Chapter Text
This was really all Scott's fault. Stiles had a routine. He had the same routine every day for months. He took his shower every morning at 8 am. Exactly an hour and a half before his first class. It gave him just enough time so he didn't have to run to class. He had learned that lesson his fall semester. Ever since he got up the same time every Tuesday and Thursday so he wouldn't be late. Things had been going perfectly until Scott ruined everything.
Tuesday morning Stiles sat up abruptly in his bed. His hands rubbed furiously at his eyes. One arm reached for his glasses while the other snagged his phone from under his pillow. When he tried to check it, the screen didn't light up. He tried again growing increasingly concerned. Stiles jerked his head toward the nearby window and then at the bed across from him.
"Scott!" "Scott!" "SCOTT!" Stiles exclaimed, throwing his pillow toward his sleeping friend.
"What...what's going on?" Scott mumbled, turning his face to Stiles.
"What time is it dude?"
"I don't know man, why don't you just check your phone?" Stiles brows furrowed and the corner of his mouth began to twitch.
"Yes, thank you, Scott, of course, why didn't I think of that- oh wait I DID!" Scott sat up and reached out to grab his phone off the nightstand.
The light lit up Scott's face, his eyes squinted. Then suddenly his eyes opened wide, his jaw tensed. "Stiles...dude, it's 9 am.."
Stiles shook his head, sitting up, he began rushing around the room grabbing items from all around in a whirlwind. "This CANNOT be happening right now," Stiles muttered to himself as his mind began to race.
"Dude, I'm so sorry." Scott began scratching the back of his head, his eyes downcast.
"What are you talking about Scott?"
"Well...I might of.." Scott mumbled beginning to trail off.
"You might have what?"
"I might have told Allison she could unplug your phone and borrow your charger.
"I...you...I can't do this right now." With that Stiles raced out the door toward the showers.
He immediately began to strip when he got through the door. His clothes left in a pile on the counter. He pulled his soap out of his bag and stepped into the first shower he saw. Not sure how much time was passing, Stiles scrubbed all over his body as quickly as possible. He had to catch himself a few times from slipping. His hands kept shaking and dropping things all over the shower floor. He nearly broke his glasses. Turning off the water he reached for his towel and began drying himself off. After wrapping the towel firmly around his waist, Stiles turned and opened the shower curtain. To his surprise, he was stood face to face with bright green eyes and furrowed brows. Stiles' mouth dropped open and he stepped back abruptly. His foot slipped in the puddle beneath it and Stiles felt his body begin to fall back. Just as suddenly as he had slipped the stranger reached out and caught his arm, holding his body upright. Stiles' throat tightened as he tried to process what had just transpired. He opened his mouth and then closed it again.
"Are you done?"
"What?"
"Are you done?" the stranger repeated, raising his thick brows at Stiles.
"Oh, yes I am. Sorry. You can. Yes, I am done."
The stranger released his arm and stepped back to give Stiles some space. Stiles quickly exited the stall and went over to his bag to get dressed. After pulling his clothes on as fast as possible, he rushed out of the room. Distracted as he was, Stiles didn't even notice the stranger's eyes following him as he left.
.
Stiles brushed off the incident as poor judgment on Scott's part. He had completely forgotten about it until the following week. Almost like a curse Stiles again woke again at 9 am. His eyes darted in Scott's direction. His friend was still asleep, mouth wide open snoring softly. Next to him was his girlfriend Allison. Allison and Scott had been up all night. And so that meant Stiles was up ALL NIGHT. Tossing and turning trying to ignore the sounds of his best friend spending quality time with his beloved. Stiles winced at the pounding feeling in his head. He sighed deeply before getting up and darting around the room once again to grab all his belongings. He ran out the door towards the showers once more and stripped as fast as possible. Towel and soap in hand, he stepped into the nearest shower and began washing. Stiles heard the door to the shower room open as he rinsed off his face. He turned off the water and reached for his towel. He heard whoever had come in sigh as they reached the stalls. When he stepped out of the stall he saw the same man from last week. Stiles waved as he made his way over to his clothes. He dressed with vigor as he acknowledged his company.
"Funny running into you here again," Stiles said, pausing to pull on his pants before he continued.
"You know there's this thing about how once you run into someone you start to notice them everywhere, only in our case it's just in THIS room, but still it's kind of crazy to think about! Anyway nice seeing you again, I gotta run, bye!" Stepping into his shoes, Stiles waved goodbye as he once again raced out the door.
Stiles was starting to get angry. For the third week in a row, he woke up at 9. Scott at least had the decency to ask Stiles to not come to the room for a while. But that left him on the common room couch until well past midnight. When Scott finally texted him that it was safe to come back, Stiles immediately fell into his bed and passed out. He scrubbed his body with practiced speed. His face was tense, jaw tight with exasperation. Stiles loved Scott like a brother but he was growing tired of waking up late every Tuesday. He knew he would have to have a conversation with Scott soon before things got out of hand. Stiles was so wrapped up in his thoughts he didn't notice the sound of the door opening this time. As he stepped out of the stall he also didn't note the familiar figure leaning against the wall. As he dropped his towel Stiles heard a coughing sound behind him. His cheeks turned red as his trembling hands scraped his towel off the ground. He turned and saw the man had a similar expression.
"Ohmygodimsosorry! I didn't! I wasn't even.."
"It's fine."
Without saying another word the man exited the shower room. Stiles shut his mouth, teeth digging into his bottom lip. He shook his head and pulled on his clothes. Trying to understand what had just happened, he walked out the door and made his way to class. That day he was 5 minutes late.