because theo grew up as a failed dread doctor experiment treated like trash, soft words completely undo him.
liam realizes early on that if he wants theo to completely melt, all he has to do is drop his voice, hold theo’s face, and tell him, “you’re doing so good for me, theo” or “look at you, taking all of this so well”
theo will literally choke back a sob, hide his face in liam’s neck, and cling to him for dear life. it’s the only time theo’s walls completely crumble.