Preacher's Son

Chapter 9

A/N: Shocker, this story is not fluffy and it has taken a dark turn... nobody is surprised lmfao

"Do you believe in God?" Liam asked, his blue eyes meeting those of his friends. Stiles was taken back by the blunt question but he found himself siting beside him, "sorry, you don't have to answer..." Liam said, bringing his knees to his chest.

"I believe there is something out there, maybe not necessarily a God, but something," Stiles admitted, looking up at the stars of the night sky. Liam nodded, feeling comforted by his answer. "What makes you ask that?" Stiles asked curiously, Liam had never shown much doubt of faith. Sure, he didn't seem as religious or preachy as his father was but Stiles had always assumed Liam did believe in it.

"I think I'm gay," Liam admitted, feeling almost dirty for saying it out loud. He would be panicked telling most people, but not Stiles. He knew Liam had kissed a boy before and he didn't judge him for it.

"That's okay if you are," Stiles said, a cooling breeze blowing them from their spot-on Liam's roof. "But I wouldn't go telling too many people," Stiles added, although that was what he didn't want to hear he knew Stiles was right.

IF people in the town found out it wouldn't take long before word spread and his father found out, the preacher's son gay. He would be punished severely, and he knew it, he couldn't risk the wrong people knowing.

"But I support you no matter what Li," Stiles said with a soft smile, letting the younger boy's head rest on his shoulder, "you can't pick who you love and if you like guys, that's okay."

Liam nodded, feeling relaxed having not only come to terms with his sexuality but having said it out loud. It washed over a sense of calm he didn't know he had been deprived of, "you're the best," Liam said.

"I know," Stiles laughed, "Isaac's fine by the way," he added. Liam raised his head, it had been a few days after the party. "He didn't need stitches, his father didn't really care to be honest..." he added.

"How do you know?" Liam asked, although that was kind of a stupid question. Stiles knew everyone and everything, it didn't stop Liam's curiosity. "Like, who told you?" he added.

"Malia," Stiles said, he had hung out with her the day after the party. The two surprisingly got along well, one on one. Which Stiles hadn't expected, he originally thought she was intimidating, she still was.

But he felt more comfortable with her now and she laughed at his stupid jokes, and she found him interesting, she was definitely out of his league though. But that didn't stop him from wanting to impress her, but she stated he didn't need to try.

"I should get going before my dad sends out a search party," Stiles laughed, sliding down the edge of the roof. Given the fact that it was night-time, Liam wasn't supposed to have friends over, so Stiles snuck over.

"Be safe," Liam said, watching as Stiles jumped down. Almost always stacking it as he did, Stiles gave him a final wave before he began to walk home. Liam let out a sigh, tilting his head up he stared at the stars.

He hadn't spoken to Theo since the party, the older boy had been ignoring his calls. But unfortunately for Theo that wouldn't last because they had church tomorrow, so Theo would have to talk to him.

Liam was determined to find out why Theo bailed on him, where he had gone and why he was ignoring him. Liam had opened up to him and for what? For Theo to leave him? Liam was determined and he would find out why, whether Theo liked it or not.

-

The service today felt longer than normal, the usual kind of stuff was being talked about. Praying, repenting, anti-gay this and anti-gay that. The same shit that Liam had been hearing since he was a baby, except his mind wasn't focusing on it.

He was more concerned with Theo, he hadn't shown up to church today. Apart of his bail was attending, Liam hoped this wouldn't get him into too much trouble. Once the service was over Liam turned, almost bumping into someone.

He looked up to see Isaac, "oh hi," Liam said looking down and to the side, "have you spoke to Theo lately?" he couldn't help but ask. He needed to know that the firebug was doing okay, Isaac's eye roll did little to put his mind at ease.

"I think it's best you leave him alone Liam," Isaac said, ignoring the way Liam's brows furrowed at his words. "I hate to play devils advocate but... you two? It's not going to work out and you know it," Isaac said, this time in a lower voice to keep it hushed from prying ears.

"What?" Liam asked taken back, what did he know? "What do you mean us two? He's my friend," Liam said shaking his head, "have you spoken to him or not?" he asked again, this time in a firmer tone.

"I have and I'm telling you to leave him alone," Isaac said, his taller frame towering over the shorter boy, "he doesn't want to speak to you, just let him go," he stated before walking off.

Liam looked down, what the fuck? Looking up he caught sight of someone in the door frame of the church building, it was Theo. He began to walk forward when a hand on his shoulder stopped him.

He whipped his head around prepared to see Isaac but instead he recoiled once he saw his father's face. "Where do you think you're going?" Dean asked, his eyes cold and his voice raspy.

Liam looked down, "Theo missed the service today, I was going to see if he was okay? If maybe I could help him," Liam explained, it wasn't a complete lie.

He watched as his father's eyes narrowed to Theo before back to his son, he released his grip on the boy.

"Fine, go..." Dean said brushing Liam's white button up down, "be quick we need to clean up," he said even though Liam knew we meant him. Dean never lifted a finger, it was always Liam who did the cleaning up and packing away.

But when Liam turned back to the door Theo was gone, Liam walked towards the door but there was no sign of him. It was as if he was never there to begin with, he was gone.

A/N: Thank you aathmanr for going over everything prior and for your suggestions!

Published: 24th October 2023
Word count: 1125