The air seemed to be sucked out of the room in an instant. The looks of shock and confusion are on everyone's face and the room goes silent.
"W..what does that even mean.."
Scott's shaky voice breaks the silence.
Stiles expression has darkened and he is motionless. Lydia's grip loosens on his arm and slides her hand down to meet his rough palm. She slips her fingers in between his shaking ones and he grips her hand loosely.
Deaton glances at the two before turning his gaze to Scott.
"It means someone out there wants revenge for Allison's death, and they think Stiles is to blame."
Stiles grip loses all strength and his hand is held limply in Lydia's
"How is it Stiles' fault?! The oni were the ones that killed Al..her."
Scott's eyes shine with unshed tears at the mention of her.
"It is my fault."
Stiles' broken voice seems to echo in the small room and all eyes turn to him.
"No..Stiles it wasn't- "
"It was... I was too weak to fight it.. I'm the reason she's dead.. I wasn't strong enough. "
A tear hovers in the corner of his eye waiting to fall.
"No. That's not true and you know it. We have talked about this Stiles. It was the nogitsune. Not you."
Scott stepped toward him and Stiles stepped back, his hand slipping from Lydia's grasp.
"The nogitsune killed her because I let him in Scott. Because I was too weak. I should have stopped him"
Lydia stepped towards him and he didn't move away this time.
"You listen to me."
Her finger poked the center of his chest,
" That monster killed her. Not you. No one here blames you for that Stiles."
Stiles grabbed her finger sending a pulse through her body,
"No you listen. I let him in. Not Scott.. Not Allison. Me. Because I wasn't strong enough. I opened the door and let him in to take control. I'm the reason she's gone."
Lydia huffed in exasperation,
"He is a thousand year old trickster spirit. That's what he's good at..tricking people. No one saw it coming and no one could stop it. So stop blaming yourself for his actions."
He lets out a shaky breath and she continues almost whispering,
"We almost lost you too remember? That monster almost killed you. I remember feeling her death but I also felt your life slipping away in the same moment. I-I couldn't lose the two most important people in my life.."
Stiles' darkened, whiskey eyes met her forest green ones as tear escapes her eye rolling down her cheek and curves around her chin.
He pulls her closer to him in a warm embrace,their clothes still damp from rain. His hands slide around her waist and hold her there as he shakes with his own sobs.
The pulse is spreading over her body like a current moving and winding around her limbs and ending at her finger tips. He pulls back to look at her moments later before glancing up to see his friends wearing mixed expressions.
Scott smiles knowingly while Kira bounces on the couch cushion, a wide grin plastered on her face. Liam is looking down clearly not knowing what to do and Deaton seems to be smiling. The expression that makes his stomach drop though is Malia's. Her cold eyes bore into his and her lips curve down into a snarl.
Scott speaks first,
"So what do we do.."
The vet sighs,
"Our first priority is to protect you Stiles."
Stiles shifts awkwardly and Lydia holds onto his torso from the side, his arm draped around her.
"We need to find out who left the spiral before we can consider how to stop them."
Everyone nods in agreement.
"Someone must stay with you at all times.. Lydia.. would you be alright with it?"
Everyone turns to look at her as she fights the redness in her cheeks,
"Uh y-"
"Why her? What good is she when it comes to protecting him?"
Malia's blunt statement leaves a tense feeling in the room.
Deaton clears his throat drawing the attention back to him,
"Well I figured because she is a banshee and able to feel if someone is going to die, it may be best to keep her with him since he is someone's potential target. .. kind of an early warning system to warn us."
Malia furrows her brow crossing her arms over her chest before leaning against the wall again.
Deaton takes this as a response and continues,
"Ok so it's settled then. I want to meet with all of you after school at the clinic tomorrow to discuss our next move."
The storm outside has calmed and a few stray raindrops still fall from the sky. The doors of the jeep slam closed and silence falls between them.
"I never did apologize."
Lydia whirled around to face him, her brow furrowed,
"For what exactly?"
Stiles looks down at his palms,
"For Allison."
"Stiles I told you-"
"I know it wasn't my fault... I know that now. But I still feel responsible in a way you know? So can you accept my apology?"
His gaze meets hers in the dark, the streetlights illuminating his face,
"Please?"
She reaches over and grabs his hand,
"Ok...but just know, I have never, and never will, blame you for her death."
He nods,
"I know."
They dissolve into comfortable silence as he begins to drive, their hands still clasped.
He pulls up her driveway and cuts the engine.
"I just need to grab a few things.. do you want to come in?"
Stiles looks over his shoulder as if checking for a potential killer.
"Yeah if that's ok?"
She nods, a smile on her lips.
Her keys jingle as she turns the lock on her front door and they make their way up the stairs to her room in comfortable silence.
She flicks on the light and moves to her closet,
"You can sit if you want."
She points to her bed before turning to the closet again.
He sits down before looking back at her. Her long auburn hair has started to dry and cascades down to her waist.
Her dress is still weighted with water and it clings to her hips making Stiles take a sharp intake of breath and look away.
"I'm assuming I'll be staying for a little while until we catch this guy... are you sure thats ok with you?"
She turns, her hair dances at her waist drawing his attention there for a moment too long before meeting her eyes,
"U-uh yeah. Yeah that's fine with me."
He brings a hand to the back of his neck and looks down. She eyes him for a moment before turning back to the closet. She grabs an oversized t-shirt and a pair of her favorite pajama shorts.
"Uh Stiles could you just.."
She spins her finger in a circle signalling for him to turn around.
"Oh! Yeah..I'll just..yeah."
He turns on the bed, his back facing her.
She takes a moment to look at him, his back bending as he moves. She never really took time to appreciate that specific feature of him and she takes the time now that she has it. His wide shoulders taper down to his narrow waist. He's always been lean but lacrosse has helped tone him. Not bulky with muscle, but lean and slim. Her cheeks heat up and she unzips her dress.
The sound of the zipper solidified the situation for Stiles. He bites his lip as he hears the dress slump to the floor. Just the thought of Lydia standing just a few feet from him in just her underwear made his heart rate skyrocket.
"Ok, I'll just need to grab some shampoo, my toothbrush and some other stuff and we can go. "
He nods keeping his back to her,
"Stiles.."
"Hm?"
"You can turn around now..."
He spins clumsily to face her again,
"Right..sorry."
He looks up at her under his lashes and he swears his heart stops.
Her porcelain legs are on display from under the large t-shirt, her small shorts almost hidden completely. She walks away twisting her hair into a knot on top of her head before exiting the room.
He releases a shaky breath. Before flopping back on her bed.
She grabs a baggie from the hall closet and puts her toothbrush in it and grabs her shower supplies. Walking back into the hall, she takes a deep breath to prepare herself realizing what she was doing. She was going to be staying in the same home with Stiles. Eating meals with him and his father. Essentially living with him for a short time.
She enters the room and swears internally at the sight. Stiles is laying on her bed one hand covering his eyes the other resting on his stomach. The material of his shirt is bundled up around his hand and his foot dangles over the edge.
"Uh I'll just grab a couple more things.."
He sits up quickly startled by her entrance,
"That's fine!"
He smirked up at her before leaning back on his hands.
She grabs a large overnight bag and stuffs multiple changes of clothes, her brush, make up, and anything else she needs.
She shoulders the bag before looking back at him.
"Ok.. ready." He stands up smoothing out his shirt and running a hand through his hair.
"Alright. Let's go."
The sheriff cruiser is missing from their driveway as they pull up to his house.
"Guess he's working late again.."
"Will he be ok with me staying here?"
Stiles turns back to her,
"I'm sure he will be. If it's essential to my survival then yeah.."
She laughs before opening the car door. The cool night air brushes over her legs sending a chill over her body. She meets him in by his front door while he unlocks it.
"You hungry?"
She removes the sandals she slipped on before they had left her home and stiles sets her bag on the couch in the living room
"Starving"
He smiles before extending a hand,
"Come on."
She reaches forward and intertwines their fingers. The time on the microwave shows that it is almost 11:30.
"Does your dad normally work this late? "
He nods opening their fridge.
"Yeah usually. "
He reaches in and grabs a jar of pasta sauce.
"Want some spaghetti?"
"That sounds great."
He smiles widely before turning grabbing a pot and filling it with water. He places the pan on the stove turning it to high.
"Can I get the lovely lady something to drink?"
She chuckles,
"Yes please."
"We have coke, lemonade, uhhh "
"Lemonade is fine "
She smiles reaching for the glass he pours for her. The pot of water begins to boil and he dumps in the pasta.
The front door clicks open and they jump.
"Stiles?"
"In here dad."
She hears keys skid on the table and the sound of a jacket unzipping.
"What's that bag in the living r- oh.. hello Lydia."
She smiles sweetly bringing a hand up to wave at the man.
"Hi sheriff"
"I wasn't expecting you. ."
He looks at stiles almost accusingly.
"Oh sorry dad. This was kind of an unexpected thing."
The sheriff nods but saying nothing waiting for his son to continue.
"Uh Deaton, Scott's boss remember? Well he found something.. kind of..not good and.."
Stiles fumbles over his explanation, his hand rubbing the back of his neck.
"Stiles. I'm tired and have had a long day just...explain tomorrow. I'm going to bed."
He turns to leave but stops turning back to them,
"And please just..be careful.."
Stiles hesitates a moment before realizing what his dad was suggesting,
"Dad! We aren't-we... we aren't doing anything!"
Both of their faces are bright red.
The sheriff analyzes their reaction before confirming he was telling the truth.
"Ok well whatever just..."
He throws his hand up and yawns before leaving.
"Whatever."
He mumbles as he walks out of the kitchen and up the stairs.
"Sorry about that. ."
Lydia laughs,
"It's ok Stiles.."
He grabs the spoon and stirs the noodles as she leans on the counter next to him. She lifts her hands and looks at her pinky, the tingling still there.
"We still need to talk about everything you know."
She looks up to him and he is still staring down and the stove top.
"I know Stiles just...this isn't the right time."
"Well why not!?"
His sudden outburst made her jump slightly and he retracts before continuing.
"I just... I don't want to leave anything unsaid between us.. with all this talk of someone potentially killing me I just.."
He laughs emotionlessly
"Stiles.."
She grabs his upper arm bringing his attention to her,
"We will talk. I promise. After all this is over."
She slaps his arm lightly were she was previously holding it,
"Hey! What was that for!"
He grabs at his arm and pretends to be hurt.
"That was for saying stuff like that!"
She crosses her arms over her chest.
Their current situation floods her thoughts suddenly and the overwhelming thought that she could actually lose the boy in front of her hits her like a ton of bricks.
"You are going to be ok. You've got two werewolves, a kitsune, a werecoyote, and a banshee beside you."
Stiles smiled
"So don't...don't say things like that.."
Her expression morphs and her lips turn down, her bottom lip quivering.
His eyes soften and he steps towards her.
"Hey.."
A tear leaks down her face and a strangled sob leaves her throat as she brings a hand to her mouth.
"You can't..Stiles we can't lose you. ..I can't-"
He wraps his arms around her shoulders. And pulls her to his chest.
"Shh I'm sorry... I'm not going anywhere. Ok?"
Her voice is muffled against his chest,
"Promise? "
She brings her glassy gaze to his warm one.
"I promise."
He brushes her cheek with his rough knuckles. She leans into his touch, her eyes fluttering shut.
The sound of water boiling over pulls them apart. He turns the stove off and drains the pasta, shooting her worried glances every few seconds. He plates the pasta before handing one to her. She smiles in thanks as they make their way to the dining room.
She places her plate down and he sits directly across from her, a warm smile on his lips.
She twirls the pasta around her fork and lets the savory sauce coat her tongue. Meeting the boy's chocolate gaze, she smiles and he returns it quickly before eating his own heaping fork full.
Dinner is filled with comfortable conversation and some silence just enjoying each other's presence.
The ceramic plates clink into the sink and Stiles turns to her,
"Uh ready for bed?"
She nods and yawns at the statement.
He grabs her bag from the couch and leads her by the hand upstairs to his bedroom.
He flicks on the light and closes the door.
"Okay uh.. bathroom's across the hall..but you knew that."
He brings a hand to the nape of his neck and she laughs quietly,
"Thank you Stiles..for all of this."
He nods, a smirk pulling one edge of his lips up.
She grabs her bag containing her toothbrush, toothpaste and face wash before heading to the bathroom.
When she finishes, she flicks off the bathroom light walking silently back to his room.
He has changed into plaid (of course) pj pants and is currently pulling a shirt over his body. She catches a glimpse of his abdominal muscles and she looks down, her cheeks burning.
"Oh, Lydia. That was fast.."
He chuckles nervously both of them feeling the sudden tension in the room.
"Uh I'm just gonna.."
He grabs his pillow she knows he can't sleep without and heads for the door.
"Goodnight Lydia. Let me know if you need anything else."
He begins to pull the door closed but her hand shoots out grabbing it.
"Uh what do you think you are doing?"
His brows furrow and they both release the door.
"Going to bed?"
She crosses her arms,
"Well your bed," she gestures with her head, "is over there."
His eyes widen and a light pink tinge covers his cheeks.
"W..well that's where you're sleeping..."
She almost laughs at his adorable confused expression.
"And?"
She sees him gulp and the pink tinge turns a shade darker.
"Oh uh.. I was.. I didn't want ..um-"
"Stiles.. get in bed."
His eyebrows fly up and his mouth drops open. She has to admit she could have worded it differently but that wouldn't have elicited this expression.
"W..what?"
She groans in frustration and grabs his hand pulling him towards the bed. She lets go and climbs in. He remains standing, his mouth hanging open.
"Stiles.."
She pats the spot next to her and he shakes his head moving forward. His knee meets the bed making her slide closer to his side of the bed. He lays on the very edge of the bed on his back his fingers drumming on his stomach.
"Oh my god Stiles."
He turns his head to look at her, an anxious expression spread over his features.
"Uhh yeah?"
She smiles before reaching and grabbing his hand. His eyes widen as she turns to face the wall pulling his arm around her waist. He is on his side now but still distant and she almost huffs in frustration. She wiggles backwards until her back meets his warm chest. She smiles as she hears his sharp intake of breath and he stiffens.
She snuggles closer waiting for his reaction. His head finally falls to his pillow and his breath ghosts over her neck sending a chill down her spine. The tingle in her finger has spread to her entire body and she is flooded with a warm feeling.
He seems to build up some confidence, his leg slide sliding between hers and he pulls her closer. Her body fits against his and a warm blush covers her cheeks.
"Goodnight Lydia."
His voice is whispered almost against her skin.
"Goodnight Stiles."
sorry this took so long to get here! This past week has been crazy busy... hope you enjoyed this chapter! Leave a review please I always want fesdback..(: