Whiskey on the Rocks- Chapter 4

Friday morning started early for Theo since he took Stiles out for a run around downtown Beacon Hills. They passed by the hospital and the station while sporting their FBI warm up suits. The chimera kept it easy for the young Stilinski but they got a good long detox run in before stopping at the coffee shop, The Last Bean, near the office. Stiles stepped inside to get their coffees while Theo sat outside, sweat slick hair and his suit clinging to his equally sweaty body. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his fed shades since the sun was considerably brighter now than when they began their run.

While he sat outside, people watching the streets, a scent caught his nose. His heartrate increased as he heard a particular set of footsteps approach his table. He glanced over to see Liam standing next to the table, book bag and lacrosse gear in hand. The wolf set his bags down and asked, "Theo, can we talk?"

Theo tried to still his nerves as he knew that his chemo signals were betraying him, giving off waves of anger, sadness and anxiety. He simply responded, "Shouldn't you be at school? It's almost time for the first bell."

Liam sat down at the table and brushed his hair out of his face before he responded, "Talking to you is more important than school."

Theo shifted uncomfortably in his chair as wave after wave flowed from the wolf, sadness and anger but something else, something that almost tasted like remorse. Emotionlessly he responded, "Alright, talk. What do you want Liam?"

Liam weakly smiled as he said, "It was good to see you two days ago and we handled the Lamia. It's safely held at Eichen house."

Theo huffed a simple, sardonic laugh, "That's all? Our focus was Stacy, not the lamia." Theo knew he was throwing up his walls and wouldn't let the wolf hurt him easily, not again.

Liam looked to the table and weakly sighed as he began, "I'm sorry Theo. I'm sorry for hurting you. What I did was unforgivable."

Theo raised a brow, which was barely seen around the shades, "Yeah it is. I just don't get why." The chimera regretted letting the last sentence leave his mouth since it gave the wolf an opening.

Liam looked to Theo to make eye contact but only saw his reflection in the shades, "I owe you the why. At least."

Theo attempted to restrain his bitter anger but the comment flew, dripping with venom, before he could stop himself, "Why it is better that it happened this way."

Liam swallowed the knot in his throat before he continued, "I wanted you to break up with me. I needed you to hate me."

Theo glared through his shades and replied, "Why would you need me to break up with you?" The glare softened as Theo admitted something to himself and vocalized it to the wolf, his little wolf, as he quietly whispered, "And you failed. I don't hate you."

Liam sighed deeply, Theo's admission taking the steam out of any anger but filling him with regret as he declared, "Someone needs to stay back here in Beacon Hills and take care of it. I promised Scott…"

Theo interrupted, as his anger swelled and he incredulously spat, "This is over Beacon Hills? You made me think I wasn't worth touching, something to be despised and thrown away while you fucked your way through the senior class and not to mention some college students so I would protect Beacon Hills?"

Liam's guilt flowed in waves, threatening to break through the chimera's wall as the wolf continued, "I know it sounds stupid. After Wednesday, I told Mason the details of our break up and he said that was the dumbest shit that I had ever thought or done."

The chimera snidely remarked, "Maybe you should've ran your plan by Mason before…" The chimera's voice began to betray him before he could finish the sentence.

Liam began to say something but the quick steps and words of Stiles filled the air before he could. His words sounded jovial but the bitter bite hid beneath "What's up Liam? Sitting down with Theo and I for our morning coffee? We just finished a long run, thanks to agent shades here. Boy could I use some caffeine, and sugar, and maybe a doughnut, or three. Shouldn't you be at school?" Stiles set down the cups and slid into the seat to the left of Theo but almost completely opposite of Liam.

Liam grumbled as the mingled scents of the two filled the air which caused him to lose his train of thought. Stiles took a sip of his coffee as Theo did the same. The young agent asked, "So what are we talking about?"

Liam glared at Stiles, "It's kind of personal."

Theo interrupted Liam and stated, "We are talking about why Liam thought that fucking Beacon Hills was a good idea to get me to stay here." The chimera knew that was a low blow and could feel the rage bleed off the young wolf. He thought for a moment that he was just trying to torture the young wolf but it dawned on him exactly how much the act hurt him. His eyes welled with tears and he was glad that his shades hid his pain.

Liam looked to Stiles and then to Theo and asked, "Can we talk privately?"

Theo curtly responded, "Anything you have to say, you can say in front of Stiles."

Liam growled as Stiles wore a smug grin, a very similar one to the chimera, as he continued, "I didn't want you to follow me to North Carolina if that meant people here, my family, the pack's families would be in danger."

Theo thought about the words for a moment and Stiles commented, "Then why didn't you just talk to Theo about that?"

Liam's eyes focused on Stiles as he continued to speak, "I know that now. I was stupid and put my boyfriend, the man I love, through hell."

Theo barely croaked out the whisper, "Ex-boyfriend."

A look of pain flashed across Liam's face and Theo instantly regretted his comment as the blue eyes fell on him. Liam's pain tore through the fragile, wounded side of the chimera. Theo fought against his urge to run from the emotional onslaught but before his body reacted, long slender fingers found his gripped fist under the table and opened it, intertwining themselves to help hold the chimera together. Liam continued, "I'm so sorry I ignored you and cheated on you and made you think you were worthless. You are so far from worthless Theo. I love you. Don't you still love me, Theo?"

The words felt so genuine and Theo felt his resolve waiver. He slowly fought to find his voice as he began, "I love-" Theo swallowed deeply as he knew he was about to pass off a lie that would be impossible to hide but one that he needed to commit to now, "I loved you Liam." A tear dislodged itself from under the shades and began to travel down the chimera's cheek. Liam's eyes lit up from the uptick in the chimera's heartrate but Stiles cut into the mood with an angled comment, "I still don't get what you mean by Beacon Hills being unprotected. I am here and so is Scott's dad. Not to mention my dad, Parrish, Scott's mom, Deaton, Peter, and numerous other allies we can call on with you and the puppy pack leaving."

Liam shook his head angrily before landing his glare on Stiles. He vengefully asked, "Shouldn't you be pining over Derek somewhere else?

Something inside Theo snapped at Liam's comment. Theo saw the words cut into Stiles and while he knew the wolf couldn't possibly know what happened between the young Stilinski and the elder wolf, he couldn't let the comment stand, "How about you shut up before you piss me off Dunbar?" Theo squeezed Stiles' hand under the table to let the man know that their bond goes both ways.

Stiles tilted his head to face Theo and barely whispered, "Thank you."

Liam's eyes fell on the display and his mind raced as he saw the fading discoloration on the left side of Stiles' neck. The torrent of hurt that flowed from Liam shifted into rage. His voice quivered but not with uncertainty, but with pure, unadulterated, fury, "So that's what is going on?"

Theo could barely ask, "What?" before Liam's hand reached across the table and yanked off the shades as he stood up. Theo's hurt was on full display for the wolf. Liam's eyes glanced through the holes in the metal table and saw their hands, holding one another steady. The wolf snapped as the charge to prime his deep, primal anger was lit and he aimed to hurt the chimera in a meaningful way, a way that wasn't easily healed, a way that would leave a mark as he spat, "So. That's it now. Moved on pretty quickly Theo. Maybe you never loved me. I don't even think you can."

The rush of comments blinded the chimera as the words cut into him. His body couldn't muster anger though and the truth of his statement to Liam, almost an eternity ago, of only feeling one emotion at a time stood true. The chimera could only fell sadness and pain.

Stiles glared at Liam, "Shut up Liam and walk away."

A vicious smile crossed the young wolf's face as his eyes shifted golden and he spat, "So what? You two are fucking now?" The word hit with the intensity of a boulder falling into a lake.

Stiles quickly responded, "Not that it's any of your business but no."

Liam laughed darkly, fully pulled into his rage, "Then you have a few surprises ahead of you, Stiles."

Stiles' eyes widened as Theo looked up at Liam and pathetically whispered, "Please stop, Liam. Please."

The wolf felt the chimera relent, his neck exposed but that only drove the rage that fed the wolf to try to tear out his throat. He gleefully whispered, the wrath of his words dripped, "This bitch loves to be bent over and bred. It loves to scream."

Theo lowered his head and the tears began to fall as his facial expression remained solid. The strength on the word "it" cracked through the defensive walls that the chimera established. The sorrow and self-doubt flooded through the dam.

Stiles gritted through his teeth, "Shut up Liam."

Liam's predatory smile widened as he said, "And don't let it be in love with you. This chimera has a few extra features, courtesy of the Dread Doctors."

Theo focused on breathing, his hand squeezing Stiles, pleading for some kind of relief.

Stiles repeated, "Shut up Liam!"

Liam threw his hands up in mock innocence, the vengeful tone of his words reflecting his intent, "Hey, I'm just warning you before it splits you in half in the name of love, Stiles."

Stiles stood up, bringing their hands above the table and stared down Liam. The gentle ambers burned against the white hot fury of the golden globes. He asked, "Does this make you happy Liam? Hurting the man you claimed to love not minutes before?"

Liam grinned, "I'm the only one that could love it. It's my responsibility. But, things would probably be a lot safer here if we sent it back to hell." Liam's rage bled off to its conclusion with the comments. The damage was done as Theo focused on the table, the words ringing painfully in his ears. To Liam, to his Little Wolf, he was nothing more than a thing to be used. He was a tool once again, exactly as he had been with the Dread Doctors. The chimera didn't realize that he could have his already torn and broken heart shattered again, but these words took a hammer to the fragments that remained whole. He didn't even register the pull against his hand when Stiles reared back and knocked Liam to the ground, his fist connecting fully with the wolf's nose.

Blood shot out as the wolf grabbed his nose and quickly got to his feet. The smell of blood awakened the wounded chimera and before Liam could advance on Stiles, Theo flipped the metal table out of his way and blocked him.

His wounded golden eyes met Liam's and with a coldness that he hadn't possessed since he murdered Tracy, he said, "Make one move against Stiles and I will rip out your tongue and voice box and deliver them to Scott so that he knows exactly why his mouthy beta was ripped apart."

The comments disarmed Stiles and it took a moment before Liam realized the threat his chimera just lobbed was spoken with an undeniable truth. The wolf grabbed his bags and stormed off while Theo stared at him leaving, a trail of tears sliding down his emotionless face.

Stiles snaked around Theo, the chimera's grip on his hand being like granite and looked at him. He whispered, "I'm sorry I didn't stop him."

Theo shook his head and looked to Stiles. He said, "It is not your fault. It is all my fault."

The hollow, emotionally dead words slashed through Stiles and he said, "No, Theo. This isn't your fault."

The barista came running out of the café and yell asked, "Is everything alright? We saw the table flip over."

Theo shook off the coldness and released Stiles' hand and quickly flipped it back over, "Everything is alright. Sorry about that." He gave a gentle smile in an attempt to mask everything else.

She looked at the two agents and their spilled coffees, and gently asked, "Do you want two more cups of coffee. On the house?"

Stiles smiled and nodded before he ushered Theo inside. He pulled out a twenty and tucked it in the tip jar as she prepared the coffee. Theo stared off, every ounce of strength and resolved seemed to be used keeping him physically together. Once their coffees were finished, the two men grabbed them and went to the office.

They showered, changed in the bathroom next to the gym in their office building. They reported to work, ready for Rafael's assignments for the day. Stiles knocked on Rafael's door and the special agent told them to come in. Stiles and Theo walked into the office and waited as Rafael sat behind his desk and typed up a report. His eyes fell on the two and within a few moments he began.

"Stiles, I want you and Theo to take the day off."

A look of surprise flashed across both of their faces and Stiles asked, "What gives McCall?"

Rafael looked from Stiles to Theo and back to Stiles, making eye contact, "This office cannot afford to lose our investment in Mister Raek-"He watched Theo's expression begin to fall at the reference and dropped his agent tone. He began again, "Guys. I'm not stupid. I know that something is tearing you apart Theo and I don't want the stress of this job to finish off what something else started." He stood up and walked around the desk. He looked to both young men, "You two are all I have in this office and I will be damned if I am going to watch you fall apart and not do anything about it. Now take the day off and do what you need to and report back Monday ready to work. Do I make myself clear?"

Stiles and Theo nodded and responded, "Yes sir."

Rafael put on a smile, "Now if you don't mind, I have a meeting to attend with the local officials. Enjoy your day off and I better not catch you doing work today."

Stiles smiled while Theo remained emotionless. The young Stilinski responded, "Yes sir. You won't catch me doing anything today, sir. Except maybe ordering take out or seeing my dad in a non-official capacity or maybe picking up some chocolate. I could really go for some chocolate."

Rafael's smile widened as he pat both men on their respective shoulders and escorted them out of his office.

Stiles guided Theo out of the office as the chimera still seemed to be locked in autopilot. He walked him back to his apartment with scarcely a word shared between the two. When they reached Theo's apartment, Stiles opened the door and guided him to the couch, making sure to sit next to him.

Theo slowly turned to Stiles and whispered, "Thank you."

Stiles blushed as he responded, "No need. You know those things he said about you aren't true right?"

Theo sighed and looked to the floor, "I don't know. Maybe I am just a monster, a thing to be used by whomever could control me. Maybe Beacon Hills would be better off if I were back in Hell."

The despair in Theo's voice broke something in Stiles and the young man pulled the chimera to him, embracing him as he shifted his head so that Theo's was tucked on the left side of his neck. He whispered, "You are not a thing. You are Theodore Raeken. You are the man that saved this whole fucking town more than once. You are not some tool but an amazing, surprisingly kind and caring asshole that has made my time back here enjoyable. I am so glad that I messaged you when I got back into town. I am so glad that we got drunk and you sang the Lion King to me before we went upstairs and you showed me how sexy you are. I am so glad that I finally decided to stop being a stubborn asshole and give you a chance to show who you really are. Because I have to admit, if they want to send you to hell then they had better make it two tickets because we are partners in crime now." Stiles' didn't realize when he started to cry as the warm tears dripped down his face. Theo pulled back a little and grey met amber. Theo looked confused as the tears lined his face, "But everything I did."

Stiles cut him off, "In these four walls, we don't do history. It doesn't help either of us. If you want to compare notes on who was more fucked up then we could but that doesn't get either of us anywhere."

Theo nodded and his eyes fell to the floor, "I just don't want to feel right now. I actually miss my time with the Dread Doctors because I didn't feel anything. It was easier. It was safe."

Stiles slowly reached forward and cupped the bottom of Theo's face and raised it so that once again grey and amber met, "Before them, when was the last time you felt safe?"

Theo thought for a minute and the tiniest grin came to his mouth as he whispered in a tiny voice, "With you. My captain."

Stiles leaned forward and kissed Theo on the forehead, "Your captain isn't going to steer the ship wrong." The humor of the words began to fight against the deluge of tears trapped inside the chimera. He continued by kissing the tip of Theo's nose, "I'm not going anywhere and I hope you decide to stay here with me."

Something broke inside the chimera as Stiles leaned forward for the third kiss, he hungrily met him. With a primal ferocity, the chimera poured his passion into the kiss as he harshly sucked and nibbled on the young Stilinski's lips. Stiles' eyes were wide in surprise from the kiss and held contact with Theo's opened greys. They closed their eyes as they deepened the kiss. Eventually, Stiles pulled back from the kiss and Theo meekly, almost innocently, "So, about that rain check?"

Theo looked into Stiles' eyes, pupils blown out, lips swollen and red from the assault as the man softly responded, "I just want you to know that I am doing this for you. Because of you. I am unbelievably attracted to you and want to share myself with you. If we are just using each other, then I want nothing to do with it. I care about you and I don't want to hurt you and I hope you feel the same."

Theo slowly took a deep breath and said, "You're right Stiles." He looked to the floor, "I care about you and I want to share myself with you. But I would be lying if I said that part of me doesn't just wants to feel something that isn't pain. Part of me wants you to claim me so that the last person to claim me isn't him."

Stiles reached forward and brought Theo's face back up and said, "We aren't there yet. It's okay. We'll get there, if you want. For now, let's order some Chinese and watch some musical, because if you don't think that I've noticed that not only do you love them but you have a heavenly voice then you are wrong. We don't have to rush though I have to admit you are making it more and more difficult for me and eventually my willpower is going to give and I just hope we'll be able to salvage the sheets." Stiles smile widened into a goofy, ridiculous one that slowly brought a little of the sparkle back to the chimera's eyes and a smug grin slowly began to form. Theo replied, "It's okay Stiles, my captain, I can always buy new sheets."