Thiam: Times When We're Together

#3

Jane may hate whenever they call her 'mom' but she knows when she can act like one. Recently, it's been one of those times.

She eyed the chimera when she saw him jogging by the stairs to the front door, hurriedly wearing his hoodie.

"Theo?"

He looked up. "Yeah?"

"You've been hanging out with Liam a lot."

Theo blinked. "I noticed."

She smirked. "I haven't see you this jittery since Derek visited for the first time. But more with a gleam."

It took a second for him to process and when it hit him, he glared at her.

"We're just friends. Stop with that shit already."

The small heat in his words didn't faze her. "I didn't say anything."

Theo rolled his eyes. "What are you saying, Jay?"

She tilted her head to the side, deciding to go back to reading. "What do you mean 'what am I saying'? I merely observed how light you are these days. You even look fresh."

Theo looked down at himself before looking back at her, confused. Jane sighed.

     "I meant you look carefree, T."

The dawn of realization was obvious in his face.

"You rarely look like that and when you do, it's not like how you are right now. I just didn't think I should say something since you looked so..." Jane smiled softly at him. "Happy."

Theo growled silently, a bitter scowl formed on his face. "That word shouldn't be used to describe me."

"But it should." She closed her book again and patted the empty spot beside her. He sat without complaint.

"If you're gonna 'mom talk' me about something..."

"I'm not gonna 'mom talk' you." She mumbled, rolling her eyes. He's still not looking at her. "It's okay to be happy sometimes, Theo."

"Yeah, but I don't deserve it."

"Yes you do." She cuts him off, giving him a stern look. "You can deny me all you want, but you're also human. And you're allowed to be happy. I don't care if we repeat these kind of talks everyday, you'll have to get used to it."

She heard him sniff as he faced her, teary eyed, but there was amusement and relief there. 

"You said you're not gonna 'mom talk' me."

"That wasn't even a 'mom talk'." She sighed, exasperated. "And I'm not a mom."

Theo chuckled, albeit a bit wetly. "Sure you aren't."

Just then, he heard a buzz from his pocket.

Liam: dude, you on the way?

Jane read the text beside him. "What are you guys doing today anyway?"

"He said he wanted to roam around. Know the place better."

Jane nodded before hearing another buzz. She laughed.

"Someone's impatient."

Theo huffs dramatically, now standing up and headed for the door. "Yeah, he's always been like that." 

She smiled again before going back to her book.

"And uh, I might get home late tonight."

She waves her empty hand dismissively. "You? I've waited worse."