Growing Sideways

four walls and a roof don't make a home, people do.

"Oh my god," Liam groans, kicking Theo's door closed behind him as he drops his backpack to the floor and kicks off his shoes making a beeline for the couch.

Theo stares at him from the kitchen, fork full of food halfway to his mouth. He sets the fork down, squinting as the beta drops face first into the cushion and yells.

"Yes, Liam, please feel free to arrive unannounced at any given time you want."

Liam grumbles something unintelligible into the cushion, lifting a weak middle finger in Theo's general direction. Theo just smiles, opening the fridge to grab one of Liam's favorite drinks before walking to the living room and sitting on the coffee table in front of the betas face.

He flicks the side of Liam's exposed ear, smile only growing as the beta turns to glare at him. Liam's fight dies quickly as he makes eye contact with Theo, a small smile growing on his lips.

"Hi," He says softly, crinkles growing by his eyes.

"Hi." Theo parrots, extending the drink to Liam who takes it graciously, sitting up to allow Theo his claimed spot.

(Lately they've lost the middle seat to Muffin. It's a futile attempt to try and get it back.)

Liam leans his head to rest against the back of the couch as Theo settles next to him, eyes falling shut as Theo reaches a hand across the space between them to scratch at the hair on the base of his neck.

Their hair is getting long again, Liam's is starting to curl at the base of his neck while Theo has been seriously contemplating whipping out some hair ties. And while Theo would never openly admit it, he loves Liam's curls more than he probably should.

"Last exam go okay?"

Liam hums, pushing his head further into Theo's hand. He's an overgrown puppy.

"Yeah, just long. I think the study guide is burned into the back of my eyelids. If I do another math equation it'll be too soon."

Theo chuckles, letting his own head fall against the couch to stare at his hand in Liam's hair. They've been doing this a lot more recently too. Just being in each other's space more often than not. Theo would call it a weird development but that makes it sound like he doesn't like it. Maybe at first it was odd, the touches, but he quickly learned it's just how Liam is. He touches, he appreciates being touched. Theo doesn't mind touching him. Win Win.

"What's the plan now, then?"

Liam rolls his head to the side to face Theo, his smile returning in full brightness.

"Spend the next few days on this couch doing absolutely nothing with you and our child-"

"Stop calling her that." Theo grumbles.

"Our child," Liam says again, louder this time. "Before we have dinner with my parents."

"Why do you assume I have nothing better to do than to spend the next few days doing nothing with you and the cat?"

Liam cocks an eyebrow at Theo, scoffing. "And, pray tell young Theodore, what exactly would you be doing? You work and spend time with me. That's it."

He smacks the back of Liam's head lightly, eyes narrowing. He's going to give him a broken nose for christmas, it's been a long time since they fought. He might appreciate the sentiment.

"You make me sound so boring."

"Theo, I'm your only friend."

On second thought, it might be an early Christmas gift.

He has no argument, knows Liam is right, and realizes the beta also knows that by the smirk he's sporting.

Theo buries his face into the couch and says quickly, all in one breath, "Fuck you, I hate myself."