“This is a terrible idea.” Stiles tells him, pulling a face that shows just how much of a terrible idea he thinks it is. Scott offers him a grin in return, the sun behind him making it seem as if he has a halo. Stiles thinks he should have horns instead.
“It was your idea.” Scott replies. Cheeky bastard.
“That’s irrelevant. Not all of my ideas are good ones.” They’re standing right on the edge of the cliff, looking down into the crystal clear waters below. Stiles’ stomach gives a lurch and his toes curl against the rock he’s standing on as if the grip will stop him from falling.
“We’ll be fine. I’m right here.” Scott extends his hand, wiggling his fingers in invitation. “Do you trust me?”
Stiles doesn’t hesitate, just threads his pale fingers with Scott’s and holds on for dear life. “You know that I do.” It doesn’t make him want to leap off this damned cliff any more, though.
“Don’t look down. Look at me.” Scott’s face is doing that thing where he wants to smile but is trying not to, he wants to appear serious and reassuring. Stiles hates that it works. “On the count of three. Ready? One,” Stiles takes a deep breath, “Two,” Scott’s fingers tighten around his own as he tenses, ready to jump. Stiles’ heart is in his throat. He fights the urge to close his eyes.
“Three!” In sync, as they always are, they jump. The air whips around them, stealing the breath from Stiles’ lungs as they plunge towards the sea. Scott’s hand is tight in his, he doesn’t let go even as they hit the water and it rushes up his nose. Stiles makes the mistake of trying to open his eyes underwater, but everything is dark and the salt stings his eyes.
He feels something tugging at his hand, then water rushing past as he’s dragged upwards, and finally he surfaces, coughing and spluttering. Scott still has hold of his hand, he’s grinning madly and his hair is plastered over his forehead at strange angles. Stiles wants to smack him, but he feels an answering smile pull at his face. “We’re never doing that again.” He insists, treading water to remain afloat. Scott’s smile doesn’t even falter, like he knows Stiles would follow him off the edge of the Earth if he asked. He’s not wrong.
He’s still holding Stiles’ hand when they emerge from the water a few minutes later, and he doesn’t let go. Stiles thinks maybe leaping off the cliff was worth it.
