Chapter Text
It had been three years since the McCall pack went their separate ways. They kept in touch via their group chat quite often and before everyone departed they vowed to meet up as soon as they possibly could. This proved to be more difficult than they had anticipated. While there had been minimum supernatural threats since the Nemeton had been burned to ashes, there were still hunters hiding in the shadows waiting to strike on Monroe’s orders. In his final year Liam had managed to save a handful of wolves running from the hunters with the help of Mason, Corey and Nolan before he had also left for college. College was an entirely different ball game, keeping him busy with new and rigid schedules, timetables, classes and lacrosse practices.
After what seemed like millions of back and forth group chat messages the pack finally found a time and place that was suitable for everyone to meet -Liam’s new home town, in a quiet little bar on the main street. Liam was already there waiting for the rest of the pack, he had ordered a whiskey on the rocks and was stirring at it blindly, his mind far away from the arrival of his friends.
Liam Dunbar was currently attending Whitmore College in Virginia, studying behavioral psychology with plans to specialize in anger management. He couldn’t say that he missed Beacon Hills, he was more than happy to leave the craziness behind and run for the hills…well the falls for that matter. Mystic Falls, to be exact, but Liam did miss one thing.
There was not a day that went by that Liam didn’t think about him. He found himself more often than not, wondering if he was okay, if he had gotten a life together for himself, if he was happy. He found himself thinking about his eyes, the way his lips twitched into a smirk whenever he was about to say something smart-assey, the way his hair had gotten so long that it kept getting in face, but he refused to cut it because Liam once said it looked “ruggedly handsome...or whatever”. He smiled at the memory, remembering how he scoffed at the comment but Liam had heard his heart thump just a little faster than normal.
He remembered the raspy sound of his voice, his breathing, his roar, his growl, the very rare laugh that would sometimes rumble from his chest. He remembered that night in the elevator, the way he had looked at him, Liam wanted to say something then, he wanted to tell him how he felt but he lost his nerve. How would Theo Raeken ever feel that way about him? Theo Raeken…that’s what he missed.
The number he had for Theo was no longer in service, he knows because he called it a thousand times, fully aware that he would get a disconnected line but desperate for a miracle. He never had the guts to ask Scott for Theo’s number because of the questions that would follow, and even if he had it, Liam was sure it would be the same one he had called over and over again, hoping to hear that croaky annoyed voice on the other side. Liam had always regretted the way they parted, all the words left unspoken, the things he felt, just left stewing in is heart for years to come.
There was never the right moment for them to talk and before he could muster up the courage to admit that he felt something more than just comradery toward the former enemy, Theo had upped and left. Liam took this as a sign that his feelings were obviously not reciprocated, that whatever he felt from Theo’s side had just been in his head.
It was a heavy burden to carry all these years, most days he could push it aside, keep busy whenever those green eyes sparked into his memory, igniting a burn in his chest. But there were days where he would walk around campus in a haze, overcome by his loneliness, the yearning for arms he never had the pleasure of knowing, to be wrapped around him. No amount of frat parties, lacrosse games, guys and girls alike falling at his feet, none of that could fill the void Theo had left. How could he miss something that was never his?
The bell on the door jingled, snapping Liam out of his thoughts. “You little runt!!” Stiles called out from across the room and ran toward Liam “Stiles!!!” Liam replied equally enthusiastic, pushing off of the bar stool before Stiles threw his arms around the boy, hugging him roughly and ruffling his hair “I missed you so much!!” Stiles said holding Liam’s face. “Are you going to kiss me now, because…” Liam laughed pointing to Lydia as she stood behind him smiling. “Later!” The skinny boy said jokingly and flung his arm out to Lydia. She walked up to Liam and pulled him into a tight hug, “Hey” she whispered “Hey Lyds” Liam said, inhaling her scent. She smelt like home, familiar and comforting.
Liam glanced over at the door to see Scott walking in, Scott’s eyes flashed a bright red as they met with Liam’s and the Beta returned it with a yellow glow of his own, their smiles bright and genuine, happy. Scott slammed into Liam and they hugged for a long time.
“It’s been too long” Scott finally said pulling away from the boy, his eyes wet. Liam swiped a hand over his own eyes dabbing away small pools of happy tears. He never realized how strong the bond between an alpha and his beta is until they were separated. He had missed Scott more than he missed his parents.
The four made their way back to the bar, Stiles and Lydia taking a seat at the rounded edge of the counter and Scott getting on a bar stool next to Liam. A young woman came from the back room “Hi! Welcome to the Mystic Grill. You guys new in town?” she asked glancing over the group. “Uh I’m from around here, they’re just visiting for the weekend” Liam responded. “Great! What can I get you guys?” the woman smiled looking at Scott first. “Just a water please.” Lydia and Stiles ordered a smoothie and Liam had another whiskey on the rocks.
The bell on the door jingled a few more times as a group of students made their way inside, and each time Liam’s head would jerk around as if he was expecting someone else to walk in. Someone about 5’8, green eyes, messy hair, broad shoulders, permanent resting bitch face. At least that’s how he remembered Theo, that’s the image he had kept in his mind for the last few years.
“Okay! He’s almost here.” He heard Scott say in the distance placing his phone down on the bar counter. “Great, well now we need alcohol” Stiles chimed in summoning the waitress, dramatically placing an order for four shots of tequila.
Liam didn’t quite understand what they were on about and assumed that Derek would be joining them. He found himself stuck in that heavy place in his heart again when a hand rested on his shoulder, “Liam, you okay?” Scott said gently “Yeah…yeah sorry, was just thinking about school” he knew that was a mistake when he saw the Alpha’s eyes dart down to his chest as his heart skipped a beat. Before Scott could address it the waitress slammed down two shot glasses filled with golden liquid in front of them, some of it spilling over the rim and onto the counter.
“Yeah!!” Stiles shouted loudly over the music that had started playing, drumming his hands on the bar. He held up his shot for a toast “To Alpha’s and Beta’s and Banshee’s and Abominable Snowmen!” They all laughed and lifted their glasses toward one another and as the rims clinked together.
A rough voice behind them suddenly spoke “And Chimera’s?” Liam’s neck just about snapped off as he flung his head around to meet the familiar sound, and there in front of him that smug face he had been dreaming about was staring right at him, a little longer than was actually necessary. Liam felt his stomach drop to God knows where.
Scott immediately got up, smiling warmly and he extended his arms toward Theo who returned his smile, patting Scott’s back affectionately as he hugged him back “Long time, Scott” the Chimera hummed. Scott pulled up another chair motioning for Theo to have a seat on his deserted one. Next to Liam. Liam swallowed hard and he was sure his heart was beating louder than the music, and for a second he thought he was right because he caught Scott looking quickly between him and Theo, eyeing Liam suspiciously.
Liam shifted on the stool as if to make space for Theo although there was more than enough of that. The truth was that Liam had no idea what to say or even do, and he sure as hell could not bring himself to even look at Theo. Liam Eugene you’re being ridiculous, if you keep acting like this he is going to pick up on it. His mind was racing.
Theo made his way around the bar stool and lifted himself up, turning his head toward Liam “Liam” he said in a low voice, a small smile on his face, his eyes never leaving the Beta. Liam forced himself to look away from his shot glass, he lifted his eyes to Theo’s, his head spinning and his heart thumping, eyes begging to shift to a yellow glow ‘stop it!’ he snarled at the wolf inside and took a deep breath.
“Hey”, it came out shakier than Liam had hoped but not enough to cause alarm, like perhaps he just had something in his throat, he quickly lifted the shot glass to his lips and swallowed the tequila down.
It didn’t help that when he met Theo’s eyes again they were fixed on Liam’s lips, following a small trail of spilled liquid running down his chin. Theo’s hand twitched as if he was going to reach up and wipe it away. Liam quickly swiped the back of his hand over his mouth “uhm…how have you been? Where have you been?” A voice spoke from somewhere inside Liam that surprised both himself and Theo.
“Here actually, I’ve been here, working on the outskirts. You?” Theo replied taking a sip of the soda Scott had ordered for him, placing it down softly, his eyes settling on Liam. Liam’s breath hitched, “Here?” Liam blurted out a bit too loud. Had he been here all along? How had he not seen him in three years? How had he not picked up his scent?
“Yeah, I moved here after I helped Stilinski get Beacon Hills on its feet again. “What about you?” Theo asked again raising an eyebrow at Liam, questioning the completely frazzled look on his face. “Oh. Uh, yeah I go to Whitmore, I live on campus” Liam replied sliding his hand behind his neck, starting to feel oddly warm “Uhm I just have to step out for a few seconds, I’ll...uhm. I’ll be back” Liam jumped off his chair, his one hand brushing over Theo’s lap in his hurry to get out, and he could swear he heard the Chimera’s heart jump at the touch.
“Raeken, you’re back for all of five minutes and you’re already tearing the pack apart again?” Stiles yelled from across the bar, his voice undoubtedly high because of the tequila shots. “What can I say?” Theo smiled raising his hands. “Where did Liam go?” Scott inquired “Said he needed some fresh air” Theo put his hand up as Scott tried to get up “I’ll go…” The Alpha was confused at the gesture but he nodded in agreement and Theo pushed off the chair and headed toward the exit.
Theo swung the door open only to walk into a man entering at the same time, he was about 5’10, jet black hair and piercing blue eyes, The Chimera tried but could not pick up the man’s scent and that in itself was rather concerning. The men both stepped to the side to allow the other to pass, the dark haired man frowned, narrowing his eyes looking Theo up and down forcing his mouth into a smile but a look of disgust remaining smeared on his perfectly chiselled face as he slid past.
Theo stayed still in the doorway watching as the man entered the bar shaking his black leather jacket from his shoulders. What the hell was that about? his Chimera growled and Theo let the door close behind him, stepping out onto the sidewalk.
*
Liam stood with his back leaning against a street lamp, staring at the empty road ahead “You’re being anti-social you know” Liam turned to find Theo behind him, “Yeah well apparently so are you” Liam gave Theo a once over, a slight annoyance tumbling in his voice.
Theo moved to stand next to Liam, leaning against the pole “What’s up with you? You’re reeking of anxiety” Theo said raising an eyebrow. Liam shook his head exhaling through his nose, his hand pushing back loose strands of hair, his heart speeding up again. Liam begged his wolf to stay quiet, he bit his lip trying to keep the words inside but the wolf wouldn’t let him, “It’s been three years Theo, three long years. You couldn’t phone? You couldn’t stop by? Write a damn note?"
Liam was just as surprised as Theo about what came out of his mouth, they stood there silently staring at each other for a few seconds when Theo finally spoke, blinking fast to break the eye contact “I…uh, didn’t know I was supposed to? What are you even talking about?”
“You just left?!” Liam threw his arm out into the street “What was I supposed-” Theo started but Liam interrupted “You don’t just save someone’s life and then disappear, Theo!”
“Liam, I...” The next moment there was a swooshing sound followed by a gust of wind and Theo was gone. It took Liam a good few seconds to realize that Theo was pinned against the wall on the opposite side of the street “HEY!” Liam yelled and ran across the road toward the dark haired man pinning Theo to the wall by his neck. The man looked far too skinny to be able to hold Theo up like that, Liam’s mind was racing, what kind of trouble had Theo gotten himself into now, who did he piss off? Liam reached the pair and stopped behind the man “Hey! Let him go, what are you…”
Liam’s words dwindled when he looked at Theo. His face was sheer terror, his eyes wide, his hands clawing at the man’s arm, gasping for breath “I said let go!” Liam growled and his eyes shifted to yellow, claws spanning out at his sides. This seems to have gotten the man’s attention because he turned around, hand still wrapped around Theo’s neck, but Liam was not prepared for what he saw.
Bloodshot eyes, pupils that were dilated bigger than what Liam had ever seen, thin red veins cascading from under his eyes down to his cheeks, wriggling beneath his skin, long sharp fangs protruding from his gums. Liam reeled back, his face twisted in a frown “What the-” Theo managed to get a hand on the man’s shoulder but he was quickly yanked forward and shoved back into the wall ridiculously hard causing the bricks behind him to crumble.
“Damon!” a tall and slim brunette appeared in the door of the bar and made her way across the street. The man hissed at Liam and dropped Theo to the ground, taking a step back, the veins sinking back beneath the surface of his skin. Liam moved over to Theo, helping him to his feet, keeping an arm around him. Theo only glanced at Liam’s hand around his waist and another on his chest but did nothing to move away.
“Oh GREAT.” the man spewed pulling at his leather jacket “More wolves! Are you looking for Lockwood because he’s running from the biggest scariest wolf of them all” The brunette shoved him aside “Damon! Stop.”
“Who?” Liam asked his mind still trying to understand what was happening. “You know, angry doggy like you, rawr rawr woof woof” Damon spat out. Theo busted out of Liam’s grip and stepped forward, standing in front of Damon, his eyes glowing a dangerous shade of yellow.
“Look you freak, we didn’t want any trouble, we were just meeting some friends for the weekend, Liam studies at Whitmore. And also, what the fuck are you??” He again tried to pick up a chemo from the man but there was absolutely nothing. Damon was smiling menacingly at Theo “I’m dead, wolf boy, I don’t have chemo’s for you to smell”
Theo gasped, “Vampire…”
“Look, we are sorry, we were just leaving. Damon?” The brunette held out her hand but Damon snarled at her, whipping his head in Theo’s direction as a gust of wind blew from behind him. “We are not doing anything” Damon’s eyes once again dilated and creeping red veins danced on his cheek bones as he took a deep breath inhaling Theo’s scent. He grabbed Theo by the lapels of his jacket “Question is what are you”
Liam shot forward, pushing his arm between the two, growling, his fangs bared “Let him go. Now”
“And what if I don’t? Mmm Ken Doll? What are you going to do?” Damon sneered.
Liam growled again, his eyes glowing bright, his brain failing with words, anger pulsing in his veins.
“Tell me what you are! And stop fighting me.” Damon said, peering deep into Theo’s eyes. Liam watched as Theo’s body went slack and he immediately obeyed the order “I’m a Chimera”, Theo himself looked unsure as to why he was so willing to tell his man what he wanted to know. “Someone explain” Damon demanded.
“He’s half wolf, half coyote. Now let him go” Scott was barely visible from the shadows was it not for his red eyes. Stiles and Lydia were at his flank.
“Ah! Another hybrid. Klaus would love this. Your glowy eyes don’t scare me buddy”
“Damon stop. Please” the brunette sounded more desperate than before “Just…let them go”
“Let them go? Why does that sound like there are alternative options here?” Lydia said nervously from next to Scott.
Damon flipped Theo around so that Theo’s back was flush against his chest, one arm firmly around his neck. Damon’s eyes were black and his lips twisted in a macabre grin.
There was a loud groan as Damon plunged his free hand into Theo’s chest, curling his fingers around Theo’s heart.
Theo’s eyes shot open wide, his eyes filled with terror as blood pooled in the corners of his mouth. Liam heard Theo’s heart stammer in his chest, trying to work against the pressure as Damon’s fingers tightened around it. A few seconds passed before Theo gasped and took a breath “Li…am”
Liam realized that he would have to act quickly before this situation took a very bad turn. He grabbed the brunette’s arm and pulled her into a vice grip, her hands clawing at his hand around her neck. Scott and the pack jumped forward.
“Elena!” Damon hissed but kept his grip on Theo.
“Let him go. I’m not asking again” Liam extended his claws with a sharp clink and curled them around Elena’s throat “Please.”
“Liam…” Theo could barely talk with the blood that was gurgling out of his mouth, but Liam watched as he extended his fangs, pulled his head back slightly and then bit into Damon’s arm. Theo held on and bit down harder as Damon tugged his hand out of the cavity in Theo’s chest. The blood poured from Theo’s mouth as he let Damon go and sunk to the ground. A gust of wind saw Damon disappear into the night before anyone even realized what happened.
Liam pushed Elena aside, dropping to the ground where Theo was curled up on his side clutching his chest, his thin white hoodie stained dark red as the blood oozed from his chest.
“Oh God, Theo? Theo…there’s so much blood…oh no, Scott?” Liam screamed his voice broken and desperate. He was fumbling, his hands didn’t know where to go or what to do. The blood seeped into the material of his sleeve as he settled a hand over the hole on Theo’s chest. “Theo?”
Theo’s eyes bulged as he tried to swallow, his hand grabbing at his chest, blood sputtering through his nose as he exhaled a harsh breath, his eyes pinching shut as he tried again.
“Scott help him!” Liam yelled as he felt Theo’s body going slack. Liam placed a hand on Theo’s arm, focusing on drawing the pain from his body so that he could heal, but nothing happened. There were no black veins, no relief in Theo’s eyes, just the sound of his staggering heartbeat. Liam listened to it, squeezing hard, stopping for one second and then releasing painfully slow, blood spurting out of all the wrong places and out onto his chest. Over and over again.
Scott knelt down beside them, he looked at Theo, then back up at Liam, his brow furrowed and his lips parting as he was about to talk but Liam’s voice interrupted him “Scott! Please”
Scott knew that it would not make a difference if he bit Theo to turn him and the bite ended up killing him because Theo was going to die anyway. He knew why Liam couldn’t take his pain and he was sure Liam knew that too. “Theo can you try to shift? You need to shift so that you can heal” he tried but Theo could barely breathe. Scott pushed Theo’s sleeve up, getting ready to sink his fangs in, if only as a gesture, when Theo groaned and clung to Liam’s hand, his eyes were wide and he took in quick sharp breaths.
His body starting jerking against each breath, his punctured heart failing each time to pump enough blood to the rest of his body. He moved his lips to talk and Liam leaned in closer, his bloody lips brushing against Liam’s cheek “Liam…I need to…you have to know” his voice was an incoherent whisper.
Liam looked helplessly at Scott, like he knew how this was going end. He knew that those were probably Theo Raeken’s last words and Liam had no idea what he was trying to say. Tears started stinging his eyes, how could this happen? What kind of a cruel joke was his? Bringing Theo back to him after all these years and then ripping him away so mercilessly again.
“Theo…I don’t know what to do” Liam sobbed, “I don’t know how to…” he was wailing now, his palm shaking on the side of Theo’s face “Theo, please, please just…Theo, I’m sorry” Liam lowered his head and his tears dripped onto Theo’s hand, bleeding into the red blotches.
“Its…okay…” Theo rasped, his eyes flicking over Liam’s face, a small smile tried to tug at his lips as his eyes went quiet and veered off, staring passed Liam into the night, a soft huff of breath rolled off of his lips and his chest sunk low and stayed that way.
“No…no no no!” Liam grabbed Theo’s face, wiggling it from side to side “Theo! No, come on, someone please-…” Liam’s voice broke harshly.
Scott stood up and placed a hand on Liam’s shoulder, “Liam he’s gone”
“No!” Liam’s eyes flashed a bright yellow, his claws extended, puncturing Theo’s limp hand still laying in his.
“Liam, calm down” Scott’s voice was soft but stern.
“This is…I can’t…someone please…I-…” Liam threw his head back and a deafening roar mangled his words as he howled into the sky, so painful and powerful that it made Scott’s eyes surrender to the shift.
Lydia’s face was buried in Stile’s chest, his hands protectively covering her ears.
Liam’s roar died out and he slumped down into himself, not looking at the still figure in his lap. He sat staring in front of him, his eyes glazed over.
The voices of the pack members were mere mumbles and their movements lazy blurs to Liam as they scurried around springing into action. They couldn’t stay out in the open, they had to move the body and get out of there before anyone saw them, saw them standing in a pool of blood on the sidewalk. Liam felt as someone very gently slid Theo’s hand from Liam’s and lifted his torso, picking his body up. Liam’s vacant hand dropped to his side and laid on the cold ground.
“Hey buddy. We need to go” Stiles said after a few minutes, kneeling down beside Liam, his hand rubbing sympathetically down Liam’s back.
Liam looked down into his lap and frowned. “We put him in the jeep, Liam” Scott said softly, extending a hand to Liam to help him up. Silent sobs were still racking through his body, his eyes red and swollen. Scott handed him a towel and a bottle of water from the jeep to clean his hands off.
“Liam, I’m so sorry, I didn’t realize you two were so close?” Lydia’s said, her eyes trying to meet Liam’s but they were fixed on the ground.
“We weren’t” Liam replied, barely a whisper. How does he explain whatever his connection to Theo was? They didn’t even know Theo was his anchor, he never dared to admit it, not even to himself. How does he explain this kind of heartbreak to them if he didn’t even understand it himself? Liam turned around looking at the blue jeep, Theo’s body laid on the back seat, a black blanket neatly draped over him. Liam swallowed hard, clenching his jaw.
Stiles cleared his throat and spoke softly “You come with me okay? I’ll drive us back to Beacon Hills so we can talk to Deaton about this”
“I will drive Theo’s truck. After you guys.” Scott explained motioning to the cars.
Liam hesitantly walked to the jeep with Stiles, his feet feeling heavy and his heart even more so. He slid into the passenger seat shutting the door softly as if he would wake Theo by slamming it. He watched as Stiles hopped in and started the jeep a few times before the engine roared to life.
They pulled out of the parking space, silently driving out of the small town toward the highway. Liam’s head bopped softly against the window, the tears rolling down his cheek shimmered as the streetlights streaked passed. He felt Stiles’ hand on his shoulder squeezing a few times which really just made the tears flow even more, and this time they didn’t stop.