Chapter Text
We’re gonna die. We’re gonna die. We’re gonna die, and I won’t have kissed the person I love.
The thought echoed through Liam's mind over and over again, spurring him on and making him grit his teeth so hard that he feared his fangs might snap as he hauled himself and Theo to safety, while all Hell broke loose behind them.
He heard yelling and grabbed Theo tighter, dragging the Chimera towards his truck, ignoring the sounds of pain that the older boy was desperately trying not to make. Theo was covered in blood, both his own and that of Hunters and Liam kept losing his grip on the man, cursing to himself loudly as he almost sent them both tumbling to the ground, as someone opened fire behind them, a bullet narrowly missing the first beta.
“Liam”, Theo rasped, and the younger looked down at him, continuing his journey to the car only a dozen yards from them.
“What?” He snapped, pushing his exhausted body beyond its limit, an invisible force making him unable to stop as he dragged them both to safety. His bones ached, and his muscles screamed in agony, but his injuries were nothing compared to the absolute carnage the rogue group of Hunters had inflicted upon Theo.
Were the Chimera not on the brink of death and in urgent need of Deaton’s care, he would have killed all of them. Liam had been attacking them with the intention of keeping them down. He didn’t know if he had killed any. The thought didn’t worry nearly as much as it should.
The Chimera grasped his arm weakly, eyes flashing gold. “Leave… me. Take my ca-” he broke off, coughing up blood.
“If you really think I’m leaving you here, then you are more stupid than I ever thought.” Liam snarled, trudging closer and closer to the safety of the elder's blue truck.
“I don’t matter”, Theo whispered weakly, going limp in his arms, just as they arrived. Liam sent a silent prayer to whatever higher being there might be that Theo hadn’t locked the car, planning for a quick escape.
“Don’t say that. You matter. You matter to me.” Liam snarled, hauling the unconscious chimera into his backseat. The 18-year-old’s head rolled to the side, and his arm hung off the side, limp.
“Theo? Hey! Don’t you fucking dare die on me! I will march into hell and drag you right back out.” He threatened, shaking the chimera roughly. Relief coursed through him when the chimera's eyes shot open, and he cried out in pain. Liam winced “Sorry”
He slammed the door closed and scrambled to get into the driver's seat. He stared at the steering wheel. Fuck.
“Uh, Theo. Keys?” He asked, turning around.
“Lost them. Spares,” the other slurred weakly, pointing at the glove department. Liam reached across, opening it and frantically searched for a key. He couldn’t see in at this angle, and his fingers brushed up against all sorts of things. Wrappers, bottles, a… book? And finally, Keys.
Liam whooped, holding them up, and Theo, despite being in pain, sent him a weak smile. He turned the car on and then hesitated. Theo had been teaching him how to drive, which had included a lot of yelling, punches and death threats if he messed up Theo’s car. They’d been practising, but a few laps around the block were absolutely not enough practice to succeed in a getaway.
“You’ve got this.” The other wheezed from the back. Liam glanced at him through the rearview mirror. He was clutching his side, blood leaking out from between his fingers. “I-” He broke off, coughing again. “I trust you,” Theo whispered, and his head lolled back.
Right, okay, there was no time for Liam to doubt himself. Even if he damages the truck, he will gladly feel Theo’s wrath once he is better. He had to live. Determination coursed through him.
Just like they’d practised. This was going fine.
Except he was going way faster than before, luckily, his werewolf senses managed to keep them out of harm's way, avoiding accidents by split seconds, reacting before Liam's consciousness had even processed it.
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By the time they arrived at Deaton’s clinic, Liam was shaking, holding Theo in his arms and roaring Deaton’s name. Minutes ticked by, and tears started forming in his eyes, adrenaline slowly receding and leaving behind the racing uncertainty and anxiety.
“Theo, please.” He begged. The chimera’s eyes opened slightly, green meeting blue. “It’s okay.” He reassured the younger, his smile revealing crimson red teeth.
The Door opened with a soft click, and Liam charged in, almost knocking the Druid over in the process. “Liam? Theo?” The veterinarian looked shocked for a second before recovering, and a mask of professional calm replaced his initial look. Fear.
“Help him. Please.” Liam’s voice broke, and the first sob escaped from his throat. Deaton nodded, ushering him into the back of the clinic, where Liam laid the chimera on the metal table. Under the bright cold light, Theo seemed unusually pale.
The Druid wasted no time readying his supplies and preparing various tonics. “Get his clothes off. I need to see where the wounds are.” He instructed, and the beta got to work. Ripping through Theo’s already ruined clothes, he was careful to avoid the soft skin beneath.
Some of his wounds were already starting to heal, and Liam pointed those out to Deaton, in case they closed before he could check them. He watched the Doc give Theo some blue potion, which seemed to knock the chimera out cold. Then, Deaton started cutting his wounds further open.
Liam growled in warning, stepping closer. What was Deaton doing?
“Liam, I have to check for bullets and shards of glass.” He explained calmly, his dark brown eyes radiating a patient kindness. Still, Liam couldn’t stop himself from pacing and growling at every fresh cut the Vet made. Eventually, even Deaton’s patience wore thin and with a tired smile, he asked Liam to go wait outside. In the truck, preferably.
“I can't concentrate with you radiating the energy of a wolf about to maul me for touching his partner.” Deaton explained.
Begrudgingly, Liam followed his advice, even when every nerve in his body was screaming at him to not leave the chimera’s side. He stood in front of the clinic, hands in his pockets and stared unseeingly ahead. His clothes were stiff with blood, and he desperately needed a shower, but the thought of leaving Theo now, in the vulnerable state he was in, revolted him.
Instead, he busied himself cleaning up the inside of Theo’s car as best as he could with the cleaning supplies and towels he found stored in Deaton’s clinic. Scrubbing the blood off Theo’s leather seats calmed him down enough that once he was done, he sat down in the passenger seat, windows down to air out the smell of chemicals. They burned his nose, but at least they overpowered the scent of blood. Theo’s blood.
He stared at the dashboard, hands resting in his lap. He should call Scott.
His Alpha picked up on the second ring. “Liam, how’d it go?”
“Shit. They knew we were coming. The tortured Theo, and by the time I got to him-”
“Are you okay? Did they hurt you?” Scott cut him off.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Some minor scratches, already healed. Theo though-”
“Are you safe? Do you need me to come get you? I knew I shouldn't have let you go with him.”
Liam felt the familiar flare-up of anger heating his blood. “Scott. I’m fine. Theo’s not. I’m taking care of him now. I’ll get back to you soon.”
He ended the call, ignoring the noise of protest his Alpha made. With all due respect, Scott could go fuck himself. Theo was hurt. Why on earth was he worried about Liam? A few seconds later, his phone pings.
Stiles: Send a wolf emoji if Theo’s holding you hostage
Liam sent a middle finger and then turned off his phone.
He couldn't understand how the others could care so little for Theo. Sure, he’d done a lot of fucked up things, and he wasn’t the easiest person to be around, and his humour was pretty macabre, but he was changing. He was a good person. Liam wouldn’t admit it, but Theo was better than all of them. He owned up to what he did and didn’t try to pretend that he was morally righteous or a better person. There were no clean hands in the war with Monroe, and Theo was the only one honest about his actions. Scott had been willing to let Deucalion, Peter, Theo and Derek kill, do the dirty work that stained his hands just as red. Why was no one seeing that?
No one was innocent in this. They’d just been privileged enough to have never been in a position like Theo, where killing was the only option for survival. Liam admired the chimera. Despite everything he’d been through, everything he’d been forced and brainwashed into doing, he was still here. Helping out and accepting the shitty treatment of the pack. He stayed in a town that had caused him nothing but pain.
Liam needed something to do. Otherwise, he would either go back and kill those hunters or find a way to revert time and prevent them from ever going on the mission, time-travelling consequences be damned.
The Book.
Liam wasn’t much of a reader, not like Theo, who always had a book laying on his dashboard or that would seemingly magically appear at pack meetings (that Liam forced him to join) to avoid talking to the others. Sometimes, when Theo was over at his house, he’d just sit on Liam's bed, quietly reading, unphased by Liam outbursts whilst playing videogames with the rest of the younger pack members or ignoring Liam’s complaints as he did his homework.
Curious about what Theo was currently reading, he reached back into the glove compartment, fingers closing around the leatherbound book and pulling it out. He stared at it confused. He might not have read many books outside of those assigned for class, but he was pretty sure, a book always had a title on the cover.
He turned it around, but both sides and its ridge were blank. It smelled like Theo and ink. Liam opened it. Perhaps it was a really old one?
The first pages were blank and Liam was about to give up and decide on one of his previous plans, when he flipped to the next page and found a few notes in Theo's neat handwriting.
Thursday:
- Gas (20$ for the month?)
- Dried fruits, nuts and meats (make sure they can be stored for months)
- New t-shirt
- Macy’s parking lot is checked every night
Confused, he flipped to the next page. He wouldn't put it past Theo to use some ancient book as his shopping list.
Saturday:
- Keep school ID for showers
- Avoid the library after school (puppy pack!!!)
- Nolan has been accepted into the pack?!
- Liam’s now co-captain of the lacrosse team. I don’t understand why he’d willingly move down to co-, with a Hunter (ex-Hunter?)!!
Liam chuckled. He’d asked himself the same thing at first, but surprisingly, the two worked pretty well together and could both keep an eye out for Alec on the field.
Theo hadn't added a date next to the days, so Liam doesn’t know when exactly Theo wrote this down. Curiously, he flipped to the next page.
Tuesday:
Liam is doing amazing at integrating Nolan and Alec into the pack. He’ll make a good Alpha one day.
The east side of the preserve is the best place to stay. No officers. Haven't totally figured out yet how to hunt. Trying to stay out of Derek’s area on the west.
Wednesday:
Drove around the outskirts today, no sign of unusual weaponry activity or hunters. I’ll hike out in the next few days to check the surrounding forests.
I think Stiles left to go back to the FBI again? Derek’s still here, though and seems pretty on edge. I wasn’t aware the two of them were such close friends. It gives me hope that maybe Liam and I will reach that level of friendship eventually?) It’s nice to know that people like him still find good people who see past their… past?
Liam slammed the Book shut, mind racing. He shoved it back into the glove compartment and stared at it, like the book was going to launch itself at him with teeth.
The Book wasn’t some old supernatural archive; it was just a journal. Theo’s journal.
Liam would have never guessed in a million years that Theo would ever keep a journal. Having a notebook detailing grand muder plans? Sure. In fact, he was almost certain that Theo had one, but probably burned it, once he entered his, as Liam liked to call it: Raeken redemption arc.
But uptight, former evil mastermind (still mastermind, now less evil), emotionally constipated, unwilling to admit when he was wrong, ends up taking a Hunters pain, Theo Raeken? It made no sense.
Yes, Theo was trying to be better, or at least, he seemed to be without any ulterior motive, and he was not helping Liam’s case of denying himself that he’d started developing feelings for him, after fighting next to him time and time again and then snowballing into a hopeless crush, because of Theo’s stupidly “being the bait” action and didn't hesitate to take on the hunters in the Hospital, despite there being no gain for himself.
When had Theo started the journal? Was there more? Had there been a journal before this?
Liam jerked his hand back, when he realised that he was reaching for the journal again. He got back out of the Truck, needing to create some physical distance and clear his mind because evidently, the chemicals were getting to his head.
What was he thinking, reading Theo’s journal? Had he no shame? (No, not really. Not when it came to Theo. The rules of “normal” didn’t apply to their… friendship?)
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The door to the clinic opened again, and Deaton poked his head out. He glanced at the now-empty car and then found Liam pacing a few meters away from it. “Have you been outside this whole time?” He asked, concerned about lacing his voice.
Liam shook his head. “I cleaned it.” He explained himself, gesturing to the car. “Then I did nothing. Just sat in it and waited.” He didn’t know why he felt the need to justify being in Theo’s car. Hell, the chimera took him everywhere in it. Last week, when Liam had persuaded him to come to the Mall, Brett had tried getting in the front, only to be told that he couldn’t sit in Liam's seat.
The born Werewolf had raised an eyebrow, glancing between Theo and Liam. The latter was chatting to Mason, who was driving his own car to pick up Corey and Nolan. “Ah, so it’s like that,” he’d said with a knowing smirk, well aware of Liam's supernatural hearing. When Liam had asked what he meant, Theo had growled something about Brett being an insufferable prick and wanting to run him over, which promptly caused an awkward silence, the three others vividly remembering the near-death experience of Brett being hit by one of Monroe's hunters.
Deaton ignored his explanation, stepping aside. “He’s waking up.” Liam was scrambling into the clinic before the Vet could finish his explanation. “He’ll make it. But he needs a proper place to rest for the next couple of days, but since it's Theo…” the Druid sighed, “try keeping him still for the next 24 hours.”
Liam nodded, anxiously rocking back and forth on his feet. He wanted to see Theo. Why was Deaton hesitating?
“He’s high on a werewolf dose of pain medication right now. He might act… unusually. He’ll sleep it off soon, so don’t be too surprised if he’s back to his usual, less pleasant self in the morning. I've packed some additional supplies for the next few days. His healing will be a lot slower than usual; a lot of the cuts had traces of poison in them."
Liam growled in anger, and Deaton stared at him unimpressed. "You'll need to administer more medication and past tomorrow evening and continue with the past until everything has healed. Understood?"
“Noted. Can I go to him now?” Liam asked, impatience getting the best of him.
Instead of answering, Deaton opened the door to the operation room that was reserved for all things supernatural. Theo was lying on the table, arm raised as he drew invisible shapes in the air. The sound of the door opening caused him to turn his head, slowly. He blinked once, twice, then he grinned in a way Liam had never seen him do before. carefree.
Liam froze, his heart stopping and then restarting, beating a hundred miles a minute as the feeling of adoration for the older one crashed into him. How would he ever be able to be normal around Theo again? How would he be able to look at the chimera’s face and not be desperate to see him this happy again?
“Liammmm” Theo called out, one arm flopping off the table as he clumsily tried to grab at the beta still standing too far away. He’s naked save for a pair of boxers, bandages and pastes covering various injuries.
He turned to face the Vet, eyes wide. “What happened?” The Vet shrugged, returning to cleaning up his stuff.
“I told you. He’ll be more open, more honest for the next few hours.” Liam cautiously approached Theo, afraid this version of him would disappear if he got too close.
“Hey” He said, because he wasn’t sure what else felt appropriate. I’m so glad you're not dead because I’m not sure I’d get over that heartbreak? Sorry the others sent us on this mission, I think they knew this would happen to you? Please don’t ever put your life on the line like that I lo- He shut down that thought as quickly as it came.
Theo managed to grab his hand, pulling the Beta even closer. “You saved me.” He slurred, still with that stupid loose smile on his face that Liam’s sure will haunt him forever. He doesn’t mind.
He found himself smiling back at the chimera and rubbing his thumb across the back of Theo’s hand. “No, you saved us. You were a total badass back there.” He told him, keeping his voice soft.
Theo’s eyes widened as he took in more of his surroundings. “You didn’t leave me.” He whispered, staring back at Liam like he’d hung the moon. Liam has to look away before he does something recklessly stupid like kissing him.
“I would never leave you with Hunters.” It was the half-truth. He could never leave Theo, no matter how small or insignificant a mission might seem. With each passing day he spent around him, he felt his soul entwining with Theo’s, stitching their very beings together.
It scared him sometimes, how much Theo makes him feel. As he helped Theo sit up, the blonde leaning heavily against him, he realised that deep down he knew he'd never leave Theo, even if that meant staying behind with him.
Liam took his own, still blood-speckled jacket off and dressed Theo in it. It’s too short for him, looking more like a cropped jacket, but it’ll do for now. Theo can’t really walk yet, hanging off Liam in a way that reminds him of those drunken teenagers he’s seen stumbling out of bars.
They’ve just reached the exit when Deaton called Liam's name. He paused, shifting Theo’s weight so he could turn to look back at the Vet without risking them crashing through the glass door.
The Doc watches them, amused, a knowing look on his face. “He’s not himself. He might do or say things he wouldn’t usually do. Don’t hold it against him. It’s most likely the drugs. Though there’s always some truth in drugged thoughts... Perhaps keep him away from the others for now.” Liam nodded and then hauled them back to the car, albeit this time without the urgency of death breathing down their necks.
He debated putting Theo in the back again, but he’s moving much more now and less aware of the consequences his actions might have, so he decides to put him in the passenger seat, buckling him in and very pointedly ignoring the hands that have found their way into his hair.
“I like your hair.”
Liam chuckled, gently extracting Theo’s hands from where they were causing tangles.
“Thanks, I hope so, since you told me to dye it brown.” He teased, trying to close the door, which proved quite impossible as Theo’s hand kept reaching for him. Finally, after quite a bit of coaxing and distracting him with a “oh look, what’s that?” He managed to scurry over to the driver's side and reverse out of the clinic's parking lot.
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Liam drove slowly, unbothered by anyone who might be suffering an acute case of road rage because of his moving the truck at 15 miles per hour. Theo was awfully chatty, though nothing he said made sense. His sentences were jumbled, and he was jumping from topic to topic faster than Stiles did, which was something Liam had thought impossible up until now.
Pretty early into their drive, Theo had started trying to hold Liam’s hands, and after a few minutes of pouting, Theo pouting and his beautiful eyes filling with tears, Liam's resolve had crumbled. Now, Theo had one hand wrapped around his bicep, the other entwining their fingers. It made driving more difficult, but also reduced Theo’s attempts to get out of the moving car (claiming Liam didn’t like him) to zero.
He sighed in relief when he parked the truck in front of their house. He’ll have to move it later, since his parents need to get to work in… he checked his phone. 1 am. Great.
Holding a hand over Theo’s mouth, he gently guided the chimera up the stairs, which they nearly toppled downwards thrice, the elder suddenly needing to tell Liam something and promptly leaning all his weight against him, as he turned his head, bright green eyes flashing in excitement, words muffled by the hand.
Once in their room, it’s like a switch flips in Theo's mind. The chimera lets out a happy noise and sprawls across Liam’s bed, talking to himself or Liam, the beta has no clue. He discarded his own bloodied clothes in a hamper hidden in the back of his closet that his mom is strictly prohibited from touching (there is no non-supernatural explanation for how his clothes accumulate this much blood). He picks out a pair of fresh boxers and then, after a quick debate, turns to Theo.
“Do you…” He trailed off.
The Chimera was fast asleep, snoring slightly from the way his head was bent. “Theo?” The boy doesn’t so much as twitch. Fine. Another thing Liam would have to do himself. He took off the dirty jacket as carefully as he could, not wanting to wake the other up and deal with this onslaught of affectionate and uncoordinated Theo.
Liam rolled Theo over onto the left side, tucking him under the covers. Then, with a final reassuring glance that Theo is really asleep and will remain asleep, Liam dashed to the bathroom to rinse off most of the grime and blood. The students are aware of what he is, and whilst most don’t seem too bothered (or care about it) anymore, he’s pretty sure showing up as he’d been at the army front would not help his case of “I’m a peace-loving werewolf”
He places the journal on top of his schoolbooks. He’d tell Theo he’d brought his journal up, in case he wanted to write whilst Liam was at school, tomorrow. He stretched, a few joints popping and yawned. He did a final sweep through the house, checking that all windows were still closed and locking his bedroom door, he stumbled back to his desk.
Too tired to think properly, he decided to put his books into the bag already; future him would thank him for the added minute of sleep.
When he finally managed to crawl into his own bed at 1:45 am, after showering, moving the car and lying to his mom that he’d just woken up hungry and that was the reason he’d been up and down the stairs so often, he was done with the day, before it even started.
He’s relieved to find Theo still fast asleep, the bruising on his face in different shades of purple and dried blood on his split lip flaking off. Liam longs to run his hand along Theo's jaw and check every injury, but he can't. With a sigh, he drops into bed, tucking them both under the blankets and closing his eyes, listening to Theo's steady breathing.
What a crazy day it had been. Maybe he should follow Theo’s lead and start journaling too?