Chapter Text
Theo walked up to the Oxxo in his unfortunate red and yellow uniform. It was still dark outside, his watch barely reading 6:00 am, but this was the only shift that worked with his new school schedule. Deaton, Theo’s manager, was happy that he was going back to school. It had been a few years since he’d graduated high school and subsequently got kicked out of his living situation. It had taken him a long time and a few deals with Sheriff Stilinski to get where he was now. Deaton was there for all of it, and he happily took the graveyard shift to let Theo go to school.
As he pushed through the glass door he heard Deaton and one of their regulars, Danny, gave a tired good morning. He gave them a wave as he went to clock in and put his bag down in the back room before joining Deaton up front. This job was repetitive and boring, but it was easy and he liked the people. Although, he hadn’t worked a morning shift in over two years, so he didn’t know any of the customers that came in over the next few hours.
It was sufficiently dead by 1 in the afternoon. He’d had a small rush during lunch, but it quickly died off. It was a lot harder to ignore his nervousness about his first class after his shift. He was usually able to brush off any anxieties, but this was different. High school had been really hard for him, bouncing from house to house, couch surfing, and generally getting involved with some bad people. That time had somewhat scared him, and apparently school reminded him of it.
The bell on the door drew Theo’s attention from front facing candy bars and his own thoughts, “Hi, welcome.” He called as he made his way back to the counter.
He heard a quiet, “Hello,” come from another one of the small isles. Theo could see the guy that walked in once he got behind the counter. He was undoubtedly an athlete. He looked strong and solid, even as he looked through the different types of gum on the shelves. Theo watched him. But the guy was a cutie, around his age, and a nice little distraction for the last few minutes of his shift.
Theo put on a winning smile when the guy came up to the counter, “You didn’t want any of the gum?” He asked, a little surprised. He’d been there for a minute or two carefully looking at each flavor and brand.
“Nah, I can’t afford it today.” Cutie blushed as he said it, obviously a little embarrassed. Theo nodded in understanding and watched as he pulled out his wallet and pulled out a lot of ones and some coins.
“Damn, that's a lot of ones.” Theo said, trying to make some small talk.
“Oh yeah, it’s from work.” he said quickly. Theo’s eyes went a little wide. Most of the people who said that worked at the Sinema a few blocks away. Theo shouldn’t be too shocked though, Cutie definitely had the body for it. His train of thought seemed to be picked up by Cutie and a furious blush came up on his face again, “I’m a waiter.” He blurted out.
He seemed so panicked about it that it made Theo chuckle a little, “It’s fine Cutie. I wouldn’t judge you even if you weren’t a server.” Theo assured, picking up the ones and counting them out. The guy got a soft smile at Theo’s words and little nickname.
“I didn’t think you would, It just don’t… I’m a waiter.” He said, still flustered and red.
Theo nodded, genuinely trying to calm the guy, “Got it. What can I do for you today with your $23.50?”
“Just gas. All of it on pump three please.”
“Okay sure. You sure you don’t want any gum? You’d still have like $20 left.” Theo said, but he already knew the answer, so he put all the cash on pump three.
“I’m running on empty right now, maybe some other time.” He said, turning back and looking at the shelves. Theo took the moment to rake his eyes down his body. Theo got caught on the guy's front pocket. It was bulging with something square and kind of big. It wasn’t his wallet, though. Theo’s thoughts stayed on it as he gave away the receipt and watched the other man walk out to his car and pump his gas.
Something in Theo’s years of experience told him that he’d been stolen from. He walked over to the shelves, which he had just fronted before the guy had come in, and found a pack of Ice Breakers gone.
Theo could only laugh. No wonder he'd seemed so nervous. He didn’t look like the type of person to steal too often. Theo was logging it in the system when Tracy came in for her shift.
“Hey, Teddy,” She said with a smile, “It’s weird seeing you at the beginning of my shift.” She bumped her hip against his as she walked by. Theo followed her into the back room since no one else was there.
“Get used to it, I’m officially on the first shift now that school’s started.”
“Oh, so fancy. What’s your major?” She asked, putting her bag down
“I don’t have one right now. I’m going to the community college and getting my associates degree first.” Theo explained, and the nervousness crept up in him.
“God, that's smart. I wish I would have done that. Good luck, looks like your ride’s here.” Tracy said, gesturing to the security camera pointed out front.
Theo went and grabbed his bag and ran out to the Sheriff's cruiser in the small parking lot, “Hey Sheriff Stilinski." He said, getting in.
“Theo, I’ve told you over and over again, you can call me by my first name.” John said, shaking his head. Theo knew he could, but he liked how it irritated him to call him Sheriff, “How was work?” John asked.
“It was fine.” Theo shrugged. There wasn’t much else to say about it, especially when he was busy changing his uniform shirt in the passenger seat.
“You nervous?”
“No.” Theo lied. He didn’t want to tell the man that he was nervous. They’d made a deal a few months ago when he had found Theo for a third time sleeping in his truck. John would help Theo find a place to stay and fix up his truck for the small promise that Theo would go back to school. The deal had worked out really well actually, even if Theo couldn’t figure out why John would do that for him. It’d been hard to accept the help, but when one of his tires blew out a week ago, Theo was thankful to have it. He still didn't have his truck, but John said he would give him rides until he had it back.
“Well, it’s good that you’re not nervous. You got this, kid.” The sheriff said with a reassuring smile as they pulled up to the community college. Theo got out and quickly made his way to his class. He was a few minutes early, but he definitely wasn’t the first person there. His nerves controlled him and he scanned the room. Then he saw a familiar face. Cutie was sitting at a desk on the far side of the room. He was pulling out a pack of Ice Breakers from his bag and Theo smiled.
He wanted to see the guy blush again, and that want pushed away and lingering anxiety he had about the rest of the day. Theo walked up to the guy, “Hey, Cutie, do you have any Ice Breakers you could share?”
Theo smiled as a look of shock and embarrassment on the guy's face. His blush was so bad this time that it went down his neck and to the tips of his ears, “Oh, God.” Cutie said, guilt in his voice, “I’m really sorry. I promise I won’t do it again” The guy absolutely crumbled over being playfully confronted. Theo was right, he definitely wasn’t used to stealing. He looked like he was close to begging for forgiveness.
“I don't care if you steal shit. I'm not paid enough to care. Just don't be so bad at it.” Theo smiled, trying to ease the guy's nerves, “I saw them as you were paying.” Theo could probably give some pointers on stealing, he’d survived off stolen food for like a year.
“You’re not mad?” He asked.
“No, I’m not mad. Like I said, I really don't care.” Theo confessed, “I’m Theo, by the way.” He introduced himself, hoping to know Cuties name.
“I’m Liam.” He said. He was a little awkward, but cute, even as he still gripped the gum in his hand, “Did you seriously want some?” He asked, holding up the container to Theo.
“Are they any good?”
“I’m not sure, I’ve never tried them.” He said, glazing down to a blank page in his small notebook in front of him. Well it wasn’t completely blank. It had the title Ice Breakers on the top.
“Next time you steal, you should take something smaller.” Theo suggested looking back at the bulky container.
“I’m not gonna steal again. Promise.” Liam said, taking a piece for himself, offering another to Theo.
“Why not?” Theo asked as he took the piece and popped it in his mouth.
“You’d probably catch me.” Liam shrugged, chewing on his own piece.
“Probably. We could make it a little game, though.” He suggested.
“You really don’t care, do you?” Liam asked, sounding a little baffled.
“You have no idea how bored I am at work. I’d do anything to make it more interesting.”
Liam thought about it for a minute, “Well, what do I get if I win, like if I steal something without you knowing?”
Now it was Theo’s turn to think. He wanted to offer a date, but that seemed a little pushy, “How about I buy you a coffee or something?” He offered.
“Yeah, okay, as long as you won’t call the police on me.” Liam agreed.
“I won’t, don't worry.” Theo said with a smile, holding out his hand for Liam to agree.
“Game one then.” Liam took Theo’s hand and shook it.