Chapter Text
“Are you Theo?”
Narrowly avoiding jumping out of his seat in surprise, Theo pulls the earbud out of his ear as he snaps his head up to meet the eyes of a boy with close-cropped brown hair and the most hazel eyes Theo’s ever seen. He scrambles for a moment to try and figure out just how this boy might know him when his eyes land on a pair of jet black headphones hanging around his neck and the expectant way he’s looking at him, like Theo should know who he is. The conversation with Liam during their first meeting comes back to him and he feels his panic subside slightly. “Yeah, you’re Corey, right?”
The boy nods, a small smile coming to rest on his face. “I am, and you’re Liam’s boyfriend. God, with how much he talks about you you’d think I’d be able to pick you out of a crowd.”
Liam parle de lui? (Liam talks about him?) Theo fights the urge to blush as he stammers out, “He’s not my boyfriend. We just… hang out sometimes.” Corey raises an eyebrow at him, and Theo knows he sees right through his lie. Sure, they’ve been on one date, but that doesn’t exactly count as dating. And there’s also the fact that Liam hasn’t text him in four days. Or called. Or approached him at all.
It’s not bothering him. Not one bit.
Corey’s speaking again and Theo forces himself to wipe off whatever sour expression is on his face and listen to whatever the man in front of him is saying intently. “I didn’t mean to bother you or anything, I just knew that you and Liam were friends and didn’t want you to think I was ignoring you.”
“You’re not bothering me at all.” Theo reassures immediately, seeing a look on Corey’s face that he knows all too well. “Actually, I was going to come and say something to you sooner or later.”
He was going to do no such thing. It’s not that he doesn’t think that Corey’s a nice person–this interaction has proven that just like Liam, Corey’s very kind–it’s just that he’s not sure he would be able to get one word out with how nervous he would be. Social interactions aren’t his strong suit.
“Okay, great. I guess I’ll see you around?” Corey asks, his smile growing when Theo gives him a small nod in response. He turns to walk away to his seat in the back of the classroom and calls out over his shoulder, “Nice to meet you, Theo,” as he goes.
Smiling to himself, Theo looks back down at his laptop that has his notes page pulled up, the cursor blinking at him steadily. Just then his professor walks into the room, slamming the door behind him as he yells something about, “Lots to do, lots to do,” while speed walking to his scattered desk at the front of the room. Theo can’t help the tired sigh that escapes him. Professor Stilinski is one of the best in the university, but mon dieu (god) he can be a little much sometimes.
He’s up at the front lecturing at the speed of light before Theo can blink twice. He quickly starts typing out the physiology notes up on the board as he tries his hardest not to check his phone for the fourth time today and actually focus . C’est pas comme s’il allait téléphoner. Il avait clairement fait comprendre ce qu’il pense de Théo. (It's not like he's going to call. He has made it clear what he thinks of Theo)
…
As he walks into the football stadium for Brett’s first game of the season Theo knows it’s going to be a long night. He can see just how jam packed the bleachers are from where he’s walking underneath them, the noise from the fans already in their seats loud enough that it's almost a roar. He’s hiding out in the walkways underneath the bleachers, trying to stay out of the bright sun for as long as he can.
He just barely resists the urge to check his phone. It’s burning a hole in the back pocket of his worn jeans where he had pocketed it after getting out of his truck. It’s been a week and a half since he went on the date with Liam and he still hasn’t reached out. Theo’s ready to either throw his phone off a cliff or sob.
Heaving out a sigh, Theo starts to turn to walk up the ramp that leads to the bleachers to find a seat before kickoff–he’s getting better at football terminology, merci bien– (thank you very much) when he sees him. It’s like he conquered him from his thoughts. With that in mind, Theo blinks a few times to make sure that it’s the real-life Liam that’s calling his name and running towards him and not a figment of his imagination.
The real life Liam skids to a stop in front of him, breathing a little too heavy to be normal. It’s more endearing than it should be and Theo has to fake a cough to keep from smiling.
Forcing a calm demeanor, Theo eyes Liam suspiciously. “Can I help you?”
Like most things Liam says, it comes out in a rush. “Uh, I guess so? It’s just…I kinda thought you were dead?” Whatever expression Theo’s sporting must show his disbelief because Liam continues after a beat of silence, “Well, you never called. Or texted. And I never saw you around. I went to the–” He clears his throat, his cheeks turning pink. “Nevermind that. So, you’re alive?”
Theo can’t help but smile softly despite himself. “I’m pretty sure you’d know if I was a ghost.”
“Well,” Liam pauses, inhaling, his face losing some of its tension as he says, “I don’t know how to tell ghosts apart from humans. Ghostbusters can only educate a child so much, you know.”
Now Theo’s really smiling, Liam grinning right back at him. Something comes over his face after a moment and his smile drops into something like a frown, making Theo wary once again. “Look, I get it if you don’t wanna be around me anymore, but you could have just said something instead of ghosting me. I thought–”
“What do you mean I ghosted you? You ghosted me!” Theo blurts, and he’s sure that his eyebrows are almost into his hairline.
“Nuh uh.” Liam retorts, looking exactly like a toddler. It’s a little funny. “You never texted.”
“You never texted either.” Theo forces out, mind on the fact that Liam might not have ghosted him on purpose. “What was I supposed to think? I didn’t want to seem clingy.”
Liam’s mouth drops open, then closes, then opens again. He’s short circuiting, just like at the museum. “So, you didn’t mean to ghost me?”
Theo debates lying, not wanting to have misread yet another situation from the looks of, but decides to just come clean. Qu’a-t-il à perdre à ce stade? (What does he have to lose at this point?)Qu’a-t-il à perdre à ce stade? “No, I thought you were, like, repulsed by me or something because you never texted.”
Liam’s mouth has yet to close. “So, you wanted me to text?”
“Yes,” Theo breathes out, so shocked by their own stupidity that he could cry. “I thought I made that obvious.”
“Um, you most certainly did not.” Liam exclaims, hands flying out in front of him as he holds them out towards him. Theo doesn’t know whether he’s trying to get him to stop talking or just to placate him. Either way, it’s not working all that well.
While Liam’s floundering for something to say Theo’s suddenly aware of the crawling feeling all over his body and glances around, blood turning to ice. They're making a scene–a few odd people are staring at them with mixtures of amusement and judgement–and with that revelation Theo feels himself start to turn an alarming shade of red as his hands begin to shake from where they’re clamped down at his sides. Oh non, pas maintenant. Pas devant lui. (Oh no, not now. Not in front of him.)
Liam’s still talking as Theo begins to hyperventilate as the feeling of being watched only increases. “...and I thought that you were sick of me or something, so I just didn’t–hey, what the hell?” Theo doesn’t elaborate on what he’s doing until he’s dragged Liam into a more secluded area on the complete other side of the football complex, away from prying eyes. He risks a glance around and almost slumps to the ground in relief when no one’s paying any attention to them anymore.
“Are you ashamed of me or something?”
The question catches Theo off guard and all he can manage to get out is a choked, “What?”
Now Liam’s the embarassed one as he admits, “There were people looking at us and you panicked and dragged us over here. I thought we’d already talked through our problems. I ghosted you because I thought you were tired of me, and you ghosted me because you thought I didn’t like you or something. Why are you all of a sudden acting weird again?”
Theo’s still trying to come down from his almost-anxiety attack so it takes him longer than normal to form a response. When he does, it’s pitiful at best, and he internally cringes at himself as he forces out, “Eyes. People. Too many people.”
Liam’s eyes grow comically wide. “Oh my God, I totally forgot about your thing with being in crowds and here I am being a dick and making this about me when you just didn’t like all the people staring at you. Theo, I’m so sorry. Please let me make it up to you, please.”
“Uh,” Theo stutters out, this time not from his fear but from confusion. “You don’t have to make anything up. It’s okay. Like you said, we’re good now.” At least he hopes they’re good. He was so busy working himself into a tizzy that he didn’t listen to much that came out of Liam’s mouth about them.
Liam shakes his head, determination written all over his face. “Hell no. I brought this on you, so I’m going to be the one to fix it,” He pauses for a second, head tilting to the side. “I know you don’t like people, but do you wanna come sit with me and a few of my friends to watch the game? You can say no of course, I just thought that you’d like to meet them. They’re super cool, and Corey told me you guys have talked. That’s actually why I ran over here in the first place. That and I was trying to make sure that you still wanted to be… friends with me.”
Theo thinks about it. Normally he just sits near the top in the shade, alone unless he’s sitting with Alec’s girlfriend, Taylor. Company would be nice, and with how much Liam talks he bets he won’t have to say all that much. Plus, Corey was nice when they talked so Theo’s pretty sure that he won’t turn him away if he agrees to go with Liam. Still, he’s worried about meeting that many new people. Liam said a ‘few’, but Liam’s few and his few could be vastly different, as it normally is with someone who likes people a lot more than him. It’s probably his social anxiety talking, but Theo can already feel the nerves come back from where he had banished them earlier. Super. (Great)
Finally he takes a breath and steels himself as he responds, “Yeah, sure.”
Liam’s face brightens as he reaches out to grab Theo’s arm but hesitates, eyes snapping up to lock with his own. “Can I, uh…”
“Of course.” Theo hears himself saying, “Why couldn’t you?”
“I don’t know. You looked pretty jumpy, so I didn’t wanna scare you anymore.” And with that, Theo watches as Liam’s hand brushes over his bicep, hesitating there before finally shifting down to thread with his own. He can’t stop the wide, bright smile that makes its way onto his face as he feels the familiar weight of Liam’s hand in his. Ouais, ils sont vraiment bons. (Yeah, they're really good.)
“Don’t worry, I won’t drag you around this time.” Liam giggles out as he starts off towards the ramp that leads up to the bleachers. Theo follows without a second thought, his fear of meeting all of Liam’s friends pushed to the side so he can just stare and admire him as they walk. Fuck, he missed him.
He doesn’t realize that they’re already up the ramp until the warm afternoon sun hits him right in the eyes, so bright that he has to cringe away slightly. Thankfully Liam doesn’t seem to have any problem with the brightness, continuing to lead them up to the stairs without faltering. A thought hits Theo, and he clears his throat to ask, “Wait, why are you at a football game? I thought lacrosse and football hated each other.”
“We do,” Liam answers as they start up the rickety metal stairs that lead farther up the bleachers, “But we have the whole deal thing we have to keep. Did Talbot not tell you about it?”
Brett had, and it had completely slipped his mind. “Oh yeah, I forgot about that.” He replies lamely, a little embarrassed by his stupid question. Liam just laughs a little before stopping about halfway to the top and starts to walk through the aisle of the bleachers to their right. Theo can feel his heart in his throat as they get closer and closer to two people sitting huddled together, talking in hushed voices.
One of their heads snaps up, and he loudly calls out, “Oh thank God, you idiot. I was about to call search and rescue. You couldn’t have just–hello.” The man is staring past Liam and at him, something like surprise on his face. It’s certainly in his eyes. “Are you–Corey, babe. Is this Theo?”
Theo relaxes a little as he watches Corey–who he now realizes is the other person sitting down–nod at the man before turning to give him a small, comforting smile. “Yeah, the one Liam’s head over ass for.”
Liam sputters from beside him and Theo watches in incredulous amusement as he throws something at the man–a hat from the looks of it–and barely holds back a laugh when it hits him square in the face. The man squawks, flipping Liam off with a roll of his eyes. Liam just sticks his tongue out at him before plopping down beside him, looking completely at ease.
Theo’s suddenly very aware that he’s just standing in front of them like an idiot. Oh mon Dieu, oh mon Dieu. Dis quelque chose. (Oh my God, oh my God. Say something.) Thankfully Liam seems to clock his discomfort because he waves him over to sit beside him as he says, “Mason, this is Theo. Theo, Mason. And you know Corey, of course.”
Corey nods as Theo takes a seat on the hard metal bleachers on the other side of Liam, letting himself hide partially behind him as Corey announces, “Yep, he’s in my physiology class.”
“Well, it’s nice to meet you Theo.” Mason says with a sweet smile as he sticks a hand out over Liam’s body to offer Theo a handshake. He takes it, albeit a little hesitantly, and Mason tilts his head to the side, squinting slightly like he’s trying to read him. It’s a little unnerving and Theo feels like bacteria in a petri dish. Thankfully Liam’s started speaking and it’s directed at Mason, which distracts him from sizing Theo up. “Your eyeliner looks good, Mase. Did you do it?”
Mason then launches into some long spill about how he busted his old eyeliner and how he had to get a new one and how it applies differently and Theo lets himself zone out, focusing on the field in front of him. It doesn’t take him long to find Brett–the kid’s as tall as a tree–throwing a football with the other quarterback. His helmet is on, meaning Theo can’t see his eyes, but he’d bet money that they’re wide as a kite and filled to the brim with nerves. They play Devenford College today, and Theo’s listened to enough of Brett rants about how asshole-ish the players are–Brett’s words, not his–to know that this game is a big deal. Something about asserting dominance or some shit. Theo personally thinks it’s stupid, but he humors it for Brett’s sake.
The constant chatter that’s been going on to his left has stopped and Theo blinks before turning his head to look over at them, trying to figure out what happened. Liam’s staring at him with something bitter in his expression, having gotten a lot closer to him in a matter of seconds and Theo fights the reflexive urge to lean back. Mason’s wiggling his eyebrows at him and Theo’s faintly sure that he’s been asked a question.
“I’m sorry, what did you say?”
Mason huffs out a laugh. “I said that you sure seem to be ogling 28 down there. That your boyfriend?”
Theo’s eyes widen as he rushes out, “Oh no, absolutely not. Brett’s just my roommate.”
Mason raises an eyebrow clearly not convinced. Theo ignores the pressure of Liam’s stare on the side of his face to listen to Mason say, “Are you sure? Because you sure seem interested.”
Theo shakes his head, fighting the urge to sigh in annoyance. This happens everytime he and Brett go anywhere together. Brett’s hot but not anything close to Theo’s type–and Brett’s type is anything that moves that he isn’t related to or Theo. Brett’s his best friend and neither of them want anything more. They understand that, but getting other people to understand? That’s a whole different ball game. “I promise you, there’s nothing romantic between us. Brett’s my best friend, it would feel like incest.”
Mason seems satisfied with his answer and nods once before turning around to engage Corey in a conversation that looks much too serious to be had at a football game. Still feeling the weight of Liam’s gaze, he looks down at him; Theo can still see the remnants of that bitter look he had moments ago lingering on Liam’s face. He doesn’t know why he whispers, “Are you okay?” to him, but he does anyway.
Liam swallows before looking away from Theo and out towards the field, avoiding his eyes. “Why were you staring at him?”
Theo squints at him, confused. Liam shouldn't be upset that Theo was staring at his friend. “Because I was trying to make sure he wasn’t stressing himself out too much. Apparently this is a big game, or so I’ve been told.” Theo snorts before casting a glance over to the field, where both teams have gone to their respective benches and are doing…something. Theo’s never asked, and Brett’s never told, but the little huddles that they always make look slightly funny to him. “He looked off this morning.”
Liam mutters something underneath his breath that Theo can’t catch and he turns his attention back to him, tilting his head in a silent question. They stare at each other for a moment, Liam’s eyes strangely guarded. Theo–not that he’d ever admit it–gets a little lost staring at the planes of Liam’s face, despite the harsh lines painted onto it, which is why he almost doesn’t hear Liam when he asks, “Do you care about him?”
Theo narrows his eyes at him, lost. “Yes, like I care for all of my friends. Liam, where is this coming from?”
Liam mouths drops open slightly as he stares at Theo, like he can’t believe the words that just came out of his mouth. Theo’s not sure why what he said was so surprising, but Liam sure seems to think so.
“It’s a good thing you’re pretty, Theo.”
Theo ignores the insult that Liam just threw at him as he tries not to let his giddiness show on his face. Il a dit que j’étais beau qu’il peu importe s’il le pense ou non. (He said I was beautiful it didn't matter if he thought so or not) “You think I’m pretty?”
This time a small smile breaks out of Liam’s gloom and Theo wants to pat himself on the back. “That was what you took from that?”
Theo lets a playful smile come to rest on his face. “Well, let's just say I’ve been told I have selective hearing, mon amour. (my love) ”
He doesn’t get to see Liam’s reaction to that because the game is starting and the opposing crowd roars to life as Devenford College wins the coin toss. Brett shakes his opponents hands before turning to walk back to his team’s bench, standing in the middle of the little line his teammates have made around their coach as he talks to them. His body is shifting around in what Theo can tell is nerves.
After a few peacefully quiet minutes of both teams getting set up on the field the game starts with another blow of the referee’s whistle, the ball being snapped back to Brett as everyone on the field spurs into action. Theo lets himself watch the game progress in muted interest, only paying attention when Brett’s on the field. He’s always thought it was weird that they had to have two separate teams inside a single team for football to work, but nobody asked his opinion.
The first quarter has passed before anyone tries to speak to him again. Surprisingly, it’s Mason that asks, “So, Theo. I hear you want to be a paramedic?”
“You sound like a mom.” Liam deadpans, laughing as Mason throws him a dirty look. Theo watches the exchange in growing amusement as both boys continue to stare at each other. When Mason’s done yelling at Liam with his eyes he turns back to Theo, looking at him expectantly.
Blanching underneath the weight of all three people's eyes on him, Theo’s answer is quiet enough that even he can barely hear it. “Yeah, I’m almost there, actually.”
Mason looks like he’s about to press but Corey saves him by saying, “From how little Theo’s said in the past thirty minutes, I don’t think he’s a talkative person. Maybe give him a break?”
“It’s okay,” Theo reassures, appreciating the sentiment more than he can express with words. Corey seems to understand, giving him a small smile and a nod. “I’m okay with questions.”
“Then I’m asking one.” Liam declares, and Theo can’t hold back a smirk when Mason groans from his spot beside Liam. “Why do you want to be a paramedic?”
Theo almost lies, debates dodging and refusing to answer honestly, but when he looks at Liam’s open, expectant face, he can’t help himself. “Uh, my mom was a paramedic. I always thought it was interesting.”
Liam hums, nodding like this is serious information. Corey’s smiling at him. Mason, on the other hand, is giving him that look from earlier, making Theo squirm in his seat. He’s not sure what Mason’s expecting to see, but he hopes that he’s passing whatever test he’s putting him through.
A loud gasp echoes throughout the crowd and Theo’s head snaps to the field in concern, knowing what the sudden silence means. His eyes immediately find Brett, who’s lying sprawled out on the ground, unmoving. He’s halfway to panicking when he sees Brett’s leg twitch as he rolls onto his side from where he was lying flat on his back, and lets out a relieved breath. Il va bien. (He's fine)
“Oh my God, is he okay?” Mason asks no one in particular and Theo doesn’t bother answering him, instead leans back in his seat and watches the slight chaos on the field in muted interest. Brett’s coach has made his way onto the field but no medical personnel have come running out to him with a stretcher, which is good. That means that Brett will get up in a few minutes and keep playing.
“He doesn’t look okay.” Corey answers, eyes finding Theo as he asks, “Theo, why aren’t you worried?”
Theo snorts as he turns, catching all of their curious gazes. “I’ve seen Brett get wrapped around a goal post and get back up. I just saw him roll over, he’s fine.”
It’s silent for a moment until Mason bursts out in a loud laugh, head flying backwards as he throws his body into the blencher behind them. Theo stares at him in mild alarm, eyes finding Liam almost unconsciously. He’s watching Mason with a smile playing on his lips, laughing a little as well as he turns to look at Theo with shining eyes. Liam leans closer to him, keeping his body facing Mason’s hysterics as he murmurs, “I never knew you were that funny.”
“I didn’t know I was either.” Theo responds honestly, watching as Liam’s smirk changes into something softer. Theo wants to ask him a thousand questions–and kiss him–but before he can he sees Corey pulling Mason up from where he was slumped on the blencher to lean him on his body, a fond smile on his lips. Mason’s laughter hasn’t stopped, but it’s died down considerably.
Mason’s sentence is a sort of wheeze as he says, “You're funny, Theo, did you know that? You picked a good one, Li.”
Theo blinks at him, taken aback. He almost opens his mouth to ask what he means, but before he can Liam barks out from beside him, “Shut up , you homo, oh my God.”
“Not an insult, hypocrite.” Mason shoots back, matching Liam’s smile, and Theo thinks that Liam’s friends might not be too bad. He settles back in his seat, relaxing to watch the rest of the game as Liam and Mason continue to bicker like siblings. With the way they act around each other, he thinks they might be.
The thought of siblings makes his heart clench as he thinks of his own sister, off somewhere at college and wanting nothing to do with her useless little brother who can’t even breathe right.
A whistle being blown pulls Theo out of his thoughts and he reaches a hand up to readjust his glasses, realizing that Brett’s off the ground and huddled up with his team. Huh, he didn’t realize that he was off the ground Il était trop occupé à regarder autre chose. (He was too busy looking at something else)
…
“I can walk you to your car.” Liam offers for the second time as they walk down the bleachers, Mason and Corey walking hand in hand a little in front of them.
Beacon Hills had ended up losing, but Theo found that he enjoyed himself regardless. Mason was hilarious, always quick to say something to rile Liam up, the two of them happy to trade playful insults with one another as Corey watches them with fondness in his eyes.
“I think I can walk a few yards by myself, Liam.” Theo muses, watching as the tips of Liam’s ears go red like they always do when he’s embarrassed.
“Sorry, I just–” He cuts himself off, a smirk coming onto his face. Bon dieu. (oh god) “I just don’t want you to get kidnapped. After all, you did tell me that you were just absolutely shaking in your boots at the thought last week.”
Theo snorts, trying to cover it up with a cough but Liam notices, the smirk on his face growing. “That’s four times I’ve made you laugh. I deserve my name etched into the streets of Hollywood or something.”
“I thought your count was how many times you made me smile?” Theo asks, his voice much too fond as he watches Liam’s nose scrunch as he frowns. He looks a little like a bunny, and the comparison brings a smile to Theo’s face.
“Potato tomato.” Is Liam’s dignified answer, and this time Theo really does laugh. Loudly. Thankfully Liam doesn’t seem bothered by his cackling, just stares at him with an expression on his face that Theo can’t pinpoint.
“You lovebirds done?” Mason calls from somewhere in front of them and Theo snaps his attention away from where he had just been staring like an idiot at Liam, trying not to look as embarrassed as he feels. From the knowing look on Corey’s face and the wide smirk on Mason’s, he was not as slick as he thought he was.
Liam doesn’t seem phased, just calls out, “Yes, mother,” as he wraps a hand gently around Theo’s arm to tug him forward and towards where Mason and Corey are standing. Theo takes that moment to regain his composure, trying to focus enough to find where he parked. He could have swore it was around here somewhere.
“Thanks for the company, but I have to go.” Theo admits when Liam pulls them to a stop, genuinely sad.
Liam opens his mouth like he wants to protest but Mason promptly slaps a hand over his mouth before turning to shoot Theo a small smile. “It was great to meet you, Theo. I bet we’ll be seeing more of you.”
“I hope so.” Theo answers honestly with a smile, and Liam stops trying to bite Mason’s hand to stare at him with wide eyes. And with that Theo turns, waving to Corey who smiles in response, and heads in the direction he prays his truck is parked.
He definitely does not look back to see if Liam’s looking at him. He does not. Alerte au spoiler, Liam le regardait déjà. (Spoiler alert, Liam was already looking at him)