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“Oh my God! What are you doing here?” Malia pulled Scott into a tight hug as if he were her favorite teddy bear, strong and animalistic, a trait that could only be characteristic of her. “What happened?” she asked, still in his arms. “Did you get kicked out? Wait! Is something coming?”
“No,” Scott replied with a smile, a laugh barely contained on his lips, squeezing his friend’s body with the same intensity. “Nothing’s coming. I just took a quick trip to see how things were around here.”
Malia narrowed her eyes, full of suspicion. Scott just stood there, trying to look normal. It wasn’t a lie; he really wanted to come to town and make sure everything was okay. It might not have been his main reason for getting on his motorcycle and driving past the sign indicating his arrival in Beacon Hills, but it was still a reason. He wasn’t lying.
“Fine,” she muttered after a few seconds of analysis and silence. “Come on in. What do you wanna know?” Malia pulled Scott inside. “Now that there aren’t any monsters terrorizing the town, things are pretty boring.”
Scott laughed and sat down on the soft sofa while Malia sank into one of the armchairs, her head on one arm and her bare legs on the other, her boot laces undone. Her favorite position for reading, or for anything, really; if the girl found an armchair, she’d be the first to claim it.
He missed Malia. In recent years, they have gotten quite close. Malia had stayed in Beacon Hills. She went to France with her adoptive father, Henry, after things settled down in the town and Scott and the others went their separate ways, but when she and her father returned to town, Malia started studying at a community college; still, sometimes she and Theo would hit the road in his truck and drive to the apartment Scott shared with Stiles. Malia visited him frequently, even when she was tired.
Theo? Well, Theo was the extra person needed for the fun—and also someone to keep Scott from being a third wheel. They drank some spiked drinks, watched movies, and played games that always made them laugh out loud at ungodly hours. But it was fun. It was good to have moments like that, when everything was normal and pleasant. Scott felt like a normal kid.
Scott enjoyed Theo’s presence at those gatherings. It was good to have him around—not just for him, but for Stiles too. It was like when they were silly kids again. It was so good to have that back. The friendship blossoming, more solid, strong, genuine, and true. Scott appreciated it. He appreciated Theo. Everything about him, from his beautiful, kaleidoscopic eyes to the forest scent that filled the rooms, was as fresh as stepping out of the shower.
So, yeah, it wasn’t so much because of Stiles. It was, yes, but then again, he was a little selfish. It wasn’t the main reason. He liked that Theo went with Malia because he wanted to see the boy again. It was so hard being so far away, dreaming and dreaming of possibilities, his face vivid in his mind, striking like a starry sky.
Was this supposed to happen? Maybe not. They were friends. Just friends. They had known each other forever. He had known Stiles forever. It wasn’t like that with Stiles. They were like brothers. Theo? Theo was the most desired by everyone. And Scott? Scott was always impressed by the way Theo moved, his strong and athletic body, his perfect face; his presence was as striking as that of an expensive perfume. Scott couldn’t forget him. And to be honest, he didn’t want to.
It was amusing; so much time had passed that he was no longer an asthmatic and unnoticed kid. Neither was Theo. Werewolf and chimera. Friends and enemies. Friends and... what else? Scott was there, back to something he recognized, back to Theo, feelings on edge, not knowing what to do with them. Did Theo feel the same way? Their lives had been changed in an instant, for both better and worse. They went through hell and back. Now, as adults, they have found each other. It was as if, regardless of what was in store for them, they were destined for forever. Their paths crossing, again and again.
“And, um, Theo?” Scott asked, coughing awkwardly, trying not to look at the expression he knew he’d see on Malia’s face. She knew how he felt about Theo. Maybe it was obvious to everyone else but Theo; Scott wasn’t sure. “Is he okay? Have you seen him?” The questions tumbled from his mouth like bullets from a gun.
Malia gave a mischievous little smile.
“He’s fine,” she said. “He’s working with my father, probably having lunch. In case you want to stop by.”
Malia and Henry sheltered Theo in their home for a while after she found the boy sleeping alone on the preserve one night, hiding in his truck. Henry offered Theo a job at his garage, giving him the support he needed. Theo accepted without hesitation. Apparently, he was incredibly good at fixing things. And with all this, Theo and Malia grew even closer.
His father adored him. Stiles had told him about how Henry was nicer to Theo than to him and how infuriating that was. Scott just laughed, but he knew it was true. Theo and Malia had a coyote-like connection that he and Stiles would never understand. They would go out for runs at night in their animal forms and share their shelters, comforting each other in sensitive moments and discussing their past mistakes. It was a strong friendship that they both needed. Scott liked that they had it; it was the pack’s greatest purpose, after all.
Scott couldn’t lie even if he wanted to, but he wasn’t going to, not even to himself. Everything was good. For everyone. Except for him. He felt he needed to do something, and even before knowing what, Scott planned to unwind, be casual, just a friend visiting his hometown and meeting his childhood friend after a long time apart. Nothing special. Normal friend stuff.
That’s what he kept repeating to himself as he rode his motorcycle to Malia’s father’s workshop.
Scott should’ve let him know. It would’ve been more appropriate, more polite; after all, he wasn’t there for Theo to fix anything. It felt more like disrupting his friend during work hours. It wasn’t what he wanted, but Scott couldn’t wait until the end of the day; he had to at least say ‘Hi’ and see him for a moment. It had been a long time since he’d been to Beacon Hills, but there was still a life and people there that he would never leave behind. Theo was one of them. In fact, this time, Theo was exactly the reason Scott was back.
Malia said there wouldn’t be a problem. He would believe his friend.
Theo was alone, his long hair falling into his eyes and sweat clinging to his muscular arms, making his skin glisten. The hood of a car was raised, and a wrench was twirling in his hand.
This... this should be forbidden.
Scott shook his head.
“Hey!”
Theo looked up, his furrowed brows softened, and a wide smile lit up his face.
“Scott! What are you doing here?”
He strode toward him and almost hugged him, until he remembered that he wasn’t looking his best. “That’s probably not a good idea,” Theo murmured with a chuckle. “I’m all dirty.”
Scott smiled, but he didn’t care about that. Nope. Not at all. Of course, he wasn’t there to drool over his childhood crush’s biceps, but if he could appreciate the view in the background, he wouldn’t miss the opportunity.
“I don’t mean to bother you, I just stopped by and thought we could hang out later.”
Too fast. Too fast. Too fast.
“I mean, my mom’s feeling a bit unwell these days, so I came to see how she was doing.”
Liar. Liar. Liar.
Theo wiped his hands on a flannel cloth.
“That’s great. I’m sure she’s happy with your visit. I get off work at six, so if you want to come around seven, that would be great. I’ll get the magic beer ready.”
Scott left with a smile on his face.
He tried to repeat to himself that nothing would happen, that they were just friends, that they would just meet like any other day. But as the hours passed, all Scott could think about was what it would be like to be alone with Theo again. And when night fell, and he got on his motorcycle, his heart was racing, and his chemical signals were completely out of whack. He didn’t have a plan; he just knew he wanted more. But what about Theo? Did he want it too?
“Hey, Scott. What’s up?” Theo smiled at him and pulled him into a hug, which Scott accepted immediately.
Theo didn’t smile much, not in the same way he smiled when they were children; he couldn’t help but feel a sense of triumph at being able to see him smile now. He liked seeing Theo smile.
“Hi,” Scott replied, an automatic smile forming on his lips. “Am I bothering you?”
Theo rolled his eyes, his silly grin widening. “Yeah, sure, I’m too busy to welcome Your Highness Scott McCall in my crappy apartment.” He gave Scott a light punch on the chest and pulled him inside. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
Theo looked gorgeous and smelled wonderful. Breathtaking. He seemed to have just showered, his damp hair combed back, probably with his fingers, his sleeveless shirt clung to his body, and he smelled of soap and shampoo.
Scott let Theo’s scent envelop him like a hug.
“Here,” Theo handed him a cup. “Magic beer!”
Scott accepted the cup and took a swig. Liquid courage! “I should have kicked Stiles in the ass for making up that ridiculous term.”
“Oh, you liked it that day, you asshole.”
“Hell no, you fucker!”
They both laughed, and Theo pulled Scott to the corner of the room, where an old foosball table was.
“No supernatural powers today, just you and me. No cheating. Fair play.”
“How will I know if you’re not cheating?”
Theo offered Scott his most roguish smile.
“I think you’re going to have to trust me.”
Scott rolled his eyes, but accepted the invitation, placing his cup on the nearby table where Theo’s beers and cup were. He put the ball between the figurines, and the game began. Maybe it was childish, but apparently, Theo didn’t mind, and neither did he; the three of them (he, Theo, and Stiles) used to play foosball a lot when they were kids. Neither of them was good at any sport, but they considered themselves the best players in the world, killing time at each other’s houses playing foosball. It was a nice touch of nostalgia. The good kind.
Scott ended up losing a few times, not so that Theo would win, but because of his lack of attention. He was lost in the way Theo seemed human and happy. All the genuine smiles, the way he pushed the damp strands of hair back while celebrating, the playful and gentle way he talked to him.
It took Scott a long time to truly see a genuine, pain-free smile on Theo’s face, and that day, while they were in each other’s presence, Theo smiled like a child. He was happier than Scott had ever seen him. Even during visits with Malia and Stiles to his apartment. Scott was really enjoying this, falling even more in love with the boy.
It was worth losing because, in the end, he was still winning.
After several rounds of foosball and a few cups of magic beers—God, this could never sound less ridiculous—the two of them were sprawled on the couch, too close to each other; heads resting on the backrest and knees touching. It turned out to be one of the best nights Scott had had in a long time.
“And how’s college going?” Theo asked, his hand brushing against Scott’s thigh, sending a shiver down his spine. “Too serious? Boring? Have you met anyone?”
“It’s not boring,” Scott laughed. “Well, maybe sometimes. But no, nobody. I’m trying not to have distractions this time, at least not like I did when I was in school.”
“Don’t you think about getting back together with Kira?” Theo seemed very interested in his answers; he was so serious and paying so much attention that it made Scott blush even more. As if drinking wasn’t enough. “Like, I know she’s studying far away, but it seems to be working for everyone.”
“We’re still good friends. It’s good. Besides,” he poked Theo’s cheek with a small smile. “I think she’s seeing Isaac. We’re good.”
Theo’s eyes widened in astonishment. Scott found it funny—and cute. It wasn’t so surprising anymore. She moved on, just like he and Isaac had done in the past. Like Allison once did.
“Fuck. I didn’t see that coming.” Theo shook his head with a new smile. “So, are you happy?”
“Not entirely.”
“Why not?”
“And your life here in Beacon Hills?” Scott changed the subject. “Have you met anyone?”
“I’m fine. I think things have improved since Malia and Henry gave me a place to stay; Liam’s parents have also been a great help. Life’s good. As good as it could be for someone like me.”
“So you’re happy?”
Theo shrugged. “Yeah, I think so.”
Scott felt his heart flutter when he heard those words. He knew how Theo felt about his family and how sensitive the subject was for him, especially with all his nightmares about a monstrous version of Tara and his time imprisoned with the Skinwalkers. There he had Malia and Henry, Jenna and David. He had Scott and the pack—he’d been a part of it for a while, where he deserved to be. He had a family, even if not by blood.
“You didn’t answer my question,” Theo reminded him.
“You didn’t answer mine either,” Scott retorted.
Theo suddenly became a little shy, lowering his eyes and suppressing a giggle.
Scott waited.
He hadn’t thought about or paid attention to chemical signals or supernatural powers all night, and for a moment, if it weren’t for the wolfsbane in the beer, he could have sworn none of that had happened, and they were just two normal guys enjoying some time together on a random weekend, without a care in the world. It had been a long time since he felt like this. Theo gave him that opportunity.
“Is Melissa really sick?” Theo finally asked, but it seemed like he already knew the answer.
That didn’t stop Scott from responding, though. “No.”
“That’s what I thought.” Theo then pulled Scott’s face close to his and kissed him.
Scott kissed him back, his eyes closing at the green light he’d received, and threw himself into the kiss. It was far better than he’d imagined. Theo tasted like mints and beer. It shouldn’t have been good, but for Scott, at that moment, it was the best combination he’d ever experienced.
When the hands began to wander, and their bodies grew warmer, the kisses on their necks turned into scars, and their pants tightened. Theo took off his own shirt, revealing his perfect torso. Scott stared shamelessly, biting his lip at the sight.
Theo raised an eyebrow, pleased with the attention. “Bed?”
Scott shook his head and pushed Theo’s body back, tearing off his own shirt. “This is good for me, is it good for you?”
Theo smiled, and nothing more needed to be said.
Their clothes littered the living room floor in minutes, and then Scott was on top of Theo, furtive, breathless kisses, claws and teeth marking each other’s skin and golden eyes gleaming, meeting as their foreheads pressed together. Theo had surrendered complete control to Scott, trusting that he would take good care of it—and he was right.
Scott was, in fact, a great alpha.
“You wanna stay?” Theo asked, as they were both in sweatpants and shirtless in Theo’s room, after a shower.
“Do you want me to? Or is it just because of the beers?” Scott joked, much lighter now that their feelings had come to the surface.
Theo hit him in the back with one of his pillows. “I like you, you asshole. I want you to stay with me. You’ll be back at your apartment soon. Can I want to enjoy your company?”
Scott went up to the boy and kissed him passionately. “We’ll figure something out, okay?”
Theo shook his head. “Okay.”