Liam couldn't stop himself from asking when they started driving. He tried not to be nosy; he really did. However, curiosity got the better of him.
"What was that about?" Liam finally asked, looking deeply perturbed. Mostly because it didn't seem to affect the other man much.
"Nothing." Theo's jaw clenched and his grip on the steering wheel tightened. "Just a regular that wanted to take things too far. I don't do what I do to meet people; I go on stage, do a little dance, get paid and it's over. It's not a job for people with feelings." Theo was way too young to be this cynical. At least in Liam's opinion.
Liam didn't want too, but he pressed before the words even had time to process in his brain. "Why did he have a restraining order against him?" Why am I so stupid? That would be an even better question. Liam's eyes got wide as Theo came to a stop. Would he kick Liam out of the truck? I'm too drunk to walk home. Liam whined to himself internally. He wouldn't blame him if he did. Liam had just met the guy and is asking too many personal questions. It wasn't really his fault though. The guy came up to Theo in a public place and screamed at him like a lunatic.
Theo sighed and Liam prepared himself to be staggering home on the streets in the late hours of the night, or early hours of the morning, really. "He found where I lived. I didn't answer the phone when he called. I don't tell anyone where I live anymore because I like actually being able to sleep at night. That jerk-off followed me home and forced himself on me. All because I wouldn't sleep with him" Theo scoffed as if he were trying to laugh instead of cry. Liam had never even thought it could be something like that. Maybe just drunken slurs or sexual advances at the bar, but Theo looked like he could completely handle himself in a fight. Especially against that guy. He was a total creep, but he seemed like he was all bark, whereas Theo seemed completely rational. He could have easily taken that douchebag.
"I know what you're thinking, but it isn't that simple" Theo broke him from his thoughts. "Fight or flight is more complex when you have actually been with the person before" Theo starts easing from the side of the road and Liam is completely without words. Theo had slept with that guy?! The rest of the drive is in silence, sans driving directions.
When they arrived at Liam's house, Theo tried not to look impressed.
"Do you want to come in and hang out?" Liam asked sheepishly. Theo snapped out of his amazement. All of a sudden Theo feels the need to guard himself, but at the same time, he knows this may just be business as usual. Maybe he knows.
"Sure" he says and follows Liam into the empty house.
"Parents gave me this place when they paid it off, as long as I agreed to pay rent. It basically helps them with the mortgage on their new house. It's a little big for just me, but I'm not in any place to complain. However, I'm still gonna live on campus with Mason when we start school." Liam showed Theo to his tv and game consoles in his room and told Theo to make himself comfortable. Liam was going to get snacks and drinks, mostly so that they could absorb the alcohol in Liam's body, but also because he hadn't seen the other boy eat the entire time at the club and they were allowed free food.
When Liam got back, he was surprised at the sight in front of him. He was entirely speechless. This stranger, for one thing, and a man, which he has no interest in, was sitting on his bed in just his underwear.
"What exactly are you doing?!" Liam was completely flustered. His face red with embarrassment and a twinge of anger. "I said I was getting snacks and we could hang out. As in, hang out! You know, with videogames and movies. Look dude. I'm not knockin' if you're gay, but I'm not. I have a girlfriend" Liam's flustered speech made his face turn red. What the fuck is this guy's deal?
"Look I'm sorry. It's just- usually whenever, someone invites me over, this is what they expect out of me" Theo looks at the ground feeling only slightly ashamed that he had been presumptuous but then quickly buried it.
"This is what you do?! Is that what the guy meant when he said he was going to tell the cops?!" Realization hit Liam like an eighteen-wheeler. His eyes were the size of the moon. "You're a prostitute?!" He'd seen me last night at the hotel, though... Whatever. Maybe He's not as bright as I'm giving him credit for. Theo just rolled his eyes, face turning to a smirk.
"A guy's gotta make money somehow. We can't all have fancy houses given to us by our parents" Liam rolled his eyes at the statement. Always with the comments. I literally told him I was moving near campus.
"You work at the bar, though. Nothing wrong with that! Just get you a day-time job and-"
"I am qualified for exactly what I do. Thanks, but I've already tried it. Nobody wants to hire someone like me. Besides, what do you care anyway? It's my business" Theo started to leave after he had got dressed, but Liam stopped him.
He's right. It is none of my business. Liam hadn't meant to offend Theo. He just didn't understand resorting yourself to... that. "Hey, no, look... we can still play games and veg out." Liam reassured him. "That guy was kind of a toolbox and I'm not sure you should try and go home if he knows where you live." Theo thought for a minute and then agreed. Besides, what's the worst that can happen? Liam seemed harmless enough and radiated genuine concern. It was... gross. It made Theo feel gross. This boy seemed like the most innocent person he'd ever met. At least as far as adults go.
"I'm sorry I don't have a couch or anything for you to sleep on. I didn't really plan for company. Plus, I'm not trying to have too much to move when I leave" Liam looked at the floor feeling like a
complete blockhead and totally ashamed that he'd forgotten how having someone over works. At least he could blame the alcohol. "I'll take the floor, though and you can take the bed."
"I'm not gonna kick you out of your own bed, Liam. You're inviting me here because a creep threatened me. I'll sleep on the floor. Where's the air mattress?"
Liam looked at him sheepishly, "yeah... I kind of don't have one. That's why I was gonna sleep on the floor."
"Look, I'm not making you sleep on the floor in your own house. We can share the bed." Liam looked at Theo with uncertainty, but Theo raised his hands when he spoke his next words "Would you just chill? It's big enough for both of us and if you'd feel more comfortable putting a barrier of pillows between us, then by all means." Theo laughed, but Liam was still unsure. He hadn't really shared a bed with anyone as an adult except Hayden... when she was present.
"Ok. But stay on your side" Liam knew it sounded childish, but the guy had stripped naked their first-time meeting.
"Liam, I'm not going to molest you in your sleep. Being a sex-worker doesn't mean that I don't have standards" Theo looked pensive. Like it was imperative that Liam know this. So, Liam just nodded his head and took Theo's word.
"By the way" Theo said as they sat down to watch the first movie of the night, "if we see each other in public, call me Tyler. Not Theo." Liam wasn't a total moron. He could easily figure out why. He just nodded and they watched the movie in silence.
They fell asleep in a very intimate position. Theo seemed to have fallen asleep at the beginning of watching the second movie. Liam had watched the second movie half-way through before he turned ff the tv. In the middle of the night, Liam was half-asleep, and he felt a warm body against his. He thought it was Hayden and cuddled, completely forgetting about Theo. Theo on the other hand, for once, slept without having nightmares. He almost forgot where he was by the morning. Almost.
Liam had jerked himself out of bed and landed promptly into the floor when he realized it wasn't Hayden sleeping next to him. It was so weird; he could have sworn he'd kissed Hayden last night- Oh god no! He looked at Theo, like he was trying to find any trace of evidence of them two kissing last night. Maybe it was a dream. When Liam jerked himself awake, shaking the bed, he woke Theo up which disoriented him for a little but then he recognized where he was and the man next to him.
"Why are you on the floor?" Theo asked, a little too grouchy for Liam's taste and especially for a guest. His eyes were closed, but his voice sounded like he'd been awake for hours.
"I just- rolled off the bed. Sorry for waking you up" Liam said seemingly distracted. He offered the other young man some breakfast for taking him home when he didn't accept gas money, but Theo refused and called it his birthday present. With that, Theo was headed out the door. He felt oddly rested having slept at a strange place. It's gotta be this kid. This dumb, naïve, man-child Theo laughed.
When he arrived at his apartment, he became instantly grateful for this stranger that let him stay
over. His apartment wasn't broken into, but there were signs there was someone there. When he went in the door, he looked at his laptop and saw exactly what he expected. Donovan, caught on camera trying to figure out how to get into Theo's apartment. I have got to move from here. Of course, he knows he can't stay there forever. That's the whole point doing what he does for a living. I wonder if Stiles or Scott-
The thought had been crushed as soon as it was starting to form. Stiles and Scott didn't live here anymore. They lived near the campus. The only people besides that he even knew were Malia or Corey. They're both too nosy for their own good so that's out. Derek had already given him enough with the job and he didn't want to feel like a total charity case. Theo got his email open to see about any interview prospects. There was an email.
Hey, I think you left your phone here last night and it wasn't password protected. I didn't know how else to get ahold of you. Also thank you for giving me a ride home. -Liam
He had gotten Theo's email address from his phone. Smart. Also, incredibly stupid. How does he know Theo isn't some psychopath? This kid is way too trusting. Which it's made obvious by the fact that he just lets a complete stranger sleep in his house, let alone in his bed. WITH him. Wait a minute... Is this kid trying to get Theo to come back for sex? Maybe he didn't have any money last night. Maybe he wasn't prepared. No. He didn't know until I told him, and he offered money for the ride home. Theo emails him back.
I'm on my way- Theo
Actually, I'm on my way to work now. I won't be home today until later- Liam
Ok, can you be home around 7 tonight? I'll be there for it then. -Theo
Absolutely -Liam
Now I gotta get ready. Just in case. Now he knows. Theo thought back to the night before when Liam said he wasn't gay, and he had a girlfriend. He has a lot of customers that do this. It's an understandable kink. The feeling of pretending this is your first time for the other person's satisfaction. That taboo, wrong feeling of being secretive with something. Someone. Holding back your sexual desires, then finally being able to break free. All for what? Saving face?
The difference is that when you pay to have it, it's not gratifying as much. Or maybe it is. Maybe that's why it's the oldest profession. You can pay someone to highlight your fantasies and they're not allowed to judge you because you're paying them not to. It's not the same in a relationship, though. You trust that no matter what, this person will never hurt you or judge you. You go in thinking this person means everything they say, but they don't. You don't mean as much to them as they do to you.
The high doesn't last and even a friend with benefits situation; it gets feelings tangled in the mix because they don't just allow you to live your wildest fantasies, or even just explore briefly. It becomes more than just a judgement free hookup. You tell each other things because you've been friends. At some point it's honestly no longer friends with benefits. It's a relationship. That's why Theo stays far away from them. He has seen what people are capable of, and it's not exactly worth it to tempt fate. Not after what he's already been through.