"So he broke up with you because he's currently possessed by a evil Fox demon?" Danny asked, waving a empty spoon as of to punctuate his words. He was seated on Baby's bed. His back against the headboard and a pint of chocolate ice cream in his lap. Baby nodded with a sigh and angrily dug out another spoonful of his strawberry ice cream.

"Yeah. He thinks that he's protecting me by doing this", he muttered as he stuck the spoon in his mouth. The ice cream was cold and sweet on his tongue. He sniffed and blinked back tears. "Stupid. Why am I crying so much? I'm a heartless vampire for gods sake. I can't keep bloody crying". He glared down at the ice cream.

Danny exhaled deeply. "He was your first relationship, first proper relationship", he reminded. "I've known you since I was twelve and you have never dated or done this much for someone before. Not without reason. You don't have keep it all bottled up. You can care for people Baby. And yeah, that causes hurt and pain. But Baby, it's not all bad".

Baby sniffed and wiped his wet eyes on his sleeve. "I'm just not used to this. I'm so worried about him. I can't be there with him, he doesn't want me there. He's locked up and in danger because of a being living in his head. And I can't do anything".

Danny hummed and offered Baby the chocolate. They switched tubs and continued eating. "Isn't Scott and the pack doing something?"

"They are", Baby muttered through a mouthful of chocolate. "Scott told me that he would call me if they need my help". He shot a glance towards his phone, which was lying on his bedside table. It was still and silent. The screen black.

"You speak as if you aren't one of them", Danny pointed out.

Baby looked back at him with big dark eyes. "I don't know. I have a unspoken treaty with them. Vampire and werewolf things", he added with a wave at Danny's confused look. "A vampire and a alpha werewolf can both claim territory. I have claimed the school and the surrounding neighbourhoods as my territory. Because Scott and I are friends, and I'm dating, or was dating", he coughed and licked his lips. "Well, my ties to the pack started because of Stiles. Without him I'm not sure what my ties to them are. I don't know if I'm pack or not".

He sniffed and let out a hiccup as he shoved more ice cream into his mouth. Tears were welling up and he wiped them away. Danny sighed and put his ice cream and spoon down on the bedside table. He reached over and pulled Baby into a hug. "I warned you that things happen around those two", he joked lamely. Baby let out a wet chuckle.

"Yeah you did. How's things with Ethan by the way?"

Danny poked him and they both giggled slightly. Baby resting his cheek on Danny's shoulder. "Thanks for being here".

"Hey, you stayed with me when I was in tears over my first love", Danny grinned as he pulled back. "I might as well be here for yours".

Baby froze, eyes widening. "First love", he repeated. Danny caught the look and he sighed softly.

"Shit. You've only just realised? Dude, it was obvious".

"I guess it was", Baby sniffed. "Fuck. Is this what first love is supposed to feel like? I knew I was feeling something but I didn't want to put a label on it yet".

"And that's okay", Danny soothed. He took in Baby's red rimmed eyes. "Come on. Let's eat more ice cream and watch shitty action movies". Baby let out a wet laugh. He wiped the tears from his face and smiled slightly. He was glad to have a friend like Danny.

——

Stiles had been at Eichen house, or what he now knew the patients referred to as Echo house, for less than two days and already he had gotten punched. Reunited with Malia, been forced into group therapy, seen Malia naked and started another fight. He had stolen the keys to the basement only to be discovered and thrown into a padded cell and injected with a sedative. He hadn't expected Malia to break him out and lead him to another entrance to the basement. Yet here he was, stepping into the dark cold room as she opened the door.

It was just as he remembered. Boilers and light filtering in through the grates above. "Do you know what you're looking for?" Malia asked. She was pretty. With auburn hair, a shade or two browner than Baby's but still distinctive. Her skin was tan and she had brown eyes. Stiles might have been more attracted to her, would have been five months ago, if his mind hadn't kept comparing her to Baby. Her skin was too dark. Her eyes too light and her hair just the wrong shade. Baby's was more russet, with streaks of gold and red whenever he spent too long in the sun. His eyes were darker too. Black but so warm and enveloping.

Stiles blinked to clear the thoughts of his boyf- ex boyfriend from his mind. He didn't need to think about Baby right now. "Something like that", he pointed to the backwards five carved into the wall. It was just like in his dream. Malia walked over to it and crouched down to trace the markings with her fingers.

"What does it mean?"

"Self", Stiles stated before he could even think.

"Maybe you should tell me more?" Malia prompted.

"You might not like me if you know anymore".

Malia stood up, her face half in shadow from the dim lighting. She grinned at him. "Try to remember that I'm a were coyote who murdered her own family. I won't judge, I promise".

Stiles looked at her again. She blinked at him, eyes open and honest and without judgement. He sighed. "Okay. I guess I'm telling you".

——

"This place used to be a lot more fun", Malia commented. They had found a dusty old couch towards the back of the room, partially hidden behind one of the water tanks. They had also found cabinets of old files and were reading through the papers to see if there was any link to the nogitsune or the supernatural. "Electroshock, ice baths, trepanation?" She read our from a sheet.

Stiles looked up at the last word. "That's what Oliver was talking about. Trepanation is when they drill into your head".

"No wonder they don't want anyone down here", Malia remarked and he let out a huff of laughter. Her company was nice. He preferred it to being alone.

Stiles dropped the last of his papers to the floor. "There's nothing here", he sighed. "Can you do me a favour? Could you just check the lines on my back? Could you tell me if they're fading?" He turned and pulled the back of his shirt up so that she could see. He felt Malia reach out and her fingers push the hem up.

"Yeah. They're almost gone". Stiles felt coldness wash over him. She must have felt his pause. "I'm guessing that's a bad thing", she sighed. He turned and she helped him pull his shirt back down. He flinched slightly at her touch. "Sorry", she apologised. "I told you. I'm always cold".

"That's okay", Stiles replied. "My boyfriend is literally a vampire. He's cold blooded like a lizard, so you're warmer than him I guess".

"You have a boyfriend?" Malia asked curiously. "So, you gay or"-

"Bi I think", Stiles sighed. "I'm attracted to both girls and boys but I haven't really thought about putting a label on it". He reached out and pressed his fingers to hers. "Oh, you really are cold. When Baby was having one of his really cold days, he would hold hot coffee cups in his hands to keep them warm enough just in case he had to touch anyone in school. Also he liked to absorb heat from others. I used to find his touch grounding. It must be weird, having a cold boyfriend". He paused and his face fell. "Well, he's sorta my ex now. I broke up with him just before I got admitted into here".

"Why?" Malia asked.

"I didn't want to hurt him again. The nogitsune did something to him. I don't know what but the creature likes him. I don't want to put him in more danger by letting the thing in my head near him".

"That is a noble thought. But it sounds pretty stupid", Malia remarked with a shrug. "Think about it. The nogitsune targeted people at the hospital you said".

"Yeah?"

"Well if he's willing to target anyone, what makes you think that he's going to stay away from Baby just because you broke up?"

Stiles paused, growing slightly frustrated. "Well I can try. I will do anything to keep him and my friends safe".

"Wow", Malia blinked at his anger. "You really love him don't you?"

Love, Stiles blinked. His mouth opening and closing for half a second. In that time, Malia glanced around. She seemed to have spotted something as she stood up. "I guess I do", the words were a astonished whisper on his tongue.

"Stiles", malia called. "Come look at this".

Unedited

Sorry but no Malia x Stiles here.