CHAPTER SEVEN
“Any new clue?” Lydia asked looking up from her book. Stiles stared at the screen of his laptop before shaking his head, “Not really, at least, nothing new” He answered disappointed before closing his own book and throwing it away, ignoring the several things it knocked down in its pass. Lydia groaned annoyed in response and got back to her lecture, burying her nose between the pages. Stiles bit his lip as he looked around his room distracted, it was replete with books and notes, useless books and notes.
Even on the large window he had written scattered words and spells and still, they where in complete blank. They knew why the magic and supernatural creatures had suddenly lost control, it had been the Nemeton. The moment it had turned black, evil, that was the exact moment everything went directly to shit. But the question was how? How did someone had the power to carry through such a plan and managed to do it, without any of them noticing. And the questions only grew from there, how many people where behind it? When could be another attack? Are we waiting for supernatural creatures to go berserk?
And yet, no answers, at least none it could help the team and the pack. Stiles stood up for his chair with a long sigh, “I mean, we know its a kind dark of magic… so what? Darachs? Demons? Fucking satanic worshipers?” He asked unsure, shrugging. The branch of people and creatures that could control dark magic was immense, they needed more clues to figure out what they were dealing against.
Lydia sighed too, surrendering with her lecture. She let the book slowly close in front of her before looking up, eyebrows raised. Stiles nodded and shook his head, “I know I´m being a pain in the ass, I just hate to be in the dark Lydia, literally in the dark” He muttered bitterly before dropping his ass on the chair again. Lydia carefully watched his movements, “Any more nightmares?”
Stiles swallowed before shaking his head, “Not really” He answered under his breath. It was technically true, he had only being dreaming about one thing and one thing only. That dark tunnel again, the same presence beside him, it never talked, it never moved, it only stared at him. Stiles shook his head snapping back to reality, he looked up at Lydia, who had one eyebrow raised, she wasn’t buying it. He sighed tiredly, “Its the exact same dream since the… nemeton” He finally exclaimed, shoving it away with his hand.
Lydia only nodded looking down, they hadn’t talked much about that night, especially about Derek.
“He asked about you the other day” She suddenly exclaimed, looking down at her desk, typing her fingers against it with a constant rhythm. Stiles froze for a moment before swallowing with effort, a shiver running thorough his body, he twisted his mouth with discomfort, “Lids, I really don’t wanna know” He started because he truly didn’t want to know anything about Derek, except he did, he wanted to know how he was, how he felted but he didn’t want to ask, it would only showed he still deeply cared. She interrupted him immediately raising her hand and eyebrows. Stiles closed his mouth and looked away annoyed.
“He asked if you were alright and if you were mad at him” She mumbled trying to gain his friends attention back, looking for his eyes but he only looked away again.
Stiles remained silent, he had no words and no head to think about it, “I told him you were holding on and that indeed you are mad at him” She honestly answered, searching for something, a reaction in Stiles steady eyes, but they were locked. He dropped his head down, staring at his hands, calmly resting on his legs. He wasn’t admitting he was mad at him, at least not out loud. Of course he was mad at him, he had been an immature asshole but still…. Stiles understood. Derek had panicked, after being kidnapped for hours by sucking blood animals, who would want to be found by his ex boyfriend. He honestly didn’t expect anything more or anything less but still, his words had hurt him and yeah, he was mad at him.
Finally Stiles looked up at her and shrugged, pursing his lips, “I don’t know what I´m supposed to answer” He mumbled, slowly shaking his head.
Lydia sighed before half smiling, trying to show support, “I don’t know either, i just wanted you to know”
Stiles nodded, a sad smile on his lips, “How is he?” He finally asked the question he was meaning to make since the call began, before his mind could caught up with what he was saying. But Lydia only smiled seeing right through him, “He’s alright hon, a little beat up and out of the blue but beside that… he’s fine”
Stiles smile became a little happier as he nodded again, “Good, good, its uh good to know, I was worried…” He started but immediately shut himself up and shook his head, he didn’t feel he had the right to ask how his ex was, not anymore and certainly not after the tense encounter they had had. But Lydia only huffed before rolling her eyes, “Stiles, no one expects for you to not be worried, its fine to be, he was, he still is your, well your love after all” She muttered. Stiles twisted his mouth at that word, that painfully word. He didn’t even know if Derek was still that to him and he didn’t want to figure it out, not yet, he had ran away for a reason, from that same reason he didn’t want to think about him anymore.
He heard as the door of the flat was opened and a couple of cushioned voices, chatting and laughing. Stiles frowned confused staring at his closed door, it had been days since he had heard laughs like that, at least in his flat, “Lids, I think Scott is back, talk to you later?” He asked already standing up with curiosity.
Lydia nodded repeatedly, “Sure thing babe” She exclaimed.
“Keep digging alright? We´re close to find something” He said with fake excitement, they weren’t close to find anything, but at least they were trying. Lydia only nodded again, a bright smile on her face before ending the call. Stiles stared at the screen in black for a few moments, still hearing the excited voices, he recognized one from Scott. He sighed as he straightened up, already trying to forget the little stupid chit chat about Derek. He tiredly walked to his door, dodging every book scattered on the ground. He finally opened it to find, for his surprise, nothing less and nothing more then his best friend and his brother laughing together in the island of the kitchen, as if they had been friends forever, gossiping between them.
Their laugh slowly turned off as they realized Stiles was watching them, one eyebrow raised in clear surprise. He narrowed his eyes watching at his friend, he was sweaty from his training with the cap, even Scott was alright with Steve, he hated that fact. He swallowed uncomfortable, him and Tony still didn’t talk to each other, not much since he came back and yeah it was crap, specially after seeing him so freaking delighted with Scott. He noticed how his brother uncomfortably stared at the floor and Scott at the ceiling, almost playing dumb. Stiles rolled his eyes, feeling an intruder, “Sorry” He bitterly muttered, trying to ignore the displeasure he was feeling, he was ready to close his door again and be alone with his book and millions theories when Scott stopped him.
“Stiles wait!” He exclaimed raising his arm. Stiles stopped on his tracks and popped his head out again, one eyebrow raised in questioning. Scott swallowed, “Come man, I prepared something to eat” He exclaimed with a kind smile, his puppy smile, Stiles had seen it so many times when Scott was up to something. Stiles frowned and narrowed his eyes, because there was nothing on the table beside a bottle of water, yeah he was up to something.
Stiles looked between his room and his friend, debating if it was a good idea to come out. Scott stared at him dead in the eye before mimicking something. Stiles frowned harder, confused. Feeling uneasy under his friend´s crazy eyes, he was beginning to look scary, what?, he asked under his breath shaking his head. Scott rolled his eyes before pointing Tony with a head movement several times, who was totally aware of their exchanging.
Tony deeply sighed giving a frantic stare to Scott, who totally played dumb almost beginning to whistle, “You know I can see you right?” He asked raising his eyebrows. Scott stared at him a couple of seconds, he finally only shrugged. He began slowly walking away before a smirk came out of his mouth, “I need a shower” He suddenly explained raising his arms, as he kept walking away. At the same time still pointing Tony with his head but Stiles only dropped his shoulders and gave him a pretty mad glare. Scott was a complete indiscreet asshole, but an indiscreet asshole with good intentions.
Him and Scott kept with his stare fight until he finally closed the door of his room and they suddenly fell into a uncomfortable silence. Stiles cursed internally as he wide opened the door again, he began rocking himself on his feet, looking at everything but his brother, he had no idea what to do or say.
“So…” Tony began twisting his fingers, he seemed even more uncomfortable than Stiles, and that was saying too much, “How are you?” He asked unsure finally looking up. Stiles stared at him lightly surprised at the vain question, he rolled his eyes as he finally walked outside, not giving it too much thinking. It was completely ridiculous, they were two grown up men that could perfectly handle a fight between brothers, two grown up idiotic and childish men but grown ups after all.
“Look, I´m sorry for everything, I didn’t mean to…” Stiles rambled trying to find the correct words but he was that kind of idiot that couldn’t express what was inside him, it seemed stuck and he knew it was the right time where he needed to explain everything, it was his chance and it was so damn frustrating because still the words wouldn’t leave his body, “I never meant for you to find out like that and-“
But Tony interrupted him raising his hand. Stiles looked up at his brother surprised as he spoke, “You seriously think I´m mad because you didn’t tell me?” He asked disbelief. Stiles opened his mouth, taken completely surprised by the question. He quickly closed his mouth impressed, “Mmmm yes?” He muttered even more unsafe under his breath.
Tony rolled his eyes before sighing, “I wasn’t… I suck at this alright? And when I saw you that night I just, didn’t know what to do, how to deal with it or how to protect you and I think I´m mad at myself for not taking care of you, for not getting more involved in your life and the day you told me you were in Beacon Hills alone and you didn’t tell anyone, not even Steve. I don’t want you to feel that way with us, the team, with me. Like you have to hide things from us because you don’t have to, you can trust us. And I just… I know it wasn’t the correct move, to push you guys away but the same way you can’t deal with feelings and all that crap, well, its the same from everyone in here”
Stiles remained silent, slowly bitting the inside of his cheek, digesting the words, he would be lying if he said he didn’t want to cry like a baby, he swallowed as his heart warm up. He tilted his head, hiding his smile, “I suck at this too…” Was all he was able to say, god, he did suck at emotional talking. Tony nodded several times, because he could see how similar they were, he smirked under his breath, “The apple didn’t fall far from the tree huh?” He muttered, a smile playing on his lips.
Stiles smiled became wider, before looking down at his feet, he awkwardly put his hands inside his pocket. He twisted his mouth remembering the damn attack, they had to struggle against it without any help and he knew the team could handle things on their own, of course they could. But still he felt kind of guilty for leaving, “I´m sorry I wasn’t here for you the other night”
But Tony only huffed and rolled his eyes, gaining this Tony´s Stark character again, “Please kid, we were incredible without you and besides, you did help us plenty and… well I´m sorry I wasn’t there for you either, it must have been hard seeing him again after all this time” Tony muttered under his breath looking down at Stiles surprised glare, but in a way he saw it coming, if Scott hadn't say anything he would probably have, sooner or later.
He hummed as he pursed his lips, “Scott told you?” He asked sitting beside his brother, putting his elbows on the table, he already knew the answer.
Tony shrugged several times, “Not much, something about Derek being in danger” He rambled trying to hide he already knew most of it but terrible failing.
Stiles rolled his eyes at this cynicism of his brother, he half smiled, “Yeah, he was kidnapped by mayan vampires” He exclaimed, laughing out loud at the confused glare Tony gave him, “Trust me, in Beacon Hills its not even that strange” He added shrugging with one shoulder.
Tony shook his head, deciding it was better to simply not ask about the fact mayan vampires where a damn existing thing. But there was still a remaining question inside his head, “Can I ask you something?” He exclaimed quietly gaining Stiles attention, who only raised his eyebrows and nodded repeatedly, “Of course”
“Well… besides the fact you woke up on Steve’s flat, again” Tony started, emphasizing the word again. Stiles nearly chocked on his spit but cleared his throat waiting for his brother to continue. He definitely was not discussing that matter, if he didn’t want to discuss it with himself then he wouldn’t discuss it with anyone and that included Tony, specially Tony, “You woke up screaming that afternoon” His brother continued, leveling their stares, trying to find Stiles eyes. But he shook his head and closed them, he pinched the bridge of his nose as he answered.
“Yeah… that, well, its just- its, something happened to me when I made the ritual back at the town” He tried to explain, putting a hand over his face. Tony stayed patiently quiet, waiting for his brother to organize his thoughts. He knew there was no scape from there, he had to explain Tony everything, after his big brother speech how couldn’t.
“In the world there are scattered energy sources, sacred energy sources that work as a lighthouse for supernatural entities, creatures, supernatural everything. This sources are filled with exceptional energies, where different cultures of the world, would carry on with their rituals and spells” Stiles explained with tiredness, lost on his thoughts.
He frowned concerned as he remembered the Nemeton back at Beacon Hills, the rotten trunk and its dark roots, “Theres one of them right in Beacon Hills, it was used by Celtics, druids to be more specific and well, this sources are supposed to be… benevolent but somehow the Nemeton is now dark”
“Hold on, dark how?” Tony asked.
Stiles twisted his lips and shrugged, “I have no idea but the night I made the ritual I- I had a vision of something, well someone, still don’t know what it is but it honestly scared the shit out of me and I been having nightmare of these dark someone” Stiles finally finished nodding with raised eyebrows. Tony stared at him a long couple of seconds, thinking.
“And you have no idea where are these... others energy sources?” Tony asked impressed.
Stiles shook his head and swallowed, it sounded way worse when it was said out loud, “Nope” He answered popping the p.
Tony slowly nodded, looking away, “But the one energy source that you actually, for a fact, know where it is, has now turned to the other side?”
Stiles nodded, yeah it sounded way worse, “Yep”
Tony was silent a few seconds, impressed his brother, his brilliant and smart brother was in blank, “But was does it mean?”
Stiles sighed before explaining, “It means, it brings a dark energy to the world filled with bad intentions and bad creatures, old ones that we thought they were extinct, but not really and they are ready to kill innocent people and we honestly don’t know more”
Tony raised his eyebrows impressed nodding, he pursed his lips before talking, “Well, we´re in deep shit” He easily assured. Stiles looked down and nodded, yeah, they were in deep shit.
“Need some help?” He suddenly asked turning to Stiles, who stretched his neck surprised. He shook his head before quickly nodding, “Yeah, yeah sure” He answered immediately, already standing up with excitement. Tony nodded a smile playing on his lips at his brother lovely surprise and followed him to his room.
But Stiles stopped in dry, a few centimeters away from the doorknob, he looked up his shoulder, “Just… please don’t criticize my mess” He exclaimed before finally opening the door, he moved to a side, letting Tony pass who only stop on his tracks in shock, staring in complete blank at the room.
“No wonder you can’t think inside this place, its gross!” He exclaimed walking inside, immediately stumbling with a pile of books and clothes. Stiles stepped in before the pile completely fall, he arrangement quickly before picking up some clothes from the floor, “Be careful idiot” He hissed under his breath but it seemed Tony didn’t even listen to him. He kicked away a bunch of dirty clothes with disgust, “You’re a pig” He exclaimed turning around, pointing him with his raised finger. Stiles rolled his eyes as he made his way to his desk, “Shut up and help me” He muttered.
Tony looked around him, a face filled with disgust as he look for a clean spot to sit down, he finally chose the furthest chair that magically didn’t have anything on top of it, “No wonder Steve lets you sleep in his flat” He muttered under his breath, sitting slowly on the chair, taking a book of the floor before taking a quick look.
Slowly Stiles turned around to face him, an eyebrow raised, “Really?” He asked annoyed watching as his brother smiled with malice.
“I only speak what I see Stiles” He replied shrugging, totally playing dumb. Stiles rolled his eyes and gave him his back, it was useless to discuss things with Tony, stubborn and stupid Tony.
One hour later and Tony was actually siting on the floor, surrounded by several opened books. Stiles passed a hand through his hair as he continue writing down on the window, every helpful information they could find about magical energy sources.
Tony threw away the book he had on hid hands with exasperation before taking other. Stiles patiently waited leaning against the glass watching his brother frantically read and read, it had been him in the same exact position two hours ago. Tony threw the book too and sighed, he looked up at Stiles and raised his arms, “Nothing” He madly hissed as he stretched his legs.
Stiles twisted his mouth and dropped himself to the floor, they weren’t fresh news. They remained in silence when they heard Scott knocking on the door, “Stiles?” He asked popping his head through the door. He wide opening watching in shock at his room, he whistled before shaking his head.
Stiles rolled his eyes and threw the sharpie his was holding to his friend, “I know, its disgusting, shut up” He bitterly mumbled putting his hands inside his pockets, he didn’t need other lecture about how messy his room was.
“Its even worse than your old house” He whispered still looking around him. He raised his eyebrows innocently at the pretty mad glare Stiles gave him, “So, any clues?” He asked walking toward them, trying to light up the room but Stiles sighed annoyed at the question, “Not really” He muttered under his breath leaning his head against the glass.
Scott twisted his mouth and gave a questioning look to Tony, who only nodded in confirmation.
“Well, those are terrific news” He mumbled sitting on the edge of the bed. Both brothers rolled their eyes and huffed, it was almost comical.
“Tony?” They heard someone asking in the distance.
“In here” He exclaimed raising his arm.
Clint suddenly popped his head through the door and Stiles could imagine what his words would be, “Wow” He whispered looking around him impressed, “Dude, what happened?” He asked looking at Stiles, raising his arm in questioning. Stiles stared at him a couple of seconds before shrugging and looking away, “Shut up” He hissed crossing his arms over his chest.
Clint raised his eyebrows and whistled before clearing his throat, “Alright” He exclaimed giving his full attention to Tony, “So, our pretty boy is here”
Tony frowned confused, “Thor?” He asked disbelief. But Clint nodded excited, a huge smile on his face. He wide opened the door as he moved away and the god of thunder, literally the god of thunder slowly entered Stiles room, Stiles messy and disgusting room that surely smelled like crap. He tilted his head as he closed his eyes pained and embarrassed, wishing they were in other complete different place rather than his messy room.
Thor slowly entered, his boots making a deep pounding with every step.
“Well this is a pigsty” Those were the first words Stiles heard the god of thunder say.
Stiles deeply sighed, sinking until his back was against the floor. Tony clapped excited, “Thats the word I was looking for!” He exclaimed as he quickly stood up and walked to his friend before clapping him in the back, greeting him.
“To whom this unfortunate compartment belongs to?” Thor asked still looking around the room.
Stiles reside his hand defeated before slowly standing up, “That would be me” He mumbled trying to show his better smile. But the blond guy stare him down head to toe, narrowing his eyes.
“This is the one?” He asked directly to Tony, who nodded excited. Stiles blinked looking between Thor and his brother with suspicious but he never got to ask cause suddenly he was between a pair of really really strong arms raising him above the floor. Stiles let out all his breath, eyes wide opened. Pretty confused and certainly surprised at the sudden embrace. He shook his legs trying to let go but Thor squeezed harder.
“It so good to finally meet the little Stark” He happily mumbled still holding Stiles, who twisted his mouth trying to breath.
He puffed dropping his head against his shoulder, giving up when once more he heard his door opening. Why did people kept coming inside his room? it was beginning to get annoying.
“Thor?”
Stiles heard someone asking with genuine excitement. He began searching for the source of the voice when blondie suddenly let him go. Stiles fall against the wall behind him as he stumbled with his own feet. He pulled a face rubbing his neck when he saw Steve and Thor hugging and laughing and not only him, Nat and Bruce where behind them and yes, staring at his room in complete disgust. At least they had the courtesy to not mention it. Natasha only gave a glare and raised one eyebrow. Stiles shook his head, imploring for her to not ask before he looked away, sobbing his arm with discomfort.
Finally Steve and blondie let go, only then Steve noticed the mess around him, he gave a look to Stiles in perfect questioning, “What happened?”
Clint stepped in shaking his head before Stiles could open his mouth, “Don’t even ask” He muttered before clapping the cap in the back. He pointed the room with his hand, “See? This is why you should let Stiles sleep on your flat more times” He exclaimed under his breath, slowly shaking his head as if he was truly thinking about it. Steve cheek´s turned ridiculously deep red as he looked everywhere but Stiles, who only closed his eyes and let out his breath. He heard Scott drowned laugh beside him. Clint was an asshole, he quickly walked away, laughing too under his breath.
Stiles gave him a mad stare before elbowing him with strength. He then looked up at Steve, still with his red cheeks and wishing earth would swallow him.
“Oh yes, Natasha has been kind enough to fill me up with Steve unwanted curiosity” Thor suddenly exclaimed, an innocent playful smile on his face.
The room felt into an intense silence. Stiles stared at the floor in shock, trying to ignore the sudden excitement inside his stomach an chest that apparently curiosity made him feel. He looked up and stared at Steve for a few seconds, he seemed he was about to throw up, Stiles knew he needed to take everyone out before the man had a nervous breakdown. He cleared his throat and clapped gaining everyones attention, “What about something for dinner huh, Scottie?” He asked without asking, staring dead in the eye and Scott, who reacted immediately and quickly walked out, followed by everyone. Steve was the first one to quickly ran away.
Stiles was left alone, he rubbed his forehead and let out his breath, for him, it was already forgotten and not worth digging for, it didn’t matter his entire being was practically dying to know what did blondie meant with the unwanted curiosity but Stiles knew what he had to do and that was ignored his basic instincts because it was Steve and Steve was… his friend, only his hot friend.
He quickly began piling up the books trying to arrange his messy life. He gave one more look at it before shrugging, it was his room and only his room anyways, nobody else business. He quickly walked out closing the door behind him, expecting his flat to be empty, everyone in the common floor. But he then realized the entire team was chatting in the kitchen, already sitting in the island as Scott empty their fridge. He raised his arms confused, “What are you guys doing in here?” He asked.
Steve raised his hand shutting Thor and his apologies up, the moment he heard his confused voice. He turned on his chair wide opening his eyes, feeling the panic inside him raise. One more time his cheeks turned deep red unable for him to control them, “Keep it that way and he won’t notice, I promise” Tony sarcastically whispered behind his ear. Steve turned to him surprised and annoyed before lightly pushing him away from him, ignoring Tony little chuckles.
“Scott is cooking, come on!” Clint happily exclaimed tapping the empty space beside him. Stiles stared at it for a couple seconds, everyone in silence waiting for him to move, before shrugging. When he had said having dinner he meant on the common floor but in reality, it was nice to have the team back at their place, after everything that had happened. He quietly sat as he watched everyone falling into their little chit chats again, talking and laughing among them. Him and Scott share a look and nodded to their selves, yeah it was nice to have them back.
After and incredible big dinner, Stiles leaned on his seat happily, clapping his stomach repeatedly. He deeply sighed as he watched side way how Clint pushed his plate away, curly fries on it, “Are you eating that?” He asked already taking the plate not caring for the answer.
“How can you still eat?” Natasha asked impressed watching him devour the entire plate. Stiles shrugged, mouth filled, “Werewolves eat a lot and I mean a lot” Stiles explained before shrugging, “I guess I caught up with it, after being so long with the pack”
Scott puffed, raising one eyebrow, “Don’t blame us, you have always ate like a vacuum cleaner” He mumbled stealing some fries from his friend, ignoring his mad stare.
“Come on, you and Derek always empty the fridge in pack nights” He answered back, laughing under his breath. As always his chest twitching at the mention of his name. But he was getting better at ignoring it.
“Pack nights?” Clint asked, actually paying attention to their conversation. Stiles opened his eyes lightly surprised before nodding, “Yeah well, they were nights where we hung out and… eat”
“Yeah and you drank” Scott muttered under his breath laughing when Stiles threw him a fry.
“A chip off the old block" Tony exclaimed raising his arms. Stiles smiled with warm and rolled his eyes, it was completely true. He stood up, picking up the empty plates from the table. The team followed his steps and everyone began to scatter around the flat. He couldn’t help but notice, Steve never mentioned a word toward him or even a glare. Stiles hated Steve´s silent treatment for his discomforts.
He began washing his dishes in complete silence, enjoying the white noise when Bruce appeared behind his back, “Stiles?” He quietly asked.
Stiles gave him a quick glare before humming in response.
“Do you mind if I run some tests?” He asked even quieter. Immediately Stiles turn off the water and turned to him, an eyebrow raised, “Tests?” He asked confused as he dried his hands on his pants. Bruce nodded shyly as he leaned against the sink, “Well, yeah I just… have some questions” He replied trying to show him a smile.
Stiles raised his eyebrows, understanding what Bruce meant, he wanted to know about Stiles ability, if you could call it that, about healing faster than humans. He couldn’t help bur smirk as he crossed his arms over his chest, “Actually, you took long enough to ask doc” He answered honestly.
Bruce half smiled and looked down, “Yeah well, didn’t know if it was prudent to ask you but… what do you say?”
Stiles scratched his chin, thinking about his answer but he finally shrugged, “Why the hell not?” He exclaimed as he clapped him in the back.
Bruce straightened up with excitement, “Excellent, I think its time for you to meet the lab”
And what a laboratory. Stiles looked around him amazed, everything was made of crystal and silver metal, the lab was fresh and somehow homey. In few words, it was incredible, filled with strange technology and weird homemade machines Stiles was dying to know how they worked, “This way” Bruce mumbled as he pushed Stiles low back to a chair. Beside it, there was a series of screens and monitors. Stiles silently obey and sat down in the cold metallic chair. He watched as Bruce moved around him, turning machines on and getting everything prepare.
“Alright!” Bruce exclaimed after a couple of minutes of silence, “So, I´m just gonna…” He muttered under his breath as he put weird cables on Stiles forehead before taking his arm and suddenly inserted a needle in it. Stiles lightly jumped at the abrupt movement, he gave an annoyed glare to Bruce, but he only smirked under his breath, “Don’t worry, I know what I´m doing” Bruce assured him, showing a perfect calm smile. Stiles pursed his lips as he stared his blood leave his body through a little intravenously, directly into a machine. He returned the smile and cleared his throat, “You mind telling me, what are you doing?” He asked concentrated in Bruce movements, his fingers quickly typing something in the computer.
“I want to know how your body works when you’re healing” Bruce explained distracted as they both watched the screen lighting up, taking in the information. Stiles watched amazed as a gene map of him appeared on one of the screens, “So, whatever happens with my body, the machine will read it, watch and follow the behavior?” He asked looking up at the doc, who only nodded and smiled, “Exactly” He explained impressed Stiles caught up with it so easily.
Stiles nodded, pursing his lips impressed, he actually wanted to know too why the hell his body healed faster and if it had something to do with the nogitsune powers inside him or the spark. He lightly frowned wondering if there was gonna appear something… dark in the screens, guess he was about to figure it out.
“Sorry about this” He heard Bruce mumbled but before he could even react, he felt a small pain on his arm. He looked down lightly impressed to his arm and noticed a small cut on it. He gave a glare to Bruce who only shrugged distracted as he watched the screens with a small smile playing on his lips, he seemed like a little kid waiting to open his Christmas presents. Stiles stared at the machines reacting at the pain he had felt, they showed how his body reacted at the injure and quickly worked to solve it.
“There” Bruce pointed to the screen before zooming in, exactly to the part he had pointed. They both stared in deep surprised how a black matter followed the blood stream, stopping right where he had the cut. Stiles turned to his arm, watching as the cut began to almost magically disappear.
“Holy shit” He muttered frowning as he look up at the screen again, watching as the black matter do its work before it completely disappear. Stiles dropped his shoulders, guessed indeed it had something to do with the nogitsune. One more time he gave a quickly glare to his arm, where the cut was supposed to be but it was completely gone. He passed his finger through his warm skin before smirking.
“What was that Stiles?” Bruce asked impressed pushing his glasses up his nose. Stiles stayed still remembering the doc was there, he swallowed with effort before opening his mouth, the truth dying to came out but he wasn’t sure if it was the right moment or if it was actually a good idea to develop one of his deepest secrets. Bruce and him stared at each other for what it felt an eternity until they heard that metallic known voice calling them.
“Sir? Stiles? Mr Stark is calling for you, theres a problem” Jarvis exclaimed surprising them both. Him and Bruce shared a quick look before a sudden alarm began ringing. Immediately Stiles looked up, “What is that?” He asked impressed. He heard Bruce deeply groaned as he began turning everything off, ignoring Stiles question.
“Shit” Stiles muttered under his breath as he carefully took the needle out. He quickly stood up following the doc to the elevator but Stiles shook his head and put a hand on his back, “Too slow” He exclaimed ignoring Bruce questioning eyes before he tele transported theirselves to the common room. Bruce backed away from him in complete surprise, “What was that?” He asked impressed staring at his hands and body. But Stiles completely ignored him as he walked to his brother, staring at the screens in front of them.
“He likes to show off the fact he can tele transport himself and others” Tony explained, eyes locked on the monitors. Stiles rolled his eyes and shook his head, completely ignoring his comment “Whats going on?” He asked instead staring at the screens, where it was show different spots of the city, to be more exact, central park.
“There has been several reports of wild beast attacking people in central park” Steve suddenly explained appearing on his side, uniform on and everything, gaining Captain America air. Stiles stared at him a couple of seconds before turning to the screens, “Werewolves?” He asked unsure but immediately Natasha shook her head, “No, they look like…” She hissed unsure, being interrupted by Clint.
“Hyenas” He muttered confused.
Stiles gave him a confused look, “Hyenas? What? Did they escaped from the zoo?” He asked more confused than before but shut himself up when he saw one of the beasts coming out from the bushes and that was not a hyena.
“That isn’t a hyena Clint” He muttered watching as the beast, barely as big as a medium dog attack a couple with rapidity.
“You know what are those things?” Tony asked directly to his brother. Stiles turned to him and opened his mouth, his mind looking with rapidly for the answers. He looked at the screen again, “Freeze the image” He asked quietly. Tony sighed doing exactly what he was told.
Stiles rubbed his chin as he watched the monster, he shook his head, he was pretty sure what were the things but once again, they were supposed to be extinct. He immediately felt a little stupid, he should know better since everything that had happened, “I think I know what they are but I´m really wishing they aren't” He muttered already taking his phone out before sending a quick message to Lydia, he needed to know everything about Leucrotas.
He put his hands behind his back as he stared at the image again, “That bad?” Steve asked beside him. Stiles turned around at the sound of his voice, surprised to hear it so near him. He tilted his head, never responding as he watched as Scott appeared through the elevator doors followed closely by tall blondie. He realized how tense Scott seemed the closer he got toward them, his eyes fixed in the screens.
“Shit” He exclaimed worriedly ignoring the groan, the cap sent him. He shared a look with Stiles, “Leucrotas” They both said at the same time, as Stiles felt his phone vibrating inside his pocket. He quickly took it out and began reading every information Lydia had sent him.
“Shit” Scott repeated before shaking his head, “This is why I couldn’t be here sooner” He suddenly explained gaining Stiles attention, who only frowned confused and put his phone away, “What?” He asked disbelief.
Scott nodded repeatedly, “Yeah, we had to deal with this things back at Beacon Hills” He explained looking down at Stiles pretty mad and still confused stare. Stiles bit his lip looking away, trying to ignore his immature self wanting to ask why the hell he didn’t know anything about that fact but they were bigger and important things right then. He repeatedly nodded, “You know how to kill them?” He asked instead, surprising Scott.
“Sure, they died by impalement through the spine” Scott explained easily. Stiles nodded before staring at his brother dead in the eye, “Lets go”
*
Twenty minutes later, they had successfully managed to empty the entire park without any casualty and only a couple of injured people. Stiles kept walking in silence as he scanned his surrounding, hearing the trees moved thanks to the wind. He watched the body of dark water and turned to the team, stopping on his tracks, “Remember, this things imitate human voices, can’t close their eyes or either look behind them” Stiles whispered loud enough for only the team to hear to him.
“I easily count like twenty of this things, they are scattered all over the park” Tony exclaimed through the intercom. Stiles twisted his mouth at the information as he waited for them to decide what to do. They had a long ground to cover. Looking for those things in central park was like looking for a needle on a haystack.
“Lets team up” The cap ordered as everyone waited for longer instructions, “Thor, Clint and Scott, follow Tony, take the north” He ordered, the others already jogging away. Scott and him shared a looked that said everything they couldn’t say out loud, he watched his buddy running away, disappearing around the corner before paying attention to the cap, “Me, Nat and Stiles, we´ll take the south” He whispered before he gave a long stare at Stiles, who only nodded in confirmation. Steve sighed holding on to his shield with strength, “Lets go” He muttered to him and Nat before running away.
“Be careful Stiles” He heard Tony ask quietly. Stiles wanted to answered back but his pride didn’t let him, instead he rolled his eyes and scoffed, playing offended, “I´m serious” Tony hissed madly. Stiles swallowed and dedicate himself to only nod and follow the cap´s blue suit.
After a couple of minutes of running and securing zones, Stiles let out his cold breath as he stop jogging, raising his fist for the others to stop, “I hear something” He whispered under his breath. They three of them remained silent waiting for a hearing sound. When nothing was heard Stiles was about to regain his walking when he definitely caught the sound of bushes moving. He suddenly kneeled behind a tree when he heard a brach breaking near them, by then he was sure something was watching them. Stiles deeply swallowed as he realized everything was quiet.
“Theres something watching us” He whispered slowly turning his head. Steve and Natasha right behind him, hidden too between the trees. Stiles searched in the darkness in front of them, his eyes adjust to it and he was able to see a fainted beam of lights, like glowing eyes searching for something, “I see it” He exclaimed under his breath, tapping Steve’s shoulder with excitement.
Suddenly another branch breaking was heard, closer to them, only a few meters away. Stiles senses sharpened as his hand tightened his grip around the handle of the knife hidden in his back. Those glowing orange eyes appeared again, this time Stiles was able to visualize in perfect clarity as the Leucrota stepped out from his hidden place, lowering his neck in threat, the beast knew he wasn’t alone. The three of them watched the beast with curiosity, it was smaller than a medium dog and indeed, it looked exactly like a hyena, except it had a large head, strangely like a horse and big lions paws. Its mouth was enormous, nearly filling its entire face, covering it side to side. It seemed it was widely smiling but instead of several sharp teeth, it had a large yellow bone, spotted with blood that looked as strong as a rock.
“Stiles?” The animal suddenly whispered, raising its head, imitating the voice of a little child. Stiles was only able to watch in scared amazed as the animal produce the sound, never moving his mouth, “Stiles? Steve?” It asked again, this time louder, the voice more acute and sharpened, “Nat Nat Nat” The leucrota said repeatedly before a crazy, almost hysterical laugh came out of it, his mouth never moved. In a blink of an eye there was sudden silence and Stiles lost sight of it.
He swallowed confused as he turned his head in every direction. He shook his head before slowly stepped out of his hidden place, ignoring Steve´s urgent callings.
His feet creaked on the wet ground filled with leaves and branches, he knew the beast was staring at him, he could feel its eyes digging on his flesh, “Stiles” The leucrota mumbled again, prolonging the s for a few seconds before making silence again. Stiles swallowed taking out the knife he had on his back, turning on his feet, looking. He saw side way as Steve tried to reach him, a grin filled with concern. But he immediately raised his arm, asking to remain steady. Steve stoped in dry on his tracks before backing away, hiding again. Cursing the moment Stiles decided to be so damn reckless.
Stiles took a deep breath before kneeling on the ground, he froze on his place when he heard the softs steps behind his back, “Stiles” The animal whispered behind his ear, dangerously close to him. He felt his cold breath down his neck, the rotten smell of blood impregnated. In a blink of an eyes, he turned around before cutting one of his legs, he heard the best squawk in clear surprise and pain. Stiles quickly backed away, putting the knife closer to his chest. The leucrota looked down at his injure leg before a deep groan sounded, slowly turning into a slow, broken laugh. Stiles pulled and face and shook his head, what the hell was the deal with those things, they were scary as shit.
The animal slowly began to walk around him, watching him, “I´ll give you the sign cap” He muttered to the intercom before suddenly dropping the knife on the floor, between him and the cornered beast. He raised his arms in clear defeat, showing he was disarmed.
The leucrota actually looked down at the knife, stained with its blood. Stiles stared amazed how his muscles tensed as he prepared to jump toward him.
“Now!” He yelled out loud as he easily caught the animal´s neck between his hands, he launched him down against the dirt, where he hold him down with strength. Steve shook his head, impressed by the stupidity of Stiles but Natasha only smirked beside him, clearly impressed by Stiles speed. He quickly walked out, a knife ready on his hand. He gave a mad glare at Stiles, as saying what is wrong with you but Stiles only shrugged, a clear pleasant smile on his face. Steve rolled his eyes before stabbing with strength the spine of the beast, ignoring the sound of breaking bones. Finally Stiles pushed the monster away and stood up.
“You’re an idiot” Steve hissed as they watched in silence as the animal stopped struggling and slowly died, a light escaping its strange orange eyes. Stiles looked up at Steve and smiled, he lightly pushed him playfully.
“What the actual hell guys” Natasha whispered impressed, still staring at the dead monster at his feet, eyes and mouth still opened. Stiles stretched his neck rubbing it before walking to his forgotten knife, resting calmly on the ground. He slowly grabbed it, cleaning the blood on the grass, “I know” He muttered watching too the dead animal. He had read about Leucrotas, stories reciting how scary and dangerous those monsters were, how they hide in forest, calling their victims by their names to devour them. He had never needed to worry about meeting those creatures, as he had said, they were supposedly extinct, until then, indeed they were scary as hell.
They were preparing to leave when it was suddenly heard a loud rhythmical ticking, as if someone was thundering its tongue in disapproval. It was heard every time nearer them, every time faster. The three of them reacted immediately, linking up their backs into a small circle, weapons already out. Stiles frowned confused as the ticking slowly turned into an hysterical laugh, he then realized the different voices calling them, the different crazy laughs. They quickly looked around them as the loud laughs began to slowly swallow them, every time nearer.
“Alright guys, lets not fuck this up” Stiles exclaimed ignoring the small push Steve game him with his elbow. Three seconds later four beast appeared from different spots between the shadows. Orange eyes, bright and murderous and mouths wide opened ready to kill.
*
“Everyone alright?” Tony asked with concern through the intercom when there was pure silence in the line for entire minutes, specially when not even the idiots of Scott and his brother had said anything.
Steve responded with a deep groan as he tried to push away a leucrota away with his shield. The beast throwing slashes, its claws dangerously close to his face, “Stiles!” He shout in honest despair, watching as Stiles killed one of the beast. He looked up at hearing his name surprised, he reacted immediately. He looked around searching for Steve’s lost knife, he launched himself for it and threw it. Steve easily caught it and immediately stabbed several times the thing on the spine, which fall down with its dead weight on top if him.
Steve shook his head and let out his breath as he pushed the animal with his shield. He quickly stood up again with effort in perfect time as he realized other leucrota was running toward him, “We´re outnumbered!” He yelled dodging his claws for only centimeters. He use his shield trying to put as much space as he could between the animals mouth and his neck. He managed to see side way how Natasha stabbed the beast on the spine before it felt dead on the ground.
“We could use some help guys” Stiles exclaimed out loud sending a ball of fire to a beast as he fought another one. He fall to his knee ignoring the pain as the beast dig his claws on his leg. Stiles grabbed his head before breaking its neck. He cursed out loud when other beast tackled to him to the ground.
“Coming right there” Tony immediately replied. But Stiles was to busy pushing the leucrota away from his face. He managed to heard Tony landing in the middle of the battle, he side way saw the blast of orange and yellow flames of the explosions, feeling the heat on his face and seeing the beasts flying away along with dirt and rocks. Stiles groaned as he lit his hands in fire and put them around the animal´s neck, squeezing with strength, burning its skin. It was enough for the leucrota to back away in pain. He straightened up and reach the nearest knife he found before burying it deep in the leucrotas back.
He dropped his hand with tiredness taking deep breath as he looked around, piles of dead leucrotas were gathering in the area, even so, they were still outnumbered. He turned to his brother when he heard him calling him with desperation. Stile saw as three damn monsters knocking him to the ground, scratching and tearing apart his suit. Stiles didn’t think twice, he was quickly on his feet, running toward Tony. He grabbed from the neck one of the beats before tossing its head back, he used his knife to split its threat opened before burying the it on his back. He felt as other leucrtoa bit his arm, trying to pull him away. Stiles let out a groan as he desperately tried to let his arm free but the damn thing was too strong but at least Tony was standing up.
He saw as Steve suddenly appeared beside him, repeatedly stabbing the thing in the back until it lost all the strength on its jaw and fell dead. Stiles let out his breath as he put his arm against his chest, already feeling how it was slowly healing. He gave the cap a quick glare, thanking him with a small smile. Steve returned the stare, trying to recover his breath, a small smile playing on his lips, when they suddenly heard Natasha´s loud and surprised yell.
Stiles perfectly saw as one of the remaining living beast threw her against a tree. He heard her body crushing against the tree before falling hard against the ground. The beast immediately launched itself at her and buried his large bone in her flesh, they both heard Natasha´s bones breaking and her pained scream between gritted teeth. Immediately Steve was running toward her, shield ready on his hand. Stiles was about to follow him when a leucrota stepped in his path.
“Stiles?” He heard Scott suddenly calling him. He shook his head taking several steps back, “You alright?” He immediately asked watching as Steve killed the leucrota and pushed his body away, staring in complete terror at Natasha´s leg.
“Something else is in here” Scott suddenly mumbled quietly, as if he was afraid that something was gonna listen to him. Stiles blinked several times confused, feeling his blood go cold. He saw as Steve quickly took Nat in his arms, she was unconscious and Steve was yelling something. Stiles watched as the leucrota lost interest on him, fixing his eyes on Steve and the unconscious body on his arms “Stay right where you are" He exclaimed to the intercom, launching himself to the beast without thinking twice before it could reach Steve and Nat. He grabbed it by its neck, pulling it with his arm, he hold it back as he squeezed with effort. He began to push the animal away, which was struggling against him trying to free itself.
“Where are you Scott?” He loudly yelled, groaning with effort.
“In the Bathesda fountain, hurry!” Scott answered desperate, still under his breath.
Stiles and Steve shared other long stare, where he could see the worrying written in those blue eyes. He nodded to him, trying to show his support before he tele transported himself along with the beast. Stiles suddenly fall hard against the floor, his back crashing against it. The leucrota almost slip from his hold but Stiles grabbed its neck again, “Kill it!” He shouted in despair. Immediately Scott was pulling the animal away from him and stab it several times in the spine. Everything became quiet as Stiles recovered his breath, still laying on the floor. He closed his eyes hearing the water of the fountain and the wind passing by. Stupid monster attacks.
He finally looked up at his friend and nodded with gratitude. Scott scoffed putting his hand on his knees, “You alright?” He asked offering his hand to him.
Stiles took it with effort before shaking his head, “Nat is down” He muttered under his breath, but he was quickly distracted by the fact they weren’t alone. He looked around him perplexed but everything was perfectly quiet, even the water running seemed to mute down. Scott swallowed nervously, instinctively getting near Stiles, “Can you feel it?” He whispered trying to see something but it was pitch black, they could only see the top of the trees and the leaves moving at the beat of the wind.
Stiles nodded slowly, his eyes still looking, “There something watching us” He mumbled before fixing his eyes between the trees a few meters away from them. He tilted his head dazed, he could feel an energy coming in waves toward them. Slowly pulling him in, but it wasn’t a bad feeling, it was something mystical, there was something or someone powerful in there. Without thinking about it, his legs began to move by theirselves, walking straight to the forest.
“Stiles wait” Scott breathed putting a hand on his arm but he shook it away immediately, “It doesn’t want hurt us” He assured Scott, never stopping his walk. He finally was in front o the tall trees, Stiles looked up, somehow feeling intimidated by its hight. He swallowed before staring at the perfect line between the tiles and the green grass. He titled his head as the calling became stronger, he finally let his instincts win and stepped inside, followed closely by Scott.
He stopped in dry when he heard the bushes moving around them.
“Can you see it?” Scott asked under his breath. Stiles shook his head and turned to his friend, putting a finger over his lips, “Listen” He muttered stretching his neck. Several branches broke as something slowly walked toward them. He heard its deep breathing as the hasty burst of wind it created. They backed away when a sudden shadow stepped in front, it was big and tall, almost as tall as a tree. Stiles put an arm around Scott pushing him away.
“Call the team” He muttered immediately but he couldn’t get his eyes away from the mysterious shadow, it was completely immovable and silent, only watching them. Scott nodded before stepping back and quickly disappearing as he ran away looking for the others.
“What are you?” He asked under his breath the second he knew they were alone. The shadow remained silent for a few complete minute before it quickly moved. It was suddenly in front of Stiles but he never backed away, his legs stuck on the ground. He anxiously swallowed when he felt the strong smell of dirt and swamp flooding his senses, he resisted the need to cover up his nose. Slowly the shadow began to turn into a small man, an old one, covered it moss, dirt and other plants, his grey face so wrinkled it was hard to distinguish his features. He was barely as tall as Stiles leg and had long white hair, except it was covered in moss too. It seemed he had just came out from a long hibernation in a dirty swamp.
“And who are you?” The old man asked, his voice cheeky and hoarse for not being use in so long. Stiles raised his eyebrows in complete astonishment, he kneeled in from of the creature and frowned, tilting his head, “You’re a demon” He exclaimed impressed and honestly a little scared, before smiling in complete disbelief.
The little old man twisted his mouth and pushed him away with the little strength he had. He began slowly walking, his joints thundering with every step. Stiles fall in his ass, still in complete shock as he watched him sat down in the nearest rock, his feet covered in dried leaves and mud, barely touching the ground. If honest Stiles felt as if he was about to be trained to become a Jedi master.
“I´m a Leshii” He corrected raising his long walking stick, “And you boy, you're a spark” The demon hissed, almost thrilled, a singing voice filled with curiosity. Stiles twisted his mouth at hearing the name, he had always hated it, he looked away and finally nodded, “You know why I am here?” The demon suddenly asked, his black shining eyes locked on Stiles one.
He slowly shook his head before swallowing hard, he felt as if he was being played.
“You even know who I am?” The demon asked, his voice lower. When Stiles shook his head again, the demon smiled with almost pity, showing his crooked and yellow teeth. He tilted his head before raising his long arm, un-proportional against his short body and legs.
“My name is Abahel” He introduce himself, opening his eyes with excitement and proud at hearing his name out loud. Stiles carefully watched his wrinkled hand, his lengthy gnarled fingers along with his grey, too longs nails. He let out his breath before raising his own hand, he twisted his mouth, hesitating. He licked his sudden dry lips doubting if it was a good idea to be such near a demon of the forest. They were creatures as old as the earth itself, and they weren’t known for their kindness, after all they were still demons, protectors of the forests, but still demons. For everything Stiles could know, he was the one that had started the attack, maybe their encounter was planned and he was directly falling into a trap. But the creature smile became wider, almost mocking him, as he already knew Stiles thoughts. He stretched his arm finally removing the short space between them.
Stiles lightly jumped at the asperity and coldness of his hand. The demon squeezed his hand with strength before finally letting him go in an instant, backing away a little, he leaned his head on the tip of his walking stick and his almost charming smile suddenly disappeared, “I asked you a question boy” The creature hissed, almost with desperation, pointing him with his fingers. The act was essentially threatening. Stiles raised his eyebrows and opened his mouth trying to remember what was the actual question, “I´m…” He tried to said but the nervousness didn’t even let him think.
“You're lost” Abahel answered for him. Laughing under his breath, a horrible sharper noice that made Stiles bones shiver, “I sensed you boy, the moment you entered this forest”
“How?” Stiles was only able to asked before he cleared his throat. Abahel narrowed his eyes as if he was debating something, “I thought you were smarter than that” He replied shortly before looking away, “The same way you sensed me, after all you’re a powerful spark, a dumb one but still a powerful spark”
Stiles opened his eyes surprised and kind of offended, “I´m not dumb” He muttered straightening up, trying to show more presence. The demon quietly laughed with clear entertainment, “He can talk” He mocked him crossing his fingers over his stick. Stiles looked down trying to hide his smile, “My name is Stiles” He finally answered.
He tilted his head before admitting the demon was completely right, “And indeed I am lost” He softly replied, almost ashamed for saying it out loud. The demon fixed his eyes on him for a few seconds, “You’re closer than you think you’re, boy” He whispered with a sudden excitement, his head moving closer to Stiles, who only frowned confused, closer? closer to what?
“You need to find them all Stiles” The demon hissed, eyes wide opening with every word said.
“Find what?” He asked confused, his eyebrows raising.
“The sacred sources, the nemetons, you need to find them all before its too late, before they lose their good core” He muttered before a wide smile appeared on his face. Stiles suddenly felt the strong bursts of wind around him, every time faster. He looked around him, scared, watching the leaves and dirt fly surrounding him as Abahel disappeared in front of him, his old body dissolving into dust.
Stiles put hand over his face trying to protect his eyes from the wind, “Wait!” He exclaimed, extending his arm trying to hold on the demon, but his fingers grabbed pure dust before it disappeared too. And suddenly he fall against the floor and everything was perfectly quiet again, the strong wind was completely gone. He quickly straightened up as he looked around him surprised before he heard his name being call in the distance. He quickly stood up shaking his pants with nervousness. He put a hand over his forehead thinking over and over the demons words. He couldn’t help but smile as a delusional hope grew inside him.
“Stiles?” He heard Scott still calling. He shook his head before coming out of the trees, stepping again into the square where the entire team was looking for him, except for Natasha and Steve, they were nowhere to be seen. He frowned confused when he noticed how the tense the atmosphere felt.
“Scott!” He said out loud raising his hand. He began jogging to his friend with excitement, ready to tell the news when he suddenly felt a huge and really hard smack on the back of his head. He moaned out loud angrily, turning around facing a pretty mad Tony, fuming through his ears. Stiles frowned confused and raised his arm sobbing his neck, “What the hell Tony!” He mumbled pushing his brother away before he could smack him again.
“Where the hell have you been?! I thought you were- god, I´m gonna kill you!” Tony asked yelling and mad, completely mad, gaining the teams attention. Stiles frowned harder, totally confused at his brother huge abruption, “What do you mean? I was gone for only five minutes!” He exclaimed annoyed. Tony was ready to literal kill him but Clint kindly, stepped in the discussion shaking his head, “You were gone for nearly an hour” He muttered confused watching Stiles perplex eyes.
“What?” Stiles breathed looking down at the floor, searching for an explanation. Trying to remember how was that even possible. He slowly shook his head when he remembered, time was different around demons. He passed a hand through his hair, “Shit sorry, I just-“ He tried to explain himself but Tony interrupted him, he raised his hand, “I really don’t care Stiles” He muttered between gritted teeth, he took a long, deep breath before speaking again, "Natasha is seriously injured and Bruce wants your help, now”
Stiles opened his eyes, cursing out loud, he had completely forgotten about her injury, Steve must be losing his mind, “Shit, shit” He exclaimed grabbing Tony hand´s between his before he could walk away, Tony watched his hand on his and pulled a face but Stiles didn’t let him go, “Everyone hold hands” He instructed out loud watching as Scott grabbed Tony´s hand and then Clint, following his instructions.
But Thor stared at them holding hands, eyebrows raised in questioning. Stiles rolled his eyes impatient, “You too, blondie the second!” He exclaimed extending his empty hand waiting for him to grab it.
He felt Tony´s confused eyes on his side, “Blondie the second?” He asked under his breath. Stiles rolled his eyes before huffing, they didn’t have time for that, if Clint was right and he was long for nearly an hour, that only meant less percentage of success in Natasha´s case, “Lydia is the first one, now shut up because I have never tele transported more than two persons” He hissed between gritted teeth before closing his eyes. He shook his head and concentrated.
“Are you sure you… " Scott started but in a second he was seeing everything upside down, spinning and spinning and in a blink of an eye they were holding hands inside the medical flat of the tower. He groaned under his breath as he put a hand over his stomach, ignoring the nausea, he would never get used to that strange feeling.
Siles let go of his brother and blondie before looking around searching for Bruce or Steve, ignoring Thor´s excited whistles and his dizzy head, tele transporting five persons was definitely not easy. He put hand over his stomach swallowing with effort, he needed to find Nat, “Where is she?” He asked directly to his brother, clearing his throat when felt he was gonna throw up. Tony gave him a short glare before making head movement for Stiles to follow him. They walked in complete silence, Stiles wondering if he was mad at him again when they arrived to the end of the hall. Stile grabbed the doorknob but stop on his tracks, he turned to Tony, opening his mouth, “Sorry” He finally breathed.
Tony opened his eyes surprised before shaking his head, as if Stiles apologizing was stupid. He put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed before walking away. Stiles send him a kind smile before he immediately stepped inside. The room was in complete silence, just the alive monitor beeping following her arrhythmically heart. Natasha was unconscious, laying on a stretch, her body covered in a thin blue surgical blankets. Bruce was concentrated, curved on himself, his hands moving with rapidity as he continue operating Natasha´s leg. Steve was sitting on a near chair without disturbing, his breathing barely making a sound. Bruce looked up and stared at Stiles for a few seconds before shaking his head, even with the mask on, Stiles knew he was twisting his lips in pain for his friend.
Stiles breathed with difficulty, his legs moved on their own as he approached the stretcher and see the damage. In few words, Natasha´s leg was torn apart, and the bone, well there was no bone, at least none they could fix. There was simply too much damage to work something out. Stiles carefully put his hand on her forehead, watching her asleep. He slowly rubbed her cold skin with his thumb before swallowing. He looked down at her leg before at Bruce, “I know what to do” He muttered dropping his hand. Bruce gave him a unrecognizable stare before nodding. Steve was suddenly on his feet, beside her, taking her hand between his.
Stiles stared at her soft face one more time before kneeling on the floor in front of the stretcher. He carefully put his hands on her leg, immediately soaking in blood, before closing his eyes. Deaton had actually taught him a variety of healing spells, nothing fancy, but still helpful. He didn’t know much about them and actually he had only use them a few times, between the healing powers of the werwolves and his, well he didn’t need them much. He honestly hoped it worked, the injure had been opened for too long and Stiles wasn’t completely sure the spell was gonna work after such long time, but he couldn’t surrender, specially when they were talking about saving the leg of the best spy inside that tower. He took deep breaths as he began reciting out loud over and over again.
“Zdrowy, zdrowy ogon żaby, jeśli nie jest zdrowy, zagoi się jutro” He repeated, until he felt his hands getting warmer as his magic passed through them into her flesh. He heard as the bones and muscle slowly repair themselves, nerves and muscles joining as one. He completely ignored the impressed gasp Steve let out. He twisted his mouth when he felt a strong headache on the back of his neck but he completely ignore it, as he slowly opened his eyes and watched in pleasant surprise, his spell had worked. He dropped his hands and backed away, watching as Natasha took deep breaths, as if her body somehow knew she was alright again.
Stiles stood up slowly before leaning against the stretcher, he let out his breath before looking down, shaking his head. He opened his mouth ready to apologize for arriving so damn late when he was suddenly between a couple of strong arms. Steve squeezed him so hard Stiles gasped for air closing his eyes, “Alright big guy, I give up” He managed to mumbled tapping his back repeatedly.
“Thank you” Steve whispered on his ear before dropping him in the floor. Stiles nodded, clearing his throat, trying to hide his beating heart and his lightly red cheeks. He quickly walked out of the room before Bruce could hug him too. He rubbed his temples as the headache grew and grew, he had lost an entire among of energy between tele transporting himself and other people, healing legs and talking with a demon. He waited for the elevator still rubbing his head.
“Common floor, please Jarvis” He muttered with a quick smile, leaning against the metallic wall, “You’re brother is expecting you sir” Jarvis answered immediately. Stiles deeply sighed and nodded, he had it coming.
He patiently waited until the doors finally opened, reveling the common room almost empty, except for Scott and Tony. Stiles slowly entered, watching his friend nervously bitting his nail and tapping his feet against the floor.
Scott looked up impressed when he noticed Stiles, he frowned confused and shook his head, he hated Stiles was too quiet for him to notice him. He quickly walked toward him grabbing his arm pulling him away from Tony. Stiles let himself be dragged, “You alright?” Scott asked finally letting him go.
He nodded repeatedly, “You won’t believe what happened” He muttered excited, “It was demon of the forest, it was a Leshii” He exclaimed, failing at hiding his smile. Scott opened his mouth impressed before shaking his head, “What?” He mumbled higher than he meant to. Almost immediately Tony turned at them narrowing his eyes. He put his phone away and straightened up.
“Alright you two, come on, talk” He exclaimed with suspicion, crossing his arms over his chest, acquiring a protective air of older brother. Stiles deeply sighed before walking toward him, followed closely by Scott. He sat on the couch beside his brother, he felted like a scolded kid with his best friend. Tony raised his eyebrows waiting for him to proceed.
He moaned annoyed before speaking, “Well…" He started with precaution, “I, well a- something contacted me in the forest, a magical creature, he helped me with some answers”
Tony remained silent staring at his brother, “What?”
Stiles dropped his shoulders, pulling a bothered face, “A demon Tony, a demon contacted me, nothing out of the blue” He exclaimed ignoring Tonys surprised and pretty mad eyes, “He told me we needed to find the other energy sources, just like the nemeton” He explained. Scott suddenly appeared beside him making Stiles jumped and frowned astonished, “What for?"
Stiles shook his head slowly and shrugged, he looked down remembering they’re little chit chat, “I think they can be in danger, we need to find them before they turned… dark” He explained confused, he still didn't know what the demon had meant with lose their good coreI, but his guts were telling him desperately that was what happened to the Nemeton back at Beacon Hills, it was the most reasonable theory he had heard. But Scott pulled a face before shaking his head not buying the story, especially when it came out of the a demon´s mouth.
“And you’re gonna listen to a freaking demon?” Scott asked impressed at his friends genuinely but Stiles buffed looking away, “Then why would he even bother to contact me Scott”
But Scott shook his head, wide opening his eyes, “Stiles come one, thats what they do, they tell you what you want to hear, they trick you!” Scott exclaimed trying to make some sense with his friend, but Stiles shook his head looking down, refusing to believe him.
“Stiles you more than anyone should know it! Don't you forget everything that happened with the nog-“ But Stiles immediately send him a furious stare, eyes wide opened. Scott abruptly shut himself up before licking his lips, he looked down feeling the guilt inside his chest, he knew he had gone too far.
They were silent for a tense moment. Tony looking between them confused, he had no idea what just happened and why his brother seemed so mad, he finally spoke, his voice strained and uneasy, “Its the only clue we have Scott, theres nothing more, if you have a better plan I would like to hear it” Stiles answered back between gritted teeth. His eyes never leaving his friend. Scott finally looked up again and shook his head defeated, he swallowed trying to understand what Stiles wanted, “What if its a trap Stiles?” He asked quietly, putting his elbows on his knees.
“Actually I´m on this one with wolfie right here” Tony suddenly exclaimed, pointing him with his thumb. Stiles gave him a quick mad glare before returning to his friend, he would be lying if he said he didn’t consider that option but after all it was their only option, their only opportunity.
“I don’t know what else to do” He finally whispered honestly, shrugging with defeat, “No one knows what else to do Scott” He added raising his arms, “Trust me, I don’t want to do this but…”
“Its our only option” Scott finished for him before shaking his hair with his hand, Stiles was right, it was their only real clue, even if it was trap, eventually they would lead them to somewhere, they needed to get out of that blind alley. He finally sighed, repeatedly nodding, “What do you want to do?”
Stiles rubbed his hand between each other thinking about the next proper step, “Well, we already know where is one energy source, we just have to figure everything about it” Stiles answered shrugging as if it was really that simple. Scott twisted his mouth and nodded, “You mean returning to Beacon Hills”
Stiles stared at his friend dead in the eye for what it felt an eternity, he finally nodded slowly, knowing that was what he needed to do, still it wasn’t easy. Scott raised his eyebrows impressed and opened his mouth but nothing came out. If Stiles was willing to return to that place, it was because he strongly believe in his theory.
“You two aren’t returning alone” Tony suddenly exclaimed as he stood up from the couch. Stiles turned to him in complete surprise, “What?” He managed to breath, exchanging a quick look with Scott, who seemed as confused as Stiles was.
Tony gave him a long and exhausted stare, “I told you I was gonna protect you Stiles” He answered quietly, almost shyly to say his feelings out loud. Stiles opened his mouth, watching astound as his brother call out Jarvis, telling him please to reunite the team for an emergency reunion. Stiles immediately knew what was going on and he was begging life for it not to happen. He felt his heart stop as his legs stood him up in automatic, he walked toward his brother, “Tony, wait” He exclaimed, trying to grab his arm but he pushed his hand away. He felt his throat dried as he passed a hand through his hair, he turned to Scott desperately searching for support but his friend shrugged confused, what could he do? What could Stiles do? Absolutely nothing.
“Tony please” He asked under his breath putting a hand on his brother arm, this time he didn’t push him, but Tony could perfectly imagine his coming words, “You can’t come with me” He mumbled freezing on his place when Tony turned at his words, to face him “What am I supposed to do Stiles? Leave you?” He madly asked raising his eyebrows. Stiles remained silent, he knew his brother was completely right. What did Stiles expected Tony to do? Leave him alone when he they are all facing something dark and unknown? It sounded as a completely bad idea even for him.
“I know its your old home, your past you want to hide but this is not about you Stiles, at least not completely” Tony muttered before lightly clapping him on the cheek with tender. Stiles breathed with difficulty before nodding, words couldn’t came out from his mouth. He let out all his breath as he heard the team appeared through the elevator doors, chatting among them. Stiles walked away from his brother until his legs hit the couch, he let himself dropped in it with complete tiredness. Watching as the team sat down around him and Scott waiting for someone to tell them why they call them.
Stiles bit his lips and his leg shook with anxiety, he looked up to find Steve´s blue eyes on him. Stiles tried to smile but his mouth only made a weird attempt of it. Steve immediately frowned confused, he opened his mouth ready to ask what was wrong when Tony cleared his throat.
“Alright guys…” Tony started before clapping his hands, “Family vacation!” He exclaimed with false excitement, a huge smile on his face. Trying to lit up the room, but everyone exchanged confused looks. Stiles rolled his eyes and shook his head, he slowly stood up as he began explaining everything that happened int he forest, he also explained them what where the sacred forests, how they worked and how changed the one in Beacon Hills was. When he finished the room felt into an intense silence. Stiles swallowed and rocked his feet waiting for someone to say something, anything.
“Thats the worst plan I have ever heard” Clint finally muttered, he had no other words to describe it. He passed hand through his hair, before he shook his head, “But its the only one we got” He answered to himself nodding when Stiles gave him a disappointed glare.
“Guess we´re meeting you home sweet home guys!” He exclaimed clapping Scott on the back. The team burst into loud talking but all Stiles could do was pulled a face at hearing those words repeating inside his head, they were meeting the pack, his friends and it sucked, it completely sucked but as Tony had said, it wasn’t about him. He gave Clint a fake smile before standing up. He nervously rubbed his sweaty palms against the fabric of his pants. He quickly walked away to the kitchen as he heard Tony instructing the team they were leaving first thing in the morning, as soon as the sun was out. He shook his head as he opened the fridge and took out a bottle of vodka, he just wanted his head to stop overthinking over and over again. He began pouring himself a large drink when someone cleared its throat gaining his attention.
Stiles looked up impressed, staring at a really uncomfortable Steve, he had his hands behind his back and was looking everything but him. Stiles raised an eyebrow in questioning as he put the bottle away but didn’t say anything.
“You alright?” Steve finally asked under his breath. Stiles deeply sighed, lightly annoyed, “Talking to me now?” He asked before his brain could caught up with his mouth, immediately regretting his words when Steve´s cheeks turned deep red and he looked down. Stiles took a long needful sip from his drink, “Sorry” He blurted out, he didn’t want to take it on him, he didn’t deserve it, specially when it wasn’t his fault and his friend was just badly injured.
“Sorry” He repeated truly regretting his words, rubbing his eyes with tiredness, “I think I just need to sleep” He lied with a quick smile. Steve stared at him in a way, his unique way his eyes seemed to pierce him. Stiles felt transparent, as if Steve could see right through him and that fact terrified him. He swallowed hard as he remembered blondie the second´s truly unnecessary comment. Immediately his stomach twisted with excitement despite his desperate intents for it to stop.
“My flat?” The man asked shyly, almost afraid to listen to the answer. Stiles couldn’t help but smile as he looked down, amazed how such a beautiful, big, strong man could be so shy. He let out his breath with honest relief, not knowing he wanted to hear those word until he did, “Yeah…” He muttered happily taking his glass on his hand. Steve let out a goofy smile as he began walking away, Stiles right behind him when he suddenly remembered someone had to let know the pack they were coming and they weren’t coming alone. And he was sure as hell he won’t be that someone telling them. He began looking for Scott, he found him, still sitting on the couch, talking and laughing with Clint about something.
“Scott!” He said out loud raising his arm. His friend immediately looked up at him and gave him a quick smile before jogging toward him, “Yeah?”
“Can you please, please, notify the pack we´re-“ Stiles started to beg when Scott raised his arm, stopping him, “I already told Lydia, its done” He assured Stiles with calm, who only let out his breath in pure relief.
“Thanks man” He breathed honestly already walking away to the elevator, where Steve was patiently waiting, leaning against the frame. Scott narrowed his eyes, looking behind Stiles with a half smile on his face, “Yeah, unwanted curiosity my ass” He exclaimed before laughing at Stiles wide opened eyes playing offended, “Shut up idiot” He answered back, a small smile playing on his lips.
“Thank you for healing Nat” Steve suddenly exclaimed as the elevator went up. Stiles gave him a side way look before shrugging, acting careless “And…” Steve continued, this time fully facing Stiles, “Thank you for saving my life earlier back at the park… thanks” He finally exclaimed, shaking his head with awkwardness.
Stiles faced him too and shrugged again, “You’re not the only one that can worry big guy” He murmured smiling when Steve looked away, hiding his face. The doors opened in the flat and Stiles slowly walked out, hand inside his pocket and his drink on the other, “Good night Steve” He whispered walking to his usual room, already knowing the way. He quickly entered and closed the door, not waiting for an answer. He leaned against the closed door and finished his drink in a long sip, dropping the glass on the white carpet, wondering why in gods name he didn’t brought the whole bottle. He kicked his shoes off, his eyes lost in the darkness. He dropped his head on his hand as he felt the fear finally invade him. He didn’t want to face Derek and Beacon Hills again, specially not in front of his brother and the team and… Steve, they would see the real him. The simple idea of that made his stomach switch, he ran away from that place for a reason but still fate kept putting it in his path.
He knew nothing good would come out from that trip. He could only imagine how it would be, Derek and the pack would knew about his… unwanted curiosity was actually a pretty good description of it, about Steve and he wasn’t ready to deal with those feeling, still a little voce inside his head was telling him, yelling at him he was never ready for anything. He never want to deal with things and just kept pushing them away until they solved on their own. It was truly stupid but pretty hard to let go to his old costumes.
He removed his clothes and finally laid down on the bed. He closed his eyes and deep breathed hugging the white pillow against him. How come he could deal against dark beasts and powerful threats with the potential to kill him and his loves one but not the strength to deal with… his feelings. It sounded so stupid and immature and still… Stiles wasn’t gonna figure out anything about Steve or Derek or anything about them, how could he feel something for someone just months after he broke up with his first love? It wasn’t even possible, right? so he was gonna put all his doubts and stupid feelings inside a little box and dig it in the deepest of himself and he was not doing anything about it.
For the fifth time Stiles rolled on the bed trying to fall asleep, he hit the pillow before dropping his head on it. Seconds, minutes passed and nothing, he let out his breath and opened his eyes annoyed. He quickly sat on the bed before passing a hand through his hair. He remained silent and steady on his place waiting for the sleep to take over him but it never happened. He cursed under his breath as he got out of the bed, groaning annoyed when his legs stumbled between the sheets, he hated when he couldn’t sleep.
He quickly put his pants on and wide opened the door, greeted by darkness. He slowly stepped out, glass on hand, ready to have other drink when someone turned on the lights. Stiles jumped before freezing on his place putting a hand over his chest, “Idiot! you scared me” He madly hissed, watching as Steve laughed quietly from the couch.
“If you’re looking for alcohol, theres nothing in here” Steve mumbled as he returned his attention back to his sketch book. Stiles twisted his mouth, he stared at the empty glass on his hand and quietly left it in the table beside him. He slowly walked toward the couch, curiosity growing inside him as he tried to take to look from the notebook on his hands, “Couldn’t sleep either?” He asked as he sat beside him, leaning his head against the seat. Steve looked up from the notebook, his mouth and nose hiding behind it.
He finally shook his head an returned to his work. Stiles deeply sighed getting the hint, Steve wanted to draw in complete peace and silence. He slowly stood up, “Right…” He muttered getting ready to return to his room when his voice stopped him.
“Want some hot cocoa?” Steve suddenly asked finally leaving his sketch book oh the glass table in front of him. Stiles frowned watching his movements, “God, you’re weird” He answered as he walked back to him.
Steve pulled a face and sighed, “Yes or no?” He asked crossing his arms over his chest. Only then Stiles noticed he was wearing blue pajamas and the shirt was dangerously stuck to his body, popping his muscles. Stiles cleared his throat and nodded, “Sure, hot cocoa whatever” He muttered before sitting down again. He watched as Steve quickly walked to the kitchen to prepare the drinks. He deeply sighed as he looked away, waiting for his freaking hot cocoa, Captain America was such a dork. His eyes landed on Steve’s opened notebook and the curiosity grew inside him again, he extended his arm, ready to take it when he stopped centimeters away from it. He shook his head and backed away, they were Steve´s things, Steve´s really personal things and if he didn’t want to show them, Stiles would respect it.
He backed away from the table and dropped himself with tiredness against the cushions. Steve returned with two blue cups on his hands. Stiles accepted his with a kind smile before taking a short sip, raising his eyebrows impressed at the taste, “This is good” He mumbled to himself before taking other sip.
“Nervous?” Steve suddenly asked after a couple of minutes of pure silence. Stiles gave him a long, careful stare before quietly leaving his almost empty cup on the table, for a moment he remembered his nights with Derek, when either of them could sleep and Stiles would prepare coffee from him, Derek used to love it in latte, cappuccino, American, in every way. They used to talk about everything and anything until the sun was out and they had to go to work. He quickly shook his head and shrugged. Steve nodded with understanding, “I would be nervous too” He muttered, looking at something behind Stiles.
He looked down, swallowing hard, “I don’t know why but you have something…” Stiles started trying to make himself understand, “I feel I can talk with you about everything” He finally muttered, smiling when he felt Steve hand pushing his shoulder playfully. He swallowed hard, his smile disappearing, he couldn’t dare raise his head, “I am nervous, I- there are too many things you don’t know about me, bad things about me that I didn't want anyone of you finding out, at least not yet” He finally accepted, a weight less from his shoulders.
Steve remained silent, watching how Stiles twisted his fingers with nervousness, unconscious from the movement. He watched how he blinked several times, his long eyelashes batting with every movement. Then he spoke again, really quietly under his breath, sounding almost ashamed.
“I was in high school when I started having problems to sleep, nightmares, panic attacks, I quickly figure out there was something trying to reach me but I shut it down” Stiles started, his heart beating every time faster and faster, the nervousness clouding his thoughts but somehow sure about telling Steve the truth, he actually wanted to do it, “I decide to ignore it until one day I began to have visions, vivid visions and to sleepwalk till one point… one night I woke up and I realized I had no idea where I was, I had to call Scott for help but that same night something… attacked me, I had an internal struggle with something evil as he tried to invade my body and mind”
Steve wished he could reach and take his hand between his, but he knew it would only scare him away, so he dedicate himself to only listen closely.
“See, my mother was sick for a long time, she had something called frontotemporal dementia and the symptoms she showed were the same I was living. Scott´s mom was a doctor in Beacon Hill´s hospital, she began the medical tests trying to prove I had the same disease but in the magnetic resonance, I… disappeared. I was gone for almost 48 hours and I couldn’t remember any part of them or what I had done. Until I appeared in the forest and realized I had set up traps around the preserve, I almost kill my coach that day” He exclaimed twisting his mouth.
“That same day I decided to intern myself into a medical facility, I didn’t know I was directly falling into a trap of this… dark entity. He attacked me in my weakest moment, when they doctors of the hospital put me to sleep and suddenly I was possessed” He added finally looking up, his neck aching for behind immobile for so long. Steve stared at him frowning, his eyes looking for something on his features.
“Possessed?” He asked quietly, disbelief. Stiles swallowed and nodded, “This entities are called nogitsunes, they are spirits, searching to feed from tragedies, pain and fear” He explained leaning against the seat with tiredness.
“I was the perfect victim and well, to not make it longer, it possessed me, I did things… things I´m not proud of and well, people died because of me…” He whispered, his eyes lost as he remembered the night Allison died. A shiver run down his spine as he felt his throat close, he swallowed and let out his breath, “But the pack managed to find me and bring me back” He finally said.
Steve remained silent, staring down, frowning, honestly a little in shock, “When you mean people died because of you…” He rambled quietly, ashamed of even thinking about it. But Stiles didn’t even flinch at the question, “I meant, Scott´s first love, one of my closest friends, died because of me”
Stiles cleared his throat a the sudden silence, he straightened up and shook his head, “My god, this hot cocoa is going to kill me” He exclaimed finishing it with a quick sip, hating the burning sensation down his throat. Steve stared at him for a few seconds, before his mind could up with what in earth he was doing, he took Stiles hand on his and squeezed, “It wasn’t you fault” He muttered with honesty but Stiles raised his other hand and stopped him immediately, he didn’t need to hear it.
“Its in the past big guy, I made my peace with that matter a long time ago” He strongly assured Steve, who only nodded, rubbing with his thumb against Stiles warm hand.
They felt into other silence, a comfortable one, where words didn’t need to be said out loud. Stiles smiled at the image of their holding hands and looked up, to find Steve´s eyes on him, his beautiful blue eyes fixed on his. Stiles hummed lost in them, “You never told me about this unwanted curiosity” He whispered as his body got closer to him. He felt a sudden rush inside him, butterflies inside his stomach and all that romantic crap.
Steve licked his sudden dry lips before nodding, “I don’t know what to say” He honestly breathed, his mind spinning with rapidity. His heart beating faster and faster as he wasn’t able to control his body, slowly he raised his free hand, his fingers closed to Stiles soft skin, he was dying to touch it.
Stiles was only able to lean on the touch and let out his breath as he felt the warm caress of his cheek, “You’re truly an idiot Steve Rogers” He muttered before closing the space between them. For a moment Stiles shut down the red alarm inside his head and listened to that little voice yelling every time louder fuck it, fuck it, fuck it.
He deepened the kiss when Steve returned it, the same hunger and desperation written on that perfect kiss. Stiles passed his hands through his long hair before lightly pulling it. Steve groaned against his mouth before putting one hand behind his neck, pushing their lips even closer.
They broke away when they felt his lungs about to explode, asking for air. Stiles put their foreheads together as he tried to recover his breathing. His eyes lost and confused. He suddenly realized the sun was already out and the reality hit him. He straightened up and stared at Steve in complete and utter shock, “Fuck” He breathed before standing up, stumbling with his own feet. Steve remained silent on his place watching him leave. Stiles began walking away, his eyes never leaving his. He quickly pressed the elevator, tapping his foot against the floor when the doors opened for him. He opened his mouth wishing to say something but nothing came out, the doors closed in front of him and they were suddenly separated. Stiles stared at the blue metallic doors and tried to took deep breaths, what had he done?
Steve stared at the closed doors Stiles had just disappeared through, before turning to the orange sunset. He swallowed hard before taking deep breaths, what had he done?