ASHES ASHES | teen wolf

six. how i met liam's mother

Nova was understandably nervous as she and Liam walked to his house, worried that appearing uninvited by his parents wouldn't be a welcome surprise for them. She didn't want to impose or make them feel obligated to have her visit, and the idea that she would be forcing her presence nearly made her start biting her lip raw.

Liam didn't seem to notice exactly how nervous Nova was, or maybe he did and that was why he was so lively.

"He started teaching me simple things at first, you know? Throwing a ball back and forth, shooting into the net. He meant it as a distraction, I think, he and my mom definitely weren't expecting it to become an obsession."

His hands were waving in the air as he spoke, a large grin overtaking his features as he moved around, practically hopping from the excitement.

Nova grinned at him, fiddling with a strand of hair that had fallen across her shoulder as she held her violin case up to accent her point. "I get it," she assured him. "Mom used to show me simple things when I was little, notes and proper bow movements for the violin and cello... nothing too exciting, but it meant the world to me so she gave me real little lessons. When she died, I didn't really understand it, but I knew that playing made me feel closer to her. My dad always encouraged me, but I don't think he expected me to get to this point."

Liam's eyes were wide as she spoke, a soft smile forming on his face as she glanced at him. She felt heat rush to her face as she took the expression in, blinking in surprise. "What? Why are you looking at me like that?"

He shook his head, his own cheeks coloring slightly. "It's just... you look at peace, even when you're excited or nervous. I've never seen someone as... serene as you? If that makes any sense... I just feel really calm when you're around."

Nova laughed, the sound bursting from her chest without her permission, really. "Serene? Liam, I can barely talk to people without wanting to hide under a rock."

"That's not it," he corrected, humming as he stopped outside an adorable two-story house. "You're just soothing I guess, you don't judge or push me. It's just easy to be around you."

Nova felt her grin widen a little, tightening her grip on her backpack. "You don't make me want to hide," she said honestly, watching as Liam's eyes widened a little. "Like, I'm not worried about what you'll think about me... it's really refreshing."

Liam's grin was even wider than hers at this point, making her shuffle on her feet in embarrassment. "Sorry," she mumbled, making him shake his head.

"Don't be!" He assured her. "I called you serene, remember?"

Nova snorted a little at the comment, not missing the way Liam seemed to brighten from it. "Yeah, I think calling you safe is a little better than that."

Liam shook his head before gesturing to the house they were in front of, already heading up the stairs. "Come on, Mom should be home, I'm not sure if Dad has a shift at the hospital though."

Nova almost hesitated but took a bracing breath before jogging after him, stumbling on the steps as the door opened before Liam could get his key out of his bag. A woman was standing in front of them with a grin as she took in the sight of Nova wobbling as she tried not to fall on her face and Liam turning to grab her, a laugh escaping him as he managed to pull her safely onto the porch.

Turning back to the woman who must have been his mother, Liam grinned. "Hey Mom, this is Nova."

Nova grinned weakly as she managed a small wave, watching as the woman's smile softened. "Hi," she practically squeaked, poking Liam in the ribs as he snorted at the pitch of her voice.