DEAD MAN!
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE.
is that all you wanted to tell me?

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ADRIAN SAT ALONE IN THE KITCHEN AS HE MADE HIMSELF SOME TEA. Today had not gone as he had hoped. His plan to confess to Stiles was currently screwed; the responsibilities of being a Necromancer ruining his chances.

It sucked, knowing what you are yet not knowing what you were capable of. Derek said a Necromancer can grow to do all kinds of powerful things; but only if strong enough.

What if I can't be strong enough? The boy thought sadly to himself, watching his tea swirl round in his cup. What if these powers destroy me? Derek did say the act of raising the dead could be lethal.

Adrian let out a small scoff, shaking his head lightly. "When am I ever going to raise the dead?" He asked himself, thinking he was having a complete conversation alone.

"Oh, I don't know." A sudden voice spoke from behind him, his tone hauntingly familiar. "I'm sure we can find some way, my little Necromancer."

Adrian turned his back, going to make a quick break for one of the kitchen knives. Unfortunately, Peter Hale was one step ahead of him. The redhead was grabbed and harshly pinned to the wall, grunting with effort.

"Get away from me." Adrian struggled, the Alpha's strength overpowering him. "I'm not your supernatural pet!" He hissed.

"Are you not?" Peter teasingly mocked, tilting his head. "Last time I remember, Adrian, you have my bite. You belong to my pack."

"I don't want anything to do with you," The redhead glared, stopping his struggling now given it was no use. "And neither does Scott."

"You both could be so much more if you just follow me. Leave that little friend group of yours that's holding you back." Peter told him, looking at him as if disappointed.

"They're holding me back from insanity." Adrian declared, keeping his hard stare. "You wouldn't know, you're already far gone."

The Alpha hummed. "Funny. Scott said similar things." He noted. "Derek agrees with me. I only want you and Scott to reach your full potential."

"You killed his sister. Derek will never be on your side." The lacrosse player spat, fire in his eyes. "No one will be by your side."

Peter didn't look offended as he let out a sigh, shaking his head. "Maybe your opinions will change . . . once you feel things my way."

Adrian frowned, opening his mouth to speak. Before he could get a word out, however, a sharp pain was felt in the back of his neck. The Martin boy screamed as Peter inserted his claws before taking them out, leaving a small trail of blood to trickle down the boy's neck.

Adrian felt his body go into a spasm, coughing wildly as his body crumpled. He wailed in pain on the kitchen floor, his body getting increasingly hotter.

He screamed when his skin felt like it was being burned off, the sensation unbearable. In the moment, the Martin boy forgot this was a trick of Peter's. In that moment, he feared for his life. He was going to burn; just like the Hale's

The boy panted as lights came into his vision; those lights fading to pictures. It was something you would see in a horror movie. Every picture lasted a few seconds, but all stayed clear enough in the mind of Adrian Martin.

Make it stop. He begged, the words echoing through his mind as he watched the visions pass. Please make it stop.

When all came to an end and Adrian finally could feel the cold tiled kitchen floor beneath him; the burning sensations stopped.

Adrian saw dots cloud his vision, slowly fading away to reveal Peter standing over him with a tilted head. The werewolf watched the boy get on all fours, his chest heaving. "W-What was that? What did you just do to me?!"

"Necromancers have a death sense. If connected, you can feel one's death without actually dying. You, just connected with my family." Peter explained, the boy's pain taking no tole on him. Of course it wouldn't. Noticing his silence, Peter slyly smiled. "Maybe now you and Scott will understand."

Adrian didn't answer immediately, his throat feeling sore from his screams. The feeling of pain had fully vanished now, and his body showed no signs of damage.

"H-How?" Adrian finally escaped, his chest still going up and down in rapid breaths. "How did you do tha-" the redhead paused to look at the Alpha . . . only to find him gone.

Adrian didn't know how long he spent on the floor that night before he finally gained the courage to stand up and walk to his room. His knees felt weak and shaky, almost bringing him down a few times.

Adrian thought all night of the power Peter had over him, and the pain he had put him through. The Hale's bite connected him and the teenager somehow, and Adrian wanted it gone.

If Peter Hale can put him through that much pain, who knows what else he can do.

❚ ❚ ❚

"And I tried not to be jealous or anything because I love Allison- I really do. But-"

"Lydia!" Adrian snapped finally, his hands on his face as he lay on his bed. His sister stopped her pacing in his room, tilting her head innocently. "It's a school dance." He reminded her, feeling his head ache.

Lydia had stormed into his room the next day, ranting on about how Jackson had asked Allison to the winter formal- as friends he claimed. Allison asked Lydia if she was okay with it, to which the strawberry blonde lied and was now suffering the consequences.

"He's trying to get back at me. I know it." Lydia nodded certainly, her lips pursed as she played with her hair.

"It's probably some way to get to Scott." Adrian sighed, closing his eyes. "Besides, it's time you get over him. You shouldn't care what Jackson does."

"I don't care." Lydia defended quickly- a little too quickly for Adrian. She crossed her arms, letting out a huff. "I don't. Besides, I don't see you fussing over the dance."

Adrian chuckled, sitting up against the pillows. "That's because I'm not going."

The strawberry blonde looked horrifically at her brother, head bowing in disbelief. "What?" She squeaked. "You have to go! It's the winter formal!"

The redhead shrugged. "Meh. Dances aren't really my thing. Besides, there's no one I want to go with."

A sly smirk crossed his sister's face as she approached him, sitting on the bed beside him. "Are you sure?" She raised her perfectly done eyebrows.

Adrian playfully glared at her, getting her hint. "I know who you're thinking of, and stop. There's no way I'm asking him." He shook his head defiantly.

Lydia rolled her eyes, releasing a sigh of frustration. "Who else are you gonna take then? The winter formal only happens once!"

"I'm not going!" Adrian shrugged, set on his answer. He had thought long and hard on the dance, especially going with Stiles. But if Adrian couldn't even tell the boy how he felt, how can he possibly dance with him? "It'll be a mess."

Lydia pursed her lips, setting a gentle hand on her brothers forearm. "Well, it'll be a gentle mess you got to have with the boy you like."

Before anything else could be exchanged between the Martin's, frantic knocking came from downstairs at the front door. Adrian groaned, collecting himself to his feet. "Hold that thought."

When he opened the front door, he was surprised to see Stiles stood there with his head hung low. Adrian raised his eyebrows at the unexpected guest, shifting on his feet. "Stiles? Hey, what's up? I thought you would call or something before- have you been crying?"

Stiles didn't say anything as he leaped forward, collapsing into the red headed boy's arms. Adrian caught him, hearing his sniffles as he closed the door. Leading the tearful Stilinski to the couch, Adrian knelt down in front of him; hands on his knees. "Stiles, what's wrong?"

"M-My dad." Stiles croaked out, a sad look on his face. He looked to be in emotional pain as he cleared his throat, wiping his tears. "I got him drunk for more information on the Hale case; bad idea. All he talked about was my mum . . . and how much he misses her."

Adrian immediately brung him in for a hug, the hazel eyed boy clinging onto him. The two boys sat there for a moment, Adrian hearing Stiles' breath hitch a few times due to the crying.

"I'm sorry." Stiles apologised brokenly against Adrian's chest. The buzzcut teen didn't have to see to know he wore a confused face. "I'm sorry for suddenly turning up and crying like a wimp."

"Stiles Stilinski," Adrian started, a frown on his face. Stiles' face was lifted in a pair of warm hands, meeting even warmer green eyes. "Don't ever apologise for this. It's okay to cry, it's okay to have a breaking point. And you're no wimp, Stiles. You're a hero."

"I'm not." The boy immediately shook his head, staring at the carpet floor. "I'm no hero. I can't do anything; I'm not like Scott."

"And who says you needed to be?" The hazel tones looked up again, something swimming among them. Adrian gently smiled, reaching for his hand without hesitation. "Stiles, you're fine just as human as you are. Why need claws when you've got a jeep?!"

When Stiles cracked a smile and small laugh, Adrian was fuelled to continue. "What I'm saying is that you are more than enough, Stilinski. And I wished I would've told you that sooner."

"Is that all you wanted to tell me?" Stiles dared, gazing into Adrian Martin's eyes sincerely. "Is that all you wished you could've told me sooner?"

Adrian felt his heart soar with butterflies, filling his stomach so much he feared he would bust. His whole body felt light as a feather, lips parting in shock as he stilled.

Of course he knew, it came to no surprise that he did; Adrian just wished he could be enough of a hero to tell the truth. Could he be that cliche prince in a fairytale that wins?

The answer would only come to him with a leap of faith.

"No. It's not." With a shake of the head, Adrian looked down to the floor. "But, I don't think any amount of time and words could get the feeling across. So, I guess here goes nothing."

"What do you mea-"

Stiles was stopped when lips pushed into his, Adrian's hands holding his face. Releasing a weird hum, Stiles kissed back; closing his eyes to relish in the delightful feeling that coursed through him.

It was a feeling of tranquility; a feeling both two teens never knew they needed until now. It felt like the flags were coming out at the end of a war; that war being themselves.

When the two broke away, their lips were still pouted from the kiss. Stiles looked up to meet Adrian's fearful gaze as he played with his fingers.

When he smiled, Adrian felt his heart lift into the heavens; like it grew wings and flew. It was uplifting, it was empowering and it was . . . relieving.

"That was . . . way better than I thought it was going to be." Stiles took a long breath, both of them chuckling lightly.

"Yeah." Adrian blushed. "It was huh?"

"So, would now be a good time to ask you to be my boyfriend, Adrian Martin?" Stiles gazed deeply into the emerald green pools he was drowning in, his mind screaming the answer he wanted.

And, with a smile of fondness, Adrian nodded while leaning in. "I think so, Stiles Stilinski."

"Finally." A deep sigh came from the stairs, shocking the two boys out of their skins. Lydia leaned against the wall, a smile on her lips. "It's about time."

"Wha-" Stiles blinked rapidly, trying to come to terms with the strawberry blonde's calmness towards the situation.

Adrian glared. "We were kind of having a moment, Lyds."

The Martin sibling raised her hands in defence, walking down the rest of the stairs. "Your fault for having it in the living room. I'm going out. You two lovebirds have fun!" She opened the door, about to leave before turning round with a wink. "Oh, and Stiles? Adrian has something else he would like to ask you."

Adrian glared even when the door was shut, his sister long gone by the time Stiles gained his attention back. The buzzcut teen tilted his head, a curious look on his face. "What is it?"

"I- uh . . ." The redhead felt his tongue become tied, feeling an overwhelming sense of fear running through him again.

Thankfully, Stiles' phone became his new saviour; ringing in the back of his pocket. Sighing, the pale boy pulled out the phone and realised it was none other than his werewolf friend. He put him on speaker, Adrian able to hear the conversation. "Hello?"

"Stiles, I've been trying to call Adrian but he hasn't been picking up. Is he with you?" Scott's frantic voice came from the other line, worrying the two boys.

"I'm right here. What's wrong?" Adrian spoke, exchanging a strange look with his now boyfriend.

"Look, my mum is on a date with freaking Peter Hale. You guys need to distract them- we can't-"

"Wait, hold up. Peter Hale as in 'I bite random teenagers' Peter Hale?" Stiles questioned, complete submerged back into the supernatural zone as was Adrian.

Scott made a small noise of frustration and panic. "How many Peter Hale's do you know?! Look, I need you and Adrian to distract them both. Stop the date. He threatened to turn my mum!"

Adrian and Stiles shared a fearful look, eyes wide. Adrian swallowed thickly, if anyone knew the consequences of the bite; it was him and Scott. There was no way he was letting Melissa suffer the same fate.

"Oh hell no." The Martin muttered before taking the phone from Stiles' hand, holding it closer to his face. "Where are they?"

❚ ❚ ❚

"There!" Adrian urgently pointed at the Ford parked on the side of the road. "Should we ambush them?"

"Ambush?" Stiles scoffed besides him. "What is this? The Albanian Resistance of World War II? No. I have a plan."

"A working one?" Adrian raised his eyebrows.

"It's a plan."

"Jesus Christ." Adrian slammed his head in his hands, taking a deep sigh before looking back at the boy. "Okay, let's just roll with it."

"Look at us, our first thing as a couple." Stiles sarcastically said, the redhead finding humour in his words. There was a beat of silence before Stiles spoke again. "You have your seatbelt on, right?"

"Yeah . . . why?" Adrian replies back wearily. Before anything else could be said, Stiles drove roscoe into the back of Peter Hale's car. It wasn't hard to harm anyone, but enough to give you a fright. "Stiles, what the hell?!"

"I said I had a plan; I didn't say it was a well thought out one!"

"I didn't think you would drive into someone's car though!" Adrian retorted back, unbuckling his seatbelt. "Oh my god, Peter Hale's gonna kill us."

Melissa got out of the car, slamming her door as she took a look at the damage. When she caught sight of the two guilty teenagers, she rolled her eyes. "Aww," she laughed dryly, the redhead already wincing at her words. "Are you kidding me?! Stiles!" She yelled.

"Never mind." Adrian murmured so only his boyfriend could hear, his eyes wide. "Melissa's gonna kill us."

Stiles acted shocked to see the parent of his best friend stood there, making the woman sigh. Adrian did feel guilty. It wasn't often Ms McCall got time off her work to do what she wanted. Not to mention she got all glammed up for her date.

"Ms McCall?" Stiles asked.

"Yes!"

"What are the odds!" Adrian nervously laughed, playing with his fingers. "Small world, huh?"

Melissa could only offer a sarcastic laugh as Stiles took back over, using his spastic hand gestures to get his point across. "I mean, I do not know what happened. You guys just came out of nowhere."

"Came out of nowhere?" Melissa questioned in disbelief. "We were parked on the side of the road, Stiles." She shot back.

"How crazy is that?" Stiles scoffed, stepping closer to Adrian when Peter emerged from the car. "We should probably call the cops, do line an accident report thing."

Peter spoke up, his eyes trained on Adrian, who was trying his hardest not to glare too hard to the point it was noticeable to Melissa. "I don't think that's necessary."

"Are you sure?" Stiles questioned, his hand going to the back of his neck. "I think I got a little whiplash."

"Whiplash?" Melissa retorted. "You hit us!"

"The neck is a fragile part of the body Melissa, surely you know that." Adrian shyly admitted, faking concern as he checked over Stiles' 'hurt' neck.

Melissa sighed, walking closer to the teenagers to get a closer look. The new couple shared a relieved look. They got lucky this time, and they can only hope it stays that way.

A U T H O R. N O T E
i was halfway through this chapter when i suddenly realised i was wearing my teen wolf hoodie. that's not relevant to the story, it's just important to me that you know that.

it also dawned on me last night at five o'clock in the morning that stiles and adrian didn't have a ship name. so i'm taking the liberty and calling it stidrian- which finally is canon my dudes!

GIF MADE BY ME !
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