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Theo didn’t know how he got roped into checking on Liam, but there he was, pulling up to the Dunbar-Greyer household. He noticed all the lights were off, and he couldn’t smell much of Liam’s scent. He wouldn’t admit it, but it got him a little nervous. Theo walked up the front steps and tried the door, but it was locked. He sighed. Part of him thought he should leave and tell the others he tried. - even though he didn’t. But the other part of him wanted to stay and get some answers. Theo doesn’t like to admit it, but he’s worried about Liam; he hasn’t answered many of Theo’s texts, which is out of character for him as they are always texting late at night when they can’t sleep.
Theo takes a moment and lets his ears listen to the sounds, hoping to pick up any indication that Liam is inside. Just when he was about to give up, he heard something. A heartbeat that wasn’t his own.
“Liam?” Theo whispered,
No response.
“Liam, I know you’re in there.” He paused. “Can you unlock the door?”
There was silence for a moment, and then suddenly, Theo heard the door unlock. He turned the knob and walked inside; all the lights were off except for the kitchen, so he used his wolf eyes to see where he was going. He decided to turn on some lights for Liam’s parents so they wouldn’t come home to a dark house. When all the lights on the first floor were on, Theo’s eyes turned back to their usual green before making his way upstairs, turning on the lights in the hallway. When Theo approached Liam’s door, his nose caught the overwhelming scent of fear, sadness, and stress. He grimaced momentarily before turning the knob and walking into an also dark room.
“Liam?” He whispered,
No response.
Theo sighed, carefully approaching and sitting on the floor beside his bed.
“You know you can talk to me,” he paused. “Even if you don’t think I can help, it’s better to let it out.”
No response.
Theo suddenly hears soft music playing; he listens closely to the lyrics.
-
“Reaching out, give me a lifeline.
I don’t know if I can carry this on my own.
living lost can last a lifetime
I don’t know if I can carry this on my own
I don’t know if I can carry this on my own.
It’s a dwelling, call it deep insight
When the best no longer tries to fight..”
-
When the song ended, both of them were in deafening silence. Neither of them knew what to say. However, what was more surprising was that Theo, to an extent, knew what Liam was feeling. He just had to put it into words, though that’s where he was drawing a blank, but he had to try.
“I know what you’re feeling,” Theo started softly,
There was a pause, almost like Liam was about to ask something, but he decided against it.
“I felt like that when you pulled me back from hell.” Theo continued, “Living lost,” chuckling at the use of the lyrics. “It can feel like a lifetime. I felt like I had no one to turn to with my burdens. Stiles and Malia didn’t make it easy, and I wouldn’t expect less from Scott.”
Liam held his breath as Theo continued.
“So I suffered every day living in my truck with nightmares, barely sleeping nights. I’ve been afraid to reach out because I know most of you guys still haven’t forgiven me, and I deserve that.”
“No, you don’t,” Liam mumbled, “You deserve to reach out to us whenever you need it, Theo.”
“I-I don’t, Liam. I’ve betrayed all of you; there’s no going back from that.”
Liam shoved the covers off as he looked directly at Theo.
“It was a mistake, Theo, and you learned from it.” He paused. “If you hadn’t, you wouldn’t have taken Gabe’s pain or tried to keep the ghost riders from taking me. You’ve saved me several times; it’s my turn to save you.”
“But what about you? The pack hasn’t seen you in weeks, Liam.” Theo reminded,
“Oh, right.” Liam looked at his hands, pausing for a moment.
Theo climbs onto Liam’s bed, sitting in front of him.
“Since Scott left, I’ve been afraid I won’t be a good pack leader like him.”
Liam pauses; Theo reads his chemosignals but never takes his eyes off him.
“Then add the pressure of everyone expecting you to have all the answers; I just don’t think I can do it alone.”
“But you’re not alone, Liam; you have the Puppy Pack.” Theo replied, “You have Me, Mason, Corey, Nolan, and Alec. We’re here to help.”
“You mean that?”
“Of course, baby wolf. The pack will be that lifeline if you need it.”
Liam couldn’t fight the smile and light blush that made its way to his face, but he couldn’t shake his fear; there was something else bothering him that he didn’t know about to address with Theo. He’s afraid that if or when he does, Theo will run away and won’t want to see him anymore, and that fear is breaking his heart. Theo has a secret he has kept from everyone, or at least he tried to; he has a feeling Mason and Corey know about it. He’s developed feelings for Liam but doesn’t want to wreck their friendship. Theo also doesn’t feel he deserves Liam. He feels he isn’t good enough for him.
Theo would give anything to see inside Liam’s mind, reassure all his doubts, and push his fears, but he can’t. Theo looks deep into Liam’s eyes like he’s trying to find the answer to an unasked question. Liam looked deeply into Theo’s eyes; it almost looked like both were leaning in, but Theo broke the silence.
“Liam?”
“Yeah?” Liam replied.
“You stink.”
Theo’s comment took Liam aback. It only took them a moment to realize how random it was, and they started laughing. Liam liked seeing Theo smile because it was contagious. After they calmed down from laughing, Theo shook his head lightly, a smile still on his face.
“Seriously, Liam, you stink.”
Liam took a quick whiff of his shirt and grimaced.
Theo stood, digging through Liam’s dresser for clean clothes before throwing them at him.
“Go shower; I’ll order pizza for us.”
Liam nods as he gets off his bed and heads to the bathroom. Before closing the door, he smiles at Theo.
“Thanks for checking on me.”
“It’s not like I had much of a choice. The pack was worried.” Theo shrugs,
“You were worried too, weren’t you?” Liam smirks,
Theo smirks before heading downstairs, “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Dunbar.”
Liam closes the bathroom door and turns on the Shower. Theo calls the local pizza place and places an order for two large pizzas. Sitting in the living room waiting for Liam, he checks his wallet; seeing only a few dollars inside, he sighs. He got up and checked the kitchen, noticing a note from Liam’s mom and some money for takeout. It wasn’t long before Liam came down, freshly showered in a white shirt and sweatpants. Theo could smell his shampoo; he wanted to get closer and run his hands through Liam’s hair. Liam sat down next to Theo as he turned on the TV.
“Did you want to watch a movie?”
“Sure.”
Liam looked through his movies before settling on one they hadn’t seen. Just before the movie started, The pizza arrived. Liam got up to grab the money from the kitchen before answering the door. Theo took the pizzas from Liam and gave the money to the delivery guy. Once Liam shut the door, he turned off some lights and started the movie, and both of them ate their pizzas. They had devoured them by the time the movie ended and were exhausted. Theo was too comfortable on the couch to move, but he knew he’d have to leave if he wanted to find a spot for his truck that wouldn’t get him caught by cops and allow him to sleep for at least four hours. But Liam’s couch was comfortable, and something about being around him gave Theo this sense of security. So he decided he’d stay over, only if Liam offered first.
Liam checked his phone as he yawned, which caused Theo to yawn involuntarily.
“It’s almost midnight.”
Theo checked his phone as well. The time read 11:53 PM.
“I guess that means you have to go and find a spot for your truck, right?”
Theo looked at Liam, shocked. “How did you know?”
“I’ve known since the Hospital.”
Theo stared at Liam in shock, not knowing what to say. Liam was watching him closely.
“I’ve been waiting for the right time to say something, but honestly, there is no right time.” He admits, “I want you to know you can stay here. We have a spare room.”
“Are you sure? I-I don’t want to impose.”
“Of course, Theo. You’re more than welcome here.” Liam paused, “I might’ve already told my parents about you staying, so there’s no backing out.”
Theo chuckles, shaking his head. “Alright, I’ll stay.”
Liam smiled as he stood to collect the pizza boxes. Theo stood and stretched. Before heading upstairs, Liam turned off some lights, leaving some on for his parents. Theo followed as Liam led him to the guest room.
“You can borrow some of my stuff unless you have something in your truck.”
Theo nodded, “Yeah, I have clothes.”
Liam nodded, “No trying to get out of this, I’ll hear you.”
“I won’t.” Theo reassures, “I promise.”
Theo then runs out to his truck to grab the bag, which contains very few of his clothes, before locking it and heading back inside. He heads to the guest bedroom, dropping off his bag before heading to Liam’s room. He is changing the sheets on his bed but struggling a bit.
“Here,” Theo said, coming in to help.
Together, they easily put the sheet on, and then Theo helped Liam put on his pillowcases before grabbing the spare comforter Liam had in his closet.
“Thanks.” Liam smiled,
“Of course, baby wolf,” Theo smirked,
Both of them blushed lightly. After a few moments, Liam broke the silence.
“If you need anything, I’m here,” Liam replied.
Theo nodded, “Thanks.”
Liam nodded in return.
“Good night, Liam.”
“Good night, Theo.”
Both of them went into their rooms for the night. Theo secretly hoped that with Liam nearby, he could get some sleep; he had realized Liam was his anchor when he woke up from another nightmare about Tara, and Liam had accidentally left his jacket in his truck. He put it on and managed to fall back to sleep within minutes, just from Liam’s scent, and didn’t wake up until morning. Theo removed his shoes and jacket, then dug through his bag for his sweatpants and Liam’s jacket before climbing into bed. Five hours passed when Theo was woken up by Liam shouting a name that made his blood run cold….His own.
Theo ran to Liam’s room so fast he thought the door had come off the hinges. He ran to his side, and Liam clung to him like no tomorrow.
“It’s okay, Li. I’m here.” Theo whispers, rubbing his back soothingly.
“You died.” Liam whispers, “In my dream, you died.”
“It’s just a nightmare, Li. They’re not going to come true like Lydia’s.” He reassures,
Liam didn’t say anything; he just held onto Theo tightly. Not that he cared; he’d give anything to hold Liam for the rest of his life.
“I never got to tell you…”
“Tell me what, baby wolf?”
Liam looked at Theo with his big Bambi blue eyes, making him swoon every time he looked in his direction.
“I love you.”
Theo’s heart stopped. He didn’t hear Liam’s heart skip.
Liam looked at him expectantly, then suddenly, lips crashed onto his. When Liam started returning the kiss, Theo thought his heart would explode from all the emotions. Liam pulled Theo closer and laid down so Theo was on top of him. Theo got under the covers while he kissed Liam deeply, cradling his head. Liam’s hands roam Theo’s body gently before pulling back briefly, taking notice of the jacket the other was wearing.
“Isn’t this my jacket?” He asked,
“Yeah.” Theo replied, “You left it in my truck.”
“Why are you wearing it?”
“I found it after having a nightmare about my sister, and I put it on because your scent grounds me.”
“Like an anchor?”
Theo nodded.
“You’re my anchor, too.”
Theo smiles, looking down at Liam with love, both eyes filled with lust and happiness. Liam looked up at him, his blue piercing into Theo’s green.
“I love you,” Theo whispers.
Liam smiles as he pulls Theo down into a kiss before pulling him to the other side of his bed.
“Stay with me?” Liam asks,
“Of course.” Theo nods,
Theo pulls Liam close as they fall asleep, wrapped in each other’s arms.
-
The following morning, Liam woke up in Theo’s arms. After remembering what happened last night, he couldn’t help but admire Theo while he slept. Then his mind wandered to the nightmare he had, his emotions instantly changing as he zoned out. He didn’t know he was crying until he felt someone, Theo, wipe his tears. Theo didn’t have to ask what was wrong; he knew why Liam was upset. He doesn’t know what exactly happened, as Liam has yet to say anything, but he knows he ‘died,’ and it was enough to scare Liam the way it did. Theo pulls Liam close to his chest, rubbing his back soothingly.
“Do you want to walk me through what happens in the dream?” Theo asks,
There’s a brief moment of silence before Liam starts.
“We were in the woods.” he pauses, “All of us were there. We were enjoying the first day of Summer.”
Theo didn’t have to ask who he was talking about; he knew Liam meant the Puppy Pack.
“Hunters were there; eight came out of nowhere and attacked.”
Theo subconsciously held Liam closer as he continued.
“We managed to defeat a little over half of them, but You and I got cornered by two on the Preserve Clift while Alec and Nolan handled the other two.”
Liam paused at the next part, trying not to get too emotional.
“It all happened so fast. We were fighting the other two hunters, and then the next thing I knew, I heard you call out to me. I turn to see you fall off the edge.”
Theo pulls Liam into his lap, looking deeply into his eyes.
“I promise you, baby wolf. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Promise?” Liam asks hesitantly,
“Promise,” Theo reassures, leaning in to kiss Liam gently.
Liam closes the gap, and their lips meet in a sweet kiss.
After pulling apart, they stay there, Liam’s forehead resting against Theo’s, savoring the moment for as long as possible. Theo gently brushes their noses together before chasing Liam’s lip for another kiss. Liam blushes as he closes the gap once more. When they pull apart for the second time, Theo stares deeply into Liam’s eyes, both filled with love.
“I love you, baby wolf,” Theo whispers,
Liam’s heart soars, “I love you too, Teddy.”
Theo’s heart skipped for a second; he froze as he registered what Liam had just called him. Tears welled in his eyes before he tackled Liam and buried his face into his shoulder. Liam melted as he held Theo close, until he finally spoke.
“I love it,” Theo whispers, “Can you call me that again?”
“Teddy.” Liam smiles, “I love you.”
Theo blushes, “I love you too, baby wolf.”
After breakfast, they spent the rest of the day in each other’s arms, breathing in each other’s scents, letting the world around them fade. They didn’t care if their phones were blowing up; they only wanted to be with each other and do nothing else. Theo couldn’t help but admire Liam lying against him; a smile made it to his lips. He is head over heels for him and can’t imagine life without him. If it weren’t for Liam, he wouldn’t be here holding him in his arms, and everything that’s happened leading up to this moment would’ve been just a mere “what if” If Liam hadn’t pulled him out of hell. He’s grateful for every moment he’s had and wouldn’t change a thing.