#another oneeeeeee

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It wasn't that hard to slink out of bed, gently moving Liam's arm off of his waist. Even when Theo was still not used to sleeping in a bed with another person, it wasn't hard to get comfortable with Liam beside him. Liam used to not crowd Theo, worried and mindful that Theo might not want that, but Theo did want that. He craved it, actually. Liam near him, arms wrapped around him; their skin touching each other's.

But, even with Liam wrapped around him and his senses heightened, he was a deep sleeper.

Theo swung his legs over the side of the bed, his feet touching the cold tiled floor. He didn't want to go far, just to the kitchen and get some water.

The hallway was dark, one little nightlight plugged in, but otherwise no other light was on. It didn't bother Theo that much so long as he had the nightlight to guide him through the rest of the hallway before entering the kitchen.

Now that he was up, padding across the cold tile, it felt like he couldn't go back to sleep. As quietly as he could, he opened a cabinet to grab a cup, moving to the refrigerator to fill it with some cold water. The water felt heavenly, soothing his dry throat.

He set the cup down on the counter, flicking his gaze from his cup to the small radio nestled between their crate of unopened mail and flowers (that Theo got to bring a little color into their kitchen). If Theo kept the volume low, it really shouldn't wake Liam up. He was a deep sleeper, after all. It'll just give Theo something to listen to while he waits to get tired again.

Yeah, it'll be okay. He won't wake Liam up. He's almost absolutely sure of it.

The blue hue of the radio blinked at Theo when he pressed the button to turn it on, the numbers of the radio station staring up at him. Theo turned one of the button, trying to find a station that played something decent.

After a minute or two, Theo landed on a station that seemed to be playing the latest hits. Shrugging (and not finding any other station to be worth listening to), Theo settled on listening to the music. He rested his elbows on the counter and leaned forward until his stomach rested on the side of the counter as well.

Once getting as comfortable as he could, Theo brought up one of his hands to rest his cheek against. It's really not surprising that Theo can't go back to sleep after he woke up. It happens too many times to count anymore. Once he's awake, it's really difficult for him to get back into the head-space to fall asleep.

Liam never minded; he never got upset or mad the very rare times he accidentally woke Liam up trying to get out of bed.

Just when he's thinking about Liam (his gorgeous, kind, and somehow could forgive him after everything, boyfriend), Theo hears his footsteps coming closer. Theo looks up just as Liam enters the kitchen, the yellow glow of the nightlight illuminating him.

"Sorry, did I wake you?" Theo asks, voice soft and low still.

Groggily, Liam shakes his head. He moves even closer, coming up behind Theo and wrapping both his arms around the middle of his stomach. Theo can't help but smile, biting his lip to keep it in check (and ultimately failing). Liam bends his head forward, letting his chin catch on Theo's shoulder.

The beta's long hair tickles Theo's cheek, but he can't seem to care about that. Not when Liam's arms are around him, his chest pressing into Theo's back. They're practically fused together; Theo is not going to complain about that.

"I love this song," Liam says into his ear. It has Theo shiver slightly, the deep tone and husky-ness making him squirm.

Liam definitely feels that, chuckling lightly at Theo's reaction.

"Hmm?" Theo asks, not really listening to what Liam actually said. Just what he felt.

"This song," Liam replies.

"What about this song?"

Even without being able to look at Liam, Theo knows the other is rolling his eyes. "I love this song," Liam stresses his words.

"Oh."

"Yeah, oh."

Liam presses a soft kiss to the back of Theo's neck before pressing another one. The feeling of Liam's slightly chapped but plush lips makes Theo squirm again. It feels really nice but tickles slightly. He doesn't want Liam to stop; he really hopes Liam doesn't stop.

As if hearing his thoughts, Liam keeps going. Going lower and lower, Theo tilts his head to allow Liam to crowd him against the counter even further, and to allow the beta to move his lips to the side of his neck.

With one last lingering kiss to his skin, Liam pulls away.

Without his permission, a low whine escapes from Theo's lips, missing Liam being close to him, clinging to him. He freezes at the sound, a little frazzled that he even made that it, let alone because Liam stopped kissing him.

"Come on, sweetheart."

Theo startles when Liam pulls fully away from him, no more chest to back, skin on skin. But, not for long, because Liam grabs one of Theo's hands and turns him around. Caught off balance, Theo stumbles into Liam, who seems prepared, and catches him.

"Alright, I want to dance with you."

"Dance with me? Right here? Now?" Theo finds the idea incredulous, not understanding why Liam would want to dance in their small kitchen that doesn't leave a lot of room to move around in.

Liam sighs, a little exasperated, "Yes, here. Come on. Just one dance."

The beta's expression is pleading, a pout on his lips, and how can Theo say no to that?

So, he doesn't. But he's not overly happy about it.

"Okay, I'll lead—"

"Uh—" Theo interrupts "— why do you get to automatically lead?"

"Uh, because this was my idea. Duh."

"That doesn't matter, Liam."

"Oh, sure it does. Shut up and dance with me."

Theo huffs, resigning his fate to let Liam lead them to dance to the song on the radio. Even though Liam is a bit shorter, it doesn't really matter. His hand that settles on Theo's waist feels almost like a brand, heat seeping into his skin even with the layer of his shirt in the way. One of Theo's hands rests on top of Liam's shoulder, and then they join their other hands.

It's kinda ridiculous. Neither of them really know how to dance (Theo even less so), but it doesn't matter.

Not when Liam is looking at him like that. Eyes transfixed on his face, flitting around from his eyes to his nose to his lips (even tracing the tiny scar that sits right below the tail of his right eyebrow, and the freckles on his nose and cheeks that you can't see unless you're very close to Theo).

Theo is so in love with his boyfriend. His shining, blue eyes that Theo has a hard time looking away from, and just his smile, whether it's big or small, like the way it is now.

In their small kitchen, with only a nightlight in the distance to guide them, and a small radio that softly blares a (romantic) song, Theo doesn't ever want to leave. Doesn't want anything to shatter this moment.

Because that's what it is.

A moment he'll never forget even if it's something as mundane as dancing with his boyfriend in their shared apartment. The apartment that has seen their worst and best.

It's not— perfect. But it is home.

This is what makes their house a home.

These shared moments that Theo hopes he will never forget, even with old age.

He's gotten sappy as he's gotten older, but Theo knows Liam has had a part in that. Showing him the little things that end up mattering the most. Showing him that one person that he has such a deep and profound connection with doesn't have to mean pain and loss and suffering. It can mean happiness and a light in the storm to keep him anchored.

Because that's what Liam is to Theo. His light that he can find day or night, no matter the time.

At first, Theo didn't think Liam felt the same. Not at all. But now (now in his arms; now in their home; now with him), Theo has accepted and learned that he means just as much to Liam as Liam does to him (they try not to fight over who loves the other more).

The two continue to sway against each other; Liam humming along to the song.