Theo watches Liam as he prepares the tea for him. It's pretty weird to let someone do something for him. He still thinks Liam must be up to something.
Liam hands him his tea and sits down at the counter with him.
"Any sugar or honey?" Liam offers.
Theo silently takes the honey and squirts a few drops into his tea. Liam hands him a spoon.
Theo is not one for small talk or any conversation really. The dread doctors didn't say much other than what they planned on doing. He sips his tea and waits for Liam to leave. He doesn't.
"So do you want to talk about your dream?" Liam asks.
"Not really." Theo says slowly.
"It seemed pretty intense. Sometimes it's good to talk things out." Liam points out.
"I'll pass." Theo says.
Liam frowns.
Theo sips his tea in silence. He doesn't talk about his dreams or whatever Liam is trying to do. It's not like anyone would get it anyway. What would he say? That he has dreams about his dead sister ripping out his heart while he was in hell, but it's actually her heart that she takes back. No one would care anyway. That's a conversation that is not needed.
"You know I remember when I was little I used to get night terrors. My mom was really worried about me. She said that she bought me night lights and tried to read me books to help me sleep. I grew out of it I guess." Liam says.
"Must of been really bad if you can't remember unless your mom tells you." Theo says.
"Well I think what helped me through it is my mom. It helps when you have people to get you through tough times. " Liam says.
"How nice for you." Theo says.
He is not sure why Liam is trying to rub in his face that he has people that care about him. That's great for him. Theo doesn't have that.
"Where are you staying?" Liam asks.
"Around." Theo says.
"Ok. Well if you need to crash here sometimes you can." Liam offers.
Theo eyes him suspiciously. What's his deal. Is he some charity case now.
Theo finishes his tea and Liam puts his cup in the dishwater. He goes back upstairs and lays back in the chair. He feels really tired all of a sudden. He slowly drifts off to sleep.
Theo wakes up the next morning and looks around. He doesn't see anyone in the room. He goes downstairs and sees everyone eating a huge portion of pancakes.
"Hello. I am Liam's mom. You can call me Jenna." Liam's mom smiles.
"Theo." Theo says.
"Pancakes?" Liam says.
Theo sits down and eats his pancakes. He watches while everyone babbles on about lacrosse and school. It's weird to Theo. He never really had a normal life. Well he did, but then he killed his sister.
"You know I never thought about putting melatonin in tea to help me sleep. I should try that sometime." Mason says.
Theo turns and looks at Liam. He drugged him? What the hell. How dare he put stuff in his tea without telling him. Yes, melatonin is natural but he doesn't like being blindsided and forced to sleep.
He scowls. This was a mistake.
"It just seemed like you needed the sleep." Liam points out.
Theo glares at him. Jenna observes the two of them.
"So since it's Sunday we were going to go see a movie at the early show. Would you like to join?" Liam asks.
"No I got things to do." Theo says.
"What things?" Mason asks.
"Things." Theo snarls.
He isn't going to just be going to movies like everything is fine, plus he doesn't have a lot of money. He has to save it until he can find another job. Hopefully soon.
"Well I need some help around the yard. If you have time maybe you can help? It pays 50 bucks." Jenna says.
Theo considers it. He needs the money but would it be weird. He looks at Liam who seems to be waiting for his answer.
"Um ok." Theo says.
"I thought you had things." Nolan points out.
Liam kicks Nolan underneath the table.
They finish their breakfast and Liam offers Theo a shower. He takes it begrudgingly. He showers and changes.
Everyone heads out to the movie.
"When will I see you?" Liam asks.
"I don't know. Why does it matter?" Theo asks.
"Can I come by sometime?" Liam asks.
Theo feels frustrated. Can he come by sometime? No. He doesn't have a place to live but he is not going to offer that information. This little wolf seems to be very involved. Is he like this with all of them?
"No." Theo says.
Liam looks hurt and leaves with his friends.
Jenna gives him the task of weeding her garden. It's not a big garden, so he has no idea why it's even paying 50 bucks. He finishes and heads inside.
"Thanks. Here you are." Jenna says handing him the money.
"I think I should take less. It wasn't that big of a job." Theo says.
He can't bring himself to take 50 bucks from her when it's not worth 50 bucks. He never had a conscious before, but it seems like he would be stealing. He doesn't want to steal from Liam's parents.
"Oh my husband is very picky with who he lets do his yard. We pay more to make sure it's done right." Jenna says.
They are picky about weeding? He takes the money snd slides it into his pocket.
"Well thanks. I'll see you around. " Theo says.
He heads out the door.
"Hey Theo." Jenna says.
"Yeah?" Theo asks.
"Thank you. For saving my son. He told me." Jenna says.
Theo feels awkward but nods and leaves. He gets into his truck and drives the rest of the day. It's not like he has much to do anyway. He gets lunch and heads back to the preserve. He has learned to eat one meal a day to make the money last longer. Sometimes he runs or tries to exercise. That's all he really can do.
He sits in his truck reading a book he found. Nightfall comes pretty quickly but as always, he can't sleep. It probably didn't help that he slept better last night. Now he won't sleep for a while. He stares up at the ceiling.
He sees his sister running towards him and grabbing at his heart. He stumbles back. He is used to this. He is used to her taking it. It never gets any easier though. He wakes up clenching his chest. He hears tapping on the window.
He wolfs out and sees Liam. He withdraws his claws and opens the door.
"Why are you here?" Theo asks.
"I heard you howling." Liam says.
"You know what my howl sounds like?" Theo says doubtfully.
"Yea. You did it last night too." Liam says.
Liam gets in the truck uninvited. He sits down next to Theo. They sit in silence for a few minutes.
"What's going on?" Liam asks.
Theo looks at Liam. What the hell is happening. Since when does Liam Dunbar care about what is going on with Theo. He looks at him. He doesn't see any wicked scheme in his face.
"Why do you care?" Theo asks.
"Because your not the same Theo that went to hell." Liam says.
Theo frowns. How does he even know that or assume that? Yes he helped them during the war and ghost riders, but that doesn't mean he is a new person. He still killed his sister.
He waits for Liam to leave but he doesn't.
"I get nightmares sometimes." Theo says slowly.
"What is sometimes?" Liam asks.
"Every night. I didn't know I was howling until just now." Theo says.
"It sounds like a sad howl. Like a wolf that is hurt." Liam says.
Well that's embarrassing. He will have to drive farther away now. He can't have people thinking he is wounded . Someone could come to get him. He isn't sure who but you never know. He has made a lot of enemies.
"What are the dreams about?" Liam asks.
Theo doesn't like over sharing. He normally doesn't even like talking all that much. He already said to much but at this point Liam doesn't seem to be leaving.
"My sister. She takes my heart back. Or her heart back. She rips it out of my chest." Theo says.
"What else?" Liam asks.
"That's it." Theo says.
Liam eyes widen.
"That's your dream every night?" Liam asks.
"Yeah. She takes it over and over again. It happened when I was in hell." Theo explains.
"We shouldn't have sent you there." Liam says.
"I deserved it." Theo says.
Liam seems like he is thinking. Theo waits. He looks at the clock. 2am. Aren't his parents concerned about him? He didn't think he howled that loud, or people would complain to the cops.
Just then he sees a familiar flashlight in the window.
"You can't stay here." He hears the officer say.
"Ok. I am going" Theo says.
Theo gets out of the truck . Liam follows.
"Theo is this your place?" Liam asks.
Theo nods. Guess the cats out of the bag anyway. He waits but Liam is still standing there.
"Can you come home with me?" Liam asks.
"No." Theo says.
He doesn't want anyone's charity. Plus he can't imagine Scott being ok with his beta harboring the guy who tried to take over the pack. He is doing Liam a favor.
"Theo. If Scott knew that..." Liam starts to say.
"He already knows. Or I think he does. Stiles saw me once. I'm sure he told him." Theo points out.
That's another thing. Most of the pack just already knows anyway, so why would he now just want to invite Theo over? There must be a game. Everyone wants something. No one has ever not wanted something from Theo.
"Well I didn't know. If they do then that's pretty awful of them. No one should be living this way. Especially who is an ally." Liam says.
"Liam. What the hell do you want?" Theo asks annoyed.
He just needs him to get to the point. He is sick of him pretending to be out here because he cares. Just tell him what he wants. That way they can stop this whole charade. It's not like he would deny Liam anyway.
"Nothing. I just want you safe." Liam says.
Safe? Since when does Dunbar want him safe. That can't be it.
"That's not what people want ." Theo says.
"Who's people?" Liam asks.
"People. Everyone wants something." Theo points out.
"Is that what you have experienced?" Liam says.
He is looking at him with a sad expression. Theo doesn't like that look. He doesn't want anyone to feel bad for him. He looks away and starts the truck again.
"Bye Liam." Theo says.
"Where are you going?" Liam asks.
"I don't know." Theo says.
Liam walks around the side of the truck and sits in the passenger seat.
"What the hell are you doing?" Theo asks.
"Well I guess I'm going with you. But I'm hoping you come to my house instead. My mom is pretty paranoid when I don't come home." Liam says.
Theo frowns. He looks at the clock again. Maybe if he takes Liam home he will go away. He starts the truck and drives to Liam's house.
Liam doesn't move.
"Goodnight Liam." Theo says.
"Oh I'm not going in unless you are." Liam says.
Theo wants to rip his hair out. He stares straight ahead. Liam gives no sign of giving up. Theo makes his hands into fists. He hits the dashboard . He is just tired.
Theo gets out of the truck and follows Liam into the house. He walks upstairs with him and Liam shows him a guest room. Theo glares at Liam and shuts the door.
He lays down on the bed and looks up at the ceiling. Maybe he can sneak out. He opens the door to see Liam sleeping at the door.
Dammit.
He shuts the door and lays back in the bed. He must drift off at some point, because he sees his sister taking his heart again. He jumps up and sees Liam looking at him.
"Liam? What are you doing?" Theo asks.
"I heard you thrashing around." Liam says.
Theo watches as Liam walks out of the room. He comes back ten minutes later and hands him a cup.
"Is this drugged again?" Theo snarls.
"No. Promise." Liam says.
Theo sips the tea and sees Liam move beside him on the bed.
"I wasn't going to sleep anyway. " Liam says.
Theo finishes his tea and looks at Liam. He is studying Theo like he is trying to figure him out. Theo doesn't like it.
—-
The next morning Jenna walks outside of the bedroom and sees Liam and Theo sleeping on the floor. Her husband looks at her with a questioning glance. She smiles and shuts the guest room door.
—
Theo wakes up and sees a towel on the bed. He showers and heads downstairs. He sees Liam talking to his mom, but he stops when he sees Theo.
"Hey so we are all going to go to the beach to celebrate the last week of summer. Want to come?" Liam asks.
Theo sighs. He looks at Jenna and sees her worried look. Maybe he should play along.
"Ok but I don't have a swimsuit." Theo says.
"You can borrow one of mine." Liam says.
"Aren't you like 4 feet? "Theo says.
"Oh haha that's the first time you told a joke there Raeken." Liam smiles.
Theo changes into Liam's swimsuit and throws a shirt on. He sees Mason, Corey, and Nolan waiting in the car. Theo gets in the back with Liam.
"So this beach is supposed to be pretty awesome." Corey says.
They all chat about the beach and other little things. Theo looks around the car. It is nice. He wonders what Mason's parents do.
They get to the beach and find a spot in the sand . Theo takes off his shirt. He looks at Mason who is staring at him. Mason quickly looks away.
"I'm going to find seashells . " Corey announces.
Mason and Corey walk the beach for shells. Nolan decides he is going to go swim.
Theo lays back on the towel and decides to try to sleep. He closes his eyes and enjoys the warmth of the sun. He feels something hit his chest. He shoots up and looks around frantically.
He sees a guy run over and grab a ball.
"Can you watch where your throwing that." Theo snarls clutching his chest.
He feels his heart beating fast. He thought he was losing his heart again.
The guy glares at Theo.
"I don't like your tone." The guy says.
Theo starts to get up when Liam runs over.
"Hey dude , your ball hit our towel. I don't like your tone." Liam says.
The guy storms off and complains to his friends. Liam looks at Theo and sits down next to him.
"When's the last time you slept a full night?" Liam asks.
"I can't remember." Theo says.
He doesn't remember sleeping a lot with the dread doctors either. Obviously as a child they were still scary looking and they did a lot of surgeries. He doesn't really know what it feels like to sleep well.
"So we were thinking maybe you can stay a while? Like in case something goes wrong again? We could use your help. You can stay with me. Or if you don't want to stay with me, you can stay with Mason?" Liam offers.
"Why would I stay?" Theo asks.
"Because I want you here and I thought I could use that as an excuse for you to stay." Liam says. He looks embarrassed.
Dammit.
The drive home is pretty silent.
"So I think we can get you back in school to finish your senior year. If you want." Corey says.
Theo looks at all of them. He isn't sure what the game is yet.
Liam and Theo walk in the house to see Jenna talking to Liam's dad.
"Hey Theo. Liam said you we're going to be staying for a while. " Dr. Greyer says.
Theo looks at Liam.
"Liam is pretty persuasive . I wouldn't argue." Dr. Greyer says.