return • theo raeken [2]

seven. ghosted and heartless

Theo's eyes are closed as he speaks, "It's okay, you don't have to stop."

I choke on my hot chocolate once I hear the familiar lines come out of his lips.  I begin to cough uncontrollably into my arm until it was clear.

"Trust me," Malia says, flicking out her claws.  "I won't."

Theo's eyes widen at the sight of them, now worried about having to defend himself.  However, Liam and Scott pull Malia off of him before she can slash his throat out.

"Malia, enough!" Scott demands.  "Slow down, okay?  He's going back in the ground."

Liam interrupts, "You can't!  He remembers Stiles."

I finish my hot chocolate and rest my head on my hand.  The soothing heat flooding down my throat makes me feel sleepy, but I doubt the amount of crying I've done today has helped.  It takes everything in me to keep my eyes open to listen to the arguments.

Theo grunts as he sits up.

"Scott remembers Stiles.  Lydia and I remember Stiles.  Luna remembers everything about Stiles," Malia defends.

Liam stares back at Scott, "The Dread Doctors knew all about the Wild Hunt.  He can help us."

"Or he could kill us," Scott reminds him.

"He's my responsibility," Liam says.  He points down at Kira's sword in his hands.  "Noshiko gave me the sword."

Theo sighs as he leans against the refrigerator.

"It's so awkward when Mom and Dad fight," he says.

Liam and Scott both yell, "Shut up!"

I laugh out loud through the sleep haze, getting looks from everyone.  Theo chuckles at the sight of my fluttering eyelids.  My wrist begins to hurt from the way it was holding up my head and I place my arm flat on the table to lay on it.

"You both are right," Hayden says.  "If Theo tries anything, we'll send him back to the Skinwalkers.  But for right now-"

Scott wasn't having it, "He goes back now."

"Except Liam's the one with the sword," Theo says.

"Shut up!" All of them yell, startling me from almost falling asleep.

Scott motions Liam into the living room to speak privately.  I can vaguely hear Scott ask him what he was thinking bringing Theo back after everything that I've been going through since he's been gone.  Malia steps towards Theo as Hayden steps in front of her.

"Malia," Hayden says.

Malia asks, "Can you give me a second alone with Theo?"

"Why?"

"So I can kill him," Malia says as if it's obvious.

I mumble under my breath, "youdontwanttodothat."

"Okay, look," Theo starts.  "I know that there's mixed feelings all around."  Malia tilts her head and Hayden just stares at him.  "But I might be your only option to stop the Wild Hunt."

"Let's kill him."

"nononoletsnotdothat," I yawn.  "dontwanttowasteaprettyface."

Then I succumb to the drowsiness.

〰〰〰

third person

Liam and Scott return a few moments after Luna had fallen asleep.  Theo's trying to hide the smile from Luna's words as he stands up.  Malia and Hayden pretend to not have heard what Luna said.  Liam stands in front of Theo, who's leaning against the island, and holds the sword up.

"I can put you back in the ground anytime," Liam reminds him.

"You also need a transformer that can handle five billion joules of electricity," Theo points out.  "I know where to find one and I can show you how it works.  I'll tell you if Malia promises not to kill me."

Theo stares directly at her over Liam's shoulder causing Malia to growl.

"She promises," Liam states.

"No," she corrects, "I don't.  We're really gonna do this?  Trust him?  After killing you and lying about Luna killing his sister and shooting me?"

"You got a better idea?" Hayden asks.

Malia glances at her, "I've got an idea.  It may not be better.  But at least it's not him."

Everyone watches Malia walk out the back door on her own little mission to use anyone but Theo.  Scott sighs and looks at Luna who had her mouth wide open and soft snores were coming out of her mouth.  It had to be the first time she'd been asleep for more than five minutes.  Scared to move her in case she wakes up, Scott goes into the living room to grab a blanket and returns to cover her up.  Finally, he turns to Liam and points at him.

"You get to figure out where your keeping him," he tells him.  "I'm going to bed."

Liam glances at Hayden and Theo.

"I'm not taking him back to my house.  We'll stay in the living room," Liam says.

Theo heads for the living room and drops down on the couch.  He lays on his back, tucking his hands behind his head.

"I haven't slept in forever," he sighs and shuts his eyes.  Liam and Hayden shoot each other annoyed looks before taking a seat on two separate chairs.  Theo waits until their hearts slow and their breaths even out before he sits up.  He knew Luna would get a crick in her neck if she slept like that all through the night, so he gets up and walks into the dining room.  His arms wrap around Luna's torso and under her legs and carries her into the living room.  Luna grabs for something as she feels herself moving, but couldn't care less when she was finally getting the sleep she needed.  She grips Theo's jacket tightly and rubs her cheek against his chest.  Theo chuckles before gently setting her down on the couch.  He pulls the blanket out from under her and covers her body completely.

With her asleep, Theo crouches down in front of the woman he's been waiting to see since the last time he saw her.  His fingers trace the edge of her face, ending with his thumb tugging at her bottom lip and trailing down her chin.  She startles him when she takes a deep breath and turns her head away, still asleep.  Theo smiles at her and leans up to place a chaste kiss on her forehead.  Then, he lays himself flat on the floor right next to the couch, taking a couch pillow to cushion his head as he tries to sleep.

Hi, guys! Luna's finally sleeping! I'm so happy, poor girl hasn't slept for months :(
Sorry for the shorter chapter but the next chapter is a lot better, I think.  Theo's an ass but he missed Luna so much :(
But it's going to take a lot for Luna to finally forgive Theo for what he's done to her.
I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Please vote or comment what you think!
- chelsie

word count: 1772