 'Thanks.'

The pack begin to disperse, and Liam and Theo are left alone.

'You okay?' Liam asks, reclining back and tilting his head up at the taller. Theo nods, smiling a genuine smile.

'I guess I kind of forgot what it feels like to be part of a pack.'

'It's normally better than this, I promise. I'm sorry about Stiles.'

Theo smiles at the younger. 'Stop apologising. He has the right to hold what I've done against me.'

'You keep saying that, but it's not true. We've all fucked up. You fucked up, and you changed; isn't that what matters?'

Theo leans toward the younger, their faces inches apart. Liam looks slightly bewildered, the twitch to his brow still present. Theo thinks maybe he should stop being selfish when he squeezes Liam's hand and brings it to his chest.

'You're really cute sometimes; you know that?'

Liam snatches his hand back, pushing the chimera's face away with his other.

'Fuck off,' he barely manages to say, cheeks ablaze.

Theo laughs, delighted at the beta's reaction, and upon seeing Liam struggling to hide a smile of his own, he laughs some more. He can't remember the last time he felt so content.

'Looks like you're having a good time,' interrupts Mason when he enters the room. 'I hope you don't mind, Theo, but I'm going to steal your boyfriend for a second.'

Before either of them can react, he's got a tight grasp on Liam's wrist and pulls him up. Theo realises he should probably let go of the younger's hand but waits until Liam turns around to make a show of it. He frowns exaggeratedly as their hands unclasp, and he clutches the hand to his chest. Upon Liam's exaggerated eye-roll, he grins.

He can faintly hear Mason ask Liam, 'What the fuck? How could you not tell me?' and watches on as the beta is dragged toward Corey, who waves awkwardly at him when Theo catches him already looking at him.

What a bunch of idiots, he thinks, grinning to himself.

Theo never thought he'd be here again, this close to the pack after his mistake. Still, he finds he appreciates the somewhat acceptance. So far, only Stiles has been outwardly hostile to him, Malia occasionally glaring at him from behind Scott, but nobody else has looked twice.

'Hey,' Scott interrupts his thoughts, standing before him, 'you okay to talk for a minute?'

Theo nods, curious about what the alpha has to say. Scott lowers himself onto the couch, a spacious gap between them.

'I'm sorry about Stiles. He'll come around eventually.'

'It's okay. I do sort of deserve it. I'm more surprised you aren't acting the same.'

Scott seems a little affronted at that, looking at him with furrowed brows.

'Have you met me?' He gestures to himself, causing the chimera to huff a breath through his nostrils.

'Yeah. I forgot how pious you are. You'll even forgive the guy who killed you.'

'I can't lie, Theo, I had no intention of talking to you again. But I want Liam to be happy,' the alpha turns to the kitchen, where the younger members linger. Liam feels the eyes on him and turns around just after Scott returns to Theo and scrunches his face in confusion at the chimera. Theo simply smiles before Scott speaks up again.

'You really love him, don't you?'

'What?' Theo whispers, feeling like he's a child again, caught after ploughing through a hidden stash of sweets.

Scott only smiles at him, looking at Liam and then Theo again.

'I see the way you look at him. You focus all your attention on him, no matter who else is in the room. You look at him like he's the most important thing to you.'

Theo bites his cheek, contemplating, before admitting softly, 'He is.'

Scott smiles brighter now, happy he's gotten this acknowledgement from the boy. He sighs, thinking for a moment if he should give Theo something akin to a shovel talk. He's unsure if he has the right to do that, but he feels the need, as Liam's alpha and friend, to keep him safe, even if he thinks there's nothing much to be cautious about.

'I'm, uh, I'm really sorry about the whole, you know. Killing you thing,' Theo mumbles, causing Scott to almost break his neck with how fast he turns to look at the chimera. Theo scratches his cheek, refusing to meet Scott's eye and clears his throat.

'I just thought I should tell you. It's up to you if you ever forgive me, but I am sorry.'

Scott suddenly laughs, loud and deep, and then giggles a little when he sees the offended confusion on Theo's face.

'Sorry. I just never thought we'd be here. Who'd have thought Theo Raeken would be first to apologise, huh?'

'I can take it back if you fucking want,' Theo bites, crossing his arms, but he feels more relieved than angry.

'I do forgive you if you're wondering. I understand you were doing it for reasons fed to you by others. It's just going to take me a while to trust you again.'

Theo nods. Looking at the alpha up close, he realises the boy sitting in front of him is more a man than any Theo has come across. He's more understanding and generous than any adult Theo's ever met, and Theo feels almost sorry for the early end of childhood the alpha had. Yet again, they've all had their youths snatched from them by one thing or another.

He's pulled from his thoughts when he senses Liam re-entering the room, looking sheepish for walking in on their conversation.

'Hey,' Liam starts, biting his lip before looking away from Theo and at Scott. He tilts his head to the back garden before asking, 'Can I talk to you for a second?'

The alpha nods, giving Theo a quick smile before exiting the patio doors and moving outside. Liam looks at Theo, signalling he'll be back in a minute before following suit, causing the chimera to smile again at his cuteness.

Liam's hoping Scott hasn't caught onto their bluff after his talk with Theo, but if he has, the alpha doesn't show it, smiling at Liam like a proud mother as he waits for him to talk.

'I want to say sorry for how I behaved yesterday. I guess I was a bit caught up in my head.'

Scott shakes his head, 'It's fine. I understand why you'd be angry. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you when you needed me, Liam.'

'You have your own things to worry about.'

'Yeah. But I'm also alpha of this pack. You're all my responsibility and above that, you're my friend, Liam. I should have noticed something was wrong.'

Liam nods to himself, smiling at the sight of Theo through the patio doors, panicking as Mason talks to him about something back inside.

'I guess I was a bit lonely. But that's fine now. Thank you for letting Theo join us.'

'Of course. I trust you, Liam, and if you think he's changed then who am I to question it?'

Scott goes to say something else when his phone rings.

'It's the Dolton pack. I should get this,' Scott explains, earning a nod from the beta, who watches him leave.

Liam takes a moment to breathe, feeling the pressure of the last month escape from his bones in a way he's never experienced.

As he heads back in, he notices the glances Stiles is sending him from the kitchen, angry and scorning. Liam ignores the older in favour of his friends and Theo, who seem to be whispering animatedly about something. Theo looks at him, eyes wide and pleading, mouthing a drawn-out 'save me' which causes him to giggle.

'What are you guys talking about?'

'Nothing,' Mason drawls.

Liam sits in his place beside Theo, looking to the older for an answer, who only shrugs in response. Before he can say anything, Mason says something about helping with dinner before dragging Corey with him into the kitchen.

'Didn't Lydia say she ordered?'

'Yeah. That's just Mason being Mason,' says Liam, turning to look at Theo. 'Did they say anything to you?'

'I think Mason tried giving me a shovel talk. Corey didn't say much, though.'

Liam nods, studying Theo's face, the slope of his nose, his angular jaw, and the barely visible beauty mark on his cheek. Somehow, it feels like he's seeing Theo for the first time. He unconsciously licks, then bites his lower lip and realises Theo's eyes follow the movement before he looks back up, making eye contact with the beta. Liam feels like he's about to explode, nerves surging electricity through his body at the thought Theo might want the same as Liam. He thinks, What would happen if I leaned in for a moment?

'Can you stop being gross for two seconds, please? The food's here,' says Malia, glaring at Theo before walking away.

Liam refuses to look anywhere but the floor after that, even though he can feel Theo looking at him. He knows how red he is right now, unable to control the loudness of his heart or the sweetness of his scent.

He leads the way, only stopping for a second to make sure Theo is following him.