Chapter Text
It has been a week since they're dealing with the hunters. And a week of them recovering. Helping cleaning the hospital, patroling the forest just to be cautious of any traces left by the hunters and gathering at McCall's household, courtesy of Melissa's one week off after what she's been through at the hospital and decided to have a hearty meal. Feeding the young werewolves who were risking their life for other and their own.
Theo sat in silent on the couch, away from the other and mindlessly pushing the green beans with the fork around in his plate he's holding on his laps. At first, he refused to join them but at Liam's insistence call and texts asking where he was, he reluctantly came over. Although his appearance at the pack gathering got some protested -strongly from Malia and Stiles of course- and hesitant welcoming smile from Melissa, Theo sulkingly glared at Liam's sheepish grin after his arrival. Scott even welcoming him with a smile but the skip of his heartbeat doesn't goes unnoticed by Theo though he just chose to ignore it even if it's hurt a bit. After all he has done, fighting alongside with them even risking his own life, he still managed to make them scared of him. Though he couldn't blame them for that. He did it himself. He deserved it.
"How's the food?"
Theo startled at the sudden intrusion beside him. Turning to his right, he saw Liam's grinned slowly strecthing on his stupid cute face. He glares at the younger, surprising himself at the thought. As if remembered what Liam was asking him, Theo focused on his food again.
"Good." He didn't lie. The foods were great. Amazing even. Melissa did a good job with the foods although the meat need a little bit more salt and proper handmade black pepper sauce that he preffered to make himself rather than just bought it at the mart, the foods were delicious.
But then, he couldn't find it in himself to finish it. With the werewolves around him watching his every moves like he's some sort of a prey for them, waiting and for them to have him making a tiny mistake just so anyone could throw him out or sending him back to the hell again -Malia and Stiles obvious threat anyway-. So, pardon him for not having so much appetite. Again, what with Liam, being so nice and all friendly suddenly? He sure the younger wolf hate him. With their constant bickering, throwing punchs every now and then whenever one of them pissed the other off. He confirmed the beta was not so fond of him though. So, to have him pestering and giving Theo so much attention like this, feels so weird and confusing. Then, the younger wolf notice his unfinished meal and decided to comment on it.
"Is that so? Why don't you finish it then? I thought you like meats?" Theo rolled at the comment. Stupid Liam, who wouldn't like meats beside vegan? Of course he like meats. But at the moment, he just couldn't seem to swallowed it. Finding it hard to swallow the meat like his throat suddenly became too tight and the meat couldn't get passed his throat.
"I'm eating right now didn't i? I'll finish it soon." He hissed back, throwing a glares at Liam's side and quickly focused on his plate again. All aware that the other werewolves in the house doesn't paid any attention but still keeping their conversations on alert. Somehow, it pissed him off even more. And he feels like Liam's question somehow has a meaning behind it and it's annoying how he could read through it. Although he's not too sure of it himself. Theo stabbed his fork on the meat like the chunk has insulted him some sort. Shoving a big piece of it into his mouth and chewing angrily in silent unable to control his annoyance while pointedly ignoring the younger. Smelling the bitter scent wafting off the chimera, Liam sighed mentally. Sure, the older chimera misunderstood his question and interpreted it as Liam wanted him to be gone sooner.
"Theo, i'm not asking you to finish your meal just so you can go as soon as possible. It just a question. I'm trying to be nice here." He found his voice slowly turned to exasperated tone at the end of his sentence. Liam grabbed Theo's wrist, stopping the chimera from shoving the meat cotinuously without stopping. Theo frozed at the touch. Eyes wide staring at the baby blue ones that staring back concerningly at his green ones, lips making a small pout as his mouth still full with the meat. He managed to hide the skip in his heart at Liam sudden impulsed. Liam's eyes momentarily flickered at Theo's pouting lips to the smear of the sauce at the corner of his mouth. A chuckle escaped his mouth.
"You're seventeen, yet you still eating like a seven years old. Can't you take care of yourself better." At the fondness tone of his words, Liam's free hand that didn't holding Theo's wrist moved on it own accord, swiping away the sauce with his thumb. This time though, Theo unable to hide the sound of his heartbeat. It must be too loud even for his own ears as the atmosphere in the McCall household suddenly goes silent -save it to the humans to be oblivious- and Liam's thumb stopped wiping his lips and hovering for few seconds before he pulled back both of his hands and straightening his back, looking straight in front of them not before awkwardly coughing and stealing a sheepish glance at him again.
Realizing that their display(?) suddenly became the focused of the other werewolves, -blessed their abilities to hear and hyper awareness sensing- Theo jolted back to the current state he was before Liam suddenly intruded his space and weirdly being all mother hen (really, Theo?) on him. He quickly swallowed the meat in his mouth, roughly wiping his mouth with the back of his palm that still tingle from Liam's touch and gulping down the remaining soda to help forcing the meat down his stomach. Theo put down his plate on the table as he stood up from the couch, startling Liam.
"Where are you going?" Liam asked when Theo make a move to the entrance hall blatantly ignored the others curious and staring eyes. He didn't noticed the slight flinched of Theo's shoulders and if he noticed it, he chose to ignore.
"I'm leaving.. Umm.. Thank you for the food Mrs. McCall, it was delicious." Without turning back to Liam, Theo answered him and stammered a thanks to Scott's mom when he met the woman's eyes. Melissa simply smile and nodding at him before resumed to her foods and chatting with Chris. Clearly oblivious to the air surrounded. And soon, the other ignored them again as they realized that he's leaving. Theo rolled his eyes as he walked past Malia and the werecoyote simply growled at him just because she could. Asshole. He heard Liam scrambled on his feets and walking toward him as he reached the front door.
"Theo, wait-"
"What?!" He hissed at the beta. Liam eyes widen at his sudden temper. A frown found it way to the younger face and Theo gritted his teeth in annoyed. What's up with this sudden fixation from Liam? Lately, the beta seems to pay a lot of attention to him. It confusing and annoyed him at the same time. Was it because he's Liam responsibilty now? Because he owe him for pulling his ass out of the hell? Or because Scott asked Liam to watch him closely because they still couldn't put any trust on him yet?
"Oh, wow~ and here i thought i'm the one with the anger issue." Liam teasing tone somehow irked his annoyance. The beta crossed his arms against his chest and brow raised up on arrogant manner. Theo narrowed his eyes at Liam sudden confident attitude. Since when did their characteristic changed?
"What do you want Dunbar, got too attached to me that you don't want to be separated?" Theo asked back, mirroring Liam's stance. Alright, two can play the game. If that what Liam want. He'll give it to the younger. Liam earlier confident slowly fade and his sheepish childish grinned found it way back on his face. A faint tint on his cheeks covered by Liam's faking a cough. Theo smirked at his little victory. No one could outplay Theo Raeken however you tried.
"Where are you going anyway?" Liam asked finally. Scratching his neck in awkward manner that Theo found adorable. He blinked. Adorable? Where did that come from? He hide behind his infamous smirked that always seems to annoyed Liam however.
"Aw~ i didn't know you're concerned whereabout i'm going little wolf." Theo smirked but then Liam took a step toward him, stopping inches from him. A serious look displayed on his face as he said nothing to Theo.
"Don't worry, i'm not off killing people if that what you concerned about~" He rolled his eyes. Couldn't Liam be more obvious?
"I know, but.." Liam trailed make Theo raised his brow. But, what? But i can't trust you enough to go anywhere without being watched? What is he, a ran away prisoner?
"Do you want to crash over my place tonight?"
Yeah- 'Do you want to crash over my place tonight so i can watch you closely so that you won't go around killing innocent people.' -kind of meaning.
"Nah, i stay at my place." my truck.
Before Liam could say anything, Theo turned around and pulled open the door, exiting the McCall house. The longer he stayed here, the longer Liam sudden attention irritated him. If not better, confusing him as well. He walked straight to his truck without turning around and unlocked the truck. Few seconds of silent in his truck has make his head clear from his conversation with Liam earlier. But not soon after that, he's trouble with the thought of where the hell he's going now.
I stay at my place, my ass. He doesn't even go to his house anymore. Hell, he has never step his foot ever since he's back from underground. It's not his house anymore. Never been and never will be. It's full of misery and painful memories he's so desperately to forget. Ironically, trying hard he might, there's a certain misery that seems to never leaved him wherever he goes. A sighed escaped his mouth as he started the engine and drove to his usual place.
It's not like he could asked Scott or Melissa to stay over. Hell no. Malia still strongly hate him. The Alpha's mom still unsure of him. Stiles as the same as Malia just plus his hard jabbed and insult. And Scott. Scott who still hesitated to let his guard down around Theo. Scott who still didn't trust him to be let free. Scott who didn't want him to be part of the pack. Even though his own beta didn't seem that way.
And then, there's Liam.
Although Liam's invitation to stay over -even if it just an excuse for him to watch over Theo-, he still won't take it. Liam has done so much for him. He tried to make Theo came to every pack meeting, insistingly calling or messages him if Theo never pick up his calls. Liam who always came talking to him first. Liam who keep staying beside him when no one want to be. Liam was just too good to be near him. Theo shakes his head at the thought. Keeping that up, he won't able to get rid of the beta one day even if he wanted to badly.
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Liam sighed as he watched Theo disappeared behind the closed door. He raked his fingers through his hairs that seems growing longer as times past. Why does everytime he wanted to make the older boy to feel welcome and at ease, Theo seems to slink away from him? What's up with Theo and his fake confident though? Does he thought he could fools Liam just like that? Sure, he looked innocent and younger than the other of his pack member -except Alec- but he's not that dumb to know that. Theo has come so far from being a big bad murderous chimera who was selfish and full of himself to a nervous and insecured boy. Another sighed escaped him.
"You're gonna burn a hole on that door if you keep staring at it and sighing won't help you getting your man in your arms, you know~"
Liam turned around so quickly he almost tripped on his own foot as he came face to face with the owner of the voice.
"What the fuck Alec?!! You gave me a heart attack!" He doesn't even heard Alec's footsteps nor heartbeats, where did this boy came from? How did he do that? Liam palmed his beating heart to calm himself down, glaring murderously at the younger. If only look could kill, Alec would be hundred feets below, beating Theo's record at that and he's gonna make sure the brat won't come up to the surface. Ever. The brat deserved it.
Alec rolled his eyes uneffected at his overreaction and silent threat. Instead, he just smirked at him annoyingly. Which he so badly want to slap it off Alec's face. Alec's smirks always got to his nerves -don't forget Brett- and somehow his earlier statement at Theo about the anger issue biting his ass back.
"Oh please~ werewolves won't die from a heart attack unless your heart already attacked by a certain attractive chimera~" Alec sing-song comments brought the color on his cheeks. His outburst earlier faded as he registered the new werewolf words.
"Fuck off! You know nothing about anything." Liam hissed as he walked off from the entrance hall, passing by the snickering brat. He took a deep breathed to calm his heart and not knocking Alec stupid grinning off his face.
"Really, Liam?"
Liam just flipped him off over his shoulder as he walked to the living room, ignoring the annoying footsteps and laughing following behind as he's flopped down on the couch beside Corey and Mason. Corey looked at him, said nothing but just a raised brow at him. Mason mirroring his boyfriend. Liam just let out a tired sighed. He have no idea how to treated the chimera anymore. All his efforts goes wasted whenever he opened his stupid mouth. Everytime words escaped his mouth, it always make Theo pulled away from Liam. Corey just placed a comforting hand on his shoulder as Mason shoot him an apologetic smiles. Liam just wave them off and as if saying he's fine. Although the two know his feelings, and hesitatingly supported him -because really, where's the joke in it? Is it even a joke though?- they didn't objected or stopping him from talking to the chimera either.
One day. One day it's all gonna be better. He just need to try harder. Again next time.
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Theo pull his old, thin blanket around his torso as the cold wind blew through his half open window truck. His leg accidentally kicked the door and he let out an annoyed groaned. He should be slept hours ago when he arrived at the preserve. But no, thanks to Liam freaking Dunbar and his annoying gestures has make him wide awake. He grabbed his phone at his side and unlocked it to look at the time.
02:37 am.
Damn it. It's getting late and his eyes refused to closed as he wanted them to. There goes his beauty sleep. With an exasperated growled, Theo threw his blanket away from his body as he sat up. He ran his fingers through his hair, winced when he felt it a little bit greasy. Gross. He should have stop at the gas station after leaving McCall house earlier to wash his hair instead, he came straight to the preserve, driving by his irritation at Liam. Again, what was it with Liam that he always seems out of himself whenever the younger coming around him? It looked like whenever there's Liam, he found himself either being annoyed or confused and it's irked him in many ways he couldn't deciphered.
Theo opened his truck door and stepped out, taking a deep breathed to calm himself but he frozed on his feet as he's smelled an unfamiliar scent near. He took a deep breathed once again to grasp the scent and his heart beating fast when it smelt nothing like a hunter or any murderous creatures but his heart almost stopped when he smelt blood. A stick snapped behind him and Theo goes still.
"Who are you? W-what do you want?"
Theo asked, cursing for his stuttering. Theo Raeken never wavered before. As he slowly turned around at the sound, he heard a shallow pants and a dark silhoutte came out from behind the tree near his truck. Theo prepared himself, eyes glowing in bright gold and claws out, ready to fight with whatever creature come at him. What he didn't expected though, a whisper of help coming from the said creature, revealing himself under the dim moonlight. Theo wasn't ready to find an injured guy stumbled toward him and suddenly fall to the ground on his knees.
"H-help.. me..." As if being slapped awake from his momentarily stupor state, Theo rushed forward toward the injured guy. Doesn't even thinking that it might be a trap or danger. He blamed being around Scott and Liam for so long that he forgot how he used to be long ago. Selfish and undisturbed by anyone problem.
And if his newfound discovery of his behaviour doesn't surprised him, what he found next surely does. In the injured guy's arm, there's a small girl curled tight and closed to his chest looking scared and dirty like the guy himself. The girl's bright blue eyes staring wide at him in scared. Theo tore his eyes away from the little girl as the scared looking face on her directly shoot at him and make his heart clenched painfully. The injured guy's weak groaned caught his attention. Theo's shaking hands found their place on the guy's shoulder, noticing that he look older than Theo, maybe in his late 20's or early 30's, and scanning the state of the older guy's in. His shirt was dirty with mud and blood on his right chest and torso, dried bloods smeared on his left temple, busted lips and a cut on his right cheekbone, slightly bruised from whatever fight he got in. But fortunately, the little girl was fine, left unscratched apart from the dirt and little bit mud on her face. Taking a deep breathed to be calm to handle the situation, Theo caught a smell of wolfbanes came from the guy. Not like the carry around poison wolfbanes like the hunters did. No. The wolfbane was inside the guy. Meaning that he must have been shot. And that also mean he's a werewolf. Or whatever supernatural were he was.
"How bad is it?" After being able to be calm, Theo let the guy leaned on the tree bark near them, the little girl curled beside her father tiredly -doesn't need to be a genius to know they're father and daughter- as he arranged the guy in more comfortable position to not straining his injuries futhermore and he's hovering at the guy's other side opposite his little girl, crouching close. The answered groan from the older guy make Theo wordlessly wrapped his fingers around the guy's forearm immediately. Focusing his mind to take the pain, soon, black and hot heat coursing through his veins snaking up his forearm as the guy's scrunching face slowly soothed down in relief. A soft whimpered escaped Theo lips as he continued to take the pain from the injured guy. He must have been took more than five bullets in his body as the pain slowly became insurfferably hard to bear even for Theo as his eyes tightly clenched at the pain he took.
A shaking cold hand around his wrist make Theo opened his eyes in surprised and he met a deep glowing red eyes before it fade away and replace by dark brown ones. Alpha. Theo stilled for a sec but quickly recovered, hiding the skip in his heart. Alpha or not, he need help right now. And Theo not gonna let it stopped him.
"S-stop, it's enough.. you're going to strain.. yourself." Although he still stuttered and coughing between his words, he still sound weak when he talked. Theo shakes his head.
"No. You're still in pain. I can do it." Theo answered in firm voice though he also felt the side effect of taking the guy's pain has taking it toll on his body. He took the guy's hand on his wrist and try to focus once again. But, the guy won't budge and doesn't removed his hand around Theo's wrist. Theo glaring at the guy.
"Let go. You're prevented me from helping you." The guy just chuckles at him which make him became irritated. Why in the hell people like to make him annoyed so much nowadays?!
"That's what i intended.. to d-do.. that's.. enough.."
"Yeah, and you successfully talked in full sentence without panting and coughing. Shut up and just let me do my job." This time, Theo managed to wrenched away the guy's hand around his wrist and put it on the older's thigh. Another chuckles escaped from the guy's mouth and follow by some cough. Theo threw him a hard glares signaling him to shut up but the guy just shake his head. He pull his hand from Theo's grasp only to held both Theo's wrist this time in his own. With a glares, Theo pull his hands free from the grasp but to no avail.
"What's the fuck is wrong with you?! Did you fall somewhere and knocked your head too?! I'm trying to help here! Let go!!" Theo hissed angrily but the guy just chuckle at his vain attempts to pull his hands. He tried not to be loud as the time he took the guy's pain earlier, he has noticed the little girl already fall asleep against her father side. After few minutes struggling to pull his hands free, Theo gritted his teeth in annoyance and surrendered. No matter how hard he pulled his hands, the guy just won't budged. Even for someone whose badly injured and in no condition to fight even though Theo could take advantage of his weakly state right now, he's surprising stronger than Theo thought.
"It's enough, kid.. I will h-heal in time.. being.. you have t-to stop.. you are st- straining your..self too.." He slowly let go of Theo's wrists which the latter quickly retreated, brought it against his chest and rubbing his wrist. Theo glared at the guy silently in anger. He couldn't understand why the guy refused to take his help. At that, Theo looked away, feeling useless at the rejection. Even stranger refused to take his help, huh. What a cold joke.
As if sensing his bitterness, the older guy took his hands, apologetically rubbing his sore wrists in silent as Theo flinched at the cold hands. Heat slowly make it way to his cheeks at the sudden contact and his eyes caught the sight of the curling little girl beside the guy. He pulled his hands slowly, suddenly feeling embarrassed at the almost too intimate gesture he have ever feels in his life -Liam aside, the beta always in his space anyway- and getting to the little girl's side. He looked at the guy's face as if asking for his permission in silent to touch the little girl and he just got a gratitude smile and a nodded from the guy. With a swift motion, he lift the little girl up in his arms and stayed still for a while waiting for any discomfort or if she's going to wake up any soon. When nothing happened, he walked to his truck, with no hard work, he managed to open the door without waking up the little girl and gently laid her on the backseat whereas he's always sleep. After for a while adjusting her, covered her little body with his thin blanket and topped with his sweater, he left the door opened just in case. Even if the cold wind blowing but with his blanket and sweater, he figured she won't felt too cold. Theo carefully walked backward. Eyes still on the little girl in truck, worrying if she's going to wake up if he's leaving her there but soon let out a shaky breathed he doesn't realized he's been holding when she's not moving. He smiles in relief.
Slowly, he make his way to the older werewolf whose watching his whole action with gratitude expression but at the same time, eyes twinkles in amusement. And soon, his mood immediately turn grumpy at the older guy. With his hands crossed on his chest, Theo rolled his eyes in annoyance as the guy grinning widely at him.
"Can you even stand on your own?" He stand in front of the guy, looking down with narrowed eyes. The older just sheepishly grinned at him.
"Can you even watch a sick person struggling on his own?" Theo gritted his teeth in annoyance. They just met for what, few minutes ago but he's already got on his nerves.
"I thought you can heal by time being." He huffed as again, the annoying chuckles escaped the guy's bruised lips.
"I thought you wanted to help?" Asshole.
With a growl, Theo get down on his knees at the guy's right side where the little girl curled against before. He took the guy's right hand and hooked it around his shoulder and he snaked his hand around the older's waist to support his weight as they slowly got up from the ground. That's when he realized as they stand side by side, he's a lot taller than Theo's and it's pissed him off even more. A sudden groan from above his head caught his attention.
"Are you really alright?" Theo asked, concerned laced in his words. Since when did he care anyway?
"I'm okay... I just need to.. rest for a sec.. thanks kid.." The guy stopped suddenly, forcing Theo to stop as well but he couldn't even bring himself to be mad neither at the abrupt stopped or at the nickname when a series of coughing fits escaped the guy's lungs. His hand that wounded around the taller guy's waist slightly raised up to stroke against his back, hoping to sooth his coughs.
After few struggling steps, they finally reach at Theo's truck. He open the passenger door and letting the guy sat on his side, body facing outward. Without any words, he let go of the older guy's hand around his shoulder and walked to the backseat of his truck. Slowly, without waking up the sleeping little girl, Theo reached at his bagpack to take out his shirt he just washed yesterday, stopping for a moment to chance a glance at the guy whose looking back at him curiously with raised brows, he thought about it being dirty but then, as he looked back at the older guy, the adult just shrugged at him and winced slightly at the move. Taking it as his cue, Theo shrugged as well, ignoring about his shirt and the condition they're. Oh, well. He could wash it later. He zipped back his bagpack, push it back under the car seat and raised his hand as a signal for the guy to wait for a moment. Theo walked to the river bank, slightly shudder at the coldness of the water as he soaked his shirt.
He walked back to the older guy with the wet shirt in his hand. When he reached his truck, he found the guy was looking at his daughter's face with unreadable expression on his face. A churn feeling in his gut suddenly make him look away from his truck. Confused at the feeling he doesn't understand what was it he felt right now. With a sigh, Theo resumed toward to his truck, standing in front of the dirty mess guy on the passenger seat of his truck. Seriously, what the fuck he's doing right now? Wasn't he supposed to be sleep right now? How did his night turned out like this?
Theo tilted the guy's face up slowly, wiping off the remnants of the dried bloods on his face. Brows knitting together as the guy's wincing every once a while whenever he accidentally pressed harder at his bruised.
"Seriously, you're a werewolf! Stop wincing and squirming!" Theo gritted out his annoyance at the over dramatic patient. The older guy just grinned in reply, abashed at his busted acted. Theo just rolled his eyes and continue his ministration on cleaning off the guy's bloods as the silent goes for a moments.
"David." Theo stopped moving at the sudden talked. He blinked in cofusion, looking at the guy's eyes with a raised brow. The guy just chuckled at his confusion.
"My name is David." The older guy, David introduced himself and Theo just blinked back at him.
"Well, Mr. David.. Care to explain to me what happened? How did you found your way here? In the deep of the forest, all injured and not to mention, caryying a child?! Don't you have any fucking idea what danger you might be walking to?! Or might be putting your little girl in danger as well?!! Are you stupid?! There's a place call hospital in case you don't know!!"
By the time he finished his words, Theo let out a low angry grunted and he's half shout and half hissing at David who seems unaffected at his anger, instead he just sighed. Feeling slightly guilty at his sudden outburst, Theo immediately mumbled an apologized while resuming his aids. He doesn't dare to look at David's eyes, feeling shame that somehow, he might over step the line.
"No, you right. I shouldn't endangered my daughter by running in the forest at this time at night like this. I couldn't thinking straight, just worrying about her safety first. I can't go to the hospital as well, not with who i am. And to answer you, i was running from the hunters. Somehow, they found me and my pack at the Manhattan and begun to hunt us. And i found myself and my daughter separated from my pack. I tried to find the way out, but somehow, i ended up here. I don't have any idea how..."
David explained slowly, stopping for a second to cough and continued back. As he trailed off, Theo found himself gapping at David's explanation. First of all, the Beacon Hills Hospital was a safe -obviously after the hunters deal of course~- place for the werwolves. Melissa, Dr. Geyer and some of the doctors and nurses there already well aware of their existence and he would be save there. Plus, there's a proper medical treatment in hospital than the forest for fuck sake! And second, Manhattan? Fucking Manhattan? There're werewolves in Manhattan too? How the fuck he even got here? Were they in vacation or something near Beacon Hills? But he did mention his pack and it's impossible for his whole pack having vacation together in a big group. He let go of the thought for a while and focused on his other question.
"How.. D-did.. What about your pack? Where are they now?" A tiny voice in his mind told him to shut his mouth but he couldn't help himself from asking anyway. As David shaking his head in sadness and turned to look at his sleeping daughter, Theo felt guilty for asking. Stupid mouth.
"I don't know.." David whispered voice almost escaped his hearing ability, thank god for the deafening silent of the forest or he wouldn't be able to listen the older guy.
"Wait, what do you mean you don't know? You didn't stumble upon them even someone?"
"I got separated from them remember?" Theo mumbled something when he realized David's words before. Rolling his eyes to cover his embarrassement as David just chuckles lowly.
"But, i'm going back to Manhattan as soon as i healed, which is back to your earlier statement. I'm glad i came here, in this forest." Theo gave the older guy an increduluos look at his statement as if he's growing a second head.
"Are you sure you didn't knocked your head somewhere? You seems to fail to use your brain i think." Theo crossed his hands across his chest, considering to call for ambulance as David laughed it off as if his insulted was a joke to him.
"No, no. I meant what i said. If i didn't come here,i won't stumble upon you. And your help is really a great deal for me. You save me and my daughter. You save our life. For that, i will forever indebt with you."
A blush spread on his cheeks as David kept thanking him and talking. He didn't know what to say with all the thanks and gratitude David spew at him in the moment so he just abashedly shoved the shirt in his hand into David's mouth to shut him. Seriously, no one ever praised or thanked him before. Even showering him with so much gratitude. Not even Scott or anyone from his pack but they're different though. Even Liam sometimes hesitated before saying his thanks to him. They knew what he was before. And his action could never be forget nor forgiven. He deserved the treatment they gave to him. The denial of accepting his presence around them. Although it's hurt, he could take. He deserved it. So, when some stranger who doesn't even know who he was, praising and showering him gratitude, Theo left speechless but nonetheless, it does feels nice.
David grunt as he took the shirt that was suddenly being shoved into his mouth. He's about to playfully complained about it when he smelled the sudden sour mood from the younger boy in front of him.
"Hey, you're okay?" Theo jolted at the hand on his shoulder. He goes silent at the moment, staring blankly at the guy in front of him, taking the current situation slowly. Realized his current state, Theo just shrugged.
"Yeah. Your welcome i guess." Came his answered. David opened his mouth to say something but decided to keep silent and just nodded back. As the silent swallowed them back, Theo took the shirt from David's hand and resumed his aids. They fell into a quiet and short conversations as Theo mentally relieved when David has told him, he has dug out the bullets -fucking hell, seven freaking bullets!- by himself in his haste of running away from the hunters. He doesn't even wanted to ask how the hell he dug the bullets from his own body by himself. But nonetheless, he's glad he didn't have to do it for David though. Then, they fell silent again as Theo didn't asked any more questions and his mind wandered back to his previous thought.
What was he thinking? This guy's a stranger. Of course he doesn't knew who Theo was. Of course he would felt gratitude for his aids. Of course he would saw him as a good guy. But he doesn't know who he was. What he has done in his past. How he has killed his own pack for his greediness of power. How he almost torn apart Scott's pack, manipulating Scott's own beta to kill him and when Liam's failed, he did the job himself. Almost killed Scott forever. And how he had killed his own sister when he was a child. Letting the Dread Doctor manipulated him to kill innocent kids. Surely, David won't think twice to leave if he knew who was Theo actually.
"Theo."
He simply said after calculating about it. He didn't elaborated neither David asked more. The older guy just looked up at him and nodded after smiling at him. And after a beat, David said,
"Thank you, Theo."
Theo just kept silent the whole time after that. Finishing his job at cleaning and aided David's injuries and giving his shirt to David to change even it's a little tight and short on David's broad shoulders and long torso but it seems to fit anyway so that's not a problem at all. Theo walked back to the river bank to washed the blood on his shirt. Hanging it on the truck roof to dry when he came to the truck, only found David already asleep on the truck passenger seat. Seat reclining back a little to make himself comfortable enough to rest his injured body. With a sighed, Theo shut close the passenger door carefully and climbed in at the back seat. Thank god his back seat a little bit wider that could fit two people to lie down so he slowly slide in beside the little girl, adjusting his position before getting comfortable to sleep, laying on his left side facing David's daughter. He goes still when the little girl suddenly moved in her sleep as she's turning around to face him just to snuggle against him, seeking for warmth and settle back to her sleeping mode, little hands clutching at his chest shirt and her face tucked against his chest as she inhales his scents and falling in a deep sleep.
Theo's fought against himself not to feel any feelings at the acted and quickly controlling his beating heart at the moments. He slowly but cautiously wrapped his hand around the little girl closer to him and unconciously smiling at the sastifaction purrs out from her. Soon enough, his eyes slowly closed on their own and the even breathed sound from him indicated that Theo already in his deep sleep. Unbeknowing to him, David watched their interaction the whole time, nodding his head at the acknowledgement and finally make his decision before he let himself rest and fully healed.
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Theo woke up at the sound of birds chirping outside his truck. His eyes fluttered open slowly, taking his surrounded in a daze stated as he close his eyes again. It's been long since he has a nice sleep even in short time and last night, he doesn't even has any nightmares about the hell nor Tara and he doesn't spent his night curled against the thin blanket to hold as he forced himself to stay awake too afraid of the nightmares to come again. Last night he-
Theo frozed on his back. Last night, someone has came to him for help. Someone who was a werewolf. An Alpha at that. Who was badly injured with gunshots all across his body laced with wolfbanes. Who has brought a child with him. Who, apparently he has in his arms last night, sleeping. Theo doesn't dare to open his eyes at the moment. Was it all just a dream? Was it even real? He tried to focus to listen for any sound, heartbeats or anything but found himself puzzled at nothing. Only the sounds of the birds and wind. He took a deep breathed at the scents around him. And he smelled it. A fainted scent of earthy and vanilla although it need him to inhale twice to recognize that it was his shower soap.
Slowly, Theo opened his eyes. Wide awake when he's looking straight to a pair of bright blue eyes. The little girl was wide awake, sitting at his side and staring straight at him with doe eyes. Last night she was looking at him with fright but when he stared back at the little girl, she's blinking in curious and eyes fills with innocence and pureness right now. Theo blinked back. For about minutes having a silent staring contest. Theo sucked in a deep breathed to brave himself for a loud wailing that was going to come out when the little girl slowly opened her small mouth.
"Momma?"
"...."
What?
The blonde hair little girl staring at him. Little head tilted to her right in adorable way as she's blinked again at Theo. Theo dumbfoundedly stared back, noticing that she's currently wearing his shirt, the one he's giving to David last night to change. The older guy must have somehow woke up in the middle of their sleeping and dressed her with the shirt quietly without waking him up. It was too big on her as the shirt neck fell from her left shoulder, her long blonde hair let loose behind her back with some strands on her face and she look like a living doll wearing a big loose shirt that could only screamed adorable and pureness.
"Momma."
Theo felt his cheeks heated from the blush. Does he look like a freaking woman? Last he checked, he doesn't have boobs.
"Umm.. no, i'm not your m-momma kid.."
"Momma." She's said again, oblivious of Theo silent despair.
Theo slowly sat up fully, sitting across the little girl whose still looking at him innocently that he almost felt attacked just by the look only. He awkwardly look around, to find the injured guy but found nothing, only him and the little girl in his truck. Where was David? As if to answer his unspoken question, his eyes caught a glimpse of a paper neatly folded on the passenger seat that currently empty which has been occupied by the older guy last night. Wordlessly, he reached out for the paper, aware of a pair of the blue eyes girl followed his movement. He examined the paper carefully. Took a sniff at any danger or scents from the paper only to caught a scent of David. Where did he got the paper though? Of course, from his bag.
He was caught unguarded when the little girl suddenly crawled toward him and quietly settle on his lap. With wide eyes, Theo staring in horror at the sudden bold move. SHE WAS JUST FREAKING SAT ON HIS LAPS! AND HE WAS A FUCKING STRANGER!
He flinched in surprised when small hand touched his. Theo looked down at the little girl who was looking up at him with curious wide eyes. She taps her palms twice on his hand that was holding the paper mutely. As if understand what she was saying, Theo brought his attention back to the folded paper in his hand, carefully unfolded it.
××××××××××××××××××××
"Hey, kiddo. Sorry i didn't woke you up this morning. You looked so peaceful and my little girl looked so comfortable and peacefully sleeping in your arms. So, i don't want to disturb you two. Well, as you're reading this letter right now, i have to apologize to tell you that i am maybe already on my way back to my town. I have to save my pack. My mate. And i am truly, deeply sorry that i had to make a rash and bold decision to left my daughter with you. I'm sorry! I really do. I had to do it. I can't save my pack and my mate if she's with me. Her life will be in danger. I don't want to lose her. She's important to me, as well as my mate and my pack too. Please, i beg you Theo, please take care of her when i'm away for now. She's not much of a talker but she's a good girl, she will listen to you. I know it. I trust you. You're a good person, Theo. Last night was a proved. A bad guy won't help some stranger, a foreign werewolf at that on their on will. And you did it without thinking about your own safety, helping a foreign Alpha wolf and asking for nothing. Please, Theo. Please take care of Abigail for me. You're my only hope to keep my little girl from danger. I trust her with you. And for that, i will forever being indebt with you even if i die. And IF i die, please don't let her go. I know i'm asking too much from you. But, Abigail need to be safe and she need someone she can trust as she trust you, as i trust you now, and an accepting pack. I promise, i will fight and come back after i save my pack and my mate. I am really sorry for leaving and just explained you with this letter only."
- David. -
××××××××××××××××××××
Theo blinked in trance-like state. Speechless as his brain tried to make out of the meaning of the letter, processing the words over and over again until he felt a little bit dizzy. He tightly close his eyes, trying to take a deep breathed and calming his heart. What the fuck does David thinking? Leaving his own daughter in a stranger's care? They just met last night! For fuck sake! How old was she even?! What he was supposed to do with her?? He himself a homeless pathetic guy, how the fuck he's gonna take care of a little girl?? How could he just leaved his own daughter with a murderous, self-suicidal chimera?!!
As his thought all jumble out, he felt a small movement on his laps and flinched when he felt cold little hands cupping his cheeks. And all the sudden, his upcoming rage disappeared just like that as he opened his eyes and stared into a big doe, bright blue eyes.
"Momma?"
Abigail, now that he knew what her name was, looking at him with concerned and curiousity on her face. He have no idea why, but the touch has make his heart calm and something about that bright blue eyes staring at him make he felt something he couldn't interpreted but it's definitely not uncomfortable at all. Something about that blue eyes make him at ease somehow. All the question, self-doubting he has earlier immediately disappeared just like a black fog being cleared away by the strong wind. And he found himself with a chuckled, at her tiny pout as if she's waiting for him to answer her.
"I'm sorry little kid, but i'm not your momma. And your daddy just left you with me. What are we supposed to do now?" He brushed away the strands of her hair away from her small face and tucked it behind her ear. Taking her little hands in him. The twinkles eyes and bright smiles she gave him just blindedly pierced into his heart and he felt himself smiling and smitten at her cuteness. Already.
"Daddy?"
Abigail asked upon hearing at the mention of her father. Theo nodded while watching her expression turned confused.
"Yes, kid.. Your daddy left you with me. Are you gonna be okay with that? Do you want to stay with me while your daddy go save the world?" Theo couldn't stopped his gentle tone from slipping out while talking to her. Scooping her closer on his laps, for the first time in his life after the Dread Doctors and thr Hell things happened, he found himself truly and honestly smiling back at the little angel in his arms.
"Momma."
Abigail snuggles more into his arms, her face buried on his chest and she's hugging him with her small arms as she whispered the words with a relieved sighed. Theo just shakes his head in defeated chuckles. Well, as long as she's comfortable with him and doesn't throwing fits about the absence of her father, he decided that he's fine with this situation right now. At least, there's someone who actually like him with who he was right now.
And there's someone who actually trust him. Someone who has put his trust and hope in him. Thanking him in all his honesty for his help.
-I trust you.-
-You're a good person.-
-You're my only hope.-
That's all he need for now. And that's all he have to hold. And that's what he's going to do. He have a responsibility now. He's going to protect her with all his heart and not going to let anyone hurt her. Not under in his protection, under his watch.
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Liam mindlessly squashing down his cheese sandwich with his fingers when a sighed escaped frim his lips. Right now, he's having his lunch time with his Mason, Corey and Alec at the cafeteria while the other pack member scattered around the school doing their own business. Scott, Stiles, Lydia and Malia in the library finishing their final project for History projects, Nolan who apparently for some good reason being added into the pack sitting for his extra classes for Biology and Kira who suddenly back to Beacon Hills after her training ended with the Kitsune was somewhere with whatever club she joined. So, it left them four to hang out with each other. An now, they're missing another one boy from the group.
It's been five days since he'd heard from Theo after the pack night at Scott's. Ever since that night, Theo haven't replied to his texts or answered any of his calls. He'd almost went out to look for the chimera few nights before but decided against it, As he didn't wanted Theo to be more distant from him as he's already was.
"You know, the sandwich has done nothing wrong to be mushing into disgusting looking gooey like that, Liam." The look that Alec threw him as he's looking at the masterpieced Liam has been making in his mindless state make him rolled his eyes.
"Maybe i should turned you into a disgusting looking version of your already ugly ass if you mind your own business." Liam threw Alec a pieces of the sandwich he had messed earlier which happened to land exactly on top of his curly hair. He smirked when Alec yelp a 'Eww!' and threw him an angry glares.
"The fuck Liam! That disgusting!" Alec took a napkin from his lunch paper and shoved it into Corey's hand who has been laughing at the funny face he make and making the latter to help him getting rid of the insulting gooey that had landed on his hair. Corey took the napkin, still laughing at the swearing Alec has spew at Liam while helping the younger to clean his precious curly hair.
"Hey, you okay?" Liam felt Mason nudged his elbow on Liam's side gently. As he looked at his bestfriend's concerned face, he let out another sighed. He wanted to lie to them and saying that he's alright. But his worries and concerned about a certain absence chimera just couldn't stayed still anymore. Theo hasn't came to school since Monday and it doesn't help with his worries when the chimera didn't answered his calls and texts. It's Wednesday today, and it's normal for Liam to be worried about the well being of his friend, right? Well, excepted, Theo wasn't just a friend for him.
"I don't.. I tried calling and texting him but he just doesn't answered me. Should i go looking for him after school?" Liam asked his bestfriend. Knowing full well they're not going to like how much attention he has for the chimera. But at this point, he don't care anymore.
The first moment he has released Theo from the underground world, he doesn't even acknowledge of the older guy. Using him as their sources to help the pack to defeat the Wild Hunts and then the Hunters, he just able to accept the latter as their ally, nothing more. But then, after been fighting alongside the chimera together, what with Hayden's sudden leaving, he has grew more feeling toward Theo. Upon seeing how once a murderous chimera has changed so much and witnessing Theo taking Gabe's pain before he died, he'd confirmed that he has fallen for the guy completely. And all his wrong doings, his dark past has been forgiven just like that by Liam. Because he knew how much different Theo's right now. And it doesn't matter who he was, he's not the same murderous, manipulating chimera he used to be as the other claimed him to be.
He just not sure how to tell the chimera about his feeling though. So, slowly and deliberately, he tried to reach out to Theo as much as he could. Apparently, his much has became too much and Theo seems like he's slipping away from him. And Liam couldn't deal with that. As if knowing what he's thinking, Mason clasped his shoulder in comforting touch.
"Don't worry bro, he's not going anywhere. Just give him some times to cope with everything. The war has just ended, he need some times for himself too and no, you're not going anywhere after school. You have lacrosse practice today remember? Beside, this Saturday you're gonna see him." Liam was about to ask what's in Saturday but then he remembered that Scott always have pack night on Saturday just like before and he just nodded in silent. But still feeling unmotivated about his lacrosse practice either. He just mentally prayed that Theo won't forgot about this upcoming pack night, hoping that Theo would show up even though as days have gone by with him being mute on Liam.
"Dude, it's disgusting when you're all this sulky and brooding because your man decided to ignore your stuffing attention ass." Alec chimed in, oblivious or not, he just keep talking about Liam's feeling toward Theo like it was nothing to him. And stuffing? Excuse him for giving all his attention to a person he only wanted to give.
"Shut up, Alec. What do you know about feeling anyway? And it's not stuffing attention, you dumbass! It's call affection!" Liam glares at the youngest boy in their group. Narrowing his eyes as the curly hair boy just rolled his eyes.
"Oh, please~ how do you called it affection? Even i can see how awkward and confused he was whenever you're smothered him with your endless attention." Alec shoving few of the potato chips and talking while chewing. Liam make a disgust face at that.
"Chew with your mouth close, you smartass." Corey clasped his palm on Alec's mouth, earning a glare from the younger and pulled it away when Alec just rolled his eyes in answered.
"Well, i have to agree with Alec here. Liam, did you forgot how Theo used to be? How does he was growing up with the Dread Doctors? He was a cold-blood, heartless guy we've ever met. He's not used to get any affection from someone, teached by the Dread Doctors how to closed his heart from people so he won't get attached to anyone. Although i'm still not really sure about him now, i know he's not the same Theo he used to be. But, you have to remember, he's never be the receiving end of someone affection or attention before in his life. So, when you're suddenly giving your whole attention to him, it just make him restless. Clueless what he should feels or what he should do. Why not take it slow? Sure you can still give him some attention or affection, but just let it naturally happened? Don't force it on him. I'm sure, at some point, he's not gonna ran away anymore."
At Corey's words, Liam thought for a while. Letting the words playing in his minds, over and over again. Let it naturally happened? Would he able to do that though? Wasn't he being natural before? Or does he really forced his feeling on Theo without thinking? He's really mess up, wasn't he? Liam buried his face in his crossed arm on the table with an exasperated groaned, wallowing in his self-pity. He felt Mason's hand on his back, stroking gently in soothing gestures as Corey doesn't said anything more. The silent enveloped the four boys until Alec decided to open his smartass again, commenting.
"Well the point is, is Theo Raeken even into dick?"
Liam head shot up from his arms with horrorify look on his face as the realization dawned on him. Corey and Mason choked at nothinh, coughing while Alec just laughed at their reactions. He got up from the chair and stretching up his hands above his head, ignoring the glares from Liam and abashed looked from the couple.
"I suggest you confirm what he's into first before confessed your profound love to him, dude. So he won't run away for real next time." With that, Alec leaved the sputtered boys at the table, throwing away the sandwich wrapper and plastic bottles into the trashcan before exiting the loud cafeteria.
God! Liam has never thought about that before! The need to know about the chimera sexual interest has never crossed his mind ever. Fuck! Now he has other thing to figure out aside from Theo's feeling for him too!