Archive of Our Own ^beta

There are many things in life that Theo would characterize as heavenly. Like this particular brand of minty gum that he snatches off the nightstand – okay, maybe not heavenly, but it's up there. It feels kinda stupid after just waking up, but he needs something to kick-start his brain as he slips out from under the sheets.

He squints, fruitlessly trying to shield his eyes from the blinding sun of early morning. Their kitchen does need some blinds or curtains now that he thinks of it, but covering the glass window walls that lead straight to the backyard and into the woods just always felt like sacrilege.

His ears catch the early worm long before his sleepy eyes do. The intruder isn't really successful at being sneaky.

The quiet babbling of something that sounds surprisingly a lot like a remix of Baa Baa Black Sheep and Green Day comes from somewhere on the floor and echoes through the room, muffled only by huffing and puffing of a tiny body trying its hardest to open what appears to be... – don't laugh, don't laugh, don't laugh – Theo tells himself – a cookie jar.

He stands behind for a minute, just taking it all in. Letting this picture in front of him burn itself into his mind. It's not like he is noticed anyway. The time to intervene comes when the fresh baby scent of adventure and determination turns into desperation, and the first tears of the day are on the brink of being spilled.

“What'cha doing?” he whispers, and the frightened shriek turns into a blinding smile as his daughter whips her head at him. “Thief! Catch the thief!”

The little angel doesn't get very far away, scrambling to get up on wobbly legs and trying her best to hold on to her precious loot. The jar falls with a thud and rolls away as he picks her up in his arms.

The tiny growl she emits, though throaty and human, is so impossibly Liam. It makes him smile harder. Of course, the gum between his teeth doesn't go unnoticed. She's so perceptive already – is all that he notes to himself before tiny baby hands stick right into his mouth and pull his gum out, slapping it onto his beard the next second with all their might. Fantastic.

"Looking good, love," a soft chuckle comes from the doorway, and Theo closes his eyes in laughter, hoping his cheeks don't appear as red as they feel. Liam will never lose this power over him. Any power, really, but especially this. Making him blush scarlet with a word, a glance, a sound.

If only Liam could see himself now – basked in morning sun rays, eyes so big and blue and full of sleep as he leans on the doorway. The light caresses his skin and the thick dusting of hairs all over. His sleep shirt rides up as he scratches at his ribs and yawns in silent. Theo averts his gaze, quickly.

“And you look like death on legs. Why on earth are you up?” he marvels, looking around for a tissue or a paper towel to try and get the gum off. He finds a piece on the counter, and it seems to already be crumpled, but oh well, baby life. It'll do.

He distinctly remembers telling Liam he'd handle Vivian when they awoke to the noise of tiny feet on a mission, and his husband grunting something vaguely grateful in semi-consciousness. He'd been certain that Liam would be dead to the world at least for a few more hours.

Liam doesn't reply for quite some time, seemingly mulling it over. Theo looks at him, curious. Baby hands flail all around him as she babbles her songs, and he cradles her closer so she doesn't poke his eye out.

There must be a good reason for Liam to give up his beauty sleep. He's usually unwakeable.

“Honestly, just spit it out, I'm gonna find out anyway,” Theo smirks, starting up the coffee machine as their girl makes grabby hands at every object he touches that she can't reach from her father's arms.

Liam looks almost bashful for a moment there. It's a look Theo hasn't seen from his alpha in a long time, what with all his candor and openness. He can't decide if it's endearing or amusing.

He lets Vivi get ahold of the packet of ground coffee, bringing it to her nose for a quick sniff since she demands it so much. He snatches it back right before she gets to sneeze inside.

“It's your scent,” Liam relents, quietly.

Theo arches a brow at him. “Baby spit, morning sweat and...” his nose twitches at their daughter. “A full diaper?”

Liam purses his lips, laughing.

“That too. But I meant...”, he stills like whatever it is, it's important, significant enough for a pause. Theo hates pauses. Nothing good ever comes from pauses. “This pure joy, when you're with her”.

And that is-
Oh. Oh.

“I wouldn't miss it,” Liam says, eyes burning straight through Theo's fucking soul, like always. “Not for the world”.

Theo's wrong. Pauses are kinda amazing.

He doesn't even know what to say to that or what to do, but Liam doesn't expect anything, he never does. Just drops all that on Theo and leaves. Like usual.

“I'mma hit the bathroom and make breakfast. Oh, by the way, the first diaper of the day is on you for that little remark about my looks!" Liam sing-songs, walking away.

Vivian whines at her retreating father. Theo hums at her in agreement, pouring her a glass of orange juice, which she grabs enthusiastically. She's gonna get it all over herself anyway, so they better do it now before he changes her. She sips and lets out a sweet little sigh, snuggling firmer into his chest. She loves orange juice. And so does Liam. So. Of course she does.

***

“...Theo? Theo!” the fog dissipates so easily. The outlines of McCall kitchen come together around him once more in his peripheral. The sounds of the Pack's chatter come from the living room, their first normal-ish big get together after the war. He can hear the glasses clinking and their laughter. Liam's hand flat on his back is the first thing he feels, the only thing he feels, the only thing he's ever going to feel again. It's inquiring, worried. Just like his eyes. “Theo? You alright?”

Apparently, he's not. The room is a bit fuzzy at the edges, and he's got no clue whether it's the wolfsbane laced alcohol or his tears.

“Why are you here?” he goes for harsh, because it's a reflex, of course it is, but it comes out so strangled, and he can't do anything about it, nothing at all.

Liam's hand just presses harder between his blades, thumb moving in petting motions absentmindedly. “You went to get more snacks and disappeared. Your heart was being weird, so now I'm here,” he explains and shrugs his shoulders like it's something obvious, like he doesn't even hear himself.

Well, Theo thinks. His heart definitely was being weird.

But also, maybe, not weird at all.

Liam takes his hand off of him to grab a carton of orange juice and pour himself a glass. Theo closes his eyes. His own hands tremble as he looks up again to see Liam drink it all in just a few big gulps, squinting at the bright taste. He glances at Theo, happy, content, like a sated cat, and licks his lips.

The glass shatters on kitchen tile as Theo moves forward, fast and hungry.

Maybe Theo isn't a big expert on heaven, but he bets it tastes like orange juice.