[ without pausing to think, Stiles reaches out for Olivia, a hand on her shoulder to steady her, make sure she won't trip, that the momentum won't make her fall. the look they share is quick, as much uncertain as it is determined.

looking back at Maya, Stiles says, with far more confidence, confidence he doesn't really feel but has to fake because there's nothing else to do, ] Yeah. We have a plan.

[ and parts of it he needs to share right now, before anything happens. ] I'm going to shield you. Both of you. Maya, [ he reaches for her, this time, his palm against her arm, both to reassure and to plead for her to listen, ] you stay back. No matter what happens... stay where you are. I'll create a shield around you, it'll protect you. [ a step back; so he can speak to both of them. ]

It'll just be the physical shield. [ clarification: Olivia's empathy will be able to pass through it. ] But I... I can't do this if I have to worry about you getting hurt. Either of you. So just — whatever happens, stay back and don't worry about me. I'll be fine.