Theo woke up in the middle of the night. His nightmares were coming more often and this time they weren't just about Brett. Donovan. He needed to know if that man was Donovan in the hotel or if it was just someone random. Donovan didn't exactly scare Theo, but he'd be an idiot not to be wary. He'd been aggressive and shown in the past he wasn't afraid to antagonize. He wasn't sure how far he'd take being upset about the restraining order. Not like it mattered. He basically had police protection. His father was a lawyer, and his mother was a psychiatrist. There's a poetic irony, Theo thought, about Donovan not being stable enough to be on the police force. Not that being a pharmacist isn't right up his ally.
Donovan would constantly get busted for selling drugs, but it never stuck. His father was never directly representative of him, but his firm did. His mother 'was his psychiatrist' and claimed everything he'd had on him at the time of arrest was prescribed to him. Never having a warrant or staging were also things his parents claimed. No witnesses. Just hear-say from police officers who never really liked Donovan or people his parents claimed the police would bribe.
Theo wondered if ever Donovan actually cared at one point. Not just about Theo, but about anyone. Even himself. He thought maybe Donovan was able to be saved. Saved from the miserable life he chose to lead. He wasn't like Brett. He was aggressive and it was bad sometimes, but he didn't think Donovan was capable of doing the things Brett had.
He'd still like to know why he was having nightmares about Donovan. He didn't even when Donovan was making a scene in his workplace and threatening him. He never actually hurt him. He just got jealous and fought at the bar when people gave Theo attention. He did follow Theo home once just before he'd gotten the restraining order. He insulted Corey and tried to fight him when he insisted, they were together. Not that it was Donovan's business. That night he'd finally decided that Donovan was too dangerous to be around. Same as Brett. But instead of hurting Theo, he hurt Corey, who was already having a rough night.
Theo's phone buzzed beside him. He obviously fell asleep scrolling through the internet. He put his phone on the charger and read the text.
Had fun the other night. Let's meet again soon -J
Theo had a sinking feeling. He was excited because he actually wanted to be with this guy again. He liked the simple pleasure of being simply pleasured. The risky foreplay was different and exciting. But that was the exact reason he was dreading it.
I did too. Just let me know when and where -T
Theo wasn't new to aliases. His name in this town was Tyler except in his inner circle. He didn't often meet people he thought would be around long enough to make him feel like they should know his real name. Liam was just a coincidence. Circumstantial happenstance.
Are you free tomorrow at noon? -J
That's a weird time. Maybe it actually is someone who would have to hide it. Theo thought on it. He weighed the pros and cons. He thought long enough for J to reply again.
If you're busy, we can schedule it another time -J
No, I'm free. Just let me know which room -T
246
12:00 sharp -J
Theo decided there were already risks to his job, so he stopped overthinking it. If it was Donovan, he'd get in trouble for paying for a prostitute as much as he would ratting one out. Theo would enjoy sex for once when the opportunity finally presented itself.
The morning after their talk, Liam was up first. He attempted to make apology breakfast for Mason. He never felt it like he does now. He thought Hayden made him change but he was also pissed in the moment, and he hadn't dealt with it until he lashed out at Theo in a very public place. His IED got the better of him that day and he still had yet to really make it up to Theo for taking care of him. He was going to have to do that today. Hopefully, he'd agree to a lunch... not date, but...
"Watcha doin' there, buddy?" Mason asked him suspiciously close to being worried.
"Oh! I'm making you an apology breakfast! I was going to make pancakes but-"
"Liam you can't cook" Mason laughed "but I appreciate the gesture. You don't have to apologize" he assured him.
"But I'm making scrambled eggs! And bacon!" Liam beamed and Mason decided it was his cue to go and take a shower. By the time Mason was out, Liam had burnt the bacon and the toast because he was preoccupied with the eggs. Apparently, he had a hard time with the shells and constantly had to dig them out of the bowl. The toaster had only worked on one setting, so Liam had to observe it when making it. However, when he put the toast in, and started having trouble with the eggs, Liam realized that the bacon was in fact burnt. Quickly. There was no way. He looked at the smoke coming from the toaster and it too, was burnt.
"Liam I only left you alone for fifteen minutes. How did you manage this?!"
"Very carefully?" Liam said with nervous laughter.
Mason narrowed his eyes at Liam "No more cooking for you. EVER" Mason then reaches for the coffee and makes himself a cup. He looks at Liam with disgust "Liam. Seriously. How?"
"Very carefully" Liam sipped his coffee anyway because he had grown used to it. Then he got up to take his own shower.
Liam gets out of the shower and looked for something decent to wear for his lunch with Theo. Just in general, he wanted to look presentable. He hadn't really gone out much and he knew Theo didn't do much in the way of fun. He had two jobs since pretty much always. Maybe after lunch they would see a new movie. He still hadn't seen Dog yet or The Lost City. Then again... Theo didn't need to think Liam had a thing for Channing Tatum. He was just a good actor.
He looked at his phone and decided to call Theo. He'd be awake by now. It was 9:35 in the morning. Though... Theo does work nights... Maybe a text is better. Just in case.
Good morning! -L
Did it have to be so aggressive? Liam thought to himself after a few minutes of Theo not replying. Maybe he doesn't have friends because he doesn't care for the clingy ones. Like you're being right now. Liam thought while he shuffled through his closet, suddenly very aware of his state. Stop treating it like a date! You're acting like a freak! Liam wasn't exactly treating it like a date. He was just not sure about being alone with Theo in public again. Last time it went horribly wrong. It didn't scare him off then though, right? Don't be that person. Don't make one time into a regular occurrence. You're lucky Mason even still hangs around. Just then Liam's phone went off.
Morning! What's up -T
Hey! I was just wondering if you wanted to hang out today! I never really thanked you for not freaking out on me the other day
I was hoping we could do something
If you want -L
Could you be more desperate?! Liam was still holding his breath. He didn't even realize it until he got another text from Theo.
That sounds perfect! -T
Great! Pick me up around lunch
We can grab something to eat
Maybe catch a movie? -L
Why Liam ;p Are you trying to court me? :D -T
Liam laughed at that. His nerves eased and he breathed normally again.
What can I say? You fought so valiantly to defend my honor and I was struck by your dashing good looks and fierce bravery XD -L
Well I am pretty dashing lol -T
Liam couldn't help but laugh as he searched his gifs for the one that made the perfect statement. He went with 'I'm sorry, what?' and then Theo sent 'Joey shrugging' and Liam couldn't help but appreciate the fact that perhaps Theo was a Friends fan. Maybe he wasn't totally uncultured after all.
Lol so I was thinking you come pick me up around noon and we could pick a place from there - L
Actually, I can't at 12. I have an appointment. After that though -T
Oh... Do you know how long it's going to be?
Is it like a doctor's appointment?
Are you sick or something? -L
Oh! No! It's nothing like that... It's just...
That guy messaged me again and he booked me last night for today -T
Liam felt his heart sink a little. He pretty much had the whole day planned out, but he didn't ask Theo first so how could he be upset. It's his job. He had no right. All he could bring himself to text back was...
Oh -L
Hey I can reschedule it for later if you want -T
No don't do that. It's your job. Besides I'm sure a late lunch/early dinner is just as good
If not better
The food'll be better anyway! -L
Lol alright but only if you're sure -T
FOOD'S * BETTER * AT * NIGHT * -L
Lol alright then! Just let me know when and I'll pick you up! -T
Let me know when your thing's over and I'll look up movie times -L
Liam was even more nervous now. This was beginning to feel suspiciously like a date. He didn't like men though? He never really considered it if he were being honest. With that in mind, he went into the living room to talk to Mason, panic clearly present.
"Dude are you ok? You look seriously pale. I ordered us some breakfast and the Uber got here like five minutes ago, but I thought you were still in the shower" Mason took in his friend's expression. "Did you leave the water on in the shower?"
Realization hit Liam and his eyes grew wide "Oh crap!"
Liam ran back upstairs to the shower and Mason went right behind him "hey! Dude, calm down! What is going on?"
"I think I have a date with Theo!" Liam said very intensely.
"I'm sorry, what?" Mason made the exact face in the gif that Liam had sent Theo and it made him laugh a little before turning back to sheer panic.
"I'm serious Mase! This is bad!"
"Being gay is bad?"
"Yes! Wait-NO! I just mean- MASE! HELP ME!"
"Ok... First of all... what do you mean you think you have a date?" Mason knew by now how much Liam overthinks. If it were an Olympic sport, they would come up with a title higher than gold. Like a rhodium metal.
"Well... I asked about if he wanted to hang out-"
"Ok? We hang out and we aren't dating" Mason rolled his eyes.
"Mase. Let me finish..." Liam was exasperated. He didn't know what he would do if this was a date. He didn't really know if he wanted it to be. "I was going to ask him to hang out for lunch, but he already has... plans?" Liam looked for any signal from Mason before he continued "So... Now we're gonna hang out later and grab dinner and a movie and- I don't know... It feels like a date?"
"Is that it?" Mason raised his eyebrow quizzically.
"Uhh... yeah?"
"So, you think that the time of day determines a date that neither of you agreed to, and you're freaking out because it's a dude? Even though you, Liam. are straight" Liam squeaked a little involuntarily at that and Mason heard it even though Liam barely noticed it himself. "What?"
"N-nothing. What?"
"Liam are you actually considering dating this guy?!" Mason was on the verge of his own freak- out. "Liam, I- what- when-"
"Mase calm down! I'm not gay... at least I never thought I was..."
"Oh. My. God. Liam this is huge... Look if you need anything-"
"I just don't know..."
"Don't know what" Mason was concerned. Coming out was a big deal to anyone, even if they knew they would have supportive friends and family.
"ANYTHING! Mase... I don't know how this happened! I never thought about a guy like that and now..."
"Liam, it's probably nothing. Just talk and I'll be here. It's probably just because the stuff with Hayden and you're getting emotionally involved with Theo since you've been spending so much time together. Plus, that Brett guy being a nut job. That can't be easy for either of you. You have a shared experience that can potentially be traumatic. It's probably just a lot at once" Mason tried to
put his education to good use whenever possible. He hoped he wasn't making a mistake by analyzing Liam.
"Yeah... No, you're right. It's probably just... processing..."
"Look I still think you should hang out with him tonight though" Mason said wincing.
"WHAT?! Mason that is a TERRIBLE idea!"
"It's either going to make you realize that you do have feelings for Theo, or it'll be just fun to hang out with a friend. Either way, beneficial."
"Fine" Liam said with a huff and he started looking at what's playing and asking Mason for his advice on Movies.