Theo drives Liam back to the house to get ready for school the next day. He does not say much, and Liam does not ask him anything. Liam seems to understand when Theo needs to be left alone. Today he just wants to be quiet and not say anything. He does not know what he is feeling, but he knows Liam's wolf seems to be coming out more and more.
He gets to school and tries to focus on the day. It seems to be going ok, until he sits with Nolan at Lunch. He normally sits with everyone, but Liam and Mason claimed they had an errand. Corey is stuck with a project and he is now stuck with a very nervous Nolan.
He watches while Nolan keeps looking up at him every few seconds. He tries to ignore it, but Nolan has never been one to be subtle about anything. At about the 10th time, Theo decides it is enough.
"Nolan what is your problem?" Theo asks.
Nolan's eyes widen and he seems to become nervous.
"Nothing." Nolan says.
"I can hear your heartbeat and you're lying. Care to explain why and what is going on?" Theo asks, narrowing his eyes in suspicion.
"Um. No?" Nolan asks unsure.
Theo growls.
He is not proud of scaring Nolan, but he does not like not knowing what is going on. Clearly, something is happening, and Nolan knows about it. Nolan's eyes widen at the growl and he looks around frantically. He seems to be checking his surroundings.
"Ok, but you have to promise you won't tell them I told you?" Nolan asks.
"Sure, whatever. What is it? "Theo asks.
"So, Liam and Mason went to talk to Deaton today." Nolan says.
"About what?" Theo asks.
"About you." Nolan says.
"What about me?" Theo asks.
He should not be surprised at this point. Liam has a way of getting involved with everything that is going on with Theo. Except he is not sure what he is getting involved in. He does not think there is anything happening to him that he is not aware of. He also wonders why Mason is involved and if Corey knows about something too. He tries to ignore the feeling of betrayal he feels knowing that Corey may know something he does not. Especially if it is about him.
"Um, you know just how you and Liam are really close. The biting." Nolan says awkwardly.
Theo wonders how many people actually know about this biting thing. It only happened once. He did not think it was the end of the world. It was different but it is not something that he is losing sleep over. He looks back at Nolan who is staring at him wide eyed.
"And?" Theo asks, annoyed.
"Um. They didn't tell me." Nolan says, his heart pounding out of his chest.
"You have 5 seconds to tell me what is going on." Theo grumbles.
"You cannot tell them I told you. I guess Deaton said that you may or may not be like bonded together or something like that? I am not exactly sure because this is new to me too. I guess the biting or whatever, is usually what werewolves do when they have found the person that they share a deep connection or bond with. He also said that it is exceedingly rare and the fact that you guys have it, means that your wolves also chose each other. It is not a big deal. "Nolan explains.
"How the fuck long has everyone known this?" Theo asks.
"Just today for sure." Nolan says.
"For sure?" Theo questions.
"Ok, so Liam may have known during the war or something. Mason too. However, they just assumed maybe it was more of a friendship bond. Deaton said those are not really a thing with werewolves. Or friendship bonds are not. "Nolan says.
"What do you mean by bond?" Theo asks slowly.
"I feel like you know the answer to that." Nolan says.
Theo gets up and storms down the hallway. He tries to figure out where Corey said he would be. He finds him in the library looking at a bunch of textbooks. He throws his bag down on the table. Corey looks up at him.
"What is going on?" Corey asks.
"I feel like this whole time has been an illusion." Theo snarls.
"What you do you mean?" Corey asks confused.
"How long have you known that Liam and Mason believe some myth about werewolf bonds?" Theo asks.
"I was aware that they were talking to Deaton today. I also told you to talk to Deaton in case you forgot. As far as everything else, I was just told today. "Corey explains.
"You did not think that was something you should have mentioned?" Theo asks.
"I didn't want to freak you out. Which I think is why they did not say anything to you in the first place. They knew you would take it just like you are taking it now." Corey points out.
"Taking it what way?" Theo asks.
"You look like you are about to pass out. You should probably sit." Corey says.
Theo frowns.
He does not believe in any of this stuff anyway, but even if he did, he is not a real werewolf. He is only half. How would this even make any sense. The fact though Liam believes it and has not said a word is unbelievable to him. He is not someone that has to be treated like he is a child. This is just Liam being his weird overbearing self and making decisions for Theo. He feels like it is his first day of school with them all over again.
"That also takes away everyone's freedom of choice. If he believes in it, that means he has only been around because he felt he had to be. "Theo says.
It should not bother him, but it does. He does not want people to stick around because they feel like they have to be. He was used to that with the old chimera pack. They were around him because they had to be. He was the Alpha. They did not want to be there necessarily.
"That is not how that works. You cannot just take someone's freedom of choice. You actually have to have a connection and feelings for someone already." Corey says.
"I think I need some air." Theo says.
"Wait, please do not run again." Corey says.
"I am not running. I told Nolan that I would not tell Liam that I knew what he is up to. "Theo says.
Theo heads outside to his truck and gets inside. He looks at the little Coyote on the dashboard. He has been very good at not allowing people to shake him. Even during the war. He was able to help but not become too invested in it. The ghost riders were easier. He did not even like anyone then. However, during the war he did feel bad for some of the pack and people dealing with the Anukite. He fought and helped them. It was not until Liam continued to be involved, when the lines were blurred between sticking around to help and sticking around because Theo needed to.
He does not need anyone, and he is not about to start now. He drives back to the house and determines how he is going to handle this.
A little after 5pm everyone comes home to hang out at Liam's house. Nolan ignores Theo completely and will not even look him in the eye. If anyone is going to give it away it is him.
"I think we should watch the rest of the Marvel movies. We need to make sure you are fully caught up." Mason says, looking at Theo.
Liam picks out an Avenger's movie and they settle into the downstairs den. Theo sits as far away on the couch as he can from Liam. If he notices he does not say anything.
Theo feels like he cannot focus on the movie or breath. He knew staying here was a mistake. If it was one thing he learned from his childhood, it was to remember that people are temporary. No one stays forever. No one wants to stay forever. Now he has to find a way to reseal up everything inside because he has already shared too much with everyone here. He looks around at all of them.
They seem happy and carefree. He cannot remember the last time he has felt that way. Maybe in a different life him and Tara could have been that way. If he did not kill her or take her heart that is. He feels sad. He knows this was never supposed to be forever, but he wasn't expecting to care so much.
"Are you alright?" Mason asks.
He looks down and sees that he is clutching a pillow so hard that it is shredded. He puts his claws away. He gets up to take a break.
He walks into the kitchen and gets a glass of water. He hears someone come in.
"I think you need to chill out." Corey says.
Theo turns around and glares at him.
"I have to figure something else out." Theo says.
"Why?" Corey asks.
"Because this is not working. "Theo says.
"Why because your afraid?" Corey asks.
"I am not afraid. I was never afraid of anything." Theo challenges.
"It seems like you are. I think this whole running thing is because your afraid. I think you need to start being honest. I think you need to actually consider the possibly that you may even have f…." Corey abruptly stops.
Theo looks down and the glass is shattered in his hand. He sees blood everywhere. All over the floor.
Liam runs into the kitchen and looks around.
"What is going on?" Liam asks, in alarm.
"Nothing." Theo says.
"Are you okay? You're bleeding." Liam says.
"I will heal. It is fine. Sorry. I will clean it up." Theo says.
"No, it is okay. Corey do you mind?" Liam asks.
"No, I got it." Corey says.
Liam grabs onto Theo and pulls him outside onto the porch.
"Did I do something wrong?" Liam asks, looking at him with those sad puppy eyes.
"No. Why are you asking that?" Theo asks.
"You just seem weird today. You will not even look at me. You randomly broke a glass and you're not one to just smash dishes. I am sorry If I took advantage of you." Liam says.
"Liam, you did not take advantage of me. Nothing even happened. We literally slept." Theo says.
"I know that, but I also told you that I would be your friend and then I was sort of not your friend. I mean I do not kiss my friends, but I do not know. I just don't want you to think that I am trying to get something from you." Liam says.
"Why didn't you tell me you were talking to Deaton?" Theo asks.
"Oh." Liam says, his eyes conveying understanding.
"Yes, oh." Theo snarls.
"I thought If I told you and it was nothing, that you would be upset for no reason at all. I wanted to wait. I didn't want you to leave me again." Liam says.
"Leave you?" Theo asks.
"I know saying that is really selfish. I thought you might want to leave again because you do not do well with stuff sometimes. I thought this might be pretty big. I cannot really imagine you not being here now that you have been here for so long. "Liam explains.
Theo looks at him.
Leave him? Is that what he thinks? He never left anyone. He just lived in his truck because he had nowhere to go. This is getting heavy and highly risky. This entire conversation is not going to a place Theo is comfortable with.
"I thought you would freak out. You're doing it now." Liam says.
"I am not freaking out." Theo says quietly.
"I think you should know that you deserve to have people care about you and want to help you. They want to be around you and sometimes it takes a while to heal from past traumas, but that is ok. It is normal. "Liam says.
"Little Wolf. I need you to stop talking. "Theo says.
"Can you at least look at me then?" Liam asks.
Theo does not want to look at Liam. He is not really sure what he is feeling or what is happening. He sees Liam step closer, and he gently puts his hands on his shoulders.
"I just want you to know." Liam says.
"Know what?" Theo asks.
"How I feel." Liam says.
"I cannot give you what you're asking for." Theo says.
"I already told you that I am not expecting anything really. I just want you to let me feel how I feel." Liam says.
"Ok, Little Alpha." Theo says defeated.
There is no arguing with Liam.
There is not much to say after that. Or maybe there is, but Liam does not say anything else. They head back inside to Nolan looking guilty in the corner. Liam and Mason have their coats on and look ready to leave.
"Hey, we are going to head out. Kitchen is cleaned." Corey says.
Corey and Mason leave and Nolan says a very quick goodbye to Liam. He nods to Theo and heads out the door.
Theo helps Liam straighten up and he heads up to bed. He lays down in his bed. He feels weird. He is used to Liam being there, but he is in his own room tonight. He hears his phone go off.
Liam: Can I come in?
Theo rolls his eyes.
Theo: Yes. You could have walked over and asked.
A few minutes later Liam comes into the room. He sits on the floor by the bed. He seems to be thinking.
"I am going to have to explain that glass. My mom notices everything." Liam says chuckling.
"If you want to sleep in the bed, you can. I know that is why you are here." Theo says.
Liam's eyes widen and he looks like he is about to explain himself.
"Just be quiet. I didn't mean you were looking for something." Theo says.
Liam slides into bed next to Theo. He seems to be thinking again.
"I think we should go see your mom tomorrow." Liam says.
"Stiles has been texting me a lot. I think he may feel like he has to be my friend or something." He says.
"Theo." Liam says.
"I don't normally text him back because he is so overbearing. That is probably where you get it from." Theo says.
"Theo, I will go with you." Liam says.
Theo looks at Liam.
"She doesn't want to see me." He says.
"How do you know that?" Liam asks.
"Why would she? I killed her other child." Theo says.
"I think it may help you learn to let go of your past. Even if she does not want to see you which we do not even know if that is the case, it can still help. I think you need to do this." Liam says.
"What if she hates me." Theo says.
"Then I will be there with you." Liam says.
Theo hates emotions. They are not ever helpful in his experience. He normally is not emotional. Not until recently. He does not remember being close to his mother as a child. She worked a lot, and he was closer to Tara. She was a normal working mother though. Never mean. Maybe if things were different, she would have been someone Theo could talk to as he got older.
"Hey." Liam says.
Theo looks at Liam.
Liam's eyes look sad and thoughtful. He has never really seen anyone with such expressive eyes. Other than Liam that is. He has really blue eyes and they always seem to be looking into Theo's soul.
"Can I hug you?" Liam asks.
"Only because it is you." Theo grumbles.
Liam smiles and pulls Theo into a hug. It is a small hug and gentle. Theo feels a lot of emotions come up with that hug. He feels sad and then he feels confused. He thinks he may be tired. Liam pulls away and looks back at him.
"I think I…" Liam starts to say.
"I know." Theo says.
He does. He knows. He has always known.
It is weird really. He is not used to people feeling that about him. He does not know how to take it, but he guesses that most people would say something back or get upset if they feel differently. Theo is not sure what he feels. He just knows how Liam feels. He also knows he probably will not ever leave Beacon Hills unless Liam is following along. Feelings are a weird thing.
"You want to kiss me again, don't you?" Theo asks.
"I don't want to do anything you don't want to do." Liam says.
"Your so lame." Theo says.
"Wow, at least you didn't lose your snarky personality." Liam says.
Liam takes Theo's face in his hands and kisses him.
Liam's kisses have always been gentle and careful. He is not sure if Liam has always been like this or if it is just because of him. He kisses him back. This time he decides to move his hands. He puts them on Liam's waist.
Theo feels a weird sensation and a longing to be close to Liam. He pulls Liam closer and Liam kisses down his neck. Liam seems to be more careful this time. Although, he does feel fangs a few times.
Liam stops.
"I am not doing anything else, but I just wanted to ask if you are okay with this?" Liam asks.
Theo nods.
Liam goes back to kissing him. Theo feels strange again. He feels his eyes flash and then he feels the sting again. He decides not to freak out this time. Or so Liam calls it. He sighs softly and Liam continues to kiss him. By the time they get tired, Theo's wolf or maybe it is his coyote, are very frustrated.
Liam pulls away and Theo shifts around uncomfortably. Thankfully he has the blanket over him.
"I think it is good we heal so quick. Or my mom would lose her mind. "Liam says.
Theo frowns and touches his neck. He must have about fifteen bite marks on him.
"I think I am going to sleep on the floor." Liam says.
Theo looks at him.
"I just don't want to be tempted to do anything crazy. Your wolf seems to be very outspoken right now." Liam says.
Theo feels his eyes flash again.
Maybe Theo's wolf feels the same about Liam that Liam does for Theo.
