UP IN FLAMES ➳ S. STILINSKI [02]

[07]

"This looks...really dangerous" Isaac stared at me with anxious eyes from across the giant bathtub that we were filling with ice and cold water. "Are you sure it's safe?"

I held my hands up, shaking my head. "Not my idea, it was Deaton's, his plans are usually mostly safe"

"Usually mostly safe" He repeated, muttering to himself and shaking his head.

"Well" Deaton walked out and clapped his hands together. "As safe as almost dying is, for a werewolf of course"

"Will it hurt?" His hands gripped the side of the bathtub as Scott and Derek continued filling it.

"It won't be particularly comfortable - but the idea is that if we can slow your heartrate down enough then you'll slip into a trance-like state"

I clicked my fingers and smiled at them both. "Like being hypnotised? I tried having that done to me one time but they couldn't - I guess I have a strong mind or something.." My voice trailed off and I snapped back up to Isaac. "It'll be fine! We're all here, and if anything goes wrong you'll be safe and sound"

"..In a freezing cold bathtub of death?" He looked at me with raised eyebrows.

"Well - yes" My shoulders shrugged. "But, a safe bathtub of death"

"If we could get back to the topic at hand?" Deaton squinted at us as Derek and Scott finished up, we all gathered around the tub and looked at him. "So, he'll be half transformed which will let us access his subconscious mind"

Scott peered around me to look at him. "How slow will his heart rate need to be?"

"Very slow"

Derek's eyes widened in shock. "And how slow is very slow, exactly?"

"Almost dead"

Pulling my lips together anxiously, I started to wonder if this was the best idea It was my move to come and see him after all.

"What'd I miss?!" A gleaming Stiles walked through the door, walking over to us and making a face. "Why does everyone look so tense?" His eyes looked down at the bathtub and then to Isaac, and to me. "Yeah...I'm not gonna ask any questions"

"That would be wise" I nodded at him.

Stiles and I were still not on the best terms after he hadn't told me about the party, but I don't think he knew that - so maybe it was time to tell him.

"For this to happen we need as little people in here as possible - too many voices will confuse Isaac" The Vet looked around all of us and I nodded to Stiles.

"Stiles and I will go outside, if it's easier to get things out of Isaac"

"Uh, yeah, sure" Stiles scratched the back of his head and followed me out of the doors, leaving them to do their thing and hopefully get some answers. Walking outside, it was very awkward and I'm sure he could sense it too because he coughed and spoke. "Are you alright? You seem, different"

"Look" I stared at the ground. "I've never been good with feelings and saying things"

"I'm aware" He laughed and nodded to me. "Did you want to talk about something?"

"Yes" I blew out a nervous breath. "I like you, I really do - a lot"

"I feel the same" His hands took my own but my stare was planted anxiously on the ground. "Oh god, this isn't where you break up with me, is it?"

"How can I break up with someone that's not even my boyfriend?" My head shook. "We've been really rocky from the start, Stiles - and between that and then the party that you went to it's just difficult not having strange feelings.."

"The party?" He thought for a moment. "Oh! Right. Her name was Heather, she was an old friend from my childhood - I didn't really want to go, but I felt bad for her because her mother is dead too and well, our mothers used to be friends and.." Swallowing hard, he looked down at me. "She went missing that night, and they still can't find her"

"I feel awful. Oh my god - you're right, you should have went. I'm sorry" I looked up at him and bit down on my lip. "Stiles, they'll find her soon. Your dad is the best person for that and we can always get help from our supernatural friends - we will find her. It wasn't my place to comment on that, it must have been special for you and her being there together"

"Thankyou - it was nice while it lasted. I'm sure she probably just wandered off with some guy, I think she was really drunk" He shook his head. "I'm the one that should feel bad! I don't know why I didn't tell you, I guess I've just spent so much of my life never having to worry about someone other than myself it's difficult to suddenly adjust - but I'm sorry, I should have told you" His hand made its way to the back of my head and stroked it gently making me nestle into him.

"Don't apologise - look, why don't we have a clean slate? Forget about all the rocky meetups and moments like this and just start a fresh page?" Smiling, I looked up at him.

"A new chapter" He stated and I nodded.

"Yes, a new chapter. We can be Stiles and Ashlynn again, and hide from nobody"

Pulling me into a kiss, he smiled into it and spoke. "Let's do it"