Shadows // Stiles Stilinski x Male OC

11

"This is your favorite spot?" Alex asks as I drive him to the "You're Leaving Beacon Hills" sign.

"You see up there?" I ask, pointing to the highway.

"Mmhmm," he nods."That's the road to freedom. My mom used to say, 'Get out of this town as soon as you can. Go find out how other people live and think before you find a place that's yours.' And I'd say, 'Mom, I'm 9. How do I do that?'" I chuckle, and he laughs along with me."So that's when she took me to the library," I continue. "And she said, 'Stiles, this is my church. This is where my family goes to celebrate what's holy: ideas.'"

"Oh, wow, sorry," I say, realizing I've been rambling. "Don't know where that came from." I sigh.

"I wish I'd known her," Alex says softly, looking into my eyes before leaning in to kiss me.

Suddenly, I break the kiss and get up. "Let's get out of here. Let's go."

"Where?" he asks, watching me with a puzzled expression.

"Anywhere," I say, taking his hands in mine. "Alex, most people spend their entire lives waiting for a moment that's gonna change everything. It never happens. We can start our lives right now, okay? We just gotta say yes, get in the car, and go."

"I can't do that," he says, looking down at our hands.

"Why?" I ask quietly.

"When I turn 16, I might not even be who I am now," he says, his voice tinged with fear.

"Why? What could happen besides getting your first hangover?" I joke, trying to lighten the mood.

"When a Caster turns 16, we face what they call the Claiming. My powers will be claimed for either the Light or the Dark, depending on my true nature. Whatever I'm destined to be. That's why Macon brought me here."

"Wait, what's Macon?" I ask, confusion creeping into my voice.

"He's a Dark Caster, but he's choosing to be Light for me now."

"He can choose? Then why can't you?" I ask, even more confused.

"Because I'm a natural, and my powers are stronger than the others. True nature chooses for me. I don't know why," he says, squeezing my hands.

"Back up, wait a minute. You're worried that when you turn 16, you're gonna be an evil... witch Caster thing?" I ask, trying to wrap my head around it.

"I have 75 days left, Stiles." he says showing me his tattoo "I don't know what I'll be. I don't know who I really am inside," he says, his eyes filled with uncertainty.
I look at him, feeling the weight of his words, and then I kiss him hard, pouring all my emotions into it, hoping to show him that no matter what happens, I'll be there for him.

**************

Friday at school, I was on the field talking to Scott during PE.

"Wow, you and Alex Duchannes," Scott says, sounding shocked.

"Ugh, yeah, don't tell anybody," I warn him.

"Oh, come on, and miss the chance to see Emily shit nails?" He laughs.

"I bet Alex could actually do that," I mutter to myself.

"What?" He looks at me, incredulous.

Before I could say anything, a car approached and parked right in the middle of the field. A man with dirt-blond hair and black sunglasses got out and started walking towards us.

"Which one of you lucky boys is Stiles Stilinski?" he asked, looking us up and down.

Scott and I just stared at her, too shocked to respond.

"Well?" he said impatiently. "Which one of you has the power of tongue?" When he said "power," I snapped out of my daze, realizing I needed to reply before he revealed anything to Scott.

"Me. I am. I'm Stiles," I said, stumbling over my words.

"Stiles!" he exclaimed smiling then he just kissed me hard on the mouth.

"Do I know you?" I asked, confused, after breaking the kiss.

"Not a bit," he replied, still smiling. "I'm Finnick Duchannes. Follow me." he started walking towards the car.

"Are you relatives with Alex?" I asked, trying to piece everything together.

"Honey, you are looking at 'the' relative," he said, continuing towards the car.

"Uh, oh, this is my friend Scott," I introduced, gesturing to Scott.

"Sincere pleasure, Scott," he said without even looking at him.

"Oh, I-- Uh-- Wha--" Scott tried to say something, but nothing coherent came out.

Finnick opened the car door and looked at me. "Get in," he commanded.

"Oh, I wasn't invited," I said hesitantly, glancing back at Scott, who was still watching us with wide eyes. "I don't think his uncle would, uh, like..." I trailed off, unsure how to finish my sentence.

"Trust me," Finnick replied with a confident smile, "family's dying to meet you."

I glanced at Scott, who was staring wide-eyed. I shrugged and walked towards the car, feeling a mix of confusion and curiosity. As I got in, Finnick gave me a smile and closed the door behind me then he got in the car and driving towards the Ravenwood mansion.