Chapter Text
Scott is sitting on the edge of his bed with his head in his hands when the first of the texts come in. He has just gotten off the phone with Chris. The newest lead they had was a bust so there was no point in Scott coming on the road with him this time. Months and all they have to show are a handful of rumors and a pile of bodies that may or may not be connected to Monroe. Chasing her is like trying to grasp smoke. It feels impossible and Scott...needs a moment.
Another two texts come in with little pause between them, leaving the total at three. The alpha takes a deep breath. He lifts his head to search for his phone, which turns out to be seconds from slipping off the bed. He snags it just as a fourth text comes in and the vibrations send the phone over the edge. “What the heck, Liam?” Scott mumbles as he sees the string of increasingly longer texts. He thumbs to the beginning and only proceeds to get more confused.
Liam complaining about Theo is not a new occurrence. He receives those texts daily and generally along the lines of 'Theo is an asshole', and nothing more serious than that. The two of them seem friendly, and though Scott uses the term loosely at times, he thinks they do actually like one another.
The second and third texts make Scott wince between the wording and the typos. Liam is not angry yet, but he is definitely annoyed and on his way there. The smallest issues can set his beta off if he lets stress build-up, but Scott thinks Theo is to blame this time. Still, the context that is not being given leaves him bewildered.
The alpha groans and rubs his temple at the there-and-gone headache that forms and heals. At the fifth text, Scott gives in and scrolls through his contacts until he finds who he needs and presses call.
He picks up on the second ring. “You need something?”
“Hey, Theo. I got a bunch of texts just now from Liam-” Scott blinks in confusion as the chimera immediately begins laughing. It's a nice sound. Honest and amused. A sound that has the alpha relaxing as Theo begins to tell him what has the beta so wound up this time.
Stiles was apparently telling the truth that one time when he said Liam liked the scent of Theo's soap. The beta has apparently been hounding Theo on what brand it is, not caring if it is expensive or from the bargain bin so long as he can have it. Says that since becoming a werewolf the perfumes in soap make him sneeze, and the hypoallergenic ones have an off smell his wolf does not like.
And Theo, being Theo, refuses to tell him. “I don't want him to buy it all. And I find it funny. I also think he is lying about the reasoning.”
“You're serious?” Scott asks incredulously. His tone sets Theo off again, short giggling laughter that he never expected to hear from him. Scott smiles. “Theo.”
“If he would actually use his nose he could figure it out himself.”
“Do you really need to antagonize him?” The situation is funny, and while under normal circumstances Scott would allow it to play out so long as no fists were thrown, he is tired. If soul-weary was an actual diagnosis Scott believes he would have it.
“Need to? No. Want to? Well, obviously.” Theo laughs. “The little beta could stand to be knocked down a peg or two sometimes.”
Scott sighs. “Okay. Fine. Not for too long though. I do not want the Sheriff calling me about one or both of you being arrested over soap.” He rubs between his eyes and over the bridge of his nose against another fleeting headache. He blinks back spots when he opens his eyes. Since being on the road he is finding it difficult to sleep. All the problems they are in the midst of and cannot solve. The people that Monroe will hurt or convert to her cause, all the lives, like his, that will forever be changed. It weighs on him.
“Are you alright?”
“What? Yeah. I’m fine.” Scott grimaces. He does not sound fine.
“Okay. As you are clearly fine, allow me tell you what Corey informed me of the other day in passing.”
“When did you get on speaking terms with him?” Scott flops backward onto the bed and thinks about staying there but ultimately decides that werewolf or not, the position will harm his back. He scoots up the bed and curls on his side, arm pillowing his head and the phone.
“Since Liam is pissing everyone off the closer it gets to the full moon,” Scott does not need a video call to see the smirk the chimera will be wearing. The way it stretches the corner of his lips mischievously as his eyes crinkle and shine. Scott relaxes a little more into his bed and the knot, coiled tightly in his chest, loosens a little. “Corey wants to embarrass him into hiding for the next few days, I think.”
Scott rolls his eyes. Liam really needs to find an anchor or embrace whatever one he has now. There are times he thinks the beta has solid control, but if pointed out he flounders, and out come the claws and fangs. He wishes he had the time to spend with Liam on this, but with constantly leaving town Scott is simply too worn down. Scott will not be around forever so Liam needs to get it together.
“And you think his weird fixation on your soap is the blackmail material for this?” Scott yawns, closing his eyes again.
“Could be if I planned on giving it to Corey. I will find something else.” Theo’s voice takes on a strangely fond tone. Scott is happy that despite all their petty arguing there is genuine friendship, maybe deep down, but still noticeable. Theo adds in a few more situations Liam has gotten himself into as possible replacements but Scott loses track of them as his breathing slows. The phone begins to slide as his grip loosens.
“Scott?”
“Hmmm?”
“Go get some rest. I’ll talk to you later.” Theo’s voice sounds farther away, enough that he has to strain to hear it. He mumbles a reply but is already mostly asleep when Theo’s final words are said before he cuts the call.
“Take care, Scott. I—take care.”