All about control

we can't giggle, it's a crime scene (december)

So, they don't talk about it, and things go on as normal.

Even though Liam witnessed probably one of his worst panic attacks to date, they don't talk about it. It doesn't stop Liam from giving him wary looks, though, almost like he's this fragile thing that's going to crack any second. Theo hates it more than anything, but he can't bring himself to say a word about it, because that would mean they have to acknowledge why Liam keeps looking at him like that. It's just not worth the worms that would crawl out of that can, so Theo keeps his mouth shut and Liam keeps pouting.

Things are normal.

So normal, in fact, that Liam continues to be an incessant gnat hovering around his ear.

Theo's phone chime's from where it's face down on the table, for the third time in under five minutes. He knows it's Liam and that this is the latest in his string of attempts to get him to talk, to open up and be comfortable talking, but he's trying to get through this book with zero distractions. It's the first time in a while he's actually allowed himself time to enjoy a day off instead of making himself sick over it. Liam is making it increasingly difficult to do such a thing.

Theo sighs where he's curled up on the couch, squinting down at the words on the pages, rolling his eyes as his phone dings once again. He groans, slamming his book shut, flipping over to retrieve the device, more than ready to bite Liam's head off.

[Liam, 8:55am] Buzzfeed: What Kind of Toothbrush Are You?

[Liam, 8:57am] don't leave me on delivered

[Liam, 8:59am] click the link, Theodore.

Theo blinks down at his phone screen, irritation sizzling into confusion.

[Theo, 9:01am] Aren't you supposed to be in class? Why are you texting me?

He goes to set his phone down, ready to read again, but before he can, three little bubbles pop up. With a long, somewhat growling sigh, he waits for the reply Liam is already typing.

[Liam, 9:01am] This is more important than algebra, Theo.

[Theo, 9:02am] How the fuck is finding out what kind of toothbrush I am more important than you passing math?

[Liam, 9:03am] Theo, this is a vital part of knowing who u are as a person. stop being stubborn

Theo rolls his eyes, placing his phone back on the coffee table. It most definitely is not vital information, and the idiot can wait a few minutes. Ignoring the incessant buzzing, he shuffles into his kitchen to pour himself some coffee.  By the time he makes it back to the couch, he has four unread messages. He should have known that giving Liam his number all those months ago was going to be a horrendous idea.

[Liam, 9:03am] DON'T LEAVE ME ON READ

[Liam, 9:03am] THEO COME ON

[Liam, 9:04am] :( cmon

[Liam, 9:05am] i'll show you mine if u show me urs ;)

Theo promptly chokes on his coffee, the hot liquid shoots out of his nose and onto the table in front of him. He hisses, holding his nose in one hand and swiping blindly with discarded napkins leftover from a dinner he had with Anika last night with the other. By the time he pulls himself together, he's got another message from Liam waiting for him.

[Liam, 9:09am] i'm trying to give u the real teenage experience. Is it working?

Theo sends a few obscenities in reply, turning his phone on silent and continuing to read his book, refusing to think about the implications of that text and the way it made his cheeks flush. Liam is a fucking idiot.