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Liam let his arm dangle from the window. As the truck picked up speed, he waved it through the air resistance. He caught the driver’s eye in the rearview and grinned.
Theo smiled back, shaking his head.
Inadvertently, Liam’s grin grew wider. Months ago even small moments like this would’ve been unheard of. It took weeks to thaw from the terror the Anuk-ite that sank into the town’s bones. Even now, each smile felt like a hard-won victory. Let alone from Theo of all people.
“That’ll be fifteen dollars,” Theo remarked as he parked. He grabbed both their backpacks while Liam grabbed his lacrosse bag from the backseat.
“Put it on my tab, Mr. Chauffeur.” Liam shoved him. They crossed the parking lot together into the school until they paused at Liam’s locker.
“Okay, Bigshot.” Theo nudged him back. “Should I wait for you back here after Chemistry, sir?”
Liam shut the door and leaned against the other lockers. “I’ve got lacrosse. I’ll catch a ride with Corey or Brett.”
The other boy didn’t say anything. He was close enough Liam had to tilt his head back to see him raise an eyebrow - something that would’ve irked Liam more had it been someone else.
“Don’t worry, I should be back before Scott and everyone else get here. Should have plenty of time to help set up, unless you want to decorate for their welcome back party all by yourself?” Liam grabbed his backpack from Theo and their fingers brushed.
“Decorating and parties are my favorite things. You know me so well.” Theo sounded dead serious, making Liam laugh. “See you in Chem.”
Slinging his backpack on, Theo bumped Liam’s shoulder as he passed behind him. The bell rang a moment later and Liam’s heart pounded for more than one reason.
During lunch, Liam caught up with Mason. They shared the next two classes together and the last one of the day with Corey and Theo.
The latter was a very popular subject with his best friend.
“So did you ask him to be your date to the Welcome Home party?” Mason probed.
Liam made a face - partly at his friend and at the gray sludge the lunch lady scooped on his tray. “Dude, tonight’s about our reunion. It’s been a while since all of us have been together, even Derek’s coming back."
His best friend looked unimpressed. “There’s always going to be a good excuse to not say anything. Bro, just tell Theo you’re nuts about him. You guys can go from being miserable pining idiots to being cute together and making everyone else miserable. And so Corey can owe me $20.”
Mason kept up his needling through lunch, and with hushed whispers and pointed expressions in AP History.
Liam pulled him aside before their next class. “Listen, tonight’s for the pack. Nothing else, ok?” Mason rolled his eyes but said nothing as they walked into lab together. They sat at their lab table and immediately spun around to talk to Corey. His tablemate smiled briefly and continued doodling in her notebook.
“Hey babe,” Corey smiled warmly. He leaned forward to kiss his boyfriend until the annoyance melted off Mason’s face. “Hi, Liam.”
“You ready for practice?”
“Dude, you know Coach will still probably take us on a run through the forest in this rain.” Corey groaned.
A hand curled around the back of his neck. Liam leaned into the familiar touch and looked up at Theo. “Don’t worry boys. Just imagine me and Mason safe and dry with the pack, that’ll keep you warm.”
“We’ve still got to set up,” Liam reminded him.
Theo’s thumb rubbed his nape in slow circles. “Right.”
Liam beamed. “This weekend will be so epic.” Mason and Corey nodded in agreement just before the teacher Mrs. Strucker entered the room. Theo’s hand dropped away from Liam as he headed to his own lab table.
The desk Liam shared with Mason was right in the center of the room. Theo’s was two rows ahead and to the left, closer to the window. No more than fifteen feet away, within human hearing distance. Not that it mattered.
Liam’s small fraction of the pack spent many a lecture whispering, lips barely moving as they concocted plans to save the very people sitting right next to them. Corey, Theo and Liam’s enhanced hearing made it easy; Liam jotting important notes for Mason while never taking his eyes off the board. During long stretches of peace like this, the stories on their lips buzzed with less urgency.
“Have you guys heard more about the mysterious date Derek’s bringing tonight?” Mason questioned.
“Still can’t believe everyone’s bringing a date to this thing,” Liam whined.
“Good evening, everyone. I hope you all remember the experiment I mentioned before we let out yesterday.” Mrs. Strucker said. “I want us to start researching Monday, but I’ll be giving you time at the end of class today to pick your partners.”
Liam dramatically dropped his head against the table. A few people over to him at the sound, including Nolan who sat by Theo.
“Relax,” Mason said. “Just go with Theo.”
“Yea, right. That’d never work.” While Liam did well in english and history, Theo’s strengths were math and science. They were both content to coast by in subjects outside of their interests, and didn’t do well picking up the other’s slack. It didn’t translate well in partnering together.
Corey snorted. “They nearly killed each other last time.” Liam barely heard, distracted by a glance from Theo. They barely made eye contact before the other boy snapped his focus back to the front.
Despite everything, Liam half-expected Theo to come join him by the end of class anyway. Instead, he walked out the door without looking back at Liam again.
All through practice Theo stayed on Liam’s mind. That wasn’t new, except for the worry shadowing his thoughts. He and Corey finished their run first and showered quickly. They changed and climbed in Corey’s car and were on their way to Scott’s in no time at all.
Luckily only one of their guests had arrived so far. Lydia was perched on a chair as she directed Theo and Mason’s decorating attempts. Liam and Corey immediately joined in to make sure she didn’t have to lift a finger.
It was an entire hour later that Liam was able to catch up with Theo as they were sent to the kitchen to bring out sodas.
“How was practice?” Theo asked. Nothing seemed off, as far as Liam could tell. He must have misread the tension earlier.
Liam let out a heavy sigh. “Hell.”
“I can tell, you and Corey looked like drowned rats when you came in here.”
“We cleaned up before we came!” Liam argued.
With exaggerated movements, Theo leaned in as if to sniff him. It put them very close together. Liam started shaking his hair out but Theo just playfully ruffled the still damp strands.
“Jerk.”
Someone’s shout interrupted them. The front door slammed shut and there were more cries of surprise. Theo and Liam walked out to find Scott had shown up.
From that point there was a steady stream of people arriving. Excited chatter filled the whole house. Liam didn’t stray far from Theo as they greeted everyone. So many friends clapped a hand against Liam’s shoulder and a few of the girls kissed his cheek. Erica gave him such a tight hug it felt like she was squeezing his ribs. She just latched onto Theo when Stiles’ voice rose above the noise.
“Where’s your mysterious date, Derek?” He waggled his eyebrows.
The beta had an arm around Malia. “She’s not here yet. Her flight was delayed.” He looked at Scott apologetically.
The alpha nodded easily. “Good thing the real party is tomorrow. She’d kill us if we really got started without her.”
Liam shot a questioning look at Mason, who seemed just as confused as he did as to who they were talking about.
“Let’s met back here for an early lunch.” Allison and Boyd did a quick cleanup of the living room.
“Oh thank God, I’m exhausted.” Isaac muttered. A laugh and several agreements rippled through the pack.
Lydia once again took charge, inquiring to make sure everyone had sleeping arrangements. There was room for half the pack to simply crash at Scott’s, while the other half could stay with Derek and ride back over again in the morning.
Given his proximity to Scott’s house, Mason volunteered Liam to host the youngest pack members.
“And you, Theo?” Lydia asked. “Do you have a place to stay tonight?”
Liam paused, already halfway out the door. He’d assumed Theo had stayed close to his side. Instead he turned to see the other boy standing with the Hale cousins.
“Derek’s.” He said easily. “I’ve got my own room and a real bed.”
Okay technically, technically Theo did live with Derek. The few shirts and books that migrated to a drawer in Liam’s room absolutely did not say otherwise.
He didn’t move as Derek’s group pushed past him and watched Theo walk away.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Corey and Mason didn’t outright comment on Liam’s subdued attitude during their sleepover.
Regardless, Liam was more than happy to rush straight to Scott the moment they arrived at his house. It was easier to escape their pitying looks with a tight hug from his alpha.
Their friends were slowly trickling in to gather in the living room. For the first time in a few months, most of them were together in full. Some were merely stopping by as Beacon Hills was a midway point during their adventures. When word spread about some of the college students dropping by too, other pack mates decided to do their best to make a trip home.
It was rejuvenating. The pack - forever strangers to personal space - curled up together on the couch and spilled onto the floor. They teased and interrupted each other as they held multiple conversations at once. As if that wasn’t enough they reached out for one another, holding hands and stroking faces as the bonds between them revived almost visibly.
Liam felt it. He buried his face against Scott’s shoulder. They were in the center of the couch, the pack unconsciously orienting around their alpha.
“Hey, buddy. Missed you too.” Scott said warmly.
“Have you graduated UC Davis yet?” Liam mumbled. “You don’t need vet school, Deaton would give you the clinic.”
With a laugh, Scott pulled away so he had one arm wrapped around Liam’s shoulders. “I promise I’ll try to visit more. But I think the clinic is in good hands.”
Liam grinned, deliberately glancing at Isaac. Scott followed his gaze and blushed.
“Anyway. Dude, you know if you need me - for anything at all - I’m here for you.” He stated, eyes wide and earnest.
“I know.” The sea of their friends parted and for a moment Liam made eye contact with Theo.
Something in his face expression to alarm Scott. “Do you need me right now?”
Theo shifted a little closer. Paused. Kira’s hand caught his arm and he let her pull him into conversation.
Liam swallowed hard. “I don’t know.”
Derek’s truck pulled up an hour later than the set meeting time, a fact that annoyed Jackson. The irony of he and Ethan only arriving fifteen minutes earlier was lost on him.
From the kitchen Liam could see a short brunette throw her passenger door open and race ahead of Derek into the house. She reached Stiles first and he could barely choke out “Cora!” before she squeezed him in a bone-crushing hug.
Liam and his friends looked uncertain so Isaac took pity on them. “His sister. She’s been doing research in South America.”
“Is this the date we heard about?” Mason asked.
“Never said the date was for me.” Derek looked smug, leaning against the kitchen island.
“Honestly.” Lydia snorted. “Pay more attention.” She nudged Kira out of her way to get to Allison so the kitsune almost tripped. Derek caught her gently by the shoulders.
Liam watched the two of them smile shyly at each other before taking her advice. He took in small details of everyone around him. By the fridge, Erica, holding hands with Malia, Boyd nodding off on her shoulder. Jackson pulling a myriad of faces at Ethan. Lydia, now sitting on Allison’s lap watching him watch the others.
To avoid her eyes he hopped up on the kitchen island, closest to Theo, Mason, and Corey. Theo rested one hand on his knee. “So, um, food?” Liam asked.
“Why don’t we go out tonight? Tomorrow we can grill and have a potluck for the sendoff dinner.” Erica suggested. Boyd snored in agreement.
“Sounds great. Who are we still missing? We can tell them to meet up with us at dinner.”
Corey spoke up first. “Tracy and Hayden are still backpacking, who knows where they are. Said they’d be in touch again soon.”
“Parrish gets off work late tonight.” Lydia said. “I’ll let him know where we are.”
“Brett was on a perimeter patrol for Satomi last night. He’s got a debrief, but said he’d be here soon.” Liam informed them. No sooner did the words leave his mouth when there was a knock on the kitchen door. Their ally from Satomi’s pack just arrived.
“Alright, everyone’s here.” Isaac grabbed Scott’s hand and pulled him to the door. “Let’s go clear out a buffet.”
“Again.” Stiles quipped.
After lunch a few of the pack members began to feel restless. Malia decided to organize a game of lacrosse in the park, and lost the captain coin toss to Kira. Lydia acted as an official to keep everyone honest, but after a few goals her high heels came off. She nodded at Malia as she stepped on the field. Two hours later she was just as dishelved as the rest of them, though miraculously free of mud.
Liam lay panting in the grass as he watched Brett and Jackson argue over whether Kira’s last goal had counted. Kira simply stuck out her tongue. Liam rose quickly to help the rest of his team lift their winning captain into the air.
They bundled into cars and trucks and once they reached Scott’s house they once against melted into a puddle in the living room.
Theo stood and dragged Brett up with him. “Want to go on a food run? Chinese?” He surveyed the room to see the pack agreed before nodding with satisfaction. The two of them set off without bothering to change or shower.
When they returned another guest had joined them - Parrish, just as laden with food as Theo and Brett. Cora and Allison organized the food on the table while Scott passed paper plates around for everyone.
“Anyone want to play a game?” Mason asked. “I’ve got Drink and Tell on my phone.”
Parrish and a few others looked confused. Lydia scooted Allison into his lap and curled up beside them. “Like truth or dare, but much more inappropriate.”
Most of the group consented to play, a few of them being outvoted. Mason plugged everyone’s names in the app. Scott brought out drinks for everyone, letting everyone decide whether they wanted to get drunk. Liam decided against modifying his soda with any wolfsbane.
“Derek, take off one article of clothing or take a shot.”
He made a face and reluctantly stripped off his leather jacket. A few people whistled or booed jokingly.
“Hey Mason, finish your drink or kiss the three most attractive people in the room.”
Mason frowned. Corey squeezed his hand and nodded, but his boyfriend simply tipped his head back and chugged his almost-full glass.
“Isaac, what’s the most annoying trait Scott has?”
Isaac shot the alpha a look. “He could stand to be a little more selfish every once in a while.”
“Theo, if you could date anyone in this room, who would it be?”
Theo didn’t even hesitate. “Brett.” He took the phone from Boyd to ask the next question.
Suddenly the room seemed to shift, Liam felt off-balance. He sniffed his drink, wondering if it had been spiked after all.
The game lasted a few more rounds. Mason and Lydia were both flushed and tipsy - Stiles almost obnoxiously so - a good place to quit. Derek stood and popped a movie in the DVD player.
Couples shuffled around and somehow - with pushing and shoving from Corey and Mason - Theo ended up next to Liam.
“Everything okay?” Liam asked hesitantly.
Theo nodded. “Of course. You alright?”
He didn’t have the right words to express what was going on in his head. So he slumped to the side with exaggerated tiredness, not expecting Theo to shift away. He let out a grunt as he practically tumbled into Theo’s lap. He waited to be pushed aside, but Theo only laughed and adjusted until he was sitting between his legs.
They weren’t touching. Not really. Next to them Allison shifted so she and Parrish could more comfortably rest their heads on Lydia’s stomach. Theo probably just wanted them to have more room.
Liam fidgeted restlessly for a few minutes before Theo grabbed his arm. Instead of letting go he slowly stroked his thumb against the inside of his wrist. With a little shiver, Liam leaned back to rest against him completely. There was a sigh before a pleased hum rumbled against his back.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Breakfast the next morning was casual. Liam woke up surrounded by everyone who fell asleep in the living room during their movie marathon. He moved carefully around some of his still sleeping friends to find everyone else lazing in the kitchen with their pajamas on. He poured himself a bowl of cereal as Theo and Mason arrived. They immediately rushed over to goad Liam into playing video games.
After a few rounds, Scott led a few of them into the backyard to fire up the grill. They grilled enough burgers and steaks to feed a small army, which they plowed through in no time.
“Sorry we’ve got to head back so early, guys.” Scott said, and Stiles and Lydia looked equally regretful. The three of them were going in the same direction for their respective schools. “Everyone’s free to stay around as long as they’d like. Thanks for coming out, we really have to do this again as soon as we can.”
After eating their fill, nobody moved. It didn’t seem anyone wanted to be the first to leave, drawing out their reunion until the last possible minute.
Liam hugged Lydia and Stiles goodbye before they climbed in Roscoe. Scott promised to text him later, still looking worried from their conversation the day before. Kira and Malia took off next, and the rest of them broke up into smaller groups to go their own ways.
Despite having so much social contact already, Liam was reluctant to be alone. He knew he had chores and other responsibilities to catch up on so he headed home for a quick shower. His mom caught him on the way in and pointedly asked if his room was clean.
“Hey, I’ve been meaning to ask you something about that.”
“Hm?” She seemed distracted as she tidied up the living room.
“Do you think - could we move Theo’s stuff to the basement?” Liam blurted out.
His mom looked surprised. “Are you two fighting again? Baby, did you break another lamp?”
Liam sighed. “No, I just think he would prefer to have his own space.”
She leveled him with a glare. Raised a single eyebrow.
“He shouldn’t have to sleep on my couch, we could put a real bed in the basement. He’d have better access to the garage. Plus it has its own door so he can leave whenever he wants.”
Surprisingly, his mom didn’t instantly shut him down. She nodded slowly as he ran out of compelling reasons.
Liam rubbed the back of his neck. “He’s probably sick of sharing space with some annoying kid- ”
“Sick of sharing so much space with annoying parents.” His mom interrupted. She smiled confidently as if they were on the same page. “Of course, sweetheart. We'll need to get some old stuff out of there and fix up the space, but Theo can have the basement. I'm sure he's going to appreciate a little more freedom."
“Thanks,” he mumbled. She brushed hair out of his face and kissed his forehead. Liam bolted up the stairs to the shower.
An hour later, Liam’s bed was made and half his room cleaned when his phone lit up with a text from Mason. A part of Liam still ached to be surrounded by pack so he copied the message into their group text including Corey, Alec, and Theo.
Only Corey was already waiting at Mason’s when Liam arrived. “Brett can’t make it.” He informed them from where he was gradually sinking into an oversized bean bag chair. Liam claimed the side of the couch opposite of Mason just as Alec came in, taking a spot on the floor.
Liam snorted. “Of course not. He’s probably doing a 20-mile run to make up for all the junk food we had yesterday.”
“Or, you know, a million sit-ups to maintain those abs. Probably shirtless.”
“Corey, your boyfriend’s drooling again.” Liam smacked Mason with a pillow.
Corey shrugged. “Understandable.”
“Anyone heard from Theo?” Alec asked.
“I’ll call him.” Liam tried to say casually. He was grateful for an excuse.
“Yeah?” Theo picked up.
“Hey, you’re on speaker. Did you see Corey’s text about hanging out?”
“I can’t, I’m with Derek. He’s leaving town tonight so Boyd wanted to show him a good time.” Theo snickered. Derek’s grumbling could be heard in the background, along with Boyd’s laughing.
Mason looked interested. “Is Derek going on another research mission?”
“Says he’s meeting up with Chris Argent. He’ll be gone for a month maybe, but he’ll be back.” Theo said.
Taking the phone off speaker, Liam hesitated for a moment before asking his own important question. “Cool, so will you-”
“I’ll be here probably before you get home tonight.” Theo assured him.
Home. Warmth flooded through his chest. “Great. Let’s study later then?”
Theo laughed. “Do you mean more Mario Kart like our last study date?”
“I wish.” Liam snorted. “I’m so behind.”
“Not surprised. Can’t say I’m much better though, so I’ll see you tonight.”
Liam said goodbye and hung up. He held his breath but nobody said a word.
Until. “So what’s going on with you and Theo?” Alec asked.
“We’re not talking about this.” The blush rose from his chest all the way to the tips of his ears.
“Course not.” Mason agreed cheerily. “Guess we're not invited to the study date, boys.”
Liam tried his very best to smother his best friend with a pillow.
Eventually Liam really could not put off homework any longer. He went home and upon opening his door, realized his mom had taken advantage of his semi-clean room to do some reorganizing.
The pullout had been folded back into a couch, pillows and blankets removed. Theo’s books weren’t on the shelves and his clothes weren’t in the closet either. Liam’s dresser, where Theo usually liked to place any small trinkets he thought were cool - like old coins, fidget spinners, and toy cars - that Liam always yelled at him to get rid of, was empty. The collection was gone.
Liam didn’t like it. Instead of taking in how empty his room seemed now, he glanced outside for Theo’s truck. It was parked right outside, Theo could already be down in the basement.
When Liam asked his mom for permission to remodel the basement, he imagined helping her set up Theo’s new room. He was sure she’d done a great job, but a part of Liam was disappointed he hadn’t been able to surprise Theo himself. Too late, he wished he had just asked Theo for a ride home so he could’ve at least seen the reaction.
Liam dialed for a pizza. When it arrived he paid and set in in the kitchen before searching for Theo. The other boy wasn’t anywhere on the first floor, not even the small office/slash/library he often liked to read in. Liam padded downstairs to the basement and knocked on the door, but there was no response.
Uncertainly, Liam hovered on the stairs. His senses caught up with him and he already realized there were no other scents, no other heartbeats, nobody else in the house.
Later. Theo said he’d be home later. Also said he would probably beat Liam home - and he had if his truck was any indication. Where could he be? Liam climbed back up to his room.
He grabbed his backpack and spilled textbooks across his bed. He opened one. Stared at it. Called Theo.
Checked his phone for texts. Called Theo again.
Buried his phone under books. Turned to another page. Stared.
It wasn’t a big deal. Wasn’t even an issue. Theo was catching up with Derek before his sendoff, and promised to be back home later. Had said so when they talked earlier, so of course he wasn’t ignoring Liam.
Liam shook himself hard. He was just being paranoid. The anxiety twisting in his gut - and playing a slideshow of every possible mistake Liam could have made - was unnecessary. There was nothing to worry about. He closed one book and opened another to really reset himself before starting his reading for English.
From the window by his bed Liam could see when his parents pulled into the driveway after dinner. They knocked on his door and bade him goodnight on their way to bed.
A few hours later Liam finished the last equation on his math assignment and turned off the lamp on his bedside table. He went to pull the window blinds shut and saw two figures shuffling up along the sidewalk.
Instead of following straight up the walkway to the front door, Theo veered around to the right side of the house. Isaac trailed along after him and the two of them made for the basement and disappeared from view.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
“I don’t get it.” Liam said, knowing full well he was whining. He was already slumped over his textbook looking like a sulking child, might as well act the part. He toyed with the hem of the black hoodie he was wearing. Zipped it up, then down and flipped the hood over his face.
The sweater was soft and worn, and smelled like Theo.
If his mom sometimes mixed up the laundry and accidentally left the wrong clothes in Liam’s closet, he wasn’t about to correct her. He tugged down the sleeves over his hands before rolling them up again. The sweater was a just too big, enough to fit a little baggy.
Mason rolled his eyes. He and Alec had decided to join Liam and Corey during their required study period before lacrosse practice. “You’re overreacting. Isaac isn’t suddenly Theo’s favorite, don’t worry.”
“Isn’t he closer in age to Scott and the others?” Alec asked. “If he was supposed to graduate with them, imagine having to start high school all over and hang out with us. It’s no wonder he needs a break with people his age since he’s around us all the time.”
“Maybe it’s just Liam he’s tired of,” Corey teased. His grin melted away when Mason elbowed him, paired with the glare on his boyfriend’s face.
Liam lifted one of the hoodie strings to his mouth and started chewing on the end. “Yea, it’s probably just me.”
The conversation rapidly changed to a more lighthearted subject. Even Alec awkwardly joined after he realized he might’ve said something wrong. Liam saved him by pulling out his Chem notes on the project they were partnered on. Corey and Mason pulled out their own notes and the two groups bounced ideas off each other until it was time for lacrosse practice.
Coach Finstock split the team into two groups, led by Nolan and Liam. He directed Nolan’s group to practice taking shots with Corey as goalie. Liam took his group on a jog around the pitch, laughing at Coach’s mounting frustration.
“Someone please score on this kid!” Coach shouted. “Bryant’s making a fool out of all of you!”
From the bleachers, Mason clapped. “Killing it, babe!”
“Useless! All of you!” Finstock cried. He threw his clipboard to the ground.
Liam jogged down the last curve of the track to finish another lap. He waved at Mason on the bleachers - who was busy ogling his boyfriend - and Alec. He noticed someone to the side of the stands, and slowed his pace.
“Hey, didn’t think you were coming by.” Liam couldn’t help but smile.
Theo shrugged. He didn’t smile, but the corner of his mouth quirked up. “Had nothing better to do. Thought I’d check up on the pack.”
“Yet you watch from under the stands like a creep.” Liam teased.
“Last time I was here, Finstock almost made me do bleacher runs with you.” Theo reminded him. “I’m not even on this team.”
Liam laughed. “That’s what you get for distracting me.”
“I should probably let you get back to captaining. Your boys aren’t very good.”
“Hey! They’re… trying!” He protested, turning to watch his team. Some of the runners Liam had been leading continued along the track while the rest of them jogged awkwardly in place near them. On the field it seemed like every player was trying to show off, and badly. Half the trick shots went wide, or went straight at Corey when they chickened out and didn’t follow through.
With a snort, Theo bumped Liam slightly as if to say, see? They were standing closer now, enough so Theo could rest an arm against Liam’s shoulder as they watched.
Nolan was the only one holding his own against Corey. He hadn’t scored yet, but he had enough skill that Corey had to put in actual effort to block his shots.
“Dunbar!” Coach’s shout made him flinch. A squeeze on his arm steadied him. “Where the hell are you?”
Liam let out a sigh as Theo moved a hand to the back of his neck. He tugged gently on Liam’s hood. “Get out there, captain.”
“Dunbar! Come here and help Holloway show these idiots how it’s done!”
Liam ran over to the goal, looking back once. Theo was smirking at him. “Nice hoodie.”
After practice the team hit the showers. When Liam finished he saw Mason waiting on a bench outside by the locker room for him and Corey.
“What’s the plan?” Mason asked, eyes glued his phone. Given that Corey was in the shower still, Liam had a feeling he did not want to see that screen.
“Do you want to do a patrol run tonight?” Liam scrubbed a towel through his hair. “It’ll be quick.”
Mason looked up and nodded. “Corey and I can take Alec around town. Stop by the hospital, you know Melissa worries about him.”
“Me and Theo will take the preserve.” His best friend pointedly looked away so he narrowed his eyes warily. “What?”
“Nothing, man. Just you and Theo driving around, seems like a great time to talk. About stuff.” Mason shrugged.
“There’s nothing to say.” Unwanted memories of the past few days swam in Liam’s mind. Nothing Theo wanted to talk about, anyway. Even if Liam wanted to question about the on-and-off awkwardness between them, the other boy seemed to play dumb whenever he built up enough nerve to ask.
“Liam?” Mason prompted gently.
“I just - I don’t get why it seems like he says something, then goes and does the opposite. If I ask him about it, he pretends there’s nothing wrong! I just don’t know.”
“Hang on, what do you mean?” Mason furrowed his eyebrows. “What’s he doing that’s not lining up with what he’s saying?”
Ducking his head, Liam rubbed the back of his neck. “Dunno. Sometimes it seems like we’re good, getting close or whatever, then he turns around and ignores me or something.”
“Let’s go back. This started the night we had the pack reunion. Something’s been off between you guys since then.”
Liam shook his head. “That can’t be it. We were busy catching up with everyone else, we didn’t see each other much.”
“That’s right,” Mason said slowly as he seemed to remember something. “Theo was always going off with other people. I saw that look on your face a few times, when he left you behind.”
Embarrassment flushed Liam’s skin pink. “No way. Why would I be jealous of him wanting to hang out with our friends?”
Mason studied him for a moment. “Maybe that wasn’t the start of it. How long have you liked Theo, Liam?”
“Dude!” Liam spluttered. “What? Why would you - who said I did?”
“I remember, last time I was getting to know someone, feeling left out when they’d go hang out with other people. It felt so weird, I think I was in denial at first. It took me a while to realize I was jealous.” Mason admitted. “Whenever Corey spent time with anyone else it would drive me crazy. I wanted it to be me. Liam, I thought you knew?”
All he could manage to do was shake his head.
“Dude, our running joke is about you graduating high school, having your shotgun wedding and riding off into the sunset together! You’ve played along!”
“You guys make fun of my huge crush on him all the time! I thought we were kidding!” Liam squeaked.
“Nah, bro. We wouldn’t have said anything if we didn’t believe some part of it. I wouldn’t have made jokes if I didn’t see something there, in both of you.”
“You said this before, but I - um,” Liam licked his lips. “Do you really think I’m his favorite?”
Mason placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. “Absolutely. First up, he’s proven he’d do pretty much anything for you.”
The reminder of the hunters - no matter how small - still stung. He winced and Mason moved on quickly.
“Who else does Theo let in his truck - ride shotgun, pick the music and everything? And before you argue about the rest of us, I know he’s even let you drive the thing so don’t even play.”
“He let Corey take it for your date night that one time.” Liam protested weakly.
His friend looked unimpressed. “He still drove, insisted on ‘chaperoning’ us, and told the bartender at Sinema about our fakes. Stop deflecting. That night he danced with you. For someone who barely even tolerates our own pack touching him, he initiates contact with you all the time.”
There was no way to refute that one. Not when even the smallest touch from Theo could ground Liam like nothing else could.
“Anyway, Theo doesn’t live with just anybody. Everyone in the pack with extra room offered to bring him in but he picked his favorite."
“What if Alec’s right too?” He asked softly.
“Don’t worry. At most, maybe he’s a little tired of being around the puppy pack 24/7 but he's gotten some time with the real adults doing whatever it is they do.” Mason rolled his eyes. “Trust me, your boy’s just as crazy about you.”
Mason could tell he was still hesitating because he grabbed his arm. “Last of all, there’s this.” He pinched the material of Liam’s sleeve. He didn’t even ask. “Nice hoodie.”
Instead of stammering out a reply, Liam all but fled back to the locker room. Corey wasn’t there so he and Mason headed to the field.
“Bet it’s driving Theo nuts, having his scent all over you.” Mason laughed.
Liam punched his arm. “I don’t need to know what weird shit you and Corey are into.”
“Oh, you have no idea.” He sounded smug.
Pulling a face, Liam turned to the lacrosse pitch. “They’re over here.”
Alec and Corey both stood before the goal. Theo was twirling a lacrosse stick a few feet away. He scooped up a ball and lobbed it as hard as he could while both of them scrabbled to catch it first. Mason ran down to grab a stick and joined Theo pelt the other two.
The game devolved when they threw their sticks at each other instead and Corey tackled Alec to the ground. They took Mason out, all three of them piled together. Several times they tried to scuttle closer to Theo, who would calmly take two steps away while they tried to coordinate their efforts.
Liam cracked up. Mason wiggled free so the two supernatural creatures could use more aggressive means to bring the chimera down with them. He and Mason sat midfield on the grass.
He watched them. Corey couldn’t stop laughing, and Theo gave a surprised cry when he was caught by the ankle for a moment. Something inside Liam’s chest gave away and - “Oh.”
Mason raised his eyebrows. “Wow. Are you good?”
Liam gestured helplessly at the scene before them. Corey and Alec rolled away from each other, still laughing breathlessly. Theo helped each of them up. Smiling so bright it made Liam’s chest hurt with want.
Oh wow.
Theo sauntered over to them, eyes still soft. Mason instantly stood up, very unsubtly freeing up the space next to Liam. With an even more obvious wink he moved off to join the others. If Theo noticed or thought it weird he didn’t comment, sitting on the grass next to Liam and bumping his shoulder. “Hey. Good practice?”
“Good enough for tomorrow. The team has a lot to work on, but it’s the first game of the season.” Liam shrugged.
“Where is it?”
“It’s an away game, next town over. Coach got us a hotel for the night. There’s a hot tub and room service and everything.” Liam glanced at the way Theo’s mouth still quirked upwards. “Do you - um - maybe want to come? With me?”
“Careful now, or I might get the wrong idea.” The suggestive purr in Theo’s tone sent shivers down his spine. “Is it your treat?”
Liam swallowed hard. He heard Mason’s voice, assuring him of his place at the top of Theo’s list, and could practically imagine his best friend yelling at him at this moment. Confidence bubbled inside him. “Maybe.”
“We’ll see. Spending more time with bratty teenagers?” Theo teased. “I’ll let you know.”
All his rising hope quickly popped as an arrow of guilt shot through Liam’s chest.
The five of them agreed to split up for a quick patrol of Beacon Hills and then gather at Mason’s house after for pizza. Liam climbed in Theo’s truck - both thrilled and nervous - to be alone with him when both their phones pinged with a message. It was Isaac, letting them know he and Brett already made rounds through the preserve so all that was left was a quick drive around town.
Unable to take the anxiety, Liam pulled Theo aside when they got to Mason’s before he could make it to the living room.
“Hey listen,” he bit his lip. “You know you’re not obligated to hang out with us, right?”
Theo looked at him blankly. Liam thought he saw a muscle twitch in his jaw, though he wasn’t sure. “Who else is gonna drive the puppy pack around town?”
Liam hadn’t thought of that before. Was that what Theo thought they used him for? Now he felt worse. “I know you probably get sick of babysitting us. Whenever you ever want to do your own thing, we get it.”
“Right.” Theo said stiffly. He hovered by the door for a moment, and Liam feared he would leave. Instead he went to the living room and plopped down next to Mason. Liam breathed a sigh of relief.
“So Liam and I will be gone tomorrow.” Corey said after a bite of pizza.
“Alec, you’re in charge.” Liam stated. The beta’s eyes flew wide in panic.
Theo patted his shoulder. “No worries. Mason and I will be on it while you’re gone. Right?”
“We’ve got it locked down.” Mason agreed cheerfully, giving him a fistbump.
Liam put down his uneaten slice and played with the hem of his hoodie. Theo was wrong. It seemed like Liam had the wrong idea the whole time.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Friday after school the lacrosse team loaded their gear onto a bus to take them just a few hours away. They were playing the San Marino Titans at one, but had the whole night to themselves. After checking into the hotel, Coach Finstock gathered them in the lobby to issue a general warning that any player who woke him up before noon would find themselves benched for the rest of the season.
“And I’ll have no sexual perversions by you little deviants, got that? I’ll be right down the hall and I can hear everything.” He dumped the room keys on the floor of the lobby and wandered off, grumbling about food.
Liam scooped up a keycard for himself and Corey. He and Nolan stood by to make sure everyone had a room and a roommate before the team went their separate ways. The hotel Coach picked wasn’t bad. The building was small but cozy, there was a pool on the first floor, and the restaurant offered room service until late.
“You hungry?” Liam asked Corey.
He shook his head. “Let’s go for a swim!”
The two of them quickly climbed to the second floor where the east wing was entirely booked for the lacrosse team. He and Corey were in the room closest to the elevator and furthest from Coach Finstock’s room. However thin the walls were, they preferred taking their chances overhearing their teammates rather than pick up any noise from Coach’s room with their sensitive hearing.
The room was basic, with two large beds along the right wall and a shared nightstand between them. Two dressers lined the left wall, along with a TV on a stand. After claiming their beds - Liam picking the one closest to the door - they dumped their lacrosse bags on them. He fished his swimsuit out of his backpack and went into the bathroom to change.
When he came out he saw Corey splayed on the bed on his stomach. He was grinning at his phone and Liam could see Mason’s face on the screen. Liam dove onto the bed and tried snatching the phone away.
Mason laughed and waved. “Hey! Corey was just saying you guys got in okay.”
“Yeah, that bus ride felt long as hell.”
“Only because Coach kept arguing with the bus driver about directions.” Corey agreed.
“Does he think you’re ready for the game tomorrow? How do you guys feel?” Mason asked.
“I’m a little worried about this one,” Liam shoved Corey, “Without his good luck charm, he really drops the ball. Literally.”
“No need to be jealous, Liam. I’ve got your biggest fan right over here.”
Liam rolled away from where Corey was blindly trying to smack him with a pillow with one hand, and keep the phone steady with the other. When he glanced at the screen again he saw Theo had been dragged into view. Theo waved reluctantly, scowling at Mason. Liam’s heart leaped in his throat.
While Liam was speechless, Corey spoke up. “Is Alec there too?”
“In the kitchen with Jenna.” Mason rolled his eyes. “Offered to help her wash the dishes.”
“Don’t call my mom by her first name. Wait, why are you in my house?” Liam whined.
“Jenna made us dinner.” Theo finally made eye contact with him, looking smug.
“We’re also having a movie night. She let me pick cause I’m her favorite.” Mason boasted.
“My stepdad's on the night shift, isn’t he,” Liam stated flatly. “She’s lonely.”
“Details, details.” Mason waved a hand carelessly. Theo snorted.
Liam started to reply, but words failed as he watched the two of them laugh. His pulse raced. “Miss you guys.” He meant to sound sarcastic and fell flat, ruining the joking mood. He felt it so much, he couldn’t help but be honest.
“Wish you were here,” Corey agreed, seeming to catch some of Liam’s homesickness.
Mason’s face shifted to the same wistful expression as his boyfriend. “Next time.”
“Someone’s gotta keep an eye on things around here.” Theo’s expression didn’t change like the rest of them. “Some of us take our job seriously.”
Disappointment prickled under Liam’s skin. Though he was teasing, Theo didn’t seem to regret turning down his invitation. Nor did it seem like he would offer an explanation anytime soon.
“We should get going.” Liam muttered, pulling back until he was out of the shot.
Corey grumbled in disappointment while Mason booed.
“Wait, Liam-”
“We’ll call you on the way back. After we win.” Corey promised. “Or lose, probably.”
The game the next day was scheduled for one. Liam’s team had a late start, as rounding up all the players and their coach took him and Nolan longer than expected. They managed to get everyone checked out and boarded on the bus a few minutes before twelve.
Although the ride was short, everyone's mood was electric and Liam let it charge through him. Most of the players were strategizing excitedly - some of them bouncing in their seats - while others had expressions of fixed concentration. Since they were up against a real team instead of running countless drills for practice, it felt real. He hoped they could focus their competitive energy into playing that much better. It could be what they needed to win.
They lost, but barely. When the final whistle blew, the ball left the pocket of Liam’s crosse a second too late. The ball went in - their goalie didn’t bother trying to block - and the point didn’t count.
Luckily the team wasn’t too disheartened, and Nolan praised their efforts on the ride home. Liam backed him up, the two of them determined to drown out Coach Finstock’s grumbling.
“I had practice scheduled for tomorrow, but don’t bother showing up.” He growled. “Since no amount of training seems to help you losers.”
“See you Monday, Coach!” Liam called, leaving the bus last. Corey was waiting in his car to take Liam home. “Hey, Mason and I are picking up research from Deaton. You coming?”
Corey parked on the curb before Liam’s house and pulled out his phone. “Nah, I’ve got plans but I’ll see you guys later!”
After dropping his stuff in his room, he found a note from his parents on the whiteboard on the kitchen fridge. His mom had errands to run all day while his stepdad was at work, but they were both excited to hear all about the game later. Liam left to walk down the street to his best friend’s house. Mrs. Hewitt let him in and waved him up to Mason’s room.
“I think your boyfriend’s taking Alec out again.”
“He’s ridiculous.” Mason rolled his eyes. He was sitting at his desk, eating a bag of potato chips. “He keeps saying he wants to give Alec the real teenage experience, without the murder.”
“You don’t think that can happen at Sinema?” Liam joked.
“Given that we almost died the first and second time we went, I don’t think so.”
“Third time’s the charm!”
Mason offered the chip bag to Liam. “Welcome back, anyway.”
“Thanks, dude. You ready to go? I can tell you all about our epic loss on the way.” Liam took the chips and raised the bag to his mouth to finish whatever was left. Mason stood and went for the bathroom right as his phone rang.
“You got it?”
Liam picked up his friend’s phone and answered. “Mason’s phone, what’s up?”
“Oh, Liam. Hey.” Theo sounded uncomfortable. “Is Mason busy?”
His tone brought all the emotions from the day before - really the past few days - rushing back. Could Liam just be overthinking it all? Was Theo starting to notice how he got strangely jealous of their own friends as if Liam had any more claim to his time than they did? If Theo was picking up on the weird energy between them, that could be why he didn’t seem to want to hang out with Liam anymore. Maybe that was why he’d rather spend time with Liam’s best friend over Liam himself.
“No, yeah.” Liam rubbed the back of his neck. “He’ll be out in a moment.”
“Cool.” Theo sounded awkward. “Just a heads up, I won’t be in class on Monday. Mason promised to bring me notes and homework and stuff.”
Liam’s chest felt tight. “I could do that. Bring your stuff home.”
“Sure, if you want-”
“Is everything okay?” He interrupted, heart racing. He had to know, and could only hope Theo didn’t brush it off like the few times Liam had mustered the courage to ask before. “I feel like I did something wrong.”
Theo sighed. “No, you didn’t.” Liam could picture him rubbing a hand over his eyes like he did when he was stressed.
It was hard to keep his voice from shaking. “It really feels like-”
“I know. Let’s talk about it when I get back, yeah?”
“Okay, yeah. Sure. I’m sorry, Theo.”
“Me too.”
They hung up, and Liam stared at the phone until Mason came out of the bathroom. By the look on his face, Liam could tell he’d been eavesdropping. Neither of them chose to acknowledge it.
“Hey, speaking of Sinema. Brett was telling me he saw Nolan there recently.”
“Maybe we should invite him with us next time.” Liam suggested weakly. “Let’s get to Deaton’s. I’ve got to be home for dinner.”
Monday during school Liam nearly forgot to pick up Theo’s homework. He might’ve had a point of asking Mason for that favor after all. Thankfully with the additional help of Corey and Alec, the four of them managed to gather enough notes for Theo to catch up on later.
“Have you guys talked?” Mason asked at lunch. His tone was light, as if Liam didn’t know his nosy best friend hadn’t been dying for clarification on whatever part of their conversation he had managed to overhear through the bathroom door two days ago.
“He’s avoiding me,” Liam said simply. “It’s pretty obvious but he finally admitted something’s been off.”
Corey frowned. “That sucks, man. Any idea why?”
“I’ve tried asking, but whenever I get the guts to go looking for him he’s never around. Since he moved out of my room it’s like he doesn’t even live in the same house anymore.” An idea struck him out of nowhere. Liam straightened suddenly, disrupting his lunch tray. “Mase, did you talk this weekend? Did he say anything to you?”
“Sorry, bro.” Was all Mason said, not looking at him.
Dejected, Liam sagged against the table with his head on his arms. “This is all your fault.”
Mason’s eyebrows shot upwards in surprise. “Why? How?”
“You just had to talk me into liking Theo, I was fine living in denial.” Liam grumbled. “Not only that, then you tricked me into thinking he could like me, too. So now I can picture what that would be like.”
Liam never realized how much time they spent together, until it stopped. He was used to turning to Theo whenever there was a new movie or nearby concert to check out. And as far as he knew, Liam was the only one Theo used to ask to go with him whenever he had the urge
to get out of the city and they would just drive. Somewhere along the line, they each became other's first choice
for making plans.
Living together played into that; most of the time they would spend all day together and then come home to work on Theo’s truck, or do homework, or play video games until they fell asleep. Liam wished that for all the times they’d passed out on his bed, that he could get just one more time to curl up and wake up next to Theo for real. But Theo didn’t want to do any of that.
“Don’t give up,” Mason urged. “Just talk to him. It’ll work out, I know it.”
When lunch was over they cleared the table, with Liam dumping his untouched food in the trash. He trailed after his friends, thinking over Mason’s advice. They were finally going to get to talk - Theo promised - and Liam spent the next two classes going over what he wanted to say. He didn’t want to mess it up.
He was still deep in thought when he entered Chemistry, until something unexpected brought him out of his head. Liam got halfway to his seat and froze, eyes sweeping over the room. He whirled around and caught sight of Nolan.
The former hunter was calmly sitting at his lab table and drumming his fingers on his notebook. He was wearing a leather jacket.
Liam moved before he realized he made the decision. He rounded the table, a voice in his head telling him to keep space between him and the other boy.
“Hey, Liam!” Nolan said cheerfully. The side of his mouth twitched in a nervous smile. He still carried a sense of guilt, even months after everything was back to normal. “Bad luck with the game, yeah? Do you think Coach will really make us do his laundry if we lose again?”
“Probably,” Liam grunted.
“How’s your Chem project going? I’ve barely gotten started.”
Liam only narrowed his eyes and Nolan shifted awkwardly. He looked down self-consciously, as if wondering why Liam was staring so intently.
“Oh! Theo left this at my house the other night. Can you get it back to him for me?” He shrugged off the leather jacket and folded it before him neatly.
Liam gripped the edge of the lab table, his sharp claws sinking easily into the wood. A growl grew slowly in his chest as his fangs lengthened.
Someone grabbed his arm. Liam expected it to be Mason but instead his friend slid into the empty seat next to Nolan.
“What happened?”
Nolan nervously rubbed his neck. “No idea. Get him out of here. I’ll cover for you.”
As Corey calmly but insistently dragged him out of the room, Liam realized the other boy hadn’t seemed genuinely scared, and a part of him was grateful.
His friends shoved him into the locker room. Corey turned on the shower and kept him under the spray until Liam’s eyes stopped glowing gold. Mason stayed by the door to keep everyone else out.
For the rest of the afternoon, they stayed on the lacrosse field. Mason called Alec and he came right away so he and Corey could play against Liam and wear him out. Mason only watched and texted away on his phone.
When it got dark, Liam wasn’t surprised to see Theo’s truck waiting in the parking lot. His friends patted him on the back and took off in Alec’s car.
The ride back home was silent. Theo hopped out of the truck first and led the way to the basement entrance around the side of the house, like he’d taken Isaac last week. Depending on how the conversation went, it was probably best to have as many floors between them and Liam’s parents.
“What did Mason say?” Liam asked softly.
“All he said was you’d been off all day, and almost ended up going off on Nolan?” Theo raised an eyebrow. “What the hell were you thinking?”
“I don’t know.” Liam said honestly. He distracted himself by glancing around the room.
It was his first time seeing it since the remodel. His family’s storage boxes were gone - likely to the garage. Instead, a large bed took up the far corner that he went to go sit on. Theo had his own wardrobe, and a decent-size TV connected to one of Liam’s old game systems. A large beanbag sat before it.
“Tell me why, Liam. What happened to you?” Theo sounded both confused and frustrated, bringing his attention back. Theo’s eyes searched his face before holding his gaze.
“I’m not-” Liam’s voice cracked. “All I know is I walked into class, thinking about you. I - um - do that a lot, actually. And you weren’t supposed to be in class but I thought… I caught your scent, coming off Nolan of all people. He had your jacket. I thought that was my thing.”
Theo walked to the bed. After a moment he sat next to Liam, close enough for their knees to brush. “What thing?”
Something in Theo’s face seemed to soften and the atmosphere felt less tense. Liam took a few deep breaths to try clearing his head. “Everything with sharing clothes, staying out way late just driving nowhere, or getting up way early to try cooking random food when we watch one video and think we can. All of it. But we - you stopped doing it with me. If you’ve been opening up with the pack that’s great, I just didn’t think it would hurt.”
Liam paused a moment to see if Theo would say anything. He didn’t, so the rambling continued. “Then Nolan comes in, saying you’ve been hanging out and he had your jacket… Not that Nolan’s not awesome, he’s great. Way better and less murdery now, but he’s not pack.”
“Why does that matter?” Theo’s jaw clenched. “Am I supposed to be around the pack all the time? Or just you? Is it just ‘your thing’ to control what I do?”
“No! That’s not what I meant!” He didn’t know how to explain.
When Theo first started bonding with other pack mates, Liam thought it was based out of romantic interest. After talking with Mason and realizing how badly he wanted a chance to be with Theo, it was bad enough to think his only competition already came from his really smart, crazy talented, and super hot friends. But if Theo was interested in Nolan or anyone else in the school, Liam’s chances went from slim to none.
“That’s what it sounds like. I exist outside the pack, Liam. I’m more than someone’s beta.” Theo rose from the bed, pacing back and forth in front of it.
Liam reached out to touch Theo, who knocked his hand away. “I know-”
“I’m definitely not your beta, you’re not even an alpha. I don’t have to listen to you.” He turned away from Liam and didn’t look back.
“I’d never-”
“Get out of my room.”
Liam fled upstairs. Halfway to his room he dialed Mason, barely waiting for him to pick up. “I never wanted to think about it. I never wanted to know for sure Theo doesn’t want me.” He hung up and turned off the phone.
The bedroom door slammed close behind him, locking out the rest of the world.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Theo thought he was pretty good at reading others. It was a skill he had to learn fast growing up with the Doctors, when staying alive meant discovering how others minds worked and what they valued in order to exploit their weaknesses.
Humans were easy to figure out and so were most werewolves. Like Liam, who for a long time Theo believed he knew better than almost anyone. Until recently.
While Theo wasn’t into manipulation so much anymore, old habits were hard to break. He liked spending time with Liam, learning more and more about him. Somewhere along the way the younger beta’s ability to mask his emotions and chemosignals improved. Theo regretted training him in that skill, it made it much harder to guess what he was really thinking.
Whenever the two of them would tease in the hopes of flustering the other, now Liam didn’t so much as blush. Even when Theo would push the limits of playful flirting he couldn’t hear Liam’s heart racing anymore. It was difficult to tell if Liam really was better at hiding his emotions or if there were no emotions there to hide.
He just wanted to know for sure what was going on. The ideal way to find out was asking Liam directly, but that had really gone wrong last night. Between them, sometimes pushing each other’s buttons took a turn for the worst. Someone’s temper would spark, and the other’s would flare up in kind, and they’d end in a heated argument.
Except… that’s not what happened yesterday. Theo had been angry but Liam didn’t respond as he usually did. He’d been acting strange since the phone call from the hotel. Something must have gone wrong between them leaving for the game and Theo seeing him again.
Theo had no idea what it had to do with Nolan; by the time he and Liam got a moment to talk it out, there wasn’t even a trace of the anger Mason texted to warn him about. Sure, Liam got defensive over some of Theo’s accusations but the only clear emotion on Liam’s face was a flash of misery right before he ran off.
The next morning when Jenna forced them both to the kitchen table for breakfast, Theo half expected to be punched. Instead Liam kept his head down, looking for all the world like a kicked puppy.
Anger was something Theo could handle. He didn’t know how to deal with this sort of pain.
Liam was very good at avoiding him.
After they climbed out of the truck in the school parking lot, he was gone before Theo even shut his door. He kept it up all day, only the traces of his scent were clues he’d been nearby at all. Theo absolutely did not spend any time scanning crowds of students for a familiar shade of brown hair.
On his way to Chemistry Theo wondered if Liam would fully commit to the act and skip class entirely. He wasn’t surprised to walk in and find Corey sitting at his lab table. He risked a look to the back of the room, where Mason whispered to a figure slumped against the table.
“It’ll be alright,” Corey said, vaguely.
Nolan came in. He didn’t react to someone else in his seat, dropping off the research for his half of the lab project and shuffling to the next table over. Corey glanced at the papers before his eyes flashed to Theo then Liam quickly.
The lesson started and ended without the four of them saying a word. By the time Theo finished packing up, Mason appeared right by his side. He wrapped a friendly arm around Theo’s shoulders and cheerfully dragged him to the parking lot, talking the whole way.
He didn’t shut up until they got to Theo’s truck. Mason fished the keys out of Theo’s jacket pocket and jumped in, gesturing for him to do the same.
“He used to be scared of me,” Theo muttered as he climbed inside and started up the engine. Unsure where else to go, he drove to the Dunbar’s house. Mason let himself in ahead of Theo.
“Okay,” Mason hummed once he was settled on the couch. “What the hell is happening?”
Theo raised one eyebrow and crossed his arms. He stayed across the room, leaning against a bookshelf. He didn’t want to sit. That was less intimidating.
“Didn’t we talk about this?” Mason asked.
“I don’t think you lecturing me constitutes an actual conversation.” He rolled his eyes.
Getting lectured by Mason wasn’t how he’d wanted to spend part of his Friday night. When he’d gotten home Jenna had already been there. She asked if he wanted to join her for dinner, so the two of them walked through the empty house to the dining room.
After watching her pace restlessly around the kitchen Theo suggested inviting the rest of the puppy pack over for movies. The boys arrived in moments.
As soon as company arrived, it was interesting to see Jenna relax. Mason and Alec had no real reason to come hang out with their friend’s mom, delicious meal or no. If either of them really missed Liam and Corey, they were just a phone call away. Instead they instinctively chose to surround themselves with the rest of the available pack nearby. Even Jenna and Mason - both human - could feel the strain of the distance. Theo could.
All through dinner, Mason edged around the subject of Liam. Theo never rose to the bait, and thought he was in the clear once they all finished eating. Then Alec had to be a kiss-up and start loading the dishwasher. When Jenna tried shooing him away from the sink, he only grabbed a towel to help her dry clean plates.
That left him and Mason alone in the living room. For a moment Theo felt cornered, until a phone call distracted them both. He didn’t think an innocent video chat could go wrong until Liam popped up on the screen.
Both of them froze up. Liam’s bright smile turned more of a nervous grimace. Theo made a stupid joke he didn’t remember to try cheering him up but it only seemed to make it worse. Corey cut the conversation short, and his boyfriend was not pleased.
“What was that?” Mason had demanded after hanging up. Apparently shrugging had not been the right answer. He looked angry. “No, seriously. Something’s been weird between you two. Wanna know how I know? You’re here tonight instead of with Liam right now, and both of you have been walking around giving each other puppy eyes when the other isn’t looking.”
Theo knew Mason had more information than he was letting on. He probably already had the idea Theo was in the wrong. That was just fine.
After a long silence, Mason rolled his eyes. “Whatever it is, you gotta fix it. I know you mean a lot to each other.” With that he let it go, not trying to push Theo into saying any more the rest of the night.
For as much as Mason talked, at least the kid knew better than trying to force the same from Theo.
“I’m not the one you gotta say shit to, that’s fine.” Mason snapped as Theo came back to their conversation. “But I know Liam’s not just gonna take your silent treatment and I’m just trying to help.”
“I keep telling you, you’ve got it all wrong.”
“I see. So Liam hurting means nothing to you? You’d rather that go on than tell him how you feel?”
“It wouldn’t make a difference,” Theo stated, not making eye contact. “I wouldn’t be telling him anything he would want to hear.”
With a sigh, Mason leaned forward to try to catch his eye. “It really would, is the thing. I can’t tell you why, but it’s important for him to work this out. I’m seriously risking best friend status even saying anything.”
Theo pushed away from the bookcase and started pacing. “Then why even talk to me about this? Why aren’t you nagging Liam?”
“I’ve been trying to. Thought I’d try knocking sense into you instead, but you both seem equally hopeless.”
He paused and flashed his eyes at Mason. “You used to be scared of me.”
“I still am,” Mason said bluntly. “Less so since I realized you had a big huge crush on my best friend though. You should see your face dude, whenever he’s around.”
“Puppy dog eyes, was it?” Theo snorted.
“Exactly. Everything I know is what I’ve figured out. I didn’t push you for information Friday, and today I won’t either because you’re my friend too, Theo. Also because whatever secrets you’ve got here, Liam should be the first to hear them. He deserves to know.”
For a long moment, Theo just looked at Mason. He let the gold in his eyes fade. “Everything was fine. We were getting closer. I thought he felt -” He rubbed a hand over his face. “Something changed. One minute, Liam’s flirting or whatever, and the next he’s acting like he wants nothing to do with me.”
“Well, you did a great job. Liam has the idea that you’re either dating Nolan, someone in the pack, or maybe both. Also, he thinks you hate him.”
“He’s been the one pushing me away!” Theo’s frustration flared, making his chest feel tight.
At that moment the front door opened. Liam and Corey came in and Theo wondered if the two of them had been off having their own heart to heart. As soon as Liam realized they were there he walked towards the stairs. Corey caught his arm and looked at Mason.
“Oh no,” Mason stood up. “You’re talking about this. Now.”
“Just get it over with. We’ll be out with Alec until you’re done.” Corey added.
Theo didn’t need to use his enhanced senses to tell they were lying. Alec was most likely posted outside the door to stop them from leaving. Liam shot the couple a betrayed look as they left.
Walking over to the couch, Liam collapsed in the same spot Mason had been in. This time Theo sat down too, a respectful distance away.
There was silence for a long time. Theo cleared his throat. “Guess they’re right. We should try this again.”
A few muttered words were his only response.
“There’s been a lot of miscommunication - yesterday - all this week. We can try clearing that up.”
“Sure, yea. I guess… guess I can go first.” Liam’s eyes darted to him and away. “Before we get into last night, there’s something else that’s been bugging me. I’ve noticed - well Alec and the others have too - we think maybe you’re under the impression the pack keeps you around is because you’re useful.”
Theo didn't get why Liam’s face screwed up like that was a bad thing. He shrugged. “That’s one of the reasons isn’t it?”
The other boy shook his head but still didn’t look at him. “I - I really need you to know. I want you around because you want to be, not because you feel like you have to. You’re important to me because of who you are, not what you can do for me.”
“I like helping out.” Theo murmured. “I don’t do anything I don’t want to do. I like being needed, but it’s nice to know I’m wanted.”
A bright blush bloomed on Liam’s cheeks. “I just wanted to clear that up. Last night you said I was trying to control you, and I’m sorry if I ever made you feel that way.”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean everything I said.” Theo winced. “Really sorry I kicked you out of my room.”
Liam chewed his lip and stared at his hands. “I never wanted to have power over you, or whatever. I just wanted to mean more to you than just another beta.”
He didn’t know what to say. He watched the blush creep to the tips of Liam’s ears. “In what way, Liam? Mason seems to think there’s something I’m not getting.”
That made him look up. “He told you?” Liam’s voice cracked.
“We talked.” Theo admitted. “But-”
“Right. Of course you did. Is that why you don’t want to hang out with me anymore? Just want to make it clear I never had a shot?”
Theo was baffled. “What?”
“Is that why you kept blowing me off with other people?” The soft pink on Liam’s face flushed to an angry red. “If you really wanted me to back off so bad, you should’ve just told me.”
“I wanted you to back off?” Theo repeated incredulously. “You kicked me out of your room!”
“Not like you want to spend time in here anymore anyway. You’d rather have cool sleepovers with Derek without parent supervision.”
“Sorry for wanting to spend time with people who actually seemed to want to be around me.”
“I want to be around you!” Liam cried. “I asked if you wanted to come study, or play video games, hell I invited you to a fucking hotel room with me! You wanted to be around Mason and Isaac more.”
“Yeah, you’re really good at inviting me out to do something, then turning around saying I didn’t ‘have to come.’ Made it really clear you don’t actually want me around.” Theo muttered.
Liam flinched back, and Theo realized how close they had gotten in their arguing. “I explained that! That’s when Alec made me notice how much you did for us. What was it you said? Babysitting bratty teenagers? Weird how that doesn’t seem to bother you going out with Nolan.”
“That’s a weird way to describe working with my lab partner. Not that it matters, since I still have no clue what he has to do with anything.”
That threw Liam off. He choked on his next few words before blurting out a ‘what?’ Theo raised an eyebrow at him. “Fine, you’re right. Not like it matters, since you said you’d rather date Brett over anyone!”
“Maybe there was someone else I’d rather be with, or I did before he said he’d never feel the same way.” Theo set his jaw. “He made it very clear we aren’t on the same ‘level.’” At Liam’s confused expression he smirked. “In Chemistry. You said-”
“Interest level.” Liam said dismissively. “Scientifically speaking.”
Theo shook his head. “We were talking about the party. The last thing you mentioned was Derek’s date and Mason suggested you go with me-”
“Before Mrs. Strucker interrupted.” We were planning the party when she was explaining our lab projects, and Mason suggested I partner with you.” Liam said. “I didn’t want another flash fire accident. I like having eyebrows”
It took some time for the information to sink in. That quick, insignificant moment had been what sprouted the seed of doubt in Theo’s mind. It made him wonder if things were going as well as he’d imagined between him and Liam. Had it really just been a misunderstanding?
“Mason was right.” Theo was at fault here.
Liam winced at his friend’s name. “You even picked my best friend over me. After he already told you how I’d pick you over everyone else to do anything with. How I just want to be with you, more than anything else.”
Shifting forward, Theo got close in Liam’s space again. “You want to be with me?”
“Don’t-” Liam said. His eyes were rimmed with red. “I get that you don’t feel the same way, but it’s not fair to mock someone else’s feelings. No matter how unwanted.”
“Shh. It’s never been about anyone else. Not for me.” Theo whispered. “Tell me.”
Liam swallowed hard. “Yes. Yea, okay fine. I want to go on patrol runs and movie nights and study dates. I want to drive to your truck and hold your hand for once. I want you.”
Theo shifted even closer. He reached a hand slowly to Liam’s face, who held his breath.
He smacked Liam upside the head. Liam’s hand flew up but Theo caught it and let his other hand slide through Liam’s hair and down his neck. “Were you delusional enough to think you were the only one? That it’s just you who likes it when we’re play fighting or sharing clothes or talking about nothing until 4am?”
Nodding meekly, Liam looked down again. Theo squeezed the hand he held and laced their fingers together. “I make up excuses to touch you.” He rubbed his thumb over the back of Liam’s hand purposefully.
Liam finally exhaled a shaky breath. “You haven’t - these last few days - I thought I was losing my mind.”
“You haven’t been wearing my hoodie.” Theo blurted, without really meaning to. “You did it once and it - was nice. Cute.”
Much to his alarm, Liam stood up. He gave a quick wink before bolting upstairs and shooting back down just as quickly. He was holding Theo’s black hoodie and quickly pulled it on. The scent enveloping the fabric was entirely of Liam.
“I’ve been sleeping in it.” The blush from earlier returned with surprising speed, every inch of Liam’s face bright pink.
Theo tugged him back down on the couch and Liam curled up against him. “Thought you knew I’d follow you anywhere.”
“Mason might’ve had to remind me. Guess we were both pretty clueless.”
“I guess we should relieve the sentry on duty outside.”
“I have a better idea.” Liam grinned. “Let’s make them move your stuff back upstairs. If, you know, you want.”
“Fuck, yes.” Theo nuzzled against his throat. He hesitated for a moment, then gently brushed his lips against Liam’s neck. Liam shivered.
“What else do you want?” Liam asked softly, sliding his fingers through Theo’s hair. “Anything. Just ask.”
Theo pulled back to make eye contact. A dazzling smile lit up Liam’s face. it made it difficult to kiss him, but that didn’t stop Theo. He kissed Liam. Again and again, until the grin was under control.
They pulled away for a moment and the smile returned, softer this time but just as bright. “You. I’ve always wanted you.”