◤ chapter twenty: ❛ confident
confidant ❜ ◢

✧

         TRULY, HE DID DRIVE HOME. All the way down Wesleyan Drive to the Whittemore house, which looked more like a manor than a quaint house, and even parked his car in the garage. He looked at the door, at his bag full of homework and thought about the chores he had to do, and then he thought about the peanut butter and jelly sandwich he could make himself for dinner, and he stuttered. Biting into his lip, he hesitated, gripping his gear shift, and then he reversed, pulling out.

Because the words were still swimming in his head. Sirens are not beings of death, which great, that was massively comforting because if he Googled sirens there sure was a lot of lore that supported the theory that they liked to lure people to their deaths – but they are attracted it. And then the less comforting part of Julia's statement.

Was he attracted to death? A necrophiliac? Absolutely not. If anything, he was attracted to a guy that turned into a werewolf, he was into super hairy teenagers. Which, also properly not a great confession. However, still miles better than corpses. And he wasn't like Lydia, who just happened to find dead bodies wildly.

Still, the thought was in his head, and had been since Julia said it to him, so he had to see her.

The drive to the Prescott household went by too quickly for his taste, passing by neighborhoods that the Whittemores would never dare enter nor associate with. They were above it; in their gated community that stood proud, grand for all to see. And eventually he reached the small house that held Julia and Penny.

The older woman was on the front porch, watering plants, with a shawl wrapped around her arms, hair in a loose braid. "Cooper," Julia greeted him, "Penny said you'd been coming over for dinner, but I didn't know for sure."

Right. He'd forgotten he agreed, what with the mess of Scott, Stiles, and Allisons' subconscious causing them all to hallucinate throughout the day.

Always the charmer, he gave her a smile. "Have you known me to be forgetful?"

Julia eyed him. "You haven't been around as much recently," she said in place of any other answer, turning around to open the front door, granting him entrance, "That is the way of teenage romance, though."

Called out, he couldn't help but flush. "That's my bad," he meekly managed.

"It's not a bad thing to indulge in romance," she shrugged, putting down the watering can by the door. Wiping her hands, she moved into the kitchen, Cooper following after. "Romance is vital, even more-so to us. It's in our nature. We are lustful creatures."

"Please don't call us lustful creatures," he groaned, "I don't think I can handle that."

"Are you embarrassed? I didn't take you as someone who would embarrass easily," she raised an eyebrow.

"It just feels...weird talking about this sort of thing."

"Why? We talk about everything siren related. Lust is apart of that. Love, too. Romance. It is so intertwined. Separate, yes. Different words, different definitions, but altogether nonetheless."

Whimsically, she fluttered around the room, putting on her apron to start cooking dinner as Cooper took a seat at the table. Awkwardly, he stammered, "It's just – usually, when we talk about our nature, it's about the, you know, other abilities. The voice, the danger, the rarity. Not, you know, the appetite."

At that, she let out a laugh. "Ah, yes. Well, you are young, so I'll let you have your embarrassment, and if you wish to only talk about the other aspects of our nature, we can. How do you feel about porkchops for dinner?"

"That's fine," he said.

"Good," she nodded, "Penny will be delighted to have you over." He hummed in acknowledgment, looking around the kitchen rather than saying anything at that. "Yes, yes, I know," Julia continued, "Really, I wish she would choose someone else to like, but I cannot control that."

"It's fine, but, actually, there was a reason that I came over here – not just for dinner," he admitted.

"Oh? Do tell."

"It's what you said the other night, about us. That we're not beings of death, but we are attracted to it."

Julia stopped what she was doing at the counter, turning around and going to sit with him. Looking at her now, she looked older than she had minutes ago when she greeted him. "Sirens are so many things, Cooper, and it is up to the individual to decide what you want to be, but that isn't to say there aren't universal truths about us."

"Like our abilities?" he asked.

She tilted her head. "Slightly, yes. We are the essence of romance – but that has multiple meanings. Romance is love, and it can bring you eternal joy. Romance is lust, and it can draw you in. Romance is blinding, like a fog you can't see out of. Romance can also be fatal.

"Now, we're not like other creatures; we are not of death. We do not rely on it, but we are attracted to it. By that, I mean there is something so hypnotic watching someone fall for your song, watching them fall under your trance enough you can keep singing until their ears bleed and they don't even care. It is fatal to the victim and the siren. More than that, we hear more than average humans; we hear death. It's song, it's bells. We can sense death this way. All of this is why we are so dangerous."

"I've heard death before," he whispered, leaning back, looking away. He thought about the motel, that cursed lacrosse trip with the wolfsbane. The drum in the air that something was wrong, that lives were being lost.

Julia pat him on the shoulder. "You are very powerful, Cooper, it's why Deucalion wanted you."

He pursed his lips at the mention of the Alpha pack leader. "I don't want to make people die and like it."

She stood up. "Then train. Get control and stay in control of your song and your aura. There are ways, there are always ways."

As she went back to preparing dinner, he couldn't help but ask one final question: "Did you ever lose control?"

For a moment there was silence. Tense, unnerving, which seemed to answer for her. Yet, "That was a long time ago."

She didn't elaborate, and he didn't prod. He didn't want to know anything more, that knowledge, in its forbidden state, was too much for him.

✧

LET IT BE known that Cooper was not the one to piss of the werecoyote, okay? In fact, he didn't even know that werecoyotes existed until one came to the school all pissed off because Scott and Stiles fucked with their territory!

And really, werecoyotes? They were just letting anything exist these days, huh.

Although he could play the skeptic and say that perhaps the coyote that came roaming the halls of Beacon Hills High was not sentient in the same way Scott and Derek were, he would probably be wrong, and most definitely be a bad boyfriend because Scott was spearheading the belief that the coyote was in fact Malia Tate – the missing child from years past. So, whatever, he believed what he had to, and was going to support his boyfriend because that's what good partners did...right? Right.

Which was exactly why Cooper agreed to go back to Deaton's clinic with Dumb and Dumber and Dumb's roommate, Isaac, for the veterinarian's advice on the matter. Still, because he's himself, he had his arms crossed and was in the corner.

"Xylazine," Deaton said, giving them a sample, "It's a tranquilizer for horses. For a werecoyote, expect it to work within seconds. I only have three. So, whoever's shooting needs to be a damn good shot."

"Allison's a perfect shot."

"She used to be," Isaac interjected with a mutter, a bit skeptical about the woman's performance given her recent mental state. And really, considering what Cooper's seen in just Scott and Stiles, he couldn't help but worry about Allison, too.

Scott shot him a look. "She can do it."

"If we manage to find the thing," Isaac brought up.

"Okay, what is the point of him?" Stiles broke in, "Seriously, I mean, what is his purpose? Aside from the persistent negativity and the scarf? What's up with the scarf, anyway? It's sixty-five degrees out!"

"Look, maybe I'm asking a question no one here wants to ask – how do we turn a coyote back into a girl when she hasn't been a girl in eight years?" Isaac asked back.

Cooper brought his hands up in a shrug. "He has a point."

"I can do it," Scott said.

Stiles raised an eyebrow, "You can?"

"You remember the night that Peter trapped us in the school? In the gym, he was able to make me turn using just his voice. Deucalion did the same thing in the distillery."

"This is a werecoyote, Scott. Who knows if it'll even work? If you can find someone who can teach you?" Deaton mentioned.

"That's why you called Derek first."

"You called Derek? I thought you hadn't heard from Derek in, like, weeks," Cooper turned to him. Really, he couldn't remember how long it had been since they'd seen the other wolf.

Scott sighed. "Yeah. I could try it on my own...but, right now, I'm too scared to even change into just a werewolf."

"We need a real Alpha," Stiles said, backtracking when he saw the betrayed look on Scott's face, "You know what I mean! An Alpha who can do Alpha things! You know, an Alpha who can get it going! You know, get it –"

"...Up?"

"Great. I'm an Alpha with...performance issues..."

Cooper pursed his lips to keep from laughing, because while this was such a vulnerable moment, and he was such a good and caring partner, why did they have to phrase it like that?

"Is there anyone else besides Derek who could help?" Deaton asked.

"I wouldn't trust Peter..."

"Maybe the twins?"

"They're not Alphas anymore," Deaton shook his head, "After what Jennifer did, almost killing them? It broke that part of them."

Cooper raised an eyebrow. He didn't even know that something like that could happen; that Alphaness could break.

"Yeah, but what if they know how to do it?"

"Nobody's seen them for weeks."

Stiles shook his head, "Actually, that's not totally true. Lydia and Aiden have still been together."

"And she didn't tell me? I'm so offended right now," Cooper muttered, "Ugh!"

Getting out his phone, Stiles contacted Lydia to get information on the twins' location. When he had it, they moved out, but not before Cooper grabbed Scott, "Hey, you didn't tell me you were scared."

Scott looked down at the ground. "I didn't – I didn't know how to tell you."

"You're the bravest person I know –"

"And that's the reason why! You're so sure of me, but right now I'm not sure of myself. I mean, this morning I had a panic attack and I wasn't sure if I was awake or dreaming. I'm not in control," Scott vented, the last part coming out in a whisper.

Cooper softly took ahold of his chin, stroking it with his thumb then moving up to sift his fingers through Scott's hair. "You wanna know something? I'm scared of the fact that I'm a siren. Every single thing I learn about it, it makes me wish I was a human. I'm scared that you don't genuinely like me but I projected my feelings on you. I'm scared that one day I'm going to sing and not stop. I'm scared of what I am, but when I'm with you, I'm less scared.

"So, yes, I am sure of you. I'm sure that you are going to bring Malia back. I'm sure that you are going to do it with your voice, and I'm sure that you can turn into a werewolf and be fine."

Scott melted into his words. "If you want to be sure of me, then you should always be sure of one thing: I do genuinely like you."

A smile crept up onto his lips. "Okay."

✧

IF THERE WAS one thing that Whittemores did not do, it was camp. Therefore, Cooper's wilderness skills...? Lacking, to say the least. Still, he didn't complain because at least he wasn't wearing a dress and boots like Lydia to trudge around the woods. So, small victories.

Though he didn't the small victory at all because he still had to run around the woods with Stiles and Lydia on the hunt for Malia the werecoyote. Well, the three of them weren't really hoping to encounter the girl. No, but they were still out there, because of course they were. Why weren't they? Everyone else was.

Stiles, stressed on the phone with his dad, complaining about Malia's dad and the coyote herself while Cooper kept an eye out on their surrounding, because technically he was the most capable member of their party. No, he didn't have werewolf strength, but he did have the siren's song to hopefully stun her, which put him in the leading position. Which, great. Really, great.

"It took the doll again? What the hell is so important about this doll?" Stiles questioned. And yeah, Cooper traded looks with Lydia, because did the coyote care about a children's toy? It's not like it could add any value in the wilderness.

"You didn't tell me you were still hooking up with Aiden," he said offhandedly.

"I didn't think it was that important," Lydia shrugged, "It's a very casual affair."

"And I thought we were friends."

"Cooper, honestly," Lydia rolled her eyes, "I just, I thought it'd be weird since, you know, Jackson and I used to..."

He hummed, nodding to acknowledgement why she would feel that way. And, perhaps he should too, but Lydia had outgrown the role of Jackson's girlfriend/ex-girlfriend. She had grown into his friend, someone he could talk to; someone he wanted to talk to.

"I don't think it's weird. I mean, it's like I expected you to just stay celibate now that he's gone. You're your own person, so is he."

"But I don't wanna make it weird between you two."

He scoffed. "You don't. If you're worried about that, don't be. We're friends, independent to you and Jackson."

"Good," Lydia declared.

"It's the doll?" Stiles startled, practically yelling it, causing Cooper to lean back to dramatically.

"Woah, calm down."

But he didn't. Instead, Stiles brought out his hands to talk animatedly, "Alright, but why would it go all the way to the school and then all the way back to the house, just for a doll? One that was in the car wreck in the first place. We didn't find it in the coyote den."

"It likes the doll – who cares?" Lydia shrugged.

"Maybe it reminds them of their children?" Cooper mused, more-so fucking with Stiles than anything else.

Stiles shot them both a look. "It likes the doll a lot..."

"I don't know...it's a doll, you know? It's got little arms, a big baby head, and dead soulless eyes...Actually, I took a pic! Here."

He took out his phone, searching for the photo before handing it over to them. "That's Malia?"

"Yeah. That's the jacket and the scarf we found in the den."

"Stiles, she's not holding the doll..."

"That's Malia's younger sister," Stiles said, "That's her doll."

"It's not for her," Cooper added.

"I know what she's doing."

"What?"

"I know where she's going."

Breaking out into a sprint, Stiles started forward with them following. He dialed someone, bringing his phone to his ear, "Scott? It's me. You got to call me back as soon as you can. It wasn't Malia's doll – it was her sister's. Malia left it at the car for her sister. It's like bringing flowers to a grave, okay? And we stole the flowers. So, that's all she's trying to do, right? Bring the doll back to the grave, to the car wreck. That's where she's headed – the car wreck."

And they ran, barely looking where they were going, until a standstill, stoic, "Guys...?" and both of them stopped.

Looking back, there was Lydia, still. Firmly still. Not an inch of her body moving.

"Lydia..." Cooper breathed out, understanding why she was deathly still. Underneath her foot was a beartrap. Not yet latched on her foot, but it would if she faltered.

"Don't move," Stiles cautioned her.

"Look for a warning label," she told them.

"A warning label?"

"Instructions on how to disarm it."

"Lydia, why the hell would they put instructions on the bottom of a trap?"

Becoming hysteric, she cried out, "Because animals can't read!"

"Cooper...I need you to take over..."

He stared at Stiles. "Why?"

"Because I can't read, either."

Cautiously walking over and crouching down to the trap, Cooper examined it, looking for any writing or explanation for how to disarm it, but there was nothing. Calmly, he looked back up, because at least one of them had to be calm, and it absolutely wasn't Lydia.

"There aren't any instruments, but Lydia – Lydia, look at me," he channeled his aura onto her so she could only look at him, "I need you to calm down, lower your heartrate and take a deep breath. You're alright."

Magically, she began to do as commanded. He turned to Stiles. "We have to move her off it quickly. Can you manage that?"

After getting a nod, he moved behind Lydia, positioning Stiles in front of her. As fast as he could, he pushed her off and into Stiles' arms, hearing the snap of the trap beneath them, but it didn't grasp her. It didn't grasp her. That's all that mattered.

The celebration came with a large roar in the distance; the signal of Scott.

"That's what I'm talking about!" Stiles cheered for him as Cooper just smiled. He knew Scott had it in him.

With Lydia safe, they continued on their path, hoping to find the others, with maybe a human Malia. Cooper positioned himself in front, keeping an eye on the ground so he could see if there were any more traps.

✧

A TAPPING ON his window alerted him to Scott's presence. Pulling himself out of bed, he opened the window and watched as Scott crawled inside. "Hi," he whispered, tugging his boyfriend into a kiss, which was not refused, but graciously met.

"Hi," Scott said back, once they pulled back.

"Now, why did I have a feeling that you'd be knocking on my window tonight?" he coyly asked, leading Scott further into his room and onto his bed.

"I guess I'm just predictable."

"Maybe I just have you right where I want you," he gave him another kiss. "You did a good thing today, with Malia."

"I hope so. I hope she can adjust," Scott leaned back, laying against the bed, shutting his eyes, "But it did feel good. To see them reunite, and to be the one to make her human again."

Cooper smiled. "I knew you could."

"Yeah, you did," Scott took their fingers and interlaced them. "You always believe in me."

"Well, you've never let me down before, so until you do, I'll believe in you, how about that?"

Scott searched his eyes then gave him another kiss. They traded lazy kisses for a minute before the wolf pulled away again. "It was nice to feel in control again. Like I could be the wolf, and I wasn't scared. You give me that confidence."

"Sap," Cooper teased, "How long can you stay?"

"Not long."

"Well, let's make our time worth it then, shall we?"

Scott didn't answer, just drew him in again. And there, with him, Cooper didn't have to worry. They all melted away.

authors note
so hey,,, it's been a hot minute guys. i'm not going to apologize for that because i've had absolutely no will to write for like a year and then out of nowhere today i was like "actually,,, i think i will write something" so here we are. so maybe disappearing act over? maybe not. either way, here's this chapter. don't really know what to think about it, but it does have some cute moments between cooper and scott so hope y'all enjoyed