Married to Darkness

by Endraking

Post Series Finale- What happens to the part of the pack that remains in Beacon Hills? Mainly from the perspective of the antihero Theo, the pack deals with another threat and the quest to fight an ideology. Slow Burn. Allies to Friends. Friends to Lovers.

18. Chapter 18

I don't own Teen Wolf.

Married to Darkness- Chapter 18

Liam's vision went hazy and when his eyes adjusted he was standing in a well-lit, white sterile room with a layer of fog that covered the floors. The room wasn't large and Liam saw a large metal cage in the corner with a figure sitting with his head and shoulders slumped. Liam slowly stepped towards the cage and the figure stood up and looked to the newcomer. Stiles smiled from ear to ear and said, "Liam, ole' little wolf. It's about time you showed up. Or anyone for that matter. I've been locked in this cage for what seems like forever. Mind opening the door and helping out your old friend."

Liam blinked a few times and carried a confused expression, "Stiles? What are you doing here?"

Stiles smirked and sarcastically responded, "I'm catching up on my stock options for my 401K. I'm stuck inside this cage, now if you could decide to be helpful, that would be great."

Liam smirked at Stiles and easily opened the door to the cage. He said, "It was unlocked, why didn't you open it?"

Stiles rolled his eyes as he stepped out of the cage, "It was unlocked to you. I am stuck living in this mess. If you call it living. All I want to do is get back home and watch my TV shows, is that so much to ask?"

Liam shook his head as he grew more confused, "What do you mean living here? You are in Virginia, not in Theo's head."

Stiles nodded emphatically, "Exactly. Which means if I am here, then I am not the Stiles you are talking about."

Liam argued, "Then why are you here Stiles?"

Stiles sighed loudly, his voice filled with annoyance, "Always back to this question. At least it's coming from a different voice this time but it doesn't stop it from being any less annoying. Do you need it spelled out or something?"

Liam's anger took hold and he yelled back, "That would help, yes. I came here to try and save Theo but instead I am arguing with you about why you are here. I don't see how any of this is helping anyone."

Stiles stepped closer to Liam as his annoyance grew, "Fine, Little Wolf, I'll tell you. I represent Theo's humanity. Are you happy now? Does that help in your little quest to undo the damage that your boyfriend has caused himself?"

Liam took a step back from the verbal explosion and said, "You're an asshole."

Stiles shook his head, "Man, neither of you learn. No shit I am an asshole. Your boyfriend is an asshole. Ergo, if I am a representation of Theo then that also makes me an asshole. I didn't think this was rocket science but apparently to teenage boys, it is."

Liam looked away and slowly side eyed Stiles, "Theo's not my boyfriend. And how do you represent his humanity?"

Stiles nearly doubled over laughing before he said, "You are out of your mind Little Wolf. You do realize I could hear your heartrate change and while technically you aren't lying, the fact that you are here while you suck face with the dark side isn't lost on the situation. And I represent Theo's humanity by the sheer fact that I am the one that tries to direct him away from all his bad impulses. I usually come up with some pretty good ideas too. It's a shame he doesn't listen to them more often."

Liam slowly turned to face Stiles, "So this dark side. That's what is possessing Theo?"

Stiles stopped laughing and adopted a serious expression, "No. Theo isn't possessed by the dark side, he has given into his dark impulses. Let's just say that when the Dread Doctors made him the man he is today, they created this persona in his psyche. It's him alright, but it has the ability to alter his bioelectric signals and how they are molded and replaced."

Liam shook his head, "I don't get it."

Stiles rolled his eyes, "You don't need to. Just ask Mason about it if you survive this ordeal. Now, you said you wanted help in getting Theo back right?"

Liam nodded and said, "Yes, please Stiles."

Stiles beamed a crooked smile and said, "Alright, but once you go down the rabbit hole, there won't be much I can do to help you."

Liam took a deep breath and said, "I'm ready Stiles. I am going to take out his dark side."

Stiles grinned, "Okay, good luck Liam."

The room slowly faded away and Liam found himself standing in the middle of the lacrosse field. A cold wind blew across the field and he heard clapping from the stands. He turned to look and saw Theo sitting on the highest rung, a malicious grin on his face, "You're a brave one Liam. Or Stupid. Either way, it doesn't matter. Once I take you out, Theo will crumble and I get to take over full time."

Liam growled at Theo and yelled, "Like I am going to let that happen."

Theo stood up and wolfed out, "You think you have a choice in this? Actually you did and you just made my killing of you so much easier. I had to share control of our body but in the mind, I don't have to hold back."

Liam wolfed out and released a deafening roar at Theo. The chimera jumped from the top of the bleachers, bringing his claw forward towards the wolf. Liam barely managed to move out of the way and Theo's palm struck the ground which caused the entire field to shake from the impact. The chimera grinned at the wolf, "I forgot to mention how I am much stronger here."

Liam struggled to maintain balance through the shockwaves and lowered himself into a defensive posture. Theo widened his grin as he stood up and extended his arms out. Electricity arched from the lights into the fingertips of the chimera. Liam's eyes widened before he charged the chimera. Liam slashed across Theo's chest twice, shredding the chimera's shirt and leaving bloody lines before Theo released a surge into the wolf when he backhanded him into the stands.

Liam's limp body flew through some of the metal, which tore lines up his arms and legs and hit with a dull thud against the weight bearing brace. A line of blood flowed down Liam's head and across his face. The wolf growled as he looked to Theo and saw the claw marks disappear on his chest. Liam slowly pulled himself to his feet. His vision went red as Theo began his nefarious laughter. The chimera continued, "Come on Liam, you can do better than this."

Liam ran towards the chimera, arms extended channeling his rage. Theo shook his head before he threw a bolt of electricity at the wolf. The blast knocked Liam to the ground and scorched the earth under him. Theo shrugged and remarked, "Don't rush this Liam. I really want to torture you first."

Liam jumped up to his feet and resumed his charge at the chimera. Theo laughed as he launched another blast, which leveled the wolf. "Persistent little wolf, aren't you." Liam slowly pulled himself to his feet and Theo laughed harder, "You know it's strike three and you are out Liam." Theo channeled the energy between his hands before launching a sustained blast at Liam.

The wolf lifted his arms and crossed his face as the bolt travelled. When it hit, Liam skidded backwards but didn't get knocked down. The electricity surged through his body and he released a scream of rage and pain as he pushed against the sustained blast. Step by Step Liam closed the distance and Theo pushed the intensity of the blast and Liam on increased his speed. When Theo was in range, Liam threw his fist forward and the impact slammed against the chimera's face which knocked him back and stopped the torrent of electricity. Theo growled as he spat blood, "Alright Liam, if that's the way you want it."

Liam barely had time to prepare when the strike from Theo struck his face and knocked the wolf to the ground. Theo stepped over the prone wolf and straddled his chest. "Beating you to death works."

Theo grabbed the back of Liam's head and slammed his fist into the wolf's face. He repeated this twice more before dropping Liam's head to the ground. He proceeded to strike the wolf time and again until Liam's face was covered in blood and the wolf passed out.

Liam groaned as he smelled the area had changed. It smelled familiar but he couldn't open his eyes. One scent caught him, cinnamon with a hint of cedar. The wolf mumbled, "Stiles?"

Stiles' voice broke through the fog that currently lived in Liam's head, "Yeah. You didn't fare too well little wolf. I can't believe you thought that would work."

Liam feebly growled in the direction of the voice, "Well what else am I supposed to do?"

Stiles laughed softly before he began, "For starters, don't let Theo use your face as a punching bag. I only know it's you because you aren't a part of Theo's mind. Gotta say, you look bad though. I didn't know a face could swell that much and not to mention the smell. That's going to stick with me a while. Now I know why I shouldn't stick a fork in an outlet."

Liam groaned, "Thanks for saving me though."

Stiles plopped down on the couch next to Liam, "Oh, I didn't save you. Theo did. The Theo you know and love."

Liam flinched his face from the throbbing pain, "What? But I thought the dark side was in control."

Stiles groaned in annoyance, "Yes, he is but that doesn't mean that the rest of us are worthless. Actually, your Theo is the only one that can fight his dark side and stand a chance at winning."

Liam growled deep in his chest, "If you knew that already, then why did you send me to fight him?"

Stiles rolled his eyes even though the gesture was lost on the temporarily blinded wolf, "For starters, I didn't send you. You did. Secondly because you were so eager that you didn't give me time to explain how you need to find your Theo and convince him to fight his dark side."

Liam fought against the pain, "How am I supposed to find him now?"

Stiles waved one hand in front of Liam's face and then proceeded to the other as he said, "Wax on, Wax off." When he finished the gesture, Liam's injuries disappeared.

Liam looked around the Stilinski household and finally looked at Stiles, "If you could do that then why aren't you out there?"

Stiles smirked, "Because I am one of the last threads holding Theo together and he could kill me without a second thought. Completely give into the darkness. Do you want that?"

Liam slowly shook his head, "No. Alright Stiles, where do I begin?"

Stiles picked up his bowl of popcorn and turned on the TV, "Let's start with a show."

Liam rolled his eyes and looked to the TV. In a few moments the surroundings changed and he was standing outside of the Stilinski household. The sun was beating down on him and it was clearly quite a few degrees warmer than the winter he knew was waiting when he got out. He looked around as he stood near the mailbox and heard the sounds of a couple of boys playing.

They ran towards the front of the house, the tall, pale, lanky boy wielding a foam sword swinging it at his shorter, friend with the long mop of black hair. The lanky boy yelled, "I've got you now Scotty! This is where you walk the plank!"

Scotty ran across the driveway, "Not yet you don't Stiles. Wait, why would I walk the plank? We aren't pirates."

Stiles giggled, "I am now! Ha!" Stiles swung at Scott and hit him on the arm with the foam sword which made a load flap sound but only garnered a laugh from the young boy.

Liam smiled as he watched the young Stiles and Scott and didn't notice the boy on the skateboard rolling down the hill in his direction. By the time the wolf heard, the boy couldn't stop and collided with Liam. The skateboard went flying and boy took an inglorious nose dive into the pavement. Liam rushed over to the boy but noticed he quickly got up and dusted himself off. The boy glared up at Liam and muttered, "Why weren't you listening? I told you to move. I just got my board."

Liam asked, "Are you alright?" The boy maneuvered around Liam and antagonized the beta, "I was doing just fine before you got in the way." The boy grabbed the board and checked the wheels and made sure it was alright.

Liam could feel his anger rising and he slipped, "Hey kid, that's not how you talk to an adult."

The boy refused to acknowledge Liam's presence but muttered, "You're an adult? I thought you had to be taller, or at least have a more commanding tone. Do your dolls listen to you?"

Liam growled and said, "You're an asshole."

The boy tossed down his skateboard and stepped up to Liam. His eyes bored deep into the wolf's and that's when Liam noticed. The hair, tossed around but not wild, the smug smirk from anticipating too many responses, and the defiant glare to his eyes. Kid Theo widened that smirk, "And you just said a bad word. I guess that means I won't be getting into trouble." Liam's eyes widened at kid Theo's smug smirk and whispered, "Well I guess that's how you always were."

Stiles yelled, "Theo, what are you doing talking to him?"

Theo turned to Stiles and began to respond when Claudia stepped out the front door, "Boys!" The three boys ran to Stiles' mom and Liam lazily followed. She looked to Liam before looking to Stiles, "I'm sorry honey, I've got an appointment for the doctor today that I forgot about. Scott and Theo are going to have to go home."

Stiles nervously looked around before he pleaded, "Come on mom, we can stay here and play. We'll be good."

Claudia shook her head, "I'm sorry honey. I couldn't leave you three unsupervised."

Theo interrupted, "Excuse me Mrs. Stilinski but what if my cousin here babysat us while you went to the doctor?" Theo delivered a sharp elbow to the side of Liam's leg.

Claudia debated while kid Theo whispered so quietly that only Liam could hear, "You owe me one for knocking me off my skateboard."

Liam glared at Theo and said, "Yeah, Mrs. Stilinski, I could watch the boys."

Claudia stepped up to Liam, "Thank you. I'll only be gone for a little bit and if you need anything Mrs. McCall in just a phone call away." She gave Liam a quick hug before she stepped back inside to grab her things.

Liam took a knee next to Theo and said, "Why would you volunteer me to babysit? You don't even know me."

Stiles interjected, "Because there are three of us and we can deal with you if you don't do the right thing, Cousin Miguel."

Liam looked to Stiles, "You think you three can take me? And my name isn't Miguel."

Theo laughed, "Of course it is, Miguel."

Scott laughed and said, "Yeah Miguel."

Liam growled just before Claudia stepped outside and met up with Liam. In a hurried manner she said, "I should be back soon but just in case it takes longer I left a twenty on the table in case you need to order pizza for the boys. The other twenty is for you. I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name."

Liam began to speak but Stiles interrupted, "It's Miguel."

Claudia gave Liam a quick hug, "Thanks Miguel. You are a life saver." Claudia quickly moved to the car and quickly drove away.

The three boys stepped away from Liam and continued to play with their foam weapons in the cul-de-sac. Liam couldn't help but laugh as Theo charged Stiles on the skateboard while wielding the giant foam battleax. It didn't take long for the wolf to realize that Stiles led the group. He directed play and Scott seemed to enjoy whatever they did but Theo seemed to admire Stiles' leadership.

After an hour, a young girl walked down into the cul-de-sac and looked from Scott to Stiles and Theo with her gaze finally falling on Liam. She began the inquisition, "Who are you and where is Mrs. Stilinski?"

Liam began to respond but Scott made a mad dash from Stiles and Theo to the girl and hugged her, "Hello Tara."

She returned the hug but kept her eyes on Liam, "Hello Scotty. Who is this guy?"

Theo barked towards Tara, "He's cousin Miguel."

Liam argued, "I'm not cousin Miguel."

Tara rolled her eyes, "I know you aren't cousin Miguel because we don't have a cousin Miguel."

Liam rubbed the back of his head nervously and said, "I'm babysitting since Mrs. Stilinski had to go to a doctor's appointment."

Tara smirked, "Alright, as long as I get half of the twenty she paid you."

Liam couldn't help but laugh at the family nature. While he laughed, he caught movement out of the corner of his eye and saw a ghost form of one of the Dread Doctors. He say it touch Theo's chest and the boy collapsed. Tara screamed and ran over to her brother. Before Liam could react, the background shifted and he was sitting in the Stilinski living room next to Stiles.

Liam looked to Stiles, "What just happened?"

Stiles glared at Liam, "You were in one of Theo's memories."

Liam shook his head, "I don't know how that is going to help me find him."

Stiles took a deep breath and replied, "The clues were all there. Or at least the clue to your next destination."

Liam growled, "You don't make sense." He released a sigh and mused, "I wonder if Theo kept skateboarding."

Stiles' eyes widened, "You're joking right?"

Liam defensively responded, "What?"

Stiles shook his head, "I swear, you are the worst boyfriend ever."

Liam argued back, "I am not. And I am not his boyfriend."

Stiles grinned, "You should know that Theo kept skateboarding. Even when he lived with the Dread Doctors. He's actually really good at it and enjoys what time he can with it. But I bet you don't know anything. What's Theo's favorite color? What musical instrument can he play well? What's his middle name? Hell, what's his birthday?"

Liam bit his lip as he thought about it, "I don't know."

Stiles shook his head, "Like I said, the worst."

Liam bit back, "Well he doesn't know those things about me."

Stiles smirked and matter-of-factly responded, "Your favorite color is Red, You used to play the drums but probably haven't in a few years, we don't know your middle name so you got us there and your birthday is July 7th. Any other questions?"

Liam's eyes widened, "What? How does he know that much?"

Stiles tilted his head, "Theo pays attention to you. He has liked you for a while. I thought that much would be obvious and he would've told you but he didn't want things to get weird since you dated Hayden and well he thought you wouldn't be interested. Then he started to fall for you and his dumbass didn't even know what falling in love felt like."

Liam shook his head, "I didn't know."

Stiles shrugged, "Theo is a private guy. But back to helping. The clue here is Tara and I think you should meet her."

The background shifted again and Liam found himself laying down, surround by metal walls on all sides. Fear ran through his body as he struggled and banged on the walls around himself. He eventually knocked the door above his head open and slid out. When he got to his feet, the smell of death surrounded him. He looked to the floor and saw Theo, blank stare of death gazing towards the ceiling, a gaping bloody wound in the center of his chest.

Liam flinched and turned to face into the room and saw that there were bodies of Theo strewn about the morgue. Liam's face contorted with fear as he moved out of the morgue. He saw more in the hallway and heard the eerie voice, "Theeeeeoooo"

A copy of Theo ran out of the morgue and pushed Liam out of the way as he ran towards the elevator. Liam ran after the copy and barely made it inside before the doors closed. While it moved up, he heard it again, "Theeeeoooo"

Liam smelled the fear pour off of Theo and he asked him, "What's going on?"

Theo faced Liam with a look of sheer terror, "We have to get away from her. She wants our heart."

The doors opened and the Theo ran down the hallway. Liam quickly followed in pursuit when he heard the shuffling and scraping of nails across the hard floors. Theo turned towards the exit, maneuvering around the many dead bodies that littered the hallway and Liam struggled to keep up. When Theo reached the door and threw them open, he stopped. Liam abruptly stopped behind him, "What is it Theo?"

Theo slowly turned to face Liam and his face showed resignation and maybe an ounce of peace before a bloody hand tore through him and ripped out his beating heart. Liam gasped and jumped back. The heartless, chest torn open, rotted looking Tara stood in front of the wolf. Liam said, "Who are you?"

Her menacing expression shifted to a distant but genial one and said, "I'm his sister."

Liam mumbled, fear in his voice, "W-w-why do I need to see you?"

Tara smiled, "Because I represent Theo's guilt. I am his constant reminder that he can't run away from the consequences of his actions."

Liam argued, "But the Dread Doctors."

Tara spat, "Corrupted him, yes but he made the decision. I loved Theo and he watched me die."

Liam swallowed the knot in his throat, "But, that was the dark side."

Tara corrected him, "That's when it was born. Theo had a choice. They lied to him, sure but he made the decision. He thought he was saving us." She laughed hollowly.

Liam asked, "What am I seeing? His nightmares?"

Tara slowly shook her head, "No. This is what happened to him every moment he was imprisoned. Guilt catches up."

Liam took a deep breath and looked to the floor. He noticed the freshly killed Theo's expression was almost peaceful. A strong pang of guilt hit the wolf because of every time he threatened to send Theo back. He slowly raised his head and saw the twisted claw of Tara's hand reach towards his heart. Liam stepped back only to pass through another Theo copy as he met his fate and collapsed to the floor.

Liam asked, "How does this help me find Theo?"

Tara grinned, "Dark Theo never came here. He doesn't spend any time here. However, he was imprisoned too. I can take you there."

Tara extended her hand and Liam reluctantly took it. The hospital faded away and he found himself surrounded by dirty. It pressed against his body and firmly held him in place. He tried to scream but more dirt filled his mouth. He wolfed out and frantically clawed against the earth which seemed to push more dirt into him. Every breath he tried to take filled his lungs with moist deep soil. Liam tried to calm down and stop moving but that's when he felt the sensation.

Liam felt things moving against his skin and inside his lungs and mouth. The slick squirming of worms tormented his sense of touch and he could taste their fetid flavor as they attempted to eat him from inside out. He screamed again and more worms filled his mouth. The fear built and he frantically clawed more.

Suddenly he felt like he was moving and the ground above his head gave way and his claw punched through the ground. He pulled himself up and saw what looked to be a large pillar of light. As he got to his feet he violently threw himself at the pillar. His eyes cleared and he saw that his claw was pressed against another Liam's throat.

Liam gasped and looked at the version of him in Theo's eyes. Liam looked like an angel of mercy, sent to give him reprieve from the endless torment that he endured for an eternity. Liam slowly lowered his claw and looked into the other Liam's eyes and saw his reflection. He was Theo and the small smile that spoke the volumes of every novel ever written glanced across his face.

The background faded again and he once again found himself sitting on the Stilinski sofa. Liam looked to Stiles, "Alright, there cannot be a clue in all that. The only thing I found out was that the punishment was pure torture. If I had to do it again I would find another way."

Stiles smiled, "Good, because this is your chance. Because trust me on this one, if you fail here, then your pack will have no choice but to lock him down there."

Liam pleaded, "But it's not fair. Sure his dark side gets punished but Theo, the real Theo gets tortured for being a victim of the Dread Doctors."

Stiles shook his head, "You keep forgetting. All of us, Dark Theo, myself, Tara, and the Theo you know, we are all parts of a whole. You can't get one without the rest. You can't stop one without the rest."

Liam argued, "Then why didn't Theo come out dark?"

Stiles smiled, "Because he compartmentalized us. This, "Stiles motioned to his house, "is my domain. I didn't get tortured but I mostly only get to watch. Now Tara didn't come into existence until he compartmentalized. She is his constant reminder to think about his actions. The down side, she takes her job to the Nth degree. His dark side was weakened, a lot but much like the virus that he is, all it took was time for him to grow back into his power. Though his drive is a little different now. He only enjoys the pleasure of killing and destruction."

Liam nodded slowly and asked, "So I still don't get what the clue is."

Stiles groaned and said, "Alright, I'll spoon feed you this too. What have you seen so far?"

Liam answered, "You, Dark Theo, Tara, and his memories and nightmares."

Stiles grinned, "If you had to give a word or a few words to these interactions, what would they be?"

Liam thought for a moment and replied, "They have been painful or frightening. Except you but I'm guessing that's different."

Stiles nodded, "So have you seen the real, the core Theo anywhere?"

Liam shook his head, "Well, no."

Stiles smiled, "So where should you look?"

Liam smiled, "His moments of happiness and love."

Stiles pointed his finger to the tip of his nose. Before Liam could say anything else, the household disappeared and he was standing inside Sinema. The wolf looked around the packed club and tried to find Theo's scent. His senses were overwhelmed from the sheer numbers of people and the different smells in the club. Liam pushed through the crowds and searched for the different dancers. He made several sweeps through the club before he grew irritated. His anger boiled and he heard a voice behind him, "I could smell you a mile away, Little Wolf."

Liam quickly turned around and saw Theo standing in front of him. The chimera wore little more than his tuxedo thong, blue light up shoes and body glitter. He smiled a genuine smile and said, "I think this is our song."

Liam listened for the music but couldn't hear it. Theo grabbed Liam's hand and pulled him away from the crowd he was in and the people seemed to part and create a circle for them on the dance floor. Liam's eyes darted around as the lights focused on the two of them and it seemed like no one else was there. Theo turned and faced the wolf and said, "For now, it's just the two of us."

Liam plastered his goofy smile and pulled Theo closer to him. The chimera pulled free against it, "Oh no, this is still a performance. And tonight, I am Rex. Who are you?" The chimera's mouth widened into a devilish grin.

Liam responded, "Tonight, I am Theo."

Theo's eyes lit up and he said, "Welcome Theo. But your costume says Liam. Are you sure you aren't Little Wolf?"

Liam grinned, "I promise you, I'm not little anything."

Theo bit back the laughter, "I see you are being flirty tonight. Well, Theo, we are just going to have to fix this, aren't we?"

The club music grew and Theo began to sway with the beat. He pulled Liam close and spun him. He wrapped his arms around the wolf from behind and tucked his face into the crook of Liam's neck. The chimera whispered, "Right now, it's just the two of us."

Liam moved to the beat, following the movements of the chimera's hips as he leaned his head back into the taller boy's neck. Liam grinded back into Theo's heat and the chimera tightened his pull on the wolf. Liam brought his hands up and held them tight against Theo's hands as they tightened their grip. He heard their heartbeats come into sync as they sped up. Liam tilted his head and saw the chimera had already done the same.

Their lips met and the electricity soared through the wolf's body. His wolf danced with happiness. Liam reached back to pull Theo deeper into the kiss but the chimera broke away with a devious grin on his face. He said, "Now, now. Am I kissing Liam or Theo?"

Liam spun around and said, "No roles, no games. You, Theodore Raeken are kissing me, Liam Dunbar. It's just us two. No shows for audiences, no misconstrued feelings, no pack politics, just you and me and the amount of space we want between each other."

Theo's grin morphed into a deep, genuine smile, "You say the sweetest things Little Wolf. Cheesy, but sweet."

Liam closed the distance and pulled Theo down for another kiss. The energy between them surged and for a moment, Liam could feel the love radiate from Theo. As he tried to deepen the kiss, everything around him changed and Theo was no longer with him. He opened his eyes and he was standing in a dark room with a chair in the center. There was a wall of monitors flashing between events and sitting in the chair was kid Theo. Theo turned to Liam, "You found me. Wait, how did you get here?"

Liam stepped over to Theo and placed a hand on his shoulder. He looked at the monitors and said, "I had to find you. I need you back and I would do anything to make sure you stayed."

Theo looked back to the monitors, "It's happy here. I'm not a monster here. Tara is still alive, I don't have any blood on my hands. I don't have to fear waking up to carrying the guilt or fear falling asleep to the torture."

Liam nodded as he watched the scenes play out, "But Theo, it isn't real."

Theo stood up and angrily yelled, "It's real to me!"

Liam made eye contact with Theo and smiled, "I know. But you can't stay here. You have to fight back. You have to join me back on the other side."

Theo bit his lip as he looked to the floor, "But I've done so many bad things. I don't deserve to be happy."

Liam reached forward and lifted kid Theo's chin to reestablish eye contact. A tear rolled down Theo's face as Liam said, "You've done things. That's true. But you do deserve happiness. You don't get to carrying everything on your shoulders. You aren't the bad things that you did, you aren't the corruption that happened. Only you can change things now."

Theo whimpered, "But it's hard and the harder I try, the worse things get."

Liam nodded slowly, "Yeah, it's difficult but it's difficult for all of us. That's why we support each other. You aren't alone Theo, never again. Do you remember how you saw me when you came back from hell?"

Theo smiled a little and nodded, "You were an angel. I know you didn't do it out of goodness but that's your core, goodness. I'm married to darkness."

Liam shook his head, "For a man who prides himself on being right, you couldn't be more wrong. You aren't dark. You are my angel."

Kid Theo furrowed his brow, "I don't get it."

Liam pointed to the screens and the images changed. The first screen played the scene where Theo tossed Liam into the elevator and fought the ghost riders. The next screen flashed to Theo knocking Liam unconscious to stop him from killing Nolan. Another screen flickered to Theo taking away Gabe's pain. Another changed to Theo saving Liam from the hunters when they recently met back up. The one before the last screen changed to Theo kissing Liam on the dancefloor as the lights came up and bills rained on them. The last screen showed Theo holding Liam's hand and confessing his feelings while Liam was in a coma.

A few tears streaked down Theo's face before his body shifted and he was his normal self again. Theo weakly mumbled, "You noticed me."

Liam pulled Theo's face to look him in the eyes. Theo's eyes widened as he saw that tears flowed from the wolf's eyes as well. Liam answered, "I did more than notice. You are my angel. You saved me, mostly from myself but maybe especially from myself. Because." He paused as he fought back the knot in his throat, "If you are a monster, then so am I."

The dark room filled with light and Liam stood next to Theo in the original white room he first appeared in. Tara, Dark Theo and Stiles stood in front of them. Liam looked to Theo, "You can't just bottle them up or separate them, they are you too."

Theo looked to Liam, "But I wasn't strong enough before. I need to be stronger."

Liam laughed as he shook his head, "You are stronger than you think. You gave up and I hate to say it Shadow Wolf, I'm not letting you give up, ever again."

Theo laughed and looked to his fractured parts. He walked over to Tara and weakly smiled as his eyes traveled to the floor. He mumbled, "I'm sorry."

Tara shifted into his young self. She said, "I know. You went down a dark path and now things are different. You've changed. You will still have to face some of these thoughts and feelings in the future but at least you'll be whole."

Theo smiled and said, "Thank you" as Tara disappeared. He stepped over to his dark self. Dark Theo wore a smug grin, "What? No big fight scene with your boyfriend as the prize."

Theo shook his head, "No. I know I will deal with your impulses everyday but I would rather resist them than bottle you up. I know that's how you take control. This is how I take control."

Dark Theo growled as he disappeared. Theo stepped over to Stiles and said, "I don't know how I could be here without you."

Stiles blushed, "Eh, you give me too much credit. After all, I am a part of you. Kind of like I have been saying the entire time."

Theo slowly shook his head as he smiled, "Yeah, but I still haven't figured out why you are here and not someone else."

Stiles threw his hands up in the air in resignation and groaned, "I swear Raeken, you are absolutely hopeless. You'll realize it one day. Or maybe you won't which proves why you and your equally hopeless boyfriend are made for each other."

Liam interjected, "Hey. I am not hopeless Stiles."

Stiles stuck his tongue out at the wolf before he said, "Yeah, you are. For starters, I am not Stiles. Don't worry though, you'll be in good company."

Theo asked, "So this is where you disappear. Doesn't it bother you?"

Stiles shook his head, "No, this is when the puzzle is finally put back together. You know that none of us are really disappearing right? We will all still be with you, for good or bad. So don't go thinking this will be the last you see of me."

Stiles bounced his eyebrows and grinned foolishly as he disappeared. Theo turned to Liam and said, "Thank you."

Liam began to respond when he was overwhelmed with a bright flash of light.

The wolf tasted the tongue of the chimera which was still in his mouth as his claws slid away from the back of his neck. He closed his eyes as they finished the kiss. Liam grinned as he mumbled, "Mint Mojito."