Phoenix || Malia Tate

29

"You want in?" Malia repeats, a little in shock, a little in disbelief.

Phoenix's sudden determination is unfaltering as he nods.

"You just told me what's going on. We don't have a plan. You don't get to demand to be included in the plan we don't have."

"Ellie is still my sister, Malia. I get demand to be included in anything when it comes to her." Malia still doesn't look convinced. Phoenix sighs. "I'm not just going to sit by while Ellie hurts people. The last time I did that, your friend almost died."

That seems to invoke a reaction. She almost looks offended, like how dare he bring Scott into this conversation. How dare he use Scott as a reason to weasel his way back into her life. But it's not like that, and both Phoenix and Malia know that.

She looks away, stares at the parking lot for a good minute. Phoenix sits next to her, silent, practicing his patience. "I have to talk to Scott first," she says, still looking at the parking lot.

Phoenix nods. His eyes catch something in his peripheral. "Now's your chance."

Malia turns to see Scott and Stiles walk out of the library. Stiles is chattering away about God knows what, unaware of the two on the picnic table, but Scott is fully focused and fully aware. When Scott stops walking, Stiles does too. He's confused and then he's following Scott's gaze and then he's mad. He starts walking towards Phoenix and Malia, but Scott pulls him back by the collar of his shirt.

"Shit," Malia whispers under her breath. She stands up. "Don't go anywhere," she says to Phoenix.

She doesn't wait for his answer. 

He watches as Malia crosses the lawn and as Scott and Stiles walk halfway to meet her. The conversation is tense the moment it starts. Scott looks like he's trying to be patient and understanding, but Stiles is all fire and anger, wild gestures and a reddening face as he practically shouts at Malia. She's trying to calm him down, but it's not working. Phoenix can see she's trying to explain the situation, but Stiles is just as stubborn as she is, and there's no way he's going to let this go.

Phoenix stands up and walks over to them. The closer he gets, the more he starts to hear.

"Stiles –"

"He broke your heart, Malia. He's the reason you've been throwing yourself into school and into patrolling and why you haven't slept properly in days. He's destroyed you, and then he just shows up? As if everything's okay? No! Not okay!"

"If you would just listen –"

"What's there to hear?" Stiles genuinely means it. No matter what information Phoenix has, it's not worth it.

It's then that Scott notices the green eyed boy. He nudges Stiles' arm. Stiles catches Phoenix a second later. His face goes from wide eyed to narrow in a millisecond. He's walking towards them, all dark and threatening, but Scott just pulls him right back.

Phoenix stands next to Malia and she looks at him with a scowl. "I told you not to move."

"He was yelling at you," Phoenix tells her. "I wanted to make sure you were okay."

Stiles scoffs. "Me? You were worried I hurt her?" His tone is disbelief. He then snorts and rolls his eyes. "You're the one with the psycho sister, bud."

"Stiles!" Malia scolds.

"Enough!" Scott hisses so roughly and so urgently. Everyone shuts up immediately. "You," he points at Phoenix. "You don't say anything. I want to hear whatever the hell it is you have to say from Malia."

So Malia explains everything. From the strangers visiting Ellie to the locked office door to the three key words Phoenix overheard to now. The boys stay quiet while they listen, but when Malia mentions the massacre Scott flinches.

"How is she going to pull that off?" Stiles asks once Malia finishes.

Malia looks to Phoenix, who shakes his head in response. "I don't know. I haven't figured that part out yet."

"Do you think you can?" Scott asks.

Phoenix nods.

"Okay," Scott says. And then, as if a silent agreement has been made, as if they've all come to a mutual decision, Scott says, "Then we have a plan. Welcome to the pack, Phoenix."

Stiles scowls. "Temporarily."