Archive of Our Own ^beta

A few weeks before…

Somewhere in an alley of Beacon Hills, during a busy Saturday lunch, an entity appears out of thin air. 

“Oh wow!” Cupid exclaims with a surprised chuckle as soon as their feet touch the ground and they take their first breath in. “What a mess!” Fanning their nose with one hand, they dig into their old messenger bag in search of something. “You can really smell the tension in the air, uh? Where is… Ah!” 

Clutching an old 80s recorder and a small tube of minty ointment, Cupid quickly applies some of it above their upper lip and breathes out in relief when all they can smell is pure, unforgiving mint. Finally able to breathe, they press play on the old recorder. 

“...I don't usually do this but this is gonna be a lot of paperwork, I can tell.” They clear their throat and look around to make sure they’re still alone. “This is Cupid 3A-21. I just arrived in Beacon Hills, California. It's currently…” They struggle for a moment to keep the recorder close and look at their watch. The broken watch shows 2:35 pm and Cupid rolls their eyes. How many decades does it take for them to remember it's broken!? They spend another minute trying to find their phone in their messy bag. “It’s 1 pm on Saturday the second of June 2014. I'm en route for my assignment but I might stick around. There's more than just one job here.”

They press stop and roll their sleeves both literally and metaphorically. With a smile, they join the various people walking around town, immediately disappearing into the crowd.

Now…

“I'm not scared of him!”

“Yes, you are!” Theo scoffs. “You waited until he was gone to get in. Out of the two of us, you’re worried about the little veterinarian? I’m in the clinic too, but you waited until he left?” 

If Liam insists on spending his entire summer vacation lounging on a pile of bags of dog food and taking advantage of the clinic’s AC, then the least he could do is be his usual annoying self when Deaton is around so that Theo might catch a break once in a while!

Liam laughs, finally taking his eyes off his phone. “Right. I forgot. You're such a big scary monster, Theo Raeken.” 

Something squeezes in Theo's chest and he hates it! He hates how Liam has control over his body like that. Liam always says things that make his knees weaken, his face flush, and his mind spin. Can't Theo just get a grip and not care? Everything was so much easier when he didn't care!

Theo looks at the beta like he's an idiot and an imbecile. “I literally killed people.”

“Old news!” Liam chuckles, going back to his phone. “You lost all your street creds when you wiped that ketchup off my face the other day.”

“I thought it was blood! You just got into my truck with red stains on your face, what was I supposed to think? That you ate a hotdog three hours earlier?”

“Awwww. So you were worried about me?”

Fuck.

It's this new game Liam loooooves to play. It's the I-will-get-you-to-admit-you-care-about-me-even-if-I-have-to-put-the-words-in-your-mouth-and-gaslight-you-about-it game. Needless to say, Theo is not a fan. That mushy shit isn't supposed to be out in the open, it's never supposed to see the light of day. If anything, that soft part of himself should be tightly kept under lock and key… and then he should melt the key to make a dagger and stab anyone who dares come close.

That's what he should do and that's what he would do if Liam didn't allude to it every five minutes! Like… Can't a guy pretend to be heartless in peace?

Because, alright, yes, Theo is painfully aware that he likes Liam (his mind and his wolf sing his praise and lament his absence every day like some dramatic Greek chorus. It's actually so bad that Theo is almost desensitized to it (almost)) but he won't admit it out loud. Not even under torture! Why would he confess the fact that he worries when he doesn’t see Liam for a few days, that he's scared the beta has finally figured out that he’s a lost cause? Why would he admit that he only feels safe with Liam around, safety being such a new and ill-fitting concept to him that he's still not sure what to do with it? 

So for now, Theo stays away and keeps dodging Liam's forced attempt at a confession of friendship.

“I was worried about you getting blood in my car.” 

Liam shifts to better send him an unimpressed glance, the bags of dog food rumbling in the process. “That's a shit reply. Want me to give you some time to come up with a better one?”

Theo flips him off before he continues sweeping.

“I love that you're comfortable enough to share your true feelings with me,” Liam says with a pleased and almost smug smile. 

Theo tenses and his reply is a beat too late. “I just told you to fuck off.” 

“Thanks for clarifying, that's very nice of you.” 

Oh yeah, that's new too. The fucking compliments.

It's driving him insane!

Liam’s big bright smile. His happy chemosignals. The weird tone Theo thought was sarcasm at first because it couldn't possibly be anything else… When Liam started doing this game – torture! – a month or two ago, he genuinely thought Liam was kidding. But no. Theo listens each time and the beta's heartbeat never skips, stutters, or stumbles in any way. And there's this warm look in his eyes that Theo doesn't get. Not yet at least. Liam just keeps… complimenting him and saying soft shit like that out of nowhere. It always leaves Theo breathless, unable to deal with any of it. Like now, his mind is screaming, utterly confused. He doesn't know what to do with himself. So he keeps on sweeping, hoping he won't implode.

No one has ever told him he was nice before.

The door chime rings softly in the store and Theo is deeply relieved for the distraction. As he walks towards the front of the clinic, the relief twists into a certain sense of apprehension. He could've sworn he locked the door and there aren't supposed to be any deliveries or appointments today since Deaton took the afternoon off. Theo simply hopes it's not an emergency. 

Looking around a bit helplessly, a person barely older than him walks towards the counter. Their extra tight brown curls are pulled back by a red bandana and their presence shines in the cold waiting room like a beacon of calm familiarity. That being said, with stylish baggy clothes, and a worn out messenger bag, Theo thinks that, if he’d met someone with such an identifiable style before, he would remember. Maybe. Probably not actually. Anyway, what really stands out is that the person doesn't have an animal with them. 

“Hi, can I help you with something?” The words are weird in Theo’s mouth. He's not used to doing customer service.

Their round face lights up when they finally spot someone else in the store but it still takes them a few more seconds to speak. “Oh wow… I didn't expect… Are you the veterinarian?”

Theo frowns. Great, it's not just a customer, it's a stupid customer. 

“No?” he says with his teenage voice, frowning his teenager eyebrows and placing his teenager body behind the counter. 

“Right,” they chuckle, “sorry, of course. It's just I came in here and I didn't expect someone um…” They give him a warm smile that extends to their rich brown eyes. Oh, Theo knows this smile. He has used it on many people in the past when he needed them to fall for him very quickly. But that customer got the wrong guy for that kind of thing. His mind is already too full with his Liam mess for that kind of smile to have any effect. “Anyway, do you work here?”

Theo blinks at them and then looks down at the name tag he's wearing. It's a small little metal tag Alec gifted him to congratulate him for getting the job. It's nothing fancy, just "Theo" engraved on it and then Liam added "DORE" with a sharpie about a month ago when he wasn't looking. To this day, the beta still denies doing it. 

The customer follows his eyes and chuckles at the name tag and at the two obvious questions they just asked.

“Uh. Theodore. Cute name.” 

Liam has never got off his phone or on his feet so quickly. Theo doesn't have time to blink that the beta is placing himself between the customer and him. 

“What's going on here?!” 

Theo rolls his eyes. Liam doesn't even work here yet he acts like he's the manager? The person softens and, although both boys aren't sure how, the expression immediately puts them at ease. For a second, they both forget the weird exchange and relax.

“Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know you were with someone,” they say, giving a quick nod to Liam. 

Right. That.

“And I'm at work?” Theo says with an attitude. Anything is better than the needy and pitiful "I'm with someone? " stuck in his throat.

Liam cuts him off, not paying attention to him, far too focused on the obvious threat in the clinic. “That's right, so maybe… state your business and then go away?” Liam clumsily asks, trying to look confident as he glares at them with a low fury.

Annoyance settles in his bones and he’s ready to call Liam out on his poor machismo act when Theo realizes Liam didn't deny the customer’s claim. Looking at him, Theo's mind starts to spin and he feels a dangerous warmth over his face. Panicking as he tries to smother all the weird sensations rising in his body, Theo doesn’t spot the potential client smirking when they glance in his direction. 

“I just lost my cat and I thought maybe someone brought it here,” they say, more to calm Liam’s rage than to appease Theo’s curiosity at this point. 

“And that couldn't have been a phone call because…?” 

“Alright, Liam, calm down.” Theo pushes him back and turns to the person. “No, we didn't get any lost cat.” He takes a piece of paper and a pen and hands them over to the person. “Just write your name and number here and we'll call you if we do.” 

Liam gives him a face and gasps lightly like Theo just betrayed him. 

After they’ve finished writing their contact info, Liam immediately leans towards the paper, crashing his entire side against Theo’s just to read what they wrote.

“'Cupid'? Really?” Liam asks, unconvinced. 

Cupid shrugs as they walk back to the door. “As good a name as any, right, Liam?” 

The terror is visible in Liam’s eyes and he suddenly isn’t sure he wants them to leave so fast. “How do you know my name?” 

Cupid chuckles and finally leaves, the door closing with a gentle wind behind them. 

Theo sighs, pushing Liam away to gain back a sense of personal space. 

“I just said it! Now, can you please calm down?” the chimera groans, heading towards the backroom once more. 

“I'll make you calm down!” Liam says through gritted teeth. 

With a genuine laugh, Theo asks, “What do you mean by that, uh? Listen to yourself for one second, though guy!” 

Liam pushes him childishly before going back to his previous spot on top of the bags of food. Although he tries to change his mind by going back to playing on his phone, he can’t help but drift into thought. Theo knows this because Liam has that deep frown he only wears when he's thinking real hard. Like a freaking cartoon character! Theo guesses that, by the time he comes back with the mop, Liam will be done pondering but no, he's still frowning dramatically. What a thought it must be!

Finally, after five minutes, Liam decides to share what he’s been oh so solemnly ruminating about. 

“That was weird, right?” 

“You were weird,” Theo tells him, moping the floor, glad that he’s almost done for the day. 

“Well, I'm not just gonna let someone harass you at your workplace!” 

Theo would hardly call that harassment. 

“I can handle myself…” Theo scoffs. A moment passes and Theo entirely blames his next words on the warm feeling in his chest, the way Liam is looking at him with a slight pout, and the beta’s complimentary mind games twisting their way into his brain. He clears his throat, unsure if he wants to say anything at all. “But thanks for the backup.” 

Shit. Theo feels goosebumps but he tries to tell himself it’s out of disgust. Why would he say that?! His own words are making himself cringe so he can’t begin to wonder how Liam is gonna react. In the quick second he allows himself to glance at Liam, he can spot his wide eyes and a shy smile. Theo immediately brings his eyes down on the floor, wiping hard at an imaginary stain.

“Well… you're welcome,” Liam says cheerfully before he goes back to his phone, still smiling.

Theo keeps glancing at him and especially at the persistent smile on the beta's lips. He can't help it. At least, he tries to make it subtle. 

Although Theo normally tries to stay away from pack nights, Liam was already with him when they received the text about the last-minute plan so he can’t quite pretend that “his phone was dead” or that he “forgot to look at his phone” like he usually does. The beta practically drags him to Scott’s house, monitoring his every move in the car to make sure he doesn’t try to fool Liam and head home instead. Liam even steals his keys as soon as the engine is turned off. 

Theo sighs but follows Liam inside Scott’s house. 

Of course, since they all see each other almost every day despite it being summer and therefore don’t have much to update each other on, Liam eventually “has” to tell them about the “weird” exchange at the clinic even if Theo rolls his eyes the whole time because Liam describes the person like some sort of monster. The only person buying a ticket for the Paranoia Train is Stiles though… not that it needs anyone else to become a whole thing! 

“What if it's like THE Cupid?” Stiles exclaims with a powerful voice, eclipsing every other small talk happening in the room.

“Wow, I'm scared,” Lori replies sarcastically. 

“Well, that's exactly what everyone said when we got that unicorn last summer!” Stiles adds, not one bit deterred. “And guess what happened? It was the creepiest motherfucking thing I've ever seen and certainly not a horse!”

Most of them nod with a shudder. 

“Or maybe it's just someone who lost their cat and has a weird name,” Theo says, taking on the role of Common Sense if no one else is willing to do so. 

Liam scoffs. “Wow, just say so if you want to call them!” 

“What? When did I say that, uh? Did I say that?” 

“No, but that's what you implied when-” 

Theo, still staring at Liam with a baffled expression, doesn’t even let him finish. “I told you to stop interpreting, Liam, you're not good at it!” 

“I got an A in English, bitch!” 

Theo rolls his eyes. “Two years ago, idiot!” 

“No!” Stiles stops them both. “No bickering today! I'm so done with you two!” 

Sharing a twin puzzled look, Theo and Liam frown at him. 

Stiles laughs at their incomprehension quite mockingly. He looks at the others in the room and everyone nods at him, silently agreeing with him and giving Stiles the push to carry on calling out the bickering duo. 

“You guys fight all the damn time, it's exhausting!” 

“No, we don't!” Liam exclaims, offended that Stiles would even suggest that Theo and him aren’t on good terms.

“Raise your hand if you’re tired of hearing them bicker!” Stiles asks the room and everyone raises their hand besides Scott who fell asleep on the couch thirty minutes ago. “See?” 

Crossing his arms, Theo leans back against the couch with a slight pout. Liam, on the other hand, makes sure to give a significant side-eye to everyone in the room. 

But they both shut up.

The group continues talking about the potential Cupid situation for a few minutes before the conversation naturally diverts to other far more normal things like the faes Derek and Chris are hunting in a nearby city and the soon-to-be full moon! 

Everyone seems distracted and, for once, they all decide to head back home early. Liam and Theo barely add anything to the small talk, simply staying seated on their couch and looking bored. It’s once they’re in Theo’s truck that they start talking again.

“We never argue!” is the first thing Liam exclaims in the car, almost as if he’d been restraining himself from saying it all night.  

“Or just a little but so does everyone else!” Theo adds with just as much energy. God knows he had time to come up with arguments while he wasn't listening to the pack’s pointless discussion.

“Exactly! It’s not bad! We're like the best of friends.”

Theo clears his throat. “Well…”

Liam slowly turns to look at him, his anger finally gaining a target. “The fuck you mean ‘well…’?”

“I mean, you make it sound like we’re best friends.” Theo’s voice is heated but it’s only because Liam's tone is very pointed. “Mason is your best friend.” 

“Okay, but I'm obviously your best friend!” 

Theo scoffs and lets the silence drag on just to get back at Liam for using the term "obviously".

Liam continues staring at him, his face morphing into a shocked and offended expression. Theo can almost see the exclamation points around his tilted face. 

“Who the hell else could possibly be your best friend, uh? Who? You never hang out with- Wait… Alec? Are you serious right now? You like Alec more than me?” 

“You know when I told you that sometimes you pick fights with yourself? This is one of those times.”

“No, no, no, we are having a fight. Don’t try to squirm your way out of it. And just say that I’m your best friend, it’s literally no big deal.” 

Theo tries really hard to suppress a smile as he mutters, “Seems to me like it’s a big deal to you…”

As his only answer, Liam growls at him. When that doesn’t get a reaction out of Theo, Liam continues pushing. “Why can’t you say it, uh? Just say it!”

“We’re not in third grade anymore, why does it matter?” 

He turns the wheel and puts the car in park after carefully stopping behind Jenna’s minivan. Theo has never been more grateful to be at Liam’s house.

“Because you’re being stubborn. It won't kill you to say that you care. You show it to us all the time, why can't you admit it too?”

The chimera turns the motor off and glares at him with a bitch face. “I’m being stubborn?” 

Liam stares at him with both eyebrows raised and it’s clear he won’t budge. He’s expecting one little sentence and he won’t get out of the car until he hears it. Theo sighs. He doesn’t want to wait here all night, in Liam’s parking lot, and he knows Liam has the patience of a saint when it's time to prove his point.

“Fine!” Theo shouts. God, he hates the tension in his stomach. “You win, Liam. You're my best friend.” His jaw is tight as he exhales angrily through his nose.

A bit delayed by shock, Liam’s face gradually changes into a big smile that he continuously and unsuccessfully tries to keep small as giddiness overwhelms him. He shifts a little bit in his seat in happiness, probably enjoying the exhilaration of victory. Theo looks away, almost annoyed by the warm sensation blooming in his chest. He sighs angrily again and turns to face forward, his hands going back on the steering wheel by reflex alone. They're completely stopped.

“I like you too,” Liam says happily as if Theo couldn’t tell how much the statement delighted the werewolf. It’s not as if sweet notes of glee were already seeping into every atom of the truck! Liam is the only one who can make a whole room smell happy in a matter of seconds. “And you’d be my best friend but sadly Mason already occupies that position.”

“Oh no, what shall I do?” Theo whines, faking a heartbreak while rolling his eyes.

Liam continues staring at him with a big smile and a light chuckle. “Well, you’ve got a special place too…” Theo’s eyes are wide open but he makes sure not to turn towards Liam. “…as my chauffeur.”

“Liam, get the fuck out of my truck!” 

Liam’s laugh booms into the car and continues outside once he puts his feet on the ground.   

“See you tomorrow!” he tells Theo with the same delighted tone.

“Not if I murder you first,” Theo mutters under his breath, hating how flushed he feels.

This is exactly why Theo doesn’t like pack nights. They were all together, all chatting and basically doing nothing two days ago, why do they have to see each other for a pack “meeting” now?! Why is there a difference between a pack meeting and a pack night? Can’t they squeeze some business between pizza and movies?

And it's not like they're accomplishing anything either on this pack “meeting”! Mason and Corey aren't paying attention to anything that isn't each other, Brett isn't even here, and Stiles, Lori, and Scott are on their phones, texting nonstop! They all have dumb little grins and there's a vague scent of giddiness slowly overpouring the room. Besides Morey whispering, it's just a Big Silence and Alec, Theo, and Liam giving each other side glances.  

“I'm loving this quality time, guys!” Alec exclaims at a roomful of people not listening to him.

“…Cue the boomer comment,” Liam says with an amused sigh. 

“If someone doesn't stop looking at their phone, I'll start maiming people!” Theo snarls. He's so fucking done with these things! He didn’t even want to be here!

“Well, the essence of it still works.” Liam shrugs before snatching a paper from Alec's notebook and crumbling it into a ball.

Alec gasps. “That's drawing paper, asshole! Do you know how pricey that is?”

Liam throws the ball right at Stiles' face and the young man's little grin immediately vanishes.

“What?!” Stiles barks, bringing a hand to where he was just hit. 

“Can the ‘meeting’ part of the ‘pack meeting’ start?” Liam asks lazily and with great exasperation.

Stiles frowns but, as he looks around, he suddenly realizes where he is and what's happening (or supposed to be happening).

Stiles clears his throat before he says with a much calmer voice, “Well, we should wait for Derek. He just came back from his mission with Argent.”

“When is he gonna be here?” Theo asks because he’s not waiting another hour for nothing.

“Maybe…” Stiles mumbles. “Maybe an hour, no more than that…. Hopefully.”

Alec, Liam, and Theo all whine. 

“It should already be over!” Theo groans.

“Derek should be involved and he'll need the information to-”

“Then just fill him in later.” Liam rolls his eyes. 

Stiles blinks at them for a few seconds like he hadn't thought of that. He smiles to himself for a moment, obviously in thoughts. 

“Oh. Right, of course, I can do that. Yeah, I guess I'll have to do that.”

Theo sends an irritated glance towards Liam just like he does every time he gets tired of Stiles’ obvious pining. Liam gives him a small grin and pushes him gently. Of course, Liam is supportive of Stiles’ crush on Derek! Every time the sour wolf is in town, Stiles forgets his mother hen ways and finally lets the beta breathe! 

“Alright, people, phones down!” Stiles starts shouting in the silent room. “Scotty, close that- Are you texting Malia? You got that handsome yet clueless smile when you’re talking to a girl. Why isn’t she here? She’s supposed to be here! It’s a mandatory meeting!” Stiles sighs, getting his agenda out and about four different types of pens from god knows where. He suddenly thinks of something and then turns towards his best friend. “She knows what mandatory means, right?” he asks genuinely.

“She does, she’s just in Canada,” Scott tells him.

“Doing what?!” Stiles exclaims but he doesn’t get an answer. Scott just shrugs apologetically like he can’t be of more help. 

“...probably avoiding this,” Lori says with a sigh as she finally puts down her phone, the last one to do so. 

“Sounds nice. Might suddenly leave for another country too next time we have a meeting…” Theo mumbles under his breath, opening his calendar app on his phone.

“Take me with you,” Alec begs him.

“If I have to be here, you have to be here,” Liam warns them with fire in his eyes. “It’s called being good friends,” he tells them like they might not know this.

“Mason asked if he could skip it and you said ‘no worries’!” Alec points at Mason, basically doing a j’accuse bit. 

“It’s called best friend privileges,” Liam says with a smile. “And look! Here he is because he’s such a good friend and he put his own feelings aside to support-”

“Corey begged me to come. Otherwise, I would’ve skipped it,” Mason tells him with a slightly shameful smile. “I do not like patrols! That three days in the woods with that lamia was it for me!”

“Buddy, there’s no ‘it’ around here,” Stiles says, uncapping his highlighter with his mouth and making the tip of it fly through the air before he catches it with his hand. “It’s just the fear talking. All we got to do is put you through another life-threatening situation as soon as we can and you’ll completely get over it! Alright, so, can I put you up for first patrol this week? Yeah? Yeaaaaah, you’re up for it!”

On the agenda today is basic planification. This means they’re planning patrol schedules for the summer as well as pack nights, taking an inventory of everyone who’s in town (and who isn’t), who to call if there’s a problem and updating everyone’s contact info. They’ve done this sort of thing enough times now that they’ve become bizarrely efficient at it. There are no more comments, no more attitude. There’s a cold air of professionalism in Melissa’s living room as a bunch of very young adults stare at their calendars, noting things down and voicing some scheduling conflicts here and there. Sure, they look like a bunch of secretaries but this stage is crucial. This is how they make sure things run as smoothly as possible for the next few months. Besides, they only have to do this 3 or 4 times a year!

Time goes by fast when you’re working hard and, before Stiles can even declare this session over, most of the room swarms out and, in the blink of an eye, it’s yet again just Theo, Alec, and Liam in the living room. Everyone ran out.

“Am I missing something?” Alec asks, looking around them at the now empty room. “I'm always the last one to know things.”

“I’m sure it’s nothing,” Liam says more to be comforting. He thinks it's really weird too. 

“I told you,” Theo says to Alec with an eye roll, “don’t wait for people to tell you things. Find out on your own.”

“Easy for you to say! Liam is always with you and he can’t keep a secret for shit.”

Liam gets his claws out as a warning. “I’m on your side, Matsakis, don’t push me,” the beta growls and challenges him with a pointed look before he leaves. 

Theo sighs at Alec's still confused expression. “You’re the youngest so go do some puppy eyes to someone who won’t be able to resist them.” But Alec still isn’t getting it. “Stiles! Jesus, Alec. Ask Stiles. He literally calls you his ‘pure little baby’.”

“Well, yeah, but he does that to most people,” Alec says before turning towards Theo with a smug grin. “Wait, is that how you get info out of Liam? Puppy eyes?”

Theo pushes him with force before getting on his feet and leaving. “And learn to pick your battles!”

The next few days are pretty much the same. All their friends disappear for a few hours at a time, they spend their days glued to their phones, or they’re too busy being their coupley selves to pay any attention to anyone else. Not one for spending time alone, Liam annoys Theo twice as much as usual since he can't go irritate his best friend for a change. 

Theo puts on a show of expressing how much he's pissed about it but, in a dangerous turn of events, it only makes Liam smile. 

Another bullet hits Liam.

Running through the forest breathlessly, Theo and Liam try to outrun what is hopefully only three hunters. Theo neglects speed so he can turn and look at Liam who seems okay despite taking hit after hit. Theo would punch him for trying to be the hero if they weren’t literally running for their lives.

He doesn’t know how he does it but Liam keeps moving and protecting him before Theo can even see the arrow or the bullet. This never happens! Theo always makes sure that he’s always the one taking the hit! And now everything is slipping out of control. 

Fingers shaking, Theo grips Liam’s coat and pulls him behind a gigantic rock so they can hide and catch their breaths. He doesn’t know how bad Liam is hurt or how long he’ll be able to keep up. There’s nothing gentle or caring in the way Theo pins the beta against the boulder. Gripping him firmly, angrily, violently, Theo’s hold turns even tighter when he sees blood flowing from all of his wounds. Almost like they waited for Theo to look at them to finally open and spill. 

Theo can’t hold back his panic anymore. “Stop it! You need to stop!”

Flashes of a memory spill into his vision and he’s not in the forest with Liam anymore, he’s lying on Deaton’s examination table, barely conscious and overridden with wounds he took to protect Liam. Confused and lost, it takes him a while to remember that this took place two months ago when they fought that pack of werepanthers.

Eyes filled with tears and glowing bright gold, Liam digs his claws into Theo’s arm. “Stop it!” Theo and Liam’s voices mix for just one sentence. “I won’t let you do it anymore, okay? Theo!” 

“Liam!” 

Back in the forest, the sound of gunshots makes his ears split. Theo holds him closer.

“I can take care of my own!” Theo says, his desperation making his throat too tight to really shout. His claws are digging holes in Liam’s vest. 

“But you don’t need to,” Liam says with a small grin and an open softness in his eyes. 

Theo panics and trips as he steps backwards, away from Liam, hoping that it might stop his heart from cramping painfully. 

Tripping on a rock, Theo doesn’t fall on the ground, he falls through the air for multiple seconds, making him even more nauseous when his back hits the unforgiving metal of the clinic’s examination table. Again, Liam is losing it by his side, tears running down his angry red cheeks. Closing his eyes as if to escape the sight, Theo’s heart bangs in his ribcage and he can’t seem to catch his breath. When he opens his eyes again, it’s Liam who’s on the table and Theo is standing uselessly next to him. Liam’s shirt is in bloody tatters and Theo can’t even move. It feels like all of his organs are being twisted and he can’t breathe. He doesn’t make a sound. He can’t. Liam’s heartbeat is so quiet, a simple exhale would drown the faint thumping. 

Reality keeps slipping and, for a moment, it’s Liam who’s standing next to the table in the exact same spot he was before, feeling the exact same way. Theo wants to scream, his brain cracking and collapsing from the glitching. One second he’s breathless by Liam’s pale body and, the next, he’s lying on the table, barely conscious enough to hear Liam’s sobbing.

Liam’s angry whispering sends empty shockwaves against his cold cheek and he tries to hold on to the meaning but these are words he doesn’t remember hearing. “You don’t need to fight as if you’re alone anymore. I’m here now. So please, stop it with the whole martyr thing! Just stop it!” 

He hears his own scream into it. He’s back to being by Liam’s body and he feels dread and a kind of immense and debilitating sadness overpouring his little body as he listens to Liam’s heartbeat vanish into nothing. Just a few thump…

thump…

thump…

thu- 

Theo jerks awake, panting. 

Shaking from the goosebumps on his sweaty skin, Theo struggles to get out of the mess that is his sheets. Only when he can freely move does he finally begin to catch his breath. He still feels like he’s in two places at once but he's finally brought back to reality when he hears someone banging at his door. It takes him a few seconds more to understand where he is and that everything is okay. It was just a nightmare. He's in his apartment. Everything is fine. 

“Theo! C’mon, I know you’re not sleeping, you never sleep!” Liam continues banging at his door. 

With a groan, Theo gets up from his overheated sheets to gladly walk away from his bed and whatever that was. He takes the bottom of his shirt and wipes a bit of the sweat on his face. He wants to be pissed at Liam for waking him up the one time he managed to fall asleep but he’s too relieved the nightmare is over for the emotion to hold. 

Theo finally opens the door, not even sparing a glance at the beta. “How could I sleep when I have to babysit your ass 24/7?” His tone doesn’t hold the same fake botheredness but it’s as close as he can make it considering what he just went through.

Liam, soaking wet from the rain, groans as he makes his way into the apartment, splashing water everywhere and his shoes making a squeaking racket. He doesn’t deign to answer Theo’s comment, probably because he knows it’s not entirely false. 

“When are you gonna give me a key?” Liam exclaims, making himself at home and leaving wet footprints all over the floor on his way to the bathroom where he unabashedly steals a towel to dry his hair and his face. As if Theo didn’t have superhearing that could make up for the short distance, Liam decides to scream the next thing he says. “I always have to wait for you to open the door!”

“Maybe because I don't want you to come in before I open the door?” he mumbles, rubbing his eyes with a yawn.

“Wow, not acting suspicious at all, Theodore, good for you.” Liam walks back to him just to nudge him in the side with a laugh and an eye roll. “Nice pajamas by the way,” the beta teases, opening the fridge to get himself an energy drink. 

Theo frowns before he looks down. It’s an extra large t-shirt of a wolf howling at the moon and some fluffy pants with sheeps on it. 

He likes the dichotomy of it all. 

The chimera stole both of them from people back when the Ghost Riders made breaking and entering a whole lot easier. 

He sighs. “Thanks.”

Since there’s practically a hurricane outside, they silently agree to spend the day inside. Liam doesn’t even pretend to have something else to do or to have a reason to be there. Theo thinks he should start asking Jenna for money for all the babysitting. At least to cover the food and drinks! Without even asking Theo if it’s alright with him, Liam opens the pack’s Netflix account on the TV (to be fair, it’s Derek’s TV since the apartment came fully furnished) and lies down on his (Derek’s) couch and starts bitching about the AC not working super well. 

Theo tries very hard to be annoyed and angry at him but he knows very well how comforted he is by Liam’s presence. Also, it’s a welcomed distraction from the nightmare he just experienced. Seeing Liam and having him close reminds him that it really was just a dream. So he knows he’s calmer for it. Not as… untethered and intangible. On days when he doesn’t work, it’s hard to find a reason to get out of bed. So yeah, he’s relieved he’s got an irritating and irritated beta to take care of. Again, not that he'd say anything out loud.

Theo sits down on the couch next to him and steals a few sips of the energy drink Liam took from his fridge. Of course, Liam acts revolted. 

They watch three episodes of Peaky Blinders and it would've been more if Liam didn't press pause to start a rant on the popularization of cigarettes in the 1920s and how Freud and his nephew were consulted so the product would be marketable to women. 

And Theo listens to all of it, trying really hard not to have too many stars in his eyes. The thought of stopping Liam doesn't even cross his mind once. All he does is ask a few questions because he can see how it delights Liam before he starts yet another few minutes of monologue. 

It’s barely 3 pm when Liam decides it’s dinnertime and asks Theo for something to eat. As if he can’t make himself some food! Theo rolls his eyes but gets up. 

“Don’t act like you’re not hungry too, I can hear your stomach grumbling from here. Did you even eat breakfast?”

Theo frowns. “You woke me up,” he says yet again. It's not his fault Liam doesn't believe him.

“Why didn’t you eat breakfast?” Liam asks, now annoyed at him.

Theo shuts up because, if he’s gonna make Liam Dunbar dinner, he surely won’t do it while answering his endless series of questions. 

“You didn’t even drink water! You know you’re partly human and you have basic needs, right?”

Theo smirks. Alright, maybe they do bicker a little bit. 

Just a healthy amount. 

Liam gets up to join him but it’s not like he’s really helping. He just watches him as he cuts some vegetables and steals a few freshly cut bell peppers. 

“I’m actually relieved to see that you have some food in your fridge, I was anticipating maybe baking soda and a few jars with the tongues of your enemies or something.”

Theo flashes him a smile. “No, I keep those in the freezer.” 

“Ahhhh…” Liam nods with a smile. There’s a glint of amusement in his eyes and Theo has to look away to focus back on the very complex and attention-seeking task of cutting mushrooms. “Is that where you keep your brain as well?” Theo has to look back up. Judging by Liam’s tone, there’s a second part to this bad joke. “It’ll take a while for the pasta to cook if you don’t turn the burner on.”

Theo looks back at the stove and sighs before turning it on. He gets back to his cutting. “I can cook by myself, Liam.”

Liam’s voice is soft when he gets on his feet to stir the sauce and says, “Yeah, but I’m here now.”

Theo freezes at the words and how they echo his dream. He stops breathing, scared that he’ll realize that he’s still dreaming or, worse, that Liam somehow knows what he saw in his sleep. He can't breathe but his hands still continue chopping and chopping and chopping and why would Liam say that !? The sharp pain of the knife slicing the skin of his finger snaps him out of it. 

“Shit!” Theo says because he's getting blood on the vegetables. 

Liam doesn’t waste a second and he immediately takes his injured hand with both his hands and guides him over the kitchen sink. Before it can even heal, Liam is taking his pain as he lets a gentle drip of warm water clear all the blood. It’s almost nothing. It heals in five seconds but Liam made sure that Theo didn’t feel any of it.

I’m here now.

Liam looks at the closed wound, handling Theo’s hand as if he had taken it so many times before, and a part of Theo breaks. A part of him, blaringly loud, suddenly thinks, god I’ll miss you. 

The thought surprises him but he feels his heart squeeze as he thinks of the inevitable future where they’ll separate ways and probably never see each other again… and Theo has never been certain of anything in his life but he knows that missing Liam will be closer to a type of grief. He knows with utmost clarity that whatever part of himself he managed to build back up since he came back from hell will inevitably crumble that day.

“You okay?” Liam asks, his voice low and concerned.

No. Theo has trouble breathing, trouble standing, trouble speaking. He nods but doesn’t take back his hand. He lets it in Liam’s for as long as he’ll have it. And it feels pathetic but there’s this pain he can’t place inside of him and he doesn’t want to be alone with it.

Liam gives him a worried little smile. “How about I finish everything, okay? You can pick the movie!”

Again, Theo nods and he follows Liam when he gently leads him to the couch. When Liam lets go of him, everything is suddenly easier and harder all at the same time. 

Theo scrolls mindlessly through Liam’s Netflix profile and tries to forget about everything else.

He can smell longing on his own skin. 

Theo isn't sure how Coach managed to get the team to play a charity game in the summer or if it's legal at all but he figures that this town has definitely seen worse! Waiting for Alec, Corey, and Liam in the parking lot, Theo is trying to figure out if it wouldn’t make more sense for him to wait in the car. He doesn’t want them to think that he watched the game. Mason gave the lift to the game so all Theo has to do is bring them back home. He didn’t have to be there and actually watch the game. Although, he did. He did watch the game. From a distance. But those three are too soft-hearted and they would make a big deal out of it so… no one has to know.  

Thankfully, it’s a sunny late afternoon so Theo isn’t as annoyed as he would usually be, waiting endlessly for them to get their things and regroup. In the meantime, he tries to enjoy the sun and the silence which he knows won’t last long.

“Good game, uh?”

Theo, who was resting his eyes for a few seconds, jerks awake and immediately looks for the person who just talked, disturbed by the fact that he didn’t hear them walk up to him. 

“What?” he says before he can even see them and, when he does, he’s a bit uncomfortable.

It’s that stupid customer again.

“I said ‘good game, uh?’” they repeat cheerfully.

“I don’t know, I just got here,” Theo groans, trying to be as unfriendly as possible. He even makes a show of leaning back against the hood of his truck and closing his eyes again. They’re not fully closed but he wants this “Cupid” to leave him alone.

“That’s not true, I saw you watch the game from the side of the bleachers,” they say, a laugh in their voice like Theo is being silly. 

Theo just hums. He doesn’t want this conversation to continue and, honestly, he’s one small talk line away from screaming. He’s not paid to be nice now!

“You actually looked like you were hiding. Someone you don’t want to talk to on one of the teams? If so, why are you still here?”

“What are you, a cop?” Theo asks angrily, biting his tongue not to say anything worse. He looks towards the building. No sign of any of the Three Stooges. 

Cupid walks closer to be in front of him and Theo stops pretending to be comfortable. A wind hits him from the side and he feels goosebumps on his skin. Something churns in his stomach and he tenses on instinct even if… looking at them… nothing seems dangerous. Actually, Theo could easily fight and knock them out if need be. So why are there several alarms in his mind? 

Again, he looks around but, this time, it’s more to check for back-up than because he’s getting impatient. 

“Not a cop!” Cupid exclaims with a bright smile but it only makes Theo panic even more although he’s still not sure why. “But I do love a good puzzle. Let me give you an example. Let’s say a guy keeps repeating and repeating to his friend that he won’t help him paint his room. Something about him changing the color of his walls every six months. And yet the same guy goes and picks up the right paint and does most of the work the very next day. Isn’t that strange? Why would he do that?”

His mind starts to spin but Theo tries to stay calm. Maybe this is just the rambling of a weird person. Maybe it’s a coincidence that this is something he did two weeks ago for Liam.

“Another example! Someone spends days refusing to drive his friend to some concert a few towns over. The friend ends up asking someone else to take him and yet, this guy drives two hours just to make sure that they’re okay at the concert. Two hours to get there and two hours to get back. Just to get a glance at them being okay. He didn’t talk to them and he never told them he went. Puzzling, am I right?” Cupid breaks into a smile that’s starting to look less and less friendly and more sinister with each new second. 

Shit! Does he have a stalker? He had a stalker this whole time and he didn’t notice!? That’s embarrassing… Although, not as embarrassing as when he’ll have to tell Liam that he was right and that that customer was a weirdo!

“I wonder if this game of pretense follows this guy even in his sleep. What would a guy like that dream about? Do you think that everything he keeps bottled up in the day just explodes the second he’s not in control anymore? Or is it so bad that the denial follows him in his sleep?”

Theo has fought many things in his life. He was practically raised by three steampunk mad scientists who didn’t believe in silly things such as anesthesia or warning you when they bring a feral minotaur into the lab! Needless to say, Theo is not scared easy. He never was. Yet the step backwards he takes is wobbly and hesitant, and he almost falls when he tries to take a second one.

Holding on to his car for support, Theo looks around yet again but he’s all alone. How long does a quick shower and getting your stupid equipment take!? 

“You’re…” His voice fails him. How could they know all of that? What else do they know? His heartbeat is pounding in his head like the slow but maddening beat of a migraine. Can they see his thoughts? No matter how bad it was with the Doctors, they could never see into his head, he was always safe to think whatever he wanted. 

“Cupid, remember?” they frown at his question but they keep that same easy smile.

Nothing has changed in their friendly appearance, it’s Theo’s eyes that are looking at them differently. He slowly shakes his head. What the fuck is happening? WHAT THE FUCK IS HAPPENING?!

“I'm not sure if you're confused about me or your own feelings.” Cupid takes a step forward now that Theo tried to give himself more space and Theo grisps the doorhandle, unsure if he wants to run for it or get in the car.

“You… you're controlling my dreams?” 

Because that’s what’s impossible here. Or should be impossible! Someone following him to this game or even spying on them in Liam’s room? Big woop. But them being able to know what he dreams about? Making him have nightmares of Liam dying every freaking night?

“Oh no!” Cupid dismisses with a hand gesture and a genuine laugh. “The content of them, that's all on you. The fact that you do have them? Yeah, alright, call it a side effect of me being here. Why? Are they unpleasant? Normally, people tell me they've never slept so well and-”

His heart drops to the bottom of his stomach and he feels ill. Just when he decides that he’ll run and hope for the best, he hears quick footsteps racing towards him. Theo tries his best to control his expression and straighten himself but he still feels queasy. He keeps his eyes on Cupid no matter what until Liam is suddenly between them, blocking his sight. 

“Back off!” Liam immediately screams at Cupid.

“Hi, Liam.” Cupid waves at him with a friendly smile like they’re really happy to see him. 

Liam doesn’t take it as a gesture of goodwill and growls at them, his eyes glowing bright gold. Just as he’s about to strike, Alec and Corey finally catch up to him and immediately try to hold him back.

“Liam, that's a human!” Alec screams as if using the word “human” wasn't suspicious as well. What he says next is muddled by the effort it takes to restrain his furious friend. “The fuck are you-”

Looking at where Cupid stood a moment ago, they all frown when all they see is air and cement. Alec and Corey let go of Liam as quickly as they restrained him, and they all look around to check if the person might not have simply run away.  

“Are you okay?” Liam turns to ask Theo who's still looking very scared for someone who puts so much effort into looking indifferent all the time. His face immediately shifts back to human when he sees Theo’s legs faintly shaking.

“Liam, you can't just shift in front of people,” Corey scolds him because it’s not something he usually does but apparently he needs the reminder. 

“Scott won't like this,” Alec mumbles to himself, nervously biting his nails. 

Liam doesn’t pay them any mind, he simply walks closer to Theo.

“Hey,” Liam whispers but Theo is still not looking away from the ground so the beta puts his hands on his arms and squeezes. “What did they do?” he asks, still angry. 

“Nothing,” Theo says quickly because he can't have Liam knowing about the nightmares. “It's just… It’s really Cupid.”

His eyes growing wide, Liam freezes for a few seconds before looking around as if to make sure again that they're really gone. 

“How can you be sure?” Corey asks him and, judging from his tone, he’s actually a bit reassured by the statement. 

“Yeah, that didn't look like Cupid. For one thing, it wasn't a baby.”  

“It's not always a cherub, it depends on the century and the source material! Read a book, Alec!” Liam finally lets go of Theo to slap Alec’s arm and pace angrily, still on edge.

“Nerd!” Alec shouts, sticking out his tongue at him. 

“How can you be sure?” Corey repeats his question because Theo isn’t saying anything and they're getting sidetracked. 

They all stand in silence and, with each new passing second, Theo panics more and more. Involuntarily, he looks at Liam who’s once again in front of him but he suddenly realizes that that’s the last thing he should be doing right now! Their eyes meet for less than a second and, yet, Theo is petrified at the idea that Liam might figure this out. There’s no way he’s admitting that he’s been dreaming about Liam every single night since Cupid came to town and yet he draws a blank at what to tell them.

And he used to be so good at lying!

“They said so.” Theo shrugs. 

Alec and Corey are both unconvinced, assuming rightfully so that Theo is hiding something. Liam, on the other hand, nods like he hasn’t even heard of such a thing as doubt. 

After an awkward ride home to Corey’s house and then Liam punching Alec when he wouldn’t stop asking Theo questions resulting in the chimera dropping him off streets away from Melissa’s house where he lives, it’s just Liam and Theo in the car. Liam respects his wish to be silent but it seems like Theo can take all the time he needs to not talk but that they certainly are gonna talk. Or so Theo gathers when he stops in front of the Geyer-Dunbar house and Liam doesn’t even unfasten his seatbelt. 

“You know that when people park in front of your house you’re supposed to get out of the car and go home, right?” Theo mutters. The control he’s trying to sustain and exude is too much right now and he knows that he’ll eventually fold. Especially if Liam keeps staring at him like that.  

“I believe you. You know that, right?”

Again, that squeeze in his chest making it hard to breathe.

Theo finally nods. 

Like he’s waiting for something more, Liam continues staring at him for a long time. Theo knows Liam is waiting for something because his heartbeat is unusually fast.

“Are you gonna be okay?” Liam whispers gently like he thinks the question will scare Theo away. 

Not looking at him, Theo just shrugs. “Nothing happened.” 

Liam frowns. “Then why are you panicking?”

“I'm not,” he lies, cursing himself for saying the words too hastily.

Theo doesn’t know what kind of look Liam is sending him but he does hear his defeated sigh.

“Alright, see you,” the beta says as he finally gets out of the car. 

Later that night, Theo checks the lock on his door and windows three times. The studio feels so big when he's alone and he can’t seem to relax. He’s pacing, his rushed footsteps and his nervous panting being the only things breaking the profound silence. They don’t know anything about this Cupid or if they’re really a god at all! All they know is that Cupid can watch without making their presence known and that they know him and they know Liam. 

Shit, he shouldn't have left Liam alone. What if he's in danger?

What if he dies and it's all his fault? What if Liam discovers how disgustingly desperate he is to keep him close forever and the beta never wants to see him again? What if Liam gets with someone else and he forgets all about Theo?

He thought he had a bit more time before he'd need to say goodbye to Liam, it doesn't feel like he could survive it right now. 

Shit, it doesn't even feel like he'll survive the night!

His hand clutching over the heart pounding against his ribs, Theo can’t seem to catch his breath and something in his chest keeps squeezing like he's having a heart attack. The couch is unforgivingly hard as he awkwardly falls against it, trying to sit down but purely focusing on trying to get some air into his lungs. 

God, he's pathetic! It’s no wonder Liam will leave him. He's fucking embarrassing. One little talk, a few bad nightmares and poof he's KO. He can't let Liam know the extent of it. He's supposed to be this powerful and calm chimera, not a terrified and needy child!

He tries hard not to fall asleep that night. 

Sure, all year, you’re looking forward to summer but there’s one thing people always forget about summer break: it’s freaking boring! And it’s hot! And you’ve got werewolf blood which means that you’re already hot all the time and now you have to add heatwaves to that!? People can’t keep mentioning that one full moon when Liam ran around naked but they should all be thankful that he doesn’t do that every day! If only he could distract himself from the heat but no… If the heat doesn’t kill you, the boredom will!

Liam sighs dramatically for the fifth time in two minutes before his mom, working from home, finally looks away from her computer. 

About time!

“You alright, sweetheart?”

Liam sits up from where he was lounging on the couch to look at her sitting at the dining table. “I'm bored! I have nothing to do!”

His mom smiles like she’s about to tell a joke. “There's always your room that could use a good cleanup.”

“I mean something fun!”

It’s now Jenna’s turn to sigh. She thinks for a second before she hums enthusiastically, having an eureka moment. “Why don't you go see Theo? You love hanging out with Theo!” 

Liam’s eyes widen in a panic before he exclaims, far louder than he should or need, “No more than any of my other friends!” 

Judging by the amount of decibels Liam just pushed, it’s no wonder that his mom looks at him with a fair amount of disbelief. 

“Alright…” she says, deciding to pick her battles and going back to work.

“It's just that he's always free and-”

“Great, why don't you go see him now then?”

“…he's working.” 

Jenna frowns at him. 

“Wow,” Liam whines, “just say so if you want me to get out of the house.” Her silence is deafening. “Mom!”

“I'm working, Liam! And it's summer! You should be outside having fun.” 

“But Theo is working!” Liam whines again, letting his back fall against the couch in a dramatic display of hopelessness. When will his suffering end?! Well, at 6 pm, if Theo has nothing to do after his shift but… he never has anything so… 6 pm.

Jenna snorts and, before he can ask her what's funny about his tragic situation, she's talking again. “What about your other friends?”

“Oh… I…” He takes his phone out. “Yeah, I guess I could ask them what they're doing.” 

“There you go. Have fun, sweetheart!” she says casually before putting her earphones back in. 

“Have fun, sweetheart,” Liam repeats in a mocking tone. 

“I heard that!” 

Liam groans. 

Turns out, Mason was free for once! Corey had to work and he missed too many shifts lately to skip this one as well. Yay Corey not missing work! 

Mason and Liam spend an hour playing video games at Mason’s house until they both decide to do the healthy thing – and what Liam’s mom suggested in the first place – and go outside… to play on their phones. Even if they don’t talk much, Liam is grateful for this moment spent with Mason. He barely saw his best friend in the last few weeks and he missed how easy it is to be with him. Mason always brought out a calmer version of him. 

Which is probably why, even after his best friend showed him about 27 pictures of Corey Mason mysteriously had on hand in his phone like some cat lady with a folder of her favorite kitten’s candids, Liam is still somewhat composed. He’s getting concerned about Mason’s mental state but he also tries to be happy for his friend. He’s in love! Great! 

Great.

It’s… great.

“And here, it’s when he almost cried when we watched Finding Dory. And this is when he finally cried when we watched Finding Dory. This is-” 

“Let me guess, it’s when he blew his nose watching Finding Dory.” Liam sighs, looking away from Mason’s phone for a moment.

“No, it’s-” Mason looks at the picture. “Oh, no, you’re right, it’s him blowing his nose.”

Liam snorts, pointlessly looking around for his vest even if the sun is still shining strong. 

“But this one is funny. Look, I was trying to call you when we were chased by the werepanthers and it took a picture instead,” Mason starts again, practically shoving his phone in Liam’s face so that he has to look at it. 

When Liam finally does, he can’t help but smile. Of course, he knows he shouldn’t. It’s clear that Mason and Corey are scared for their lives in that blurry picture but it’s also the 20-something time they almost died so… might as well laugh about it!

“And look, here is when Corey and I went to the new coffee shop in town…”

Liam groans, looking away once more.

“What?” Mason exclaims, looking at it to make sure it was the right picture again. Seeing that it is the right one, Mason looks back at his best friend, confused. “What is it?”

“Nothing. You both look great,” Liam says with a tight smile, trying to be polite.

“Obviously! Look how happy he looks!” Mason almost slams his screen in Liam’s cornea.

Liam pushes the phone away and then nods. Mason is right, they both look very happy with their weird coffees in hand but those are all pictures that Liam has seen before and he’s getting bored. Even if there’s no better sight than his best friend’s smile, everyone has their limit!

“Oh c’mon, you send me pictures of Theo all the time!” Mason exclaims, rolling his eyes at Liam not being very subtle in his indifference. 

“That’s ‘cause they’re funny!” Liam says, his happy mood coming back to him almost immediately at the mention of the chimera. 

“No, they’re not. He always looks weird in them like he forgot he’s a person!”

“I know,” Liam says fondly, “he has that Error 404 face when he’s surprised.” Liam laughs – giggles, really – as he daydreams about Theo’s light flush when the chimera is caught off guard. To be fair, is it really Liam’s fault that he teases him every now and then if that’s how Theo “I have no feelings blablabla I’m a killing machine blabla” Raeken reacts? Is it really his fault if Theo thinks he’s this great Wall of Mystery and Stoicism when he’s actually more like a nervous rabbit Liam likes to poke?

Mason sighs. “You really have to stop teasing him or he's gonna stop hanging out with us altogether.”

“Half of the time, I'm complimenting him!” 

“And he can't take a compliment for shit!”

“Well,” Liam pauses for a moment, caught off guard, “how will he learn if no one gives him any?” 

Mason snorts, looking at his best friend like he can’t believe what he just heard. Mason sits up to properly asks Liam, “Why do you need him taking compliments well? So you can give him more?”

Obviously, Liam's first thought is an enthusiastic Yes!  

Which is something he can't, shouldn't and won't say out loud to his friend who's already being quite suspicious of him and his “disconcerting fondness for Theo Raeken” (Mason’s own words). So Liam stays there, mouth open, for one very dubious minute.

“No! What? That makes no sense,” Liam finally blurts out after he froze for so long. He wishes he had something better to offer after so obviously trying to come up with a lie. 

Although he says it makes no sense, Liam knows it's actually crystal clear! Liam did 1+1=2 a long time ago and got “by the end of the year, we shall have him (Theo with a secure sense of self-esteem and general openness towards others)!”

Mason folds his arms and stares at him. “It makes just enough sense for you to think it's a good idea.” 

“Hey!” Liam says, offended, before he realizes that his disappointed tone means he’s admitting to it. He changes strategy. “Nothing is… it's not… I don't even know what we're talking about anymore!”

Mason’s eyes narrow as he looks at Liam squirming. Still, the human isn’t quite sure if Liam is faking being dumb about this or if he’s actually dense enough not to realize he's crushing on Princess Sewers.  

“Longest 5-hour shift ever!” Corey exclaims as he makes his way into Mason’s backyard. 

While Mason excitedly gets on his feet to go and hug his weary boyfriend, Liam rapidly gets his phone and texts Alec for immediate rescue.

THE “please let jenna adopt me i need 2 moms actually is david available? i could use 3” PRIVATE CHAT

parent hoarder

need help asap!!!

im too old to 3rd weel 

pitiful orphan :(

pffft try fifth weeling and then well talk

parent hoarder

?? 

pitiful orphan :(

🙄🙄🙄

parent hoarder

just come to masons nowwww

pitiful orphan :(

let me guess… theo is working

parent hoarder

so? tf u want? a medal?

MASONS! NOW!

For once in his life, Alec listens to Liam and arrives fairly fast. It seems that Mason and Corey have completely forgotten that he was there and Liam is so relieved to see Alec, he hugs him like a dying man seeing a rescue team. 

Soon after him, Brett and Lori mysteriously show up and, a bit later, Theo makes his gloomy entrance into Mason’s backyard as well. Liam sent him a thousand texts to bring his ass here right after work and, of course, Theo told him no but, well, here he is. And he looks especially annoyed tonight but Liam knows he’s happy to be included… Liam is 80% sure of it… at least 65% sure of it.  

“Run while you still can,” Alec whispers to Theo with a pointed look before the chimera can even properly join the others and it doesn’t take anything more for Theo to turn heels. 

“No, no, no,...” Liam exclaims with a fake laugh to ease Theo into staying. He firmly takes both of the chimera’s arms and turns him around so he’s once again making his way into the backyard and not out of it. “Alec was just kidding,” Liam says through gritted teeth, sending a fiery stare at the youngest of the pack members. “He just wants you to leave because we need a judge for our jumping competition and he wants to do it so he can cheat.” 

Hearing the reason why Liam summoned him, Theo struggles to escape Liam’s hold and make a break for it. They have the world’s smallest and needlessly close fight until Theo finally lets out a tired yet powerful growl and lets Liam manhandle him towards the others. Even then, Liam hovers around him, letting his hands linger on his arms, but it’s purely in case Theo tries to run away again. Liam would never have an ulterior motive! He doesn't even have a primary motive. He just does stuff. 

“First rule of the paw-lympics is-” Mason starts but he’s immediately cut off by the commentary of a bunch of teenagers who could not and have not stayed silent even if their lives depended on it. 

“You don’t talk about the paw-lympics!” Alec cheers on.

“Awwww, paw-lympics!” Lori exclaims before giving Mason a high-five.

“Do we need rules?” Brett asks with a glint of menace in his eyes.

“Why is Mason in charge of the rules? He always cheats!” Theo says even if he keeps saying that he wants nothing to do with this stupid contest. 

“He does not! He would never cheat unlike some people!” Corey instantly comes to Mason’s rescue, sending a knowing look at Theo and missing the smirk Mason tries to suppress because, even if no one else besides Theo noticed, he does cheat all the time.

“First rule is jump as far as you can,” Liam says, taking over so that they can be done before it’s completely dark. “You can’t walk over the line, and if you fall on your ass, we’re counting the distance between the line and your butt, not the distance between the line and your shoes!”

“That’s three rules,” Lori tells him with a raised eyebrow.

“So you do know how to count.” Brett hums, looking at her. “Someone should alert your math teachers.”

Lori punches her brother in the stomach and makes him fold in half. 

“Well, are we chitchatting or are we doing the paw-lympics?” she asks with a bright smile but a combative edge stitches itself to each of her words.

The seriousness of the event makes the real Olympics look like an amateur clown show. Theo has to stop two fights, he receives more than his fair share of cursing when people aren’t happy about their scoring, and he has to explain the whole thing when Mason’s mom showed up and the others didn’t care or notice her gasping at the state of her lawn. It’s truly a wonder that he stays long enough to crown Brett the winner of the Long Jump Competition. 

“That’s just ‘cause he’s tall!” Corey exclaims although, to be fair, the chimera didn’t really try to win and he placed last, even lower than the only human in the gang. Although, maybe that was his plan all along: to not have his boyfriend finish last.

“If we divided our score by how tall we are, I'd definitely win!” Liam exclaims, his face red with effort and anger.

Lori tries to laugh but her breathing is far too short for her to be able to do it. “Liam outing himself as a short person!” 

“And someone who can't do math!” Mason laughs, both hands on his hips, trying to catch his breath as well.

Theo snorts, finally putting the measuring tape down. “Yeah, tell me something I don't know.” 

“I love you,” Liam immediately tells him with a smile. 

Theo freezes, both of his eyes growing impossibly wide as he looks at the void and certainly not at Liam. Looking horrified, Theo stares at a random patch of grass with his mouth wide open like he’s witnessing the wretched glory of the Nine Circles of Hell. Everyone can hear Theo's heartbeat struggling like the motor of Stiles' Jeep after a rough day. The chimera hasn't taken a single breath in for ten seconds and counting now.

“Liam!” Mason scolds him.

“Damn it, Liam! I told you to be careful with him, he's fragile!” Alec adds, patting Theo's back who’s stiff as marble. 

The others are in various states of shock from Liam’s words but most of them are staring at Theo for some kind of reaction. 

“He was being sassy, I just answered,” Liam tries to excuse himself, his voice soft with smugness and satisfaction. Biting his lip to hide an obvious smile, he doesn’t take his eyes off Theo.

“You broke him!” Alec screams again. “Look in his eyes, there's nothing left!”

“I told you Liam would kill him!” Lori says triumphantly to Mason. “You owe me 20 bucks!” 

Naturally, the only reason Theo would gather some brain cells back and some sense of active consciousness would be to groan at the pups. “I'm right here,” he says so grumpily, it sounds more like a growl.

“See? He's fine,” Liam says as he turns to look at the others, “and- OH MY GOD!”

Behind Brett, Lori, Corey, and Mason stands Cupid. The group, who was listening to Liam, turns and, jumping from seeing the stranger in Mason’s backyard, they all shuffle backwards and away towards Theo, Liam, and Alec. 

“You all look like really good friends,” Cupid says, their eyes softening as they look at the group. 

“Thanks?” Alec says with fear in his voice, barely moving from his new hiding place behind Brett.  

On the front line, it’s clear that Lori and Brett aren’t scared of the stranger. Maybe living a full life as a werewolf and surviving a sure death time and time again does that to a person. Mason and Corey are obviously on the fence, almost as close to Cupid, but still tense and on their guards. Alec is happily sandwiched between Brett and Lori in front of him and Liam and Theo standing behind him. Both Corey and Alec, who’ve seen the stranger before, look at Theo for some kind of explanation but their gazes drift when they see that Liam’s eyes are glowing again. For once, they don’t scold him about it and the silence drags on in the dusky air. 

“Do you need something?” Mason asks the person, trying to sound aloof.

“Oh no, I’m fine, thank you. I just wanted to say hi,” they say cheerfully as if there wasn’t a problem in the world. Their good mood puts everyone somehow at ease. Theo and Liam keep a firm stare on them, though, and Theo silently lets his claws out. Spotting it out of the corner of his eye, Liam does the same. 

“Hi…” Corey is the only to reply back and his tone is still a bit nervous.

Cupid looks at him for a moment and smiles brightly in his direction. Looking at him and Mason who are standing quite close, they nod slightly as if agreeing with something. 

“So you did that. Now, can you leave?” Brett asks, his tone dripping with annoyance. 

“Of course, I can leave. Do you want me to leave?” they ask, genuinely interested in the answer.

They all mumble different variations of “yes, that would be…”, “if you don’t mind…”, and “please, yeah…” at the same time. Cupid nods and smiles once more before looking at the only person who hasn’t said a word since they got here. 

“What about you?” they ask with a smirk as they look right at Theo.

The chimera feels a chill, swallowing to try and loosen the tension in his throat. Everyone looks at him and he’s trying to get his tongue to work when Liam takes a step in front of him.

“How about you just leave and don’t come back, uh? Like ever!” 

“I-” Cupid starts before being cut off by Liam who obviously wasn’t done.

“You supposedly have wings so how about you use them and scram!”

“‘Scram’?” Lori repeats, laughing at the choice of words. “On it, boss!” she says with a terrible Italian accent.

“Liam, just stop it with the cupid shit, okay?” Brett says, so done with the whole thing. “That’s obviously just a name and-”

“Oh, no, he’s right. I’m a cupid!” Cupid immediately says, obviously proud of their status.

“A cupid?” Mason asks, momentarily distracted by the threat to ask about the hierarchy of cupids.

“See!?” Liam exclaims at the others. “It’s a fucking cupid!”

“Yes, ‘cause that’s their name!” Brett says, rolling his eyes.

“Then maybe we should start calling you ‘Stupid’!” Liam retorts, his glowing, fiery eyes set on Brett now.

“Nah, I wouldn’t want to steal your nickname like that… Stupid.” Brett says the last word with all the tenderness of a well-chosen insult. 

“Still sure we’re ‘such good friends’?” Alec asks Cupid as he shifts from his place behind Brett to stand behind Lori so he's not in the crossfire of a potential fight between Brett and Liam. 

The comment seems to remind Liam that the stranger is still there and he looks at them once more, focusing back on the main threat. Only, this time, Liam has had enough and he lunges forward to attack them. 

They need to be four to hold him back and they could need the extra help but Alec and Theo know better than to put their hands close to an angry dog who’s been known to bite.

“Stop trying to hurt humans!” Lori says, tired of having to do this every other week.

“It’s not human!” Liam exclaims but it’s really more of a growl as he tries to fight his way out of his friends’ hold.

“He’s right, I’m not,” Cupid says once more, almost amused by the fact that they don't seem to believe Liam.

The four lose some of their motivation to pull Liam back but they still don’t allow him to fight the stranger alone. In that one second where they try to wrap their heads around what Cupid just said, it suddenly dawns on all of them that, even if Cupid is overpowered 7 to 1, they don’t and haven’t looked scared, not even for a moment. 

“Prove it,” Brett challenges them with a snort as if he knows they won’t be able to. 

Cupid’s easy smile twists itself into a small but alarming smirk and their kind face suddenly isn’t enough to diffuse the level of danger emanating from them. The group shudders as Cupid says with glee, “If you insist!”

Almost instantly, Cupid somehow gets an impressive and intricate bow out of their small messenger bag as if it was the bag of Mary Poppins herself! Stunned, the group doesn’t really move, eased for now by the fact that there’s no arrow in sight. 

As soon as Cupid pulls on the bowstring, a thin golden arrow materializes itself and the pack doesn’t have the time to run. In what feels like slow motion, the group tries to dodge as best as they can in the half-second it takes for Cupid to ready themselves. While everyone around him is moving as fast as they can, creating this boom of chaos and movement, Theo stays incredibly still in the turbulent sea of limbs. As much as he’d like to say he froze in fear, there's a moment when Theo hears the arrow fly through the air when he secretly hopes it hits him. Then, he wouldn't have to hold everything inside anymore and every little emotion and affection he's been hoarding for months could simply fall out in the open. 

They hear Brett’s cry of pain before they can see where the arrow landed. 

Out of reflex alone, Brett grabs the person closest to him and holds on tight. Liam, who was still trying to run away and hadn’t yet realized that the arrow already hit someone, gets thrown on the ground by the force of Brett suddenly yanking him right back. Coughing and moaning in pain, Liam opens his eyes to scream insults at whoever made his back crack against the hard dirt but his eyes widen when he spots the golden arrow in Brett’s chest. His mouth stays open and silent. Raising his gaze, Liam suddenly locks eyes with Brett and curses under his breath.

While everyone freezes in shock, Theo immediately gets Liam back up like a man on a mission and places himself between Brett and Liam in a fighting stance. Of course, other people haven’t forgotten who the real threat is here.  

“That's my brother, you bitch!” Lori exclaims as she takes a swing at Cupid but, in the nanosecond it takes for her punch to land, there’s a tiny ruffling sound and Lori’s fist only hits thin air. They all look around. Cupid is nowhere to be found.  

But their troubles are far from over. 

“Are you okay?” Mason asks Brett before he quickly pulls on the arrow and yanks it out of his chest with a terribly obscene squish of blood and flesh tearing. Corey gags at the sound and Lori walks to her brother to make sure the wound heals. 

Despite all of that, Brett doesn’t even flinch or take his eyes away from Liam. Gazing at the beta with all the love in the world, it seems like nothing could perturb Brett in that moment. The gentle softness written on his face makes Liam cringe and grimace. It feels all kinds of wrong! Lori whispers a “what the fuck?” and Mason groans like he knows this isn’t good. 

Raising a hand to reach for Liam, Brett takes a step forward and Liam lets out a nervous whimper. Putting a hand on Theo’s arm to better position himself behind him, Liam tries to hide as best as he can and, for once in his life, decides to step away from a problem instead of confronting it headfirst. 

“Uhmmm…” Liam says, trying to ask for help somehow, but his deep discomfort makes his voice quaver.

“Guys, I hate to say it but I feel like there was an easy way we could've avoided that,” Alec says honestly, almost bored. 

“Alec, help me with him. We'll lock him in my apartment for now,” Theo says with all the rage he allows himself to display for now. Then, feeling Liam’s hand still on him and holding him back, Theo stops for a moment and looks behind his shoulder. “Unless you uh… Unless you don't want me to.” 

It takes him a moment to understand what Theo means by that.

“Oh. Um…” Liam struggles to find the right words, far too distracted by the sudden blush on his face. He quickly takes his hand off of him. “No, please! Yeah...” 

Theo lets out a small sigh of relief as he nods. “Good.” 

Liam’s face immediately lights up with sudden hope. “Good?” 

“Good… to know.” 

“Right.” Liam looks at the ground, trying to hide his disappointment. 

“Jesus…” Alec exclaims with an exhausted sigh as he looks at Liam and Theo with an unimpressed glare. But just before he can comment on it, Brett is walking closer to Liam again and Alec focuses back on what’s important or, at least, what is not totally helpless. “Oh, no, no, no, not on my watch! It's already such a mess…”

“I'm calling Scott,” Mason says, his phone already out. “Liam, just… come over here. Let Theo do his job, you're literally making it worse.” 

“Fuck off, mom!” Liam growls before he joins his best friend and steps away from Theo and Alec trying to take both of the tall beta’s arms. 

“You're sure I can't stay?” Brett pleads, still staring at Liam with an uncharacteristic gentle smile that makes them all uneasy. “I mean we could-”

Theo subtly punches him in the stomach, making Brett hiss in pain and effectively shut the fuck up. 

“Let’s go,” Theo says, his jaw impossibly tight from all the fury he’s trying to swallow down. 

“No, please! Please, let’s just stay one more minute! Just one!” Brett struggles to beg, still bent over in pain from the previous punch but strong enough to fight against Theo’s and Alec’s grip. 

“What are you doing?” Lori asks Corey who’s obviously filming the whole thing.

“He’s very mean,” Corey reminds Lori like Brett’s sister might have forgotten that fact. “I’m just taking some footage so that he won’t… You know… So that he might be nicer.”

Theo is incredibly proud of Corey for thinking of blackmail so fast and he would tell him so if he wasn’t busy tugging at the 6-foot-2 monolith of intense pining.

“Lori, please help Alec, he weighs a ton!” Theo says as he tries to drag Brett away. 

“Hey!” Alec, offended, lets go of Brett to cross his arms.

“I meant Brett!!!” Theo shouts, having to double his effort to keep Brett from walking back to Liam before Lori and Alec finally join him.

It's been two days and the spell still hasn't worn off. Theo is getting angsty. 

It’s not just the fact that he has to watch over Brett every second of every day (imagine his relief when he realized that there wasn’t a window in his bathroom Brett could escape from) or that he used all of his tape before he realized that he had a perfectly working rope to tie the beta to the chair with, no… it’s the fucking yearning! Brett is constantly going on and on about Liam, singing his praise and mourning his absence like some kind of widowed bard! And Theo is out of tape!!! He doesn’t want to shove some kind of handtowel in his mouth either… He uses those and he doesn’t want them to be covered in Brett’s saliva, thank you!

It’s rubbing Theo the wrong damn way and he can feel his control slipping with each new dithyrambic prose of adoration. What does Brett know about Liam anyway!? All they do is send biting comments back and forth! Are they even friends, really? They don’t talk about real stuff! Theo doubts it! They don’t connect like-

Oh, Theo is losing it. He’s losing it!

Theo rubs an excessively harsh hand over his face, hoping to get back some common sense and clarity. He can’t pick a fight with someone under a love spell. He’s better than this! No, that’s not gonna happen. 

“...and there’s the way his hair shines under the sun. Like an aureole of pure gold!” 

Theo lets out a quiet scream of bottled-up rage. This is exactly why he didn’t let Brett see Liam for the last two days despite the beta asking for him every ten minutes! If this is how he acts without him in the room, Theo doesn’t want to know what Brett would do if Liam was actually here. 

But Brett not seeing Liam means that Theo hasn’t seen Liam either! Which is probably the worst offense! Next time he sees that Cupid fucker, he’s taking all their arrows and shoving all of them in their-

A knock at the door snaps him out of his thoughts. No one ever knocks at his door. There’s no one in the building besides Derek and him, and the pups don’t know how to knock, they bang. Before he opens the door, Theo checks through the peephole because he's not an idiot. Although someone might be…

Theo sighs. “You can't be here.” 

“But Alec told me you're not feeling well. You can't watch over him 24/7!” a small but forceful voice exclaims from the other side.

“Is that Liam?” Brett immediately perks up. “Please, let him in! I haven't seen him in forever! Please!” 

And for a second, Theo can't differentiate between what his mind is telling him and Brett's words… which is pretty pathetic. 

“I can't let you come in,” Theo says, trying to ignore Brett’s constant pleading and his own disappointment. There's a part of him that wants Liam to stay even if it's on the other side of the door. And wow! That's a new low. Jesus Christ, he's worse than Brett!

“Please, Theo!” Brett begs again and, this time, it sounds like he might cry.  

“I'll just stay for a few minutes,” Liam promises, adding to Theo’s hesitation. 

His forehead against the door, Theo sighs but it turns into a light groan, mostly directed at himself. He knows he’s already lost. He can't even logic his way out, Theo knows this is a bad idea but his mind is all mushy from hearing Liam's voice and his wolf being excited to see him again. Even his coyote is restless! Maybe Theo never stood a chance. He turns and sends a murderous glare Brett’s way. 

“You say one thing – one word! – and I'm pushing him out the door. You'll never see him again! Understood?”

Brett nods over and over. “I promise! I won't talk! I won't say a thing!” 

Theo grimaces. He hates how eager Brett looks. He should've blindfolded him but it's too late now, he already opened the door. 

Liam comes in with all of his rushed energy and immediately looks at Theo. It’s almost as if he doesn’t even notice that Brett is here, let alone how happy he looks even tied up in his chair. Theo, on the other hand, keeps both his eyes firmly on him so Talbot remembers his instructions. Brett doesn't say a word but he makes some noises and movements in restless excitement. There’s a sour taste in Theo’s mouth and his stomach is in all kinds of knots. The chimera doesn’t have the patience to calm down and he feels a nauseating bloodlust looking at Brett gazing at Liam. There’s suddenly nothing in this world Theo wants more than to punch Brett until he can’t gaze at anything. Best case scenario, the werewolf falls unconscious for a few hours, but Theo could settle for temporary blindness. He’s not unreasonable.

“Theo?” Liam asks like he's been saying his name a few times now. Theo finally looks back at him. “Did you sleep recently?” 

Ha! Sleep! Theo hasn't even blinked in the last two days… which would’ve been a problem if, every time he closed his eyes, Theo didn't have horrifying visions of Liam dying!

It seems that his silence is answer enough and Liam suddenly brings Theo to the couch where the chimera can at least sit. Putting his hands on Theo's arms to get his drifting attention, Liam tries to meet his gaze. Theo could probably achieve that small task if Liam wasn't rubbing his thumb on his left arm. His touch-starved body can focus on nothing else and the simple touch feels impossibly overwhelming. Despite it all, Theo tries to keep his usual composure even if it feels like the warmth on his arm is creating a small sun, just as fiery and just as blinding. 

He forgets all about that the second he meets eyes with Liam. Somehow, everything becomes clearer. He realizes how nice it is to see Liam again. To have him close, to have his eyes on him and his scent in his nose. Brett's scent has been infesting his apartment for the past few days, and it was starting to feel less like his place and more like somewhere he wanted to run away from.

“I told Alec to switch guard with you,” Liam says, narrowing his eyes on Theo like he knows Theo must've ruined that logical planning somehow. 

Sitting down was a bad idea. Now, Theo is having trouble keeping his eyes open. The warmth on his arms is spreading to his whole body and the tension which was keeping him awake is now slipping from his fingers. He's a beat late when he finally finds the energy to answer. 

“He kept falling asleep while guarding Brett sleeping on the sofa. It doesn't do anything if I have to guard Alec keeping guard, so I sent him home.”

Liam doesn't look happy with that answer but the irritation seeps into worry once more. “So you didn't sleep for two days?” Liam whispers to him like it's a secret they can keep between just the two of them. Theo stays silent. “You could've asked someone else to help!"

“I'm fine.” 

“Bullshit!” Liam looks him right in the eyes, defiant once more. Theo keeps looking away. They're already close as it is, they don't need to add a staring contest to the mix. “You're cold too, did you eat?”

Liam’s grip drops from his arms to his hands. His touch is burning but Theo doesn't move. He's so tired. This is nice. Theo lets out a heavy sigh and he feels a bit better, more stable.

“Alright, maybe you could keep your distance, uh?” Brett's voice chimes in like the devil at mass. “This is not-”

Theo’s booming snarl vibrates through the entire apartment, the intensity and quickness of it leaving Theo dizzy. Panting, the chimera keeps his glowing eyes on Brett who’s shocked into place before, shaking his head slightly, he tries to soothe his wolf and coyote who are still going crazy under his skin. He usually has more control than that. Fearing that he might have scared Liam, Theo doesn't look his way. All he knows is that Liam's grip has become tighter around his hands. 

“You have to go,” he tells Liam, quickly getting on his feet and taking back his hands by faking to replace his hair. 

“But-”

“Your few minutes are up,” Theo says as he pushes him towards the door but that's mainly because he feels like he'll lose control if he doesn't touch Liam again. Which is a new and very scary thought. As soon as he thinks about it, Theo quickly steps away from him.

Liam obviously looks unhappy but he seems more worried than angry so he does what Theo asks him. “Alright. You'll text me if you need anything?” he asks before Theo can close the door in his face. 

Theo's grip around the door is crushing the metal of the doorknob. He can't look at Liam. Holding the door like a crutch, Theo thinks that maybe if he stops breathing and tenses enough then maybe all of his confusion and yearning won't spill out for Liam to see. 

“Sure!” he quickly exclaims but he doesn't mean it. 

Theo slams the door shut, crashes his back against it, and lets himself hit the floor with a barely contained exhale of panic. 

“Sure,” Liam repeats with a mocking tone on the other side of the door. Not long after, Theo can hear his footsteps leaving. Trying to unclench his body hurts and he's left picking the crumbs of control he dropped everywhere. 

Feeling just as cold and tense as before Liam’s quick visit, Theo swears under his breath. That's not a good sign. He's supposed to be able to control himself, what the fuck was that?! 

He shakes his hands where he can still feel Liam’s pulsating touch. Fucking Liam and his lack of personal fucking boundaries! Fuck him for making Theo feel a tiny bit better and warm and safe! 

The sound of Brett squirming and tugging at his restraints shakes him out of his thoughts. 

“You made him sad and you pushed him away!” Brett screams, furious in his heartbreak. 

Still shaking, Theo raises his gaze to meet Brett’s. “Shut up,” he whispers and it’s as much a warning as it is him begging. All he wants is a reason to go ape shit.

“No!” Brett growls, only getting more and more furious as he continues looking at Theo. “You hurt Liam! He was being kind to you – he always is – and you always treat him like shit! What is wrong with you?!”

Theo feels a type of bloodlust he hasn't felt in a long time. The only warning the werewolf gets is the death glare Theo throws at him before he pounces.  

Brett's scream is heard throughout the entire building. 

It's another few hours before – finally – Brett wakes up and he doesn’t wear that same heartbroken look. Too busy fighting a massive headache, Brett doesn’t seem to notice it as quickly as Theo does. 

“Are you out of it yet?” Theo groans. He had a few hours to calm down and beating Brett to a pulp certainly helped, but he’s still on edge, just a few ill-chosen words away from starting Round 2.

“Out of what?” Brett says, blinking his eyes like they’re not pointing where they should be. 

“The love spell,” Theo says and he can’t even bring himself to make a joke, he’s too hopeful and he really needs this to be over.

“The…” Brett mutters for a moment before his eyes grow wide as memory flashes in his mind. As he suddenly becomes aware of the last few days, all Brett can say is “Ewwwwww!”

Theo frowns at that reaction, taking it relatively personal.  “Fuck you!” 

“Alright, stand down, mister bodyguard,” Brett growls but, obviously, talking isn’t as easy as it should be and Brett needs to massage his jaw where Theo knocked him out to make him shut up earlier. He can still feel his bones trying to crack back into place so it must have been one hell of a punch. “Also, damn, you could've been gentler about it.” 

Theo gives him a big fake smile as he shrugs. “Didn't feel like it.” 

“Yeah, I wonder why,” Brett says sarcastically, rolling his eyes. 

Theo unties him rushedly, eager to be alone and (hopefully) get some sleep. 

The door opens with a loud bam! and Liam stands in the doorway, panting like he ran all the way over here plus the stairs.

“So it’s done?” the beta asks, his gaze going from Brett to Theo and from Theo to Brett.

Theo is so happy to see him, he can’t think of anything else. A large part of the tension he’s been holding in his shoulders vanishes and the chimera lets go of the rope he was rolling up. It falls to the floor, much like his backbone and sense of pride. 

He hoped to have a moment to nap before Liam would come back but Theo’s mind can see the end in sight and he's too relieved to ask himself very obvious questions such as:

“How did you get here so fast?” Brett asks with his usual smug gloating, officially proving that the love spell is fully over.

Liam stutters for a moment, embarrassed. “Hum… So I was in the… around, you know and, well, I happened to hear that you were okay again so…”

Brett blinks at him as if he can’t believe the pile of obvious lies and bad acting Liam is willing to give as an answer. So the taller guy just sighs loudly and walks out of there, not really caring enough to coax Liam into giving him the truth.

“You make a shit babysitter, Raeken. Let's not see each other for two weeks.”

“Make it a month!” 

“Deal!” Brett exclaims with relief before he slams the door shut behind him. 

Silence slowly blankets the studio apartment. After one, two, three breaths, Theo finally looks at Liam. Everything is easier now that they’re alone.  

“You were ‘around’?” Theo asks with his first grin of the day. He feels distinctively calmer now that Brett left the place. More like himself.

Liam bites his lip, frantically searching for some excuse. “Yeah, you know, just… walking around town. Walking is good for the brain so…” 

“So you were doing circles around the block, literally listening in?” Theo tries his best to hide his smirk. “Do you often do that?”

“No! I’ll leave the lurking to you, mister creepy information spy prodigy.” Liam sits down on the couch with a scoff before he mumbles, “Besides, it’s not eavesdropping if you do it to your friends, everyone knows that!”

“I’ll make a note of it,” Theo says probably too softly. 

But he’s so relieved. Liam is here again. He’s at his place. He came back for him. He's not angry and he came back! Of course, Theo knew Brett was under the influence of the love spell when he screamed at him but the words still struck a chord. Theo could’ve come up with them himself. He knows he’s not the easiest person to be around but he just hoped that maybe it… maybe it was part of the charm or something… maybe people could look past the cynicism, constant criticism, and general gloominess and find that he’s not so bad after all. 

But what if he’s making it too hard for Liam  – for everyone, really – to like him and, one day, Liam will simply stop coming to his apartment to annoy him and steal his energy drinks? 

What will he do then?

Theo sits down on the couch next to Liam but he sighs like he’s already alone. 

“What are you doing? You need to sleep! Did you eat?” Liam is on his feet before he can even finish his series of questions and walks towards the kitchen part of the studio. Theo groans like a dying man and, although it's not really an answer, Liam still finds something in it to agree to. “You’re right, you should probably eat before you go to sleep.” 

Liam gasps and Theo turns his head to see him even if he's so tired, it kills the last remains of his energy. 

“What?”

“You had leftovers this whole time but you didn't eat? Are you for real? Were you waiting for me to shove it up your face?” Liam scolds him before muttering other curses under his breath. 

Liam heats it in the microwave, taking advantage of all of those 2 minutes 25 seconds to tap his foot on the floor and shake his head disapprovingly. Theo looks at him and, through his painfully dry teary eyes, this looks like the most heavenly sight.

To be fair, he might be dangerously sleep-deprived.

“Do you need me to show you how to handle a fork or are you gonna be okay by yourself?” Liam can’t help but tease him some more as he brings him the heated plate.

Theo gives him a very weak and tired middle finger.

So much for trying to be more friendly and accommodating! That lasted a solid 3 minutes!

At least, Liam laughs it off and, after he passes the food to Theo, he opens the TV and puts on Peaky Blinders as if this was just any other Thursday. 

Liam turning on the TV doesn’t really matter anyway because Theo falls asleep within ten minutes. Liam barely catches the bowl before it hits the floor and, with a smile, he decides that the rest of it is fair game. Especially since, if he hadn't been there, it would've ended up on the floor!

When he wakes up the next day, Theo is lying on his couch with a blanket on top of him. It's the one Liam always insists on taking when he's here so it smells like him. Despite a small headache, the chimera doesn’t remember ever being so comfortable. He stays like this for a long time, simply bathing in warmth and comfort. If he had a nightmare, he doesn’t remember it now and he certainly doesn't care. 

Eventually, he does open his eyes and what he sees catches his attention enough to fully wake him. There's a note on the coffee table. Theo rubs his eyes and reads it. 

If you don't eat a proper meal when you wake up, I'll send all the photos that I took of you sleeping to the pack group chat! Eat protein or say goodbye to the last fragments of your bad boy reputation! 

Btw you snore.

Theo stays like this for a very long moment, simply rereading the note over and over and smiling. He’s happy Liam isn’t here because he wouldn’t have been able to stop that one. The warmth that usually spreads in his chest now extends to his fingers and toes and tickles his nose. Theo curses Liam mentally.

That damn sappy idiot!

Liam, Lori, and Alec are gaming in their own homes but they still talk to each other thanks to the headsets Mason gave everyone last Christmas. The gifts were close to fully financed by Mason’s dad who apparently doesn’t enjoy having rowdy teenagers in his home until late in the night. When they saw the gift, Liam, Lori, Alec, and Corey all rushed to Mason’s house to give him a thundering thank you much to Mason’s dad’s displeasure.     

“All I'm saying is that it'd be fine by me if they could shoot Sydney for me… wait, you know what I mean,” Lori corrects herself before continuing her rant. “I just need her to be thunderstruck in love with me. I'm tired of this lesbian five-year pining plan before we finally try and kiss in college and wow, we were in love this whole time, who knew?”

“I thought the point of the headsets was so we could talk strategy,” Alec says, a bit disappointed that this conversation is heading the exact same way it always does.  

Liam’s laugh booms in all of their ears. 

“Great! Strategize my gay loveless love life, then!” Lori screams at him and Alec thinks he should get earplugs to put under the headset.

“I don't want to ask Scott about Cupid, he won't be back from his mission with Chris, Derek and Stiles until next week. But I also don't know how to get rid of them,” Liam says with a sigh before making a bunch of noises as he auditable smashes the buttons of his controller.  

“Is your inventory full?” Alec asks him. “You just walked past a-”

“And technically Cupid is a god, right? How the hell do you kill a god?” Liam groans, still obviously smashing some buttons even if he’s not doing much on screen. 

“I mean, they're kinda small, maybe if we kick them…” Lori offers.

“Oh, yeah, please, Lori, go kick the god, I'd love to see you kick the god!” Liam says with enough sarcasm to alert the entire neighborhood.

“Maybe I will!”

Alec stops them before it turns into a whole fight. “Guys! Guys! The shop is gonna close in like one minute!”

Silence reigns in their headsets as Liam and Lori both look at the clock in the game. 

“Why is Stardew Valley so fucking stressful!” Liam whines, readying himself into action.

“I knew we should've bought the horse!” Lori says bitterly but it doesn’t hide her nervousness.

They miss the shop by a hair and Liam looks at the closed door on his screen, unable to enter. Maybe this isn't the most constructive place to debate what to do about the cupid. 

“Great! And they're closed tomorrow! You guys had one thing to do today! One! Buy seeds! And now, we're seedless! This is gonna set us back for…” Alec starts screaming at them and doesn't stop for a very long while. 

So Cupid shot Brett but what? This is still a chill situation? No need to take action? Since when does the McCall pack prefer to stand to the side and wait to see how things will unfold!?

And sure, Theo understands that he’s usually the one to stay composed in a time of crisis but the confused looks the puppy pack sends him as he tries to wake them up and do something still feels dramatic. Theo had to watch over Brett for almost three days! He knows very well how much of a threat Cupid is. Brett too! If he was here, he’d say so! But, thankfully for both Theo and Brett, the beta isn’t here. He meant it when he said he didn’t want to see Theo for a month. Which is perfect because Theo needs time for the urge to rip his throat to pass. 

Theo even finds himself missing Stiles of all people! At least the human would’ve pushed everyone to make a move! But Stiles, Scott, Derek, and Chris all left for some mission. Something about tracking one of Monroe’s HQ in New Mexico. So it only leaves the puppy pack – minus Brett – to figure things out. At least, since this is the same gang that’s around in the school year, they’re used to handling the threats on their own.

Which is what they could do if Liam wasn’t acting like a stubborn little fuck!

“Aren't you the mastermind?” Liam asks Theo sassily, barely hiding his anger. They’ve been discussing the Cupid Thing for an hour now and they’ve gotten exactly nowhere. “Shouldn't we make a plan before you try to fight them?” 

Ugh! How many times does Theo need to say this?

“I think we need information and that fighting them would give us that-”

“Could. And if any of us is still alive then maybe we'll be able to make a plan. Amazing thinking, Theo!” 

Even though he’s trying hard to keep his cool, Theo can’t help but growl at Liam’s unnecessary bitchy tone. As soon as he hears it, Liam growls twice as loud. 

In the otherwise silence of the room, Alec and Lori share a nervous side glance. 

“Mom and dad are fighting,” Alec whispers to her. 

“Shut up!” Liam instantly screams at him, his eyes glowing. “We're not fighting! We're brainstorming!”

“Wrong, we're doing circles!” Theo corrects him, trying to get them back on track and hold on to the threads of calmness he still has. “There's nothing to plan!”

“Respectfully, Theo,” Liam says through gritted teeth and a tight smile, “you're not being helpful or constructive right now.” 

Alec throws his arms in the air. “Oh, okay, so I get a ‘shut up’ but Theo gets a ‘respectfully’?” 

“Respectfully, Liam,” Theo says with just as much tension, “I'd rather not waste five hours of my life not coming up with a dumb plan that's based on nothing!”

“Then leave!” Liam shouts, reaching his limit. 

“And let you dumb idiots walk to your death?” Theo screams back. 

Liam, shocked, snaps out of his anger to smile smugly. “Well, I guess it's nice to know that you care.” 

Theo loses a few shades. 

“Alright, can you two stop your weird flirting for one second? We need to think of something!” Mason says with as little an eye roll as he can manage. 

They both turn to look at Mason with wide eyes. 

“We’re not-” Liam tries to say but he freezes again, incapable of saying the next word.

“We’re arguing,” Theo corrects the human but his high-pitched voice is far from convincing, ultimately betraying him. “We’re having a fight!” 

“Yeah! You know, the thing you told us we keep doing. Classic Liam and Theo, bickering away!” Liam says, throwing in a tense laugh for good measure. 

“Exactly!” Theo nods, relieved to hear at least one argument in their favor.

Mason intentionally lets the silence stretch and blinks at his best friend crumbling. Normally, he’d be the first one to help but Theo is right, they’re going in circles. Regrettably, the silence doesn’t last as long as Mason would’ve liked.

“Defensive much?” Alec throws at Liam and Theo. 

Liam savagely leaps to punch Alec so hard he might lose a limb but Theo, who was standing close to the beta, immediately pulls him back and ultimately saves Alec’s arm. Although Alec sends him a grateful nod, Theo shrugs. That’s not why he did it. For one thing, it would have proved Alec’s point and Theo wasn’t about to let that happen.

With Mason in charge of the meeting now, things go much smoother. Everyone can pitch in their opinions and it’s not just Liam and Theo butting heads. They arrive at a decision, not that Theo is happy with it, and they conclude that they’ll do more research on Cupid and ask other pack members if they know anything on the subject. Next week, whether they find useful information or not, they’ll try to come up with a plan. 

Theo would further try to urge them into doing something now but, every time Theo remotely opens his mouth, Liam keeps saying “but I know you'd be sad if one of us got hurt” with a baby voice and a dramatic pout. 

After the third time this happens, Theo turns to face Liam and, sending him a death glare as he looks into his eyes, he says, “I will get into your room while you're not there and highlight random parts of your favorite books. You won't know which one I highlighted and which one you thought were important. You’ll forever lose any kind of trace of your first reading. They might has well be foreign copies to you.”

Liam sends him an incredibly perplexed face. “...don't do that?”

“Then stop testing me!” Theo warns him with a growl. 

Apparently, Theo needed at least two completely free days of pure rest (well, besides the pack meeting yesterday and the patrol he would be doing right now if Liam wasn’t late to join him at the preserve) to finally ease the urge to kill someone. He was supposed to work but Deaton gave him the rest of the week off so he could get back on his feet after looking after Brett (he didn't ask for it and the chimera doesn't want to know if a certain beta called the veterinarian for him). Sure, his dreams still border on the nightmare territory but, when have they not? Despite fear reeking his place during the night and waking up in cold sweat, he's still getting a massive 6 hours of sleep a night! That's crazy! Who knew his body needed so much sleep!

“I'm sorry about the other day.” 

Theo jumps and turns. The last person he wanted to see is standing there, barely a dozen feet away from him. 

“Being a cupid is tougher than it sounds and I got carried away and… I'm sorry,” Cupid admits with sincere sadness. “I already apologized to Brett, but I wanted to tell you too. This isn't how I normally do things.”

“What? Shooting arrows?” Theo says, not believing them and trying to buy himself some time. He subconsciously steps away from them until his back hits a tree, spooking him in the process. 

“I take my job very seriously!” they say, squinting at Theo with an irritated look. “I always pick the ones that should be together but aren't for some reason. Think of it as fixing a wrong. I’m not messing with anyone! I'm a professional! I don't just go around randomly pairing people. That's just bad rep and dramatization in the media!”

Hearing these words, Theo feels his heart squeeze but he stays away, just as tense. He isn't sure they're telling the truth or what they mean by that. 

“What about Brett then? What was that about?” he says as soon as he thinks it. 

“Well, I was trying to do my job but… some of us are terrible shots, okay? We exist.” Cupid lets out a laugh, raising their hands in surrender. 

Theo tries to formulate a plan and buy himself some time but all of it gets thrown to the side for a moment. “Some of us? We?” He’s already panicking and the confusion is making it worse. He doesn’t know what to do, he’s in the preserve and there’s nowhere to hide, not against someone who can presumably teleport.  

“Do you think I’m the only cupid out there?” Cupid laughs once more. Theo has to force his body to stay tense and fight the calming aura of the entity. “I can’t be in charge of the entire world!”

“And you’re all named ‘Cupid’?” Theo asks because he knows it’ll be Liam’s first question when he’ll have to debrief the whole thing to him later. Shit, Liam! No, no, no, no… He can’t come here! Theo gets his phone out and quickly throws Cupid a “You know what, nevermind!”

Cupid frowns, their hands open like Theo isn’t making much sense and also being slightly impolite.

Theo waits for Liam to pick up in a panic. Thankfully, Liam does pick up.

“I know I'm late! But Corey wanted to see the Sims family I made of all of us and he started saying that I made him wrong? The nerve! So anyway, I had to change a few things.”

“No, it's fine, Liam. Just stay where you are!” 

Liam stays quiet for a few, unnerving seconds. 

“…Why?” 

Theo curses himself mentally. He should’ve come up with something before calling him! “Nothing. Just don't come here.” 

“That's very ominous, Theodore, I don't like it.”

Cupid grimaces at Theo and quietly mouths, “It's not going well.”

Theo turns so he can't see them. 

“Umm… Cupid is here,” he says after thinking for a moment and coming up with nothing. “And they can't really do anything if we're alone, right, so I'm perfectly safe… if you stay away.” 

“It's there? With you?” Liam doesn’t even wait for a response, there are already sounds of shuffling and running.

Theo groans. “What did I just say? Stay away!” he screams into the phone. 

The last thing he needs is to be love spelled to Liam Dunbar! He's actually scared at this point that it won't change a thing. Surely it can't be worse, right? Oh fuck, what if it makes it worse!?

“Okay, could you please calm down, ‘cause I’m getting offended over here,” Liam says angrily through his obvious running.

Fuuuuuuuck!

That's not what he meant!

Obviously!!!

Cupid’s voice is much closer and makes Theo jump again. “Do you need help?” they whisper a bit condescendingly. “With your messy love life or the hole you’re digging for yourself? It’s an either/or situation really, I can do both.”

“Shut up!” Theo shouts, overwhelmed. 

Cupid frowns at his rudeness. 

“What is it saying?” Liam asks, slowly getting just as worried as Theo.  

“Nothing! Just…” 

“You're stressing him out by the way,” Cupid adds again and, maybe it would feel helpful if there wasn’t that little sing-songy rhythm to it. 

“I'm on my way,” Liam tells him when Theo doesn’t answer him.

“Shut up!” Theo screams at Cupid before bringing his attention back to the phone he's crushing in his hand. “No, Liam, stay where you are! It's fine, they're not doing anything!”

“I'll be there in ten minutes,” Liam says like a promise before he hangs up.

“FUUUUUUUCK! ” Theo shouts in the forest, making a few birds fly away in distress. 

The scream echoes until all that’s left is the silence between them. 

Cupid snorts, looking at Theo who’s still paralyzed, incapable of thinking for once or coming up with some kind of plan. “Well, that went well,” they tell him sarcastically. 

Theo sends them a powerful growl. 

Cupid smiles at that. “I'm curious. Why is it that you're so scared of him being here?”

Theo decides that, if he can’t come up with a way to make them leave and keep Liam away then he’ll just have to prioritize. He tries to make a plan to keep Liam as far away as possible. Maybe he could try to make a run for it… No, Liam would just follow his scent. Maybe he could get in the car before Cupid stops him but that seems unlikely. So maybe he could… He… Fuck! Why isn’t his brain working!? He needs to focus! He can't have Liam here. He can't! Cupid will shoot Theo and then he'll- Damn, what if they shoot Liam!? Oh no no no no no… That would be… That would be worse than hell! Theo wouldn't survive having Liam look at him the way Brett looked at Liam. And then he'd have to stay away from him knowing that Liam only wishes to see him!? Hell. H-E-L-L. 

Theo sends them a nasty look like everything he thought about already happened. They’re the reason his life has been so frustrating these past few weeks! They’re the reason Liam is mad at him now! They’re the reason he can’t sleep at night!

“What?” Cupid asks him, truly puzzled by the pure hatred in his eyes. “I just apologized. And I'm gonna fix everything now!”

“No!” Theo’s hate twists into desperation once more. “Don't do anything!”

Cupid softens at seeing him so scared. They take a moment to truly analyze it and seriously consider his emotions. 

“Why?”

For a moment, it looks like, if Theo could explain it well enough, Cupid might actually see reason but he can't even say anything. His tongue stops working and he can't even come up with a single thought, however messy, irrational or pathetic. 

“You're not scared of me, are you?” they say softly. “You're scared of him.” 

Theo frowns, trying to scoff at their statement. Who would ever be scared of Liam Dunbar? He once saw him trip over a flimsy tree branch and fall into a lake!

Again, Theo feels that blooming warmth in his chest. 

Cupid smiles like they can feel it too. 

“So what's stopping you?” Their voice is calm now and they patiently wait for him to answer. 

Before he can stop himself, Theo gives them a saddened look like “isn't it obvious?”. Of course, he knows he should run while he still can but he's exhausted all over again. Besides, it doesn't matter if Cupid knows, Liam hates them so much, he probably won't believe a word coming out of their mouth. 

Cupid gives him a little amused snort. “It's hopeless, isn't it?” 

Theo thinks he might fall to his knees. He didn't need the mythological representation of love to tell him that! Fuck! He lets his head drop. Of course, it's hopeless. Why would he ever dare think otherwise!

“I mean, Liam constantly worries about you, openly tells you he loves you, visits you in your apartment when you don't work and comes to the clinic when you do. He includes you in every event and, even when he's mad at you, he isn't nearly as aggressive as he is with everyone else.” Cupid chuckles again. “I mean, it all screams indifference to me!”

Oh great. The mythical representation of love knows sarcasm! 

Of course, it sounds stupid when they put it that way but they don’t know everything! If they knew then they would know that they’re torturing him right now. This isn’t some fucking game or a joke to him! 

“Liam is soft like that with everyone!” he says through gritted teeth, his eyes faintly glowing and he feels his control slip between his fingers yet again.

“Is he?” Cupid asks, unconvinced.

“Yes!”

“Is he really?” Yet again, that little amused tone. 

“Oh my god!!!” Theo violently puts his hands over his face and tries to stay calm but all he wants to do is pull his freaking hair out. It feels like his brain is boiling and he's very aware that those ten minutes are ticking. 

Theo eventually gets his breathing under control and, since he can’t hear a sound, he hopes that Cupid might have left. He raises his gaze and sighs. They’re patiently waiting for him to calm down, still obviously in high spirits. 

Maybe this is why this is scaring him so much. This isn’t a creature you can simply beat or punch until you’re the last one standing. This is someone who can worm their way into your brain and rip away your bodily autonomy! Someone who can somehow detect your desires and who could spread them all for the entire world to see! Theo could’ve handled any life-threatening creature… but he doesn’t know what to do when it’s his relationship with Liam that’s at stake. 

The last card he can play is the one of reason. Maybe if he explains it calmly, then they will get it. They have to get it. It’s only been a few months since he started feeling like a person again, like a teenager, and it’s hard not to believe that, even if the smallest thing goes out of balance, it might not tip the whole scale and bring all of his recent accomplishments down. A compulsive need he’s very familiar with flashes through his body until he can’t simply stand there and do nothing. He has to get some sort of control back!

He isn’t one to beg but there’s always a first time for everything.

Theo looks them in the eyes, trying to find the right words. “Liam is just like that. He's nice and considerate and he doesn't know what personal space means. So it doesn't… it's not… It's not what you think it is.” Theo breaks his own heart as he says what he's been thinking all along. 

Cupid gives him a compassionate smile. “I've seen him with other people when you weren't in the room… have you?” 

Theo keeps his mouth firmly shut, trying hard to smother that flicker of hope in his traitorous heart. 

“Some things don't need to be overthought. If he spends so much time with you, it's because he likes you.” 

It'll pass, Theo thinks. 

“Of course, it will…” Cupid shrugs like that much is obvious. “...if you don't tell him you'd like for him to stay.”

Theo’s blood turns cold at the realization that Cupid just read his thoughts.

At that, Cupid shrugs dismissively. “Just the really strong ones. And they're not that clear. It also depends on the person of course.” 

“Why are you here, just go bug another city! We're fine here!”

“What are your nightmares about? I've been really curious,” the cupid asks, trying to get them back to a few seconds earlier when Theo was relatively open and calm. 

Theo is raging mad but he never met someone who could read his mind before so it’s a beat too late when he realizes he should be thinking of anything else but the few glimpses of Liam dying over and over again. 

Cupid’s expression grows sad. “I see,” they whisper. “Well, I'm sorry. But the dreams don't lie. They're telling you something. Do you know what that is?”

Theo’s attention shifts when he hears a car door slam shut in the distance and Liam forbidding Mason to come with him but to keep his phone close in case he needs backup. The clock ran out. Theo still has no plan.

“Please don't do anything,” Theo begs them with a hushed voice. He doesn't remember the last time he begged someone. Maybe it was the dread doctors. Or his sister. 

Cupid raises his arms in surrender once more and turns around to see Liam run towards them, fury in his eyes but Cupid is used to it by now.

“Hello, Liam!” they offer with a friendly tone. 

Surprisingly enough, Liam doesn't stop at Cupid to scream at them but rather continues walking until he's in front of Theo and then starts shouting at him. 

“Theodore Raeken, you unbelievable imbecile!” He pushes Theo as hard as he can, making the chimera stagger several steps back. “How many times did I tell you to call me if you need help and, now, you're calling me to tell me not to help? In what language do I need to say it for you to get it through your thick skull?!” 

“Wow,” Cupid says, obviously taken aback by this. 

“How about you help me not get pushed?” Theo says, back to his usual angry sass. 

“No!” Liam shouts as he pushes him again. 

So, naturally, Theo pushes him back in return. 

Liam scoffs at that, looking at Theo with even more defiance. “You can try to push me away but it won't work! I'm already here!”

I'm here now. 

Theo freezes, trying his best to stay upright and fight the earthquake still shaking his entire body. He almost stumbles as he tries to step away. 

Liam must see him falter because his anger immediately gets snuffed out and he frowns at the chimera in front of him. 

“What?” he asks because he doesn't understand why Theo became so pale. 

“N-nothing, just…”

I'm here now. 

“Just that…” Theo struggles to regroup his thoughts. 

I'm here now.  

“Just that it's smarter to deal with Cupid one on one.” Theo finally meets his gaze, trying arduously to go back to his usual self and change the conversation. “Think! It can't do any real damage unless we're at least two! So yeah… sorry for trying to come up with a strategy and keep us safe!”

Liam stares at him for a few seconds. 

“Well, you're not forgiven,” the werewolf says and it looks as if it's not clear for Liam himself if he's being petulant as a way to get back their normal dynamic or if he's serious. “You said it yourself at the pack meeting, we don't know what they can do. So this isn't about you being smart! It's the opposite!”

Liam huffs and puffs in front of Theo, obviously waiting for his reply. Maybe if he'd said something, Liam’s anger wouldn’t have had the opportunity to double. 

“Do you know how exhausting it is to always wonder if you're not gonna try to sacrifice yourself the first chance you get!? I always have to check up on you because you never ask for help! And your-”

“You're the one always running head first into danger like you're invincible! I always have to push you out of the way so you don't get killed like an idiot!”

Instead of taking the bait and continuing with the argument, Liam's face eases. Theo isn’t sure why he’d react like that but, when he spots the werewolf’s lips curve up, that’s when he knows he's not gonna like what comes next. 

“Thank you for looking after me like that,” Liam says with the same gentle tone he uses every time he compliments Theo. “You're a good friend.” 

Theo is speechless and his body has gone through so much in less than an hour that he can't find it within himself to know what he's feeling. Everything is just a mix of terror and deep deep deep consolation. 

A soft and pensive hum snaps them both out of their argument. They turn and their eyes widen. They forgot Cupid was still here. 

The entity isn’t doing anything really. They’re still looking at Theo and Liam with a terribly sweet expression. It’s the same one they had when they told the puppy pack they looked like such good friends. Almost like they could see the affection and love all around them in the air. 

Theo and Liam both feel uneasy under the unwavering stare. This sort of softness isn’t supposed to be directed at people. Cupid looks at them the way someone would gaze at a kitten trying to get up the stairs. Tired of it, Liam decides to address the elephant in the room: Cupid just standing there, not doing anything. 

“Aren't you gonna use your bow thingie?” Liam asks irritatedly.

“Why? Do you want me to?” Cupid asks with a smirk. 

Liam freezes. “Uh. That's not- I didn't-”

“We'll be fine without, thanks,” Theo warns them, his voice sharp as ice. 

Cupid looks at them for a few more seconds. “Yeah… maybe you will.”

Theo and Liam share a confused glance before they turn to ask Cupid what they mean by that but they're not there anymore. They vanished. 

“Okay… well, good,” Theo says breathlessly, looking all around them and finally able to somewhat relax. He feels so light now, he can barely feel his fingers. He tries to breathe through the sudden dizziness. Wow, Theo didn't know he was that stressed out. Jesus, he feels so light-headed that he wants to reach for a tree for support but he doesn't want Liam to think it affected him that much. 

Liam seems proud of this supposed victory and he doesn’t notice Theo wobbling on his two feet. “That's what I thought,” the beta says to the air like a warning. And then he walks towards the truck as if that was that. 

“Liam.” Theo frowns as he points towards the forest. “Patrol?”

Liam pouts and, when that doesn't make Theo change his mind, he surrenders. 

“You're too good and responsible, Theo,” Liam says but it's not the usual compliment game, it's said with great sadness. He drags his body to the start of the trail. “It's annoying.”

“You don't have a job and you spend your days playing Sims, so sorry to add to your busy schedule.” Theo rolls his eyes but starts walking after him. 

“Alright, you're forgiven.” Liam turns to send him an easy smile and trips barely a second later, leaving Theo to catch him before his face can hit one of the many huge rocks cemented in the dirt. Once he's firmly on his own two feet again, Liam just laughs it off and stays by Theo's side as they continue walking into the preserve. “But can you believe Corey? As if I didn't spend hours thinking about every person? I know that boy better than he knows himself and he has the audacity to…”

Liam talks non-stop the whole way through. Not that Theo minds.  

Is Liam crashing Mason and Corey’s date? Yes. But is it really a date if it’s at McDonalds? Exactly!

“They’re not really texting me…” Liam says quickly, not really wanting to get into it. Scott hasn’t texted him in three days and he’d be worried if this wasn’t their usual even when they're away on missions. He’ll just text Stiles if he doesn’t hear from them by Friday. 

He looks out the window again. Liam thought this would be fun. He thought it would be a great distraction from overthinking in his room but it seems like it doesn’t matter if he’s by himself or if he has company. He should probably go but he’s happy to get a few minutes with Mason and Corey. It feels like he never sees them these days. That might be an exaggeration but as every shrink ever told him, feelings are never wrong! 

“Alright, so what’s the problem then?” Mason asks, even more troubled. 

“Nothing, I’m fine,” Liam says quickly with a shrug. “How are you guys?”

Corey and Mason blink at him and his jittery self. 

“I’m fine,” Corey offers politely.

“Yeah, we’re great, just like we were when you asked us 5 minutes ago. And fifteen minutes ago,” Mason adds, frowning at Liam, trying to figure out what is wrong. 

“Sorry.” Liam doesn’t really look at them, he just steals a bit of Corey’s fries and looks out the window again. He should probably leave.

“Great, so we’re all fine,” Corey says, trying to fill the silence. 

But the silence stretches on and Corey’s one little sentence doesn’t do much to protect them from it.

“And how is it going with Theo?” Mason finally asks with a teasing tone, obviously making some kind of insinuation or maybe he’s simply done pussyfooting around Liam's big fat crush on local redemption arc Theo Raeken. 

Damn, maybe this is what Liam gets for crashing a date!

“I uh…” Liam doesn't know what to say but it's entirely because there’s a million things that want to make it out of his mouth and he doesn't know which one to pick. Somehow, the worst and most private thing escapes him first. “I keep having these dreams…"

Corey and Mason, sitting in front of him, both raise their eyebrows. Corey suddenly blushes and searches for a reason to leave the table while Mason couldn't possibly look more interested in the conversation. 

“No, not like that, uh…” Liam takes a nervous sip of his iced tea and then clears his throat, his heart beating so fast in his chest, he's having trouble breathing. Why was he talking about this again? Oh right, because keeping it to himself is driving him insane. “I keep dreaming that he like… hugs me… for hours.” 

Mason blinks at him for one, two, three seconds before he bursts into a thunderous laugh. Even Corey puts a hand over his mouth to stop any chuckle from coming out. The chimera turns away so Liam can't see how amused he looks. 

Liam blushes and frowns at their reaction. “Guys, it's not funny!! Every fucking night, I go to sleep and then he…” Liam looks around and his voice is much lower when he adds, “...hugs me for like eight hours and then I wake up feeling all weird. And then I get to see him and I have to act like that didn't happen??!!”

Mason is still laughing but he valiantly tries to make a sentence before it dies with a new set of laughter. 

Biting his lips and trying hard to keep his seriousness, Corey struggles to come up with a normal and rational question to Liam’s absurd problem. “Do you think… perhaps you need a hug?”

Mason puts a hand on Corey's shoulder as if to stop him before he slaps the table, holding his stomach with his other hand, gasping for air. 

Liam’s face is so red, he feels dizzy. “I don't know… Doesn't everyone?”

Mason is making a ruckus in the restaurant but there's not enough people there for it to be annoying. Unless you're Liam and your best friend has been laughing at your face for two minutes!

“Mason, it's not funny! I'm losing my mind!” 

“Are the hugs nice?” Corey continues with the questions, a bit more comfortable now that Mason finally settles down. 

And by “settling down”, let’s simply say that Mason is breathing again, through quiet chuckles this time, wiping the tears from his eyes. 

Liam stutters for a few seconds at Corey’s question, feeling this tension in his stomach. “Well… of course, but it's still… weird.” 

Mason takes one final giddy inhale before he breathes out with a relieved “phew”. Putting a hand on the table towards Liam, Mason stops his best friend for a moment. 

“Liam, dude, you've been wanting a hug since the day I met you. Do you remember in kindergarten? Everyone kept calling you Leechy Liam ‘cause you were giving hugs left and right to everyone and never letting anyone go?”

Liam sends him a death glare. “We said we wouldn't talk about that again,” he says through gritted teeth.

Mason smiles at him like he’d never agree to such a thing. “All I'm saying is that it's not that weird.” Mason waits for a moment. “But it is very funny. You dream of…” He has to stop himself because he's gonna laugh again. “Eight hours? Bro…” Mason’s tone isn’t disappointed but it’s a little bit embarrassed. 

“I don't control my dreams!! It's not my fault!” 

“Would you change your dreams if you could?” Corey asks, genuinely curious, but Mason snorts at the question, holding his stomach and moaning in pain as it cramps up again.

“What's with the therapy session, Doc?” Liam throws Corey's way, defensive and annoyed. 

“I'm just asking…” Corey whispers, now confused. He's doing exactly what Liam wanted, taking it seriously, so how come now he's the bad guy?

Mason gets his arms around Corey and squeezes his boyfriend affectionately. “It was a great question, babe. I, for one, would love to know Liam's answer.” Mason puts his head on Corey's shoulder and looks at Liam with an evil grin. 

Liam’s expression turns into a big old scowl as he crosses his arms and frowns at his friend. He doesn't say anything for a while. 

“So what if I like hugs! Sue my affectionate ass!” Liam throws his hands in the air. 

“Oh, so you wouldn't change your dreams if you could?” Mason asks teasingly, barely holding his amusement back.

“Mason, I'm gonna strangle you!”

The human smiles like the threat answered his question perfectly. 

But this carefree exchange doesn’t feel right to Liam. What he’s going through is a problem and he needs his best friend – and Corey – to get that!

“I wouldn't have them every night!” Liam exclaims like he can’t keep it in anymore. “And not for eight hours! I wake up all fuzzy and warm and then I have to see him and pretend that I didn't hug him all night in my dreams? Pretend that I don't want him to do it in real life?” He crosses his arms again and looks around as if Theo – who's at work anyway – might come in at any moment and hear this. “Like I have those crazy dreams and then I have to go all dude bro dude with Theo?”

Both Corey and Mason frown at that last statement but it’s not confusion that’s written on their faces, it’s pity.  

“Oh, Liam, you're not…” Corey starts but he doesn’t know how to say this without upsetting the werewolf.

Mason extends his hand towards Liam in support again. “Dude, you're so far from being dude bro dude with him,” Mason says calmly and it’s with great sorrow that he has to reveal this to his best friend. “You're like giggling, twirling your hair. You have heart eyes every time he's in the room.”

Liam’s eyes widen in panic, more scared than shocked. “That's not true!”

Corey nods slightly because it is true. 

Mason sighs, looking at him with fond pity. “Babe, you told him you loved him two weeks ago. In front of everyone.”

“‘Babe’? I thought I was ‘babe’,” Corey immediately changes the subject, turning to face Mason who’s sitting in the same booth.

“I was here first,” Liam tells him with a challenging glare. “Know your place, babe number two.” 

“Babe number two??!” Corey exclaims with much offense and even more shock.

Mason pulls back to properly look at his boyfriend. “Corey, we talked about this… Liam and me, we're a package deal.” 

“That's right!” Liam says with all the pride in the world.

Mason shrugs, taking Corey’s hand. “You marry me, you marry us.” 

“And I'll always be babe number two?” Corey can’t help but come back to that. 

“Yes, but you'll be my only boyfriend!” Mason says with a lovey-dovey smile, making Corey ease and intertwine their fingers. 

Liam rolls his eyes at their romantic moment, suppressing a whiny “can we get back to my love life now?”. Not that there's any to talk about. He hits the table with his head as Corey and Mason continue whispering lovey-dovey things to each other. This isn’t the first time they stopped a conversation to flirt with each other. Liam is used to it by now. It’s almost as if, from the very first day they were together, Mason and Corey were the Perfectly Cute Couple. Which is great! Liam is so happy for Mason and he’d want nothing less than a completely enamoured Corey for him. 

It’s just that it’s a lot to compare yourself to. Even with Hayden, they were fighting most of the time. He’s never had that sickly sweet relationship that Mason has. He’s not sure if he could have one. “Sweet” isn’t the first thing people think about when they think about Liam. 

And it’s not like he genuinely wants that or that he needs it. Honestly, he’d settle for anything if Theo was willing to open the door to it. That’s not to say that Theo isn’t sweet himself. Liam breaks into a private smile, his face temporarily hidden. Even though Theo tries hard to appear cold and indifferent, Liam knows better… so he can’t help but push and tease Theo until he breaks and shows some of that niceness. It became his life’s duty about four months ago. Liam doesn’t quite remember what they were talking about, maybe it was about being fired from yet another job – the last one before Theo started working for Deaton –  but he remembers far too well how Theo said that it “didn’t really affect him since he doesn’t feel that much anyway”. That didn’t sit well with Liam. Especially since Theo’s heart didn’t stutter at all. And especially since Liam knows that’s not true. 

But the more he listened, the more Liam came to think that maybe Theo’s decrepit self-esteem might not be the only culprit for the chimera’s skewed opinion of himself. The pack are not shy about calling each other out and, most of the time, that’s for the best. The only thing that Liam would change is how precise and repetitive the pack’s criticism of Theo has been since he joined in. Liam is breaking himself in two trying to convince his stupid chimera that he's nowhere near “cold” (Stiles’ words) or “unfeeling” (Corey’s words) or that “his emotions are bottled up so tight within himself that they might one day make crystals” (Mason’s poetry). Anyone else could believe that and Liam wouldn't care but he won't stand for Theo thinking that about himself. 

There’s also the fact that Theo sometimes seems sad but it could be just Liam imagining things or projecting. Anyway, it doesn't matter. Theo could be the happiest guy on Earth and Liam would still feel the urge to protect him. He’s like a tiny porcupine with trust issues. But, hey, Liam's trying to be normal about it! He’s trying to be helpful and not shock his lovely lovely little panicked porcupine heart. Ugh. God, what he'd do just to hug him!

“Liam!” Mason says his name like this isn’t the first time he's saying it. “Liam! Stop daydreaming about hugging Theo and focus!” 

“What? I wasn't!” Liam jumps, raising his head and blushing like he’d just been caught red-handed. Because he was.

It's his fucking dreams’ fault!

“When you marry Theo, you'll tell him he's babe number two, right?” Mason asks as he rolls his eyes and, judging by Corey's solemn nod, this is a deal they just made. 

Liam can’t believe they’d ask him that. That’s a scenario so far from this realm of reality, they shouldn’t even be discussing this! “Theo doesn't even know we're friends! He keeps freaking out about Cupid, what…” Liam stops himself when he remembers that. He looks at Corey and Mason, almost imploring them for an answer. “I'm not so bad?! I'm a catch, right? In some way? Why is he so fucking scared of loving me?!” Liam whines, genuinely wanting to cry but only faking that he wants to cry (as if that's better). “Why the fuck are we talking about weddings?” 

“Awww…” Mason says, leaving his booth with Corey to join Liam, rubbing a hand over his back. 

“I mean, I told him I loved him to his face – to his face! – and he said nothing!” Liam says with a very high-pitched voice like he just remembered that he did that! Why did he do that!? 

“Yeah, you definitely broke him,” Corey says, nodding. “It was way too soon!”

“Well, Corey,” Liam says his name like a snake spits venom, “what the fuck do I have left to do to shake some sense into him?!”

Corey doesn't know how to react to that. 

“Just give him time,” Mason says, still rubbing his hand on his back. 

Liam presses his forehead to the table again. 

“But I don't want time, I want a hug!” Liam groans petulantly, not really caring how he sounds. Mason has seen him way worse anyway!

His best friend snorts. “Yeah, I know,” Mason says, comforting him. “Do you want me to hug you right now?”

“No!” Liam says childishly before rethinking his answer. “Yes.” 

Mason chuckles again and just gives him a side hug for a few seconds. 

From the other side of the table, Corey stares at them for a moment.

“Mason, are we sure about the package deal thing?” he sighs, looking discouraged. 

“Yes!” Mason and Liam both exclaim firmly.

Corey groans. “Alright, fine.” He crosses his arms. “Just checking.” 

“You don’t have to do that,” Theo warns Alec, looking at him suspiciously as the beta helps him tidy up after Theo did the inventory. Alec came here two hours ago “just to pet the dogs” so Theo isn’t sure if he is so bored he’d rather work or if he has something to tell him and just doesn’t have the guts to do it yet.

Alec shrugs. “This ain’t bad,” he says before he breaks into a smile. “And if I want to steal your job in a year or two, I have to get started.” 

Theo chuckles and accepts the sealed bandages Alec hands him. “I’ll drop in a good word for you.”

“Really?”

Theo nods like it’s not the big gesture Alec thinks it is. 

“Oh, you can put that over there,” Theo tells him, pointing at the syringes. “It goes in the locked cabinet there but I’ll just do it later.”

Alec shrugs, looking around. “Where’s the key?”

“Nice try.” Theo scoffs.

Alec’s face turns amused as he looks at Theo’s reaction. 

“Fine, Mr Goody-Two-Shoes. I was just trying to be helpful.”

Theo hums, unimpressed, but his eyes linger on the young beta. It’s not the first time Alec has tried this type of thing. Theo blamed it on him being a bit airheaded – they all do –  but recently, some quiet alarms have been ringing in Theo’s mind. It’s nothing too concerning, just a few weird requests here and there and a tendency to always – as if Fate was stubbornly on his side – to get his way.

Theo didn’t mention any of it to Liam and certainly not to Scott. It’s not like he thinks Alec isn’t a good person – he’s a good kid – but there are some things that make Theo suspect there might be more to Alec than his sarcastic goofy persona… For one thing, he’s always ready to save himself at the first sight of danger, always asking seemingly innocent questions that surprisingly become relevant later, and there's a nervous glint of hypervigilance in the young beta's eyes. In some ways, Alec reminds Theo of himself just a bit too much.

The pack hasn’t noticed it yet and Theo isn’t gonna be the one to tell them. Anyway, they wouldn’t believe him. They treat Alec like their adorable little brother or, worse, their new wounded rescue.

Maybe Liam would believe him but that's simply because Liam believes everything he hears. That being said, discovering that Alec is coveting his job surprises him.

“Why didn’t you ask for the job when Scott left if you wanted it?” Theo asks with a hushed voice, although he’s not sure why. Maybe it’s because the clinic is unusually quiet.

Alec shrugs with a snort. “I thought you needed it more than me.”

Theo hits him hard in the arm. “Asshole,” Theo says with a smile.

“I was being considerate, you jerk!” Alec laughs before hitting him back.

Yeah, Alec’s a good kid. 

The other members of the pack are back and no one was hurt, which is good. Mason has stopped teasing Liam about his dreams, which is good. Lori told the group that Brett is back to his usual cocky self, which is… good in a way. The only incredibly irritating and ultimately shitty thing happening is the fact that it’s the full moon!

Liam is used to being on his own on the days leading to full moons. It’s in everyone’s best interest really. He gets so annoyed at everyone no matter what they do and his impulse control is like Corey when there’s a fight nearby, which is to say… nowhere to be found. Mason and the others were willing to try different things and figure out what could help but Liam prefers to stay on his own anyway. At least, he doesn’t have to go to school! So, he’s staying in his room, alone, hoping that the angry feeling inside of him will settle enough for him to take a nap. That’s all he needs really. Just a quiet moment with himself and a solid day of rest. It has nothing to do with the fact that Theo is working.  

That's… inconsequential. 

Who cares that Theo’s working? Who cares that he's working all the time? Who cares that Liam has to go annoy him every time the chimera has a few hours free? Who cares that Liam feels like a maiden dying of heartbreak every day he can't see Theo?

No one. Again. Inconsequential. 

And yeah, maybe Liam sometimes wonders if Theo might not feel the same. He won't push it to having (dumb stupid unwelcomed) feelings, but maybe just a genuine desire to see each other often. That would be nice. If he knew Theo liked to spend time with him maybe he wouldn't lose so much sleep overthinking at night. 

But it's hard to tell with Theo. You need to go past everything he says so you can only focus on what he does. For example, for every occasion he tells Alec to go fuck himself, he helps him with his homework a dozen times. Also, he keeps telling Liam to leave him alone but then he's always making sure he's comfortable and happy when he's at his apartment. 

Liam sighs as he pulls the covers over his head. The lack of Theo is getting unbearable. His sigh twists into a growl and Liam gets a tight angry grip on his soft sheets. Stupid Theo and his stupid work! If he was here, Liam would be fine but no! Sir has work! Irresponsible! Immature, even!

Ugh. Liam knows Theo is his anchor. Stiles gave him the Werewolf 101 speech enough times that he could recite it in his sleep. So yeah, he knows an anchor when he sees one. He knows he feels better with Theo in the room. When he's not there, Liam keeps looking around like a lost puppy… or so Mason has told him. 

But it's fine. It's inconsequential, Liam would say, but he's starting to think that maybe he's using that word wrong.  

All this to say that he's fine. He doesn't need Theo to know he's his anchor, Liam has it under control… most of the time… when the moon isn't full.

Which it is. 

Or, at least, it's gonna be. 

His phone buzzes and Liam considers not checking it but there’s a voice inside him – probably just his stupid wolf – hoping that it might be Theo.

But of course it’s not! The chimera couldn’t even bring himself to text him!? Not even a “hope you’re okay”? What the fuck is wrong with this guy? Texting that would literally take two seconds! What is more important than taking two freaking seconds to wish Liam a good fucking day!? 

Liam takes a deep breath once he realizes that he might be a little bit dramatic. Who knows, maybe Theo will text him later. He probably won’t, though. He’s not one to text if he has nothing to say. 

With yet another deep breath, Liam just checks the text he did get. At least someone is thinking about him on this wretched day!

THE “is my wolf’s last name McCall if you’re like my wolf dad?” PRIVATE CHAT

Wolf dad

Still good for tonight?

scotts favorite son (omg who said that?)

lunar calandar isnt something i can control 

Wolf dad

??

scotts favorite son (omg who said that?)

i cant make the full moon be on another day can i?!

Wolf dad

Oh right hahaha

scotts favorite son (omg who said that?)

right!!! so funny how we want to die and kill people every fucking month of our lives like wow thanks for the ‘gift’ u know

Wolf dad

…Can I do anything? Are you alright? 

Fuck. 

It's barely 2 pm. The day is gonna be long!

Liam opens his conversation with Theo and he starts writing before he quickly stops himself. He doesn't need to text him! He's fine! Liam turns and screams into his pillow. 

Mid AAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!, his phone rings and, again, there’s that stupid hope that he wants to crush into a million pieces that it might just be Theo. He looks at his screen. It’s not Theo.

He continues screaming in his pillow for another three powerful seconds before he answers. He would never let Mason go to voicemail! 

“What?!” Liam barks despite himself. 

“Damn. Scott wasn't kidding, you're losing it,” Mason says with a pensive hum. 

Liam immediately ends the call before he starts yelling at his best friend in the whole world who should know better than to be a bitch to him today! He doesn't fucking need this! On full moon days, Liam gets angry at the air and the sun coming in from his window, what makes Mason think that he won’t get pissed at his gratuitous attitude? His phone rings again and, this time, Liam lets it ring until the very last second before he picks it up (He would never let Mason go to voicemail!!). 

He doesn’t even say hello, he just waits for his best friend to say something. 

“Do you want me to get Theo?” Mason asks, his voice much softer.

Liam immediately hangs up and throws his phone at the wall with a scream. As soon as it hits the floor, Liam’s heart stops. The phone looks alright. He learned a long time ago to pick the sturdiest phone case possible. His cellphone rings a third time but Liam lets it and stays where he is. 

Instead, he takes a moment to relax and breathe. Settling more and more under his covers, Liam slowly starts to ease up again. 

“So I've heard a lot about anchoring but what is it exactly?” 

Liam jumps and looks in the direction of the unexpected voice. Seeing Cupid in his room, Liam rises to his feet, his claws and fangs already out. 

“Oh, no need for that,” Cupid tells him with a smile. “I just came here to talk. That's mostly what I do, really. Talking. But it also means I'm quite good at it.” 

Liam growls warningly at them but his voice gets all choked up when he suddenly remembers his mom working downstairs. He doesn’t want her to get involved in this! 

Thinking that this means Liam crossed out the option of fighting, Cupid leisurely gets settled in Liam’s desk chair, toying with a pen that was laying around. “You know, I don't meet a lot of werewolves. What does the full moon feel like?”

“Like I'm gonna pierce your eyes out!” Liam says in a low snarl.  

Cupid can't help but smile. 

“What!?” Liam barks, avidly looking for a reason to attack. 

Cupid shrugs. “Nothing, just something someone said about you... They didn't mention the anger.” 

Liam frowns, confused. That's like the first thing people say when they think of him. And who was talking to Cupid about him? The only person who saw Cupid on their own was… Theo. 

Did Theo…

Theo did not mention the anger. 

Wait, why was Theo talking about him!?

“Why do you think?” Cupid asks with slight amusement. 

Th-thump. Liam’s heart hiccups in his chest as the boy starts spiraling. Did he just say that out loud or is Cupid reading his thoughts? It feels like both scenarios are bad. Liam shakes his head. He can’t let them get in his head. 

“What do you want?” he demands because Cupid has been here for a while now and, besides chaos, mayhem, and making Theo nervous, they didn't do much. 

Cupid frowns like the answer is obvious. “I want to help.” 

“You'd be surprised how many evil people answer the same way,” Liam retorts with a scoff. 

Glancing at his phone, he thinks he should call for backup. Then again, his phone is across the room and he doesn’t want Mason or anyone to get in the crossfire. Eying Cupid who’s chilling in his desk chair, trying to balance a pen on their nose, Liam is fully aware that there’s no way he can reach for his phone and be smooth about it. 

“You think I'm evil?” Cupid asks, curious and now twirling in the rotative chair. 

“I don't know but you're a pest, that's for sure.” Wow, that’s a good word! And he came up with it all by himself! Uh. Maybe next time, he’ll beat Mason and Alec at Scrabble after all! 

“Ow,” the cupid laughs, both hands on their chest as if hurt. “If only I was evil, right, Liam?” Cupid does another round on the chair and, the next time they look at Liam, the boy is frowning. “Because what does it mean if I'm not actually here for nefarious reasons?” 

Liam frowns even deeper, obviously thinking. When he finally understands what they mean, his eyes widen as he looks at Cupid. If they’re not trying to cause senseless mayhem, then they must be here to… to do what cupids do.

“Y-you're just trying to confuse me,” he stutters nervously. 

“I'm actually being as clear as I can. The confusion, that's all you.” 

Liam growls. 

A smirk on their lips, Cupid pierces through his instinctive anger with their brown eyes. “What's the growl hiding, Liam?”

Oh great! It's fucking therapy again!

Liam lets himself fall on his bed with an annoyed sigh. 

“Alright, fine! Yes, I like Theo. No, I don't know if he likes me back. Does it matter? Yes and no. Does it piss me off? Not every day. Did I cry about it? Sure but that doesn't mean much. Is Mason on my case about it? Yes. Would telling Theo I like him potentially ruin our friendship and endanger the entire town because I'd be left anchor-less? Potentially. Do I think he could handle the news well? Absolutely not! Am I scared that we won't know how to act even if he did feel the same way? Yes.” Liam sits up to look at Cupid with a forlorn look. “Like what if we're good at being friends but we suck at being something else? What if I scare him away?” Liam sighs. “He's so easily scared…”

Cupid blinks at him for a long moment. 

“Wow. That was… very honest. And forthcoming.” 

“Well, I figured that's what you wanted to hear.” Liam sighs again. 

“It was.” They nod, still stunned. 

Liam rolls his eyes, his shoulders all bent and his body completely devoid of any fight. “Well, doctor Cupid, what's the prognosis?” 

Cupid snorts at the nickname. “Why do you think I'd know the answers to your questions?”

“Well, what's the point of you if you don't?” Liam exclaims rudely, leaning against his headboard, and crossing his arms. 

Cupid tries not to take it personal. It’s hard to do with a sentence starting with “what’s the point of you” but they still move past it eventually. 

“You know more about the situation than me. What do you think is the prognosis?” they ask calmly.

Liam looks down at his sweatpants, not finding this conversation as dumb as he did a second ago. A familiar weight crushes his chest and he feels… He feels… There's not a word for it. Liam tried to find one for years. All he came up with is “un-hugged”. He feels un-hugged. Like his skin is too raw and he needs someone to envelop him right now before it hurts any more. 

Liam shrugs, not wanting to talk anymore. And yet…

“I just don't want him to feel obligated to… I don't know. I like how close we are, how close he is with everyone! And I feel like… I don't want him to feel uncomfortable. What if he leaves town or… what if he says yes but it's just ‘cause he thinks he needs to say yes otherwise I'll be uncomfortable?” Liam shakes his hand when he realizes his claws are out. He tries to take a few deep breaths. When his claws are gone, he starts scratching his pants again, still avoiding Cupid's gaze. 

“Are these two the only possible scenarios?”

Liam rolls his eyes at the classic shrink question. 

“No,” he says to humor them but his tone is still deeply annoyed. 

“So?”

His body warms up with renewed anger. “Listen, Theo isn't that complicated, okay? If he was interested or if he thought it was a good idea, he would have done something about it by now. It's not like I've been subtle!” He groans but then mumbles, “Mason says I can’t do subtle.” 

“He’s not wrong.” Cupid nods. 

Liam scrunches his nose. “Ever thought maybe I’d reconsider hunting you for sport if you weren’t such a bitch?”

“This is you hunting me for sport?” Cupid asks, his eyebrows high, clearly unimpressed. 

Liam growls again, still mindful not to do it too loudly. 

“‘If he was interested or if he thought it was a good idea, he would've done something about it by now’,” Cupid recites, doing a few more turns on the chair. “So you think there's a possibility that Theo is doing the same thing you're doing? Going in circles, thinking of all the worst scenarios one after the other?”

Liam frowns. He didn’t think of it like that.  

“I… Well, he's not really… an optimist. So maybe.” He shrugs.  

Cupid hums like that's interesting. 

“Wouldn't it be funny if you had been both inventing dumb reasons why this would never work and then never actually talking about it?” They chuckle.

Liam blinks at them with a deep frown, horrified. “No?”

Cupid seems surprised by his reaction. They hum again, taken aback. Just then, Jenna’s voice booms from downstairs, obviously trying to talk loud enough for Liam to hear.

“Liam, did Theo climb through the window again? I told him to use the front door!” 

Liam's blood turns to ice. He glances at his window and he's deeply relieved to see that Theo has not made it through his bedroom while he was pouring his heart out to… Looking back at his desk, the chair is empty. Cupid is gone. 

This is getting tiring.

“No, why?” Liam exclaims once he remembers to answer his mom. 

“Who are you talking to?” she shouts but it's not angry, it's just so Liam can hear her. 

“Besides you?”

“Yes!”

“No one!” 

In the following silence, Liam hears his mom mutter something about giving Theo a key so he learns to use the door. 

As they usually do in the summertime or when Scott is home, they all spend the full moon at Melissa’s house. They’re making a fire but it’s more to keep them busy than because it’s actually chilly. Liam is burning up but that’s not very odd considering his history. 

Everyone who could be there is there and Liam is trying hard not to notice that even Theo joined in despite Scott hosting the whole thing. If Liam freaking discovers that his best friend or anyone else specifically invited the chimera for his sake, he's gonna start biting people! For now, Liam tries to keep to himself and take deep breaths. All he can think about is that he shouldn’t be here, that he’s gonna explode any minute now and that he doesn’t want them to see it. 

This isn’t your first full moon. You spent many of them with the pack and you never hurt them… besides that one time you broke Brett’s spine but he had it coming.

That’s what Theo told him the last time he was at a full moon when Liam started worrying that he might attack someone. He tries to repeat the words in his mind a few times. It’s true. He never completely lost it. Not the way he often agonizes about. And that's not going to change tonight. He won’t let himself do that.

It still feels weird to use Theo as an anchor. Without the chimera knowing about it, it’s almost feels like Liam is overstepping some kind of unspoken boundary. Maybe Theo would hate it if he knew Liam does that. That he uses him like that. 

Without meaning to, Liam lets out a quiet but conflicted ugggggggghhhhhh as the disgusted feeling pours in his veins like the most unpleasant poison.   

Again, his eyes go for Theo almost in an attempt to feel better. Liam suppresses a growl that’s entirely directed at himself and his need to look Theo’s way every two minutes. While everything around Liam is confusing and overwhelming to his feverish mind, Theo feels like a beacon of focus and clarity. He would normally go to him without much shame but Mason’s and Cupid’s words still echo in his mind and he doesn’t trust himself to do anything sensible or rational tonight. 

So Liam is staying away.

But what the fuck is Theo’s excuse!? Liam wants to scream. Why is he being such a bitch and staying away, casually chatting with other people as if he likes chatting or other people!? Doesn’t he want to see Liam? Doesn’t he care how he’s feeling? Wow, alright, so Theo hates him! Great! Whatever. Liam doesn't care. Fuck Theo! Fuck having an anchor! It's obviously not working for him!

“Did something happen?” Corey carefully joins him to gently ask.

“Something will happen if you don't back off!” Liam growls, threatening Corey with his claws. 

Corey instantly steps back, hands in the air.

Liam takes an angry inhale but he has the shame to look at the ground when everyone turns around to look at who just screamed. Of course, it’s Liam! Why are they so surprised? Who else would be losing their shit despite having done this Full Moon routine for so many months he lost count? 

“Hey, do you-” Stiles starts before being cut off by a still half-turned Liam.

“Don’t!”

“...have enough space? ‘Cause I can give you more,” Stiles awkwardly finishes, walking back to the spot he came from. 

Concentrating on your own breathing is one of the most boring things in the world. 

Still, he inhales…

…and he exhales.

He inhales…

…and he exhales.

He in-

“Hey!! There’s my favorite coyote!” Stiles screams as loudly as he can – or at least that’s how it feels – after stealing Scott’s phone and answering the FaceTime call for him.

“Can you at least point it towards me? I’d like to see her?” Scott asks his best friend with annoyed fondness. 

“So, how’s Canada? Does deer taste different there?” Stiles asks with a bright smile, holding the phone towards Scott for exactly half of a second before forgetting the reasonable request.

“What do you mean? I’m in France,” Malia says and it doesn’t matter if they can see her or not, everyone can picture her frowning. 

While all of their voices are grating to Liam’s ears, he’s not entirely mad about the much-needed distraction. 

“Yeah,” Stiles says dismissively, “I heard there's some people talking French there but don't be scared, it's still Canada.” 

“No, I'm literally in France. Look! ” 

Of course, Liam can’t see any of it but, judging by Stiles’ baffled look, it must be France.

“When did you get there?” Scott urgently asks, obviously not liking being out of the loop, as he takes possession of his phone, pushing a very perplexed Stiles to the side.

“I don’t know? Since I left,” Malia says with her usual bland of annoyance and confusion.

Stiles sends an unimpressed look Scott's way, shaking his head before leaving the couple to talk it out and heading to annoy Derek instead.

“I thought you said you were going to Canada,” Scott says, hoping for an explanation. 

“I changed my mind. ” 

“Then why didn't you say anything?” Scott asks with a slight intensity that might be explained by the full moon. 

There’s a short pause before Malia answers, just as intense in her confusion. “Exactly. Why would I say anything!? ”

Their conversation – which should be private but really isn’t – continues for so long that Liam eventually loses interest and continues simply standing there, waiting for this torture to be over.

As if it was only a matter of time before someone would try to talk to him again, Lori and Alec approach Liam, hushing words between themselves before they stop in front of the beta. Liam doesn't hold back his eye roll. Being civil is hardly an option today.

“Lori is texting Brett,” Alec tells him as if that explains why Lori is holding her phone like a journalist would hold their notepad.

Liam frowns and looks around.

Uh. Right. Brett isn’t here.

“Anything you’d like to say to your valentine?” Lori teases with a snort. 

Most people would give a snarky comment back as some sort of warning. Liam, on the other hand, simply flashes his gold eyes and lets out the growl he’s been repressing for hours now. While Alec takes a step back, Lori stays firmly where she is, obviously having more bad jokes that she feels compelled to share. 

“He told me that you went to the apartment while he was still under Cupid’s curse, care to comment as to why?” she adds with a mischievous glint in her eyes. 

Grinding his teeth, there’s this needy voice in Liam’s mind going “Is this enough? Can we fight now? Is this a good enough reason to let go? Please say yes!” 

Alec, full of common sense when it’s time to flee from a potential threat, takes Lori’s arm. Tugging at her shirt, the young beta's eyes never leave Liam who’s growing more and more furious with each new second. 

“I just think it’s suspicious that you’d go when he’s still forced to be in love with you… unless, of course,” she says, her voice close to a whisper now, as she subtly turns to look at someone in particular, “you were there for another reason.”

That’s enough!

Liam lounges at Lori but the second before his claws can happily tear through Lori’s small body, Liam is forcibly stopped, making him stagger backwards. Just as he finds his balance again and decides that he’ll just have to fight Lori and the person who came between them, Liam’s eyes land on Theo and he pauses for a moment. 

Once he sees that the murderous glint is gone from Liam’s eyes, Theo unceremoniously grips Liam’s arm and yanks him away from the fire and everyone else. Feeling Theo close and touching him, it seems like Liam’s brain starts working again. Although tension doesn’t leave his weary body and his jaw is still so very tight, Liam can’t remember why he was so mad a second ago. He lets out a shaky sigh of relief when Theo stops dragging him someplace but keeps his hold on his arm.  

It takes him a few seconds before he understands that Theo is calling his name but, when he does, it’s like a bubble explodes and Liam instinctively pulls back at the loud noise, making Theo let go of him in the process, and all the hostility of before comes rushing back to him. 

“Liam, you okay? Liam? Liam, look at me.” 

When the beta raises his gaze, there’s a deep fury written in his eyes. Merely a second or two later, Liam’s glare loses all of its edge. 

Theo gives him a little smile before he whispers, “You're crushing my hand.” 

What? They’re not even-

Looking down, Liam almost screams when he sees that he’s holding Theo's hand, his knuckles white from the death grip. It takes him yet another shameful second before he can get his body to let go. Theo's bones snap back into place but the chimera doesn't seem too bothered by it.

“Sorry. I just… I need to walk it off, I'll come back in a few minutes,” Liam blurts out before quickly heading towards the woods behind Scott's house. 

Getting more distance between himself and the pack allows Liam to breathe easier but the moment he hears someone’s steps following him, Liam sees red again and starts running deeper into the forest, not really caring about getting lost as long as he can be alone for just a few minutes and finally get some goddamn control back!

But no matter how fast he runs, the other person’s steps echo his own, never losing him in this desperate race. Liam recognizes the steady heartbeat and the way his pursuer barely makes any sound as he sprints. It’s no surprise that, when he finally stops to confront him, Theo is the one standing behind him, his expression composed but his breathing short. 

“Just leave me alone! If I needed you, I’d come and get you but since I-”

Theo’s scoff is neither friendly nor amused. “No, you wouldn’t.”  

Liam is shocked for a moment. He’s not sure why his body reacts so intensely before he suddenly realizes that Theo isn’t usually mean to him. To everyone else? Yes, of course. All the time, actually! But never to Liam. 

Just as he’s about to make a run for it again, especially since Theo being in a mood is the last thing he needs, Theo suddenly speaks, making him hesitate.

“What is running going to accomplish, uh? Just let me help!”

Liam lets out a deep growl before getting himself under temporary control, just enough for him to speak. 

“You don’t know what will help me, okay? None of you do! What is so bad about needing to be alone to calm down, uh?” Liam’s voice falters, his exhaustion making it hard for him not to drown in each lapse of emotionality. “I just need a moment so I can be okay again.”

Theo searches his teary eyes for a moment. “I’m not leaving you alone on a full moon,” he says, his voice gentle but his tone firm. 

“I won’t kill anyone!” Liam groans, angrily wiping the few stupid tears that made it to his cheeks.  

Theo frowns, deeply confused. “I don’t care if you do.” He slowly brings his hand to Liam’s arm, squeezing at his sleeve for a moment. They both stay quiet as Theo seems to hesitate over what to say next. “Just let me help,” he repeats, hoping to get a different answer this time.

Liam struggles weakly in his arms but he can’t get himself to really pull away from him. He wants to leave, to find some control back but he can also feel himself softly crumbling under Theo’s gentle touch. Panting and feverish, Liam holds on to Theo’s arms, mirroring Theo’s grip on him. He doesn’t like to be so transparent but Liam doesn’t have the energy to deny himself small reliefs anymore. 

“You’re okay,” Theo whispers with what’s probably the warmest tone Liam has ever heard coming from him. It’s so soft, Liam feels his heart aching.

“I don’t feel okay,” Liam manages to whimper. He looks away and closes his eyes, focusing on the warmth on his arms and under his fingertips. 

Theo is sending him mixed signals. Touching him, being close, saying soft things. Liam is scared it’ll show how much it’s working, how much he responds to Theo’s softness. He doesn’t know what Theo will do if he figures out the anchor thing. He’s already being so nice, what if he discovers he’s Liam’s anchor and it rewrites this new and delicate proximity? Liam’s claws get out just at the thought of Theo pulling away right now.

As if he knew what Liam was thinking about, Theo says, “I’m not going anywhere.”

The relief Liam feels is so intense, it creates powerful waves of goosebumps over his feverish skin. Even so, he tries to stay still and concentrate on one thing. As he so often does, Liam picks Theo’s heartbeat and tries to synchronize his breathing to the low beat. It feels like he immediately locks on to the sound and his entire body grows impossibly heavier now that the adrenaline is out and the space and silence allow his exhaustion to ignite. He doesn’t know how he’ll ever step away from this, let alone how he’ll go back to the others in Scott’s backyard. 

It takes him a few minutes to understand why he was able to lock on to Theo’s heartbeat so easily and, the second he understands why, he straightens up and looks at Theo with wide eyes.

“YOU KNEW!?” Liam screams.

He looks at Theo’s shocked face and the chimera’s thumb on his arm where he was softly tapping, creating an echo of his own heartbeat so that Liam would have no trouble focusing on it. This isn’t an accident or by chance, that is the work of an anchor who knows they’re an anchor. So what the fuck!?

Theo gives him the same face he does when Liam says something stupid. “Of course, I knew.” 

Hearing this, Liam immediately pushes him as hard as he can. “Then why didn't you say anything?!” he screams yet again, feeling betrayed somehow. Or worse, ridiculed.

“What good would it have done?” Theo frowns, now looking at the distance Liam put between them and unsure if he’s allowed to cross it yet.

Liam scoffs, speechless for a moment by Theo’s stupidity. Shaking his head disapprovingly is all he can manage to do. 

“You knew and I knew,” Theo says matter-of-factly. “I didn't need to say anything.” 

“Yeah but what if I didn't know, uh? What if I didn't know that you knew as well, uh? What if I wondered for months if maybe you didn't reciprocate the- the knowledge of you being my anchor, uh? What if I agonized over maybe saying something but being scared that it'll change everything?” 

The frown on Theo’s face deepens as the chimera tries to make sense of Liam’s confusing rambling. “…Did you?”

“No!”

“Then what are we talking about?” Theo groans, his prolonged confusion making him angry in return. 

Theo’s frustration isn’t welcome and, in the blink of an eye, Liam is back to a growling mess of fangs and claws. His body is basically vibrating with rage and Theo braces himself for what is probably gonna be an exhausting and painful fistfight. On a good day, Theo usually wins these little scuffles but the last time Liam and he fought on a full moon, Liam beat him to a pulp. Impressively so. 

So Theo takes a deep inhale and tries to get his body ready for-

Liam traps him into a tight hug. 

Well, Theo wasn’t ready for that.

Shocked, Theo isn’t sure how to act. Liam was angry just a moment ago but this… the way he’s holding on to Theo like he might die if he lets go… it’s sending mixed signals. Theo hears his stupid little heart fluttering and he crushes it in an instant before gaining back some control. 

Standing there for a few seconds, Theo looks around as if asking for help. He’s not sure what to do. And, normally, he asks Liam for help so there’s not much point trying to get some backup now. 

“I’m sorry,” Liam whispers pitifully against Theo’s coat, still crushing the chimera between his arms.

“It's okay,” Theo says, his voice uncharacteristically tense. He feels this rush of warmth invading his body and he doesn’t know what to do. Should he… He should probably return the hug, right?

Mentally trying to force himself to get his arms around Liam, Theo’s body stays stubbornly still and so so tense. Fuck!

“Do you want me to stop?” Liam asks like he can tell Theo is freaking out.  

“No, I'm fine,” Theo says a beat too fast. With a deep exhale, Theo slowly gets his arms around Liam.

Trying not to be so tense is making him very self-conscious. His hands are cold and his muscles tight. Damn. He’s not really good at this. Can Liam tell that he’s not good at this? 

Tilting his head a little, Theo tries to see Liam’s expression but the beta has both of his eyes tightly shut and his nose is digging into Theo’s shoulder. The werewolf keeps fidgeting with his grip on Theo’s coat as if he can’t feel his fingers. The angle of Liam’s body against Theo’s should send the chimera to the ground but he was in a fighting stance before Liam trapped him like this so his balance isn’t so bad.

The moment Liam feels Theo’s arms around him, his brain logs out. The whiplash from being seconds away from letting his wolf take the reins and slash whatever was in sight to this pure bliss of comfort is too much for his poor mind and his tender neurons simply give out. 

And, suddenly, simply breathing is the most wonderful thing in the world. 

His entire weight against Theo, Liam lets himself be lulled to a sense of security as he takes deep breath after deep breath of Theo’s familiar scent. It eases the thing that made it impossible not to implode earlier. 

“Might take a while,” Liam feels the need to say, getting slightly embarrassed by the fact that he’s not done with this already long hug.

Theo snorts. “I'll tell you if I need to sit down.” 

Liam gets more comfortable against him and nods into his shirt, relieved to hear that. He repeats those words in his mind a few times, not believing them fully. He’s trying to push back his relief, still nervous like this is too good to be true. But Theo isn't pushing him away, he's not disgusted by the touch, and he's ready to wait for him.

The only reason Liam isn’t crying right now is because he already feels vulnerable as it is. And he doesn’t want to put snot on Theo’s coat. He doesn’t want to give him a reason not to do this again. 

The hug lasts so long that Theo has the time to somewhat ease up and hesitantly start pressing a stiff hand over Liam’s back. The movement slowly becomes smoother and more confident with the repetition. Theo and Liam are often close but this feels different. New but breakable. It’s not a quick pat on the arm or “accidentally” sitting close on the couch. There’s meaning behind the touch. Still, they don’t feel the need to talk about it and they trust that the other one is alright. It's a different way of sharing a silence and Theo thinks he doesn't hate it at all. 

Liam shifts his head against him and Theo knows that the moment is closing to an end. 

“Did you talk to Cupid about me?” Liam asks. his voice low and relaxed. 

Theo's heart stutters as he tries not to physically tense against Liam but it’s hard to hide anything from so close. Chemosignals can only be minimized to a degree and there’s his traitorous heart beating faster. All those things could’ve answered Liam’s question before Theo could even try to come up with a lie but what really stops Theo from denying everything is that he’s tired. Theo is exhausted of always running the other way when all he wants is for Liam to get closer. Always pulling away has left him weary and now that he has nowhere to run, he feels compelled to just… be honest.

“You might have come up,” he says quickly so Liam doesn't realize he's losing his breath. 

“What did you say?” Liam pulls away slightly, just enough to look at Theo's face as he waits for an answer. 

Liam looks so beautiful. Even in the dark like this or with his hair in disarray. His eyes are dark on Theo and the chimera feels his stomach twist into knots. Theo’s mouth stays slightly open for a moment before he realizes that he should say something. 

“Just uh… That uh…” They're so close, Theo doesn't know where to look. “That you're nice to everyone and uh…” His eyes drop to Liam's lips and it's suddenly all he can look at despite trying time and time again to look away. “That you're always standing close to everyone and…” His skin burns with sudden blush and Theo is still trying to look away but Liam's lips turn into a smile and that's all his liquified brain can focus on. 

“Anything else?” Liam’s lips utter and the words sound so pleased in his mouth. 

The question turns to mush the second it reaches Theo's brain and he's panting, trying for the life of him to remember what it was. 

“W-what?” Theo asks, still breathless. 

He doesn't notice anything until he feels Liam's warm hands cup both sides of his face. Theo’s eyes widen at the thought of what might be happening. Liam slowly crosses the small space between them and softly places his lips against Theo's. It's gentle and deliberate and brief. 

Pulling away, Liam opens his eyes to look at Theo whose grip on the back of his sweater just tightened. Liam keeps his hands on Theo's warm face and he can't help but smile when he sees the chimera's eyes glow and his eyebrows frown in confusion. 

“You're spending the next full moon with me. All day,” Liam whispers with a soft voice but it's not a question. 

Theo blinks the glow away and clears his throat. “Uh, yeah. Of course,” he says but it looks like he's got no idea what he's agreeing to, just that he's trying to look like he can keep up with the conversation. His lips tingle and he tries to bite them before he catches himself doing it and immediately stops. Theo clears his throat again but doesn't say anything more. He doesn’t know what to do so he looks away but his eyes are always drawn back to Liam who seems to be enjoying the sight of a nervous Theo. 

Liam kisses him again, just as soft but longer. Theo's hands tighten against his back again, keeping him as close as possible but not much more responsive. Liam starts overthinking and pulls away again. While Theo’s chemosignals read happy and relieved, his body isn’t doing the same and Liam doesn’t want to push him into doing something he doesn’t want to do. 

“Are you okay?” It’s Liam’s turn to be unsure and nervous. He subconsciously starts rubbing his thumb on Theo’s cheek, trying to give him some comfort but the second he starts the intimate touch, Theo melts in his hold and reaches for Liam’s lips hungrily. The werewolf would laugh at the sudden change in behavior if Theo taking charge of the kiss didn’t knock out the two brain cells he’s got working between his ears. Breathing him in, Liam tries to remember his taste and how his lips move against his. He’s so terribly happy, he doesn’t want the kiss to end and it brings him great sorrow when Theo finally separates to catch his breath. They stay close but the cold air snaps them out of the frenzy and Liam tries to ignore every needy thought that begs him to just kiss Theo stupid until the sun comes up. He moves and buries his face in Theo’s shoulder once more before he “accidentally” slips and french kisses Theodore. It's still the full moon and, despite everyone saying so, Liam isn't a complete idiot. He knows they better shelf this for another day, one where Liam might actually have his inch of logic and self-restraint. 

Still, Liam stays there, fully knowing that he won't be the one to end this embrace. He's been dreaming about this for weeks. Literally. Closing his eyes, Liam focuses on Theo's chest rise and fall and the comforting small rush of air out of his mouth and nose. It might be the full moon talking or Liam's incredibly lovey-dovey brain but he'd love nothing more right now than to die in Theo's arms. 

“So, anything else you want to tell me?” Liam teases him. 

Theo's light growl echoes in his whole chest and it makes Liam smile. 

“I mean, if you wanted to kiss me, for example, you'd tell me, right?” the beta adds, swallowing a laugh and just playing with Theo's shirt with his fingers, taking fake moss off of it, any stupid reason to keep touching him. 

Theo growls again, this time an octave lower, and Liam isn't sure what it means but he decides that it's a yes. Nevertheless, he won't let the chimera get away with this so easily. Theo completely hid this attraction from him so it’s entirely his fault if they wasted weeks and potentially months not kissing or hugging! Liam was just being a patient and compassionate friend; Theo was being an idiot liar. No matter what Cupid said, it’s not the same!

“I'm not sure I got that,” Liam can’t help but tease again, now looking at him and biting down a bright smile.

“If college doesn’t work out, you could always try torture, I think you'd be good at it.” Theo rolls his eyes but it only distracts him from Liam’s gaze for so long. 

Liam beams at the words, stars in his eyes. “Thank you, I love it when you give me compliments. Anything else?”

The question leaves him slightly breathless but all Theo does is roll his eyes again. He knows he has his back in a corner. The metaphorical corner between Liam's addictive warmth and the obvious truth that's hanging in the air between the particles of affection. 

Liam's voice isn't so amused anymore, it's actually unusually serious. Low and dangerously close to shameful begging, Liam adds, “You can say you like me… if you want.” 

Months of repression come knocking at Theo’s mind and the chimera feels his body tense up, all signs telling him to shut up and run as fast as he can. When people say affectionate things on TV, they never look like they might faint or die. Theo isn’t even sure what could potentially kill him, saying something or not saying something. He knows he already showed his cards. Liam knows it too. He doesn’t know why he can’t just get himself to say it. 

But he’s so tired. And he told himself he’d try to lie less.  

So Theo does what he never allowed himself in the past. 

He lets someone else win. 

“Liam?”

Liam hums, a bit hopeful, but he doesn't dare look at Theo for fear of what might come next. 

A few seconds pass as Theo still hesitates to say anything at all but the chimera concludes that he might as well go all in. 

“You're my best friend and I like that you come to my apartment every day to annoy me. …Although you don't… you don't annoy me. Most of the time,” Theo quickly corrects himself. “Sometimes, you do annoy me. But yeah…”

Liam pulls away to look at him with a small grin he can’t seem to bite down. “…and?”

“Do I really have to say it?” Theo groans. He’s already being so vulnerable, it feels like a hunter is gonna jump out of nowhere to shoot him or something. 

“Yes,” Liam says very seriously while maintaining his gaze. 

Theo curses under his breath. His insides are officially a bundle of convoluted knots and, if Liam wasn't still so close, he probably would've lost strength and sat on the ground. 

Actually, sitting down sounds nice. Yeah.

Theo unclenches his grip on Liam's sweater and distances himself from Liam before sitting down. Feeling the ground under his palms, Theo centers himself. He doesn't feel so shaky and dizzy with stress. This is good. Alright, yeah, he can do this. He'll just do it quickly and rip the bandage off. Worst case scenario, he just lives through the worst humiliation of his life, gets his heart broken, needs to leave town and never come back, losing the only chance to have a pack and some people he might even consider friends. Shit, he'd lose his job and apartment too. Alright so, worst case scenario, he loses absolutely everything! 

The scent of Liam still on his clothes and everywhere around him makes it easier for him to calm down. Fuck it! He'll just do it and deal with whatever happens next!

“I-” Theo raises his gaze and he's shocked to find Liam so close to crying. Theo didn't even have the time to say anything, why is he already devastated? Theo immediately forgets what he took so long to get the guts to say, changing gears to deal with whatever is upsetting Liam. “What is it?”

Liam frowns like Theo is being uncharacteristically stupid right now. As an answer, Liam vaguely shows the space between them. “You pulled away, I thought maybe you…”

“Oh. Fuck!” Theo exclaims when he realizes how it might have looked. “Shit, no, I do really like you! I just needed to sit down. Fuck!” he exclaims once more when he realizes what he just admitted. Lowering his eyes, Theo is yet again grateful to be sitting down for this. “Okay…” Theo says, this time more to himself, as he tries to stay calm. How do people do this!? Surely, not everyone on the planet goes through this level of panic. That can't be right. It feels like he's going to die!

Liam crashes to the ground like dead weight. Apparently, he was just as panicked. Sitting in front of him, Liam quickly wipes away a few tears and kicks Theo's leg weakly, barely able to reach it.

“Why did you take so fucking long to say it!?” It would be a scream if Liam wasn't so obviously exhausted by the roller coaster of emotions.

“It's not that easy to say!” Theo retorts, defensive. 

“Why not!?”

Theo looks at him, speechless. “I don't… because it is!” he says in an angry breath.  

“Then we'll fucking work on it!” Liam screams, just as angry. “I'm not gonna survive another heart attack like that!”

“Fine!” Theo screams back. 

“Great!” Liam growls through the fangs in his mouth.  

Seconds pass by and they both settle down somewhat. The cold air and the silence of the forest calm them down and they both stay silent, realizing that they were angry for nothing. Liam squirms, unsure and cold on his patch of dirt.

“Can I come closer?” the werewolf asks a bit pitifully. 

Theo nods and Liam latches on to him like a baby koala with deep and spiky claws. Theo welcomes the warmth but he also hopes that eventually his body will get used to the burn of physical contact. He closes his eyes and breathes Liam's scent, happy to be this close. The world didn't end. He didn't lose everything.

“You like me like me?” Liam pushes after a minute, just to be sure. 

“We kissed and, now, you're holding me tighter than my own skinny jeans. What do you think?”

Liam groans at the needless sass. “Just checking.”

Theo thinks that maybe the heavy emotional part of tonight is behind them but something is still bothering him and, since they're at the “just checking” stage…

“Just to make sure… you want me to stick around? You’re not… You don't wish I was far away? That it would make everything easier?”

Liam snorts into his side. “Do I look like I want that?” Being met with silence, Liam feels the need to clarify so he tragically pulls himself away from Theo. “Let's make this simple. How about you never ever leave me and I never ever leave you. Does that sound good?” Realizing that this might sound a bit insane, Liam adds, “For now at least.”

Fine, Liam knows he's pushing it but whatever. That's what he wants Theo to say, even if he doesn't expect him to-

“Yeah, that sounds good,” Theo approves, trying to sound aloof but the quickness of his response reveals something else entirely. 

Liam freezes for a few seconds, too happy to function, before he nuzzles Theo’s neck and squeezes him tight in his arms. 

“Good!” 

The rush of happiness is too much for him and Theo lets himself slowly lie down on his back, Liam joining him in the small fall with nothing more than a quick groan. Liam shuffles a little before settling back against (on top, really) of him. Looking at the stars and the trees, Theo lets the dizzying sense of relief and residual panic wash over him. He didn't lose everything. And Liam wants him to never ever leave. Theo's heart is pounding in his chest and he thinks this might be the best day of his life. His body is numb from giddiness and he feels a deep blush covering his skin. Eyes wide open and a clear stupefied expression on his face, Theo lets himself visibly freak out while Liam can’t see it. He’d pinch himself to check if he’s dreaming but Liam’s claws took care of that earlier when they were digging into his side. 

Theo doesn't know what to do with the boiling sense of joy bubbling inside of him so he simply tries not to think of all the ways this could end badly and reaches for Liam's hand instead. 

Coming back to the fire and their friends, Theo shouldn't be surprised that it takes less than two seconds for Stiles to smash through the small foundation of control and peacefulness Theo just spent an hour building within Liam. 

“Took your time! I thought Theo killed you for good this time. Or that you killed him,” Stiles throws Liam’s way before mumbling to himself. “I wouldn't have minded that second option.”

The werewolf doesn’t waste time on a warning and goes to pounce on Stiles but Theo puts a hand on his chest to block him, making the beta come to a halt. Liam looks at Theo and eases, his focus shifting as soon as he feels his hand on him. Theo tries not to smile at him softening so fast but he makes a note of it. 

“Alec, take the chair,” Theo commands the young beta. 

“Why?” Alec doesn’t even take his eyes off the fire, he’s far too serious about the marshmallow he’s currently roasting.  

“‘Cause I need to be between Liam and Stiles so Liam doesn't kill him.” Impatient, Theo simply grips the back of Alec's shirt and pulls him up only to toss him into the camping chair behind him so he can sit on the blanket with Liam. 

“Thanks?” Stiles says, puzzled and giving him a side-eye.

“I'm not doing this for you,” Theo says honestly and with enough grumpiness so the others won’t be suspicious about the chimera being willingly helpful.  

Liam sends him a small grin before sitting down next to him, making sure that their knees touch. He keeps in contact with him the whole night and, for some reason, small conflicts that arise here and there don’t seem so important anymore. Liam lets himself be warmed by the fire and even helps Alec, roasting the marshmallows for him since he’s too far from the flames now.

Mason, in his infinite wisdom, must have sensed that something happened because he doesn’t even ask Liam if he needs a lift, leaving him to Theo instead. When the fire is nothing more than ashes and bright embers, Liam finally gets on his feet, empty of all werewolfy fever and ready to leave. It’s already so late, he almost fell asleep twice against Theo. 

Saying goodbyes to the few remaining pack members, Liam and Theo make their way to the truck in silence. It has been a long and demanding day and they’re both eager to get home. 

Theo closes the car door and, just as he’s about to put the key in the ignition, Liam stops him. 

“Can I… do… maybe I could stay at your place tonight?” Liam stutters for a moment, not knowing where they stand now and unsure if this is going too fast for Theo. “My parents aren't home tonight because they're visiting my aunt. I… it's your call, I mean…”

Theo frowns. “You'd prefer my place to yours?” He’s genuinely surprised that if Liam could do either, he'd pick his apartment. 

“Yeah, it's all small and nice like a little nest of a home,” Liam says with a sweet grin.

Theo blinks at him. He isn’t sure he likes that description and yet it makes him all warm inside. “And you want to sleep there?”

“If you're okay with that.” 

Theo starts the engine. He doesn't have to think much about it. “Okay.” 

This is all new territory so when they both arrive at Theo’s apartment, they don’t really know what to say or how to act. They’re both exhausted but they can still feel this electricity between them. Standing in the middle of the room awkwardly, Liam glances at the sofa before looking at Theo, asking a question he suddenly doesn’t dare say out loud. Theo frowns, waiting for Liam to say what he’s thinking. He thought it was pretty clear that Liam could use his bed but…

“It’s fine if you’d prefer that I sleep on the couch but if-”

“I don’t,” Theo cuts Liam off, stopping his overthinking in the bud. He’s too tired to play pretend and he’s secretly looking forward to sleeping with Liam next to him. Maybe this way he won’t get nightmares. 

Liam’s eyes grow impossibly wide at Theo’s quick and honest answer. 

“Oh,” he says, taken aback but pleasantly so. Liam looks at his feet for a moment before clearing his throat. “Well, good.” Liam straightens himself, suddenly deciding that he’s gonna be mature and normal about this. “I appreciate you being so forthcoming.” 

“You’re welcome,” Theo says, shaking his head with a small eye roll. He can’t believe Liam is still playing the compliment game. He hides his face by fetching some pajamas for Liam and himself. 

“I’m so tired anyway,” Liam says but his tone is doing this weird thing like he’s acting. His heartbeat doesn’t skip – he’s not lying – but Liam is obviously planning something. “I don’t think the couch would’ve been comfortable enough for just how tired I am. I’m just so… exhausted.” 

Theo finally turns back to face him, both pajamas in hand. “We’re just going to sleep, Liam.”

The beta lets out an immense sigh of relief, glad that Theo could see through his sly and subtle hints. “Thank god. I mean, not that I don’t want… uh…” Liam’s face grows red. “It’s just that it’s still technically the full moon so I don’t think it’d be smart to… I just think we should sleep on it and, you know, check up tomorrow.”

Theo walks towards him, a little smile on his lips.

“What?” Liam asks, since Theo isn’t talking. 

“Nothing.” Theo shrugs, finally in front of him. “Just that you finally developed some common sense.” He pats Liam’s head patronizingly. “Good job.”

Theo expected a little bit of sass back, maybe even Liam punching him gently. He didn’t expect for Liam’s brain to short-circuit before his very eyes. One second, Liam’s face is beat red and, the next, he’s slamming his lips on Theo’s. 

Both pajamas fall to the floor. 

Everything is caught in a haze of urgency and Theo’s surprise is quickly tossed to the side when he feels Liam’s fingers through his hair and his tongue parting Theo’s lips. His hands hold on to Liam’s hips for stability but as soon as he finds some balance and starts reciprocating Liam’s rhythm, the beta is pulling away again. 

“Shit,” Liam mutters under his breath as he passes a thumb across his wet lips. He just said that they shouldn’t do that!

“Right,” Theo says in a hushed voice, his eyes still slightly unfocused. “I'll… I’ll make a note of that.”

“A note of what?” Liam asks close to his face, his eyes full of affection and confusion but sadly devoid of any intelligence for the moment. 

The question snaps Theo back into focus. 

“Nothing.” Theo snorts before getting the clothes back from the floor and handing Liam his. 

As soon as they get settled in bed, Liam latches on to him much to Theo’s relief. He didn’t want more of the awkwardness of when they walked into the apartment. Again, Theo tries to relax through the wave of burning warmth. It’s a foreign feeling but it’s not as unnerving as he thought it would be. Especially when he’s so tired. 

It usually takes Theo around an hour to fall asleep. After ten minutes of Liam’s radiating heat and the sound of his slow beating heart, Theo falls into a weird and feverish daze of half-dreaming. He’s in his bed but he’s also yet again in the clinic, watching Liam lying on the table, pale and bleeding all over. Panting and sweating, Liam’s eyes are scared as they land on Theo by his side. For the first time in all the times he dreamed of this, Liam moves his weak and injured arm to reach for him. Like an electric charge, as soon as Theo’s fingers graze Liam’s, the beta dies and his hand falls down.

In the burning hot clinic, there’s only pure deafening silence and Theo suddenly can't breathe. 

“What are you gonna do now?” A creepy voice seeps out of Liam’s now decaying head and the stench of rot invades the room. Its neck produces a grotesque cracking sound as the rotting skull turns to look at Theo with fury. “You let me die! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU GONNA DO NOW?!”

Theo wakes up in sweats. His first instinct is to get up and run but there’s a weight pinning him down and, for a moment, Theo’s panic only doubles. It takes him a moment to understand that what is blocking him is Liam’s heavy body lying on top of him. Confused, Theo thinks he must still be in some sort of dream and, panting, he looks around but nothing bad seems to happen. The heat that was so suffocating just a moment ago slowly calms him down. The warmth is a good sign. It’s coming from Liam who's definitely alive. 

He thought it was a miracle that he fell asleep so fast but, seeing that his body is easing up again despite the recent nightmare, Theo has to conclude that maybe Liam sleeping in his bed should be a regular thing. 

“Nightmare?” Liam groans lazily, his eyes only half open.

Theo hums since he can’t really talk and a part of himself still isn’t sure if he's awake. 

“Okay. We'll talk about it tomorrow,” Liam says with a sluggish voice, patting Theo’s chest and leaving his hand there as he falls back on top of Theo, ready to sleep again.

A moment passes but Theo’s eyes stay fully open. While his body is heavy and begging for sleep, he’s still replaying his nightmare in his mind. He can still see Liam is on the examination table, his heartbeat fading into nothing. 

“Theo?” Again, Theo just hums. “Go back to your snoring.” 

“I don't snore.” 

Liam makes a choked chuckle. “Okay, sure.” Burying his face in the crook of Theo’s neck, Liam lets out a happy sigh. His lips tickle the skin of Theo’s neck but, since he’s not moving, Theo eventually gets used to it. “Good night,” Liam groans when he still doesn’t hear Theo go back to sleep. 

The order makes Theo smile and smelling Liam’s calm and happy chemosignals eases him back into that damn sense of safety that Theo isn’t sure what to do with. He stays awake a bit more despite every atom of his body begging for rest, simply enjoying the nice reassurance.

When he wakes up the next morning, he sincerely hopes that he dreamt of Cupid being in his room and winking at him happily before disappearing. The idea of them being in his apartment in the middle of the night and looking at Liam and him in his bed is too unpleasant so he doesn’t mention it and represses the memory. 

The cupid thing is put on the back burner in the following days since hunters invaded the town once more. Real hunters with real wolfsbane bullets and they're shooting to kill. Apparently, the recon mission they did two weeks ago wasn’t as flawlessly executed as they had said it was and now their summer vacation just went from relaxing to nerve-racking. There’s one especially hard to kill rogue hunter who’s been making their lives impossible. Apparently, it's Monroe's new right-hand man… and it's not a teenager for once. So they’re very happy the mass murderer isn’t doing child labor anymore but it’d be nice if she stopped killing altogether!

“I told Mr Argent not to split up! Of course, they’d follow us and not him! We’re two, for one thing, and he’s armed!” Liam exclaims as soon as they settle in a ravine, catching their breaths for a moment.

“We’re not giving you a gun!” Theo groans, rolling his eyes and leaning against the dirt behind him. How many times does he need to tell Liam this? “I’ve seen you poke your eye out with a sock, I’m not letting you handle anything more dangerous than a plastic knife.” 

Liam does a frustrated hushed scream before getting on his toes to check over the ravine behind them. Just as he’s about to start running again, Theo grips him hard by the sleeve and makes his back hit the ravine once more. There’s a flash of terror in the chimera’s eyes as he hears a gunshot in the distance. This scenario is all too familiar but it was only supposed to happen in his nightmares.

Liam frowns at him keeping him in place. “We can’t just stay here. They’re gonna find us so let’s-”

“But what if you die?” Theo blurts out because that’s all he’s been thinking about ever since Liam volunteered them both to help Chris draw the hunters out. 

Liam’s perplexed expression only grows even more shock because this shouldn't be Theo’s first thought!? 

“I promise I'm gonna do everything in my power to stay alive?” Liam says like it's obvious. “Now, can I trust you to do the fucking same? Please?”

Theo stares at him, thinking. He knows what Liam is talking about. Theo has had enough scolding about being a martyr and taking all the hits to last him a lifetime. On the other end, his thoughts keep coming back to his nightmares and that silence in the clinic. What if Liam actually gets hurt and his nightmares get even worse? What, is he gonna need to sleep with Liam every night just so he can get a few hours of rest? 

On the other hand, Liam might go on a sleepover strike if Theo keeps doing what the beta told him multiple times not to do. 

“You won't be an idiot and throw yourself into bullets?” Theo asks, his voice softer and far more vulnerable than intended. 

“Not if you don't.” Liam shows him his pinkie with a tiny grin. 

Theo rolls his eyes but finally puts his pinkie around Liam's. 

“Alright, I can take them out but I'm gonna need a bait,” Theo says with a sigh, quickly checking above the ravine to make sure they still have distance working for them.

Liam gives him a big goofy grin. “Theodore Raeken, are you asking for my help?”

“Well,” Theo starts, looking away, anywhere not to look at Liam right now, “you're here now.” He clears his throat, still avoiding his gaze, and shrugs in an attempt to look casual. “Might as well use it to my advantage.” 

Liam doesn’t say anything so Theo has to eventually look his way. 

Lips slightly parted with speechlessness, Liam gazes at him with a calm and open expression… and wet eyes. 

“Are you crying?” Theo barely manages not to scream. He didn't expect that and, honestly, it’s not the time. 

Liam sniffs as he says, “No!” Then, he sniffs once more before wiping the actual tear that runs down his cheek. Just as Theo is about to say something to appease him, Liam talks again, his game face on. “Here's what we're gonna do. I'm gonna be the bait and you're gonna knock them out. We'll tie them up and call the others. Then, we'll head back to your apartment and I'll kiss you so hard, it will leave a mark.” 

Theo blinks at him, taken aback as blush spreads across his shocked face. Looking into Liam's dark eyes, it takes him a few seconds before Theo remembers how to talk. 

“Yeah, that… Yeah. That… That sounds great,” he stutters. He clears his throat, trying to shake some sense into his mind now filled with very pleasant but time-inappropriate scenarios. “That’s a great plan. That’s your first ever good plan, actually.”

“Fuck you!” Liam says with a bright smile, finally taking back his pinkie. 

Theo snorts but his face grows serious again when he hears gunshots, this time much closer than before. “Don't die,” Theo repeats – pleads really – as he looks at Liam with dread he’s barely concealing. 

Liam makes a dramatic “mwah!” as he kisses his cheek before he confidently gets up on his feet to face the hunters. Theo clenches his hands into fists not to keep him from leaving. His heart beating much faster than usual, Theo ignores it and moves to get a better vantage point. Although his eyes want to monitor Liam, he can’t check on him and try to spot the hunters. Lying in wait for the right moment, Theo swallows down the desperate need to get Liam as far away as possible. Despite the gunshots ringing in his ears and his heart squeezing each time, Theo closes his eyes and tries to focus on footsteps. He takes one deep inhale and, after he opens his eyes again, Theo runs towards the unfortunate hunter who made the mistake of walking right into their trap.