Theo wakes up to a frowning Dr. Greyer standing in the doorway. Apparently, Liam must have closed the door last night. Theo continues to pretend to be asleep until he leaves. He looks over at Liam who is sleeping peacefully. He gets out of bed and showers. It is oddly quiet. He wonders what that means. He gets out of the shower and finishes getting ready for the day.
He heads downstairs to see everyone sitting in the living room. Liam's little pack. Apparently, that is what Liam is calling them. He tries to avoid them and quickly make his way to the kitchen.
"THEO!" Mason cries.
Theo sighs and turns around.
"Yes?" Theo replies annoyed.
"Do you remember what today is?" Nolan asks.
What is today? He cannot remember. He wonders if he may have missed something somewhere, but he does not keep track of the dates anymore. Other than the day he let his sister die. Thankfully, that has come and gone. He does not think it is any of their birthdays or sports games. Maybe he really did forget something important.
Mason laughs.
"It is your birthday silly." Mason says smiling.
"Oh, how did you know?" Theo asks suspiciously.
"Liam told us. He seems to know a lot about you." Nolan explains.
Theo has not celebrated his birthday since he was 8 years old. Before the dread doctors took him. He remembers his birthdays coming and going when he was with the dread doctors, but they obviously did not celebrate it. He eventually forgot about it and has not paid attention to it ever since. He wonders how Liam could have been so good at his stalking skills to even find out when it was.
"I am not celebrating a birthday." Theo points out.
"Ok, but like we are here now, and things are planned." Corey says.
"I am not doing anything for my birthday. What are we celebrating?" Theo grumbles.
"You?" Nolan says unsure.
"I do not want a celebration. Just let it go. I will tell Liam that I sent you away." Theo pleads.
"Too late because there he is." Corey says.
Theo turns around and sees Liam at the bottom of the stairs. He glares at him to make a point. He did not even ask if this was okay with him. People celebrate birthdays to celebrate life, family, and friends. He does not have any of that. Why would he celebrate it? It is just another reminder of what he does not have.
"I didn't do anything crazy. I just thought we could go to an amusement park and hang out. I assumed you have not been to one?" Liam asks.
"I haven't but I do not want to go." Theo says.
"So it is that, or I have to explain to my mother why you won't accept her gift of the amusement park tickets. She bought them." Liam points out.
Theo growls.
That cannot be an accident. Somehow Liam's mother bought the tickets? She would not have known about it if it was not for the Little Wolf. He debates if he should allow Liam to tell her he is not going. He could give his ticket away. The thought of having fun at an amusement park does not sound that appealing to him.
"Oh, Theo dear! Happy Birthday! My son told me that it was your birthday today. I have to work, but I wanted to make sure you boys did something fun." Jenna says, walking out of the kitchen.
"Thanks I…." Theo tries to say.
He stops himself midsentence. He is not really sure why he cares so much about this woman's feelings, but he does. She seems like how his mother would have been. If Theo did not kill his sister and live with the dread doctors, that is.
"So, are we going?" Corey asks.
Theo reluctantly follows them out the door to get into his truck. He decides if he cannot control what their doing then he will control driving at least. He does not say much while they drive to their destination. Everyone is talking about school and different rides they want to go on. Theo does not even remember ever being on a ride. Is that sad? What kind of person has never been on a ride? He feels eyes on him and looks over to see Liam watching him.
"I got you this. No big deal, but I thought of you." Liam says, handing him a little package.
Theo opens it and looks at it. It is a little carved out coyote. It is made of wood and is howling. He looks at it for a second and decides not to say anything. He has never been given something that was so personalized.
"I thought of a wolf, but I just thought your coyote side fit you more. "Liam explains.
"I told Liam that it was really nice because it shows the Coyote howling. Howling means a lot of things for them. Primarily to communicate or to show pain." Mason says.
"Yes, that is why I also got me a wolf one. I figured they were communicating with each other but not in pain. Sometimes they do that and get along." Liam says, handing him his wolf made of wood.
"I thought this one could be the goal of where you want to be. We will get you a wolf too when you are ready. "Liam says.
Theo is not an emotional person by nature. Never has been. He looks at the gift and determines what he is feeling. Sad? Maybe touched? He does not like it. He looks in the rearview mirror to see them smiling. Theo puts the gift on the dashboard of the truck.
"Thanks." Theo says.
Liam smiles.
Theo is not sure what is going on anymore. They get to the amusement park and head inside.
"I think we should do everything." Mason exclaims.
"I would rather not." Theo says.
"Why don't we try a roller coaster?" Corey asks.
They head over to the line and Theo realizes he is nervous. He has never been on a roller coaster before. He has killed people, but he is afraid of a ride. This is ridiculous. He tries to hide his uneasiness.
"Actually, guys I think I want to do some games first. They have some at this place. Will you come with me?" Liam asks him.
Theo nods and follows Liam out to the section where the games are. Liam stops at the ring the bell game.
"I figured you would want to go on the rides?" Theo asks.
"I don't mind. I want to do whatever you want to do, and I sensed you were not feeling that roller coaster." Liam teases.
Theo ignores that comment. He is not one that needs to be helped. He does not need Liam feeling like he has to change his plans because Theo is not in the mood. He looks back at the game.
"Isn't this cheating? Considering we have above human strength, and we will win every time?" Theo asks.
"So? I just want the little wolf stuff animal." Liam smiles.
He watches while Liam hits the hammer and rings the bell. He gets handed a little stuffed animal wolf. He proceeds to do it 4 more times until the worker tells him he has to leave.
"Did you really need all of those?" Theo complains.
"Its for the group. We all need one. Here this is yours." Liam says, handing him the wolf.
"What about you?" Theo asks.
"We share a bed anyway. "Liam says, brushing him off.
Theo freezes at that. They technically do not share a bed, but they have been recently because Theo has dreams sometimes. Last night was the last time anyway. Clearly, it must be, as this is getting out of hand. He follows Liam to a food truck where he orders 5 plates of food.
He watches Liam as he sets down all the plates at a table. He does not remember the last time he has had this much food. It seems wasteful. He was fed with the dread doctors but the bare minimum. They made sure to keep him alive and they did not worry as much once the experiment was successful. He remembers nights where he went to bed feeling hungry.
"I thought you probably haven't had a lot of junk food so we could try everything. "Liam says.
"This seems like a lot." Theo says slowly.
"Yes, but who cares? You only live once, and you already are in shape anyway. Not that I am looking." Liam says, turning red.
Theo tries some of the food. It is fairly good, and he watches while Liam talks about everything he can think of. He seems to be trying really hard. Almost too hard in his opinion. He does not really trust when people are this open and friendly. He was like that before, but that was only to get Malia to do what he wanted.
"Is there something you want?" Theo asks.
"Yes, for you to help me finish the food." Liam says smiling.
"No, I mean what do you want from me? You can just ask. You do not have to do all this." Theo points out.
Liam frowns.
"I am not following." Liam says.
"I am not an idiot. I know when people want things. They act all nice and do things in hope that the other person will not put up a fight when they ask for whatever it is that they need. I did it in my past. I just want you to be honest and just ask. This show is not needed. "Theo says.
He flinches.
The last of his words almost came out as whine. He sounded sad and he hates that. He does not want people to assume he is sad because he is not. Not all the time. He just feels weird today. He was trying to forget his past and now he remembers it is his birthday. He does not deserve one. Not when Tara does not have one. He looks down at his hands.
"Ok, you caught me. I enjoy you. That is all. I do not want anything. Well, I do want you to enjoy my company too, but that is up to you. I just thought you would want to do things you haven't done before. I don't want to get something out of you. I am not that person." Liam says.
Theo studies him.
"Why did you give me the coyote?" Theo asks.
"Do you not like it?" Liam asks concerned.
"I do but I just don't understand why you gave it to me." Theo says.
"Because I thought of you and it is your birthday. I also owe you an apology for biting you. "Liam says sheepishly.
Theo decides he may not get any straight answers out of Liam, so he decides to play the game. He helps Liam finish all the food and drag him around to different rides. He does try a roller coaster and enjoys it. At the end of the day, they all head back to the truck.
"Oh my gosh, how am I the frog?" Mason says, looking at his stuffed animal Liam gave him.
"You're looking too far into it. It was just something I picked." Liam points out.
"Yes, but Corey got the iguana and Nolan has the lion. Theo and you have the wolf." Mason frowns.
Liam rolls his eyes and gets in the truck. Theo drops off Corey and Mason at the Hewitt's and Nolan at his house. He drives backs to the Greyer's and pulls in the driveway. He sees Liam take something out of his pocket.
"Don't be mad but I have an address. If you ever want to go there. I just thought maybe someday you may." Liam says.
Theo takes the paper and looks down at it. It has an address with his Mother's name on it. He looks back at Liam and wonders what he is trying to do. Liam looks nervous and hopeful. Theo looks out his driver side window. He puts the paper in the glove compartment of the truck. Liam seems to be happy with that and smiles.
"I told my parents not to do anything. I knew you would not want them to, but they tried. "Liam says chuckling.
"I think I am going to stay somewhere else tonight." Theo says.
"Oh." Liam says, sounding sad.
"It is not you. I just think I need some alone time." Theo says.
"We can leave you alone. You don't have to go somewhere else." Liam says.
"I know, but I need to be alone fully." Theo says.
Liam nods and gets out of the truck. He looks back at him with the saddest eyes Theo has ever seen. He almost considers not going to be alone, but he needs to. He needs time away. Time away from Liam and time to think. He feels like he is getting dangerously too close. It needs to stop.
"Will you text me when you get wherever it is? So, I know your safe." Liam asks.
"I am not leaving the town Little Alpha. I am just spending a night alone." Theo points out.
"You do not do well alone." Liam says.
Theo does not like the sound of that. That really is not true. He was fine alone before. He was used to it and it was easy. He could be alone with his thoughts. Now, he feels like he cannot breathe, and things are confusing. He almost thought of going to see his mother. He is losing it. He just needs space tonight. He is not just going to allow someone else to get inside his thoughts or mind. Even if it is a Little Wolf.
"See you tomorrow Liam." Theo says.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
He gets to the preserve and parks the truck. He wonders what will happen if he just keeps on driving. He thought about it. Thought of leaving. He was going to, but now he has this weird mark on him, and he is not sure what that means. His wolf wants to leave, but his coyote wants to stay. He feels a sense of pack with these people, and he does not know why. Nolan and Mason are not even werewolves or chimeras. It makes no sense. It must be his coyote trying to get out. He normally suppresses it, but ever since Liam has come around, he has not been able to.
He hits the steering wheel in frustration. He feels his phone go off.
Stiles: Happy Birthday.
Theo closes his phone and looks out the window. How does Stiles remember when his birthday is? Did Liam tell him, or did Stiles tell Liam? Why is he even texting him. None of this makes sense to him. He feels annoyed. He does not know why everyone suddenly wants to point out it is his birthday or hang around with him. He hears his phone go off again.
Corey: FYI- IF YOU RUN THEN I WILL FIND YOU. Liam told me that you tried that the other day. What about me dude."
Theo throws his phone at the dashboard. He lays down in the back and tries to sleep.
He sees someone coming towards him. They have arrows and are pointing them at him. He tries to say something but is not able to. He looks down and sees he is in coyote form. He starts to run. He is not sure how long he has been running when he sees Tara. She grabs him and plunges her hand into his heart.
"It is okay. You can take it again." Theo tells her.
"THEO."
He looks around and sees Liam looking back at him. He inches back.
"Are you okay? I heard you howling." Liam says.
Theo looks down and sees Coyote feet. He must have shifted when he was dreaming. Liam slowly walks forward. Theo barres his teeth at him. Liam stops.
"Are you going to stay like that all night? I ran out here. I told Mason it was you. He did not understand how I could know by your howl. It just sounded like you." Liam explains.
Theo looks around. He is in the preserve. He slowly walks back to the truck with Liam trailing behind him. He shifts back and changes back into his clothes.
"You good?" Liam asks.
"I am fine." Theo snarls.
Ok, well that howl didn't sound good. Also, why would you leave and come to sleep here? It is cold out here." Liam says.
"I am not a kid. I can handle the cold." Theo argues back.
Liam gets into the back of the truck. With no permission from him, but that has never stopped Liam before. He sits next to him.
"Do you normally shift in your dreams?" Liam asks.
"No. It was the first time." Theo says.
"Oh. My wolf felt weird tonight. It heard you howl, and I knew it was you, but you sounded in trouble. I thought you were dying or something. "Liam says.
"I think I already died. "Theo says.
"No. You can live again." Liam says.
Liam moves the blanket and throws it over Theo and himself. He lays down and Theo tries to find an excuse as to why Liam must leave, but he cannot find one.
He growls.
Liam snuggles up to him and Theo feels weird.
"Are you cold?" Liam asks.
"No. Why?" Theo asks.
You're shaking again." Liam says.
Theo turns away from him and tries to stop the shaking. He does not know why he is shaking. It makes no sense to him. Maybe he should leave again. Maybe the reason he is this way is because he is broken. He already died technically, but maybe he never really came back to life. He feels like he is one step away from falling back into the darkness. He needs a way out.
"Don't leave. Stay with me." Liam says.
Theo turns to look at him. Did he say that out loud or did Liam just know that he was thinking of running again? He stares at Liam for a few minutes.
Liam reaches out and takes Theo's hand. He takes his other hand and puts it on Theo's cheek.
Theo frowns.
"I just thought that you should know that I did not stalk you. Corey remembered you mentioning when your birthday was when he was in your old chimera pack. "Liam says.
"Corey remembered that?" Theo asks.
"Yes. He cares about you. I do too." Liam says.
Dammit.
Liam moves in a little closer. He stops and looks at Theo. He seems to be unsure of what he is about to do.
He leans in towards Theo and kisses him softly. Theo may or may not be shaking again. He is not sure. He feels off center.
Liam continues kissing him and moves his hand to Theo's side. He seems to be waiting for Theo to do something. Theo seems to be responding without realizing it. He opens his mouth slightly and Liam slides his tongue inside. He is gentle about it.
Theo feels his wolf sigh. He thinks it is his wolf at least. His coyote seems to be silent in all of this.
Liam stops and looks at Theo.
"Can I touch you? I am not going to like jump you. I just want to move my hands." Liam says.
Theo is not sure what is happening and what his thought process is, but he finds himself nodding.
Liam kisses him again and slides his hand up and down Theo's side. Theo is somewhat annoyed because he is doing it in a reassuring way. Theo does not need to be reassured. He just needs to not be confused.
All of a sudden Liam growls and stops. He gets up and looks at Theo.
"I think we should go to bed." Liam says.
Theo does not say anything but turns over to go to sleep.
He looks over at Liam.
He sees Liam's eyes flash a few times and he eventually lays down.
Liam moves closer to him after a few minutes and Theo feels his coyote again.