DEAD MAN!
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.
you're wasted.

▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄

ADRIAN HAD TRIED CALLING STILES MULTIPLE TIMES IN HOPES OF EXPLAINING THANA SPARROW AND HIS NOW GONE BITE MARK, BUT HE RECEIVED NO REPLY. Adrian couldn't help but think his calls were being ignored rather than missed. After all, he did walk out on him a few moments after they kissed.

If Stiles was mad or upset at Adrian, then so be it. The lacrosse player would rather he be mad at him than unsafe and in danger. Adrian didn't even want to imagine the thought of Stiles getting hurt; especially in times like this.

The sound of Stiles' voicemail raided through Adrian's room, making him sigh for what felt like the millionth time that night. "Hey, this Stiles. You missed me. Leave a message!"

At the sound of the beep, Adrian began talking through the phone. "Stiles, it's Adrian. I just- I really need to talk to you and you're not answering so . . . I just- I hope you're okay." The boy struggled, leaning against his desk as he fought long and hard on what to say and not say. "Call me when you can."

Adrian's phone was left discarded on his bed, the teen pacing back and forth as he stared at his carpet. Stiles was a smart boy, surely he would be able to handle himself if he were in danger, right?

The door to Adrian's room came open, Lydia strutting through in a nice dress and heels with her signature smirk. She didn't even say hello as she made a beeline for his mirror, checking over her lipstick.

"You do realise my mirror is no different to the ten thousand ones you have in your room, right?" Adrian questioned his sister, watching her wipe the corners of her mouth for access lipgloss.

Lydia hummed in recognition, but didn't seem too fussed to answer as her hair flicked back when she spun round. "I was just wondering why Adrian Martin- a boy who usually spends his free days practicing lacrosse or partying- is trapping himself from the outside world."

"Just didn't feel like going out, s'all." Adrian mumbled, his head dipping down to admire the wood pattern on his desk.

"You always feel like going out." Lydia rolled her eyes, leaning further until she was half sitting. Her palm held her head, a suspicious glint in her eyes. "Is it a girl?"

"Why do people automatically assume every guy's problem is a girl?!" Adrian frustratedly bursts, speaking too fast to think. "We do have other problems!"

The strawberry blonde looked taken back, throwing her hands up. "Geez, okay. So it's not a girl." She shook her head, watching her brother try and calm down from his stressed state. "Is it a guy then?"

Adrian froze, his mind playing back to a certain hazel eyed brunette. He shook off his thoughts, trying to stop the lingering. "No." He denied. "No, it's not a guy."

"Then what is it?" Lydia tried again, looking at her brother.

"Shouldn't you be out with your boyfriend?" Adrian dodged the question, trying to get on any other subject than Stiles Stilinski.

"I'm just heading over to Allison's." Lydia rolled her eyes at him, admiring her freshly painted nails no doubt. "You want to come? I can introduce you to her aunt, Kate."

Adrian scoffed. "And come face to face with Chris Argent again? No way." He shook his head, quick to decline the offer.

Lydia shrugged it off, getting ready to leave. "Oh well. Mum's out tonight so try not to completely trash the place by yourself. I would also warn you no parties but considering your state just now," she trailed off, scanning him up and down in his baggy sweatpants and t-shirt. "I don't think that'll be an issue."

"Love you too." Adrian sarcastically smiled and waved, watching his sibling strut off with a wave of her fingers. And once again, Adrian was left alone to sigh. "What am I going to do?" He whispered hoarsely.

The answer came by a ring of his phone, the contact hidden by its face down position on his bed. Adrian scrambled for it, almost tripping as he pressed the green button before checking the ID. "Hello?"

"Adrian, it's Scott."

Adrian's eyes went wide with relief, throwing his head back. "Scott! Oh thank god! One of you losers actually picked up my calls! Is Stiles with you? He okay?"

"Well . . ." The boy raised his voice to a higher octave, as if cringing behind the phone.

Adrian groaned, his face being placed in his hand. "What's he done this time?"

"He knew I was still upset with Allison, so he took me out in the woods and proposed we got drunk." The boy explained, Adrian's eyebrows raising in surprise.

"You don't sound drunk." He observed.

"I guess it doesn't work on werewolves." Scott thought aloud, quick to get back to what he wanted to say. "Look, it's Stiles. He's had a lot and he's wasted. I can't take him home like this. Do you think maybe you can keep him at your place?"

Adrian cringed, biting his nail out of habit. "I don't know, Scott. I'm pretty busy at the moment." He lied.

"Liar. Besides, I've seen his phone. You haven't stopped calling and texting him." Scott shot back, declaring the redhead's silence a win on his part. "Look, please, just take him."

With one final sigh of defeat, Adrian nodded despite knowing the tanned boy wouldn't be able to see him. "Alright. Bring him over."

❚ ❚ ❚

"Okay, easy does it." Adrian grunted, trying to lead a drunken Stiles Stilinski to his bedroom without him falling flat on his face. So far, he had succeeded minus the little slip up here and there.

Stiles let out a giggle when Adrian's bed was in sight, taking a small jump so he was lying face down on the comforting bed. Adrian watched the boy grin to himself, snuggling into the covers of his bedsheets. "These smell nice." Stiles mumbled.

Adrian didn't respond, walking over to his desk. He picked up the glass of water he had filled prior to Scott arriving with Stiles, knowing he would have his hands full. The redhead placed the cup by the hazel eyed boy's head. "Here. You need something other than alcohol in your system."

"Where's Scott?" Stiles blurted, ignoring the beverage to stare at the ceiling with furrowed brows. "Is he alone? He shouldn't be alone. Being alone sucks."

"I'm sure Scott's fine." Adrian reassured him, looking down at the boy in mixed worry and amusement. He chuckled slightly under his breath. "You're wasted, Stilinski."

Adrian left Stiles to do whatever- hopefully sleep. Meanwhile, he sat back down on his desk chair to continue his computer adventures on Thana Sparrow and anything related to his troubles. He tried his best to ignore the rustling and sounds of the boy in the background; doing his best to focus.

He's probably sleeping. Adrian thought as he clicked on a Wikipedia page, his mouse creating small clicks every now and then.

The redhead was so wrapped up in his own personal research he didn't even realise Stiles was making his way over until his desk chair was spun round. Adrian jumped in shock, looking confusedly at the sheriff's son. "Umm . . . what are you doing?"

"Nothing." The Stilinski boy slurred. "What are you doing?" He didn't even tear his gaze from his to look at the computer screen.

Adrian shrugged, letting a puff of air out. "Trying to figure out what the hell is wrong with me. If you weren't so drunk yourself, I could've used the help."

The Martin boy went to turn back round to his research, only to be swivelled back to face the Stilinski boy, who was getting closer and closer. Adrian cleared his throat awkwardly. "Umm . . . Stiles?"

The boy didn't reply, only leaned his head forward until it was against Adrian's chest. The redhead gawked, looking like a fish out of water as the boy snuggled into him like a pillow. "You smell nice."

"Okay," Adrian awkwardly trailed off, not having any past experience in this field before. He didn't move or speak for awhile. "Thanks?"

"I've wanted to do this since forever." Stiles mumbled through the fabric of Adrian's shirt, his eyes closed happily. "I feel safe next to you."

"How much alcohol did you have?" Adrian questioned, trying to move the boy. Stiles moaned, clinging onto him tighter which made the redhead halt his movements.

"I don't know." The buzzcut teen honestly replied, blinking his eyes open so they met Adrian's green ones. Their eyes stayed connected for a few moments, before Stiles dropped to his lips. "I really want to kiss you."

Adrian bit his lip, debating before shaking his head. "That's the alcohol talking there, Stiles. In the morning, you most likely won't remember any of this."

"But what if I do?" Stiles retorted, his face inching closer so his breath fanned the other boy's face. By now, his eyes were set on his lips. "What if drunk Stiles and sober Stiles want the same thing?"

"Stiles-" Adrian sighed.

"Do you like me?" The boy cut him off, meeting his eyes with his brown, curious orbs.

"W-What?" Adrian didn't know what to do.

The Stilinski boy tilted his head. "Do you like me?" He repeated, more clearly this time so the redhead could properly hear his words.

Adrian swallowed thickly. What was he to do? He couldn't move to run away with the boy practically on top of him by this point. Plus, he was drunk. Surely . . . what he said wouldn't be remembered, right?

"Stiles," Adrian started, already at loss for words on what to say to the boy's face. "I-I like you. I like you a lot."

"Then kiss me." Stiles' face was so close he only had to whisper to get his point across. "Show me you like me."

For the first few seconds, Adrian did consider it. But then the cloud of doubt came raining in. The boy was drunk, he didn't know what he was saying. "Maybe later. You should probably get to bed, your hangover is gonna be a nightmare."

Stiles let out a whine, throwing his head back before it came back this time to rest in the crook of Adrian's neck. The redhead felt all the wind get knocked out at him from his next words. "But I want you, Adrian."

It was tempting, but Adrian couldn't pull himself through enough. I'm not taking advantage of him, not when he's drunk. He thought finally.

"Let's get you to bed." Adrian stated, lifting the boy by his forearms so they could both stand up. Stiles clung to him, grumbling when he was set down on the bed and Adrian tried to separate them. "Stiles," The boy warned.

"Don't go." The boy hoarsely said, clinging onto Adrian's shirt. "Stay. Come lay with me."

There it was. Another statement which ignited his heart yet clouded his mind. Adrian wanted to do it, really he did. But what if his mum or Lydia came home? He wouldn't know what to say.

"I don't know." Adrian dragged out his words, unsure.

Stiles was having none of it. The boy seriously looked him in the eyes. "If you really do like me, lay with me."

The boy was conflicted. His heart said go for it but his mind said stop. Am I really doing this? Adrian thought when his feet slowly carried him closer into the bed.

Adrian took small scoots until he was in his own bed, Stiles a few inches away from him. He made no move to get any closer or further, but Stiles did.

Calling it the confidence of alcohol, Stiles came closer until his head was resting on the crook of Adrian's chest and arm. He grinned to himself, looking the happiest the boy had ever seen him. "Thank you." He mumbled.

Adrian couldn't help but let the corners of his lips perk up in a small smile. He bent down until his lips rested on the boy's cheek, letting the kiss last a few seconds before pulling away. "G'night, Stiles." He whispered.

And soon the two teenage boys drifted off, feeling safe and comforted in each other's embrace.

❚ ❚ ❚

When Adrian woke up the next morning, Stiles was already long gone. The boy didn't know what to think. Part of him was thankful he had disappeared before Lydia or his mum could come back home, but the other part of him worried.

Did I say something wrong last night? Adrian thought to himself as he walked through the school halls that Monday morning, completely unaware of everything around him.

"Hey." a sudden voice came beside him, startling the poor teen.

Adrian jumped, turning to be met with a smiling Allison who made him feel relaxed. "H-Hey Allison."

"Sorry to startle you." The tall brunette apologised, fiddling with her things. She bit her lip. "I just needed to ask you something. I talked to Lydia and figured I could use another Martins opinion."

"Sure. Fire away." The redhead nodded, adjusting his bag straps as he scanned the hallways. He hadn't caught sight of Scott and Stiles all morning, not helping his anxieties.

"Do you think I did the right thing? Breaking up with Scott?" The Argent asked, her eyes squinted as she awaited his answer.

It wasn't a question Adrian was keen to answer and get into, but he did so anyway. He exhaled deeply, his shoulders slumping. "I-I don't know what to tell you really. It's your relationship but Scott's a good guy. He would never do anything to deliberately hurt someone."

"Really?" Allison asked, the boy seeing a glimmer of hope in her eyes.

"Totally. Scott's become a recent friend of mine, he wouldn't do anything to screw me over." The Martin nodded, letting the brunette gather his words. "Just- maybe try talking to him."

Allison nodded to herself in thought before she produced a big smile. She beamed at Adrian, hugging him shortly. "Thanks, Adrian."

"Anytime."

❚ ❚ ❚

Adrian had kept a close eye on Scott McCall's suspicious behaviour since the incident regarding the exam in Mr Harris' class. The werewolf seemed to freak out and run, Stiles on his tail. Adrian wanted to follow them, he really did, but one death glare from Mr Harris said it all. He left; his paper would automatically count as a fail.

When the time to play lacrosse came round, Scott didn't seem any better than he did back in chemistry. He looked bummed out, but the redhead assumed that must be connected with his recent breakup with Allison.

Stiles seemed to be observing Scott too, obviously knowing something Adrian didn't. A few times, their eyes would catch one anothers across the room . . . but neither got the chance to speak before Bobby Finstock blew his mighty whistle in the boy's locker room.

"Okay, geniuses, listen up. Due to the recent pinkeye epidemic, thank you, Greenberg, the following people have made first line on a probationary basis emphasis on the word 'probationary'." Coach spoke loud and clear for all to hear, reading off names. "Rodriguez." Some players applauded, either happily of glumly. "Welcome to first line."

"Taylor, and . . ." Stiles sat up straighter when the Coach trailed off, reading off the names. Adrian bit his lips nervously for him. He wanted Stiles to be on that list. The boy had been working hard on his lacrosse and with a little extra help from Adrian, he was noticing a slight improvement. "For the love of crap. I can't even read my own writing. What is that? An 'S'?"

Stiles peeked up more, wringing his hands as Adrian observed silently. "No, no, that's not an 'S'." Both teenage boy's faces fell, Stiles rolling his eyes. "That's a . . . thats a 'B'. It's definitely a 'B'." Coach nodded to himself, looking around the room. "Uh, Rodriguez, Taylor and . . . Bilinski."

Adrian and Stiles shot up, grinning widely. While the redhead did so more discreetly, Stiles was whooping and hollering to his hearts content. Adrian felt his heart flutter at the pure joy he was emitting.

"Bilinski!" Coach shouted.

"Yes?" Stiles didn't stop grinning, his hands on his hips.

"Shut up!" Players around the room chuckled when Stiles' face fell, muttering a 'yes, sir' before sitting back on the bench next to his unresponsive werewolf friend.

"Another thing." Coach commented, eyes focusing on the clipboard. "From here on out, immediately, we're switching co-captains. Congratulations, McCall." Stiles and Adrian gave the tanned boy smiles while Jackson looked disapprovingly at Danny and fellow players.

"What?" The rich boy spat, coming closer to the Coach.

Coach didn't seem fazed. "What do you mean, what? Jackson, this takes nothing away from you. This is about combining separate strengths into one unit. This is about taking your unit, McCall's unit, we're making one big unit. And, if Martin ever agreed, his unit." The Coach explained, side eyeing the redhead hopefully, who shook his head. Coach sighed, turning to Scott. "McCall, it's you and Jackson now. Everybody else, asses on the field! Asses on the field."

Everybody scattered at his loud whistle, Stiles sticking by Scott with an excited face. Scott didn't seem to care all that much, quirking Adrian's interest. "Dude, can you believe this? You're captain, I'm first line!" The buzzcut teen exclaimed excitedly. "I'm first freaking line!"

"Congratulations, guys." Adrian smiled as he approached the pair, watching Stiles' cheeks turn pink. He beamed at the pale boy. "Good job on first line, knew you had it in ya."

Stiles smiled, unable to wrap his head around the fact that his crush was congratulating him on lacrosse. "Are you freaking out? I'm freaking out." He asked the werewolf beside him.

"What's the point? It's just a stupid title." Scott grumbled. "And I could practically smell the jealousy in there."

Stiles set a hand on Scott's shoulder, halting the three of them. "Wait, you smell jealously?" He asked, completely in disbelief.

The Latino boy nodded. "Yeah, it's like the full moon's turned everything up to ten."

"Wait, the full moon's tonight?" Adrian's eyes widened, complete forgetting about it. What did that mean for him?

Stiles shot him a look, quickly turning back to face the werewolf curiously. "Can you pick up on stuff like, I don't know, desire?"

Scott frowned. "What do you mean, desire?

"Like sexual desire." Adrian deadpanned, getting the boy's point. He had to admit . . . he was a bit curious himself too.

"Sexual desire?" Scott repeated, staring between the two males in amusement.

"Yeah, sexual desire." Stiles confirmed, trying his best not to look at the redhead standing next to him as he spoke. "Lust, passion, arousal."

Scott smirked. "From who?" Of course, he already knew exactly who the teen was implying; Scott just wanted to watch his best friend squirm.

Stiles was quick to reply- too quick. "No one! Just in a general, broad sense. Can you determine sexual desire?"

"Adrian!" A call came from behind the three boys, all turning their heads to see Toby Valack jogging towards them. Scott and Stiles exchanges looks as Adrian smiled, approaching the blonde. "I need to talk to you about history. I think I missed something when I was visiting England."

"Oh, sure." The redhead simply shrugged, turning to face the two other boys. "I'll see you out on the field guys." He bid them farewell, him and Toby jogging away.

"Has Toby ever seemed off to you?" Stiles questioned the werewolf. His best friend gave him a confused look. "I mean like, he always keeps to himself and talks to Adrian."

"Stiles," Scott deadpanned, the teen shooting him a confused look. "I can smell your jealousy."

Stiles released a groan. "Sometimes your abilities kick me in the ass sometimes. You know that right?" The tanned boy shrugged, a sign he did not care. Stiles exhaled deeply, looking around to see if anyone could hear them. "Look just . . . tell me if you're getting anything from Adrian to me. I need to know if he likes me. I have had a crush on him before I even knew I was gay!" He hissed.

Scott was Stiles' ticket to know Adrian's true feelings for him. So far, all he was getting were mixed signals. If Scott could truly reveal how he felt, he would be golden.

"Why don't you just ask him?" The young boy asked.

Stiles gave him a look. "Well, to save myself utterly crushing humiliation. Thank you, Scott." He paused. "Okay? So, please, can you just go up and ask if he likes me? See if his heartbeat rises, or pheromones come out. Or even ask his sister! I'll take that too!"

"Fine." Scott sighed, giving up as he walked away from him.

Stiles' mouth hung open, a smile of victory coming over his face. "I love you. I love you. You're my best friend in the whole world."

❚ ❚ ❚

Once Adrian had finished his business, he decided it would be best if he tried to find Coach Finstock for something he had been meaning to note back to him.

He also wanted to thank him for accepting his suggestion of making Scott a co-captain.

As he turned the corner however, a certain familiar voice caught his attention. "Are you grateful?"

Adrian followed the sound of Scott's voice, hoping to speak to him about his unusual bite mark. He stopped when he heard another voice; his sister's voice. "I think you'd be pretty surprised . . . at just how grateful . . . I can be."

Adrian's steps grew closer until he could see through the glass stained window. He wished his eyes were deceiving him when he saw Scott's hands all over his sister; their lips mushed together.

The redhead blinked in hopes the scene would go away, yet it still remained pictured in his mind. Scott's hands caressing his sister all over . . . the sound of lips smacking making him cringe.

"W-What," Lydia started, struggling to speak between the rapid kisses. "What about Stiles? I heard he likes me."

You always were one for drama, weren't you, Lyds? Adrian thought, shaking his head at his sister. In that moment, he should've walked away.

Because what Scott said next awoke one hell of a storm in him . . .

"No, forget about him. He's too busy hooking up with your brother, who he's been obsessed with." Scott explained, kissing her sloppily.

Adrian grew furious, his fists clenching in anger. Yes, he was mad Scott was kissing his sister when he was still not over Allison; but he could get over that eventually.

Scott telling Lydia about him and Stiles . . . that would never be something mended between them. This wasn't like Scott, that Adrian could tell.

I think it's time the wolf got put on his leash. A thought submerged in Adrian's head as he walked away, his face red with anger.

A U T H O R. N O T E
. . . so that happened. bit of a whirlwind but hey, this whole book is a mess.

originally, i wasn't going to have lydia know until about season two; but conflict needs to happen next chapter my dudes and i am ready.

GIF MADE BY ME !
━ R O S C O E O B R I E N