Work Text:
Theo didn’t mean to check his phone at work—he really didn’t. But when he saw the notification, something in him always itched to know what Liam was up to. And there it was, a message from the bane of his existence, the clingiest werewolf on the planet and the love of his life.
i miss you. come over after work. take a nap with me.
Theo rolled his eyes so hard he was sure he’d sprained something. Who texted that in the middle of the day? Apparently, his boyfriend did.
He tapped out a reply: Wow, needy much? I have better things to do than getting drooled on by you in my free time.
Satisfied with his response, Theo shoved the phone back into his pocket, pretending that was the end of it. But they both knew he’d show up. He always did. Liam could ask him to climb Mount Everest or take on a pack of rogue alpha werewolves, and Theo would complain the entire time—but he’d still do it.
Because, despite all his grumbling, he was absolutely, hopelessly whipped.
—
When Theo finally arrived at the Dunbar-Geyer household, the door was unlocked. Again. He let himself in with a muttered grumble about how Liam’s parents were practically begging to be robbed one day (even though Theo knew any would-be thief would have to contend with an angry werewolf and an even angrier chimera) He kicked off his boots by the door an shrugged of his jacket. The sound of Liam’s heartbeat upstairs faint but unmistakable.
The living room was a freaking disaster—a lacrosse stick leaned against the couch at a precarious angle, Liam’s bag lay upside down in the middle of the floor, and a single sneaker had somehow managed to wedge itself under the coffee table. A sigh left Theo, and one hand came up to pinch the brige of his nose. “Unbelievable.”
With a huff, he grabbed the lacrosse stick and leaned it more securely against the wall. Then he crouched down and righted the bag, shoving the scattered books back inside. Unceremoniously, he snagged up the rogue sneaker and tossed it toward the front door. That would do.
This isn’t for him, Theo told himself firmly. I’m just making sure no one trips or breaks their neck. Definitely not because I don’t want Jenna yelling and waking him up. Nope. Not that. Not at all.
As he straightened up, his eyes landed on a lacrosse hoodie slung over the banister like it had been thrown in passing. He grabbed it with an exaggerated sigh, tossing it over is shoulder. “Can’t even hang up his clothes like a normal person,” Theo grumbled to himself as he trudged up the stairs.
At the top, he half-heartedly threw the hoodie onto a chair by the laundry room, barely caring if it stayed put. Better than lying around downstairs. Then, he pushed open the door to Liam’s room.
And froze.
Liam was face-planted on the bed, sprawled out in the most dramatic position possible. Limbs everywhere. His sweatpants were slightly crooked. His T-shirt bunched up, revealing a strip of his lower back. His socks barely on. And his hair looked like he’d been caught in an F5 tornado.
He was completely, utterly dead to the world.
Theo blinked, still taking in the scene. “This is pathetic, even for you,” he said loudly then, leaning against the doorframe.
Nothing. Not even a twitch.
“Really?” Theo tried again, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “This is the romantic nap you invited me to? You look like roadkill.”
Still no response. Theo stepped closer, crossing his arms as he surveyed the disaster on the bed. “You’re going to drown in your own drool like this, you know.”
Finally, Liam stirred. Slowly, he lifted his head like it weighed a hundred pounds. He blinked a bit confused but when his blue eyes landed on Theo, it was like someone had flipped a switch. A smile, so bright could’ve powered the sun, broke out on his face. “You came,” he rasped, his voice hoarse and full of that annoyingly sweet sincerity Theo could never handle.
Ugh, he hated how much Liam’s stupid happiness affected him.
“Yeah, well, someone has to make sure you don’t suffocate yourself in your pillow.” He grumbled and tried hard to look unimpressed.
But Liam’s smile somehow grew wider. He stretched out a hand toward Theo, his fingers curling in a clear invitation. “C’mere.”
Theo sighed heavily, as though the weight of the world had just been placed on his shoulders. Like crawling into bed with Liam was a heavy task instead of the highlight of his day. “You’re impossible, you know that?” he muttered, but he was already climbing onto the bed.
The moment Theo was within reach, Liam latched onto him like a starved koala. An arm was wrapped around Theo’s waist. His face buried against Theo’s chest with a content sigh. His entire body was melting into Theo’s like they were puzzle pieces designed to fit together.
“You smell so good,” Liam mumbled, his voice muffled by Theo’s shirt.
“I smell like motor oil and terrible life decisions.”
“Smells good to me,” Liam said, completely serious. His arm tightened around Theo like he was afraid the other boy might disappear. As if Theo would ever leave him.
“You’re actually hopeless,” Theo said, but his hand had already found its way into Liam’s hair. His fingers were combing through the messy strands. He hated how soft it felt... like silk sliding through his fingertips. Hated how his heart did that stupid fluttery thing whenever Liam sighed like he was the most content person in the world. Hated that he was so, so gone for this ridiculous werewolf.
“So this is the plan, Dunbar? You drool on me for an hour while I regret my life choices?” Theo asked, trying to hide how much Liam’s closeness and stupid sighs affected him.
Liam shifted, pressing himself even closer (which should’ve been physically impossible) His leg was hooked over Theo’s, and his arm tightened around Theo’s waist. Finger sprawling across Theo's skin.
“Yeah, this is nice,” Liam mumbled, already half-asleep again.
“You’re like a giant heat lamp,” Theo grumbled. “You’re suffocating me. I might die.”
“Shut up. You know, you love this,” Liam said, his words sleepy but confident. And before Theo could even muster up a retort, Liam leaned in and pressed a lazy, feather-light kiss to the corner of Theo’s mouth. Warm lips lingering for just a second.
Theo froze. His heart stumbled in his chest like a clumsy idiot. He was pretty sure his brain short-circuited. But Liam didn’t seem to notice. Or care. He just let out a pleased little hum, nuzzling his face into the crook of Theo’s neck.
For a while, the room was filled with nothing but the soft sound of Liam’s breathing and the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, strong and unshakable. Theo’s heartbeat slowed down to match Liam’s as he found himself relaxing more and more. Theo hated how much he loved this—being here, being needed, being Liam’s.
After a while of Theo's hand going through Liam's hair, he muttered. “You’re like a clingy golden retriever.” But his voice quieter was now. The edge of teasing softened.
“Better than being a grumpy alley cat,” Liam shot back without missing a beat, even though his words were slurred with sleep.
“If you drool on me, I’m leaving.”
Liam let out a soft laugh. His breath warm against Theo’s skin. Hs nose brushing against Theo’s collarbone as he nuzzled closer. As if he was claiming the spot as his own. “I love you,” he murmured.
Theo’s breath caught. Heartbeat sputtering. But he quickly masked it with a scoff. “You’re delirious.” But despite his words, his hand tightened slightly in Liam’s hair, and he pressed the faintest kiss to the top of Liam’s head.
Then he murmurded gainst Liam's hair,“Love you too, dumbass.” It was so low he wasn’t sure if the beta had even heard him. But then Liam’s lips curved into the faintest smile against Theo’s skin, and Theo knew he had.