Ever since being turned Liam had decided the worst thing about being a werewolf, Minus the almost constant near-death experiences, was the sense of smell. Sure, the enhanced hearing could suck at times but it was fairly easy to just...not focus on the sounds outside the room you were in. It was simple to focus on one small thing, a heartbeat, the ticking of a clock, until the sense felt fairly normal. Scent, however, was almost impossible to ignore.

It wasn't just the bad scents, because sure, walking past, or into, any public toilet was enough to leave Liam gagging but the good scents, the ones that used to bring comfort could sometimes be strong enough to bring on a migraine as if he'd spent the past 12 hours in a Lush store snorting bath bombs.

It was the way Masons cologne left his stomach churning and how sometimes, when he'd walk past someone he'd get a sickening whiff of their emotions that left his nose itching like he needed to sneeze.

Not only was his sense of smell a pain in the ass, but other werewolves sense of smell also seemed to be out to get him. With how Scott would scent his chemosignals and try to fix problems Liam hadn't even realized he was having yet, or how Brett had always seemed to use it like a game, poking and prodding until his nostrils would flare as he caught Liam's anger and he'd smirk like he won.

Overall, the enhanced sense of smell was just... not fun. It wasn't something Liam wanted and really, he barely used it intentionally, he'd much rather just listen for danger than smell for it. But the thing about scent was that, unlike the hearing, he couldn't turn it off.

However, waking up surrounded with the scent of fir and citrus Liam could barely remember why he ever had any ill-feelings towards the sense, because surely, anything that let him wake up feeling like he was literally being hugged by Theo's scent couldn't be a bad thing.

Liam could hear the soft hum of Theo's breathing and feel his chest rising and falling slowly beneath his own. He blinked his eyes open, finding his face burrowed into Theo's neck like he was some sort of vampire.

He thanked his healing as he shifted back, positive that without it he'd have a hard time ever moving again from the awkward position he'd slept in. Knee's still braced either side of Theo's thighs and back curled uncomfortably for him to fit his head beneath Theo's jaw. Liam moved slowly, joints creaking uncomfortably wondering how the hell he'd ever managed to fall asleep at such a position.

One look to Theo told him that the chimera would probably be wondering the same thing once he woke up. His neck flopped back between the dip in the headrest at an angle that almost made it look broken, lips parted and a small trail of drool leaving one corner.

Liam felt a smile forming as his eyes flickered over Theo's sleeping form.

He'd made out with Theo. Hell, he'd rutted on the older boys' lap like a horny teenager. Which, true, he may be just that but it didn't make the thought any less daunting knowing that he'd actually turned into the sort of person who got to second base in the backseat of a car where anyone could walk past and see them.

Liam's eyes flickered to Theo's lips, still parted as he breathed soft and even, and Liam was sure he shouldn't be bitter that he wasn't snoring but honestly, it would be nice if Theo could snore just once so Liam could return the mocking. They looked normal, the same as they always did, pink and full and shouldn't there be something, some kind of tell, a little sign dangling off his cupid bow that said 'hey I made out with Liam last night'. With Theo's neck stretched back the way it was Liam could see the distinct lack of marks that Liam knew for a fact he had left the night before, quickly moving enhanced healing to near the bottom of the con list of pros and cons of being a teenaged werewolf.

His tongue darted out across his lips, as if he'd still be able to taste Theo on them, eyes roaming Theo's neck as he tried to figure out just how hard he'd have to suck and bite for a hickey to be semi-permanent. That's if Theo would want to have a repeat of the kissing thing. What if he didn't? What if Liam was a terrible kisser, what if Theo was straight?

Liam let out a small snort of laughter at the last thought, he was fairly sure that no straight guy would be quite so happy to have an enthusiastic Liam sucking on their neck in the backseat of the truck.

So, Theo wasn't straight but that still begged the question, would he be interested in a repeat performance? He shook his head, not only had Theo said he could kiss him he'd been the one to actually end up doing it after Liam's first failed attempt, he'd also invited Liam into the backseat. Theo probably, maybe, hopefully, was on the same page as Liam, a page that read like Oliver Twist asking for more food. Liam chewed his lip, eyes flickering to the front seats, his phone screen glinted against the Florida sun as it sat out on the dash.

He'd like to say Theo would be likely to say something and screw it all up. That he'd make it awkward and leave them both swallowing their words and shying away from one another until Theo was leaving for Idaho and Liam was finding out exactly what it felt like to have his heart ripped out of his chest. But, well, Liam liked History, and if their history told him anything it was that he'd be the one to screw it up. He'd say something wrong, or say nothing at all. Or assume the wrong thing and leave them both embarrassed, or more, Liam embarrassed when he assumed they were dating and Theo admitted they were just screwing around.

Liam's eyes shifted back to Theo. Were they dating? Theo technically agreed to a first? Or was it second? or ninetieth? Date. Liam really wasn't sure what they'd eventually settled on. Ninetieth date was really dating, that was like, dating dating, anniversary style dating. First date was still something you could so easily be ghosted after. It was a test run, a 'do we mesh at all' What if Liam was ready for the ninetieth date and Theo was only on the first date, what if-

I need to talk to Mason, Liam thought desperately. If only so Mason would stop him from over-thinking everything and making it worse than it had to be. He looked back to the phone.

Leaving Theo to wake up alone seemed like a dick move. He was sure even Theo would overthink if he woke up to his maybe date and temporary 'roommate' nowhere to be seen. Unless, he got breakfast, that was a legitimate excuse to leave the car. He could leave a note.

But what would the note say? What exactly do you put in a note to explain you've gone to get breakfast for you and your sort of date person. Would Theo expect a kiss at the bottom? Or would that be too forward? Would Liam be expected to bring flowers back or-

Maybe. Liam decided, if he just went really fast, he could have a speed 'calm me down' conversation with Mason, get breakfast and return to the car before Theo even woke up. It wasn't like Theo was the healthiest of sleepers, he'd probably happily sleep another few hours as long as he didn't have a nightmare.

That way Liam wouldn't have to leave a note, or even talk to Theo before Mason had explained backseat-make-out-morning-after etiquette. He nodded to himself, lips pulling down in an impressed little turn. It was a decent plan, he was a werewolf, he could be fast.

Liam scrambled, moving to throw himself off of Theo's lap, between the seats, grab his phone and dive out the car for the hurried phone call. Only for his plan to be foiled before it begun. He let out a yelp as his head collided with the roof of the truck, closer than he expected thanks to being perched on Theo's lap. He reeled forwards again, trying to get his head away from the pain only for his forehead to hit with a solid clump against Theo's leaving another flare of pain snapping through his head and Theo waking up with a string of curses. Liam tossed himself back, trying to avoid a third knock on the head as Theo's hand came to meet his head. His butt tipped off of Theo's knee's, bent legs doing little to help his balance as he tumbled down, slipping between the back seat and front console with a loud thump. He hit the floor of the truck, body folded like a camp bed, ankles still splayed either side of Theo's legs as he tried to wiggle himself free.

"What the-" Theo grumbled, voice raspy with sleep. Liam raised his eyes slowly, meeting Theo's gaze sheepishly from his prison between the sheets. The chimera scrubbed the blossoming red mark on his forehead, squinting tiredly down at him. "What are you..." Theo broke off, mouth hanging open as Liam could see the questions spinning behind his eyes. "No, you know what, it's too early for this." Theo decided. Moving his hand from his bruised head to wipe the drool from the side of his mouth. Liam watched helplessly when Theo looked down at him eyebrow arched in confusion. Not a single hint of 'We made out last night' nerves showing on his face. "Breakfast." Theo said. "then you can explain-" He waved a hand in Liam's general direction. "-This."

*

By the time Theo was finally driving them away from their hidden place amongst the palm tree's Liam was no less confused about what they were doing. Theo was acting normal, laughing at Liam as he tried to wiggle himself out from his prison trapped between the seats and moving on as if Liam hadn't apparently fallen asleep on him at some point during a make-out session. Or as if there had been no make-out session at all.

Liam would worry he'd dreamt the whole thing were it not for the fact he could remember a distinctly dirtier dream, growing fainter with the second and he hadn't woken up on Theo's lap. It happened, and really, that should be all that mattered, that Theo had not only let Liam kiss him but agreed to a date and then ended it by making out with him but, well... Liam couldn't figure out what it meant.

In fact, the only thing he thought he understood better that morning than the night before was turtles, and how they felt when they're trapped on their backs. And he honestly felt jealous of them, because sure, maybe they would end up dying but at least they just had to deal with gulls eating them alive and not the cackling laughter of a guy they like as they watch them fail to turn back over.

The road soared past outside the windows, Theo tapping a beat against the wheel as he drove, for once, it wasn't that of his heart but just of the song playing softly on the radio. Liam chewed his lip eyeing his phone, still sat on the dash, sliding precariously every time Theo took a turn.

He couldn't call Mason with Theo in the car, or even within hearing distance. Which meant he was on his own. Liam took a deep breath, letting it fill his lungs slow and steady as he tried to come up with a new plan. A plan that hopefully wouldn't end in him being lodged between the seats of Theo's car with two lumps forming on his head.

A small part of his brain said to him 'just ask' to turn to Theo and say 'what are we?' Or at the very least 'will we make out again in the future?' It sounded an awful lot like Mason but was drowned out by another voice. A voice that sounded a lot like Corey telling him to just go with it, to convince Theo on another date and kiss him as if there was no doubt about what they were doing. There was a last voice, quieter than the Mason voice that he was fairly sure sounded like Stiles that whispered once 'crash the car then you don't have to worry about it' Liam shoved voice number one and three to the side.

He could ask Theo on a date. Breakfast dates were a thing, right? Or more, brunch. They could go to brunch. Somewhere fancy perhaps, somewhere that Theo would know instantly was a date. Liam grabbed his phone, surfing for something date-like for them to do near the area. Theo whistled along to the music. It wasn't long before he found somewhere, it looked nice enough to be considered date material but not too nice that he feared they'd be kicked out for the sand still no doubt lurking in their hair and the dirty sneakers they both wore. With one more deep breath, Liam spoke.

"If you turn up here we can go for breakfast at-"

"Nope." Theo said jauntily. Like he wasn't crushing Liam's dreams with the single word.

"Nope?"

"There's a McDonald's up ahead and-"

"Or, we could go to this place, it's way nicer than Mc-"

"We haven't got the money to go anywhere nicer than McDonald's." Theo snorted. "So just-" Liam sneered in distaste. McDonald's wasn't somewhere for a second, or maybe third, or maybe nearing hundredth date. It didn't say 'let's make out again'. If anything, it said 'I want you to die young of obesity and heart disease'.

"Dude no." Liam decided. He was going to get his brunch. "I'm not eating there again not after-" Liam broke off as Theo's eyes flickered to him, a question in his eyes. Liam swallowed thickly, wondering how to say 'after we got to second base'. Was it second base with a guy? Technically Theo didn't have breasts, but Liam had touched his chest did that count or-

"After?" Theo prompted, voice low and amused as if he knew exactly where Liam's train of thought was going.

"After how much McDonald's we've eaten so far this trip." Liam said, Theo snorted, like he didn't believe Liam for a single second.

"Well, that's what happens when you blow all our money on-"

"Wait what, when did I blow all our money? I'm not the one who got those lame Gaston cups-"

"They're great." Theo said stiffly, Liam wondered how he could ever be scared of Theo when he was the kind of person to actually actively defend buying Gaston mugs. "And you're the one who got us kicked out of Disney world, which wasted a few hundred-"

"Woah Woah Woah! You punched me! I had nothing to do with us getting kicked out-"

"You made me punch you." Theo scoffed.

"I made you?" Liam chuckled bitterly "I did not make you. You could have-"

"Yeah, you made me." Theo said. "So, you're just going to have to deal with Mc-" And honestly, screw Theo and stupid brunch, as long as they weren't going to McDonalds Liam would be happy.

"I'm not eating another egg McMuffin for breakfast."

"Then get something else."

"Theo, that's not-"

"We don't have any money, Liam. I doubt we even have enough gas money to get To New York let alone do anything while we're there so just-"

"Wait, we're not going to New York?"

"I didn't say that." Theo said placatingly. "We just need to be careful with money, really careful. Sell your kidney careful."

"We're not selling my kidney!"

"Then shut up and let us go to McDona-"

"Look, there's a superstore!" Liam said, jabbing a finger at the signpost as it flashed past. "We can go and get like a bunch of food that will keep so we don't have to buy more." And then perhaps Liam could trick Theo into having an actual picnic. That was romantic right? Picnic's, it could be a budget date.

"Fine. But we're writing a list."

*

Even with the list Theo eyed each item on the shelf like buying it could lead to a death sentence. Instead of turning to survey the rest of the aisle. Arguing with Theo over money really hadn't been how he'd hoped the morning would go but all in all, it wasn't too bad. At least it wasn't awkward. Just irritating.

It wasn't that Liam didn't understand running out of money sucked but they'd done okay so far. They could find another casino, or another acting job that didn't end in someone almost getting pimped out. Even if worst came to worst and they really couldn't get any more money and ran out then yeah, it would suck, but it wasn't like they'd end up living on the streets.

They'd probably just end up bored and bickering until Liam's Mom came to beat their asses for being so irresponsible and dragged them home by their ears to face a few weeks of grounding. And Theo wouldn't even have to deal with that, he could go back to his place, or disappear off to Idaho. Either way, he could leave Liam to deal with the brunt of his worried mother.

And at least it would be a good story to tell in the future. How they got stranded on the other side of the country with naught but each other and a truck that ran out of gas. It'd be an interesting end to an epic adventure.

While Theo continued to bargain hunt with the ferocity of Liam's Nan on Black Friday Liam busied himself with squinting at the only other occupant of the aisle trying to figure out why he felt like he knew him. It was a boy around their age, wearing jeans that looked so skinny Liam was sure he'd never be able to have kids and a flop of hair that would have suited someone from a boy band.

Liam had just decided that the Jonas brother just happened to have one of those faces and was readying to turn back to Theo and insist he hurry the hell up when the kid turned. His eyes swept right past Liam as if he were a ghost, landing on Theo. A smile formed on his face, slow and sure like a sunrise leaving Liam's eyebrow arching and lip curling.

"Hey!" He called, marching over, basket swinging from his arm. "Theo, that you man?" Liam reeled back, eyes snapping to Theo as Theo was finally drawn from his bargain hunting, eyes finding the Jonas brother and brow crinkling. Liam had a moment where he was ready to laugh because sure, a random somewhat attractive guy may know Theo's name but Theo clearly didn't know him when the confusion clouding Theo's gaze cleared and a smile lifted on his face, soft and loft.

"Austin?" Theo said, shoving their basket of cheap food into Liam's arm's like he was little more than a coat rack and moving over to meet the Jonas brother. Liam scrambled after him. "What are you doing here?"

"Me? Dude, I'm not the one who's meant to be in Cali." Austin said with a laugh, clapping Theo on the shoulder as if they were old friends. Liam was fairly sure It was weird to feel insulted that Austin didn't immediately get a punch in the face for the friendly movement and yet he could feel a growl building in his chest. He shoved it down, settling instead for glowering at the stranger.

"Yeah well, we got sidetracked." Theo said.

"Yeah, I can see that. " Austin said with another bright laugh, his eyes finally settled on Liam, smile only growing as he reached out to pat Liam's arm like he had done Theo's a moment before, entirely unperpetrated at the glower Liam was sending his way. "Cougar Bait! Good to see you again buddy. How you guys been? How was the uh...Was it a water park you were going to?"

"Cougar ba-" Liam began to question.

"It was great." Theo said eagerly. "Liam almost cried because the slides were too high but-"

"No, I didn't."

"Sure, you didn't, Pumpkin." Theo snorted, not even taking his eyes off of Austin. "So, what are you doing here? I thought you were going to Dakota?"

"We did." Austin said. "Dude we've hit like... five states at least since I last saw you."

"And when was that?" Liam asked. Both boys ignored him.

"Are you hanging around here for a while?"

"Well-" Theo started.

"No." Liam said, once again he was ignored.

"Oh man come on. We're doing a gig over at Ronnie's, you should come."

"We haven't really got the money to get into a-"

"Dude, I'm in the band." Austin snorted, slapping Theo's arm again. Liam grit his teeth, glowering as the arm didn't move and instead Austin shouldered Liam out of the way to stand at Theo's side, arm slipping around his shoulders as he herded him down the aisle like a sheep. "I can get you in for free." And really, it explained the jeans.