oneshots || ENG thiam

Definitely Not Friends

The pack went out to have a day...well, more like night off. Keeping Beacon Hills a safe place for living was a hard and pretty exhausting job.
After all, it was Scott's plan and everyone was more than happy to hear such news.
Everyone except Malia.

"Are you telling me that he," The bitterness in her tone was more than obvious, as she locked her eyes with Theo, "is coming too? Scott! You can't be serious!" Malia snorted and rolled her eyes. "Ouch." Theo spat dryly.
"Mal," Scott sighed, "we talked about this. Theo helped us a lot, especially lately. If it wasn't for him, who knows if Stiles would ever be back. One night out is all I ask. Can you do this for me?" He almost pleaded. "Fine!" Malia growled, "It's not like I have a choice, anyway. I'll wait in the car."

*

The whole group arrived to a small, italian-like restaurant. It was a small, cozy place with a terrace filled with plants and fairy lights. "I wanna sit outside!" Stiles hollered and not a single member of the pack dared to protest, since they all were more than happy to have their goofball back home.

"So, what can I get you, kids?" A woman in her early fifties appeared a few minutes after they've settled down. She was the owner of the little restaurant, as she explained, it was a family business.
"Hey! Earth to Raeken!" Malia snapped, when everyone except Theo already placed an order. "Huh?" He cut out from his daydreaming-like state. "I asked what would you like to eat, young man?" The lady smiled politely. "Oh yeah, uh..." Tbeo really didn't pay attention and started frantically looking around, since he didn't even look at the menu. "You okay?" Liam who was sitting right next to Theo, nudged him into the elbow. "What did you order?" Theo hissed. "Calamari and a rump steak." Liam shrugged with a smile. "Ew dude, what the hell?! Nevermind," Theo quickly turned to the waitress, "I'll have calamari and a rump steak."

*

"Have you seen him?" Stiles tried to be secretive as he leaned over to Scott, but ended up drawing the whole pack's attention. "Hmm?" Scott only hummed as he looked at his best friend, who had a concerned expression on his face. "What's up?" The Alpha murmured with a full mouth. "Theodore is acting really weird," Stiles huffed and his grimace shifted to a funny frown. But still, he was completely serious. "What about him?" Scott shrugged, not really understanding Stiles' point. "Dude! Look at him for Christ's sake! He's been zoned out the whole time, not talking to anybody but Liam." Scott smiled as his best pal started to get more and more frustrated by each second they've spent talking.

"Stiles, Theo's been through a lot. We've been through a lot. Did you consider him just feeling a little uncomfortable in this situation? Remember how Malia lashed out earlier today. You really think he wanted to come? I think I've made a mistake with his invitation. Seems like I've just put him into an uncomfortable position." Now Scott seemed to talk more to himself than to Stiles. As if he was thinking out loud. "But Liam-" "Stiles, Liam was the one who broke him out to hell. Those two fought the Wild Hunt all alone in the hospital. They were about to die together. Be glad that Theo has at least one person around him who makes him feel comfortable. Just relax and enjoy the night, Sherlock." Scott laughed and patted Stiles on the shoulder.

But Stiles being well... Stiles wasn't done yet. "Yeah, are you sure that friend is the right word, Mr. Know-It-All Alpha?" Stiles smirked and pulled out his phone from his pocket as if it was an ace hidden in his sleeve. "This," Stiles exaggerated as he unlocked the screen and opened the gallery, "This, my dear wolfy friend, is NOT an 'I like you as a friend'expression." Stiles shoved his phone into Scott's face.

It was a snapshot Stiles managed to take sometime during their dinner. It was a picture of Theo smiling and gazing at Liam as he talked about riding a horse without a saddle while dealing with the Wild Hunt and feeling like a cowboy. "What?" Scott furrowed his brows, now holding Stiles' phone in his own hand and studying Theo's face. "You all should seriously visit an eye doctor. I'm so done with you people." Stiles grumbled and leaned into his chair, folding his arms in a "I told you so" way.

And it finally started to add up, at least it did to Scott. Liam pulling Tbeo out of hell. Liam fighting along with Theo all alone in a hospital full of creatures that make you forget. Theo being the bait for Liam and redeeming himself by taking Gabe's pain away, so he could pass peacefully, while Liam was right there by his side watching. And here they were, Scott's little beta exaggerately talking about all of the adventures and how cool it was, and Theo being "zoned out" the whole night. At least that was what Scott thought until Stiles opened his eyes with the snapshot.

Theo wasn't uncomfortable in the pack's presence. In fact, he managed to ignore everybody, even Malia who wouldn't shut up about this being a "pack night out" and Theo definitely not being pack. He didn't care about anybody here. He had eyes only for Liam. And Theo was smiling as he listened to Liam's storytelling and his dramatic hand gestures and chuckles. And it wasn't Theo's famous smirk, like the one that told you he'd be making fun of you later.
It was a genuine smile. A more than friendly smile. Theo's eyes were smiling too and Theo tried to hide his mouth with the palm of his hand. It was love.

"Stiles, I-" "Yeah, Scotty. I know. I'm always right and you're wrong. Now tell me something I don't know." Stiles snorted and wiggled his brows at Scott. "Idiot."

"Sooooo how long?" Stiles hummed as he stuffed his mouth with mashed potatoes. "How long what?" Scott was confused. "Ughm," Stiles lifted a finger as a wait signal, until he swallowed, "Until they confess their love for each other?" "You think Liam likes Theo back?" Scott really shouldn't be surprised at this point but still somehow managed to be. "Dude, pay attention to your beta more, for God's sake! Liam's been eyefucking the goddamn chimera the whole night!" Stiles almost squealed. "Should I take another pho-" "No, Stiles. No."

And really, after a while of nonchalant watching, Scott really did see what Stiles was talking about. His little beta had his eyes locked on the blonde guy with ruffled hair who was sitting next to him as if this was their last day together. "A week." Stiles spat out out of nowhere. "What now?" Scott chuckled. "A week. I give 'em a week. Then I intervene. I can stand this eyefucking business for seven more days. Not less, not longer. After that, if they don't confess, I'll make them. Even if it should include torture. " Scott started laughing wholeheartedly.
"You know, I think you should drop the FBI career, Stiles." What?!" "You'd do better as a dating coach." "Go stuff yourself, dude."

A/N: Hiii darlings! Sorry for leaving you hanging, but I had a bit of a block. Plus this photo has been lying in my phone gallery for a while now and I really liked it becuase it had a great story background potential, but I haven't managed to come up with a good story until now!
I really hope you enjoy this one and don't forget to leave feedback here 🥺❤️ I'd love to hear your opinions 🤩🥰
Love you and thank you for reading!