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Things had become.. complicated since it was revealed that Malia was a Hale and Jackson's biological twin.
Jackson had spent his entire life longing to be reunited with his twin, and so he jumped at the opportunity. He was constantly at Malia's side, fiercely protecting her and trying to give 'brotherly advice'.
Malia found it all to be a bit suffocating.
Unlike Jackson, she never knew she had a twin. In fact, she believed she was born a Tate. She had a family - a sister - and she lost them. The idea of gaining a new sibling.. and the potential of losing another.. it was terrifying.
It was the kind of situation you don't want to get in the middle of, and most of the time Stiles managed not to.
Most of the time.
It had been nearly a full year since Malia had turned from a full-time coyote into an ordinary werecoyote, but she was still adjusting. It seemed like there were some things that she would just never acclimate to. She struggled a lot when it came to people and their feelings, she often came across as rude, and she absolutely despised small talk.
All of this was none more apparent than on June 15 - specifically the first June 15 since being reunited with Jackson.
Their first birthday together.
Jackson decided to throw a large party in an effort to impress his sister. It was loud and full of people. Everyone offered birthday wishes and presents, and Jackson ordered a three tier cake.
But Malia hadn't celebrated a birthday in eight years, it was all foreign to her now. She hadn't liked most of the presents and didn't have the social skills to fake gratitude. She ate with her hands, not caring about whatever mess it caused. She growled and shoved.
Honestly, Stiles was impressed that they survived the night without anyone getting maimed.
He and Malia eventually managed to sneak away from the party and Stiles convinced her to run through the preserve with him. It didn't take very much persuasion.
The growls behind him grew closer. He had managed to get a head start, but Malia knew the preserve better than him.
Stiles' claws dug into the earth as he raced forwards, swerving around trees and over roots. He caught a glimpse of movement out of the corner of his eye before he felt a body collide into his, causing him to fall to his side.
Stiles used the momentum of the hit to roll across the forest floor and half heartedly tried to pin the other body.
Malia shoved him so he was on his back, with her hovering over him. The leaves around them jostled with the movement and a few landed in her hair. She grinned down at Stiles, her eyes glowing a brilliant blue.
Stiles exhaled, taking in the sight. His heart was pounding. "You're beautiful."
Instead of responding, Malia leaned down and kissed him.
His hands moved instinctively to wrap around her waist. Their lips met languidly, a familiar comfort to their movements.
Malia pressed down further into Stiles, leaning her weight into him as their kiss gradually grew more heated.
A twig snapped nearby and Stiles broke away to look towards the noise.
Malia didn't even turn her head. "It's just a rabbit." She nudged her nose to Stiles' neck and peppered some kisses there.
"That's exactly the kind of thing two teenagers would say before getting murdered." Stiles pointed out.
Malia huffed and leaned back to look at Stiles. "Listen to it. Rapid heartbeat, twitching nose, jumpy movements."
Stiles focused his hearing and realised that Malia was right. He could hear the rabbit now, a bit to their left. There was no mistaking it when you knew what to listen for.
Malia must have gotten impatient with his silence because she pressed her lips to his again.
Stiles smiled into the kiss and brought one of his hands up to cup her face.
"Let's do something." He murmured against her.
"We are doing something." She retorted.
"I mean," He chuckled. "Let's do something for your birthday."
Malia leaned back again to look at him. "I'm not going back to that party." She refused.
"I don't mean that." Stiles sat up slowly, pulling Malia into his lap as he did so. "Let's do something with just us.. like, let's go somewhere you want to go or do something you want to do. Anything at all." He lifted a hand up and brushed a few stray leaves out of her hair.
"Anything?" She echoed.
"Anything." He agreed.
"I want some deer." Malia declared instantly.
"Of course you do." Stiles muttered. He couldn't stop himself from smiling, not because of the whole 'kill and eat a deer' thing, but because it was Malia. He couldn't help but find her endearing.
"You said anything."
Stiles squinted in thought. "Yeah, but most girls would probably ask for a fancy necklace or something."
"I don't want a fancy necklace." Malia responded bluntly.
"We'll get you some deer." Stiles' face was soft with fondness.
At his agreement, Malia jumped to her feet with a wide grin.
Stiles had expected her to take off running into the woods, but instead she raised her hands and pulled off her top. The rest of her clothing quickly followed.
"Oh-" Stiles' eyes widened and he stuttered. "What-" He had seen Malia naked numerous times; both above and below himself; but it still took him off guard and brought warmth to his face.
Malia didn't offer any explanation. Her claws came out with a flick and her eyes burned a vivid blue as she concentrated inwards. Quickly enough, fur started to spread across her body and her limbs began to reshape themselves until there was a full coyote standing in front of Stiles.
Stiles stared for a moment, caught by the sight in front of him. He had also seen Malia in her coyote form a number of times, but she still looked incredible every time.
The coyote growled pointedly at him.
"Oh, right-" Stiles caught on to what his girlfriend wanted of him. He stood up and sheepishly took off his own clothes before shifting into his evolved lupine form. Soon enough, a brown wolf was stood in front of the coyote.
Instantly, the coyote tackled the wolf and mouthed playfully at him.
The two canines batted their paws at each other and exchanged licks and nibbles for a few moments.
The coyote nipped gently at the wolf and then ran off into the woods.
The wolf sprinted after the smaller canine, joining her in her hunt. They left only a pile of clothing in their wake.
Stiles may have struggled to get the taste of deer out of his mouth afterwards, but it was worth it to see the way Malia lit up.
Anything for the birthday girl.