Chapter 21: Behind Those Eyes
In Theo's bedroom, Theo had almost fallen asleep whilst lying on Liam's lap. Liam was starting to wonder what was running through his mind so much so that he hadn't even thought about trying to listen to what was happening in the other room. Liam moved a stray piece of Theo's hair from his face leant over him and kissed his temple.
"You okay?" Liam whispered, as he pulled his head away from him. "Theo?" Liam grabbed a tissue from the bedside table and roughly wiped away the drying blood tossing it in the bin when he was done.
"Mhm, not really," Theo yawned, not looking up at him but rather staring half-asleep at the photo of them that Elizabeth had taken one day for them. "My...mo...Ace won't let them take me you know that right?" Theo muttered catching himself as he hadn't called Elizabeth mom around anyone but her and Derek and once Scott.
"I know..." Liam answered, looking in the direction that Theo's eyes were half focused and smiling when he realised what it was. It took Liam a minute to realise what Theo had gone to say but he thought nothing of it at first. "Did you just...?"
"Did I..." Theo started to say but fell asleep mid sentence leaving Liam to question himself over what he'd heard.
"Never mind, get some sleep," Liam whispered, trying to move his head from his lap but giving up and settling into having Theo sleeping on him.
A few hours later, Theo had, had a restless sleep on Liam's lap though it was slightly better than it had been that night. When he woke up, Theo realised that he was still laying on Liam's lap the younger man not seeming to mind. Theo moved his head slightly and looked up at him yawning and smiling slightly.
"Sorry..." Theo yawned again, but not moving his head as he looked up at Liam with sleepy eyes as their was a knock on his door.
"Pizza's here," Scott said, from the opposite side of the door not waiting for a response before walking back down to the lounge.
"Monday nights pizza night," Theo explained after realising that in the time they'd been together Liam had never stayed on a Monday night.
"Oh...okay. Hey before you fell asleep you started to say something," Liam said as he helped Theo to sit up before hugging him. "What was it?"
"What was what?" Theo questioned, he didn't remember what he had said before he'd fallen asleep if he was honest with Liam he didn't remember much of what had happened in the past twenty-four hours.
"Nothing, it doesn't matter," Liam said as the two of them stood up almost falling back onto the bed because they'd gotten tangled.
"Boys it's getting cold so hurry your damn ass' up!" Elizabeth's voice was heard yelling from the lounge room followed by Scott saying something about interrupting them. "Don't make me come down there," she laughed knowing that the second those words left her mouth they'd be in the lounge room.
Theo and Liam shared a look before managing to untangle themselves with Liam muttering that Theo looked cute when he'd just woken up. Theo shrugged kicking off his shoes, why he hadn't done that earlier he didn't know, before the two of them walked out of the room and joined the others. Liam sat beside Mason and went to pull Theo down beside him on the floor but Theo shook his head grabbing a slice and then going to sit between Elizabeth and the arm of the couch.
"Everything okay?" Elizabeth questioned taking a bite of pizza as she saw the look on Liam's face from Theo sitting beside her. 'You need to eat something kiddo, you haven't eaten since this morning,'
'You haven't either,' Theo thought, still staring at the piece of pizza he'd grabbed even though he didn't feel like eating it. 'I'm not really...fine I'll eat,'
'I know, but I am now,' Elizabeth said putting an arm around him and pulling him close. 'I know it was a restless sleep...but Liam can't stay tonight you know the rules,' Elizabeth paused before adding. 'You might be able to stay in Scott's room with him,'
'What if I go to Liam's?' Theo questioned, before he shook his own head not wanting to risk what had happened the last time the nightmare had gotten bad and he'd shifted into a wolf. 'On second thoughts...' he took a bite of the pizza and hugged Elizabeth he didn't feel like eating much.
"Does it work if we head to New Mexico on the weekend?" Scott questioned, taking a mouthful of pizza. He had clearly been thinking hard about what they were doing.
"What did I just finish saying about it?" Elizabeth sighed, but nodded her head anyway – she couldn't stop them. "We'll work out Thursday night who goes,"
"Are you serious?" Liam's eyes were wide he couldn't believe was he was hearing coming out of Elizabeth's mouth.
"Liam," Theo shot him a glare, he may not have wanted to deal with the skinwalkers again but he knew that something had to happen.
"For Christ's sake. Liam no one is sending Theo anywhere," Scott didn't know how many times they were going to have to re-iterate to Liam that Theo wasn't going anywhere.
"Then stop talking about it," Liam grumbled as Mason put his hand on his shoulder.
"Liam we need to find out why he's having the nightmare again," Elizabeth said as calmly as she could without making Theo and Corey more nervous than they already were since both Scott and her had noticed that Corey's camouflage was a little off. "Go home, get some sleep. Theo'll be alright. Mason you go too,"
"What about Corey?" Mason questioned, taking hold of his boyfriend's hand in his and squeezing it.
"It's okay, I know what she wants to talk about," Corey said quietly as he looked to Theo and then at Elizabeth, Scott, Derek and Lydia.
"I'll take him home when they're done," Lydia smiled at the two of them wondering how Liam had even gotten to the apartment that day.
They finished eating the pizza, and Mason and Liam stood up to leave but not before both of them kissed their respective boyfriends. Liam hugged Theo tightly not wanting to let go of the older boy as he knew he wouldn't be at school the next day. Mason told Corey he'd see him at school before the two of them departed.
"Corey, when did it start?" Elizabeth asked after they heard Mason's car drive off and Scott checked the window to make sure that Liam had gotten in.
"Couple of weeks ago," Corey answered quietly as Theo moved to sit beside him and Lydia started to take note. "What do you think it is?"
"A combination of the Skinwalkers and dream demons," Elizabeth said gaining raised eyebrows from everyone as she'd never said anything about dream demons. "Yeah...sorry I didn't actually think they were real,"
"You didn't think they were real?" Derek questioned, shaking his head at his wife before he spoke again. "Damn it Ellie, you know more shit than anyone," he paused briefly before he continued. "Didn't you read about those when we were kids?"
"I know! I'm sorry okay!" Elizabeth exclaimed nodding as she took hold of Corey's hand before he could go invisible. "Corey, listen to my voice sweetheart. We're going to work this out," Corey nodded, not sure whether he believed her or not but calming down enough not to go invisible.
"Scott can you see if Deaton knows anything about dream demons?" Derek questioned, he knew or at least hoped that Scott would when he went to work the next day.
"What exactly are dream demons?" Lydia questioned, as she continued to to scribble down notes.
"Well...from what I remember they turn your worst fear against you and its not like the nogitsune," Elizabeth said she knew that it was what they were all thinking. "Nogitsune are tricksters, foxes. The dream demon...it can only get in when you're sleeping,"
"Ace, way to scare the two people having nightmare's," Scott said picking up the cushion from behind him and throwing it at his aunts head.
"Come here boys," Elizabeth sighed, holding her arms out for Theo and Corey. Lydia smiled at them and nodded they should go to her. "I'm sorry, we will work this out," she told them as they both moved and sat beside her and she hugged them tightly.
"Do you think Hayden's having the same dreams?" Scott questioned, looking at Elizabeth as she hugged both boys who had taken to resting their heads on her shoulders. "Ace?"
"No, you're her Alpha – she's not like Corey and Theo any more," Derek said, he knew that much about what was happening. "She would have called Liam by now,"
"Look we're all tired, maybe it's best if Corey stays here?" Lydia questioned, it was the only thing that she could think of that would keep the two safe.
Derek and Elizabeth shared a look between the two of them, before looking at Scott and Theo who both nodded they didn't care if Corey stayed the night. Lydia told them she'd swing by in the morning to pick up Corey in the morning and take him to school. Elizabeth walked Lydia down to her car thanking her for helping them research and for not telling Stiles what they were doing. Stiles still had trust issues with Theo.
"Thanks Lydia, you didn't have to come you know," Elizabeth said as Lydia and her stopped at Lydia's car.
"I know, but you and Scott asked," Lydia smiled at her giving her a hug. "I can see that Theo's changed, I'm going to ask Peter about what we saw...I know I shouldn't but he may know more,"
"Yeah, I just hope we can figure it out before Scott decides they have to all go off gallivanting to New Mexico," Elizabeth said before bidding her farewell and heading back upstairs to the apartment. "Argent may know something," Elizabeth said the second that she walked back into the apartment and found Derek's arms wrapped around her.
"You know at this rate we'll never get a honeymoon," Derek mumbled into her shoulder before kissing her.
"One day, lets clean up and stick a movie on," Elizabeth replied kissing him back as she moved to step forward but was stopped by Derek hugging her tighter. "Or we can just go to bed," she laughed, glancing down the hallway and noticing that Scott was talking with Theo and Corey in the lounge still. "Do you think they'll be okay?"
"I think they will be, they survived the dread doctors and the anuk-ite and hunters," Derek said spinning Elizabeth around to face him this time. "And they've got us,"
"Hey Ace, where did we want to put Corey tonight?" Scott said looking up and seeing that they were standing in the hallway still.
"Where ever he's comfortable sleeping," Elizabeth answered not pulling away from Derek straight away. "Corey, sweetheart it's up to you where you sleep. You can stay in the lounge or with either of them wherever you feel safest tonight,"
"Ace...it might be better if he stays in with Scott..." Theo said looking to Scott who nodded causing Elizabeth to wonder what Theo was thinking until she noticed his eyes.
"Theo?" Scott questioned as Corey scooted away from him slightly and Elizabeth pulled away from Derek. "Theo?" Scott questioned again. "Ace?"
"Theo, it's okay. Take a deep breath," Elizabeth said sitting down beside him and placing her hand on his shoulder. "They can't hurt you,"
"Hmm," Theo mumbled his eyes slowly going from amber to their blue-grey state again. "I'm not..."
"I know, sweetheart sleep wherever you want tonight," Elizabeth told him, before gently pulling him into another hug. "Go put your pyjamas on and maybe find something for Corey while you're at and then we're watching a movie,"
"I'll help clean up," Corey said quietly as he started picking up the boxes from the pizza's.
"Thanks Corey," Derek said as he did the same thing as Elizabeth and Scott went about moving the lounges around again.
In the end Scott, Corey and Theo decided on sleeping in the lounge room while Elizabeth and Derek retreated to their room. Scott took up one lounge while Theo opted for the floor and Corey took up the other lounge. Scott set bottles of water on the coffee table just in case anyone woke up during the night. Sometime during the night Theo shifted in his sleep to his wolf form and scampered into Derek and Elizabeth's room and hid under the bed. Corey talked with Elizabeth and Derek about the nightmares he'd had regarding the Ghost-Riders and being hooked up to their machine.
"Morning boys...where's Theo?" Elizabeth questioned, the following morning when she was on her way to the bathroom.
"Ellie, I think we have a visitor under the bed," Derek yawned, as he started to follow her from the bedroom stopping short when he heard a heart beating. "Go do your business and then coax him out,"
"It's alright...I'll do it," Even though Corey had, had a nightmare that night too he was willing to try and get Theo out from under the bed. "Is this the first time?"
"Second time," Scott said, the first time neither Derek or Elizabeth had been home and he'd had to coax the wolf from under his own bed. "Just talk to him, when I did it took a good hour," Scott said as Corey walked in, and Derek walked out and grabbed some clothes from Theo's room tossing them to Scott.
Corey got down on his hands and knees and peered under the bed seeing golden eyes staring back at him. Corey sat up and glanced at Scott who nodded at him before he sat on the floor and looked under himself. Derek went back to the kitchen to get breakfast started, while grabbing Elizabeth on the way. Scott sat watching as Corey slowly tried to coax Theo out from under the bed, all they heard coming from the room was low growling as both boys gave up.
"Move over you pair," Elizabeth almost laughed as she walked back into the room with a cup of coffee and piece of bread.
"Bread?" Scott raised his eyebrow as both of them moved out of the way for Elizabeth to crouch down.
"Yeah, bread's for him to eat when he comes out. The coffee is mine," Elizabeth answered, taking a mouth of coffee and placing the bread on the ground as she sat down and leant over peering under the bed. "Come on sweetheart," her voice was barely above a whisper. "Theo, it's okay," the only response she gained was another growl.
"We'll go get breakfast," Scott said leaving Theo's clothes on the ground as he stood up pulling Corey with him. "Don't feel bad that he didn't come out," Scott smiled at him as the two went and joined Derek in the kitchen for breakfast. "He's still getting used to people caring about him,"
"That's just it...I know what he's feeling," Corey said, although he had gotten used to Mason caring about him, it was still a weird feeling after his parents ignoring him for so long.
"I think that's why Ace wanted you to stay last night," Scott said as they entered the kitchen and saw Derek staring out the window and down the street. "Derek?"
"There's something outside watching," Derek answered, he didn't know what it was but he could sense something out there. "You can't tell Ace,"
"Theo sweetheart, come here," Elizabeth's voice was heard again as was a low growl in response. Elizabeth sighed before flashing her eyes and growling back at him she hadn't wanted to do that. "I'll leave this here for you," Elizabeth set the bread on the ground and backed out of the room closing the door behind her and waiting on the other side for him to come out.
After a couple of minutes Elizabeth heard the familiar cracking of bones behind the door indicating that Theo was changing back to human. While she was waiting she finished off her coffee while he put some clothes on and opened the door putting his hand on her shoulder with the piece of bread sticking out of the corner his mouth. Elizabeth turned around offering a smile before pulling him into her arms.
"You okay?" Elizabeth asked, still with her arms wrapped around him as she spoke and felt his head shaking against her shoulder. "You know you don't have go to school today,"
"I know, but I should try at least," Theo muttered pulling away from the hug and looking at her. "Sorry for hiding under your bed,"
"Stay home again today, and go back tomorrow. I do believe Corey's staying today too," Elizabeth said pausing for a second to go drink her coffee when she realised it was empty. "It's okay, its where you felt safe – we always hide where we feel the safest...I used to run to Derek every time I got scared,"
"Ace isn't Derek younger than you?" Scott asked, all of a sudden as he walked to his room.
"Yeah, but that doesn't mean that I couldn't go to him when I was scared," Elizabeth laughed, Derek shook his head as Theo walked to the bathroom muttering an apology to Derek at the same time.
"I've always looked out for Ace and she for me, it's how we work," Derek shrugged a small smile playing on his mouth as he headed into the bedroom. "I'm going to run down the street need to pick up a couple of things and see Argent,"
"Alright," Elizabeth said before walking past him into the kitchen and putting the kettle on again she needed more coffee if anything. "Coffee anyone?"
"Yes please. I left Mason a message telling him that I wouldn't be in today, said that I didn't sleep and that I was here..." Corey said from where he was sitting at the counter.
"I'll drop by mom and ask if she can stop by, it's her day off today," Scott said walking out of his room with his bag on his shoulder. "I'll talk to Deaton and Kira's mom today,"
"Thanks Scott," Elizabeth smiled before looking at Corey as she grabbed another cup to make Theo a cup. "Hopefully Mason and Liam will head to school today. I know they're worried about the two of you but they know we're working on it," Elizabeth sent Lydia a message telling her not to worry about picking Corey up and just to drop by after she was finished work and classes for the day.
*flash back*
Elizabeth took Theo with her when she went to see Natalie Martin about re-enrolling Theo into the school to complete the final year. Theo sat next to Elizabeth while they sat in Natalie's office there was something about the older woman that scared Theo slightly even though he had nothing to be scared of.
"Elizabeth, are you sure you want to do this to him?" Natalie questioned motioning towards Theo who's eyes were downcast looking at his lap. "Theo, are you sure about this?"
"Natalie, it's one of the conditions that I gave him. He comes back to school and does the final year," Elizabeth told her pausing, as she went to continue Theo spoke.
"I am...It's just going to be weird," Theo said looking up at Natalie and then at Elizabeth as he ran a had through his hair.
"Okay, well looking at your transcripts you will need to complete the twelfth grade," Natalie paused briefly as she looked over the transcripts again and saw that he seemed to struggle the most on history, physics and Spanish. "As the school year is already under way there are some classes that you will need to complete next year,"
"Next year...?" Theo's eyes went wide, he didn't know if he could handle that.
"Theo, it will only be three subjects that you will need to do next year," Natalie said before she explained why she wanted him to do them the following year – they were he ones that he struggled with and starting midway through wouldn't help.
*end flash back*