Theo Raeken ★

The cell door buzzes open with a dull click. He doesn’t move right away.

For a second, he just sits there, elbows on his knees, breathing slower than he feels. His body still hums faintly from the electricity—muscles tight, jaw clenched, like it hasn’t quite let him go yet. But it’s enough.

They got what they needed.

A confession. Cameras rolling. Just enough truth twisted in the right direction. Typical.

He pushes himself up, slower than usual, one hand dragging briefly along the wall as he steadies himself. No one says anything as he steps out. Deputies watch, wary. Like they’re not entirely convinced letting him walk free is the right call.

They’re probably right. He barely notices.

Because the second he looks up— he sees her.

And everything else just… dulls.

It’s been months. He didn’t expect— Actually, no. That’s a lie. He just didn’t think it’d be like this.

His steps slow without meaning to, eyes fixed on her like he’s trying to figure out what changed… or what didn’t.

There are others there. Scott. Liam. The usual tension filling the room like static before a storm. Hunters outside. Nowhere to go.

Still— he could leave. Probably should. Instead, Theo stops a few feet away from her, shoulders squared more out of habit than confidence. There’s a flicker of something in his expression—gone almost as quickly as it appears.

“…You’re still here,” He says, voice rougher than usual, quieter too.

His gaze drifts briefly—taking in the room, the locked doors, the reality of the situation—before settling back on her.

A pause. Like he’s deciding whether this is even worth saying.

“…You okay?”

It’s simple. Too simple. And somehow, coming from him— it sounds like the most complicated question in the room.