Chapter 18 - Loose Lips

Thomas was fast asleep before they'd even pulled entirely out of the fair parking lot, giving little indication that he simply hadn't died on the spot and it was only thanks to Minho's ability to focus on the familiar cadence of the younger teen's heartbeat that the wolf didn't give into his anxious desire to wake his companion, just to be sure he was actually sleeping and not no longer among the living as his absolute stillness and practically inaudibly soft breathing implied. However, the steady thrum of blood coursing through his mate's body filled the boy's head and soothed him into actually letting his exhausted mate rest rather than immediately shaking him awake like an overly concerned parent absolutely sure their child had keeled over in their sleep.

Given this quiet moment, the wolf quickly found himself lost in his own thoughts, given that it truly was a rarity for him to have a minute of down time when his entire life had become one huge gay panic thanks to the absolutely enrapturing boy now curled up on his lap, looking so serene and peaceful, it was hard to imagine the pretty brunette was responsible for sending Minho into cardiac arrest every two seconds. (Actually, who was he kidding? It was not hard to imagine at all. Thomas was sending him into cardiac arrest that very moment just by laying there looking so adorable - Like, seriously, who knew snoring could ever be considered so attractive? Not Minho.)

With this time to think, Minho found his thoughts drifting back to the gypsy's tent, running over the ominous premonition she'd spoke of in his head and trying to analyze it for any actual clues, needing to guard his cherished mate against the imposing danger yet completely clueless as to what the actual problem was. The befuddling woman had spoke of mistrusting their companions but Minho couldn't sense any threat among the pack whatsoever.

Scott and Isaac both looked like they might cry if they accidentally swatted a fly. Lydia and the Sheriff both failed to show the slightest inkling of mal intent. Derek was an asshole, yes, but not an enemy. That only left Stiles and he seemed the least threatening of them all, not to mention the closest to Thomas and the one who had been kindest to the Gladers ever since they'd arrived. It couldn't be Stiles.

Befuddled and no less well informed than he had been a moment ago, Minho reverted his attention back to the human snuggled up against him, one long arm wrapped about the teen's leg and his face buried into the poor excuse for a pillow case that was the uncomfortable looking denim of the werewolf's jeans. However, Thomas must've not found them very uncomfortable at all as he rubbed the side of his cheek affectionately into the pants and released a soft hum of contentment, honestly reminding the wolf of a giant house cat at the moment, all snuggly and sleepy in the boy's lap. It truthfully made Minho want to do nothing more than pet his cherished thing.

However, before Minho could give in to that temptation, the younger teen squirmed slightly, his eyebrows knitting together and his pink lips turning downwards in the beginnings of a frown as his pretty face contorted into a look of distress and a soft moan of displeasure escaped him, his grip on the coarse fabric of the other male's pants tightening as he attempted to bury his face farther into Minho's muscled thigh to little avail.

Minho made a soft shushing sound, a noise which he hoped would be comforting as he brought a large hand up to comb his fingers soothingly through the apple of his eye's scruffy brown locks, carding his digits through the soft strands in long, rhythmic strokes until his mate settled - I mean, if petting was for Thomas's own good, Minho couldn't really be blamed then, could he? Besides, he would do anything to soothe his mate.

The wolf continued this action a few times, only satisfied when Thomas eased at the touch, his face softening to the look of contented peace it held moments ago as he visibly relaxed once more and the supernatural being let his hand fall still against the side of his love's head, feelings of contentment budding inside the werewolf once he could pride himself on calming his boy and erasing any distress that ailed Thomas in his dreams.

Thomas tilted his head slightly and leaned into where Minho's hand still rested, nuzzling into the touch and releasing an audible sigh of comfort at the contact before finally returning to his earlier death-like demeanor of such deep sleep it was a wonder he even stirred in the first place.

Now that his mate was cared for, Minho's thoughts could freely drift to the earlier portion of the gypsy's sermon, the things the odd woman had said before she started acting as if they'd brought the black plague into her little tent or, better yet, sprouted horns and began whispering of all the wonders sin could offer while performing a ritualistic lap dance in her office. (So, Thomas perched on Minho's lap whilst fishing around in the wolf's pockets probably looked a little bit like a lap dance - But that wasn't the point!)

The woman had spoke of their relationship before their memories were stolen away, confirming what Minho himself had remembered in snippets about Thomas and himself being something before all this and the brunette had looked genuinely intrigued but not necessarily surprised. Perhaps, Thomas remembered something more now too, or had some other indication? Maybe, despite being human, the younger boy could sense some of the same draw that the wolf constantly felt due to the bond they'd sealed in a time they couldn't remember.

Minho groaned softly and shook his head to clear the dangerous thoughts. There was no solid indication that Thomas recalled anything they had before and even less proof the boy returned the feelings... Or, if there was, well, Minho wasn't going to risk reading too far into it and getting himself believing in false hope. Thomas trusted him and relied on him; so for now, that was good enough and the wolf wouldn't risk fucking that up on some whimsical, fleeting thought.

Another part of that weird woman's reading flitted its way into Minho's wandering mind as some of the roads and houses outside began looking more familiar, indicating they were approaching the Stilinski household. The crazy girl had informed them that Thomas had actually seen Minho shift in their past life, yet had continued to love him anyway, unfearful. The idea that Thomas could look past the abomination that Minho truly was then, indicated that he could do it again, that the boy he wanted wouldn't turn away in horror and disgust if the lycanthrope revealed himself to be what he truly was - Maybe Thomas could believe he wasn't a monster when Minho himself could not.

Minho's musings were cut short as Stiles whipped the Jeep dangerously sharply into the driveway of their destination, turning so quickly the werewolf was pretty sure he legitimately felt two of the wheels leave the ground with the sudden action and instantly braced his arms over his slumbering companion in an attempt to keep him from tumbling off the seat, half-crouching over Thomas as he tried to shield the smaller boy from the jostling movement as much as possible.

"We're here." Stiles informed matter of factly - as if they could've possibly missed his wonderful entrance - before popping open his door and pushing his lithe body flesh up against it to force motion into its resilient hinges, an absolutely horrendous screeching sound coming from the rusty contraption as he did so. "Don't you worry, Roscoe, baby. Daddy will get you oil." The teen cooed to the vehicle as he hopped out from the front seat and planted his feet on the gravel driveway with an unbecoming flail.

"Jeep's name 's Roscoe?" Thomas mumbled from Minho's lap, apparently woken by the harsh turn despite his Keeper's greatest attempts to let him rest, whiskey orbs blinking blearily up at his companion and throwing the wolf's heart directly into a blender and turning the thing on puree with the sheer adorable sleepiness swimming in those eyes. Though the blender decided to become a cement mixer when his cherished human blinked once at him before seeming to understand he was safe and letting his honey eyes fall closed once more, snuggling contentedly back into his favorite pillow, A.K.A. Minho's thigh.

"Tommy, we can't sleep here." Minho encouraged softly, nudging the brunette in his lap lightly to no avail. "We gotta go inside, baby." The wolf whispered once more, poking a finger into his companion's soft cheek in an attempt to rouse him before his mind briefly stopped singing the endless praise of "Thomas is so cute," for all of two seconds to let him evaluate what had actually just passed his own lips. Minho gaped, opening and shutting his mouth a few times with nothing more than a horrified croak of a noise presenting itself in explanation, so unless Thomas spoke frog, he was pretty much fucked.

"Nooo. You're comfortable enough, we can just stay here." Thomas mumbled back through a yawn he muffled into the side of Minho's leg so, yeah, the wolf was just gonna assume his companion was actually deaf and had done an amazing job of hiding it all this time. Obviously, that was the only possible explanation.

"Tom, no, we need like, you know, an actual bed. With sheets, and blankets, and real, actual pillows." Minho argued persistently, trying not to think about what Stiles probably assumed they were doing hanging back in his car all this time but also reminding himself to thank the boy sometime later as he didn't disturb them either - That may be a needed pattern of behavior sometime in their future. No! Bad brain! Get your shit together!

"You're a great pillow, Min." Thomas assured comfortingly, gently patting Minho's thigh as if to prove his point. "So soft, yet so firm." The brunette elaborated in explanation, apparently assuming patting wasn't quite good enough to display the truth of this new claim and deciding stroking the wolf's leg muscle would be a much better indicator of said soft/firmness.

Many other things were going to be firm soon if Thomas kept that up so it was really the only logical course of action when Minho shifted them about so he could get his arms under his companion and kicked their door open in one smooth motion, some small voice in the back of his head squealing that it hoped his mate saw what a coordinated piece of competence he was.

The werewolf didn't even bother giving any sort of warning or indication before hoisting the smaller teen off the back seat and bundling him up against his chest, keeping one arm behind his companion's back while the other scooped under Thomas's long legs at the knee, pulling his treasure into his arms as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Which it kinda was if Minho was being completely honest here, Thomas's lithe body slotted perfectly against his own when he lifted the smaller boy and the feel of the thin teen in his arms was a reassuring weight that soothed both his wolf and human as there was no mistaking Thomas was there and safe when he felt the boy resting in his arms. Everything about holding his mate felt right.

"You're gonna carry me?" Thomas inquired a little squeakily, sounding almost embarrassed if Minho wasn't mistaken but the boy didn't hesitate before twining his arms around the wolf's neck and nuzzling his way into the crook where the older teen's shoulder met his collarbone, breathing in there softly before snuggling a little closer, presumably to fall asleep again.

"Didn't see you making any moves to get up and I don't care how lazy you are, my ass ain't sleeping in the back of a Jeep when there is a perfectly good bed a few feet away." Minho scoffed snarkily, trying his best to ignore what a wolf-like action Thomas's nuzzling happened to be and the accompanying thoughts that maybe their bond affected his human to the point where he desired some of the same base instinct assurances Minho's wolf constantly craved.

"You're the best, Min." Thomas conceded through another wide yawn, resting his head complacently against his companion's shoulder and going lax in the wolf's arms, apparently deciding here would be as good a place to sleep as any.

Minho merely hummed in acknowledgement, grateful his companion's eyes had fallen closed once more as there was no way the werewolf wasn't blushing like a madman as he kicked the Jeep door shut behind them and began making his way towards the house. The boy kept the steady sound of Thomas's heartbeat in the back of his head, soothed by its rhythmic presence and pleased by the way it slowed into the contented pattern of sleep as they approached the front doorstep.

The front door was a bit of a difficulty but Minho managed to grasp Thomas tightly with one arm as he struggled the doorknob open with the other, though even with his best attempt the brunette still released a disgruntled groan and snuggled his nose determinedly deeper into Minho's neck, as if he half expected to hide himself away from anything trying to wake him - Or, more likely, part of him realised Minho would keep away anything daring to disturb his cherished mate and unconsciously intended to snuggle himself as close to the wolf as possible to receive this protection.

Finally, after more struggle than a supernatural wonder should probably admit to, Minho had the door open and both arms securely under his boy once more, pressing his body back against the wooden door to close it behind them without having to take hand off his sweet sleepy thing once more, unwilling to disturb his slumbering baby any more than absolutely necessary. This obstacle overcome, the wolf was onto the stairs a moment later, taking each one as gently as he could and succeeding in reaching the top without jostling Thomas once in a matter of minutes - Because carrying pretty boys was obviously the true reason he'd been gifted with incredible werewolf agility.

Luckily, they must've left their bedroom door open when they'd left that morning, for Minho was able to make his way down the hallway and slip into their room without another problem, easily pushing the wooden door closed behind him with his foot without so much as jarring Thomas. The wolf then moved across the room to deliver his mate to the bed, his steps carefully light and practically silent as he listened intently to the sound of his Runner's heartbeat, searching for any signs of him waking and gratefully finding none.

It looked like something out of a cheap romance novel as Minho gently lay the object of his desires into their bed, where their shared scent mingled in a way that made Minho simply want to bury his face in the soft, flowing sheets and tangle himself about them for the rest of his life - But apparently Wolfy was totally into it. Carry home. Claim. The animal insisted determinedly, as if this were a totally logical progression of events that Minho was absolutely in the wrong to not go along with.

Minho bit his lip, breathing in slow as he tried to reign in his wolf before it did something stupid, though this only did more harm than good seeing the as entire room smelled like Thomas and them, so inhaling it really did naught but drive the hungry creature to desire his treasure more. The wolf wanted his scent covering his mate and wanted vicariously to have Thomas's smell on himself, needing everyone who got near them to know they belonged to one another, that they were claimed by each other, that they were bound - Mated Wolfy corrected helpfully, particularly pushy this evening for some unknown reason.

"Minho."Thomas whispered softly, his mate's voice breaking through his inner monologue probably the only thing that stopped Minho from scrambling into the bed and grinding against his sexy brunette, marking every piece of pale flesh he could reach and claiming his boy for his own. "'S cold. Get your hot ass in bed." The younger teen demanded groggily, blinking his hazel eyes open just slightly to gaze at his companion through half-lidded orbs all while Minho desperately tried to convince himself his friend was speaking about his actual body temperature and not his amazing looks.

"Whiny shank." Minho scoffed teasingly, reaching down a hand to gently ruffle his companion's wild hair, scratching his fingers roughly through the soft locks so that they stuck up every which way as Thomas reached up and caught his hand, tugging gently at the limb until Minho finally complied and climbed into bed with an endeared sigh he hoped his companion would be too tired to catch - Just like his earlier slip up.

However, as the sleepy brunette snuggled into his personal pillow and heater, his delicious sweet lemon scent curling about Minho's senses as the wolf indulged himself and curled about the smaller boy, letting his arms twist about his mate and pulling him close as he always wanted to, Thomas mumbled something that even the wolf's keen senses couldn't discern as the words were muffled by his own chest where his sleepy boy had snuggled up.

"What's that?" Minho prompted softly, trying to use conversation as a distraction from his strong desire to nuzzle into his mate's neck and inhale that amazing scent all night long, the urge only becoming more unignorable when Thomas's smell took on that sweet edge the werewolf had been catching on it more often.

"Called me baby." Thomas repeated in a hushed whisper, snuggling himself a little further into Minho's chest as if he wasn't quite sure he should inform the wolf he'd actually heard him but the boy did sound somewhat pleased and the werewolf swore he could almost feel his companion smile against his collarbone as the brunette nuzzled into him softly before falling still, his breath evening out and his heart rate slowing to the mellow cadence of sleep.