the thin walls did little to muffle the sound of the harsh rain outside, each droplet assaulting pavement and grass alike. it wasn’t the kind of light, easy rain cali was used to. even during the spring, the forecast hardly called for storms. even so, the harsh sound persisted until it nearly resembled static. liam dunbar closed his eyes for a moment. for a moment, the rain bled into white noise, temporarily settling in the back of his mind.

he knew the feeling wouldn’t last long. he knew it the moment he opened his eyes again. when he did, his gaze was met with the flat of his ceiling once more. weeks had passed since high school had come to an end—since senior year had spit everyone out and told them to go on with the rest of their lives, as if any of them knew what they were doing. some of them did, and liam knew that. he’d give credit when it was due. scott had gone to a local university, lydia to massachusetts, and stiles to washington.

a part of liam resented them. he resented how they had managed to maintain balance between their futures and their supernatural quirks; their careers and the trauma the last four years had mercilessly bestowed upon them. they had found themselves, ways to make something of themselves that went beyond werewolves, banshees, dead girlfriends, and evil spirits.

truthfully? liam was lost.

things had been a blur in the weeks that had followed anuk-ite and the hunters. sure, he still had his friends. there was no point in denying it. he still kept in touch with scott and the rest of the pack, even if the physical distance had made itself known. mason was still around, still willing and able to provide him comfort and give advice that wasn’t totally half-assed. hayden, too, was still there. she hadn’t turned her back on liam, but the elephant in the room had trampled liam with its pillar feet and trumpeted its trunk in his face.

he didn’t want hayden’s company.

that was the cold, hard truth. liam hadn’t been direct about it. hadn’t been up front about it. he simply stopped responding to her texts and began missing her calls. hayden—sweet, pure hayden. the same girl who'd stuck gum on his seat in mister yukimura’s class. the same girl who had temporarily died in his arms. it was selfish—boredline evil, actually. she was good to him. good for him. she was exactly what he needed during existential crisises like these.

but she wasn’t what he wanted. she never would be.

what he wanted was far worse. it came in the shape and form of a redemption arc nine out of ten people would never take seriously. it was born out of the most perverted, twisted desires that plagued the crevices of his mind and mingled with his hormones to trigger a sickening kind of lust. lust was normal, lust was encouraged, but it never made him feel quite this erotic. it came in the form of dark-wash, fitted jeans and cynically-colored layers that always clung to biceps more than they should’ve been allowed to. it came in the form of a toyota tundra that matched his eyes and calvin klein that adhered to pale skin.

it shouldn’t have happened to begin with.

the pack had dissipated after that final fight—the same should have applied to liam and theo’s reluctant, temporary alliance.

but theo had offered to drive him home that night, and liam had been too worn out to throw around threats and insults. the beat-up offroad smelled like leather, rain, and something so infuriatingly theo. they’d spoken more in the hours they’d spent fighting alongside one another than they had in those ten minutes, and yet liam couldn't remember what song was on the radio. he hadn’t been paying attention to that.

he’d been paying attention to the fact that theo had spent lonely nights using the backseat of that same rundown truck as a roof over his head. sleeping likely wasn’t all he’d been doing. all of a sudden, it felt intimate to be there, the moment the realization had dawned upon liam. he’d been paying attention to one hand gripping the steering wheel, prominent veins bulging across knuckles and beneath street lights.

theo wasn’t an idiot. far from it. he had picked up on everything—from the elevation of younger man’s heart rate, to the beads of sweat that had started to caress his temples, to the way the denim of his jeans creased when he found the absolute nerve to squeeze his thighs together an inch closer. he had clocked the tension that had begun simmering beneath the surface from the moment they first punched each other in the face. why else would they have wanted to see one another in pain?

he had made the first move that night.

when theo had first kissed him, liam’s initial reaction had been to shove him as hard as he could with a snarl glued to his lips. he thought, just for a moment, that it had been another one of theo’s tricks. why? no reason was ever necessary. despite his road to redemption, liam had still been cautious. however, when he had saw the flicker of something foreign in theo’s eyes, another decision was made. instead of pushing him away again, he’d kissed him first that time.

it felt right. that was how he knew it was wrong. his hands had lost themselves in theo's hair as quickly as the latter’s tongue had lost itself in his mouth. he tasted of mint and the kind of sweetness that could only come with eve’s apple. the truck had sat idle, parked in front of liam’s house at an unreasonable hour. the windows had fogged within ten minutes, and the only proof of it came in the form of the handprints liam had left when claws slipped on the heat of the moment and failed to penetrate glass.

it had been his first time. with another man, at least.

but far from his last.

they met every other day, almost. oddly enough, it had become the only sense of normalcy left in liam’s life. he was aware of how comical the irony was, given that he’d spent the last year swearing up and down that he resented the chimera. however, even in those moments, his trust in him had always prevailed. in its own twisted sense, trust was no different from lust.

the clock had barely hit midnight when theo had texted him again.

T: let’s go for a drive

T: i’ll be there in ten minutes

simple. effective. straight to the point.

liam sat up, losing interest in his ceiling. rightfully so. he didn’t bother responding to the messages, and theo didn’t bother waiting for a confirmation. seconds bled into minutes as liam rose to his feet, neglecting whatever cluttered his bed—tangled blankets, folded clothes he'd forgotten to put away, wired headphones, and an absurd amount of pillows no one in their right mind needed. he figured no one in their right mind would be this eager to see theo raeken, either.

he was half-decent when ten minutes had passed, not that it mattered what he’d wear. it was easy to guarantee that it’d end up on the floor of theo’s truck, all the same. his hair hadn’t grown much in the last month, but he’d made no effort to trim it. the wind that had come with the violent storm effortlessly carded through it, even as he pulled his hoodie over his head. he stuffed his hands into the pockets of his jeans, though it did little to keep them dry.

it didn’t matter, because theo was already there.

he saw the headlights first, the faint glow illuminating every droplet of rain that seemed keen on flooding the road. baby blue metal glistened under the pale moonlight as theo pulled in, engine still running as the passenger’s door opened. it was all the initiative liam needed to climb inside.

theo didn’t look at him at first. he adjusted the rearview mirror instead, one hand lazily draped over the steering wheel, the other resting against the gear shift. dark-wash denim, black henley, a jacket that looked like it belonged in some indie coming-of-age movie about boys who ruin each other in parking lots. his hair was damp at the edges, rainwater sliding down his temple and disappearing beneath his collar.

“you’re late,” he said finally, voice smooth and low, almost bored.

liam scoffed, slamming the door harder than necessary. “you said ten minutes.”

“yeah.” theo’s mouth curved slightly. “and i’ve been here for twelve.”

they both knew that wasn’t true, but liam liked how the lie sounded on his lips.

still, he rolled his eyes, but his pulse betrayed him—quick, sharp, traitorous. theo’s gaze flicked down, just for a second, like he could see it beating beneath his hoodie.

“your heart’s doing that thing again,” theo added casually.

“shut up.”

“hey, i didn’t say i didn’t like it.”

the engine hummed louder as theo shifted into drive. the truck eased away from the curb, headlights slicing through the rain-soaked dark. beacon hills looked different at night. less suburban, more cinematic. streetlights blurred into golden halos through the storm. the world outside felt like it was dissolving.

liam stared straight ahead, jaw tight. “where are we going?”

theo shrugged one shoulder. “thought we’d see how far the road goes.”

“that’s not an answer.”

“it’s enough of one.”

that was theo. always half-truths, always a smirk like he knew something you didn’t. but there was less venom in him now. less sharpness. the cruelty had dulled into something quieter. not gone—never gone—but controlled.

liam shifted in his seat. “you can’t just keep texting me like that. like i’m—”

“like you’ll come?” theo finished.

liam’s eyes snapped to him. “i don’t always.”

theo finally looked over, slow and deliberate. blue eyes, steady and unreadable. “you always do.”

the rain filled the silence that followed.

they drove aimlessly at first—past shuttered storefronts, past the high school that looked too small now, too innocent. the neon sign of the liquor store buzzed faintly as they passed. everything felt like a ghost of something they’d survived.

“scott called me,” liam muttered suddenly.

theo’s fingers tightened on the wheel, barely noticeable. “yeah?”

“yeah, he thinks i should visit. said the campus is nice. said i’d ‘figure things out.’” he mimicked scott’s gentle optimism with a bitter edge. “like it’s that easy.”

theo was quiet for a moment.

“you don’t have to have it figured out,” he said eventually.

liam huffed. “easy for you to say. you don’t exactly have a five-year plan.”

theo smirked faintly. “sure i do.”

“oh, yeah? what is it? terrorize another small town? join a cult again?”

“wow.” theo glanced at him, amused. “you really know how to make a guy feel seen.”

liam’s lips twitched despite himself.

theo’s expression softened—barely, but it was there. “i’m serious, though. you think scott had it figured out at seventeen? he just… decided to be good. over and over again. that’s not a plan. that’s stubbornness. the kind i'm made of.”

liam swallowed.

“you’ve got that too,” theo added. “the stubborn part.”

“don’t compare me to you.”

“wasn’t.”

that hung heavier than it should have.

the truck eventually turned onto a narrower road, trees arching overhead like skeletal fingers. rain cascaded down the windshield in sheets now. theo slowed, then pulled off near the overlook—the same one they’d stood at a dozen times before battles, before bloodshed, before everything.

theo killed the engine. the silence was immediate and loud. only the rain remained, drumming against the metal roof. the world beyond the glass was a blur of dark hills and distant city lights. liam’s breathing felt too noticeable in the quiet.

“you’re thinking too loud,” theo murmured.

“stop psychoanalyzing me, asshole.”

“it’s not analyzing.” theo turned slightly in his seat. “it’s listening.”

liam finally looked at him.

the tension shifted—less electric, more magnetic. slower. heavier.

“hayden called me again,” liam said, the words leaving a foul taste in his mouth. “i didn’t answer.”

theo’s jaw ticked. “does she know?”

“about us?” liam let out a hollow laugh. “there is no ‘us.’”

theo’s eyes darkened, just a fraction. “right.”

liam hated that look. hated the flicker of something almost vulnerable. it made this real in a way he wasn’t prepared for. “i don’t wanna hurt her,” he continued, voice quieter now. “but i can’t keep pretending.”

theo studied him like he was something fragile and volatile all at once. “so don’t.”

“it’s not that simple.”

“it is.” theo leaned closer, not touching, just close enough that liam could feel the warmth radiating off him. “you don’t owe anyone a version of yourself that makes them comfortable.”

liam’s jaw tightened. “since when do you give self-help speeches?”

“since you started looking like you’re drowning every time someone mentions your future.”

liam’s claws threatened to surface—emotion always did that to him—but he forced them back. “what about you?” he challenged. “what do you want, theo?”

theo didn’t answer right away. for once, he didn’t have something sarcastic loaded and ready. his gaze dropped to liam’s mouth, then back to his eyes.

he chose not to say anything.

instead, his hand came up, hesitating just short of liam’s jaw like he was waiting for permission. liam could have moved away. he didn’t. theo’s thumb brushed along his cheekbone, gentle in a way that felt completely at odds with who he used to be. liam’s eyes fluttered shut for a second, heart hammering loud enough to drown out the rain. no words were needed. the answer was obvious—theo had what he wanted, even if it was temporary.

his free hand un-did his seatbelt. in the split second that passed, he allowed himself to face the younger man properly. his hand remained on his jaw, fingertips tracing bone while his thumb caressed his cheekbone. if it was sincere, the moment was worth living in. if it was manipulation, liam would’ve kissed the lies off his tongue, but theo's lips found his first.

there had been nights where it was teeth and breath and something bordering on violence—where they kissed like they were still trying to win. this wasn’t that. this was slower. measured. theo’s mouth moved against his like he was memorizing him, not conquering him.

liam’s hand slid from theo’s jacket to the nape of his neck, fingers threading into damp, dark hair. he tugged—instinct, instinct, always instinct—and a quiet sound left theo’s throat, low and restrained. not surprised. never surprised. he hated how easily their bodies aligned, like muscle memory had rewritten itself around each other. theo shifted, one knee angling between his legs, not pushing, just there. grounding. his thumb never left his cheek, as if he was afraid he’d disappear if he did. rain streaked down the windows in silver lines. the truck felt smaller by the second.

liam shoved him lightly, enough to force him back against the driver’s seat. theo let himself be moved—another difference. the old him would’ve fought for dominance, turned it into a power play. this him just watched him with something dangerously close to admiration. liam straddled his lap without fully registering the decision, hoodie bunching at his waist. the windows fogged faster now, heat building in the small space.

theo reached back, just enough for one hand to tug liam's hood off his scalp, freeing his hair. his hands dropped back down, teetering between his waist and hips. his grip tightened slightly, just enough to press him down against his crotch. the gesture successfully elicited a small gasp from the younger man. it was enough to make theo's lips twitch into that aggravating little smirk.

“forgot how sensitive you were,” the chimera found himself commenting, unable to resist the way amusement dripped from each syllable.

liam scowled, visibly less amused, yet too turned on to argue with him. he pressed his lips to theo’s instead, opting to silence him. it was rougher this time, because old habits died hard. their lips melted against each other as liam carded his fingers through theo’s hair, tugging on the dark strands until it was the chimera’s turn to gasp. the moment he did, liam’s tongue slipped into his mouth, the tip flicking across perfect teeth before tangling with the other wet muscle.

he made sure to grind his hips down as he did so, though it was hard to hell if that was solely to provoke theo, or to amplify the much needed friction. either way, it was enough for a growl to rumble in theo’s throat. he let his hands drop further, until veins bulged from how hard he was kneading liam’s ass through his jeans, gripping until he could guide his hips back and forth along the tent in his jeans.

liam felt it, the familiar outline of arousal gliding between his dick and ass in the shape of rough denim. he pulled away with a whimper, lips swollen from the kiss. only then did he see the way theo’s pupils were blown-out with lust, eyes half-lidded. the chimera didn’t give himself time to catch his breath, fingers sliding up the fabric of liam's hoodie and pulling it over his head.

just as liam had predicted, it ended up on the floor.

he returned the gesture with an eagerness to his fingers that contradicted every insult he’d ever thrown theo’s way. he peeled the chimera’s jacket off. his shirt followed just as quickly.

theo’s fingertips blossomed across liam’s back, dragging down his spine, pausing just around the small of his back. he dipped forward, his lips light as a feather as they caressed the center of the younger man’s chest. he let his lips travel down to his nipples, and only then did his tongue dip out, the flat of it sweeping a stripe up each sensitive bud.

liam gasped again, his back arching ever so slightly against theo’s hands. one of his own hands found comfort pressed up against theo’s abs, his free hand sliding back into the dark hair he couldn’t get enough of, giving it a tug. the sound that left liam’s throat wasn’t polished or practiced. it was wrecked. raw around the edges. the kind of sound he would’ve bitten back in any other circumstance—in locker rooms, in hallways, in the suffocating normalcy of daylight. but there was no daylight here. just the storm and the fogged windows and theo’s mouth dragging slow, deliberate heat across his skin.

theo’s tongue flattened again, slower this time, less teasing. he watched the way liam’s stomach tightened beneath the touch. watched the way his breathing stuttered. always watching. “still pretending you don’t like me?” he murmured against his chest.

liam’s fingers tightened in his hair in response, tugging just enough to pull him back up. “don’t ruin it,” he breathed, eyes dark and flashing gold at the edges.

that smirk again—softer now, but still there. “wouldn’t dream of it.” his hands slid lower, thumbs hooking into the waistband of liam’s jeans, testing. not pushing yet. waiting.

liam swallowed hard. the heat pooling low in his stomach was almost dizzying, almost overwhelming in the tight cab of the truck. he could feel theo everywhere—beneath him, around him, grounding him in a way that felt dangerous because it wasn’t just physical. theo shifted his grip, guiding liam’s hips again, slower now. controlled. friction deliberate instead of frantic. liam’s head tipped back, exposing his throat without thinking.

that was all the invitation theo needed. his mouth traced upward—sternum, collarbone, the subtle dip between muscle and bone, until his lips hovered just beneath liam’s jaw. he didn’t bite. didn’t mark. he just pressed a lingering kiss there, thumb stroking along the curve of liam’s hip like he was memorizing the shape. “tell me to stop,” he said quietly, breath warm against his skin.

liam’s eyes snapped back down to him. there it was again. that restraint. that effort.

tonight, his restraint failed him.

yet again, his lips found theo’s. it wasn’t gentle this time around, no toes dipping into shallow water. it felt like a clash of teeth and tongue this time around, and it drew a deep, muffled groan out of theo’s throat. he felt liam’s lips close around his tongue, sun-kissed hands pushing back against his pale chest, pressing him back against the seat. his hands were glued to liam’s hips, guiding them back and forth. even through rough denim, liam could feel him throbbing.

lost in what could have only been his own desperation, liam dropped a hand between their bodies. he broke the kiss, both men panting audibly, foreheads pressed against one another.

theo parted his thighs a little more, head tipping back. his dark hair was damp, clinging to his forehead, lips parted, chest heaving. his lips curled half-heartedly as he watched liam fumble with his own jeans. “so eager,” he drawled, a touch of rasp to his voice that hadn't been there before. he pressed his palm against liam's crotch, palming the solid outline through denim. “that’s right, take that cock out. surprised you haven’t creamed your fucking pants by now.”

it was mean in a way only theo could pull off; there was familiarity to it. that same familiarity made liam glare at him through dark lashes, just as he’d brought his zipper down. however, whatever insult he had ready died down at the feeling of theo’s palm. grinding. palming. thumb rubbing the damp spot his tip was tucked into, palm pressing into his shaft. there was no comeback. liam’s eyes all but rolled back, body betraying him as he returned the motion, grinding down against theo’s hand with a moan passing his lips.

theo’s free hand slid up liam’s spine, fingers splaying wide between his shoulder blades before dragging down again, slow and deliberate. grounding him. guiding him.

liam finally freed himself from the confines of his jeans with a shaky exhale, the cool air of the truck biting briefly against overheated skin. the contrast made him hiss under his breath.

theo’s eyes dropped instinctively, darkening further, hunger obvious but not quite predatory. his palm moved from over the denim to the fabric of liam's boxers, slower now. testing. liam was painfully hard, tip peering out from the waistband, tinted an angry red and leaking pre-cum. his thumb brushed lightly along the sensitive underside, and liam’s entire body reacted—back arching, fingers digging into theo’s shoulders.

“theo—” it wasn’t a warning. it wasn’t a command. it was barely even a word.

theo’s jaw flexed at the sound of his name like that. he adjusted his grip, firmer now but still controlled, guiding the rhythm instead of rushing it. his other hand remained steady at liam’s hip, keeping him balanced. “breathe,” he muttered quietly, far removed from the earlier drawl. “you’re gonna pass out if you don’t.”

liam shot him a glare that lacked real bite, chest rising and falling too fast. “i’m fine.”

“liam.”

the tone shifted him more than the touch did. steady. grounded. present. he forced himself to inhale deeply, exhale slower, even as theo’s hand continued its measured movement. the friction built gradually instead of exploding all at once—deliberate, patient. maddening.

theo’s grip tightened just enough to pull another moan from liam’s throat, fingers flexing against his skin like he was counting the seconds until liam shattered. every drag of his palm was calculated—just shy of too much, just shy of enough. liam’s hips stuttered forward, chasing the friction, but theo slowed his hand, thumb pressing into the slit just to watch his breath hitch.

“theo—” liam’s voice cracked, fingers clawing at his shoulders. “stop teasing.”

theo’s smirk was infuriatingly soft. “who’s teasing?” his thumb circled the head lazily, smearing pre-cum down the length. “you’re the one grinding into my hand like you’ve never been touched before.”

theo’s fingers curled around him fully then—finally—and liam nearly saw stars. the grip was firm, deliberate, the calloused drag of his palm against sensitive skin sending sparks up liam’s spine. he bit his lip hard enough to taste copper, hips jerking forward involuntarily, chasing the heat of his touch like it was the only thing tethering him to reality.

“there you go,” theo murmured, voice rough at the edges, like he was the one struggling to keep his breathing even. his thumb swiped over the head again, smearing precum in slow circles, and liam’s stomach tightened impossibly further. “knew you could take it.” his hands left liam’s hips long enough to undo his own belt buckle with practiced ease, the metal clicking open like a gun cocking. he shoved his jeans and boxers down just past his thighs in one rough motion—no ceremony, no hesitation. the cold air bit at exposed skin, but neither of them noticed. liam barely had time to register the sight before theo’s fingers were back on him, wrapping around his cock with a grip that made his vision blur.

his breath hitched as theo’s thumb pressed into the slit of his cock, smearing more precum down his shaft in a slow, torturous drag. “shit—” the curse spilled from his lips like a prayer, his hips jerking forward into the touch. theo’s other hand slid beneath the waistband of liam’s boxers, fingertips brushing the sensitive skin of his inner thighs before hooking into the fabric and yanking them down. the elastic snapped against his happy trail, the sudden exposure sending a shudder through him.

theo’s breath ghosted hot against his shoulder as he maneuvered him with practiced ease, hands guiding his hips until liam was facing the fogged windshield, knees braced against the driver’s seat. the steering wheel pressed cold into his stomach as he bent forward, the leather creaking under his grip. behind him, theo’s body was a solid line of heat, his chest flush against liam’s back, one hand moving up to his jaw.

liam exhaled shakily as theo’s thumb traced his plush lower lip before the rough pad tapped against it twice. he didn't make room for hesitation, parting his lips just enough for theo to slide his thumb into his mouth, twisting it around until it was soaked in saliva. but really, it was liam’s momentary obedience that made the chinera's cock twitch against his back.

theo didn’t pull his thumb out immediately. his index finger follow, as did his middle finger. when his thumb slipped out, two digits helped themselves to liam’s mouth, fingertips tracing the surface of his tongue until they lingered around the back of his throat. liam made a noise—not quite a gag, not quite a protest. though it made his cock twitch again, theo pulled his fingers out. his left hand splayed across the younger man’s abdomen.

“relax,” theo murmured, teeth grazing the nape of his neck as his right hand dipped lower, fingertips skimming the curve of his ass. the touch was teasing—annoyingly slow—before his thumb pressed in, rubbing slow circles against his rim. liam shuddered, a sharp inhale catching in his throat as the chimera’s fingers traced him like he was mapping terrain. then, without warning, theo’s spit-wet thumb breached him, just enough to make his spine arch.

“fuck—theo—” liam’s voice cracked on his name, fingers scrambling for purchase on the wheel.

theo chuckled low in his ear, the sound vibrating against his skin as he worked his thumb deeper, twisting slightly just to feel him clench. “always so fucking tense.” his other hand slid up his chest, fingers curling around his jaw, tilting his head back until their lips brushed. “breathe.”

his thumb twisted deeper, the drag of it rough enough to make liam’s toes curl against the floor. his breath came in ragged bursts against theo’s lips, every exhale hitching into a moan theo swallowed greedily. the kiss was filthy—all teeth and tongue, theo’s mouth hot and demanding as he worked liam open with cruel precision. his fingers were slick, spit gliding between them as he added a second digit, scissoring just enough to pull a choked gasp from liam’s throat.

“there,” theo murmured against his lips, voice thick with satisfaction. he crooked his fingers, pressing insistently against that spot inside liam that made his vision whiten at the edges. “knew you’d like that.”

liam’s hips jerked back instinctively, chasing the friction, his cock dripping against the steering wheel. he could feel theo’s smirk against his mouth, the bastard—could feel the way his fingers slowed just to feel liam squirm. “fucking move,” he snarled, biting theo’s lower lip hard enough to taste iron.

theo laughed, low and breathless, but obeyed. his fingers pistoned faster now, the wet sound of them obscene in the cramped cab. liam’s moans spilled into his mouth, broken and desperate, his hands clawing at the wheel as theo’s free hand wrapped around his cock, stroking him in time with every thrust of his fingers.

abruptly, theo’s fingers dragged out of liam with a wet, filthy sound, leaving him shuddering and empty, his hips jerking back instinctively—chasing the loss, the sudden absence of pressure that had been driving him toward the edge. his cock throbbed, untouched now, pre-come beading at the tip and smearing against the steering wheel where he’d braced himself. his breath came in ragged bursts, his lips parted around a silent plea.

theo sat back in the driver’s seat, one arm draped lazily over the wheel, the other settling on liam's hip, guiding him back—slow, deliberate, infuriatingly controlled. his cock stood thick and flushed between his thighs, glistening at the tip, the heat of him radiating even through the damp air of the truck. his smirk was lazy, knowing, his eyes dark with something sharper than amusement. “you didn’t think i was gonna let you cum from my fingers, did you?” he drawled, fingers tightening just enough to bruise. “thought you liked it better when i dicked you down, dunbar.”

liam’s breath hitched, fingers digging into theo’s thighs as he hovered above him, knees bracketing his hips. the truck’s seat groaned beneath them, leather sticking to sweat-slick skin. theo’s grip on his waist was iron, forcing him still before he could sink down. “are you done being a jackass?” liam growled, hips twitching forward, desperate for friction. “let me move.”

theo smirked, thumb tracing the jut of his hipbone. “begging already?” his voice was rough, raw at the edges. he shifted beneath him, the thick press of his cock dragging against liam’s ass, teasing but not giving him what he wanted. “you gotta earn it.”

liam snarled, nails on the verge of extending into claws biting into theo’s shoulders as he ground down, the head catching at his rim but not breaching. “i earned it when i didn’t rip your head off for shoving your fingers down my throat.”

theo laughed—low, breathless—and finally relented. his hands slid down to grip liam’s ass, fingers pressing into the reddened skin. “yeah,” he agreed, voice dripping with mock reverence. “saint liam.” then he yanked him down hard.

liam’s gasp fractured into a moan as theo sheathed himself inside him in one brutal thrust, the stretch burning in the best way. his back arched, head tipping back as theo’s cock dragged against that spot inside him, relentless. he didn’t give him time to adjust, just hauled him up and slammed him back down, the slap of skin echoing in the cab. “fuck—i can’t—” liam’s voice wavered, hands scrambling for theo’s biceps, blunt nails leaving crescent moons in their wake.

theo’s breath was hot against his throat, lips grazing the pulse point beneath his jaw. “that’s it,” he murmured, hips rolling up to meet liam’s movements, driving deeper. “take it.” his hands slid around to liam’s front, fingers wrapping around his cock in a tight, twisting stroke. precum smeared between them, slick and obscene. liam’s hips stuttered, his rhythm faltering as pleasure coiled tight in his gut.

theo didn’t let up. he fucked up into him with sharp, shallow thrusts, the drag of his cock precise and desperate. his thumb swiped over liam’s slit, spreading the wetness down his balls. “gonna cum?” he taunted, voice rough with exertion. “gonna fucking lose it on my hand like an untouched virgin?”

liam’s teeth sank into his own lower lip hard enough to draw blood, his entire body trembling. he could feel it building—the heat, the pressure, the inevitable snap. his fingers tangled in theo’s hair, dragging his head back to kiss him filthy, all teeth and tongue. theo groaned into his mouth, the sound swallowed by liam’s hunger.

then—living up to just how big of an ass he really was—theo pulled his hand away, leaving liam’s cock twitching and untouched, the sudden absence of friction a knife twist. “no,” he growled, gripping liam’s hips hard enough to bruise. “not yet.” he flipped them without warning, pinning liam against the seat, his cock still buried deep inside him. the steering wheel dug into theo's back, but he barely noticed, too consumed by the way his body covered liam's, hot and heavy.

his lips trailed down his throat, teeth scraping over his collarbone before sucking a bruise into the hollow of his throat. his hips rolled in slow, deep thrusts, each one punching a broken noise from liam’s lips. “you’re gonna wait,” he murmured against his skin, breath scorching. “gonna take every inch of me until i say you can cum.”

liam’s claws had finally come out, more so out of sheer instinct under the overstimulating pressure. they raked down theo’s back, his legs hooking around his waist to pull him closer. “asshole,” he gasped, but his hips arched up to meet theo’s thrusts, his cock leaking against his stomach.

theo’s chuckle was dark, his hands sliding beneath liam to grip his ass, kneading the flesh before landing a sharp smack that echoed through the cab. liam’s moan was punched out of him, his cock twitching against his stomach. theo did it again, then again, the sting mingling with the pleasure until the younger werewolf was writhing beneath him, his thighs trembling.

“close?” theo taunted, his thrusts turning punishing, the wet slap of skin filling the air. his hand wrapped around their cocks, stroking them together in a tight, twisting grip. liam’s vision whited out at the edges, his entire body tightening like a coil.

theo’s fist tightened around both of them, his grip unforgiving as he jerked their cocks in rough, uneven strokes. precum smeared between them, slick and filthy, the sound obscenely wet in the cramped cab. liam’s breath came in ragged bursts, his hips jerking upward instinctively, chasing the friction.

“jesus, theo, please,” liam was practically whimpering now, nails digging into theo’s shoulders hard enough to leave scars. “harder.”

theo smirked, thumb swiping over the head of liam’s cock just to watch him shudder. “like this?” he twisted his wrist sharply, his other hand gripping liam’s ass to keep him from squirming away. his thrusts slowed—each drag of his cock inside liam hitting that spot that made his vision blur.

liam’s teeth sank into theo’s shoulder, biting down hard enough to draw a grunt from him. theo retaliated with a sharp snap of his hips, the force of it knocking the air from liam’s lungs. his hand moved faster, thumb pressing into the slit of liam’s cock with every upstroke. liam’s brain had practically stopped working. he couldn't think. not when theo’s cock was buried deep inside him, not when his hand was working them both toward the edge with ruthless precision. his hips stuttered, thighs trembling as pleasure coiled tight in his gut.

theo’s rhythm faltered for just a second—long enough for liam to notice the way his breath hitched, the way his grip tightened reflexively. “close?” liam panted, lips grazing his jaw.

theo’s response was a sharp thrust, his hips snapping forward with enough force to make the seat creak. “yeah,” he admitted, chest heaving. his fingers dug into liam’s skin, holding him in place as his thrusts grew erratic. “gonna fill you up.”

liam’s stomach tightened at the words, his cock throbbing in theo’s grip. “do it,” he demanded, arching into him.

theo groaned—low, broken—his forehead dropping to liam’s shoulder as he came. his hips jerked forward once, twice, his cock pulsing inside him as he spilled into him with a shudder. liam could feel it—the heat, the wetness—and the thought alone was enough to tip him over the edge.

his orgasm hit him like a punch to the gut, his cock twitching violently in theo’s fist as he came. cum streaked between them, painting theo’s fingers and his own stomach in hot, sticky stripes. his vision whited out for a second, his body going taut before collapsing bonelessly against the seat.

the rain still hammered against the truck’s roof, but the sound was distant now, muffled beneath the ragged sound of their breathing. liam’s chest rose and fell in uneven bursts, his fingers still tangled in theo’s hair, his thighs still trembling around his waist. theo hadn’t pulled out yet. his weight pressed liam into the seat, heavy and warm, his breath hot against his throat.

for a moment, neither of them moved.

then theo shifted, just enough to catch liam’s gaze. his eyes were darker now, pupils blown wide, lips parted around shallow breaths. there was something unsettlingly raw in his expression—something liam couldn’t name.

“you good?” theo murmured, voice rough.

liam swallowed, throat dry despite the humid air clinging to their skin. the question hung between them, loaded in a way that made his pulse skip. the weight of him—the heat, the scent of sweat and sex—was almost suffocating. he wanted to say no. wanted to shove him off and pretend this was just another fuck, another bad decision in a string of them. but theo’s thumb brushed his hipbone, slow and absent, and the lie died on his tongue.

“yeah,” he muttered instead, voice hoarse. his fingers uncurled from theo’s hair, trailing down to his shoulders where half-moon indents were already healing. “you?”

theo smirked, but it lacked its usual edge. “peachy.” he shifted again, pulling out with a slow drag that made liam’s breath hitch. the mess between them was obscene—cum streaked across his stomach, tacky where theo’s fingers had smeared it. liam grimaced, reaching for the discarded hoodie bunched near the gearshift to wipe himself off.

theo watched him, elbows braced on either side of liam’s head, expression unreadable. the rain had eased to a drizzle, pattering softly against the windshield. somewhere beyond the fogged glass, beacon hills slept.

the silence stretched like a live wire between them—too thin, too sharp. liam tossed the ruined hoodie aside, the fabric landing with a wet slap against the floor mat. his skin still prickled with the ghost of theo’s touch, oversensitive and raw. he wanted to say something—anything—to cut through the quiet, but the words stuck in his throat, tangled up in the aftertaste of sweat and cum and something dangerously close to vulnerability.

theo exhaled through his nose, rolling onto his side to dig through the glove compartment. his movements were deliberate, shoulders flexing under the dim cabin light as he pulled out a crumpled fast-food napkin. he handed it to liam without looking at him.

liam took it, fingers brushing theo’s for half a second too long. “thanks,” he muttered, wiping the mess off his stomach with more force than necessary.

theo hummed, noncommittal, gaze fixed on the rain-streaked windshield. his jaw worked like he was chewing on words he wouldn’t say.

the napkin crumpled in liam’s fist, sticky and useless. he tossed it onto the floor with the rest of the wreckage—hoodie, discarded jeans, the unspoken thing thickening the air between them. the truck smelled like sex and rain and something bitter beneath it all, like copper on the back of his tongue.

theo reached for the radio dial, twisting it just enough to fill the silence with static-laced music—some old song liam didn’t recognize, all raspy vocals and aching guitar.

“you gonna tell her?” theo asked suddenly, fingers tapping an uneven rhythm against the steering wheel. his voice was too casual, like he was asking about the weather.

liam’s spine stiffened. “who?”

theo’s fingers stilled on the wheel. the look he gave liam was slow, deliberate—the kind that made his skin prickle. “don’t play dumb, dunbar. it doesn’t suit you.”

liam’s jaw tightened. outside, the rain had faded to a whisper against the glass, the world beyond the truck reduced to smudges of neon and shadow. he wiped his palm on his thigh, the napkin long forgotten. “hayden doesn’t need to know,” he said finally, voice low. “there’s nothing to tell.”

theo’s laugh was quiet, humorless. he leaned back against the driver’s seat, one arm slung over the wheel, the other resting on the gear shift. his thumb tapped an absent rhythm against the leather. “right. because getting fucked in the back of my truck every other night is nothing.”

“it’s not—” liam cut himself off, fingers curling into fists. his nails bit into his palms. “it’s not like that.”

theo turned his head, eyes glinting in the dim light like a challenge. “then what's it like, liam?”

the question hung there, sharp as a knife between ribs. liam’s throat worked. he could lie—should lie—but theo’s gaze pinned him like a specimen, dissecting every twitch of his face.

“it’s just sex,” he finally ground out.

theo’s smirk was razor-thin. “bullshit.” he reached forward, slow, and dragged a thumb over the fresh bruises on liam’s hips. they weren't healing as quickly as they should have. if there was symbolism in that, it was for someone smarter than either of them to talk about. “you don’t leave marks like this on someone you don’t give a shit about.”

liam slapped his hand away, pulse hammering against his ribs like it wanted out. “you don’t know what i give a shit about.”

theo leaned back, unfazed, fingers curling around the steering wheel again. the radio crackled between them, some melancholic ballad about lovers who ruined each other better than anyone else could. liam wanted to smash it.

“i know you’re still answering my texts,” theo said, voice dripping with that infuriating certainty. “i know you taste like guilt every time i kiss you.” his thumb brushed his own lower lip, slow, like he was savoring the memory. “and i know you’re gonna keep coming back, even if you hate yourself for it.”

for once, liam faltered. not out of anger, not out of rage that threatened to take shape in claws and a mean right hook to the chimera’s face. it wasn’t out of guilt either, not the guilt that theo was talking about.

it was out of defeat.

⋆. 𐙚 ˚