I wrote the other side of this, and I posted it first, got a lovely review, and got semi inspired to write this. It's really only semi canon but it follows the episode as much as I could make it.
Disclaimer: I don't own the angst ridden show that is teen wolf.
Stiles doesn't know what to do.
He always knows what to do.
But not this time.
Not this time.
This time, the girl he loves is standing with her foot about to be severed by a bear trap, of all things.
They live in a world with werewolves, and were-coyotes and God know what else, and her downfall is going to be a bear trap?
Really?
And he still doesn't know what to do.
Why does he not know what to do?
He is dimly aware that she is speaking and struggles back from the depths of his own brain to listen to her.
"Look for instructions." His mind is suddenly clear, and he mutters something in return, barely aware of what it is until Lydia snaps at him about animals not being able to read.
Oh. Right.
He scrambled around in the leaves until he finds a red label.
Shit.
"Shit." He says. The words look like they are in another language. His inability to read had momentarily been forgotten in the panic that had consumed him, and now his brain is possibly going into meltdown.
God bless Lydia Martin.
"You don't need the instructions. When was the last time you have ever used instructions, am I right? You don't need them, because you are too smart to waste your time with them, okay? You can figure it out, Stiles. You are the one who always figures it out. So you can do it. Figure. it. Out."
Stiles blinks up at her, choking back tears, and then something in his brain pipes up.
Well?
He brushes away dirt, and leaves, and knocks his knuckles into something metal. Clearing away twigs, he reveals a small wheel. Following it to its source, he realises, yes, this will disarm the trap.
"Okay, okay, here we go." He mutters, taking a deep breath. "Ready? Okay, here we go."
He twists.
Lydia springs forward, and he catches her, both of them flinching when the teeth of the trap clash together.
But she is safe, intact, and warm against him. He shudders, pulls her closer, and she rests her forehead against his cheek.
They are alright.
As long as he has Lydia Martin, he will be alright.