5 Kisses

#3

"Okay. That leaves me, Stiles, and Liam to draw the guy in," Scott announced to the pack. "Once we get in place, Lily can take him down. Let's get to work."

The pack broke apart in small groups, slipping out of Scott's living room in pairs. Lily lingered as long as she could manage; time wasn't on their side but she could stay until Scott's group left. They were serving as the distractions in this plan, after all.

"Hey," Stiles said as he glanced over at her. He separated from the pack just enough to keep their conversation private and lowered his voice. "You good?" he asked, his hand raised halfway toward her.

"As long as you are," she assured. "Do you get to be the distraction often?"

Stiles studied her for a few seconds and pointed at her. "Wait, are you worried, Evans?"

"In general? No. It's a good plan."

"About me?"

She averted her gaze and shrugged. "You'll be with Scott," she mumbled.

"Yeah, but you're still worried," he grinned. "Because you liiiiike meeee."

"Just figuring that out, are you?" she asked with a humorless laugh and peeked up at him. "Don't make me regret it, you prat."

"Wouldn't dream of it," he promised. "Hey, I'll be fine. Like you said, it's a good plan, and I'll be with Scott. Liam will be there, too, so that's something. Okay?"

"You make it so convincing," she rolled her eyes. "I still worry, you know."

"I know," he smiled. He reached forward to brush her hair back and said, "I don't mind."

"Stiles. You ready to go?" Scott called from a few feet back.

Stiles glanced over his shoulder and nodded. "I'll be right out," he promised before he looked back to Lily. "You stay safe, too. Got it? I know how much you like to get into trouble."

"I don't like to. It just happens," she wrinkled her nose. "But yes, I've got it. Safety first, and all."

"Good," he grinned. "Hey--" He slipped his hand into her hair and pressed a lingering kiss to her forehead. "Love you."

Her eyes fell shut and she let the safety of the moment and all his reassurances wash over her. The pack had made it out of much tighter spots before. Stiles was in good hands. She had to trust that.

She looked up when he drew away and nodded. "Love you," she repeated with a small smile, and let him go.