Chapter Text
The fogged rolled into Beacon Hills like an eerie ghost at some point during the early winter morning thanks to the warm sun and damp cold front from the Pacific Ocean the day before. The sky was clear and the stars stubbornly hung onto the night as the first rays of the sun began to melt away the darkness. It would be a lie to say that it was completely silent this early, but it was certainly quiet as Liam stepped out into the crisp morning air and gently closed the front door behind him. Dressed in a black sweat shirt and gray workout shorts, Liam began lightly stretching and getting the blood circulating into his sleepy body before beginning his Tato’s morning workout.
At 18 years old, the youngest of the Alphas’ sons topped off at 5’8’ while his older brothers both topped off at 6’1’. Granted, the youngest pup (“Papa! I’m a senior! STOP CALLING ME A PUP!” “Never gonna happen, pup.” “ARGH!”) had filled out the most and was a veritable bruiser compared to Ethan and Aiden’s leaner but still no less intimidating builds. Derek was certainly proud of Liam being built more like him as opposed to Stiles and the twins being leaner. Not to say the Alpha wolf cared about Liam’s strength (and the teen certainly had that in spades), but Derek always felt his heart warm when someone pointed out how Liam certainly took after Derek more so than Stiles, at least physically. Liam had Stiles’ snark and wit which amused his parents and annoyed his uncles. His aunts all cooed at how Liam was an almost perfect blend of his parents.
Watching his breath swirl into mist as he breathed deeply, Liam’s ears picked up on quiet steps inside the house. Running his fingers through his long hair to comb it to the sides, Liam listened to the door behind him open softly before a soft chuckle had him turning. His Tato was dressed in a sleeveless black hoodie and gray sweats as he turned around to gently close the door as well.
At the sturdy age of 35, Stiles exuded health and power. Liam could see the whipcord muscles of his Tato’s arms and not for the first time thought about his parents’ reputation as extremely formidable and giving their little pack a very strong reputation. On the other hand, many people were shocked to find out that Stiles had college-aged sons and that his youngest was university bound. Then again, that’s what happens when you’re a teenage dad.
“Penny for your thoughts, Liam?”
Liam blinked and realized he’d been staring at Stiles. “Oh, uh, no. It’s nothing dad.” A soft smile and an upturned eyebrow had Liam caving. “I was just thinking of you and Papa.”
Both of Stiles’ eyebrows went up this time. “Anything in particular?”
Liam shrugged. “The future I guess? I’m not exactly sure…well, I suppose I’m not sure what I want to study at school? Um, you both are the Alphas but you also have normal jobs too? And I’m not sure what I should do too?”
His tato chuckled before jogging down to the sidewalk, a toss of the head for Liam to follow. Tucking his long blond hair behind his ears, Liam jogged behind his dad before catching up and meeting Stiles’ pace.
Early mornings as far back as Liam can remember always started like this. There was a time when He had to really push himself to keep up with Stiles’ long strides when he was much younger but these days he had no trouble matching stride for stride. When his brothers were home, the four of them all went for their morning exercise although it evolved significantly from the days Ethan, Aiden, and he used to considering the playground equipment sufficient training grounds.
Nowadays, the training style Stiles preferred had them heading to the woods and have sparring matches with his sons to keep their techniques sharp. Granted, Stiles was still undefeated against his sons but as they grew, Ethan, Aiden and Liam all began to branch out from kung fu and put up a better fight. Liam personally took to Brazilian jujutsu and could grapple as well as he could strike. His shorter height and reach made him a formidable opponent to anyone taller or had a longer reach if he got in close quick enough (which he could easily do thanks to his childhood training).
Stiles interrupted Liam’s introspection with a chuckle. “Well, look who decided to show up on our run. Again.” Liam snapped his head to the left and sure enough a distant figure could be seen jogging a bit faster than him through the fog in an attempt to catch up. Feelings his neck and cheeks flush, Liam ducked his head a little as his dad bumped into him lightly. “Aren’t you gonna say hi to your boyfriend?”
Liam stumbled slightly but righted himself quickly. “He’s not my boyfriend,” Liam whispered quietly. Stiles chuckled as he turned around and smoothly jogged backwards without losing speed or stride to wave at the figure behind them which had Liam hissing through his fangs. “What are you doing!”
Stiles turned back around and smirked, not even slightly winded or off put by his backwards jog. “Just being polite to a possible future son-in-law.”
“TATO!”
“Yes Liam?”
Unfortunately Liam didn’t get the chance to say anything as he heard his name being called behind him. Glancing over his shoulder, Liam caught sight of a familiar face dressed in blue skintight spandex, black running shorts, and a sleeveless skintight muscle shirt that had Liam’s heart skipping a beat because it wasn’t fair how that much muscle could be covered up and be obscene at the same time. Of course, it didn’t help that the steel gray eyes and bright smile were solely focused on Liam as Theo caught up to the father and son. “Morning Alpha, morning Liam.”
Stiles smirked as he glanced over his shoulder. “Morning Theo, joining us again?”
Liam mumbled so low under his breath, even a wolf couldn’t hear as Theo wiped some sweat from his eyes. “As long as you don’t mind, Alpha. It’s nice having company on my runs in the morning before I head to the garage even if it’s just for a few miles.”
At the mention of Theo’s job, Stiles actually grimaced. “Actually, we’ll probably need to swing by the garage later today.”
Theo threw his head back as he laughed. “I figured as much, it has been about six months since you’ve brought it the Jeep.” Theo grabbed the bottom of his shirt and yanked it up to wipe his face; Liam stared at Theo’s chiseled torso and quickly looked away, flushing hard and hot when he caught sight of one Theo’s nipples. Completely clueless to what he was doing to Liam since Theo was downwind, Theo let his shirt drop. “What’s wrong this time?”
Stiles frowned as he also wiped the sweat from his forehead while guiding the pair off the sidewalk and into the Preserve. “Honestly, I’m not sure. There’s a rattling sound that I’ve not heard before.”
Theo looked thoughtfully as he huffed slightly (Liam surreptitiously watching Theo’s chest bounce), “Sounds like it could be an exhaust problem. That’s actually new; it’s usually more an engine problem for the Jeep. Not gonna lie; that can be a serious problem.”
Sighing, Stiles began to slow his pace before finally stopping in the Pack’s favorite clearing. “Derek and I will drop it off later. Will you have time to look at it today?”
Theo grabbed the collar of his shirt and wiped his mouth as Liam yanked his collar open to let the heat escape. “Tato, don’t forget you have to pick up Ethan and Aiden from the airport today. The Camaro won’t have enough room for their luggage.”
“Damn, you’re right,” Stiles cursed. He turned to Theo again. “Would fixing the Jeep take long? Maybe we can cut the workout short and bring the Jeep in when you guys open?”
Theo shook his head. “There’s no telling how long it could be or if we have the parts to fix it. I’d really recommend not driving it much because I could be wrong and it could be an entirely different problem.”
Stiles sighed. “We’ll figure something out. Why don’t you go ahead and finish your run, Theo? We won’t keep you.”
Liam watched a drop of sweat reach Theo’s nose and then drop onto his chest as Theo bowed his head slightly to Stiles. “Always a pleasure to have some company, Alpha.” Theo glanced at Liam and smiled with a wink. “Bye Liam.”
Liam barely squeaked. “Later Theo.”
Theo turned (giving Liam a spectacular view of his broad back) and ran off. Even though Theo graduated with Ethan and Aiden, he hadn’t left Beacon Hills like many others from his class. Theo loved cars and got a job at the local garage before school had ended. Given he was a coyote, his strength made him a big asset at the garage from twisting off rusted parts to easily moving large machinery on his own. Liam hadn’t really paid much attention to Theo during the brief year they were in school together but the coyote seemed to be popping up everywhere in the past year. The dopey smile on Liam’s face came up on its own when he thought about the last time he ran into Theo at the coffee shop.
“You’ve got it bad, Li-Li.”
Liam jolted slightly, suddenly remembering his dad was right there. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Stiles chuckled as he walked a few paces back. The playful smirk on his lips were betrayed by the hard stare as Stiles slid into his preferred opening stance with most of weight sitting on his back leg, his front leg straight with his body turned to the side, spear hands at the ready. “If you say so. Bring your A-game, pup.”
Liam shifted forward as well, hands into the clawed (figuratively for now), leaning forward on his bent leg with his back leg braced behind him, fangs sparkling in the morning light. “I’m not a pup!”
At an unheard, unseen signal, father and son charged each other at the same moment. Liam roared as he took the lead with a vicious tiger-claw punch straight for Stiles’ chest only to be met with his dad’s swift snake block, feeling once again the effortless ease his Tato diverted the strike and then feeling the familiar shock of pain of being also struck with in the armpit by a quick and fierce snake spear he couldn’t block from his angle. Hissing through his fangs at the pain, Liam changed tactics and tucked his shoulder down and tried to tackle spear his Tato to the ground to grapple him. Said tackle ended up with Stiles wrapping absorbing the blow, folding over Liam’s back with his own torso and wrapping his arms around his son’s waist. Following Liam’s tackle, Stiles pulled Liam up while he rolled onto his back, one knee coming up to rest on Liam’s chest and not allow his son to lock his arms around his torso as he had already done. With Liam’s momentum and Stiles’ controlled fall, Liam felt his feet lift off the ground and suddenly knew he lost as he felt his father pull, roll, and kick Liam up and over into the air. Father and son looked briefly at each other for the barest moment as Liam sailed over Stiles’ head before he landed hard, but tucked himself to absorb the throw and roll back to his feet. Stiles kicked both feet up and landed on his feet as well, ready for the fight to continue. Liam panted as Stiles flicked his hand up and gestured for his son to come at him. With golden yellow eyes, sharp claws, and wet fangs, Liam charged once more.
Except Liam seemed to stumble and groan as he clutched his head in his hands. Stiles knew this wasn’t normal. “Liam!”
Liam began to thrash about and howl all the while clutching at his head. Stiles couldn’t approach him without being clipped by a stray claw or fang. Feeling his magic rise to his summons, Stiles brought his hands up just as Liam reared back and let out a truly impressive roar that last for close to a minute before he finally let go of his head and collapsed onto his back. Stiles rushed to his son’s side and lifted his head onto his bent knee. “Liam! Come on, wake up!”
Snapping twigs and crashing had Stiles tensing a moment before Theo burst into the clearing, eyes shining, claws at the ready, and fangs snapping. Theo searched the area a moment before his eyes landed on Stiles and Liam’s prone form and ran over. “What happened?! Are you ok?”
“I don’t know! Liam just spazzed and then collapsed! I’ve never seen it before,” Stiles whispered before turning back to his son. “Liam, come on, wake up, wake up!”
A low moan had Theo and Stiles freezing as Liam began to rouse. “Oh, Mother Moon, I feel like I got hit by a truck. And why are you both so loud?”
Stiles let out a tense breath as he cradled the blond head on his knees. “Liam! You’re ok!”
“Tato, stop yelling.”
Theo was about to remark that Stiles wasn’t being very loud but his throat clenched up as Liam opened his crimson red eyes.