"What are we?
Somewhere between fuck you,
and fuck me''.
Monday morning suddenly seemed so much brighter to Stiles. He was slightly late to his first class, one of his favourites, when Kira stopped him and Scott outside the coffee house.
She flew over to courtyard to them, her inky black hair shining in the breeze behind her. She jumped into Stiles arms, almost knocking his coffee over.
"Jesus Christ, Kira, no crack before noon - what have we told you?'' Stiles caught her in one arm, settling her small frame on the ground safely. Scott spluttered into his latte, grinning at the girl over the rim of his cup. She rolled her eyes at Stiles, choosing to mess up his hair even more than reply.
She bounced on her toes beside the two boys, grinning up at them. Her tiny, doll like features made her look almost elfin, her olive skin enhanced in the morning sun.
"I hardly seen you guys last night!'', She complained, pinching a piece off of Scott's muffin, "Where were you?''
Scott batted her hand away as she came back for a second bite, ignoring her whine as he held it aloft, far out of her reach. She stuck her tongue out at him, falling into step between the two boys as the walked across the busy quad.
"I was in the kitchen practically the whole night, I didn't see you'', Scott frowned.
"Probably because he was making puppy eyes at Allison the whole time'', Stiles scoffed, winking at Kira as the other boy turned pink, "He finally got to see the girl he's been gushing about the whole summer…'', Stiles trailed off, taking a sip from his cup.
Kira clapped her hands togetherness excitedly, gazing up at Scott as thoughts of fairy tales and marriage floated through her mind. The boy shook his head with a smile, already knowing what the girl was thinking. Kira was a sucker for romance and she had tried several times in the past to set both Scott and Stiles up on dates.
They never really went to plan and the closest she had managed was getting Stiles and Malia to sleep together. Several times. Drunkenly.
"It's only the third time I've met her Kira, please don't start picking colour schemes for the wedding ceremony yet'', Scott patted her head good naturedly, glancing at Stiles and sharing a smirk.
"Yeah, but you really like her don't you? And you were texting and emailing her, like, the entire summer!'', Kira told him this with a stern tone, almost daring him to disagree.
"Yeah, well, yeah - but that doesn't mean you get to be our first child's godmother… Just calm down'', the boy laughed at the girls crestfallen expression before deciding to quickly change the subject.
"Why not ask Stiles about his love life?''
Kira screwed up her nose, glancing at Stiles with despair. He made a face at her, only slightly insulted considering he knew what she was probably thinking.
"I don't think fucking Malia every way till Friday counts as Stiles' love life, Scott''.
Both boys howled at her crude language, always surprised when it occasionally popped out of her lips. Kira was five foot tall and not an inch over, no matter how much she would try and convince you otherwise. She wore sneakers and t-dye t-shirts and her long, black hair was usually always tied in plaits on either side of her head.
She was a few months younger than the boys and took Art and Digital Photography. Kira was a daydreamer with a dirty mouth, a little tornado of fierce emotions and loyalty. Scott and Stiles had gallantly rescued her from a bully in seventh grade and ever since, they adored her like the little sister neither of them actually had. Plus, they wouldn't have been able to get rid of her even if they wanted to.
"Uh, no, we're not talking about Malia, even though he did screw her last night…'' Scott punched Stiles on the shoulder, ignoring the way his best friend merely shrugged and grinned.
"We're talking about another lady that Stiles here has had a few run in's with - Allison friend and roommate, Lydia'', Scott continued with raised eyebrows and sparkling eyes, loving the way Stiles' lips twitched at the mention of her name.
Kira looked entranced, staring up at Stiles with wonder in her eyes. She gave out a little squeal, hanging on to his arm, "Is this an actual chance at a real, live, grown up relationship?''
Stiles waved her away, rolling his eyes at his friend's obsessive need to marry Scott or himself off. He tugged on her pigtail, grinning down at her.
"I've met this girl literally twice. The first, she slayed me in a bathroom whilst I was half naked and the second, she shut me down every time I tried to chat her up'', he took another drink of his coffee, relishing the way it gave him a little kick as he neared his department building.
"Oh yeah, she also attacked me with pepper spray and kicked me out of her room at two in the morning''.
Stiles stopped in his tracks, looking back at Kira who had suddenly halted at the bottom of the busy steps. Her eyes were shining with excitement and she was biting her lips, holding back the excited squeal that Scott and Stiles knew oh, so well.
"I need to meet this girl''.
Stiles chuckled, taking the rest of the stairs to the doors of the History wing. He quirked a knowing eyebrow at Scott who stood behind the girl, laughing into his coffee.
"I doubt that'll happen, Kira''.
"She sounds fucking amazing!'', she yelled, her pigtails bouncing as she gave her whole body a little shake.
"She has a boyfriend!'', Stiles sing-songed back, his smirk in place, "And she probably hates me!''
"Even better!'' Kira called up to him, letting Scott slowly lead her away to her own class, "It's about time someone knocked Stiles Stilinski down a peg!''
But the cherry on top of his sunny, Monday morning was him walking into his favourite class and being greeted by the sight of a strawberry blonde mess of hair in the back row.
He hardly heard Professor Hale's snarky reply to his weak excuse, instead staring at the back of Lydia's head as he walked towards her row.
His smirk was growing as he neared her and when he scooted past two girls, she turned, meeting his gaze. Oh, this was going to be a fun class.
The boy watched as Lydia swore under her breath and then so obviously checked him out - her big, doe eyes taking in his sunglasses, which were only placed over his red ones due to her antics last night. Her gaze dropped to his chest, lingering over his rolled up sleeves that showed off tanned forearms.
When he stopped beside her and sat himself into the neighbouring chair, her eyes flicked back up to his.
He grinned, a smile that he was now reserving just for her.
"Hello, Kitten''.
Lydia's lips fell into that pout that Stiles' was becoming so accustomed to. He took her in, drinking her up with his eyes. She was bundled into a sweater that looked far too big for her, the soft material rolled up her arms and skimming her thighs. He could just see the tattered denim of her shorts peeking out from underneath it and his eyes lingered on her bare legs longer than he could probably get away with. Again, too adorable for her own good.
When she tutted and crossed them, Stiles grinned, looking back up at her with an innocent expression that really didn't suit his face. In the background, Professor Hale was introducing their current topic, something about the studies of Lycanthropy and moon phases.
Lydia was hastily writing notes, ignoring how close Stiles' body was to her own as he reclined back in his seat. His coffee sat on his desk, the scent making her mouth water - she would have killed the boy for a sip of caffeine at that moment.
Stiles pulled his sunglasses off of his face, winking at her from red rimmed eyes.
Lydia scowled at him, deciding that she would kill the boy regardless of the incentive of coffee. His arm brushed her own as he took out his own notebook and she jumped away, making the boy smile.
They sat in an uneasy silence for a few minutes, listening to the professor explain the origin of the werewolf myths, telling them where the folklore started in the world. He pointed to maps and different continents, explaining tribal legends and superstitions.
Stiles momentarily forgot about the angry, little thing beside him - instead, sketching out rough maps and labelling each one accordingly. When he was listing down the different moon phases, he noticed Lydia staring at him and his work out of the side of her eye.
He leaned his cheek on his two hands, turning to face her with quirked lips, "Can I help you?''
Lydia flushed slightly at being caught, and Sties decided that if he could make her do that once a day, he would be a happy man. She flicked her long hair over her shoulder, trying her best to look nonchalant.
"You just seem really interested in this, that's all''.
Stiles eyebrows shot to his hairline as he listened to her admission. He smiled, leaning back in his chair and bringing his face closer to hers. Lydia swallowed audibly, wishing he didn't smell as good as he did.
"I'm quite the intellectual, Lydia, I am double majoring-''.
"Yes, you told me'', she whispered to him, not taking her eyes off of the board, "Forensic sciences''.
Stiles grinned, feeling a little giddy that she had remembered.
"I just didn't expect this to be the other major'', the girl continued, her eyes flicking from her paper to him, "It's a strange mix of interests, that's all''.
Stiles' lips stretched into a dangerous smile, looking at the girl from under his lashes. He let his knees fall apart slightly, his leg bumping into her own.
"I have a vast range of interests, Kitten, you should let me show you my favourites sometime''.
The boy smothered a laugh as Lydia flushed to the roots of her hair, her full lips falling into a little 'o' as her eyes became trapped by his gaze. He studied her, his stare flicking between her big, green eyes and that goddamn pouty, little mouth.
"You're incorrigible'', she hissed, her cheeks still adorably pink.
Stiles chuckled, eyeing their lecturer carefully as he walked along the aisle, handing out sheets of paper. He cupped his chin with his hand, leaning over Lydia's desk and brushing back her hair with the other. She froze under his touch but didn't move away.
"I didn't mention anything'', he drawled, "you're the one with the dirty mind. And besides, who takes this class as an elective along with Biochemistry and Ancient Languages?"
Lydia huffed at his words, shoving his elbow off of her desk and burrowing her nose in her notepad, ignoring the way he laughed softly beside her. She couldn't help but glance back up at him, his golden eyes shining back down at her.
They were quickly becoming her downfall, although she wouldn't admit it. The girl had never seen eyes so warm before, they lured her in with their amber shade; his long lashes making him look far too pretty for his own good.
Lydia was becoming increasingly aware that she had hardly taken any notes since Stiles Stilinski had sat down beside her.
His hands were still skimming over his paper as they exchanged heated words and smirking glances. She watched him write and doodle, moving quickly over the page. He held his pen so delicately, his long fingers tapping the desk to a silent beat.
His hands were a strange mix of graceful and strong, large and rough looking. They led up to forearms wrapped in muscles and Lydia found herself biting down on her lip as she surveyed him. His grey t-shirt brought out his warm skin tone and it clung to his chest, showing just the right amount of muscle that she knew lurked underneath.
Her mouth suddenly became dry.
It quickly dawned on Lydia that she had seen far too much of this boy. His body was already rather familiar to her, although, she would never admit to anyone that she knew Stiles' had a little birthmark on his right hip. She could feel her cheeks burning.
His body, whether it was wet, half naked or fully clothed, was something that she wasn't used to. Jackson had been very into sport his whole life, his teenage years being consumed by the gym and weightlifting. His stance wasn't nearly as tall as Stiles' and he was wide and bulky with muscle, where the other boy was lean and toned.
Like everything that Lydia encountered, she was curious and she wanted to investigate. But her current subject had suddenly turned his attention back to her, and was watching her, watch him.
That fucking smirk was already playing on his lips, his pen bitten between them. Lydia looked away quickly, her auburn waves falling into a curtain that separated the pair.
The footsteps of Professor Hale fell in front of the pair, his dark eyes appraising the duo in turn.
"Mr Stilinski, glad to see you in my class again'', He dropped sheets of paper on to the boy's desk before turning to Lydia, "And Miss…?''
Lydia startled, her foot brushing against Stiles' as she moved in her seat, "Martin! Lydia Martin, sir''. She smiled, taking the papers he held out to her.
"Excellent. Welcome to Folklore and Mythology, Miss Martin'', he stepped back out onto the aisle, walking down the steps as he continued speaking, "If you would now all turn to the person beside you…''.
The pair glanced at each other, one suspicious and one charmingly flirtatious.
"…That person will be your project partner for the first semester. I strongly suggest you get to know them, and get to know them well. You'll be spending a lot of time together if you want to pull together an essay that meets my standards''.
Stiles couldn't contain his grin and he heard Lydia curse beside him. He coughed on a laugh, the surprise of hearing her mutter "Motherfucker", under her breath too much to handle.
When he placed his tear filled eyes on her own, he was pleased to see that she too, was smothering a smile.
The class ended and the crowd of students milled out of the doorway, chatting among themselves and reviewing the sheets of paper their professor had given them.
Lydia sighed, rubbing her temples as she stared at the sheet on her desk. Partnered work. For the whole semester. September to Christmas time.
She flicked her hair back, glancing at Stiles. He was shoving his books into his bag, a small smile playing on his lips. The girl pursed her own, waiting for the comments he seemed like he was dying to say.
"So, my place or yours tonight?'' There it was.
Lydia stood, shrugging her bag over her shoulder. The boy followed her movements, looking down at her as he waited on an answer. She was so tiny.
"I truly don't know what you're talking about'', Lydia smirked at him, pushing past his body in order to make her way to the door. She brushed past him, her chest bumping into his in a way that had them both holding their breaths.
Stiles followed her, his eyes trained on her hips that swayed from side to side. He bit his lip, his head leaning to the left as he walked out into the bright sunlight.
Lydia rounded on him when they reached the steps and he quickly righted himself, bringing his eyes to hers.
She smirked knowingly, placing one manicured finger on his chest. He raised his eyebrows at her, his golden orbs glittering with curiosity.
"Listen up, I'll be at your apartment at seven tonight and we'll do as much of the introduction as possible. You're not setting foot back in my bedroom, do you understand?''
Stiles hid a smile, nodding at the little firecracker before him. She looked surprised at his acceptance, obviously expecting fight from him. Instead, the boy saw a familiar face over her head, nodding at Isaac who was walking towards him.
He was surprised to see his friend conscious and standing on two feet after that state he was left in that morning. But the boy jogged over to them, slapping a hand on Stiles' shoulder as he complained desperately about lunch and the starvation he was dying of.
Stiles shook his head, laughing. He was always amazed at Isaac's miraculous talent of bouncing back from what should have been catastrophic hangovers. He gestured towards Lydia, making the taller boy step back slightly and put on his best smile.
"Isaac, you remember Lydia?'' Stiles smirked, seriously doubting that Isaac would have any recollection of their introduction last night.
The girl must have thought the same, because her lips curled and her eyes sparkled. But Isaac smoothly avoided the awkward question, instead taking Lydia's smaller hand in his own and shaking it.
"I'm afraid I was rather inebriated last night - you'll have to forgive me'', he winked at the strawberry blonde in a way that made the other boy frown.
"But any friend of Stiles' is a friend of mine'', Isaac grinned, slinging an arm over Stiles' shoulder.
Lydia pursed her lips, glancing at Stiles with an arched eyebrow, "Well, I wouldn't call us friends exactly…''
Stiles grinned, shrugging out of Isaac's hold before he placed a hand on Lydia's back, his touch burning through her jumper and into her skin.
"Now, now Kitten, play nice'', his voice was a low murmur in her ear and she wished she had the willpower to shy away from it. Instead, she allowed him to lead her down the busy stairway. It didn't go unnoticed by her that a lot of girls were staring, and not in a nice way.
They stood at the bottom of the steps, the sun still shining down on them. The start of an autumn breeze picked up wisps of Lydia's hair, making them dance around her face. Stiles was overcome with the urge to brush them away and instead, he shoved his hands into his pockets.
Isaac hung back from the pair, watching them with amusement. The tension in the air was palpable and he was having far too much fun deciding if it was sexual or anger. It seemed to be both.
"So, I'll see you tonight? My place, or so I've been told?'' Stiles quirked an eyebrow at the girl who had the right to look slightly embarrassed.
Lydia was aware that she could come across as bossy but there was no way on this God given earth that that boy was coming into her room again. She had fallen asleep last night, staring at her desk, the image of him leaning there - bare chested and wet - ingrained in her mind.
She nodded, trying to avoid his warm gaze that was intent on winning her over.
"Excellent. It's a date'', Stiles smirked, knowing fine well it wasn't but knowing how she would react.
Lydia didn't disappoint and her lips fell open in protest, her bag sliding off of her shoulder as she shoved her tiny hand into his shoulder. His body hardly budged under her assault and it only made him grin further.
"This is not a date!'', she hissed, "This is me being forced to work with you under instructions that are outwith my control!''
Stiles couldn't help but laugh, watching the girl turn into a little ball of fury in front of him. Her eyes blazed and the wind lifted up waves of her bright hair, making her into the little hurricane that she was. The boy caught her bag before it could slip to the floor, lifting the strap and placing it back over her shoulder.
She was too stubborn to say thanks, instead frowning at him as his tongue peeked out of those damn lips again, a smile she seen only when he was having fun winding her up.
Lydia took a step back, thinking it would be best to remind him once again, "I have a boyfriend''.
"I know Kitten'', Stiles nodded, "I just think it would be beneficial for us to be friends'', he walked towards her, watching her gaze fall to his lips as he spoke, "You know, since we're going to be spending so much time together''.
This time, he did tuck a strand of her unruly curls behind her ear. He was captivated by the way it had stuck to her lips and his fingers plucked it from her skin gently, sliding it behind her tiny ear that he couldn't help but think was cute.
Lydia seemed surprised by the touch, and to be honest, so was Stiles. This was not something he wanted to get into with a girl that kept reminding him she was taken.
Lydia didn't answer him, instead stepping back awkwardly, in an almost stupor. She walked towards the library building and she continued to glance over her shoulder at the boy until she turned the corner and left his sight.
Stiles spun slowly on his heel, releasing the breath he hadn't realised he had been holding. Isaac was leaning against the stairway wall, grinning at him in a way that had Stiles asking, ''what?''.
The boy simply shook his head, falling into step with his friend as they made their way to lunch.
