{archive of our own}
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"Liam? You okay?"
Scott had called Stiles to come pick them up after he'd rescued Liam from the well. Rain pelted down softly on the windows of Stiles' jeep, shining like silver in the pale light of the moon. No one had spoken much of anything since they'd started the drive, and Scott was starting to feel awkward. He tried to occupy himself with the radio, turning knobs and switching stations every few seconds, but Stiles had smacked his hand away like he was some hyperactive child who needed to be disciplined. He didn't know why but every time he was near Liam he got really nervous, like he had to impress him in every single thing he did. He was his alpha after all; he needed to live up to his reputation.
"Yeah, I'm fine."
It was a lie. Scott could hear his heartbeat pulsating, but he didn't comment on it. Liam was glaring out the window, azure eyes fixated on the heavy rainfall in the darkness. The radio could be heard throughout the car, low and delicate indie-pop filling the strained silence.
"Should I, uh, not mention the wet dog smell?"
"Really Stiles?"
"What?" He turned his head to Scott, a smirk playing at his pink lips. "Just trying to make conversation."
"Yeah well don't. He's had a rough day."
Stiles looked amused. "Rough day? We've all had rough days, Scott." But he let the topic drop.
Scott rolled his eyes and slumped into his seat. "Ignore him Liam, we all do."
He heard the boy snicker from the backseat and the fact that Scott could still make him laugh, despite the grim circumstances made his heart flutter.
"Wait, this is it." Scott sat back up as the jeep approached a large house with a manicured lawn and cobblestone steps. The front lights were still lit, casting long shadows down the driveway. Stiles stopped the car and Scott hopped out to help Liam inside.
He raced around to the side of the car and opened his door as Liam stumbled out onto the pavement. Scott placed a firm hand on Liam's ribcage, stopping the boy from getting a concrete facial. They stood there for a while, Liam in Scott's arms as he gasped and heaved out cold breaths of air. The icy rain struck them like pinpricks, drops sticking to Liam's eyelashes and Scott couldn't help but stare at him mesmerized by his beta.
"Scott, are you okay? I'm cold." He could tell Liam was trying desperately to hold himself together by this point, to seem strong but Scott's ears could pick up the tremble in his voice, and he could see the quivering of his lips.
"Yeah, yeah, sorry." He let go of Liam reluctantly and placed a warm hand on the small of his back and steered him up the steps to the door.
Scott couldn't help but feel like he was dropping Liam off from a date and he suddenly felt extremely guilty about letting that thought creep its way into his mind. He couldn't think that way about Liam. It would make his already confusing, unstable life even more problematic.
"Do you think you'll be alright?"
There was a question set in Liam's eyes; he looked like he wanted to ask something but couldn't quite get his tongue to shape the words. He wrapped his arms around himself, shifting on his feet timidly. He looked impossibly young in this moment; it felt wrong that such an innocent kid had to bear the burden of this dark, dark world.
"Yeah, um." Liam averted his eyes; Scott could see a blush staining his cheeks.
Scott laughed and gave him a lopsided smile. "What is it Liam?"
