"What did you say?" Corey wasn't sure he heard Liam correctly. He couldn't possibly know about Brett. Theo wasn't open about anything in general, let alone what happened with Brett.

"Who is Brett Talbot to Theo?" Liam reiterated. Liam wasn't trying to go behind Theo's back. He'd said that he didn't have to tell him. He also wanted to know why this guy affected Theo this way. Theo didn't seem like he was scared of anything, and he could handle himself. Liam was honestly jealous of that trait. He wished he could be more like Theo that way.

"Liam, I can't really tell you about that. It's Theo's business and if he wants to tell you, he will." If Corey knew about Brett, then he wasn't just a customer. At least not from being a prostitute.

"Well, Theo freaked out when he saw him is all so I-"

"Wait what do you mean he saw him?! Brett is-" Corey looked at Liam and chose his next few words carefully "Brett went away and it was made clear that he wasn't coming back." Vague and not technically lying. He went away for prison, and Theo served him with a restraining order. It was forced, but the point still stood. Especially after Brett's incessant calling and making death threats for almost four months. He changed his number and his address and everything and then nobody, but Derek. even had it for a while, and that was only because he needed it for work.

"Went away where?" Liam broke Corey out of his thoughts, clearly worried about what he'd just heard.

"It doesn't matter. Look. Just don't ask Theo about it. Let him deal and if he wants to tell you about Brett, he will. I promise."

"Alright, fine!" Liam was expressly agitated but Corey looked at Liam with all seriousness. Like if Liam lied and asked Theo again, he'd definitely disappear without a trace. Corey was usually so relaxed when he'd seen him. Especially with Mason.

"Wow that was... intense?" Mason looked at Corey when they got into the car.

"I'm not telling you either so don't even think about it" Corey started the car and they headed to Mason's.

"Why would you assume that? I don't even want to know. In fact, I don't even know what we're talking about right now" Mason was definitely not good at acting disinterested. Corey just rolled his eyes at the man's performance.

"Mase, you know I'd tell you if I could. I just know that you would tell Liam, and Liam... he's an even worse actor than you are. He wouldn't even be able to be in the same room as Theo without letting on that he knows. It would be detrimental to their friendship, mine and Theo's friendship, and our... relationship" Corey sighed.

"Fair enough" Mason agreed. He didn't press any further. He intended to have a good night with this man and this thing with Liam and Theo killed the vibe.

Liam grabbed a bottle of water out of the refrigerator, then as he turned to walk away, he thought about grabbing another bottle for Theo. He thought it would be ok if he didn't, but Theo was his guest, even though he did make him stay here. Liam walked sluggishly back up the stairs to his room and put the two bottles of water on the nightstand and as he was getting into the bed, he saw that Theo hadn't looked as peaceful as he did when he left. He looked like he was in pain. His face was sweaty, and he was breathing shallow like he was having another nightmare. This time, Liam woke him as easy and gently as possible. He wanted him to realize his surroundings before he flipped out and had a panic attack.

Theo startled awake and it had taken him a minute to process where he was, then he heard Liam's voice.

"Hey? Are you ok? I got you some water." Liam said grabbing it from the nightstand.

"Thank you" Theo breathed the words in a whisper, still unsure where he was at, but glad his nightmare had stopped.

"Do you want me to get you anythi-"

"No!" Theo said in a hushed yell. Liam looked at him confused, but he didn't move. "S-sorry. Just please... stay here..." Liam did as he was asked, and he laid down beside Theo, recognizing it as a ritual for his nightmares. What does he do when he's by himself? Liam wondered if he should be more concerned about Theo's sleeping habits. Within a few minutes Theo was tossing in his sleep again, and Liam was still wide awake.

When Theo finally stopped, it was to press his sleeping body against Liam's. Liam didn't know what to do. It was different when he didn't know Theo was gay. Although, it shouldn't be. Liam has shared a bed with Mason countless times growing up. Even now if there are more people than beds or if there is an emotional crisis. Now that he'd thought about it, Liam was more comfortable sleeping in bed with Mason than he probably should have been.

Theo was scooting closer to Liam, and he was shirtless. For the first time tonight, he realized Theo hadn't put a shirt on earlier.

Liam studied Theo's arm that made its way around his chest. Theo was now holding him in a very tight grip and it made it that much harder for Liam to move than before. Good GOD where did these muscles come from?! He'd seen him stripping, but he wasn't focused much on him until after he realized he was the one that gave him the champagne. Then he really was just trying to get a good look at his face to confirm whether or not it was him. There were a lot of things on his mind when he was stripping naked the first time he'd stayed the night.

Theo was seeming to be in a peaceful sleep again, while Liam was going to have a difficult time getting comfortable in this position. At least they'd swapped his workdays. Now he wouldn't have to worry about over-sleeping and seeing that Brett guy on top of that. Liam let those thoughts lull him to a very uncomfortable sleep.

Theo woke earlier than Liam the next morning. Mostly due to Liam's snoring. He knew Liam had been tossing and turning all night, so he didn't want to wake him up. Liam looked so... still... when he was actually asleep. Yet he literally never shut up. Even in slumber. From what he knew about the man, he's constantly moving and going places and doing things. He has friends that come to him at all hours and vis versa. His tranquil sleeping face was enough to let Theo know that Liam was utterly exhausted.

He could tell Liam loved his friends, but it seemed they were too much sometimes. Not from anything Liam said, but the general personalities they seemed to have. Almost as much as the hotel he'd worked at. If what happened with Brett was any indicator, he'd been dealing with things like that since he started working there. Theo barely dodged a bullet last night but if Brett is staying in town, he may just have to tell Liam what happened before he hears the lies Brett has had plenty of time to concoct.

Liam shuffles in his sleep and Theo hopes that he didn't move too much trying to get comfortable. Liam must have been dreaming of being with his ex. He brushed his lips lightly against Theo's shoulder. It was weird. They had broken up and from Theo's understanding of it, they were very much broken up for months. They just hadn't verbally stated it. Not in denial, but out of either stubbornness or in hopes that time would change it.

"Mm no" Liam whispered in his sleep. Hopefully it's not a nightmare Theo winced. Theo remembered his own nightmare from last night. Brett being in town changed everything. He didn't think he'd come back once he found out Lorilee moved. Which begs the question, how long. How long is he planning to stay? He can't legally be around Theo or his loved ones, though Theo's family is pretty much Derek and everyone at the bar now.

Liam whines again in his sleep and starts breathing raggedly. It was at this point Theo decided Liam was having a nightmare. Theo shook Liam awake like Liam had done to him the previous night and with a jolt, Liam was awake, eyes wide as saucers.

"What happened" Liam asked, disoriented.

"It looked like you were having a nightmare, so I woke you up" Theo responded just as bewildered.

"Oh no I was-" Liam remembered the dream he'd been having, and his face turned red. Theo looked like he was expecting him to finish his thought, but he couldn't even look Theo in the eye. Liam had more than just his red face that was telling, and Theo was all of a sudden aware of Liam's... issue.

"Oh my god. Dude. Were you having a sex dream about your ex?" Theo asked with a hearty laugh.

It was too early in the morning to face this type of embarrassment. "I don't dream about Hayden" he said somberly.

"So, you had a sex dream about someone else?" Theo smirked.

"No! I just have morning wood. It doesn't mean anything, and you know it!" Liam defended a little too harshly.

"Liam, it's ok! We all have them. It's nothing to be ashamed of" he chuckled making Liam roll his eyes.

"I'm gonna go to the bathroom" Liam slams the door shut and rolled his eyes, hearing Theo call out "Take your time!"

Oh my god... I had a sex dream about Theo. Liam brushed his teeth and washed his face... twice... and tried to stay in the bathroom long enough for his red face to go back to normal and his erection to go away. Why does this shit always happen to me?

Theo was downstairs in the other bathroom when Liam got up. When he was finished, Theo went to see what was in the kitchen. The least he could do was make breakfast for the boy since Theo had caused him embarrassment as soon as he'd woken up. Theo thought maybe he'd need to lay it a little thinner with the teasing. To his surprise, he actually liked Liam. He was a bit naive, but that was part of the boy's charm.

Theo had got the eggs and milk from the refrigerator so he could make them some French toast. Liam apparently also kept the syrup in the refrigerator? This kid desperately needs guidance because... what the fuck? Liam was downstairs after the food was made and Theo of course had to show him the error of his ways.

"The sugar crystalizes!" Theo rebutted after he'd been told it tastes better.

"You are supposed to put it in the fridge after opening!"

"No! You definitely are not!"

"You know what? You eat your syrup however you want and leave mine alone" Liam was done arguing. Why was Theo trying to attack him all morning?... Ok so it was only teasing a little but still. The rest of breakfast was quiet until Theo went to put the syrup back in the fridge and noticed Liam only had eggs and precooked bacon and microwaveable meals.

"Liam?"

"Oh my god what now?"

"Do you only eat this junk?"

Liam's face turned red again and he looked at his plate, playing with his food "What do you mean?"

"Liam... Do you not know how to cook?"

"I know how to cook!" Liam spat out offended. What does it matter if he knew how to cook? It's not like he doesn't eat or something actually worrisome. He eats things besides tv dinners! The hotel chefs make real food! Liam just never had a real chance to learn. His mother and stepfather stayed at work all the time and he never thought he would have to explain himself to someone like Theo. "I just don't cook, ok?!" Naturally, Theo wasn't about to let that go.

"You're off work today, right?"

"Yeah, but I don't like where this is going" Liam huffed looking away from Theo. He already had to deal with his little dream he'd had and now he was expected to spend the day with him? All because he doesn't cook? Where does he get off telling Liam what to do anyway? That's it. Liam will just tell him no and he can get on with his day of not doing anything and maybe take a nap. Ask Mason and Corey what they wanted so late last night-

"Earth to Liam" Theo said dramatically when Liam zoned out.

"I'm sorry what" he could feel his face turning red again. He was usually a lot better at pretending to listen.

"I asked if you were busy today. If not, I'll go home and change and let you do the same and meet you back here. I can show you how to cook a few things if you want. I'll even pay for it" Theo said it so gently, as if he were trying not to upset Liam. Liam couldn't help but take him up on his offer. Fuck it. What do I got to lose?