Theo: Stiles! Are You Okay?

Theo: Stiles! Are you okay?

Stiles, visibly woozy: You have… beautiful eyes.

Theo: His sight is fine, but he’s lost his mind!

Stiles wanders. He often does recently. Through his grandparents’ large house and the forest surrounding it. He wanders dressed in black boots and worn-out jeans, in a t-shirt that doesn’t quite fit and a zip hoodie belonging to somebody else. He feels safe here, protected, at home in the place his mother grew up in until she was ten. Then they moved to the USA because his grandfather received a job offer they couldn’t refuse. Only after his mom’s death, they returned home. 

The place almost doesn’t look real. It could be starring in a horror movie or in a kid’s movie about magical boarding schools. It really depends on how your perspective. To Stiles, it’s his home away from home, it’s his mother’s childhood, memories brought to life. 

It’s his safe haven. 

Stiles whistles. The sound travels through the trees. Leaves rustle in the breeze, and Stiles pulls the zip hoodie tighter around him. A moment later, he picks up on twigs breaking as Theo rushes back to him. He’s not much more than two bright blue eyes in the darkness. His black fur only shimmering when the moonlight hits it for a brief second. The darkness seems different in Poland. Less menacing although more complete. Maybe because all the monsters live in Beacon Hills.

All except two. 

Theo darts around him, running in circles diminishing in size until he flops onto his side, front leg lifted as if demanding a high five. With a sigh, Stiles crouches down and runs his fingers through the warm fur, laughing quietly as Theo pats his shoulder with his paw. Clothes, it means. There’s nobody around here to see, but just in case his dad or grandparents notice their absence and come out to check on them, Stiles always carries a pair of sweatpants and an extra hoodie with him. 

Stiles drops the clothes next to Theo, then uses them as a pillow. It’s cold on the ground, but Theo’s body spends enough heat that he’ll be okay for a few minutes. 

It’s a break in their routine. Half an hour before they go to bed, Stiles walks outside with Theo. They follow a trail just until their current home is barely visible, then Theo runs until Stiles calls him back. He envies him for this freedom, for being able to completely let go of the nightmares. Running around as a wolf, Theo told him one night, helps him remember that he’s free. The world around him feels more real because everything is more intense. Scents, noises, the ground underneath his feet, Stiles’ heartbeat. 

After this, they usually walk back to their room. His dad, although basically kidnapping them, wasn’t happy about that in the beginning. He caved one night later, realising they needed each other more than expected. Theo kept him sane inside the train station. Stiles reminds Theo he’s alive. But it’s more than a necessity. Stiles enjoys being around Theo. He craves his proximity enough that he dutifully accompanies him to the Polish lessons his grandmother has talked Theo into. The guy might exceed in science, but languages aren’t his thing. He can order bread at the bakery though, as long as nobody asks him any questions. While Theo is priding himself with that accomplishment, Stiles’ grandmother impatiently demands that he studies harder. She even scolds Stiles when he tries to help Theo with the pronunciation. She is the teacher. He is moral support. The lines are drawn. 

Stiles loves her, and Theo does too, no matter how often he complains about how strict she is. 

This ordinary life helps them heal. Stiles stopped looking over his shoulder. Theo stopped seeing his sister in the shadows. They are getting better. Things are good.

For now, at least.

TW AU: Stiles and Allison are siblings.

Theo: Hey, wanna help me commit a felony?

Stiles: What the hell!

Theo: Sorry, my bad.

Theo: (whispering) Wanna help me commit a felony?

Stiles: (whispering) Yeah okay, what do you need?

Kira: That was fun!

Kira: Except for those six or seven times when I thought we were gonna die.