The bell rang, signaling the end of class, and a faint ripple of tension eased through the room. Chairs scraped against the floor as students began gathering their things, their conversations low and cautious, as though they were still processing what had just transpired. Orion remained at the front of the room, leaning casually against the desk, his golden eyes flicking briefly to each student as they filed out. His expression was unreadable—part amused, part contemplative.
Scott lingered at his desk, his gaze locked on Orion. His jaw was tight, his lips pressed together as if trying to contain a storm of questions. Stiles stood beside him, slinging his bag over one shoulder, his usual smirk tempered by curiosity. He nudged Scott with his elbow.
"Don't blow a gasket, dude," he muttered, though his voice lacked its usual playfulness. "Let's just see where this goes."
Scott didn't respond. He watched as Orion pushed away from the desk, his movements slow and deliberate, and made his way toward the door. Without hesitation, Scott stood abruptly, his chair scraping loudly against the floor.
Orion paused in the doorway, one hand resting lightly on the frame, and glanced over his shoulder. A knowing smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"Coming to escort me out, Scott?" he asked, his tone smooth, almost teasing.
Scott didn't answer, his expression dark and determined as he moved quickly toward him. Stiles followed with a resigned sigh, muttering something under his breath about this being a bad idea. The three of them exited the classroom, leaving behind a sea of curious glances.
---
The hallway was quieter now, the rush of students thinning as they dispersed to their next classes. Orion walked ahead with an easy stride, his hands tucked into his pockets as though he had all the time in the world. His white hair glowed faintly under the fluorescent lights, and his golden eyes seemed to flicker with an inner light, catching every movement around him.
Scott caught up with him in just a few long strides. His hands were clenched into fists at his sides, tension rolling off him like a gathering storm. Stiles, a step behind, stuffed his hands into his jacket pockets, his face set in a cautious frown as he watched the interaction unfold.
"What are you doing here?" Scott asked abruptly, his voice low but laced with an unmistakable edge of frustration.
Orion stopped, turning slowly to face him. His expression was calm, his head tilting slightly as though considering Scott's words. "Well, hello to you too, Scott," he said smoothly, a faint smile playing on his lips. "I'd ask how you're doing, but you seem a little tense."
Scott took a step closer, his brow furrowed, his jaw tightening. "That's not an answer," he said sharply. "Why are you here? Why my school?"
Stiles raised an eyebrow, his gaze darting between the two of them. "Okay, not that I'm against the whole stepdad-son bonding thing," he said, his tone deliberately light, "but I'm guessing this isn't just about sharing lunch breaks and class schedules."
Orion let out a low chuckle, the sound rich and unhurried. He crossed his arms over his chest, leaning back slightly as though settling in for a conversation he found mildly entertaining. "Boredom, mostly," he said finally, his golden eyes meeting Scott's with a glimmer of amusement. "I needed a change of pace. Something to do."
Scott's frown deepened, his disbelief clear in the way his shoulders tensed. "And teaching here was the first thing you thought of?"
Orion shrugged, his movements fluid and unbothered. "Why not?" he said, his tone casual. "Seemed like an interesting challenge. And besides," he added, a hint of warmth creeping into his voice, "what better way to spend time with my stepson than to come work at his school?"
Stiles let out a low whistle, his eyes widening slightly as he glanced at Scott. "Well, that's one way to drop a bombshell," he muttered, though there was a flicker of something softer in his expression—understanding, maybe even sympathy.
Scott's expression faltered for a moment, a brief flicker of vulnerability crossing his face before he quickly masked it with frustration. "This isn't a game," he said, his voice quieter now but no less intense. "You can't just—"
"Relax, Scott," Orion interrupted gently, though his tone carried an undercurrent of authority that made Scott pause. "I'm not here to cause trouble. I'm here to help."
Scott blinked, caught off guard by the sincerity in Orion's voice. For a moment, the tension between them seemed to waver, though it didn't dissipate entirely.
Stiles cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "Okay, so… ground rules?" he offered, his tone deliberately casual. "Like, maybe don't freak out the entire student body on your first day?"
Orion laughed softly, the sound warm and genuine. "I'll do my best," he said, glancing at Stiles with a faint smirk. "But no promises."
Scott exhaled slowly, the tension in his posture easing just slightly. "This better not blow up in our faces," he muttered, though there was less bite in his words now.
Orion's smile softened, and for a moment, there was something almost paternal in his gaze. "Trust me," he said quietly. "I'm here for the right reasons."
As Orion turned and walked away, his long strides carrying him down the hall with ease, Scott and Stiles stood in silence for a moment.
"You think he means that?" Scott asked finally, his voice barely above a whisper.
Stiles glanced at him, his expression thoughtful. "I think he's a wild card," he said, shrugging lightly. "But sometimes… those are the ones you need the most."