Archive of Our Own ^beta

“Hey, Theo.”

“Why’d you call me here Scott?” Theo asks, blunt as ever. It’s a big change from 9-year-old Theo. The one who said “please” and “thank you”, who spoke softly and hesitantly like he wasn’t sure anyone would listen.

Theo was sure now– sure of a lot of things. Scott wasn’t– isn't.

“I wanted…” Scott sighs heavily and his posture is slouched. He straightens and looks Theo dead in the eye. The problem with that, is looking into his kind eyes, Theo cannot hide from what he has done.

He killed his old childhood best friend. It wasn’t quick, it wasn’t merciful. It was long, a long few weeks of gaining his trust to then ruin his life… take his life.

“I want to talk to you about that night in the library.”

Theo swallows against the lump in his throat and almost chokes.

“You…you killed me. YOU KILLED ME!” Scott cries. Theo flinches and the force of Scott’s chemosignals set his nerves on fire.

“I don't… Please just, please. I want to know why. No, I need to know why Theo.” The moonlight highlights the tears that shine in Scott’s eyes.

“Please.”

“I did it to survive. I did it because I’m the bad guy Scott, and you’re the hero. I destroy things, that is what I do. That is why.” Theo’s fists clench and his tongue pokes his cheek.

“That is such bullshit! Stop. Lying to me.”

“You want me to be honest? Fine. I think you’re pathetic and have no self-respect. Here you are, begging me to tell you why I killed you, as if that’d make you feel any better.” Theo seethes and steps forward, pointing a finger in Scott’s face. “I wanted you dead. I wanted you out of the way. If you were smart, if you were really an alpha, you’d kill me right now.”

Scott growls and tackles Theo to the ground, pinning his arms down.

Theo doesn’t move. He doesn’t breathe. He can’t. Staring up at Scott, Theo can only imagine how it felt for him when his own beta attempted to kill him; when Theo pierced his organs with his claws, finishing the job.

“I could’ve helped you, Theo!” Scott exclaims. “We-we could’ve–”

“No Scott! You couldn’t have. You still can’t. I watched my sister die so I could have her heart. I spent years being operated and experimented on. I stopped feeling anything. Until…until I took my hand out of your ribs.”

Scott’s tears fall silently onto Theo. “I have never regretted anything more in my life. You’re good Scott. I tried to take your power before I realized it’s not your power that makes you special. It’s you.”

Scott slowly lets go of Theo’s arms and sits on his haunches, burying his face in his hands. Theo watches him silently sob and feels an overwhelming urge to reach out, to fix this. He sits up on his elbows and observes the wreckage of his actions. One of the people he hurt.

Scott moves to sit beside Theo’s legs and sniffs. He removes his hands from his tear-stained face and makes eye contact with Theo. “I’m sorry, Scott. If that’s what you want to hear.” Theo confesses quietly.

Scott laughs, it’s a bitter sound. “I’m not crying for myself you dick, I’m crying for you.”

Theo’s lips part in surprise. Before he can question Scott, he continues. “I can’t imagine what you’ve been through. Your sister, the Dread Doctors, everything. The Theo I knew is gone, which sucks. But what sucks even more is that you lost that Theo too.”

Theo’s breathing is shallow, his brows furrowed. Speechless.

“I’m sorry I let Kira send you to hell, Theo. I played a part in it too. Some sick part of me wanted you to suffer, to pay for everything you did. But that’s not fair. I’ve forgiven ‘enemies’ a hundred times over. You deserve a second chance too.” Scott gazes at Theo who fully sits up, across from him. He won’t meet Scott’s eyes.

“I deserve nothing, Scott. I–I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but it’s not right and for once in my life I want to try to do the right thing.” Scott has stripped Theo down, naked. Vulnerable and raw.

“If you want to do the right thing, let me forgive you.” Scott says quietly. “It’s what I want. And after killing me, I’d say you’re inclined to do what I want.” He jokes.

Theo scoffs. “That’s not funny.”

“I’m not being funny.” Scott stands up. “Come on, you’re not sleeping in your truck again.” He says, holding his hand out.

Theo searches Scott for any hint of a lie yet he finds none. Theo puts his hand in Scott’s and stands to his full height.

Scott begins walking to his car while Theo stands still. How can Scott forgive him? Why does he care if Theo sleeps in his truck or not? Scott McCall is one poor bastard. Theo guesses he’ll have to stick around to make sure no one else decides to take advantage of that.

“You comin’?” Scott calls, hand on the open door of his car.