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The jeep nearly tipped over when he hit the breaks. It was not the first time he had ever hit the brakes that hard, and it was without a doubt not gonna be the last time either. The fact the car was still standing was the major surprise
“What the--” Stiles stopped himself, as he got a better look at what, no, who he’d nearly run over. “Is this guy for real?” He turned to Derek in the passenger seat, before again looking out the windshield.
A bloody hand grabbed for the hood of the jeep. A last attempt to keep balanced. A measly attempt when Theo’s legs collapsed under him and eyes closing with exhaustion.
“Oh my god--” Stiles uttered as he grabbed for the door and jumped out.
Of all people, he thought, mind racing as a line of cars behind them started to form, honking for them to move along.
Quickly they grabbed Theo’s unconscious body like a ragdoll and carried him to the backseat, where his head lolled from side to side. God Stiles hoped no one got any suspicion about them carrying a limp body into his car.
Pedal to the metal, the jeep started again and drove off as quickly as possible.
“Call Scott,” Stiles ordered, eyes glued to the road as he ignored the speed limit. He heard the ringing from Derek’s phone. In the rearview mirror he caught a glimpse of Theo’s still face, before he looked at Derek, “is he breathing?”
Derek sighed, “barely,” his voice like steel. Being a part of the Beacon Hills Supernaturals Club did give a higher level of experience in close to death situations. Whether they liked it or not.
As the sun was setting closer and closer to the horizon, they pulled into Beacon Hills’ Animal Clinic. With the brakes in place Stiles casted a glimpse to Derek in the backseat and as if they could telepathically communicate, he jumped out the car and ran to the clinic’s entrance. The door swung open, controlling the clinic for any last clients of the day. But it was empty. He found Deaton, the clinic’s veterinarian, finishing up the day’s paperwork. He turned his head around to an out of breath Stiles. Without a question he got up and followed the young man, who called out Derek’s name. As they got to the front entrance Derek was carrying Theo’s limp body and they let him enter the operating room.
“Does Scott know?”
“Voicemail.” Derek explained, apparently not having gotten through to the Alpha.
“What happened?”
Stiles quickly explained how they had found Theo as he had collapsed onto the road. Deaton didn’t seem thrilled about the sudden collapse.
As Theo’s head had lolled to the side Deaton began an investigation of any harm on his body. It wasn’t until they looked to his waist they noticed how blood was slowly soaking the gray shirt. With a swift move Deaton pulled the shirt up to inspect the wound better.
“Oh-- god he’s covered in blood.”
“Well, he didn’t inflict that on himself.”
“He wasn’t alone?” Stiles finished, looking away from the wound and back at Theo’s face to avoid any unnecessary gagging. “Who was he fighting?”
“You tell me,” Deaton countered as he pulled on a pair of plastic gloves. There were more bruises on Theo’s chest.
At the same time, Derek tried Scott’s phone again. No use.
Fidgety as usual Stiles paced back and forth, watching Deaton cut up Theo’s bloody shirt, revealing his stomach and chest in dark blues and purples. Stiles couldn’t remember the last time he had seen any of the wolves looking like this after being beaten up. His face looked so peaceful, almost like he hadn’t been beaten half to death. His eyes closed, like he was sleeping. Not knowing he was fighting for survival.
His eyes wandered down to Theo’s dark wound. He started biting his nails at the sight of the wound pulsing new crimson blood.
“Oh my god--” he felt himself panic and turned back to Deaton, “do something!” He suddenly felt a pair of hands grab his shoulders. Derek escorted him out of the operating room. Surprised to find himself yelling at Deaton to fix Theo repeatedly until his throat felt raw.
“Stiles--!” Derek tried as he sat him down with force in the waiting room.
He discovered himself to be hyperventilating. Why? He had done this plenty of times. Driven someone from the pack to Deaton, or Derek’s loft, or somewhere else where there was room and safe space to heal and get better, and none of those times had he been as reactive as he was now. Then why did this affect him so much? “What’s happening?” he wanted to ask, but air was entering and leaving him too fast for the words to form properly. The pulsing wound flashed in his mind and he felt the urge to bend over and retch.
“Stiles, listen to me,” he caught Stiles’ face gently, trying to catch his eye. But he only closed them harder. Not understanding why this was affecting him so much.
“ Fixhim--! ” he managed to exhaled quickly.
“We’ll fix him, Stiles, okay? We will fix him. We’re going to sit here, while Deaton takes a look at Theo, alright? You understand me?”
The words only seemed to half register with Stiles. But eventually he nodded, still fighting for air. His head grew increasingly more and more dizzy.
Derek frowned at the other, “Stiles?” he repeated as Stiles’ eyes began to close unnaturally. “Hey, Stiles, no, stay with me!” Now it was Derek’s time to give the sense of panic as Stiles’ body lost control and fell together in the chair.
When he opened his eyes again he was alone in the waiting room. He didn’t know how, but his body felt both light and heavy as lead. Although, it wasn’t the first time he felt like this. It had been a while since the last time he had passed out like that. When he thought about it, it made sense if it was the overwhelm of the image of the wound on Theo. Even the thought of it made him gag.
“Derek?” he called out. But there was no answer.
He took a deep breath before getting to his feet. With a shaky breath he went back into the operating room, expecting to see Deaton still working on Theo. Instead he found Theo lying calmly on the operating table. His chest moving up and down in a calm rhythm.
“You fucking moron,” Stiles muttered as a sense of relief washed over him. Along with the rising chest, he seemed to be healing. The dark wound was no longer pulsing, but it was still healing. Slowly.
“I . . . ugh . . . heard that . . .” a weak voice escaped Theo’s lips.
A jolt went through Stiles, urging him closer to Theo slowly waking up.
Theo grunted, trying to get up in a sitting position. With Stiles’ help they were finally eye to eye.
“Yo you’re still healing,” Stiles managed, worry flooding the words.
“I hadn’t noticed.” A faint chuckle escaped the chimera.
Stiles’ eyes scanned Theo from top to bottom, “you okay?”
Theo gave a weak nod. Then their eyes finally met. Golden brown and hazel met and Stiles felt his heart skip a beat. Why? What happened?
Hazel flickered for a second before Theo’s bow-lip was pulled into a smirk, “you afraid I was gonna die back there, huh, Mischief?”
Sudden annoyance sent Stiles a few steps back. Had he panicked over this smug asshole? Unbelievable . He placed his hands on his hips, trying to find the right words that he could retaliate with. But they didn’t come to him.
“You going silent on me?”
“Stop that. Whatever it is you’re doing--”
He chuckled, “I’m not doing anything,” followed by a wince from the healing wound.
“Get rekt,” Stiles said, feeling satisfaction tingle as Theo felt the well deserved pain.
“Oh. Don’t be like that. If I remember correctly, you found me. You’re basically my hero.”
Stiles turned his head. “Where’s Deaton?” he finally asked. He knew he had saved Theo’s ass, just like he and his jeep were always the one to act as an ambulance in this crazy pack.
Theo shrugged.
Perfect , he thought annoyed. But since Deaton hadn’t appeared since he had woken up, it could mean he had left them behind. Or maybe just in his office. Wouldn’t have been the first time he had done either of those things. He trusted them enough to lock after themselves when they were done using the clinic. He didn’t even think to go look. Neither did he think of checking his phone for either the time or any messages. He only focused on Theo. His wound in the side was almost gone now. Only a small black dot at the size of a golf ball was visible.
“Does that hurt?” Stiles managed to control his body’s need to gag at the sight. Unbelievable how after all this time he still hadn’t gotten less squeamish at the sight of blood and black oozes. Again feeling lightheaded he looked away. Locking his golden browns with Theo’s hazel eyes.
Theo shook his head. Not breaking his gaze at Stiles’ face, even though Stiles kept fidgeting with his nails. Eyes darting back and forth.
“Stiles,” he finally said, voice sombre, calling Stiles closer to him. Not realising Theo’s power over him he stepped closer, eyes locked to each other letting the silence fill out the otherwise empty room.
There was an ache. An ache that longed to touch. To feel the heart still beating. To feel skin still warm. But instead Stiles asked with a breaking voice “how did you know how to find us?”
“I didn’t.” His words sounded genuine. Theo paused as he reached out for Stiles’ shirt “but something called me to you.” He pulled him closer by his shirt and for a moment they shared the same air, “but I know . . . no matter what, my survival will always be in your hands.”
It took a moment for Stiles to understand the words. The amount of times Theo had been on the brink of death or needed his healing process to kickstart. Maybe he was the main factor for Theo to survive the most insane injuries.
“You could just stop getting beat up to the brink of death, you know?” Stiles tried, his voice croaky, “then you wouldn’t need me.”
Theo leaned in closer, his words a whisper, “no I wouldn’t like that. I like a hero I flannel.”
With an eyelash length between them, the main door to the clinic opened, sending Stiles a few steps back and away from Theo. Both of them took a quick deep breath as their heads turned to the door. It was Scott with Derek in tow.
“Great, you’re awake. You alright?” Scott asked, sounding winded.
Theo gave a nod.
“Yeah he’s a-okay that one. Scared some of us half to death.” Stiles managed to blame as he stepped away from Theo.
Insulted Theo shot him a glance. Then he turned back to Scott, “I’m sorry, but they got away. If it hadn’t been for Stiles and Derek I wouldn’t--”
Now it was Stiles’ turn to look at Theo, bringing Derek into the conversation. Both Scott and Derek nodded in unison, when Derek turned to Stiles.
“You alright?” concern was flooding his voice. The last time Derek had seen him he fainted in the waiting room.
Stepping away from Theo, Stiles nodded whilst scratching the back of his head. Meanwhile Theo jumped down from the operating table without so much as a wince. Whilst he and Stiles had been sharing the same air the wound had closed up in a matter of seconds. Then he caught himself staring a moment too long when the whole operating room went quiet. He looked up at the others, all looking at him. Theo with a hidden pleased smile, Derek aware of the amount of seconds Stiles had been looking at Theo’s body, and Scott just looked confused, like he waited for someone to say something.
“What?” he started, “is anyone gonna tell what happened tonight? Like why was Theo even beat up?”
Scott exhaled, “we got a hint on something, someone, about to attack the inner city,”
“But it let us into a trap. It divided us, and went after me.”
“Did you know about this?” Stiles turned to Derek.
He shrugged and shook his head.
And just like that Stiles was on it. He was ready to find out what this thing was, what dangers it held, what he should tell his father to look out for, how to help his friends. But something nagged him. “Why wasn’t I told about this? What sort of danger?”
“It was pure coincidence, we weren’t expecting it. It was one of Chris’ communication lines, some hunters further north had had trouble with this thing, but when they attacked they pissed it off. . . running down south to Beacon Hills.”
“But you should have told me--, told us” he protested, looking from Scott to Derek.
“There was no time, it was an emergency. A total act on instinct.”
“And what about now? Is it still loose, how do we kill it?”
Scott frowned, “Stiles, we don’t have to kill it?”
“What are you talking about, of course we do. It nearly killed Theo. I say we nuke the motherfucker.”
They all looked at Stiles. All puzzled at his reaction. Unbelievable .
“Well then,” he sighed annoyed, “what do we do then, since there’s a rampant werewolf mauler on the loose?” his hands planted defiantly on his hips.
“We don’t even know what we’re fighting against. It could be a newly turned, who doesn’t know what’s happening, we just don’t know.”
Stiles racked his mind to think of what possibly could have injured Theo that viciously. It just didn’t seem like a wolf, but the list of ferocious monsters was endless. Bickering wasn’t going to help either of them. As he viewed the situation, the best option was to get a hold of Chris. If he was the one who heard the rumour from others, he might be able to contact them back for more information.
“Alright, you two,” he pointed to Theo and Stiles, “you get to Chris, find out what we’re dealing with. Derek and I’ll go out and see if we can track it down. Get a scent. Help it.”
Always with the kindness act. But Stiles let the thought slide and nodded. He turned to Theo, who still sat shirtless on the operating table. He could feel his ears turn suddenly red. With that he waved Theo with him and they headed out the clinic’s front door.
As he put the key in the ignition, he caught Derek’s eyes. Be careful they seemed to say. Of course he was going to be careful of the beast raging around. It wasn’t his first rodeo. Then his eyes quickly glided from Theo getting into the passenger seat and back to Stiles before his eyes sent him another warning. Then before he knew it Derek had run off.
“Come on, what are you waiting for?”
Stiles turned his head away from his thoughts. He just sat there, Theo Raeken, with no shirt on and in peak perfect condition as if he had stepped down a model runway and not an operating table. “We need to get you a shirt.” he turned the key in the ignition.
“Why?” he smirked.
“You might poke someone’s eye out,” he snarked as he drove out of the parking lot.
As they pulled up to Chris Argent’s building, they noticed the dark windows.
“Doesn’t seem to be home, huh,” Theo muttered then proceeded to turn to Stiles, rummaging in the backseat, “what are you doing?”
After a moment of imbalance and searching Stiles appeared, red faced and tossed something at Theo, “put that on before anyone sees you,”
He gave it a hesitant look at the bordeaux shirt he knew all too well. Then without Stiles noticing he brought the shirt to his nose, took a long careful inhale of the shirt before he put it on and stepped out of the jeep with a satisfied look.
The complex had a reception hall and Stiles walked through the doors like he lived in the penthouse. In a swaggery few steps Theo caught up to him and they pushed the button for Chris’ floor. But as they got to the front door Stiles froze. The door wasn’t closed. Being slightly ajar.
Stiles held Theo back taking the lead, when suddenly Theo took his wrist. Their eyes locked when Theo suggested for him to step behind him. Annoyed not being able to withstand supernatural forces and live to tell the tale, Stiles moved behind Theo as they breached the front door.
Silence waved over them. With the sun having set outside the darkness embraced them, leaving the only light source be the one from the hall sneaking its way inside the apartment’s hallway. He put his finger to his lips and disappeared into the apartment’s shadow. His eyes glowing like golden suns. As Theo left him in the hallway, Stiles reached for the nearest thing that he could use for self defence. Clinging onto it as he watched Theo go into what he knew was Chris’ office. As he was left alone he felt his pulse rise quicker and quicker the longer he was by himself. Nervousness intensified as he tightened his grip even more, raising it over his head when the door slammed closed, parting him from Theo. His steps hurried over to the office. The door, not moving. He hammered on the door with his free fist. He heard a big thud against the door, causing him to step back before rustling the door knob.
“Theo!” he shouted with a strain in his throat as he hit the door repeatedly.
Then he heard a chuckle.
The door opened.
And Theo emerged from the office without a scratch and with teasing satisfaction. “Relax, there’s no one here. Must’ve been in a hurry when he left.”
Jittering from toe to fingers, Stiles had to restrain himself. Lips pressed tightly together as he glared at the smug face in front of him.
“Were you going to save me with that?” he pointed to the umbrella in Stiles’ hand.
To hell with decency, he thought and gave Theo a whack with the umbrella before he walked back down the hallway and turned on the light.
“Oh come one, Mischief,”
He pointed at the other with the umbrella, “fuck you,” and proceeded to walk around the apartment to look for clues to Chris’ whereabouts.
“Are you really gonna be mad about that?”
Stiles ignored him. The living room seemed fine. Nothing out of place there. The bedroom looked neat, like an army man trying to forget his time in the army but without a chance to let it go. Stiles couldn’t blame him. They had both seen a lot of different stuff. Monsters and attacks that would haunt them forever, but Stiles had never had Chris’ upbringing in strict discipline to keep his affairs this tidy.
He continued from room to room. There had to be a clue somewhere.
“Why else would he leave his apartment unlocked?”
“Maybe he forgot?”
“You don’t know Chris Argent then.” He scoffed and headed back into the office. This looked different. He hadn’t noticed with the lights turned off, but now, the overhead lamp showed the state of the office. Compared to the bedroom this was messy. Papers lying shuffled on the desk. Books pulled down from the bookshelves. The carpet overturned in the corners.
He analysed all the clues, “someone was here.”
“What about that room?”
Stiles looked up. Theo nodded to the last unchecked room, and Stiles felt a tug in his stomach, knowing that was Allison’s old room. “I don’t think anyone’s been in there for years now,” his voice crumbled against his will.
Theo looked back at him “why?”
He didn’t answer. When the silence grew longer Theo opted for a subject change.
“So--” he began, leaning up against the doorframe as Stiles went through every single drawer, clearly not listening, “thanks for saving me,” his tone both genuine and satisfied, “I doubt Derek would’ve saved me in the middle of the road like that.”
Stiles closed the last drawer, without finding anything. He scratched the back of his head with an exhale. He picked up his phone from his pocket and looked for Chris’ number.
“For a moment I thought I was a goner. Like whatever that was, it was vicious.”
“Which is why we need Chris,” he put the phone to his ear, but it went straight to voicemail. “Dammit it Chris,” he muttered and left a rushed voicemail.
Theo cocked his head to the side as he watched Stiles angrily put the phone back in his pocket, “are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“You look mad. You got that--”
“I’m not mad, I’m perturbed,”
A moment of silence grew as Stiles pulled out his phone again.
“You still look mad.”
“I am not mad, but if you ask me again I will be.” he warned, but it only sent the corner of Theo’s mouth to the side into a smirk. Letting the time drag out a few moments more he finally asked:
“Are you mad?” a grin widening.
“What is your problem?” His eyes opened wide, nostrils flared and mouth pressed tightly together.
The other just shook his head, “don’t know what you mean,”
It was enough for the last drop to run over. In three quick steps Stiles was over at him, pointing his finger in Theo’s face. “I’m getting tired of you,”
“Nah that’s too soon, I haven’t even started to piss you off,” a smirk danced on his face as he kept looking into Stiles golden brown eyes. Except they weren’t like liquid amber anymore. They were almost coffee black. “Woah,” he said lowly, “your eyes changed color.”
Stiles squinted and took a step back confused, “what do you mean?”
Carefully Theo stepped closer to inspect Stiles’ eyes, “I guess I just noticed that before. Your eyes were just so much more golden before, now they’re pitch dark.”
“Enough about my eyes, stop that--” he held out a hand to distance him from Theo. “Why do you suddenly care?” But instead Theo just stepped closer until the hand was resting on his chest. He could feel the heart beating slowly increase. Slowly he pulled the hand to himself.
“Is Derek mad you’re alone with me?”
Stiles felt a tug in him, “what do you mean? Why would he be angry?”
He shrugged, “you two just seem so close. Almost inseparable. Do you think he sees me as a threat?”
The words were enough to make Stiles feel his heart in his throat, but the tone was curious. He had to force himself to calm down, “That entirely depends on what you’re planning to do.”
The silence between them grew, almost as if Theo couldn’t decide what to say, or rather how he should phrase it.
“If you hurt me, you won’t just have Derek after you--”
Theo frowned, clearly offended “hurt you? Why would I want to hurt you? ”
“You don’t want to hurt me?”
“No!”
“Well that’s a relief.” He played sarcastically. But when Theo continued to watch him carefully he felt a new sense of uneasiness spread in him, “what?”
“What is it about you?” Theo whispered, almost just to himself. “Something is pulling me to you, it’s what drew me here in the first place, but I thought after I returned. . . when I came back I assumed that had gone away but it hasn’t. Something is pulling me to you Stiles and I don’t know what it is. You’re the key to my survival, you have to be.”
“What are you saying?”
“I don’t know--”
“No I think you do, I just think you don’t want to say it out loud. . .” his voice quivered.
“You didn’t seem to mind . . . back at the clinic, you know,”
The office around them had melted away. For the second time within a few hours they were standing close to each other, sharing the same air, as their heart rate increased in anticipation.
Slowly Theo stepped even closer, lifting his hand to Stiles’ cheek.
“What are you doing?” he whispered.
He looked into his eyes that had again changed back to liquid amber. Eyes that shifted in conflict within. Don’t, they warned. Do it, they seemed to beg. Both enticed, Theo moved in closer, gently cupping a complacent Stiles’ cheek until their lips met. Feeling each’s soft lips pressing so softly against each other. A new kiss birthed between them. A new kiss that had to reassure them both, that they were certain in the first try. Warmth rose to their heads. Air left them, leaving them dizzy when suddenly Stiles opened his eyes and took a jittery step back.
“What was that?” he stumbled over the words as he got his footing while bumping into the heavy desk. The office reappeared in his vision. The papers and books in shambles, the turned over carpet corners. Theo standing right in front of him with surprise painted all over his face. But not as surprised as to how Stiles felt on the inside.
“What do you mean?” Theo croaked, but then he saw Stiles’ eyes. Dark and wet. “I thought-- you didn’t--” he grasped for the words, but Stiles held a hand out and he stopped. Unlike before this was not a welcoming hand. He bit his lip apologetically. Eyes begging Stiles to forgive him.
“Why did you do that?” voice squeaky.
His hands quickly went up in his hair, “I don’t know I’m sorry--”
“No-no-- no I can’t deal with this.” He walked straight for the front door and pushed the button to the elevator aggressively when Theo ran up after him, leaving the door open.
“Stiles-- I’m sorry, I don’t know.”
“Not looking at you. Go away,”
“Where?”
“Anywhere just don’t follow me.”
Finally the elevator came and they both stepped in one at a time. When the door finally opened again Stiles bolted out the elevator, as he demanded Theo to stay away from him. Theo did no such thing. He remained close trying to explain himself, yet there were more apologies than actual coherent explanations. He jumped into the front seat, started the ignition and almost ran Theo over for the second time that evening. They both looked at each other. Stiles from the driver’s seat. Theo from the parking space.
Hurt.
Embarrassed.
Confused.
Sad.
Before any of them could say anything, Stiles drove out of the parking space and onto the road. Blood boiling. Head dizzy. Breath and hands, shaky. What the fuck?
He ignored his phone even though it vibrated in his pocket. He turned it off at the next red light and tossed it to the passenger seat. He just couldn’t deal with Theo. Not now. Maybe never. It had been a rush. A rush like electricity going through the body and the fingers were still spinning from the rush. A rush that was exciting but should have been painful. A rush he could still feel in his fingers. But what did this mean? It was clear enough Theo liked him. But did he like Theo back?
That, he thought, was not something he was ready to even consider.
When he finally pulled up to his house, he found himself to have thought of nothing but Theo. Specifically of his lips. He pressed his mouth tightly together as if it would erase the memory, but it didn’t work.
He parked the jeep next to the Sheriff’s car and headed inside the house. Trying not to make a sound he snuck up into his room where he quietly closed the door and silently imitated a scream. His whole body tensed, when suddenly the window behind him opened. He spun around, almost losing his footing and hitting the door with a thud.
“Oh my god stay quiet--!” he held out his closing fists. So much for staying quiet.
He turned on the overhead light and watched as none other but Theo Raeken on the floor with a puzzled look on his face.
“What are you doing?” Stiles blamed with a hushed strained voice.
Theo took a moment to assess the situation, “I uh--” he began and then lost his words.
Stiles waited impatiently with flailing arms and the tightest compressed lip Theo had ever seen.
“I came to give you your shirt back?”
“What?” he squinted, as Theo rose up to his full height, “no get out!” he hissed as quietly as he could, but that didn’t work . “Get out before my dad wakes up.” he said through gritted teeth.
“What, you’re not allowed to have guys in your room?” Theo whispered back a little too loud for Stiles’ likening. And it wasn’t because he wasn’t allowed. It was just that he was very aware that there was a series of firearms in the house and his dad had perfect aim.
He got to his feet and took off the shirt he’d borrowed from Stiles earlier. And then once again he was standing there with no shirt on, “here.” he handed the shirt back. Annoyed Stiles took it back and threw it in the hamper in the corner.
“Thank you. Now leave. Please.”
“No-- I need to tell you what’s going through my head.”
“I don’t wanna hear it Theo.” he said with his hands waving in front of him, but Theo didn’t listen and stepped closer until he had Stiles trapped against the door with a rattle. “Uuhh-- Theo,” he said with a stutter as the blood rushed to his cheeks.
“You kissed me back--”
“Well you started it!” The second the words left his lips he regretted not being more quiet. Their bickering continued for a while until Stiles felt his body turn to ice when he heard the knock on the door. Fuck.
“Stiles?” he heard tired from the other side of the door.
With a swift motion, Stiles grabbed Theo by the mouth, turned him around and pinned him up against the wall next to the door. Before Stiles opened the door he sent Theo a warning glare to shut up. He opened the door and found a tired voice.
“Hey dad, I’m sorry did I wake you?”
“You could say that.” his voice sounded croaky from the sweet sleep he was having. Emphasis on was . “You alone?”
With his hand grabbing tightly on Theo’s mouth he could suddenly feel the air rushing to and from the inside of his hand into Theo's nostrils. He was scenting him. Inhaling him deeply.
“Yeah, totally. I was just talking to Scott on the phone, sorry I woke you.”
“Are you going to bed soon or do you have more discussions with Scott on the phone?”
At the same time Noah was talking, Stiles felt Theo’s hands taking a hold of his fingers trying to lighten the grip. Annoyed Stiles moved his grip and held it firmly around Theo’s neck. A rush flowing through Stiles as Theo made the grip squeeze tighter. What the hell is he doing?
“Good, kiddo, sleep tight.” and then Noah went back to his bedroom and closed the door.
“Sleep tight dad,”
Like that Stiles closed his own bedroom door and shot a glare at Theo. Besides his pants he wore nothing but a smug grin on his face.
“I think uh-- your hand around my throat is a nice accessory.” He gave the hand around his throat a little squeeze.
“Nyeah--” Stiles uttered, removing his hand, but Theo didn’t let him. “Let go of me,”
“No, listen to me.” His voice was hushed, and Stiles stilled in his grip. What could he possibly tell him that was going to change his mind, or even think it would change his mind. He shook his head impatiently waiting for Theo to say anything.
“Alright, let go of me.” Stiles finally said, since Theo couldn’t get a grasp of the words. “I don’t know what the hell is going on. I don’t understand what happened back there, but--”
“You’re afraid Derek is going to find out?”
He gave a toggle with his head and frowned, “what? No?” Why would he be afraid of Derek’s reaction? He might have warned Stiles to be careful around Theo, but maybe that might have just been because of whatever monster that was out there. Wait. A thought grabbed him in a chokehold. If the monster had set out for Theo, that could mean Theo was a target and not totally random. Him being inside his room now made Stiles and his dad targets as well.
“You need to fucking leave.”
“No listen,”
“You’re not saying anything, you gotta leave.”
“Why?”
“Because if that monster was after you specifically, then you’re putting my dad in danger by being here, and I cannot accept that. Leave . . . now.”
Theo stood in shock as his grip loosened until he finally let go. For a moment he had to battle his thoughts, finding the best solution, until finally his face softened into a discontent posture.
“I’m sorry . . . fine I’ll leave.” he muttered, “I’ll make sure the monster won’t come near your house. Or your dad,” he turned back to the window he had entered through and climbed out of it.
It wasn’t until after Stiles popped his head out of the open window, checking Theo had left him for the night, that he felt his shoulders fall back into place and his body grow lighter. He closed the window and dropped onto the bed.
It felt like it had been at least a week. But no. Twelve hours had barely passed since he and Derek picked up Theo on the road, bleeding to death. But then there had been that moment when they both awoke. Tender. It was different from other times he had had tender moments. There was something unsaid between them, still to this moment as he laid on the bed, he wasn’t sure what it was. He had an inkling what Theo was trying to say. But ever since his return he had made a rule of thumb to be wary of him. What if it was a trick? There had to be part fox in him, he’s a trickster, he always acted out of motivation. So what was his motivation for trying to kiss him? And why had he kissed him back? No matter how hard he racked his brain he couldn’t make sense of what scheme was cooking in Theo’s mind for acting like this.
He exhaled through his nose, “Always keeping your card close, aren’t you?”
As the night snailed away, Stiles couldn’t help thinking about the night. The clinic, Argent’s apartment, his hand around Theo’s neck. Feeling warmth spread around his body, thoughts started to find their place in his mind. And the thought seemed almost daunting to finish. Like he knew where it ended, but if he just didn’t think it then maybe it wasn’t real, and then he wouldn’t have to deal with it. But with Theo right there he knew he had to deal with it at some point. And when was better to come to terms with than in the middle of the night?
Theo had the hots for Stiles, no doubt. Was he into guys? Well maybe. . . But really? Why did it have to be Theo who would make him properly question it. Somehow he knew he was into guys too, it just annoyed him Theo would make that clearly apparent.
When he closed his eyes, he saw Theo’s face in front of him. Many times he had visioned Lydia in all her glory, but now she was replaced with Theo Raeken. He scoffed air hard. That’s not any proof. I’m only thinking about Theo because of the night’s events, it proves nothing. Tomorrow I will be thinking about Lydia again, and I will be blessed by a ginger goddess.
But even though he was satisfied with that conclusion, it didn't stop his mind wandering around Theo. His hands, strong and long. His soft lips when they had kissed. The control of Theo’s airways when hiding him from his dad. Annoyed he couldn’t stop thinking about the hazel eyed chimera, he rolled over in his bed.
When he woke up the next morning, he turned on his phone. The blue light made him squint as his mind slowly woke. When finally adjusted he spotted the notifications from Scott and Theo. One voicemail, and a text. Checking the text first he just got a short description of the night’s events from Scott and Derek’s point of view. Whatever it was the monster that had infiltrated Beacon Hills, it had been contained, and they were alright. He checked the notifications again, seeing the voicemail icon glow in front of him. It was from Theo. His thumb hovered over the notification, almost fearing what it was going to tell him once he pressed ‘play’.
Not ready to listen to whatever Theo had to say he shut the phone off and left it. Once he closed his eyes he still imagined Theo’s calm face. Dammit , he thought. And forced himself to imagine Lydia’s face as he got dressed.
After breakfast he was ready to move out to Scott’s house, but the second he stepped out on the patio he felt his heart jump into his throat from the surprise from Theo standing in front of the door.
“ Jeez!” he yelped. Then he got a proper look at the other and felt his stomach tighten, “Oh god, you’re covered in blood. Again.” And he was. His face had splotches and bruises still healing, as well as small clotted blood stuck to his hair. He didn’t seem to be that bothered with it. Nevertheless Theo lent him a hand to get back on his feet as he apologised.
“What are you doing here?” He eyed him up and down and had to force his eyes away from Theo’s mouth, remembering how soft it had been.
“We got the thing last night.”
“And--?”
“Just a kid out of control. Derek and Scott are handling it at this moment.”
“What’s with the blood?”
For the first time Theo seemed to recognise the dried blood on him, he grimaced, “it’s nothing. I’m fine. I just wanted to bring you the news. . . that your dad isn’t in danger anymore . . .”
A silence grew between them before Stiles finally managed a lowly “thank you.”
“Yeah, I just uh-- thought you should know.” he explained then turned around. But before he had done half a circle he regretted it and turned back. “You’re also safe, and I’m-- I’m sorry about last night. I don’t know what came over me.”
“No uh--, wait,” the words escaped his mouth before he could stop himself. What was he going to say back? Theo turned back to Stiles for the second time, curious. Oh hell , so was Stiles. “I don’t know what came over me either.” his voice managed with a nervous shake. His heart was pounding. It was only a question of time before the heart would escape his chest. “Did you mean any of it? Or was it just classic Theo-shenanigans?” he asked with a wiggle to his hands, before they were forced back into the pockets, not at all less fidgety.
The other looked taken aback at the question. “I thought that was obvious? Did you mean it?”
“Oh no-- you tell me first,” Stiles stuttered, hands still tight in the pockets.
Theo’s eyes rolled, hands falling to his sides hopelessly. With a finger to his temple and averted gaze, Theo took a deep breath, “Do you think it wasn’t obvious?” He raised his eyes to Stiles again, expectantly.
Shifting his weight back and forth, Stiles looked around, trying to look natural. But to Theo’s keen eyes he looked nothing but unnatural.
“I don’t know what to expect from you. I don’t know if you’re pulling my leg or not. And for once I would just like to know, if you were genuine when you spin infatuated poetry ,”
Theo gave a single chuckle, “I didn’t recite you poetry,”
“You know what I mean.” Stiles spat a bit too harsh leaving them both in silence for a moment as he vividly remembered Theo flirting in the clinic. Oh my god he was flirting. It was like he knew but it wasn’t until then the puzzle clicked.
“Yes. I do. However, you’re just as bad.”
Stiles frowned, “what do you mean?”
“When were you going to tell me you had a full on panic attack because of me?”
A coldness ran up his back raising all his hairs on his neck. He had completely forgotten that. “I don’t know why you suddenly triggered me, but I guess you’re always one to panic about.” he managed through a snark.
Theo managed to wear a self-assured smile “It’s one of my qualities,” but then the second he was done there it was, with no cover, the face of hurt. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I do this. I didn’t mean to.”
“What does it all mean? What am I meant to understand with this? I always know what to expect and understand, but with you-- . . .” he took a deep breath, “I just don’t know what to do with you.” He was always the guy in the chair, the sidekick with the bat, the know-it-all, the researcher. All these roles were always cut clean and easy to understand whenever he needed to act and how to . . . But Theo was just like an enigma like an annoyingly complex rubix cube and he didn’t know how to solve it. If he could just get some sort of cheat codes or guidance to understand the chimera in front him it would just be so much easier! But life doesn’t hand out cheat codes left and right.
“How can you not understand what’s happening?”
“I am asking you to tell me, please. God, why do you have to be so damn cryptic?”
The desperate tone couldn’t be more clear to him. And it annoyed him. “How can you be so daft? Wasn’t it-- wasn’t it clear that--?” He did a stomp with his foot like a toddler not getting the toy he wanted at the store.
“Nothing is clear with you Theo, ever! ” Stiles threw his hands annoyed in the air. His teeth were grinding hard, “just tell me dammit! ”
In the next second he felt something pressed against his lips. Brows furrowed as he felt Theo press his forehead against his. Air sucked out of him as the pressure disappeared. It took a few seconds before Stiles opened his eyes, looking at a nervous Theo. And with a snap of his fingers it was so clear to him. He was going to do whatever he could to solve this guy in front of him, understand him down to the smallest detail others would deem unimportant.
“Oh my god--” his voice croaked.
“Why is it so hard to understand?” Theo begged.
“I don’t know.” he whispered unclearly. Then he pulled out towards Theo and dragged him in closer. He wouldn’t call it love, not right away. More of an insatiable curiosity of what this could become and he was determined to investigate it like a specimen in a petri dish. And if it meant he could become cleverer on Theo he was all in. Plus with lips and a touch like Theo’s he would volunteer to be pinned to the bed, wall, door, whatever, and held gently by the chimera anytime. “But it’s getting clearer to me.”