Theo Oliver

“I appreciate that, Theo. Thanks,” Tristan said, “I’m gonna get coffee. Do you want some?”

“Not going to turn down a free drink, that’s for certain. I’m not all that fussy on the type though before you ask. Thanks, Tristan.”

Amused, Kiara let out a chuckle as she looked up at Theo. “Look I’m just letting them know who’s boss. I do everything to win– even if it includes staring down the cups.”

“You need some serious help, girly, you know that?” Despite his words, Theo was chuckling in amusement at the others actions and shook his head fondly. “Well you better hope it helps you cause I intend on winning here.”

“I’ll be fine Theo, seriously,” she laughed with a light shake of her head as he reminded her to be careful around the fire. “We don’t, don’t we?” Winnie admitted, looking at the fire lapping at the logs thoughtfully. While she often correlated the element with the destruction of her own, the blonde always did her best to let go of that when it wasn’t actually causing so much harm. “Did you used to go camping often?” she asked, looking over at him again.

“I know but I can’t help it. I’ve been known to burn myself regularly on things so I guess I am just telling you from experience. “I did it quite a bit when I was younger. Always enjoyed it, especially when it was raining cause I got to have fun with it. Do you know, I once floated someone out onto the lake on their inflatable bed.” He said with a chuckle. “Got up to a lot of stuff we shouldn’t really.”

“Can you stop looking at the cups like you wanna kill them. You’re actually pretty scary.” Theo pointed out at the others intense focus on his side of the playing field. 

“Now be careful... I don’t want you to burn yourself.” Theo offered up the first one to the blonde as he handed over a stick with a marshmallow on the end of it where they sat in front of the fire. “We don’t do things like this often enough. I love bonfires on the beach, guitar singalongs and barbecue's with games. I don’t know... it’s just a nice memory, you know?”

Marie was about to speak up when the other held up his hand, silencing her. “I just-… wanted to protect you. I hated seeing you hurt so much, but I-.. I get it.” Though she had never had parents herself and therefore never had that family connection until recently, she had some sort of understanding of what it would be like for someone who you trusted and called a friend to have them betray you. “I want to get passed it too, Theo-… I miss you. So much. I just want my best friend back.”

“Protect me? From what?” He asked after a moment because he wondered what she saw from the outside. She hadn’t even realised she knew what his parents were. “How did you even find out about them?” He found himself adding a moment a moment later. Theo sighed softly, reaching out a hand to the blonde. “You’ve always been more than just a best friend to me, you know that. I’m sorry for the way I reacted but it was a lot to find out, especially from someone who wasn’t you.”

“Oh no, there’s no problem,” Tristan said, smiling a little, “I’m okay, really.”

“Alright, as long as you are sure. I’m around if you wanna chat though.” Theo offered.

“I’m not?” Tristan asked, “To be honest, it feels like I always am. I have a lot of thoughts.”

“Least there is something going on in that head of yours.” Theo teased, a smirk playing across his lips. “Want to share? A problem shared is a problem halved... at least that’s what I’ve heard.”

“I’ve got to admit, I’m very curious as to what that might entail,” Winnie confessed with a soft laugh. “Should I be afraid? I feel like I should be afraid.”

“There are various things that can mean. Maybe I should take you surfing.” Theo said with a grin on his lips. “Teach you how to ride the waves. And no... not afraid. Do you really think I’m scary hm?”

Marie turned to the other, staring at him for a long moment and wondering if she really had heard those words come from his mouth or if it was just her imagination. She had wanted to hear them for a long time and there was a moment where she wondered if her mind was playing tricks on her. “Really?” She asked, her voice breaking with emotion ever so slightly. “I miss you too.”

“Really.” Though Theo held his hand up a moment later. “It’s not to say I forgive you for the way you went about things because I still don’t agree on it though I understand from your perspective why you handed them over.” All that still bothered him given they were his parents and he couldn’t forget all the good things they’d done for him and the fact she’d given him no warning at all. “But I do want to get past it.” And right now, the only way he felt he could was to try and put it behind them and work on it a little at a time because they were both as stubborn as one another and he didn’t think she was ever going to see it how he did.

“I’m positive you know this but… I’m not very good at letting loose. At least not as good at is as I would hope to be.”

“It had... come to my attention, yes.” Theo answered with a bit of a laugh. “You’re not incapable of having fun but sometimes it’s a little restrained. One day we’re going to have to go do something that forces you to let go.”

Marie looked to the other as he sat down beside her, confusion on her face because last time they spoke he was still majorly pissed at her and she was still refusing to apologize for what she did and only saying sorry for the way she did it. “I guess if you believe that then we should be okay.” She wanted to bring up that she wasn’t the one causing the arguments, but felt like it would probably be a bad move on her behalf.

It was mainly that reason that caused Theo to not be able to completely forgive the girl. Sure he had been angry that she had handed his parents in but more than that, he was hurt that she’d kept it all from him. That since then their friendship had been based around a big lie and that she couldn’t quite seem to understand why he was so hurt by it all. There was silence, Theo not feeling that her words really deserved an answer. Not one he could give anyway. It was a few minutes before he spoke up again. “I do miss you, you know.” The words were spoken quietly.

“No, no– you’re right. It’s turning into more of a job,” Winnie sighed, taking a step back from what she had just said. “Let’s just wing it, see what happens,” she opted for with a smile. “Sound good?”

“Sounds to me like you need to let loose, Win.” Theo admitted, a little chuckle, nodding his head. “But yeah, that sounds good to me. I’m looking forward to it.”

“I mean it all depends on how we manage our time,” she shrugged a little with a smile. “With some determination and organization we could have a change at doing everything?” Winnie suggested. “What do you think, Theo? Up to the challenge?”

“That... sounds like a job more than for enjoyment.” Theo answered with a bit of a laugh. “But if you think you can plan it all in and have fun while doing it I’ll follow your lead.”