DEAD MAN!
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE.
smooth, babe.

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ADRIAN SHIVERED AT THE COLD AIR AS HE SAT WITH HIS BOYFRIEND AND SISTER BY THE BLEACHERS. He was beginning to regret not wearing a hoodie or jumper to the ice rink, meaning he'll be freezing his ass off for hours until they all leave.

The redhead tied his skates, trying to hide his anxiousness. He was starting to think maybe the shaking wasn't all from the cold but nerves as well.

"You're shaking like a leaf." Stiles commented by his side, frowning slightly.

Adrian shrugged. "Yeah, I didn't really think of how cold it'll be, but it's fine." He waved it off, giving a small smile.

Stiles' face brightened up with an idea, digging through his schoolbag. He pulled out an orange jumper, holding it out to him. "Here."

Adrian looked around the ice rink, debating whether or not to wear it. The only people around where Lydia, Allison and Scott, and they were all preoccupied and didn't care anyway.

Before the Martin boy could take it however, his sister cut in with a shake of the head. "Uh, no. Adrian's wearing blue. Orange and blue, not a good combination."

"But it's the colour of the Mets." Stiles protested, looking offended by the strawberry blonde's comment. Adrian chuckled, knowing well enough of the boy's obsession with the baseball team. The teen himself had never understood the sport, but Stiles was pretty adamant on getting him into it.

Adrian took the jumper anyway, shrugging his sisters' advice off. "The jumper hides my top anyway." He shrugged on the article of clothing, inhaling the scent of Stiles. "See!"

Lydia didn't look impressed, shaking her head with her nose scrunched up. "Still doesn't make it any better."

Adrian's body slumped, giving his sister a look. "Shut up and go on the ice."

❚ ❚ ❚

"You can get on the ice fine by yourself, right?" Stiles questioned his boyfriend as he skated along, turning to face the boy by the entrance.

"You can get on the ice fine by yourself, right?" Adrian mocked in a high pitched voice, rolling his eyes. "Yes, I can do it myself." He grumbled.

The Martin boy took light steps in getting on the ice. One foot, then another. When both feet were planted on the ice . . . the redhead panicked and slipped, landing on his bum with a thump.

A gleeful chuckle came from above him, Stiles standing a sly look. "Smooth, babe."

The ginger felt his lungs collapse. Babe. The word rang like a bell in his head. One simple word had sent his heart into a twist. Babe.

Adrian blinked rapidly, trying to shake the pathetic affect the word had on him. "Shut up." He collected himself to his feet, clinging onto the edge for dear life. "I can't believe you made me do this!"

The two boys decided to ignore Stiles' comment and new name for the Martin boy as he skated forward, slowly taking one of Adrian's hands in his and away from the side. "Adrian, you're not going to fall. Come on, let go. I've got you."

"You are dead to me." Admittedly, all of the Martin's cool had went out the window the second he was on the ice.

The buzzcut teen laughed shortly, finding amusement in the boy's struggle. He slowly began to bring the ginger away from the side, coaching him through it. "Come on, you got this."

Adrian clutched onto Stiles as he tried to steady himself, his mind not concentrating on just how close and comfortable he was being with the boy.

The couple glance over to see Lydia skating like a pro, doing all sorts of spins and jumps that made Adrian's small hope for doing well vanish as he gaped at her.

Noticing his shock, Stiles was quick to console the boy. "Hey, come on. You're doing so well!"

"Stop making it sound like I'm a toddler taking their first steps." Adrian groaned, almost slipping again. Even from a distance, the couple could hear Scott and Allison doing the same thing; the werewolf falling on his bum.

Stiles was the leading man, guiding Adrian around the rink slowly with his hand locked in his. Adrian held on tight, both hands locked on Stiles' one arm offered.

"I'm gonna let go now, okay?" Stiles told him after he convinced himself Adrian would be fine on his own. He had to admit he was really liking the clinginess of his boyfriend.

"Don't you dare." The ginger warned, slowly shaking his head.

"On the count of three." Stiles ignored the threat, beginning to loosen the hold. "One."

"Don't you freaking dare."

"Two."

"Stiles Stilinski, I will break both your limbs if you finish that countdown!"

"Three." And with that, the boy with the buzzcut released their hands.

At first, Adrian flailed around with his arms flapping like a bird. Miraculously, he managed to stay on his feet as he slowly began to move around the ice in a squat position.

Stiles had to laugh at the popular boy and his skating ways. "Look at you, pro skater!" He exclaimed, a wide grin on his face.

"Just wait until I get over there, Stilinski. You're dead." The redhead stated, his boyfriend only seeming more amused.

"I love it when you give me empty threats." The hazel eyed boy rolled his eyes sarcastically, keeping the easy grin he wore.

I love you. Both the teen boys thought at the same time, neither daring to say such three words aloud.

Before either of them could speak again, Adrian lost concentration and slipped; his body falling backwards. Unbeknownst to the two boys, Scott and Allison were right behind them.

The redhead fell into the tanned werewolf; knocking both boys to the ground on the cold ice. Their lovers winced at their collision, hearing the two boys groan.

"Seriously, dude!" Scott whined, head resting against the ice in defeat. He was just starting to get the hang of ice skating!

"Oh please, it's not like you were skating that well either." The boy retorted back, sitting up and rubbing the back of his head from where he had hit the ice.

"Alright, come on, Scotty!" Allison helped her boyfriend to his feet, Stiles doing the same with Adrian. "Let's check out the photo booth!"

The other couple watched as Scott and Allison laughed their way to the booth, closing the curtains to take cute and cheesy pictures no doubt.

The Stilinski boy frowned. Was it bad that he envied his best friend's relationship? Was it bad that he couldn't help but compare Scott and Allison's love with his and Adrian's? . . . Was it even love?

"Hey, I'm going to get something from the vending machines." Adrian snapped the boy out of his mind. The redhead clutched onto the side, using that to help move away from the ice. "You want anything?"

"Surprise me." Stiles smiled, nodding his head as he stuffed his hands in his pockets.

Adrian scoffed, his lips curling up. "Reese's it is then."

Before the boy could move any further, a loud scream erupted through the quiet ice rink. Both boy's eyes widened, their gaze focusing on Lydia Martin on the icy floor.

"Lydia!" Adrian shouted after his sister, rushing over to the strawberry blonde the best he could with his boyfriend beside him. When he reached the girl, he dropped onto his knees to console her.

Scott and Allison quickly exited the photo booth as Stiles helped Adrian hold a struggling Lydia down, worried looks etched on their faces.

The Martin and McCall boy made eye contact, the look needing no words exchanged between them. Something was happening to Lydia Martin, but what?

❚ ❚ ❚

Adrian followed closely behind Scott in the school halls, both striding towards a certain blonde girl's locker. Scott wanted to know who Derek's next victim was going to be, while Adrian just wanted to know what was going on with his sister.

The two boys stood behind Erica, watching as she turned round and smirked at them. She didn't seem surprised they were behind her; proving her werewolf senses were indeed working.

"Two's not enough for Derek, I know he needs at least three." The two boys held their straight faces as Scott got straight to the point. "So who's next?"

The new werewolf closed her locker with a scoff, turning to face them. "Why does there have to be a next when we've already got you?" She took a few steps closer to the tanned boy.

"Who's next?" Adrian sternly raised his voice, crossing his arms as he stepped closer to the female.

Erica ignored his question, cocking her head in her own thoughts. "You know, I never knew what I looked like during a seizure until someone took a video of me once and put it online."

The ginger remained silent while the Latino boy shook his head. "I don't care."

"It happened during class." Erica continued regardless, seeming to ignore all comments the two boys were making in efforts to know what was happening. "I started seizing up in my desk and everyone was saying how they should put something in my mouth until some genius reads the card on my key ring which tells them not to 'cause it could break my teeth."

"Not our problem." Adrian grumbles with a glare, wanting to change the subject to what could be wrong with his sister.

"You know what happens next? I piss myself. And they start laughing." Erica's eyes got slightly watery as she took a few steps towards the two, the boys backing up. "You know, the only good thing about seizures was that I never remembered them. Until some brilliant jerkoff . . ." Her hand slammed against the lockers in fury. "Had to go and put cameras in everybody's phone."

The blonde had by now cornered Scott, her hands on either side of his head. The redhead stared awkwardly between them, frowning when he saw Allison staring at them across the hall sadly.

"That's right." Erica mumbled to the werewolf. "You only have eyes for her."

Abruptly, Scott reaches out to grasp her wrists which makes Erica gasp. She grinned as he slowly pushed her away, chuckling before walking away.

Adrian's shoulder's slumped, releasing a sigh before turning to Scott. "You okay, dude?"

The tanned boy shrugged it off, his gaze trained on something in the distance. The Martin boy looked as well, noticing Allison Argent was no longer standing in the hall like she was before.

❚ ❚ ❚

"Adrian," a shy voice sounded next to the redhead just as he was finishing putting some stuff in his locker. Toby Valack smiled shyly at the teen, shifting on his feet. "Hi."

"Hey, Tob." Adrian closed his locker, leaning against it to give the boy his attention. "What's up?"

"I was wondering since you've been busy these past few days if you would like to hang out and have a movie night or something." The blonde boy offered nervously, a sudden distance appearing in his eyes. "I could really use one of those nights right now."

Adrian winced, sucking through his teeth. "I wish I could, Toby, but I promised Stiles I would hang out at his after school."

"And do what?" Toby raised an eyebrow, a slightly disturbed look on his face.

Adrian's eyes widened. "Not what you're thinking, that's for sure."

"Adrian, please." The blonde's voice dropped to a whisper, his voice becoming desperate as his eyes cleared.

Before the Martin boy could open his mouth, Stiles Stilinski slid into frame and took ahold of the boy's forearm. He began to drag the teen away, not even glancing towards Toby as he spoke. "Come on, you're coming with me to Boyd's house."

"Vernon Boyd's house?" Adrian's face scrunched up in confusion, shooting Toby an apologetic look as the buzzcut dragged him away. "Why would we need to be going there?"

The teen sighed as him and Adrian hopped into his jeep, preparing to drive out of the school car park. "He's not at school today and me and Scott are convinced Derek's gotten to him- or is going to."

Adrian's eyebrows furrowed. "Why would Derek want Boyd in his pack? I mean, he doesn't seem to have any close friends and just sits alone all the time."

Stiles gave him a look. "Exactly. Think about it; Erica and Isaac were the same."

"So Derek's targeting vulnerable teenagers?" His boyfriend remained silent, giving the redhead his answer. Adrian couldn't help but think of his Valack friend, realising he fit the same description.

It wasn't long before Stiles pulled up at the front of Boyd's house, the two boys running up to knock on the door. Stiles yelled his name as Adrian stood by his side, no reply coming from the knocks and shouts.

The Stilinski boy checked the closest window, no one in sight. "Hey, Boyd? It's Stiles!" He yelled out, making his boyfriend shake his head.

"Maybe he's at the ice rink?" He suggested, turning on his heel which almost made him bump into Erica; who gave them a grin.

"What are you guys doing here?" She let out an innocent sounding giggle.

The two boys exchanged looks. "Um, nothing, we were just looking for . . ."

"Boyd?" Erica grinned at them, raising her eyebrows.

"Yes. Boyd." Adrian confirmed.

Erica tilted her head. "You know what you're doing now that's kind of funny?" She stepped towards them. "You're both only looking in my eyes."

"That's funny?" Stiles questioned, taking a step closer to Adrian; who was having a stare down with the new werewolf.

The girl nodded. "Yeah, you both are; which is weird because most guys want a long hard look . . . but not you two." She scanned them up and down, before letting out a small gasp with a grin. "Unless, you both aren't wired that way."

Adrian glared at her, making Stiles slowly grasp his arm and pull him back in fear he would do something bold. "Maybe it's just your eyes. You have beautiful eyes."

"I have beautiful everything."

"And a new found self-confidence." Stiles' eyebrows raised. "Congratulations, Erica. We should get going."

Erica was quick to grab the boy, setting a hand on his chest. "You're not going anywhere."

"Why not?" Adrian challenged, a feeling burning in his stomach at the sight of Erica's hand on Stiles.

It was then Erica lifted something that looked a lot like it was part of a car or belonged in one. "You're having car trouble." She smacked it at Stiles' head, knocking him straight out.

Adrian's eyes widened at his boyfriend falling against Boyd's door. "Erica, what the fu-" the boy couldn't finish before he felt a pain in his head and collapsed.

❚ ❚ ❚

The two boys groaned as Stiles lifted the two doors above them to air the smelly atmosphere around them. Erica had dumped them into bins. Stiles winced, holding his head as he squinted. "Bitch."

"Bitch is right." Adrian rolled his eyes, sitting up and wiping something gross off his graphic t-shirt. "Wired that way. Who does she think she is?" He mocked.

Stiles turned to face the boy, slowly raising an eyebrow. "But Adrian . . . we aren't wired that way."

The boy scoffed. "She doesn't have to know that though." He grumbled.

"W-Why not?" Stiles stammered.

Adrian gave the boy a look, letting out a small scoff. "Because she'll tell everyone!"

"Is that . . . such a bad thing?" Stiles anxiously bites his lip as he watches Adrian clamber out of the bin.

Once out and on his feet, the redhead paused and raised his head at the boy. What was he trying to say? ". . . Is there something you're not telling me?"

The buzzcut teen's eyes widened, mouth agape. "W-What? No. No, absolutely not. Everything is fine." He ranted, shaking his head.

The Martin's eyes lingered on his boyfriend for awhile, part of him not feeling convinced. But why would he feel the need to lie about something?

In the end, Adrian thought he was overthinking and left it at that.

"Well, if you say so." The lacrosse player shrugged as he offered Stiles his hand, giving him a helping hand out of the bin. Butterflies swarmed in his stomach as their hands touched.

Stiles smiled at him once they were out of the bins. "Thanks." He pecked his cheek, pulling away to see Adrian's nose scrunched up. "What?"

The Martin let out a weak chuckle. "We both smell like absolute crap."

"Well, you're my piece of crap." Stiles' eyes shined as he wiped something off his boyfriend's shoulder, pulling him into a kiss.

A U T H O R. N O T E
dylan looks great in amazing stories and i honestly need some fanfics of sam taylor right now! he's such a sweetheart!

hope you guys are enjoying the book so far! i'm genuinely becoming stidrian trash the more i write.

GIF MADE BY ME !
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