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Theo throws his jacket on the edge of the couch, walking over slowly before launching himself onto the couch. A sigh leaves his mouth, placing his arm over his eyes. He had dropped Liam off at Scott's hangout. The full moon was coming closer and during these times, Liam was a little hard to care for.
It's hard to really do anything around Liam before he started lashing out at Theo. And he had been lashing out on Theo almost all day.
If he was breathing too much, Liam would glare at him. If Theo was speaking just a little loud, he would shush him, more like yelling at him to shut up. If Theo did something out of routine, Liam would start complaining about the change. If Theo was suddenly driving 'fast' he would complain, if he was suddenly careful and trying to follow driving law, Liam would complain.
But one really took the cup, Theo had gotten home from shopping. It was a quick run to the store and while shopping he had accidentally bumped into this girl, to which he apologized for before helping her grab her fallen items on the floor. A small, simple interaction.
When he got home Liam was sitting on the couch before sitting up abruptly and looking at Theo. His nose was scrunched in an almost disgusted way, his brows furrowed. He made his way to Theo and practically snarled at him.
"Why do you smell like that?" His tone was clearly annoyed and he seemed to have already been annoyed.
"Like what?" Theo places the grocery bags on the kitchen counter before looking back at Liam.
"Like a girl. Why do you smell like you had a girl all over you?"
Theo stares back at him with a surprised but confused look.
"I wasn't with any girl. I went to the store and got the groceries like I said I was going to do."
"Really? I mean, you did take your time. Are you sure you weren't with any girl." Liam presses and Theo stares at him with narrowed eyes and in disbelief.
"Are you serious, Liam? Why the hell would I do anything like that? I was at a store with a lot of people around me, of course I'm going to smell like the public." He says while taking the groceries out of the bag. Liam was still standing there and clearly looked like he wasn't going to let this conversation go.
Theo sighs, "I bumped into this girl at the store—"
"So you did have a girl all over you! You are gross, Theo."
"I bumped into a girl, Liam. I didn't have her all over me, are you serious? I accidentally bumped her and helped her pick up her things. I wasn't just going to be a dick and ignore her." Theo huffs out a breath before going back to putting the groceries away.
"Right. And did you happen to give her your number after that or what?" Theo knows he shouldn't lose his cool over this, Liam isn't fully in control of his emotions. He knows Liam's wolf is trying to get a reaction out of him.
Theo slams the cabinets a little harder than he expected.
"Liam. I told you what happened," he snaps. "Why are you acting like I cheated on you over stupid groceries?"
Liam scoffs. "Because you smell strongly of her. And you always take your time for little errand runs, probably doing something you don't want me knowing about."
Theo frowns, "That's not fair, Li."
"Really? That's not fair? What's not fair is you lying to my face!" Liam's eyes flash.
"I told you the truth," Theo says, voice raising a little. "You're just-" Theo runs his hand over his face. "You're just looking for a reason to be mad, pup."
Liam steps closer to him. "Don't try to back track this on me and don't call me that. I'm not a kid."
Theo almost wants to laugh at this conversation. "I bumped into someone. That's it. You don't get to treat me like this because you're in a mood." Frustration was already seeping in his tone.
Theo reaches to grab Liam's wrist—or tries to before Liam's wrist is suddenly pulled back and within seconds, Liam swings.
It's quick. Uncalled for. His fist collides with Theo's shoulder, clearly missing the jaw he was aiming for.
Theo stumbles back with a sharp breath, bumping into the fridge.
The room is dead silent.
Liam is standing there, looking at his hand in shock, his expression holds guilt and worry.
"Theo—"
Theo straightens, shock written on his face. He doesn't yell or try to get Liam back. He doesn't say anything at all.
And Liam did not like that, it made him feel worse.
"I didn't mean—you moved your hand and I thought—Theo, I swear I didn't mean to do that." Liam's voice cracks while trying to form a proper sentence.
Theo finally looks at him. "You swung at me."
Liam shakes his head, tears welling. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to do that. I wasn't trying to—Theo I am so sorry, please."
Theo stares at him, his heart tightening at the beta's breakdown. Tears falling down his eyes, staring at him with the most sincere guilt in his eyes. His figure trembling and smalls sobs coming out of his mouth, and fuck.
Theo walks to him slowly, his hand hovering over Liam's wrist before pulling him into a hug. The beta immediately returns the hug, his face hidden in between Theo's neck and shoulder. Arms wrapped tightly around Theo's waist as his cries muffle against Theo. Theo wraps his arms around Liam, placing his chin on top of Liam's head before pulling back and kissing the top of his head.
"It's okay," he whispers. "You're okay, baby."
Theo knows this isn't new but it still takes him aback sometimes. This was how Liam was before any upcoming full moon, he's happy and enjoying his time before becoming explosive and upset. But this was new. Liam trying to swing at him. He knows Liam didn't mean to by the way he reacted after. But stupidly enough, it kinda hurt Theo.
Theo had always handled it in the end. He would hold Liam close and whisper sweet nothings to comfort him. He told Liam that he would always be here for him no matter what and he stood on that. But sometimes, Theo was afraid that this would affect them. He loved Liam so much, so much that he would do anything for him. But loving someone through a full moon felt like trying to hold a full cup of water and trying to prevent any of it spilling out and when you felt like you had it contained, more spilled.
By late afternoon, Liam had another outburst. Theo had accidentally clinked his spoon against the bowl a little harshly, which caused Liam to shout at him, cursing at him. Then almost a few minutes later, Liam had bursted into tears, burying his face on Theo's chest, apologizing profusely. He held Liam and comforted him but the exhaustion started creeping in.
By then, Theo's patience—usually unbreakable and deep—was already on a thin line. While holding Liam, he makes a decision.
They had arrived at Scott's meetup, the others were there. They clearly were also affected by the moon's work but they seemed a little more tamed. Not too wild but still having their fun with random outbursts. He lets Liam go to Mason before looking around to find someone.
"Hey, Scott." Theo walks over to Scott, who's in the corner arranging some papers on a table.
"Hey, what's up?" Scott looks up from what he's doing, immediately he sees Theo's expression. He sits up from the stool and Theo sighs.
"I know this is stupid and probably the most selfish thing for me to do but—do you think I can leave him here for a couple of hours?" He says quietly, eyes flicking over to Liam who is sitting next to Mason lost in whatever conversation they are having.
"Is everything okay?" Scott asks, concerned.
"Yeah! Yeah," Theo assures him quickly, "it's just.. I need a little breather."
Scott stares at him for a second before a knowing look takes over, "I get it. I know this time around can be too much, I don't blame you. But yeah, he can stay for a few hours."
Theo nods his head. "I'll come back for him, I swear. I just need to recharge a little after today. I think we both need to be separated for a bit and get a little off our system."
Scott smiles, "I'll watch him. And don't feel guilty for needing to step back and take a break. Now, go before you change your mind." He gives Theo a small pat on his shoulders before walking away.
Theo takes a sharp inhale before turning to Liam.
"Hey, I'm going to go back home for a bit, okay? A quick recharge. I'll be back in a few hours, okay?" He says softly. Liam looks up at him, his eyes suddenly glassy. "You're leaving?"
"Just for a little while, 'kay? I swear I'll be back before dark. I would rather have you here than anywhere else, you're safe here with the pack."
He swears he sees Liam's lower lip tremble. "I can't go with you? I wanna go with you."
Theo swipes his thumb softly under Liam's cheekbone. "I know, baby. But I need a minute to breathe. And I'd rather have you here with people who know and get what the moon's doing to you right now. I'll be back before dark, I promise."
Liam looks at him like he wants to argue back but he backs down, nodding miserably.
Theo leans forward, pressing a kiss on his forehead, lingering for a few seconds before pulling away. He gives Liam a small smile before leaving, walking forward without looking back.
The drive back to their apartment was only twenty minutes away but now he felt like he was surfacing, containing the cup from being spilled. He rolls his window down just a bit, letting the cold breeze hit his face, his shoulders loosening and a small smile makes his way on his face.
And here he was, on the couch. Almost dozing off before getting himself up to clean the apartment a bit and watch a little bit of TV before heading to their room to lay down.
And for almost twenty five minutes he's laying on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Liam's face from earlier making its way to his head and for a few minutes Theo feels bad for leaving him there. He huffs before leaning over to grab his phone off the nightstand.
theo: how is he?
scott: fine, but he was a little sad about you leaving earlier.
scott: i told the others, since they saw you talking to him before leaving
scott: but he's okay right now, just recharge. he'll be here all day don't worry.
theo: thanks scott, i owe you big time. just call me if anything happens.
scott: of course and you're welcome. :)
Theo shuts his phone off, placing it back on the nightstand. Laying back down, this time on his side while bringing the covers up to his waist.
The silence was so comforting. Not that he minds Liam's laughing, talking, and their teasing banter. But he'd rather have this silence than the yelling and not so nice remarks.
He knows Liam means well and his outbursts happen out of his control. Theo couldn't hold any bad feelings towards Liam, he's dealt with this other cycles ago but he didn't really expect to leave Liam with the others to get his own breather.
Theo admits he felt overwhelmed with the beta's emotions. He didn't think a small argument, that they always have here and there, would make him snap. It makes him feel a little shitty dropping Liam off. But he'd rather do this than fight with Liam. He would rather leave Liam with the pack and help him settle.
Liam wasn't new to these full moons but he seemed to have a little trouble trying to tame himself. Other full moons he can be calm, happy, and content. Others Liam can be angry, irritable, and sad. This time it was the second one.
Theo sighs, running a hand through his hair before making himself comfortable in their bed. Sleep was already consuming him and he swore he would wake up in an hour or two.
Apparently, those two hours came by quicker than he expected.
A loud bang echoed downstairs. Heavy footsteps and a very loud heartbeat he couldn't ignore made its way down the hallway until the bedroom door slammed open.
Theo didn't have time to get up before Liam threw himself on top of him.
"Hey—"
"I hate you," Liam sobs. "But I missed you so much." He says while burying his face on Theo's neck.
Theo lets a small smile slip, wrapping his arms around Liam's waist. "I missed you too." He kisses the top of his head, bringing one of his hands to comb through Liam's hair.
"Please, don't ever leave me like that, ever." Tears slipped, landing on Theo's shirt. "You said you'd stay with me, Theo. You said you would—why did you leave me there?"
Theo's heart twisted at his words.
"Hey," Theo shifts to cup Liam's face and he wants to fold at the sight of Liam's face.
Liam stared back at him with a tear-streaked face, lips red from biting down at them, his nose a slight red from probably wiping at his nose constantly, and eyes that still had tears welling up and threatening to fall.
"I'm here and I will always be here for you, Li. I didn't leave you. I just needed a second to breathe, okay? I didn't mean to make it feel like I just left you just because." He wipes the single tear that rolled down Liam's cheek, before looking back at Liam.
"But, you dropped me off like I was just some kid you were babysitting. Like you didn't want to—to be with me and," Liam hiccups. "I know I'm too much right now, and I know how difficult I can be during this time. And I hate that I act like this, I hate that I can't control it but I hate that you left me there."
Theo's chest ached. He leans forward pressing a chaste kiss on Liam's lips. Bringing Liam back into his chest, rubbing his back gently.
"I'm sorry." He whispers. "I should've talked to you before doing that, I didn't think to ask you before leaving you there."
Liam pulls back to look at Theo, his lashes wet and his eyes puffy. Sniffling he asks, "why didn't you ask me?"
Theo exhales, averting his eyes from Liam's for a few minutes before looking back at him.
"I was overwhelmed. Not of you—never because of you. I was just scared that this was going to keep me from being your safe place if I ever let our emotions consume us. I started feeling like I was slowly drifting and I didn't like it."
Liam lets out a small whine. "I'm sorry, Theo."
Theo shakes his head, "Don't. Don't apologize for something you can't control and whatever the damn moon does to you. It's never your fault, okay? I still love you even when you curse at me or threaten me. I still love you even when you're like a ticking time bomb. And I still love you for trying, honey."
"But, sometimes I just need a moment and it doesn't mean that I want to leave you."
Liam stares at him, his bottom lip tucked by his teeth. He nods, tears welling up in his eyes once again.
Theo couldn't help but laugh at his reaction. He pulls him back in, tucking Liam's head under his chin. "I kept thinking about you the whole drive back and here," he admits softly. "It took me a few minutes and a quick check up on you from Scott to be able to relax."
Liam melts at the confession.
"The whole time the others kept asking if I was okay and hovering over me. And the whole time I just wanted you." He nuzzles closer to Theo, their legs tangling together.
"You have me now, pup. Not going anywhere at all."
They lay there for a while. Heartbeats and breathing syncing with each other, Liam lets himself calm down—the ache in his chest fading.
"Promise you won't ever drop me off like that again?" Liam speaks, his voice small.
Theo tilts Liam's chin up, pressing a soft kiss, slow and gentle. Sighing, when Liam kisses back, his hand fisting his shirt. "I promise. Next time, if any of us need any sort of space, we'll talk and figure it out together. Okay? Is that a deal?"
"Deal," Liam says, lips brushing against Theo's.
Liam kisses him again. Letting Theo cradle his jaw and using his other hand to brush the hair at his nape. Melting further into Theo and deepening their kiss. He lets Liam run his hand under his shirt, splaying his hands over Theo's chest before pulling back to kiss his jaw.
Theo hums at the open mouth kisses trailing from his jaw to his neck. He lets his hand run inside Liam's sweats, hand resting across the small of his back. Liam arches into the touch before nuzzling into Theo's neck.
Rubbing his nose around a certain area of his neck, getting a perfect smell of Theo before his body goes limp. Exhaustion already taking over Liam, "I love you," he mumbles, eyes fluttering, fighting to stay awake. "So much that it's ridiculous."
Theo snorts softly. "Good. I love you so much that it's probably unhealthy for me. We're tied."
Liam laughs, a genuine and warm sound that fills the room perfectly.
"Sleep. I'll be here when you wake up."
It doesn't take long before both fall asleep, tangled. Holding each other and keeping each other anchored.