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It was not a white Christmas, nor was it technically Christmas, but it was hosted in a house with a tree and some occasional non-denominational decorations strewn about the place as a show of affection regardless. Some of them failing to achieve the desired affect, but still loved.
Scott and Stiles, because it’s always been Scott and Stiles, are bickering in front of the non-denominational oak sapling — that was placed next to the Christmas tree — about the very existence of the tree, because neither know where it came from, or if it’s presence is a joke about the absurdity of it all. Liam knows where it came from, he knows this, because his partner of seven years is trying his damnedest not to smile as he watches the two (one gesturing wildly, the other seemingly unperturbed) discuss the very predicament.
Granted, Theo doesn’t look very out of place among the rest of the pack, all amused in some form by the tree. The difference, Liam supposes, is in Theo laughing about the reaction, rather than the tree with the ribbon proclaiming it’s purpose in bold letters.
With as much energy as the person who just adopted it, the new puppy jumps onto the couch next to Liam, between Theo and him. Liam is ecstatic about this, because this is the first time the puppy has paid them any mind.
“Hi, boy! Aren’t you just the goodest boy in the house!” Liam dotes without any regard to anything brought up before. The dog wags his tail wildly, just as excited as Liam about the new meeting.
“You really like that dog,” Theo sort of chuckles.
“Do you not?” Liam starts scratching behind the puppy’s ears and gently smooshing the cheeks of the puppy.
“I mean, you guys seem like best buds, he hasn’t even looked at me.” Liam continues to also not look at Theo as well. How could he, with the sweetest do in front of him?
“We should adopt a dog.”
“Why do you want a dog? I can be your dog!” Theo says with unveiled bitterness in his tone, and instantly the side of the room the bickering was coming from goes silent. Liam knows Stiles doesn’t trust Theo still, but the words said from Theo were jealousy, and Liam can damn well handle himself.
“Are you worried about me liking a dog — that doesn’t exist — more than you?” Liam’s tone in the same voice for the dog, as he still doesn’t look up, knowing that Theo needs a second to recompose himself.
“… No.” Theo is still recalibrating, realizing the absurdity of his reaction. “Offer still stands though,” Theo laughs to himself, back to his grounded state. Liam feels a surge of pride at how far the two of them have come from how quick to anger they both would get with each other.
“I’ll think on it.” Liam probably wont, but that doesn’t matter to either of them. Theo runs his hand along the arm of the couch, then stands up. The last gift has long since been opened, dinner was served and eaten a while back, and clearly, Theo is tired. Liam doesn’t blame him.
Neither really mind leaving, The night was already long and the sun down fully. The last thing anyone needs is someone driving tired. So goodbyes are said, gifts are put away, and the two start off down the road in silence that Liam is not quite sure about. That is until it’s broken.
“We don’t need a dog, we have each other.”
“It’s been like thirty minutes since that conversation.”
“And?” Theo looks toward Liam for a moment, then back to the road.
“Okay, are we having this conversation?” Liam bites his inner cheek, “Because, you keep going on about wanting to have a family, then you freak out any time we make steps toward that.”
“I don’t want that kind of- And what does it matter, anyway?”
“And what does it-?” Liam takes a deep breath, grounding himself. Then he brings the words forward with a gentler tone. “Theo, you need to be clearer. Because one moment you’re obsessed with family, then the next you’re not. I don’t know what you want.”
Silence fills the car, and Liam realizes that Theo doesn’t know either. The realization doesn’t feel good in the slightest. Theo keeps his eyes on the road before speaking again.
“I don’t want to hurt anyone. I just- I’m what, an attack dog? I’ve not had a family in so damn long. Alright? Fake family for paperwork doesn’t count! I… I want to have a family, but I can’t, I just don’t know how. So I can’t.”
Liam sits back, thinks for a moment, runs a hand through his hair, then turns his gaze back to Theo. “Maybe you should talk to a therapi-,”
“You just told me I’m mentally ill and need therapy?” Theo does his best impression of anger.
“I didn’t say that, you ass.”
“You sorta did.” Theo smiles to himself, finally looking at Liam again.
“And if the shoe fits.” Liam adds with a smile, causing Theo to laugh fully.
“Whatever, I don’t need one.”
“Can I ask something?” Liam asks. Theo looks toward Liam, waiting for him to speak. “What were the Dread Doctors even like?” Theo’s hands grip the steering wheel tighter, and he starts thinking for a moment.
“Mostly hands off, I suppose. I was given things to educate myself, I had access to food. But they didn’t really do much. If I asked for something, I didn’t get it. If I needed something, I did.” Theo bites his inner cheek. “I was really just… there. I don’t even think they noticed me most of the time.”
“Did you ever get to talk to people?”
“If I was out to get something I’d talk to people in the area. But it’s not like the dread doctors had good company over. It’s hard to talk to people who have been kidnapped. Lots of screaming and crying. Not good for social development.”
“So, you know that being hands off is bad. I don’t know what would be the best thing for this kind of situation. Maybe we could… Get a smaller pet as a thing. Like fish or something. Something that you can gradually put more attention toward. I’d make sure nothing happens. You just build yourself up to caring about something?”
“I don’t think that’s the right thing to do. What about the poor fish? One absentee dad? Think about the complex.” Theo smiles to himself, but Liam knows its not true.
“What about that thing for helping out a kid who needs support? I know it’s a big leap, fish to kid, but think about it. We aren’t raising the kid, we just help them out when they need it and provide support. You’ve been in a situation where that would’ve helped. Maybe if you can provide that kind of support to a kid like you were, it can help you both?”
“They have that kind of thing?”
“I think so.” Liam says, grabbing his phone to search it up. The car goes quiet again. It gives Theo time to think, and Liam the time to support his point.
“That sounds nice, but what if I do something wrong?” Theo softly asks.
“Theo, no one expects perfection. Sometimes things arent great, and sometimes we make mistakes. Between the two of us, a lot, But look at us. We have a car, a place to live, food, and each other. Life is actually, like, good right now. We have grown so much, and I would suggest bringing a vulnerable child into the mix in any way if I thought you couldn’t help them.”
Theo lets in a shakey breath as he pulls into their driveway. He rubs circles in the steering wheel to soothe himself. “You really think so?”
“I know so.”
“Then maybe we should print the application. Give it a few days, but we can think it through.”