CH3

Theo stood in the doorway, examining the contents of the bedroom. There was a bed covered in a blue and white striped comforter accompanied with matching pillows. Two brown wooden dressers rested against the walls, a flat tv hovered above one. There were two doors in the room, one to a closet with a small laundry hamper blocking the entrance, the other led to the bathroom which connected to Liam's room. The bedroom was simplistic and homey in every way Theo had never experienced. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he needed a moment to take everything in.

Liam watched cautiously, unsure of what was going through the older boys mind. Slowly he sat next the chimera, their knees brushing.

"I know it isn't a lot, but it's all yours." He spoke softly. Theo wiped his eyes, turning away.

"Liam this is more than I ever could have asked for. It…it's perfect." His voice trembling as the words left his lips.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door.

"Hey boys, Theo do you want to grab any dirty clothes, I am about to do a load of laundry."" Jenna entered the room with a beaming smile, instantly easing some of the tension.

"Sure, thank you". Quickly he made way down the stairs, out the door, and to his truck. Resting against the bed, Theo was taking long deep breathes trying to calm himself down before a panic attack exploded within him.

Everything felt like too much.

"Hey…" The younger boys voice cut through the chaos.

"Hey…I'm sorry about all of this" Motioning towards himself, as he spoke.

"Sorry? There is nothing to apologize for, it's okay. Are you still going to stay, or are you going to leave?"

Theo whipped his head around in surprise at the question.

"I'm not going anywhere…I guess I am just used to being alone, and this is all just a little overwhelming."

Gently Liam wrapped his fingers around the older boys' wrist, pulling him towards the woods beyond the Geyers backyard.

"Come on, I want to show you something."

Just past the first row of trees was a clearing where a swing set sat with two hanging swings attached. Liam plopped on the black material and motioned for Theo to follow. Hesitantly he sat, slowly swaying forward and backward.

"When I was younger, I got overwhelmed a lot, I…I still do. When I get emotional, especially angry, it can just be too much. So, David built this for me, that way I had a place to escape and disappear to when that closing in feeling takes over. I have…uh I have never showed this to anyone before. But I want you to have a place to go too. I just wanted to share this with you, so when you feel overwhelmed or like the world is suffocating you, you can just come and sit out here. Enjoy the quiet, and then everything will be okay."

Theo stared at the blue-eyed boy, who was gazing up at the stars. He knew Liam was not excepting a response, there was nothing for him to say, not yet anyway.

Liam got up and started heading back towards the house.

"I know it may seem stupid, hell it probably is, but I always feel better when I leave here. I will be in my room if you need anything."

The older boy sat staring at the shining stars. After his breathing leveled out and all the chaos ceased thoughts of the young wolf threatened to pour in. How could Liam have so much wisdom? Theo had never met someone who could pull him back to earth before a panic attack. People saw Liam as just the kid in their little pack, but Theo knew better. There was so much depth there.

Shooting a final glance at the sky, he headed towards the house he now called home, a smile back on his face.