I Was Hoping For A Quiet Life, But You Gave Me So Much More

You're Fucked

Liam immediately noticed the change in Theo's demeanor. When he had just been a wolf, Liam had felt like he could read and understand how he was feeling. He'd originally assumed he was just able to read the animal's body language, the curve of his back, or when the hair on his neck would stand up, but after he'd met the real Theo, he realized he was wrong. It was all in his eyes.

When Liam first started to be around Theo after his transformation he noticed the relative lack of emotion he showed around other people. He tried to keep his body position neutral, his face blank. Even his tone was generally even. But around Liam, he was entirely different. His movements were much more relaxed and fluid, whether he was falling to lay down on the couch. Or snaking his arms around Liam's waist to kiss the top of his head.

What he hadn't realized until later was that while his body was neutral, and his facial expression was generally blank, his eyes seemed to change, just slightly. It was his tell.

If someone made a joke, and he was too uncomfortable to laugh, the corners of his eyes would crinkle just enough for Liam to notice. When he was sad or upset, his eyelid fell just a little bit lower. And when he looked at Liam's eyes, wanting to say goodbye, but feeling too uncomfortable to kiss him with people in the room, his eyes would shine with a sea of 'I love you's.

Liam knew that his father had gotten home. He knew that Theo knew. Because, while his body barely moved, Theo couldn't hide the fire behind his eyes.

Theo's voice brought him out of his thoughts, "Liam."

"I know," Liam said, his voice was steady, sure.

Theo seemed slightly surprised, but he clearly didn't think now was the right time to ask. "Do you want to stay up here?"

Liam shook his head, "No...I want him to know that he can't hurt me anymore."

___________________

Isaac paid attention to the movement of the air in his lungs. He focussed on his own fluid breath, and the steady beating of his heart. He was surprised at just how calm he felt. The usual skip of his heartbeat and contracting of his chest at the thought of seeing his father again was gone. He knew he was safe. Because Derek was standing in between the door and himself. He knew they were safe because Theo was upstairs with Liam, and he knew Theo would protect him at all costs. He knew he was safe because Scott's hand was held in his own.

They weren't fighting this war alone anymore.

___________________

The sound of the front door opening was followed quickly by a familiar voice.

"Who in the hell are you? And why are you in my house?" he yelled.

Isaac watched as Derek moved from out of view, not saying a word.

"Hey, get away from me! I have a g-" Isaac could only assume he was going to say 'gun' not that it would have been effective, even if Derek hadn't ripped it from his hands the minute he was within reach.

Scott and Isaac moved towards the entrance to the hall when they heard a loud groan, a crash, and the sound of wood splintering. When they rounded the corner, Derek was standing over a figure who was groaning after clearly just being tossed over a, now broken, end table.

"What in the hell-"

"Don't speak." Derek spoke in a voice so sharp and deep, that Isaac barely recognized it as his.

"Who-"

Derek placed his hand around his neck, picking him up easily and slamming him into the wall next to the front door. Isaac heard a brutal crack that could only have been the breaking of drywall.