"Oh my God, I thought he'd never have it figured out."
"Are you sure?"
Stiles made a face, "Jackson said it himself yesterday."
That was the conversation Mason stumbled upon on a fine Tuesday morning. Everyone in the squad had weirdly the same free hour on Tuesday that they always spent together. Mason took a seat next to Lydia who was looking incredulous at her boyfriend –like everyone else. He wasn't sure who that Jackson was, but decided to keep tabs on the discussion because it seemed intense.
And that picked Scott's interest more than what his best friend had previously said. "He said? You've been talking with him?" To which the other simply shrugged.
"It just happened."
Lydia couldn't suppress the snort, "You used to have that annoyed look on your face whenever Jackson tried to even breathe in your direction, and now you're saying you've been nicely chatting with him?"
"I never said 'nicely chatting', anyway!" Stiles said, pushing it aside, even though he knew Scott will make him spit everything about it later on, "Jackson and Ethan are dating, this is the most interesting thing here."
"Why did all the guys in this squad turn gay?" Malia frowned, earning her a raised brow from Mason to which she shrugged.
"I'm not." Scott defended, and Malia sighed,
"Thank God, because we're dating."
It was Stiles turn to say, "I'm not too!"
There was a moment of silence and everyone's gaze fell on him. "What?" Stiles said, feeling offended and his girlfriend patted his back gently. But before he could retort anything, the sound of a bag hitting the table made everyone look up only to find a tired-looking Liam.
"Hey pup." Malia said eagerly. Right after Scott, Liam was perhaps her favorite human. He was an adorable small bean full of anger who was ready to go with her crazy plans anytime. She still remembered that one time he had helped her fill her asshole father's gigantic house with hundreds of cats; the not-so-poor allergic man spent a week at his nephew's as his house was being cleaned. But that wasn't the only reason she liked him; Liam was a good and loyal friend with genuine feelings. It wasn't everyday that you stumble on such people, but Malia did. She had found true friendships that last a lifetime.
"Hey there shirtless boy." Mason grinned as soon as Liam took a seat in front of him. The latter let out a muffled grown at the comment, putting aside his smoothie cup. Corey. Liam rolled his eyes; those two couldn't keep a thing to themselves.
Scott's eyes wandered between the two bestfriends, but it was Stiles who voiced out everyone's thoughts. "Why do I feel like there is an inside joke in there?"
Mason's smirk widened, "Because there is." And ignoring the warnings Liam was throwing him through his eyes, the other continued, "Yesterday Theo took Liam's shirt by accident from Corey's club locker, and after freaking out about it for almost an hour he decided to take one of Corey's to go home."
While Lydia and Scott found the small story entertaining, Malia grimaced. Unlike Liam, Theo was definitely not one of her favorite humans. More like, the one she disliked most right after her father. Because, hey? Who even likes Peter?
"Theo as in Theo asshole Raeken?" His voice a little higher than intended, Stiles asked, not understanding how his elementary classmate, whose very existence annoyed him, was related to the ever so sweet Corey. "What was he even doing by Corey's club locker?"
Lydia sighed for the nth time that day. Despite being one of the smartest and sly persons in the squad, Stiles was sometimes very dense and stupid.
"Theo has been Corey's bestfriend for the past six years or so." Mason said as a matter of fact.
"How come I didn't know?"
"Stiles," Scott said, giving him the look, "Everyone knows, and I'm sure Corey said it at one point when he was hanging out with us."
"You're not serious are you?"
"Dead serious."
"You guys suck." Liam complained, a hard stare directed to his bestfriend, "Do you have to share everything with each other? Stop spreading that story, it's embarrassing."
"Corey also said that when he told Theo it was your shirt, he went on sniffing it and admitting you smell good." Mason confessed, eyes glittering with mischief, "And that you're hot."
"Shut up! Stop filling my ears with lies!"
"Disgusting." Stiles commented and Malia supported him by saying,
"He so is not getting near Liam. I'll burry him alive."
"I'm not lying, you can ask Corey," Mason added with a smirk, "Or Theo."
"Why do you guys dislike him so much anyway?" Scott's question was directed to both his girlfriend and bestfriend."
Liam's eyebrows were joined in a furrow as his hand reached for his smoothie cup, "You say one more word and I will force this cup down your throat. Literally."
Stiles responded, his hands clenching, "Did you take a look at him? He is just so –ugh!!"
"God yes, ugh!" Malia said, imitating Stiles in both tone and physical reaction.
"GUYS!" Lydia cried out, slamming on hands on the table to shut everyone. "You're giving me a headache, and making a scene."
Each one of them turned their head around to see that the entire school had its eyes focused on them. Scott cleared his throat, clearly embarrassed of the situation they were put in. He watched as Malia silently took out her bottle of water to sip; Mason who was in front of him was drumming his fingers on the table, trying to ignore the tension coming off Lydia. The squad leader felt bad for his little protégé, Liam was never going to live that down.
After a long moment of silence, Stiles said quietly, "Still, Theo Raeken is a no."
"Big no!" Malia echoed.
"Come on, he's hot, Liam's hot, it's a good recipe." Mason objected, and Lydia buried her face in her hands. She was really tired of that story.
"He's nice I guess." Scott who gave it a small thought said with a shrug which made Malia cry in horror.
"Scott, you're supposed to agree with me!"
Liam who watched the scene unfold, said in a drastic demeanor, "Guys! I haven't even said that I'm interested, so why are you trying to set me up with him?"
"Liam." Mason squealed, "We're bestfriends, my boyfriend and him are bestfriend –we could go on double dates!!"
"What? Heck no, never."
"God bless you my child," Stiles said, reaching out from across the table to pat his shoulder, "I'm proud of you."
"Why am I even friends with all of you?" Liam sighed in false despair.
"Because only we can put up with you." Stiles retorted with a snort.
And Malia flipped her hair proudly."Because you can't find cooler people in this school."
"Because we love you." Scott defended, tired of those two's behavior.
"I feel like this is a party and I'm the piñata. But still, thank you Scott."
Lydia threw him an apologetic smile which he returned only to drop when Mason started talking again. "I'm telling you dude, double dates–"
"Mason!" Liam threatened him with the smoothie cup.
"Alright I give up, but tell me one thing."
"Tell you what?" Stiles asked instead of Liam.
"Now Liam, tell me," Mason said in a serious tone, earning everyone's attention, "How was it?"
Liam raised a questioning brow, "How was what?"
"Theo's legendary six pack that is said to cure illnesses and bless people."
As the bell that announced the end of their free hour rang, Liam's cheeks grew warm. Fuck, it truly was a legendary six pack, but he was never going to admit it in front of his friends –even though he knew they read it through his facial expression.
Mason smirked, throwing a punch in the air, "Yes!"
"No fucks." Stiles' mouth hung open and Malia hit her forehead.
"Oh my god, this is it, I'm done." Liam was barely able to say as he quickly got up and ran, disappearing between the crowds.
Mason bid everyone goodbye and went on to his class, readying words to tease Liam with.
"Why do I feel like this topic won't be dropped anytime soon?" Lydia deadpanned, watching as everyone scattered around. Stiles and Malia, who were too absorbed in making devilish plans to annihilate Theo from the surface of the earth, walked away not hearing a word she said.
"I don't even want to think about what's to come." Scott answered with much disdain, then lifted a shoulder in a shrug as he walked with her toward their classroom, "But still, it was way more entertaining than hearing about Jackson and Ethan's love life."
~*~
Coach was in a good mood that day; according to him, everyone killed it at practice –even Greenburg. Liam was currently showering, and listening to his teammates chatting by the lockers. Scott and Stiles had already left, and Corey had skipped practice with the excuse of sickness. Liam hoped that it was nothing bad; he probably should call later on to check on him.
Today Liam was not going to stay for his usual supplementary hours; today he and Mason were having a sleepover at his place. The blond teen exited the shower with a towel around his waist and walked to his locker; he glanced at his watch that rested on the upper shelf, and noted that it was about time he joined Mason to walk home together.
He quickly wore his clothes and bid everyone goodbye. However, just as he was about to cross the door, he was met face to face with none other than that morning's hot topic. Theo Raeken. Luckily for him, Liam had good reflexes; he leaned back and avoided bumping into the other teen.
"Theo!" Liam said, his excitement showing from his voice –something that he cursed himself for. Theo stood before him in a casual attire. Liam noticed that he was weirdly wearing a dress shirt, something that rarely ever happened; from the little times he saw him, Theo was always wearing simple shirts. It was kind of a refreshing sight.
"Shirtless boy." The other acknowledged with a smirk, making the blond fold his arms to his chest in annoyance.
"Wonder whose fault that was."
"Right. Corey said that this is when I'm supposed to say sorry and give you back your shirt." Theo cleared his throat, handing over a small bag to Liam, "So here. My bad."
Liam stood there voiceless as he watched incredulously Theo. What was he? Twelve? No, probably five, Liam corrected.
"Not going to take it? Heard that you freaked out about it." Theo said after a while, noting how silent the other was.
"Oh my God, I hate all of you." Liam grunted, something that Theo enjoyed seeing. Pushing people's buttons was a secret hobby of his. "Give it to me." But when Liam's hands went to grab the bag, Theo lifted it in the air, away from the other's reach.
"What are you doing?"
"You're fierce despite your innocent looks." Theo commented with a smirk, putting his free hand on his waist. "I think I'm going to make this shirt my hostage."
"Your what?" Liam blinked.
"Hostage."
"Right, hostage." Liam repeated nodding, then added, clearly on the verge of an outburst. "Are you kidding with me, or testing my patience to actually break your nose?"
"Sassy. Actually I was thinking of t–"
But before he could finish his sentence, Corey Taylor singing 'Spit it Out' was heard. It was Liam's phone ringing. Theo's judgmental eyebrow flew upward, and Liam excused himself to answer. Mason was on the other end of the line.
"Hey Mason, what's up?" Liam said, trying his best to avoid Theo's stare.
"Hey man, I'm so sorry I already left. My mom called earlier saying she needed me to go with her to the mall." His best friend apologized, and Liam could hear his mother shouting in the background. Going to the mall with his mother was ranked first on Mason's 'what I hate most' list, because his mother would drag him with her to every corner for God knows how many hours. "I'll be at your place by nine or so. Snacks on me."
"Stop overreacting Mase, it's fine." Liam let out a small sigh, the corners of his lips were stretched upwards as he prayed the Lord to have mercy on is best friend's soul.
"I'll make it up to you, promise."
Liam smirked, "I'll hold onto these words. See you later, and try not to sulk much."
"Try being the keyword." Mason chuckled, "Thanks man, see ya."
After hanging up, Liam put aside his phone in his pocket to once more awkwardly face Theo who was still standing there for God knows what reason.
"Slipknot." Theo said nonchalantly, "You seem more of a Taylor Swift fan." But as he noticed Liam's features changing drastically to what seemed an angry pup, Theo added, raising both hands, "No offense."
"Taken." Liam said, his eyebrows twitching in annoyance as he suppressed the urge to break his nose, because it felt like a magnet attracting his hand.
Tension was building up as none of them said anything; they were simply having a staring contest and Liam had his eyebrows furrowed. After a long moment, and feeling that it was getting him nowhere, Liam saw it was time to break the silence.
"So, you were saying?" Liam said, diverting his eyes. Theo seemed to have flinched, but Liam decided it was just his imagination.
"Nah, nothing." Theo ended up saying, with a shrug. He nonchalantly handed him the bag that contained his shirt, then added before Liam could press the matter further. "Want a ride home?"
Liam took possession of the bag, and decided that Theo was weird. He didn't understand the mood swing. "I can walk just fine."
Theo let out and exasperated sigh, "I'm being nice."
"That must be a first." Liam deadpanned.
"You little shit."
"I'm sorry?"
Suddenly, Theo remembered Corey's words, 'be nice.' He forced a smile, putting aside his asshole comment and said, "I said a ride home."
"A ride home..." Liam hummed, nodding, "I can use one." A little smirk appeared as he walked past Theo.
Theo caught up with his pace and the two teens walked through the crowded hallway.
The ride was awkward, both teen not knowing what to talk about. They had rapidly run out of topics after finding out that both had the same taste in food and video games. Music, on the other hand, is where they tried to choke one another. Theo was a classical music kind of guy, and Liam was a punk rock one; well, shit went down after the older teen said that the Red Hot Chili Peppers sucked.
They took time off to breathe after almost killing each other.
"So how does it feel to have your best friend taken away by his other half?" Theo asked out of the blue after a long silence. He glanced at the blond, who was startled by the question, from the corner of his eyes.
Liam took a moment to think; what was he supposed to answer? Then again, there was nothing to say on that matter but the truth. After all, Liam liked Corey a lot.
"Mason was not taken away, more like borrowed. Even if Corey is his boyfriend I remain his bestfriend." The blue eyed teen stated with a shrug, "Of course it's not the same anymore, but I'm not in a position to complain. I've been in a relationship too and I think I finally understand how Mason felt. So."
"Hayden Romero, right? Heard about your breakup."
Liam raised an eyebrow and Theo added, "She was good friends with Tracy."
The younger teen could not help but grimace. Why did everyone seem to know about his private life? He sank in the seat, wishing more than ever for the ground to open and swallow him.
"No news from her?"
"Nope." Liam answered, popping the 'p' for effect and quickly shifted the conversation to another topic. Discussing his break up was the last thing he wanted. "What about you? How does it feel to have Corey taken away by Mason?"
Fortunately for him, Theo didn't press any further on the matter and moved on. "Corey tries to give us the same amount of attention. It's cute, so it's fine. And Mason is cool with it."
"Good for you, 'cause Mason isn't the type of person one wants to mess with." Liam said, the corner of his lips stretching upwards and Theo gave him a knowing smirk as he watched him from the corner of his eyes.
"You seem to have tasted his wrath."
"Hopefully not. He has pictures that might ruin my future." Liam tilted his head, grinning at the thought, "I don't want to risk."
"I'd like to see those pictures." Theo smirked as their eyes locked. Liam's breath hitched in his throat, those hazel eyes were telling him weird things, doing to him weird things.
"The road." Liam cleared his throat, heart hammering against his ribcage. He brushed it off, convincing himself that it was due to being afraid to die if Theo got them in an accident.
Theo smiled with a nod. The rest of the road was silent; it took them ten more minutes to arrive to Liam's house.
"See you at school, Dunbar." Theo said with a smile that Liam found himself imitating.
"Yeah, see you." He answered, getting off the vehicle and watching it disappear in the horizon.