Liam smiled at the phone held lightly in his grasp, typing away.
[Theo practice got cancelled. Can you pick me up at 3 not 6?]
Ever since the older boy had become a member of the Dunbar household, they'd developed a new routine. Mainly consisting of Theo leaving extra early for his morning classes at the local community college to have enough time to drop the younger boy of at school, then picking him up after practice or classes, whichever came first.
Theo had begged Jenna to let him pay rent or at least contribute to groceries, but she actively refused. Finally, he offered to shuttle around the werewolf, since his car was deemed a total loss, and the deal was made. Since Theo began working part time at the campus bookstore in between classes, he started leaving money on the counter for the Dunbar's, but Jenna always forced the money back into his hand with a gentle smile. All the rides meant the boys were spending a lot more time together, which neither had complained about.
[Sure, my shift just ended, I will head that way.]
Glancing at the clock hung in the hallway, he scurried to the music room for his last class of the day, music appreciation. Spotting Mason and Corey across the crowded room, Liam hustled to plop down in the seat directly in front of his best friend. As the bell rang throughout the classroom, his phone vibrated again.
[Video games tonight? I'll pick up snacks.]
Before typing a reply, there was a sharp jab to his back, followed by a soft whisper.
"Corey and I are going to the fair tonight, come with us."
"Can't. Theo and I are playing videos games."
"Lame. You can do that literally any time. The fair only comes once a year."
Liam did not respond immediately, contemplating the plans for the evening, the fair did sound fun, but he would never bail on Theo.
"I am not going to bail on Theo."
"Obviously. You guys are a package deal."
The younger wolf went quiet again.
"I'm just saying fried food, cotton candy, and rides. Sounds like a great night to me."
Liam did have to admit that it sounded like a lot of fun.
Once the final bell rang, he all but sprinted out the doors to the all too familiar truck, jumping into the passenger seat with a sigh.
"Bad day little wolf?" Theo smirked, earning a glare from the younger boy.
"Asshole…" He muttered.
Liam went on to ramble about his day, catching the chimera watch him speak with a fond smile. When they were almost home, the werewolf decided to be brave and ask about going to the fair, prepared to be immediately shot down.
"So, about tonight, Mason wants to go to the fair." The younger boy was suddenly full of nerves and was speaking quicker than necessary, he could not read Theo's face but saw a quick flicker of sadness masked by the famous smirk.
"That's cool, I am sure you guys will have fun."
"Theo…you don't want to come with us?" Liam did not try to hide the disappointment that laced his voice.
"What?" The chimeras face was drowning in confusion.
"Mason invited both of us silly."
"He did? Why?" Confusion still present.
"What do you mean why? Mason, like the rest of the pack, can see how much you have changed, and he wants to get to know you better and become friends."
"Hmph." Theo looked out the window while pulling into the driveway, hiding his smile, causing the younger boy's heart to melt.
"So… does that mean you want to go? If not no big deal, we can just play video games."
"Liam if I stayed home, why would you not go?"
The werewolf knew he could say something smartass or just leave the truck to avoid any further conversation about it, but Theo pulled pure honesty out of him.
"Because I want to spend time with you."
Theo blushed, like full on blushed, then jumped out of the truck.
Liam stayed in the truck confused about two things. One, were they going to the fair or not, and two, why did seeing the older boy blush send a hot shiver through his body like a shot of electricity?
Turning back towards the truck, Theo spoke softly knowing with werewolf abilities that the younger boy would hear him.
"Come on, I don't want to be late for my first fair, we have to get ready." Liam smiled brightly, earning a wink from the chimera.
Shit. This boy would be the death of him.
Quickly he rushed into the house passing the other boy and beat him to the shared shower. Turning the water on cold, he needed to freeze out any thoughts of Theo. Unsure of what all these feelings meant, Liam was definitely not ready to address them.
Once out of the shower and into the bedroom, the blue-eyed boy searched for an outfit. Settling on black skinny jeans, a gray and black button up, and gray vans. Giving himself a once-over in the mirror, his eyes were drawn to the doorway.
"Hey Li-"Theo stopped dead in his tracks, staring open mouthed. If Liam hadn't known better, or been ridiculously hopeful, he would have sworn the chimera's heartrate picked up.
"Can…Can I burrow some socks? Mine are all in the washer."
"Sure" the younger boy distracted himself with the task at hand, ignoring the stare that was boring into him, refusing to look at the shirtless model like boy. He tossed the socks in that direction without a second glance.
After throwing on some cologne, Liam headed downstairs, waiting patiently.
Glancing up at the sound of approaching footsteps, his mouth instantly went dry at the sight.
Theo was dressed in ripped black skinny jeans and a dark maroon V-neck that perfectly displayed every expanse of muscle.
"Why are you staring at me like that? Do I look bad or something?"
"No. You look freaking hot." Liam would have been instantly embarrassed at the admission if it wasn't for the other boy blushing as deep red as the shirt attached to his body, shyly looking away.
"I mean, not hot, that'd be weird." The younger boy began stumbling over his words once the realization of his remark set in. In the meantime, Theo managed to regain the confidence he usually oozed. Standing much closer than necessary, he spoke softly, leaning centimeters from Liam's cheek.
"So…do I look hot or not? You seem unsure." His breathe tickled the younger boy's ear as he spoke. Mustering all the self-control he could, Liam turned and walked out the front door heading towards the driveway. If Theo wanted to play games, so be it.
"You look ridiculously hot, like movie star hot." Smiling as Theo stood stunned, he jumped into the passenger seat.
The ride to the fair was met with rock music and a comfortable silence. Once they arrived through the front gate, Theo quickly paid for both of their tickets.
"You don't have to that. The werewolf protested.
"Maybe not, but I want to." He spoke with a soft smile.
They could see Cory and Mason approaching from a distance and Liam could hear the chimera's heartrate picking up.
"Hey, are you okay?" Gently he held onto the older boy's shoulder.
"Yeah. I-I'm fine." Nervously, he refused to make eye contact.
"Don't be nervous. They will like you; I promise."
Before Theo could respond, Corey spoke while walking towards them with Mason close behind.
"Hey guys!"
"Hey'" Theo responded shyly.
"Can we grab something to eat? I am starving!" The werewolf asked with a giant smile plastered to his face.
"That's surprising." Theo joked sarcastically; Mason joined in on the laughter.
"Yeah, seriously, when are you not hungry?"
Together the boys headed to the hot dog stand surrounded by a roar of laughter from within.
The group spent two hours riding every open ride at least twice. Liam could not contain his smile watching Theo and his best friend laughing together and coming up with inside jokes at his own expense.
After another go on the Ferris Wheel, Mason had turned green. Swiftly he found a trashcan, leaning in he began throwing up all the snacks they had ate, motion sickness from all the rides catching up to him.
"Hey guys, I am going to take him home. Theo I'm glad you came tonight. It was nice getting to actually hangout with you instead of listening to Liam talk about you constantly." With a smile Corey headed towards the front gate pulling his boyfriend, leaving the other boys alone.
"So, you talk to your friends about me, how cute." Immediately the werewolf flushed with embarrassment.
"I…I uh gotta pee." Swiftly he ran to the bathroom, Corey was going to pay for that one. Taking a few moments to compose himself, Liam left the bathroom to find the chimera leaning against the nearest wall, waiting.
"Can we get some more food?" He spoke when he saw the werewolf.
"Yes please, I could go for an elephant ear." The younger boy stated, grateful Theo did not bring up Corey's previous comments. Turning towards the stand, giggling when he heard the older boy mumble.
"What the hell is an elephant ear?" Together they sat eating on a bench, enjoying more comfortable silence.
"Do you want to ride anymore rides? The one where the floor drops out from under you is finally open."
"That sounds awful, but if that is what you want to do, then sure." Theo responded with a smile.
As they got into line, the older boy watching the spinning contraption with a look of discomfort.
"So, you spin really fast and then the floor drops away?" He continued innocently.
"How do you not fall out bottom?"
"Something about gravity, I don't know. Why are you scared or something?" Liam teased, poking the chimera in the side.
"No, of course not." Theo responded defensively.
Once they got loaded onto the ride, both boys stood close with their shoulders brushing. Theo's breathing was picking up, eyes closed tightly shut.
Liam could see how scared he was, the rapid heartbeat was giving him away. Taking a deep breathe,
the younger wolf decided to be brave, slowly grabbing the chimera's hand and lacing their fingers together.
Theo froze momentarily, then his breathing began leveling out as he squeezed Liam's hand. The blue-eyed boy couldn't hide his smile.
After the ride ended, Liam pulled his hand away softly, running to the churro stand.
"Seriously? How do you eat so much, and still look like that?" Liam couldn't ignore the way the older boys' eyes trailed down his body.
"don't know…it is...a gift." Speaking in between bites.
He watched as Theo turned his head away, trying to hide the yawn escaping his lips.
"Hey, let's go home and watch a movie or something."
"Why…?" The chimera was watching the younger boy cautiously.
"Because you've been up since 5 am and you're tired."
"Liam I am fine."
"You don't have to pretend you are not tired. I know you are probably ready to go home, I know I am."
"Liam…"
"Oh shut up, let's go." He pulled the older boys arm towards the entrance.
When they were in the truck heading back home, Liam stared out the window and watched as the buildings turned into houses.
"Hey…" Theo's voice broke through the silence.
"What's up?"
"Thanks for letting me come tonight…I had a lot of fun."
"Let you come? Theo…I wanted you to be there, and I had a lot of fun with you." Emphasizing the 'you' when he spoke. Theo looked away hiding his smile.
Pulling into the driveway, the boys agreed to go change into pajamas and meet back in Liam's room for a movie.
When Liam left the bathroom, he was utterly unprepared for the view in his bed. Sprawled out was Theo, shirtless with his low riding sweatpants on again, flipping through Netflix. It was unfair that one man could look so undeniably good doing mundane tasks.
Looking up, Theo's mouth went dry for the second time that night from seeing Liam. He did not except the younger boy to be in only basketball shorts, and he could not tear his eyes away. Somehow Liam managed to absorb a new layer of confidence, stemming from the attention he was currently receiving.
"What? Going to tell me how hot I look now?"
Theo did not respond immediately, taking his time to glaze over every visible inch of Liam's body.
"Well?" The younger boy pressed.
"Don't act like you don't know how attractive you are. You really are one of the hottest people I have ever seen."
Snorting out a laugh, he rolled his eyes at the chimeras' words.
"Shut up, no one thinks that." With his back towards Theo, he froze when the bed squeaked then a presence was hovering behind him. Turning slowly, soft green eyes were staring back, all arrogance gone.
"Liam, I wish you understood how amazing you are. You are this badass with so much depth, and look wise, you are absolutely gorgeous."
He remained frozen under the banket of green eyes taking a deep breathe he gently cupped the Theo's cheek, softly rubbing his thumb over the smooth skin.
Cautiously, the older boy leaned into the touch. Slowly Liam's other hand landed on his waist, with each move he waited, giving Theo time to reject him. But instead, he reveled in the shivers exploding throughout the chimera's body from the touch.
Inching closer, their lips were about to brush against each other when an obnoxious alarm ringtone sounded throughout the room.
Snapping back to reality, Theo pulled back, clearing his throat.
"Sorry…" Liam scurried to the phone.
"What?" He growled.
Theo listened to the other voice on the phone, trying to control his breathing from what almost happened.
"Hey, sorry I got sick, I just wanted to say I had a lot of fun with you guys tonight. And Theo is awesome." Smiling at the compliment, he watched Liam on the phone, admiring how his eyes lit up that vibrant blue color he loved. How he smiled when talking to those he cared about, hoping one day he would be on the list.
"Mason, I love you, but I have to go." Liam smiled as he hung the phone up.
"Sorry about that." Looking down nervously.
"No it's okay. Mason and Corey are awesome, it was fun."
"So, do you still want to watch a movie?" Liam giggled nervously up at the chimera.
"Yeah, that sounds good. You pick this time, I got snack duty, because I am sure you are hungry again." Theo winked as he headed down the stairs.
Liam took a second to take everything in. He almost kissed Theo, what the hell, and Theo did not pull away. But the moment had been ruined. Did this mean there would be more moments to come in the future? Liam shook his head, smiling at thoughts flooding in about Theo. Whatever was going to happen in the future, he was ready.