Oh my god. Oh! My fucking! GOD! Theo felt bad about rushing away from Liam when that psychopath was there, but Brett triggered something in him that he completely forgot about. Not that he could ever forget what he'd been through, but he just thought he was mostly ok. He knew Brett would get out eventually, but it was supposed to be four years and fines that there was no way he could pay. When they were together, Theo paid for everything. Theo was the one with a job, so Brett didn't do much in the way of work. Theo had to basically beg Derek and Peter to even entertain the idea of Brett working there with him. There was no way he'd paid the fines to get out. He didn't have money from working and he didn't have a family. He and his sister were adopted by a retired old woman, and she had died when Brett was seventeen. After that, Brett and his sister were alone. When he and Theo started dating, he practically moved right in. He didn't have a job in high school because Theo didn't feel it was necessary. He kind of felt sorry for him.

Theo went to the bar that night to work and felt this strange need to be protective of Liam, but he didn't want to tell Liam what happened, so he just texted him. That's normal, right? It wouldn't be weird?

Hey -Theo

Theo was unnecessarily nervous about a text message. It took a normal amount of time to respond, given that they were both at work. This was a night Theo was to be stripping so he had a little bit of time on his hands. He went through the motions of his routines and when they changed out songs and costumes, he checked his phone.

What's up -Liam

Theo didn't realize how bad of an idea this was until he actually did it because now, he had absolutely nothing to say. Corey was off tonight so he couldn't exactly ask for his advice. He needed Liam to stay away from Brett and his possessiveness and abuse. Theo had seen the way Brett looked at Liam and it made him sick. Not only did he do it deliberately trying to hurt him, but

just flaunting his newfound freedom was sickening. Rape and assault were (it felt like to Theo) not high on the list of California's most heinous crimes. Law & Order had lied to him. Then again, he wasn't a woman.

Did I do something? -Liam

Shit.

No. Not at all. -Theo

How's work? -Theo

Wow. Could I be lamer?

It's... ok? Same as usual. Hotel stuff -Liam

Why? - Liam

Just checking-Theo

Kill me. Kill me now. An ax would be less painful than 'oh I'm just checking on you'. Theo rolled his eyes at himself and felt like it might be easier to just tell Liam about Brett. It would be probably just as painful as the god-awful mothering he is doing a horrible job at. "I can't believe he's back" Theo said to himself out loud and Malia heard him.

"Who's back?"

Theo sighed "Brett". Malia was in shock. She couldn't look professional to save her life after that. She knew how Brett treated Theo when they were together, and she tried to get Theo to leave him before he'd even moved in with him. The boy was still in high school. How the hell could he take care of them both? It's part of why she had suggested he be a stripper. He'd be paid more. Then she saw how jealous Brett was at their house a few times, yet Theo was so unaware of how badly Brett actually verbally abused him and that was why Malia told Peter and Derek she didn't think having them work together was a great idea.

When they agreed to do an observatory interview, mostly to see how he'd act when customers hit on Theo, they saw enough to never want him around even as a patron, let alone a waiter. He was banned from ever coming back when Theo was working.

This was one of the only places Theo felt safe. "I thought he was supposed to be in prison for like five years or something and who the hell paid his fines?" Malia finally asked. Theo just shrugged his shoulders. His sister was gone. She had got married and moved from Beacon Hills. She was the 'good child' out of the two of them. Brett was more troubled. Obviously.

Even before the assault happened, Brett had a darkness about him that was... mysterious. Kind of dangerous? But not like Theo could have ever imagined it would be this. He's still getting over it. Life is just now becoming livable to him again. He is just now being able to sleep through the night even with his nightmares. He was having less night terrors. Theo tried not to think about it too much when he was on stage, but looking into the sea of people, it was all he could think about. He was sure he'd do something to one of these people. Four years isn't enough for what he did... and he didn't even do the full time...

"Honey! I'm home!" Theo kicked his shoes off at the door. It was late, but Brett was still up with the kitchen lights on. He walked into the kitchen where Brett was making their dinner. Rather, reheating their dinner. Theo didn't get off work when Brett had cooked and thought he'd be home. "Hey babe! Sorry I'm home later than I thought. Corey left me with training the new dude. It's ok though." Theo grabbed a handful of cash out of his pockets, and he showed it to Brett. "I got big tips tonight!" Theo was happy he could finally make money enough for himself and Brett. Malia was right. Being a stripper was definitely better than just a bartender. He'd still bartend, though. It was his favorite. It made him feel important. He felt like he wasn't the only person with issues.

"How'd you get all those tips?" Brett slurred out. Great. He was drunk. Theo didn't like Brett when he drank. He said hurtful things and took EVERYTHING Theo said the wrong way.

Theo sighed "I got them at work, Brett."

Theo wasn't shocked when the next thing out of Brett's mouth was "NO. I mean HOW did YOU get them. Did you have to go to a back room or something" Brett laughed hatefully and Theo was over it. He couldn't be excited about his success.

"Exactly what are you implying Brett? We don't have a 'back room' for private shows, but if we did, I'm not some disgusting creep and I'd never cheat on you. Especially not for money OR at my job!"

"So, you'd do it for free anywhere else?" Brett was gone. He was just a shell now of whatever he'd been drinking since he'd got home.

"Brett I literally said I wouldn't cheat. Period. What is wrong with you today?"

" Nothing" Brett said quietly, sounding ashamed for a split second until "I should know better than to think anyone would pay to have sex with you . That's ridiculous. I'm sorry Theo" Brett laughed like something evil had taken over his body. Could this really be his boyfriend? The person he'd loved for all this time. Theo was sure he'd been possessed because there was no way this was his Brett. Theo just walked off, not wanting the fight to escalate. No matter the fact that he kept telling him how unattractive he was.

"Goodnight Brett" he said as he walked out of the room. Brett could pass out on the couch as usual when he got like this.

"Excuse me? And where do you think you're going?" Brett called after him. This made Theo walk a little faster toward the bedroom. He couldn't deal with this. Brett was especially hurtful tonight and Theo couldn't deal. Especially after what happened at the bar. "Bitch I'm talking to you! Get your fucking ass back in here!"

"Brett I'm tired! I want to sleep!" Theo didn't know why he expected anything more than this when he walked out but he hoped Brett would give up at least.

"Yeah? I bet you are tired you fucking whore!" Theo walked into their room and slammed the door closed in Brett's face and locked it. "Open the goddamn door you fucking bitch! This is MY goddamn house too!" Brett was beating on the door and the walls screaming but Theo didn't say anything. He just tried to ignore him and hoped he would give up and pass out. He

started getting ready for bed when he didn't hear anything anymore and as soon as she felt like he could breathe for a second, Brett busted the door open.

Now Theo was worried about his safety. Brett had never gotten this bad. He usually yelled a little and passed out and then in the middle of the night would come in and try and apologize. "BRETT! WHAT THE FUCK?!" Brett looked like something out of a horror movie. Still in the doorway. Bloodshot eyes. Red faced and sweating. Theo wanted to cry at the sight of his lover, a person he once thought was so gentle, now coming for him like a rabid dog. Brett lunged at Theo on the bed and Theo kicked him in the stomach and tried to leave the room hoping he'd be safer on the bathroom. Brett was faster, though. He grabbed Theo by the back of his shirt with one hand and pinned him up against the wall, holding his arm behind his back and snatching his hair when he shoved his face into the wall. Theo couldn't think. He couldn't breathe. He didn't even WANT to move if that would set Brett off even further.

B rett just breathed in his ear and smelled his hair and held him there a few minutes before he let him go. Theo hesitated to move, but he turned toward him. Theo was crying at this point and Brett laughed in his face. "You're CRYING?! Ohh. That's great. Really. YOU whore yourself around your 'job' and leave me home to worry about it and now YOU are all 'innocent'." Theo wanted to leave. He really did. He felt like it was the best thing for him. At the same time, in this moment, he felt paralyzed. He couldn't make himself move. All he could do was cry and look at the person he loved and feel the hurtful things he was saying and doing.

"Brett I-"

" No whore. You shut up! I can't even believe I stayed with you this long! You know? I knew this would happen after you got that job. Being a waiter wasn't good enough. You weren't getting enough attention, so you had to be a bartender. Then that wasn't enough attention, so you had to be a fucking stripper?! Now they don't even want me in there! Tell me, Theo, why the fuck is that? Are they covering for you? It's not like I didn't already know! I mean that guy Corey is OBVIOUSLY eyeballing you every. time. you walk in the fucking place, and you text him all the goddamn time nonstop! That bitch Malia too! Why the fuck can't you just be a good boyfriend and be faithful?!"

Brett lost it on him. He was not in a place to reason with him so all Theo could say was "I'm sorry!" Tears were streaming steady down Theo's face "I'm sorry if I made you feel that way, Brett! I promise! I love you and I will try harder to make you see that!" Theo just wanted peace. He knew that he didn't actively do anything wrong but maybe there was something Brett was seriously upset about and would talk about it tomorrow when he sobered up.

" Oh, sorry my ass! And you're damn right you're gonna show me" Brett took Theo by his hair and gave him a sloppy, drunk kiss that was almost threatening. Theo wanted to push away but as soon as he did Brett threatened him. "I know you didn't just lie to me. You said you wanted to show me how much you loved me, so show me" Brett got close to his face again and whispered violently "because I'm feeling a little hurt right now and I don't want to take it out on you if you lie to me."

Hey what time do you get off -T

Supposed to be now but... people smh -L

Late as usual -L

Do you need a ride home? -T

Well, that could have been a little less eager and creepy, but... Theo hoped Liam would never have to know about Brett, but he'd tell him if it came down to it. If he could save anyone from that monster it would give his life meaning.

Are you gonna tell me what your deal is? -L

Goddamn it why do people question a good deed?!

Probably not -T

Well as long as I know that it's something I can work with that

I'll take you up on your offer

Mason seems to have made plans with Corey and completely forgot me -L

I'll be there in 10-15 minutes -T