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The loft was silent. Not because it was empty. Far from it actually. No, the whole pack had filed into Derek's loft. They were caught off guard by the sight that greeted them though.
Liam Dunbar had his shoulders propped up on the arm of Derek's couch, legs crossed as he laid there.
Theo Raeken was wedged between the back of the couch and Liam's side. His head rested on one of Liam's shoulders and his exposed hand was pressed against Liam's heart. One of his legs was haphazardly thrown over both of Liam's.
But in the crook of his arm, sat a light blue stuffed dragon with dark blue wings. The stuffed animal oozed a calming lavender smell. If you got close enough, there was a lingering smell of Derek by it's head and neck. Liam raked fingers through Theo's hair with one hand, and scrolled through his phone with the other.
Of course, Mason and Corey pushed through the group like it was nothing. Corey reached the pair first and swept a gentle hand through Theo's hair. He then sat down on the floor in front of the couch, leaning against it comfortably. Mason followed, squeezing Theo's hand lightly before joining Corey on the floor.
"I'm glad he's actually sleeping for once." Mason hummed, playing with Corey's fingers absentmindedly.
"The dragon helps. Gives him something to dream about besides trauma." Liam informed, shutting off his phone and setting it beside him on the couch. "He let me read his journal the other day. He named it Falkor from The Neverending Story."
Corey laughed softly, turning his head to look up at the pair. "He adores that movie. We snuck away so many times to watch it." He turned back around, spotting said journal on the coffee table. "I'm glad he trusts Derek enough to have some of his things laying around."
Suddenly, Jackson was there, journal in his hands. Already opening it and reading out loud, despite several protests.
I dreamed of Falkor and my ideal pack again last night. Derek had his red eyes out but he was smiling anyway. I think I want to ask him to be my Alpha soon. I can feel a bond forming and it would probably be beneficial to strengthen it in the long run.
He was smiling because we were being idiots (what else is new). I was introducing Lydia (still can't forgive myself for hurting her by the way. She's so sweet.) to Falkor. Showing her how to feed him and such.
Mason and Corey were just goofing off. (I like Mason. He makes Corey happy which is one of my favorite things.) They were throwing water balloons at each other, and sometimes at everyone else for a good laugh.
And Liam, my boyfriend Liam, was just smiling at me. He'd kiss my cheek or hold my hand. (Sappy shit I know, but shut up about it. It makes me feel happy.) I really do love him. Anger issues and all. He's getting better at dealing with them by the way! I'm proud of his progress!
The entry ended there, Corey snatching the composition book out of Jackson's grasp. He sat back down with it in his lap. Holding it protectively.
Lydia, touched by Theo's implications, moved away from the pack, coming to sit on the arm of the couch above Liam's head.
"It's okay bubs. I'll forgive you enough for the both of us." The strawberry blonde whispered, wishing there weren't eavesdropping werewolf ears listening in. She leaned forward, holding Liam's shoulder for support as she pressed a feather light kiss to the crown of Theo's head. She straightened back up, sweeping a hand through his brown waves before letting Liam resume his soothing motions.
"He doesn't need to ask." Came Derek's voice as he left the kitchen where he'd been preparing lunch for the puppy pack. While most would find the touching way too over the top, Derek was practically bursting inside. Werewolves, any were creature really, were tactile in nature. It was how they showed they cared. "I'd be proud to have him as my beta."
"Him?!" Stiles hissed, gesturing spastically at the chimera as if that explained everything.
"Don't be jealous, Stilinski." Theo's voice floated through the loft, soft and sluggish with sleep. He gripped the stuffed toy tighter and yawned.
Maybe it was stupid for a teenager who went through what he did to have a stuffed animal. Theo couldn't care. Because it made him feel like he wasn't just some freak science experiment. It made him feel wanted.