Chapter Text
Liam was a whirlwind of movement as he raced around his house trying to make sure he had everything he needed before Theo arrived. According to Scott’s text message, he would be dropping his brother off in ten minutes. Liam had all of Theo’s favorite things together but he needed to make sure. It had to be perfect. He had to make sure that Theo was beyond happy when he went home (hopefully the next morning). It wasn’t just that Theo deserved the very best. It was also that Liam needed to prove to the pack and himself, mostly himself, that he deserved Theo.
He took a deep breath as he entered the kitchen to grab Theo’s preferred snacks. He had been saving this part for last for a reason. Though his home kitchen was far different than the one he shared with Theo near campus, it was the idea that had him shaking. It didn’t matter that the tile there was an off white and their kitchen was slate gray. He could still feel the same mind-numbing panic when he stepped over the threshold as he did that day less than a month ago. The day he came home to find Theo passed out on their kitchen floor after an overdose of his medication and wolfsbane.
Realistically, Liam knew it wasn’t his fault. There was no reality in which he would ever want to live his life without Theo. So he definitely didn’t have an active role in Theo’s decision. But he played a significant part. College was harder on the two boys than they thought. And between lacrosse, work and classes all trips home were few and far between. Theo supported them for the most part, somehow managing to balance working two jobs with a nearly perfect GPA while also maintaining Liam’s increased IED episodes. At the time he believed Theo was a saint with the way he never complained and yet held it down. Now Liam knew better. Theo did what Theo always did when he felt overwhelmed: he faked it until it all fell apart in the most spectacularly awful ways.
And Liam hoped it never got worse than coming home after one of the biggest fights in their relationship to find his boyfriend unconscious with several empty pill bottles around him. Instead of giving Theo flowers and spending the night showing the chimera just how sorry he was about exploding on him, Liam was giving him CPR and keeping his heart beating until paramedics could arrive. He was holding his hand as his father instructed the staff of their local hospital how to treat a chimera with severe wolfsbane poisoning and an overdose on medication. He was then calling their friends, their family… their pack and telling them all what happened.
Realistically, Liam knew it wasn’t his fault but he felt like it was. If he had just tried a little harder. If he had asked more questions about how Theo was really feeling instead of trusting the blank smiles and bland masks. Instead, he let his own perceived inadequacies and imagined shortcomings build up until he was lashing out at the one person who needed him the most. He wasn’t there for Theo then but damned if he wasn’t going to do everything in his power to be there for him now.
With that in mind, he pushed through the memories of that night and ignored feeling like he could see Theo’s body on the floor and just focused on the knowledge that in a few minutes he would have the real, living breathing version in his arms. He was going to prove to himself that he was worth all the trust the pack put in him when they moved away. He was going to show that he loved Theo. And maybe just maybe the rest of the damn pack would see that and get rid of the idea that the couple had to be supervised. Today would be the first time they would be alone together since that night and Liam knew that he would probably find Scott lurking in a bush with Isaac and/or Derek sitting on his porch because he wouldn’t be ashamed of the fact that he was spying on them in the least bit. Liam would be offended that they don't trust him but he’s just happy Theo has so many people that care.
He was up in his room cueing up a movie and setting up Theo’s favorite snacks in order of preference when he hears the door open downstairs. A quick glance at the clock tells him that Theo was a few minutes earlier than he anticipated but that could also be due to Scott’s weird internal clock that had him alternately too early or too late almost always.
“Come on up!” Liam yelled over his shoulder. “I’m just getting everything set up.”
He heard hesitant footsteps coming up the stairs but didn’t bother to sense any further. Theo’s scent had been off since the hospital. It wasn’t like the time with the hunters. Back then he physically bounced back quickly. Now he was… fragile. He hated using that word, especially in regards to his fierce chimera, but it was accurate. Deaton speculated that Theo wasn’t letting himself recover this time. Hence the pack collectively treating him like glass.
The footsteps stop just outside his door and Liam was turning to ask him why he didn’t just come in when he caught a scent that was both familiar yet strange at the same time. It was strange because it didn’t belong here. Not anymore. And familiar because it was…
“Hayden.”
“Hey, Li,” she said, a soft smile curling her lips. She looked the same as he remembered. Her face was a little leaner but she was the same woman he loved… the same woman who left him when he needed that love the most. When he needed an anchor the most.
“What are you doing here?”
“I’m back in town. For good. Hunters came after me and my sister. She knows I’m a werewolf now. And we both decided that it wasn’t going to be safe anywhere so we might as well be home and not safe. Here in town where we know people. Where you are.”
Liam couldn’t deny the sharp breath he took at that moment. Two years ago this would’ve been his dream. But that was before when his dreams were full of warm brown eyes and kind smiles. Now he dreams of eyes that change color depending on their owner’s mood, of wicked smirks and a sharper wit. Hayden was his past and he wasn’t interested in looking back.
“Sorry about the hunters,” Liam shrugged. “They wreaked havoc all over.”
“I’m not,” Hayden said, fully stepping into the room. “Of course, I hate that they put my sister in danger but I’m not mad that I get to come home where I belong. That we can have a chance again.”
Liam took a step back. “We can’t actually. I’m not going to lie and say I haven’t dreamed of this moment before. But that was in the past. I moved on a long time ago. And even if I hadn’t, I’m with someone now and it’s really serious. We’ve been together for a year and a half. We even live together at school. There’s definitely no hope for you and me.”
“Oh,” Hayden said, faltering a bit. Her smile dropped slightly. “Who’s the lucky girl?”
Liam smirked. “Theo.”
Her smile fell altogether as she arched an eyebrow. “Theo Raeken? The evil chimera of death Theo? Are you serious?!”
“Yeah, we’re actually pretty damn serious. If I wasn’t sure Melissa and Chris would shoot me in the balls, I would marry that man tomorrow. But Melissa and Chris will shoot me in the balls. So I’m willing to wait.”
Hayden laughed slightly hysterically. “Okay, you almost had me for a second. Liam, if you didn’t want to get back together with me, you could just say so. You don’t have to lie.”
“Why would I lie to you about who I’m dating?”
“Well, then you’re delusional! You can’t stand here and tell me that you’re actually in love with Theo Raeken! Not after everything he’s done. He’s a monster, Liam! He’s not even capable of love!”
“Take that…”
“We were so good together,” Hayden said, cutting him off abruptly. She took another step towards him crowding him against his bedroom wall. “We could still be good together.”
Liam stared at her in surprise. He knew he tended to look at his romantic partners with rose tinted glasses but he didn’t remember Hayden being this batshit crazy before. She had always been a bit grandiose but this? She disappeared out of his life for two years and somehow thought he was going to take her back? That he was going to break up with someone for her? Break up with Theo for her?!
His train of thought short-circuited as she pushed him further against the wall and kissed him. It was full of passion and fire like all of Hayden’s kisses. But it was wrong. It burned. He was used to kisses that soothed and comforted. That loved. This was wrong. He pushed her away from him just as a familiar heartbeat filled his ears. No no no no no…
“Theo.” The chimera’s name spilled from his lips as he took in his stricken expression.
His already too pale face was devoid of any color. Liam could make out the faint tremors in his hands. A heavy silence fell over the trio that was only broken by a car engine turning over outside. Theo’s eyes widened. They were a stormy gray. They were only that color when he was miserable. Liam was painfully familiar with that color for the past few months. He hated seeing it again. He stepped forward to reach for him when Theo let out a laugh that sounded too much like a sob.
“Oh, so congratulations. Hayden is back. That’s, uh, cool. So yeah. I’m just going…”
He backpedaled out the room with a quickness he hadn’t shown in a while. He was spinning on his heels and down the hall before Liam could even react. He ran after Theo, pounding down the stairs hoping to catch him but the chimera was faster. He was yanking Roscoe’s door open even as Scott was attempting to drive away.
“Theo? What’s…?” Scott started, looking shocked by Theo’s sudden reappearance in the car. Theo closed his eyes sinking into the passenger seat.
“Drive, Scott. Please? Just drive. Drive!”
“What’s…. Hayden?”
Liam glanced over his shoulder to see that his ex had indeed followed him downstairs. He growled under his breath and looked back at Scott in time to see the red of his alpha eyes before he was tearing down their driveway. It still wasn’t fast enough for Liam to miss the tears streaming down Theo’s cheeks. Fuck!
This was not how today was supposed to go. He and Theo should’ve been starting The Lord of the Rings right now and instead, Theo was gone. Hayden was here and Theo was gone. Two years ago, this would’ve been perfect but now….
“Do me a favor and stay the hell away from me!” Liam hissed, turning to face his ex. “I’m going to try and convince my very emotionally fragile boyfriend that what he saw was most definitely a mistake that will never happen again.”
“Liam..”
“No! I don’t want to hear it. If you just cost me the most important thing to me, I’m not responsible for what I’ll do to you. And you better hope that this didn’t do anything that can’t be reversed because you’ll be lucky if it’s me coming after you. A lot has changed, Hayden. I’m not the only one who loves Theo.”
He didn’t bother to say anything more. Instead, he ran up to his room to try and do as much damage control as possible. He called Theo first and wasn’t surprised when his boyfriend failed to pick up. He tried Scott next but was once again ignored. He was about to try Corey when a message from message appears on his phone.
‘ Dude! You kissed Hayden?! Seriously?! We’re going to have words but for now? Run! ’
Ah, dammit. This is exactly what he was worried about. Theo could be reasoned with. Even Scott. But the other members of the self-appointed Theo Protection Squad were beyond irrational to what they perceived as threats to Theo’s overall happiness. Those threats could, and did apparently, include Liam, who was the founder and president of the Theo Protection Squad. He thought about running but he knew it was better to stand his ground. He didn’t do anything here except not punch Hayden in the face. There was still time for that. Although he might leave it to Malia as a sign of good faith.
But if he ran, he would look more guilty. Like he actually had something to hide. And he didn’t. If he ran away, it would take that much longer to convince Theo that what he saw wasn’t real. And so he waited.
Twenty minutes after Theo ran away, Liam heard several vehicles pulling up outside, including Roscoe. He tried to listen for Theo’s heartbeat but he couldn’t detect it over the thunderous pulse of the more dangerous members of the Theo Protection Squad. He was really hoping that this could’ve been squashed before it got that far but apparently not.
Liam rushed down the stairs, pausing only to throw an incredulous look at Hayden who was still there! He opened the door just in time for Alec to leap through and for the second time that morning Liam found himself pressed against a wall by someone who wasn’t Theo. He definitely was not a fan.
“Give me one good reason why,” Alec snarled, eyes flashing gold. Isaac and Malia filed in behind him and Liam wasn’t stupid enough to think they were on his side.
“Al, it’s really not what you think,” Liam said through gritted teeth.
“Then why is she still here?!”
“Great question. I kicked her out half an hour ago!” Liam retorted. “But she just won’t leave! Can’t imagine why the girl who didn’t get the hint that I don’t want her back and that I definitely didn’t want to kiss her but kissed me anyway wouldn’t follow the direct order to get the hell out of my house.”
“She what?” Alec asked, loosening his grip on Liam significantly. Anything else he was going to say was cut off as Scott and Mason walked in.
Scott threw his little brother, boyfriend, and ex-girlfriend a significantly less than amused look even as he stepped over to where Alec was still holding onto Liam. He started to say something when he seemed to notice Hayden watching them with a confused expression on her face. Scott turned his attention back to Liam with disappointment in his eyes.
“Really, Liam? After everything he’s been through this year, this is how you’re choosing to break up with him?!”
“Okay, first of all,” Liam shouted, pushing Alec away at last. “I am not breaking up with Theo! I don’t know many times I have to tell you people that he and I are endgame. He’s it for me. I don’t want anyone else and it sure as shit isn’t gonna be Hayden even if I did lose my damn mind.”
He could sense her sadness at the callous rejection but she also hurt the man he loved. She was lucky she was only getting a verbal lashing.
“Second, I didn’t kiss Hayden. She launched herself at me and kissed me. Probably because she heard Theo coming up the stairs and wanted to start shit. Which congratulations, you succeeded in at least one thing today besides ensuring that we are never, ever, ever getting back together. So yeah, good job!”
Mason let out a poorly concealed snort while Alec grinned seemingly against his will. Isaac and Malia both relaxed while Scott was watching Hayden with that disappointed face. Good.
“And finally my third point is that I would never hurt Theo intentionally. I wanted him to come over today to show him that I love him. I would never do something that exceptionally cruel. Especially to not Theo. I… I never want to hurt you. I love you,” he said to the empty space next to the front door that was taking suspiciously shaky breaths. “I love you so much, Theo.”
A second later, the air rippled and their resident chimeras were revealed. Corey had an arm wrapped around Theo’s shoulders in a move that was comforting and protective. Still, there was no malice in the chamelon’s face as he pushed Theo slightly forward. He looked sadder than before he left. Liam swallowed the lump in his throat as he looked at the red-rimmed eyes and bitten raw lip that had barely healed before Theo was biting it once again.
Theo stopped a few feet away from Liam. The others moved to the side to allow the couple their moment. But Liam noticed that Alec and Malia were hyper alert. If Theo made any indication he wasn’t happy with where this was going, they would be ready and willing to whisk him away while also finding a way to destroy Liam. Things really had changed in two years. Liam took a slight step further.
“I love you. Okay?”
“Yeah?” Theo finally asked, his voice soft. His arms were wrapped around his stomach in an effort to hide the no doubt trembling hands. “I understand, you know? If you wanted to… leave me. I get it. These last few months have been…”
“And I’m going to stop you right there,” Liam interrupted. One, because nothing he was about to say was true and two, Hayden didn’t need to know his business like that. She didn’t need to see a chink in his armor any more than she was at the moment. “Theo, nothing about this year… this last month has made me love you less. If anything it’s made me love you even more than I thought I could.”
“But I….”
“Yeah, we’ve had some especially rough spots but it wasn’t anything that you did. I still love you. I will always love you. Through the ups and even the really down downs. We’re in this together, T. For better or for worse.”
“Keep talking like that. Melissa really is going to shoot you if you keep going on about marrying him,” Mason snarked though his voice sounded distant to Liam as he continued to stare at his chimera.
“Okay,” Theo said, quietly. He lifted his gaze up to meet Liam’s.“It’s… we’re okay.”
“So I don’t get to rip Liam’s face off?” Alec asked, sounding just a little too disappointed by that. Stupid little jerk. “What about little Miss Consent Isn’t Sexy over there?”
“No,” Scott replied sharply. “No ripping Liam or Hayden’s faces off. Mom will kill you if you get blood on your clothes. Again.”
“Okay, valid point. But seriously?! She kissed Liam even though he so clearly didn’t want it. That’s not cool.”
“It’s fine,” Theo said, heartbeat skipping a beat. “It’s okay. They have a history together. It’s… it’s fine. No ripping anyone’s faces off.”
“Fine!” Alec said dramatically throwing his arms in the air. “Well if this domestic drama is over for the day, I’m going back to my summer reading list. Call me if you need to me to come back and you know. Rip.”
“You’re very obsessed with face ripping,” Isaac murmured, draping an arm over Alec’s shoulder. “This violent streak you’ve developed is weird and new but I like it. Stay weird, kiddo. Don’t let the man get you down.”
“Isaac, first, off I’m their brother, not the man. Second, do not encourage my little brothers more than they encourage each other!” Scott chided even as he followed after them.
Mason left with Malia and Hayden. The coyote was practically dragging his ex and Liam couldn’t find it in him to protest the rough treatment. Not when Theo was still hunched into his sweatshirt looking like he was minutes away from running away. Again. Corey whispered something that Liam made it a point not to listen to that had Theo relaxing minutely. The younger chimera threw Liam a quick smile and left as well.
Now it was just them and it was what Liam wanted but it also felt wrong. Hayden’s surprise appearance threw everything off. They were supposed to be cuddling and happy. Instead, Theo was doubting himself even more. Sighing, he did the only thing he could think of. He tugged on Theo’s wrist until the older teen was flush against his chest. His face hiding in the crook of Liam’s neck.
“Remember that time right before we graduated when I had that really bad episode? I punched a hole in the gym wall.”
Theo hummed in acknowledgment but didn’t speak. Still, Liam knew he was paying attention and getting the point as he relaxed a little more.
“You remember how everyone but you ran away from me? You just walked up to me with your stupid beautiful smile and held me in your ridiculously muscular arms as I fell apart. You weren’t scared of me. You never are. Mason is my best friend. He’s practically my brother and he’s scared of me when I get like that. Even Scott is. But not you. Never you.”
Theo sniffled and Liam felt the hot flush of his face and the tears he was still trying to hold back. He tightened his hold on Theo, swaying them where they stood.
“That just proved to me what I think already knew. That we’re meant to be. Why would I ever want anyone other than the brave, reckless but amazing person who would do that? The answer is that I wouldn’t. We’re in this together. Okay?”
“Okay,” Theo murmured. He took another moment before pulling back somewhat. Liam kept his grip on Theo’s hip, not letting him get too far. “I’m sorry for all of this. It was stupid.”
“Hey, it wasn’t stupid,” Liam reassured him, cupping his cheek. “I get how it looked. But just know that I would never hurt you like that.”
“I do know that,” Theo said, heartbeat steady. “It’s just sometimes my stupid garbage brain tells me that you would better off without me. That everyone would be better off without me. And it gets hard not to listen.”
Liam swallowed. “I know. But I wouldn’t be better without you. I don’t know what I would do without you. I love you and your stupid garbage brain too.”
Theo gave him a watery smile and nodded. “Thank you. I’m still sorry.”
“Nope. There’s only one person who needs to be sorry and it’s definitely not you. But I have a feeling she’s getting the message.”
“Yeah. I imagine she is. Malia didn’t look too happy with her.”
“Well yeah. She’s like your self appointed sister. She’s not going to stand by and let anyone make you feel less than. You get that, right?”
“Sometimes,” Theo admitted, mustering another smile. “It’s hard sometimes.”
“I know but I’ll be here every day to tell you otherwise,” Liam smiled, leaning forward to meet Theo for a sweet kiss. He pulled away and cupped his boyfriend’s wet cheeks between his hands, thumbs idly brushing away stray tears until a small smile formed on Theo’s lips. “Now that we’ve got that unpleasantness out of the way, it’s time for my actual plan.”
“Oh, the secret plan you wouldn’t tell me about but enlisted Scott in?”
“I needed someone to help get the ban lifted. And it worked. You’re welcome!”
“You’re such a dork,” Theo said fondly. His arms winding around Liam’s waist as he pressed his forehead against Liam’s. “I love you.”
“Love you too. But you’re not going to distract me from my plan. My amazing get my perfect beautiful and amazing boyfriend to smile and be happy because he deserves the world plan.”
“Your plan needs a better name.”
“Bring back my sunshine?”
Theo snorted. “If anyone is sunshine around here, it’s definitely you.”
Liam hummed in acknowledgment. “Oh, what about moonlight? Because you make me lose control but I’m also better now with the moon than I was before.”
Theo’s eyes widened even as the orbs darkened into the forest green he loved so much. He didn’t know how long it had been missing until this moment. Theo smiled broadly. His grin splitting his face in half.
“You are such a sap!”
“That I am. But only for a certain chimera,” Liam murmured, pleased when Theo moved in for a kiss first. He deepened the kiss on instinct, smiling as Theo let out a muffled moan. And as much as he was loving hearing those sounds come from his chimera, Liam had plans and they were already delayed enough. So with a sigh, he moved away from Theo. “Come on, I got everything set up for us upstairs.”
Theo tilted his head to the side but followed Liam willingly. His eyes sparkled as he took in the snacks that were clearly picked out for him. Liam settled on the bed and made grabby hands gestures at Theo until the older boy was sitting in between his legs with an armful of snacks and drinks that were placed on the bed in arm’s reach. He let Liam maneuver him until his back was flush against Liam’s chest with the wolf’s arms holding him tightly. Liam raised his knees to keep Theo cradled there. In turn, Theo placed one hand over the hand resting on his stomach and laced their fingers together.
And that was how they spent the rest of the day. Cuddled together watching whatever caught their attention and trading slow, sweet kisses. Liam felt peace flow through their connection and focused on sending as much love as he could to him. And that night when Theo crashed there, he held him tightly willing away any nightmares that might have tried to appear. It was only a small fraction of the good that Theo deserved but for right now, it was enough.
Liam wished that he could say that things got better after that. In some ways it did. Theo was happier. He still had his bad days but a week after Hayden popped back up in town, his smiles were back almost all the time. It was enough. It got even better when he announced that he wanted to have the pack over at his place for a pack night that he would be cooking for. It had been months since Theo cooked for anything other than necessity. Liam was looking forward to his boyfriend’s cooking. And then the proverbial other shoe was dropped. And it was a hell of a shoe.
“You invited Hayden?!” Liam bravely managed to not yell as he carried ingredients to the counter. Theo banned him from even looking in the general direction of a stove but he could be trusted to grab ingredients and even chop on occasion.
“I only did it because Theo asked me too,” Mason retorted. “Trust me, I don’t want that crazy she-wolf around any more than the rest of you. But Theo asked. And seriously did Scott teach you and Alec how to get what you want using eyes only? Those things should be illegal!”
Theo glanced up with a hint of a smirk and a flash said eyes. Yeah, Scott was definitely teaching his brothers the art of puppy eyes and it wasn’t fair. And it also wasn’t fair that Liam had to deal with Hayden.
“Baby, why?!” Liam knew he was whining. He didn’t care.
“Because she’s in this pack. And I’m not going to let her past differences with me drive her out of the pack,” Theo answered while rolling out the dough for what Liam sincerely hoped would end up being cookies. He seriously loved when Theo made anything but his cookies were the top of the list. Liam opened his mouth to protest what his genius cookie making boyfriend was saying but Corey shook his head.
“Trust me, the conversation has been had. Theo is thoroughly convinced that all Hayden needs to do is experience some good old fashioned quality time with her pack and all the crazy Liam obsessed behavior will fade away.” Theo glared at his fellow chimera but Corey just stared back unapologetically. Liam was privately amused. Corey always displayed an insane protective streak when it came to the people he loved (Mason and Theo in that order) but it was ramped up to a thousand these days. “All I’m saying is that I’m locking up Fiji and Bobo tonight. I don’t want her breaking in during the middle of the night and trying to boil either one of them.”
“She might get Bobo. Dumb dog loves everyone. But good luck with Fiji. That cat only likes Theo and Mom. She will literally wreck anyone else who comes near her. Hayden doesn’t stand a chance,” Alec chimed in. “Speaking of Fiji, we are absolutely certain she’s not some kind of witch or supernatural creature that got stuck in cat form, right?”
“Deaton said he’s running more tests,” Mason replied, grinning as said cat slinked into the kitchen. She glared at them all imperiously before hopping up on the window perch that would best allow her to observe her human as he cooked. Theo tilted his head back to acknowledge his cat, smiling as she stretched a paw forward to tap him on the nose. He laughed and blew a kiss in her direction before continuing with his dinner prep. Fiji settled down again.
They joked but Liam wasn’t entirely sure they Fiji wasn’t some kind of familiar that bonded with his boyfriend. The cat was remarkably attuned to Theo’s feelings and mood, sometimes even more so than Liam. He already promised himself that even if his plan A didn’t work out for school in the Fall (aka if Theo was stupid enough to reject it), he was bringing Fiji with them. It wouldn’t be too hard to get her registered as an emotional support animal. He hoped. Another thing to look into.
At any rate, things shifted from talking about Hayden to the feral pack members showing up looking for food very quickly. Seriously everyone in this pack had a home. Why did they always act like they were starving whenever food came around? Then again, Theo’s cooking was worth fighting for.
“Seriously, kiddo, have you thought about anything other than being a doctor?” Melissa asked later that evening after they were all fed and relaxed. They were sprawled around the living room in various spots. Theo was tucked into Melissa’s side with Alec on his free side. Melissa was holding onto Theo, letting the chimera rest against her happily. Liam knew that she was at her happiest when she had all three of her sons nearby. Especially when they came so close to losing one. “I swear you get better every time you cook.”
“I didn’t do it alone,” Theo said, shyly. “The others helped out with the food too.”
“Oh, really?” Chris drawled from the table where he, Derek, Nolan, Stiles, and Peter were playing a scarily aggressive game of Uno. Jordan was involved for a while but after getting his ass kicked several times, he retreated to the corner that Malia, Kira, and Lydia claimed as their own. He was currently moping on his girlfriend’s lap about the unfairness of this pack and their violent proclivities. Liam just thought he should be happy that Brett and Lori weren’t there. They took Uno very seriously.
“Yeah, really,” Alec countered. “We helped!”
Corey snorted. “And by helped he means we did nothing of any significant value. Alec was allowed to chop some things while Mason and Liam were strictly on hand stuff to Theo while he was cooking duty. I had the pleasure of hiding the food because this pack acts as they’ve never seen food before.”
“Okay. So we didn’t help much!” Alec corrected, sticking his tongue out at Corey. “But I still did more than Liam did. All he did was stand there and stare at his boyfriend with disgusting heart eyes like he doesn’t see him every single day.”
Liam gestured towards the thoroughly embarrassed Theo. “Have you seen him?! He’s gorgeous! It would be a crime to not gawk at him! Why would I not want to look at him all the time? How could I not?!”
“You’re not so bad yourself, babe,” Theo returned, a hint of his old sass present in his quiet voice. A ghost of his usual smirk played on his lips.
“Not so bad?! I am the love of your life!”
Theo looked over at him with a more genuine softer smile growing. “Yeah, you are.”
Liam smiled back. “And you’re mine.”
“Good.”
“Gay!”
Liam rolled his eyes. “Seriously, Mason?!”
“What? I can say that. I’m actually gay.”
“What kind of logic is that?” Scott scoffed before leaning forward to nudge Theo with his foot. “Seriously, good job with the food. As always.”
“Are we sure it’s not poisoned?” Hayden’s no doubt meant to be quiet snide whisper cut through the room. Liam felt himself growling in response. It was echoed by Isaac, Malia, and Alec. Lydia stopped petting Jordan to glare at the younger girl. Parrish’s eyes were flickering between orange and green rapidly.
Liam felt a stirring of hurt before the feeling was smothered down and replaced with a false of cheer. It felt wrong. He let his gaze drift over to Theo who, as he suspected, was giving Hayden the fake smile that he used to pretend he wasn’t hurting. Liam was really going to kill his ex before this was all over. He could already tell. That is if Alec didn’t get to her first. Or Malia or Lydia or Kira… there were a lot of crazy overprotective people in this pack.
“Yeah, it’s totally poison free,” Theo said, false cheer sounding hollow in his words. “I’ve already killed one pack, I can’t afford to kill another and my parents.”
Liam was glad he wasn’t the only one shooting Theo a concerned look. They all knew that he used self-deprecation as a way of coping with his stress. But they also knew that he wasn’t actually coping with anything. So this was concerning. What was also concerning was how Hayden somehow interpreted the furtive looks the pack exchanged as them being anything other than worried about Theo. Seriously, he didn’t remember her being this level of crazy before she left Beacon Hills.
“You really think Mrs. McCall and Mr. Argent are your parents?!” Hayden asked, incredulously. “And this is your pack? I’m shocked they even let you near them much less in the house. Guess they’re really keeping a short leash on you.”
“Enough!” Melissa’s voice cut through anything else Hayden might have to say. Liam glanced at his future mother-in-law (one day) and saw that she was on her feet, standing in front of Theo.
Liam learned early in his time with the pack that Melissa McCall was a wonderful mother to the whole pack but she was straight savage when it came to Scott and Stiles. She raised them both to a certain extent and she would destroy someone in their defense. That has now extended to Alec and Theo, especially Theo.
“I’m fully aware of the things Theo has done. But I also know he has done more than his fair share to work on getting better. So I’m not going to stand here and let you badmouth my kid. And he is my kid. I got the paperwork to prove it. Not that I need to prove a damn thing to you.”
“And Theo is part of the pack,” Lydia spoke up. Though her face was blank, her eyes were sharp. “And he was pack before he started dating Liam. We like him for him and not just because he’s dating Liam.”
“Unlike certain people in this room,” Malia added. Hayden flushed several shades of red. Liam shrugged. He told her this would happen. But it seemed like she still hadn’t got the message and she dropped her fork dramatically.
“Okay. Seriously, what the hell is going on? We’re really sitting here talking about Theo?! He murdered people. He murdered Josh and Tracey! He tortured those people who pretended to be his parents. He probably killed his real parents. He killed Scott!” Hayden yelled. Liam saw Theo flinch when Melissa twitched but didn’t move away from her protective stance. “We’re really playing happy family with the sociopath? Does he have something over us?”
“There is no us when it comes to you,” Malia growled. “You left. You ran off to keep your sister safe and now you’re back with tail between your legs ranting about shit you can’t even begin to understand. Theo is pack. He belongs in a way you never did. And I ask you to remember that or we’ll show you who the real killers in the McCall Pack are.”
Her eyes flashed blue as did Derek and Peter. Jordan and Kira added their silent support. Not for the first time, Liam was reminder that as goofy and fun as his pack could be, they were dangerous. For all the damage and chaos Theo wreaked when he was at his most dangerous, he still paled in comparison to some other members of this pack.
Hayden rose to her feet and took a shaky step back. But Liam could see the fierce determination in her eyes. That fierceness used to be attractive once upon a time. But now he just wanted her to sit down and shut up. Ideally, she would just leave. But she was too damn stubborn for her own good. And she genuinely believed she was in the right.
“Look, Hayden,” Theo said, also standing up and moving around Melissa. “I get that this is a lot but I’m not trying to take your place in the pack. There’s enough room for both of us. It’s not like there aren’t like a hundred people in this pack as it is.”
“No!” Hayden argued. “I refuse to be in a pack with you. You’re a monster.”
“Wait, are you seriously asking us to pick between you and Theo?” Mason asked, incredulity oozing from his voice. “That’s what you’re actually suggesting?”
“Because we had that answer before you even sat down,” Lydia chimed in. Kira and Malia nodded.
“I refuse to justify this stupidity with a response,” Peter drawled, closing his eyes in the most dismissive way he could while sprawled in a folding chair.
“Theo made cookies. You know the chocolate ones that taste like he put crack in them,” Alec said as if this made sense to the conversation. “You all have had his chocolate cookies. You know how it good it is. I would literally punch some of you for those cookies. Why are we talking to Liam’s crazy ex when there are chocolate cookies?!”
“Al, to be fair you would punch some of us because the sun came up,” Scott retorted, with a fond smile. “But you do have a point for once.”
“Wait, what do you mean for once?!”
“Okay, seriously?!” Hayden’s voice broke through the brief moment of levity. “The cutesy banter? Why aren’t any of you saying how you really feel?”
“What about any of our chemosignals or heartbeats leads you to believe that we’re not saying the absolute truth, Hayden?” Derek asked. “Surely even you can read those accurately.”
“Scott,” Hayden whirled around facing their alpha. “You were so mad when Liam brought him back. Malia, you tried to kill him. How can all of that change so fast? He’s playing house now but it’s Theo! He’s always got something up his sleeve. He’s a monster. Why am I the only one who can say it?!”
Liam felt himself growling and was happy to note that he wasn’t the only one. Fortunately, Hayden seemed to clue in that this was all about her this time. She closed her mouth and took a shaky step backward. There was a silent standoff as they all contemplated who would be the first one to speak.
“Get the hell out of my house,” Melissa said, finally. Her voice was tense and Liam knew she was itching for her taser. “I can’t kick you out the pack but I sure as hell can kick you out of my house. Get out and don’t come back until you can accept that Theo has changed. You have too but definitely not in a good way.”
“But…”
“But nothing,” Scott interjected, cutting Hayden off. “You heard my mother. Leave. Now. We’ll be in touch to discuss your future as a member of this pack.”
Hayden’s eyes welled with tears as she looked to each pack member and found them all unsympathetic. Liam crosses his arms over his chest when her gaze landed on him. If she really thought he was going to side with her after everything then she truly was delusional.
Thankfully, she wasn’t delusional enough to linger any longer. She left at last and they all let out a sigh in relief. There really was going to have to be a long talk about her future in the pack because based on her behavior tonight, it just wasn’t meant to be. He got that there was bad blood between her and Theo but the way she came at him… he knew his emotions were running high because he was in hyper-protective mode. But also she was being totally irrational and unreasonable. But she was gone. And now they could try and salvage the night. Starting with making sure Theo was okay. Except…
“Where’s Theo?!”
There was a moment of loud panicked flailing that none of them would admit to later before Mason calmly (too calmly) noted that Corey was missing too. It made sense. None of them noticed Theo walking out the room and there was someone only slightly less protective of the chimera than Liam who also had the added bonus of going invisible. Of course.
Liam followed Melissa and Scott up the stairs with Chris, Alec, and Isaac close behind. He didn’t need to look to know that Stiles, Lydia, and Malia wouldn’t be far behind them.
“We are the only ones who respect boundaries around here,” Mason said to the remaining pack members still in the living room. There was a pause and the human sighed. “You’re all listening, aren’t you?”
“Yeah.”
“Pretty much.”
“Obviously.”
It took almost a year of therapy, followed by an unfortunate two week stay in the psych ward at Beacon General for Theo to accept that though he has made mistakes in the past, he is well on his way to move past those mistakes. Some would say that he has moved past them and that he deserves the happiness and love people keep throwing at him. He doesn’t know if he agrees with all that but… he’s trying.
At any rate, he knows that death isn’t the answer. It wasn’t a well thought out plan at the time. He was in no rush to see Tara again. He honestly didn’t want to die at all. But he was just so tired and so sad and tired of being sad. He doesn’t want to die though. He’s finally at a place in his life where he’s close to being happy. He has family and friends. He has reasons to live. He also never wants to see that look on his loved ones’ faces again.
The look of terror mixed with relief and anger and love. It was written on the faces of every single member of his assorted friends and family that could fit in his tiny hospital cubicle. He didn’t know if he deserved to live after everything he’s done but he did know he never wanted to see his adopted parents cry like that again. Marin told him that while it wasn’t ideal, it did help if he thought about it in those terms. He didn’t know if his life was worth living but the people he loved thought it was. So he could work on living for them and over time, work on living for him.
With that mindset, he tried to focus on getting better. It was a struggle but he genuinely felt stronger than he had in a very long time. And then Hayden came back and sent it all crashing down. He will always be grateful that Scott was still there that afternoon. If he had left as he wanted, well he really didn’t want to think about what would’ve happened. He was just glad nothing did.
The point is that he was trying to heal. Trying to see himself the way that everyone in the pack did. And then Hayden came back, saying all the things he still thought about himself and it hurt. Because this was Hayden! She was the love of Liam’s life. The only reason he picked Theo was that Hayden left. But then she came back. She came back and she was saying the things he knew were true that everyone else said wasn’t true. And it was all so confusing and he just couldn’t…
“Breathe,” Corey’s voice broke through the fog in his head. He felt Corey’s hand rest between his shoulder as the younger chimera settled beside him. “It’s all going to be okay, Theo. But you need to breathe.”
They sat like that for a few quiet moments, both ignoring the bickering still going on downstairs and focusing on the slowly calming breaths Theo was taking.
“You okay now?”
“Yeah,” Theo answered, his voice sounding hoarse even to him. He looked up at his best friend. “I’m not mad at her.”
“That’s great. I am.”
“No, you’re….” Theo trailed off, picking up the chameleon’s body language and chemosignals. “Wait, you are? Why are you mad?”
“Why?! Dude, are you serious? After everything we’ve been through, you’re really asking me why I’m mad Liam’s bitch of an ex just spouted off about stuff she has no place even thinking about?”
“It was all true.”
“Maybe two or three years ago,” Corey conceded. “But none of that is true now. Everything has changed and you’re still the only one that doesn’t see it. Well aside from Hayden. But screw her. She had no right bringing any of that up.”
“I wouldn’t blame them,” Theo said, his voice muffled as his face was buried on his raised knees. “I wouldn’t blame them if they listened to her.”
“Theo, why…”
“She’s Scott’s second bitten beta. That’s huge. I’m not even a real werewolf. I’m a science experiment gone horribly wrong. She’s his actual beta.”
“Alright, I’m blaming garbage brain for that one,” Corey chided. “But back to the original point. No one is kicking you out of the pack. Ever. It’s just not happening. Ever. But even if everyone lost their collective minds and were replaced by aliens, you wouldn’t be alone.”
“What?”
“You heard me. If somehow you did end up kicked out of the pack, you wouldn’t be alone. I’ll be right there with you.”
“What?!” Theo asked, lifting his head to stare at the other chimera. “Why?!”
“Because, you big dumb gorgeous idiot, you’re my best friend! Despite everything that went down with the chimera pack, I’m still grateful to you. You brought me back. If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have any of this. I wouldn’t have Mason.”
“Oh.”
Corey snorted. “Yeah, oh. It’s a good thing you’re pretty.” Theo rolled his eyes but sat up slightly. “If for some reason, you have to leave the pack I need you to know that you’re not going alone. I’ll be right there with you.”
“What about Mason?”
“I’d like to think he would be with us but even if he wasn’t, my statement stands true. You’re not alone anymore. And despite what garbage brain tells you, you won’t be anytime in the foreseeable future.”
Theo sniffled. “That’s… a lot. But thank you.”
“Don’t thank me, dork. I’m your best friend. That’s literally in my job description. And also it’s not anything we ever have to worry about because the pack would never let you go. Hayden isn’t going to change their minds. Especially since no one wanted her here tonight in the first place.”
“But she…”
“But she nothing,” Corey cut him off. “Hayden knew the old Theo. But that Theo died when the pack sent him to hell. I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know post hell Theo and he’s pretty great. He’s all the good parts of pre hell Theo with this extra layer of soft and dorky. Hayden doesn’t know that other side of you. She doesn’t want to believe it’s real. And that’s her loss.”
“And our gain,” Melissa finished as she, Liam and Scott stepped into Theo’s room. He could hear Chris and Alec not too far behind. Theo met her gaze and felt his eyes watering in response to the tears he found there. “Hey, baby.”
“Hi, mom,” he whispered in return.
That was all the cue needed for Melissa to come charging towards the bed and pulling him in for a tight hug. Theo melted against her. After everything he did (that Hayden helpfully brought up again) the fact that this woman still wanted him around was mind-blowing. That she could possibly ever love him.
Melissa pulled away, cupping his face between her hands. “Of course, I love you. What did we say that day in the hospital? The first time?”
“We’re working on the future,” he answered. Melissa nodded.
“Exactly. The future. We’re not looking back on our mistakes. And there were a few on all ends. Not just you. I think we’ve made some excellent progress. Don’t you?”
“Yeah. At least I think so.”
“We will accept that answer,” Melissa said, idly wiping Theo’s tears away with her thumbs. “You are my kid, Theo. You have been since the first time I saw you in the hospital holding Scott’s hand because he was scared and missing Stiles. We had a long and dark path to come back together. But we are. We’re here. And you belong here with me.”
“With us,” Scott echoed.
Chris and Alec chimed in and there was a chorus of agreement from slightly down the stairs and down in the living room. A beat later Mason threw in his own version of affection before ranting about supernatural hearing. Corey butted his shoulder against Theo’s in his silent version of support before going downstairs to handle Mason.
Liam snorted when Theo’s gaze landed on him. The wolf was leaning against the doorframe with a soft smile on his lips. “Don’t look at me like that. You already know my feelings. We’re together forever as far as I’m concerned.”
Theo nodded. Despite his confusion about everything in his life these days, he knew that Liam loved him. He knew that Liam wanted him. He didn’t always understand it but he knew it was true. Melissa pressed a kiss to his forehead before motioning for the others to clear out. Liam nodded as they left, closing the door behind them. Theo watched as Liam took Corey’s abandoned spot but kept a small distance between them.
Before he could even begin to panic, Liam reached for Theo’s hand and tangled their fingers together. He squeezed lightly and kept an easy grip there. Theo looked up from their joined hands to find that Liam was watching him with the same fond expression he has been wearing since the war ended.
“Serious talk time?”
“Yup,” Liam confirmed. “I love you.”
“I know. I love you too.”
“Then I need you to talk to me, T. This relationship can’t work if you don’t talk to me. Unless you’re honest with me.”
“I haven’t…”
“You wanted to go to Davis, didn’t you? You wanted to go where Scott and Mason were.”
Theo let out a shaky breath. He should’ve figured Liam would piece it all together eventually. Of course, he wanted to go to Davis. Scott was there. Mason was there. Corey would be there as a result, even though he was taking online classes until he could get his grades up and transfer. But Liam was so in love with Harrison and its history program. He even got a scholarship for lacrosse. Theo’s grades pretty much guaranteed him a free ride wherever he wanted, Harrison included. So it seemed so simple at the time. But he realized now that it was a mistake.
“Harrison had the better history program.”
“Theo, your mental health and security mean more to me than a damn history department. I want to teach. I can learn that just as well at Davis. You should’ve told me that you wanted Davis.”
“I should have,” Theo admitted, looking at him through his lashes. “I’m sorry.”
“I’m sorry too. I should’ve thought about it more. I know you. I know how that brain of yours works. But it’s okay because I learn from my mistakes.”
“Since when?” Theo asked, teasingly. Liam’s eyes widened before a brilliant smile spread across his face. He leaned in and kissed Theo.
“I love you. I love you so much. I know you don’t get how amazing you are and I hope that one day you will. But Theo, you help me so much. Every single day,” Liam said, words tumbling out as he stroked the soft skin of Theo’s cheeks. “And that is why today, I’m here to help you.”
“Help… me?”
“Yes, you,” Liam grinned before pressing a kiss to the tip of Theo’s nose.
“But you already do,” Theo said, confusion wrinkling his brow absently. Liam laughed.
“I know, babe. But this is a little bit different. I need you to hear me out. Okay?”
“Okay.”
“Great. So with the help of your mom, I put in some paperwork for us while you were in the hospital. If you still want to, and I think you do, we’ll be transferring to Davis next semester.”
Theo hated the way his heart ticked up in excitement. He didn’t want to react but he was reacting because this was what he wanted. He wanted to go to Davis. He wanted that so much. But…
“How are we affording this? Harrison gave us scholarships. I don’t want to….”
Liam placed a finger on his lips. “I’m going to cut you off right there. Because I feel like you were going to say the word burden. And I hate when you feel that way. You have never been and will never be a burden. It makes me want to track your parents down and kick their asses for making you ever think that way. Then the Surgeon and the Pathologist for further solidifying that concept. And finally, the pack of the past because I know we didn’t help.”
Theo blinked. He noticed that Liam didn’t say all three Dread Doctors. He left the Geneticist out. That, among so many things, showed just how much Liam really cared and listened to Theo. The Dread Doctors were awful and made his life a living hell. But the Geneticist made it slightly less hellish. She was the one that forced him to hold onto the shred of humanity he had left. He didn’t know what he would be if it wasn’t for her.
Liam moved his hand away from Theo’s lips to gently cup his cheek. “You with me?”
Theo hummed in assent, learning into Liam’s touch. The younger wolf smiled softly.
“As I was saying. Your mom helped a lot in terms of helping with your end of the paperwork. But the bottom line is that Davis still really wanted you. They’re still willing to offer a full scholarship. I’m getting a partial scholarship and my parents and I can definitely afford the difference. And we have an apartment already waiting for us that I’m told is cat-friendly paid for by Peter Hale.”
“Mom has got to stop using Peter to pay for stuff,” Theo said, only slightly exasperated.
“Oh, that wasn’t your mom’s idea. That was Peter. We were on our way to pick you up that last day when Peter showed up and threw me like a bag full of keys and handed me an envelope with the apartment address and a lease. We have roommates. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Roommates?”
“Yeah, another couple. You might have met them. They might be even more ridiculously sappy than us.”
“Corey and Mason?” Theo’s heart betrayed him once again and this time Liam definitely noticed and reacted. His smile grew wider. “We’re going to be living with them?”
“Yup,” Liam answered.
“And I get to bring Fiji?” Theo asked, his eyes naturally landing on his cat that was seated at the foot of his bed.
“Yeah. Alec is going to have to learn to entertain his own dog this year because Fiji won’t be here to help. Oh, wait there is one thing you need to know.”
“What?”
“The apartment has four bedroom. Obviously, we will only be needing two of those four rooms. One is being used as a guest bedroom for when our parents or other pack members want to visit. The other is currently being fought over by your ridiculous older brother and Brett.”
“Scott? Wait, why is it that when he’s peak Scott, he’s my ridiculous older brother and not your alpha?” Theo asked, arching an eyebrow. Liam stared at him blankly. “Okay, right. But anyway, Scott and Isaac have an apartment at school and Brett said he was too good for college.”
“Yeah, but he’s not too good to squat in our apartment for free. And Scott, your brother, claims that our apartment which is literally in the same building is nicer than the studio they have. So you’re going to have to deal with seeing him a lot more.”
Theo gave up trying to hide how he felt. He was excited and hopeful. And so in love with the boy in front of him. Because he (and his amazing mother who was definitely getting a cake by the end of this week) did this for him. Liam did all this for Theo.
“And you’re okay with this?” Theo asked. “Harrison had the history department and…”
“And yeah it was great but not worth losing you,” Liam assured him. His heartbeat steady. “Living together and going to school together is a huge thing. And yes, a lot of compromises need to be made. But your health? That’s not something to compromise. I should’ve thought about that. But I didn’t. And I almost you. You almost died, Theo. And I can’t…”
Theo felt his heartbreak at the crack in Liam’s voice. He scrambled to move closer to him. Theo took Liam’s hand and placed it over his chest.
“I’m not gone. I’m still here.”
“But you almost weren’t. Because I wasn’t paying attention. Because I didn’t notice you weren’t okay. I can’t do that again.”
“It wasn’t your fault,” Theo murmured. “What happened wasn’t your fault.”
“No, it wasn’t. But I didn’t help,” Liam answered, his voice firm. “Mistakes were made all around. You should’ve told me that you wanted Davis. You should’ve talked to me or your parents or your brothers or Corey. But I also should’ve seen you. I’m so used to you pulling me out of my episodes that I forgot this whole anchor thing works both ways. And we both screwed up in thinking that we have to do it alone. We have a pack. We have a crazy, wonderful pack that wants to be there when we can’t be there for each other.”
Theo smiled even though he felt tears welling in his eyes. It was true. It was all… he remembered the crushing darkness he felt that night. The isolation playing with his already frayed emotions. When they were at Harrison, there would be days when they didn’t see each other at all. It wasn’t odd if they didn’t even sleep together because of Liam’s lacrosse schedule and Theo’s late nights in the lab. They were both miserable. And Theo sank back into the same mindset that had him sleeping in a truck in the woods.
Liam was right. Mistakes were made their freshman year but they were going to get it right this time. He wasn’t going to do his usual thing where he protested and tried to find some way around this. Because this was the best for both of them. Liam needed this change just as much as he did.
“Okay,” Theo whispered, leaning his head against Liam’s. “I like the plan.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah,” Theo nodded, feeling the tears he had been holding back come flooding to the surface. “I don’t know why I’m crying.”
“Because you feel things. And that’s okay. It’s okay to feel, Theo. It’s okay to cry. Because I’m here.”
“I love you,” Theo choked out, even as he was guided to Liam’s shoulder.
He tucked his face into the crook of Liam’s neck, smelling the familiar scents of his boyfriend before letting go, trusting Liam to hold him together. He let go of all the pain he had been holding onto from that night and even the darkness he wouldn’t let go of from before. He knew that he wasn’t going to be fixed just by switching colleges and living with his friends. But it was a start. It was a start to him being healthier and happier. It was a start that he earned… that he deserved.
“You do, baby. You deserve it all. I love you too, Theo. I love you so damn much.”
Theo managed a wan smile through his tears as he clung to Liam. His boyfriend was holding him just as tightly so he wasn’t worried about anything. Well, he wasn’t worried about anything until he felt a strong pair of hands literally pulling him away and into a familiar embrace. He only panicked for a moment before smelling the scent of alpha and family.
“Scott, Alec… what are you doing?” Liam asked, sounding like he knew exactly what was going to happen. Theo knew too and internally rolled his eyes. How long was Scott holding on to this one?
“You were supposed to talk to him and make him feel better. You weren’t supposed to break him and make him cry!” Scott retorted with all the sassy petulance that made him Scott.
Theo snorted even as his sobs turned into giggles. Because how could he not? His brother was ridiculous. This pack was ridiculous. And he loved them all. He loved them so much.
“Oh my god, you really did break him!” Alec deadpanned. He sighed, squeezing Theo’s shoulder briefly, before leaving the room.
And then Theo was moving too. Scott was taking advantage of Liam’s surprise to propel them both through the door and back downstairs where the rest of their friends and family were still waiting.
“Scott! Bring my boyfriend back!”
Theo laughed again even as he was transferred from Scott’s arms to their mother’s who squeezed him in between her and Chris. His parents didn’t hesitate to pull him into their tight embrace. Alec arched an eyebrow and wiggled his way into the tangled limbs.
No, Theo wasn’t healed. But as he sat surrounded by the love of everyone in the room, Theo had to admit to himself that he was starting to believe. It was time to stop punishing himself for the sins of his past. He was allowed to be happy. He was allowed to love these people and be loved by them in return. All he had to do was finally give in and just trust that the pack would catch him if he fell. And so he did.