#so she went to school with paige and derek

[doyelikehaggis]

25 Days of Sleighpairs: Paige Krasikeva x Violet (Teen Wolf) + “Chocolate”

Requested by @mariedemedicis

"I have a surprise for you."

Paige lit up as soon as she laid eyes on Violet, slipping into the empty music room and closing the door behind her. She kept her hand behind her back for dramatic effect.

"I like the sound of that."

Putting her cello aside, Paige raised her eyebrows and waited - impatiently - as Violet dropped into the seat beside her, their knees touching. Finally, she produced the gift, wrapped up in brown paper with a deep purple satin ribbon tied around it. Paige's favourite colour, of course.

"You know Christmas isn't for another week, right?" she teased, but she eagerly took the present.

"It's nothing big," Violet said quickly, watching her delicately untie the ribbon, making sure to keep it intact. The paper was a different story.

As soon as she got into them, Paige lit up like the Christmas tree that she always complained her family put up too early. Violet liked it; it was definitely better than her foster parents' attempts to "make her feel included" in their traditions. She forced the smile to stay on her face, but as soon as Paige started squealing in delight, it didn't take much effort.

"I love these," she said, already opening the box of chocolates. "They're my favourite kind."

"I know," Violet said softly.

Paige lifted her gaze to her, and her smile stretched. She leaned over and kissed her cheek, startling her. But Paige didn't seem to notice as she pulled back, saying, "This is the best gift ever. I'm totally going to eat these before Christmas, you know that?"

Violet laughed, trying to ignore the warm flush beneath her skin. Paige popped one in her mouth then insisted that she eat one, too. And she could never say no to her.

They stayed in the music room, messing around with the instruments. Paige didn't do a whole lot of proper practicing, but she didn't seem to mind Violet's distraction. As they were mid-laughter, there was a knock on the door and a head popped around it. A boy. His beaming smile fell a little when he saw them both sitting there.

Violet was about to ask if he wanted something, but Paige spoke first with a roll of her eyes. "Derek, what are you doing here?"

"I was just coming to see if you were in here," he said with a shrug, trying and failing to be totally smooth. "Wanted to say hi. And see you."

Violet's stomach turned. Violently. She glanced from him to Paige, trying to gauge her reaction - annoyance, right? She hated Derek Hale, they both did. He was loud and annoying and was always disrupting the class.

But Paige was smiling. "Well, now you have. So, you can go."

"Right. See you later."

He left, but Paige was still smiling. Violet coudn't muster one. Her heart was almost beating too fast to hear her as she said, "I forgot to tell you" and launched into a recollection of how he had talked to her and what they had said the other day. The chocolate aftertaste turned sour in her mouth as Paige's cheeks turned pink and her smile grew wider with every word.

Finally, when there was a pause, Violet asked, "Do you like him?"

"What?" Paige rolled her eyes again and scoffed. "No, definitely not. I mean, he's kind of cute. In an annoying way. But I don't like him."

She avoided looking at her. The bell went, perfectly in sync with Violet's heart as she watched Paige get up, suddenly worried about being late for their next class. She waited for her, holding the door open, but Violet knew, deep down, that she had already lost her.

[floripire]

“What do you know about werewolves?”

today will be different // @savagevillain

it is a strange thing, coming face to face with klaus mikaelson. it is a strange thing, floribeth thinks, because he's been so many things to so many different people.

he's been someone to love.

he's been someone to loathe.

he's been both in equal measure to multiple people. some of which are still around today. some of which aren't.

(while floribeth's long since graduated, she doesn't think she'll ever forget the fact that there's a book dedicated to him in the library. klaus mikaelson, it says, the great evil.

it's the only book that floribeth hasn't read. mostly out of respect for hope. but also because she's certain that derek machado is but a footnote. maybe not even that.

then again, isn't it also evil to talk dorian williams into working at a school that is very specifically built to celebrate the very person that has murdered your family?)

mister mikaelson can probably hear her brain whirring, hear her crunch the numbers to the point that she almost misses the question.

what do you know about werewolves?

and suddenly floribeth feels more human than ever, despite being a fanged creature of the night. she feels like she did whenever teachers called on her back when she still lived in maple hollows and went to school there.

her throat feels dry, and she thinks she could do with a blood infused lollypop or two, or a bloodbag.

maybe even someone who's willing to let drink from the vein, or take a little bite.

"that depends, sir." it's best to be polite. like her parents taught her to be. because while this interaction with hope's dad is actually quite pleasant, floribeth is no fool. all it takes is one misstep and things can go south real fast. "what do you want to know? because, well, there's the myth of king lycaeon, who got turned into the first werewolf after angering zeus. and there is lupa, the mother of remus and romulus. and though there are more weretigers than werewolves in indian lore and legends, certain people did carry the epithet 'vrikodara' which means 'wolf bellied'."

"and when people in the west say aswang," floribeth tells him, eyes sparkling. "they usually mean 'vampire' but it's actually a catch-all phrase, consisting of several categories. five. each distinctive category has a parallel and is a nod to a creature of the west: the vampire, the viscera sucker, the weredog, the witch and the ghoul. that's why in most accounts, it's a shapeshifter that shares characteristics of vampires and werewolves and witches specifically."

there is also the regular things: being beholden to the moon. silver - bullets or otherwise. aconite.

and the not so regular things like the werewolf witch trials in france during the sixteenth century - an offshoot of the european witch trials.

part of her wants to ask about paige billingsley and ray sutton now that she's answered his question but floribeth knows that it won't help her, so she doesn't. part of her wants to ask why he felt the need to ruin her sire's life back then, but she doesn't ask about that, either.

"you're not looking for the beast of gévaudan, are you, sir?" floribeth gives him a smile and hopes that he'll be gracious enough to ignore the fact that she's still wary - still scared, because derek made him seem like a monster. she fishes her phone out of the back pocket of her high waisted jeans and adds: "or the wolf packs spotted in anjou?"

[text to hope: sos your dad is here, asking about werewolves, no idea what to do now]

[text to the anti squad: love you, mean it <3]

[text to jed: klaus mikaelson is standing in front of our door, asking about werewolves; you and your sisters might want to take the long way 'round, just in case]

[text to jed: love you <3]

[princeescaluswords]

If I may get your thoughts on something. The fandom likes to throw out that because Malia was in a coyote state for x years that's used to say she should still be a child mentally. Not to completely defend him but shouldn't that also be the case for Peter. According to Derek he himself was still in high school when the fire happened. And with Peter being Peter with the flashbacks we probably say he was about 21 22 when that went down. So his selfish ways, although not forgiven, make a lot more sense when you realize this dude is still barely out of educational years. He's smart and cunning but he has no idea how to be an adult about things.

To truly grapple with your question, there are some matters of lore established by the show that I think we all need to bear in mind.

Fully shifted werecreatures possess the cognitive abilities of humans, not animals. Talia understood the importance of the meeting in the distillery and timed her entrance for maximum impact as a high-status alpha. Derek recognized the tactical situation at La Iglesia and made decisions accordingly. Malia was able to analyze the crime scene with Alex's parents while a four-legged coyote.

Werecreatures' physical appearances do not match up with their chronological ages the same way humans do. Noshiko Yukimura looked in her twenties in 1943 when she was near 800 years old and in her forties in 2011 when she was near 900 years old. Satomi Ito looked pretty much the same age in 1943 and 2012. Cora Hale was seventeen "in how you measure in years."

Werecreatures (and humans with a motivation to do so) manipulate human institutions in order for the supernatural to remain hidden. They're quite proficient at it. The Argents had agents placed throughout the government and law enforcement and were able to get Gerard and Victoria installed in the local high school. Jennifer managed to create an entire identity for herself that passed muster. The Hales were pillars of the community without anyone suspecting they were werewolves. We can joke about a Nazi werelion teaching physics, but he was also facile enough to infiltrate the upper levels of the German military.

In other words, while an engaged viewer might question the quality of the presentation of Malia in terms of socialization and emotional development, there's no reason to insist she would have to act like a feral child. She wasn't a coyote, as Scott pointed out, she was a werecoyote. If we're going to accept the supernatural abilities that deny scientific reality -- and we have to in order to engage with the show -- we have to accept the story's rules as they are presented to us.

Which means, unfortunately, that I have to disagree with your second premise, mostly because we can't be sure about Peter's chronological age. His physical appearance is not admissible as evidence nor is the age given on his medical admission papers in Monstrous (4x10). This means that we have to rely on the position taken by the story itself, and that implied that Peter was fully an adult. Neither Young Derek nor Older Derek treated Peter as a peer; Peter always stood in the position of mentor and elder. After all, in Peter's own words when talking about Triskelion: "Talia used it to teach Laura; I tried to use it to teach Derek." Why would Talia put someone she considered a teenager in charge of something as important as her son learning self control, especially after the disaster with Paige? Cora treated Peter far differently than she treated Derek; in my opinion, she treated him like a member of the older generation.

All of the show's characters treated Peter as an adult who should have known better, including Cora, Lydia, Melissa, the Sheriff, Stiles, Malia: all of their words and actions clearly express this point of view. Even villains such as Kate, Jennifer, and Deucalion treated Peter as an adult and a peer. I think Derek's treatment of Peter is the key; I find it telling that Derek treated the twins differently than he treated Peter. Derek never acted as if Peter had diminished capacity or limited freedom to make decisions the way he did with Aiden and Ethan, and it certainly wasn't because he liked the twins better or because they hurt him less. The only person to express hope for Peter's rehabilitation was Scott, and that was seen as such an extreme position that Stiles used it against Scott during their argument in Parasomnia (5x02).

Some people choose to be selfish; some people choose to act ruthlessly and unethically. We're not supposed to believe that everything Peter's done is due to his inability to process the fire and the resulting coma. I've witnessed too many people expressing disbelief that Peter would work with the person who burned his family, and I want to shake them: that's the point! There's no trauma pushing him to work with Kate in Season 4; he chooses to do it because it's the most effective means to get what he wants. Peter is not a victim in Seasons 1-4; he's an opportunist. He uses Kate because she has the power and the history to distract everyone from what he's trying to achieve, just as he used Jennifer's threat in Season 3 to distract everyone from his plans and to remove Derek as a possible obstacle to those plans without killing him.

His selfish ways make sense because he's selfish. He manipulates people to gain power because he wants power. He's not one-dimensional by any measure, but the narrative makes it clear that until he realizes that people exist to be more than just means to his ends he will be an antagonist. Until he accepts that -- which he starts to do in Season 6 -- he will be exactly how Scott described him "always a monster."

[ultfreakme]

I started watching Teen Wolf specifically for sterek, to write fics for the ship, read meta, just go ham on that side of the fandom for real, so yes, I came for the slash. Mostly because I wanted more of them in canon with more context and somehow found myself having more of them in fanfiction than in canon. Which left me confused on why Sterek is one of the biggest ships EVER. 

Don’t get me wrong I love the ship, and Derek and Stiles do have a bond of some sorts but we get so little of it, but whatever we do has such high importance that I don’t understand why Stiles and Derek got those lines when in the context of the show it feels like they barely interact. 

But I can’t even dismiss anything because the moments they do get are so surprisingly significant(you probably already know all that’s mentioned on the list if you’re a shipper so you can skip it tbh):

Peter’s speech about the power of human love and the camera directly going from Stiles to Derek

The ‘abomination’ thing- the camera lingered on Derek’s expression

The pool scene(ah yes, probably the point where we all converted)

Matt and the Kanima scene- “You two make a good pair”. 

Boyd’s death- the comfort of human touch.

Stiles for some reason easily recognizing Derek on first meeting(he was the first to recognize young Derek too. Actually, he knows surprisingly lots about Derek).

Stiles is Derek’s anchor. I don’t know why, but the scene in “The Divine Move” can mean little else.

Derek is the king on Stiles’s board for some reason. He thought if Derek was out, the entire game was over. That’s a LOT of trust and responsibility on someone he barely interacted with(that we’ve seen anyways). 

Stiles’s curiosity about Derek in general- this is probably because Sties is meant to be the ‘info dump’ guy but he actively seeks out info on him-the Paige incident.

On text, these events are way too significant. If you saw this written out in a novel format, it would look like Stiles and Derek had a very very significant relationship.

About Matt- I didn’t understand why he said they “make a great pair” because they honestly had not interacted enough to be viewed as one, and this is coming from me who was basically scavenging for scenes of them together. 

Derek’s anchor thing- The part that struck me most was that this scene took place when no one trusted Stiles, not even himself, because the Nogitsune was using him. Even the Sheriff was being cautious. The entire arc was about trust and Stiles. But Derek chose STILES to confide in about all his worries to. He put all of it in Stiles? Why? It could’ve been for fanservice and to feed the starving sterek fans but the moment is too significant. This isn’t an illusion, this isn’t Derek being forced to pick- for once this is Derek willingly choosing to place his trust in someone(something that is nigh impossible to gain) in Stiles. If they wanted  fanservice it could’ve been in a witty but overall pointless banter in some other scene, but this point is almost a turning point for Derek’s behaviour.

There has been long metas on all of the above and these scenes were intentional.

Which is when I realized that Stiles and Derek’s relationship is unlike every other relationship on the show. It happens in the background the most. This is probably the slowest of slow burn enemies-to-lovers relationship. Their relationship is implications, references, symbolic.

They weren’t meant to be romantic probably(Derek’s like, 24 or smthg and Stiles is 16-18, this show absolutely sucks at keeping a timeline). I think they were meant to just be, begrudging friends who often have same goals, an unlikely but effective team of sorts, united mostly because of Scott at first and then grow to become some sort of crime-solving, supernatural-butt-kicking duo. But it somehow got out of hand. 

Stiles is one person that Derek gets almost nothing out of saving, has no obligation towards. His relationship with Scott started because he’s his beta. Chris and Derek have a relationship mostly built on guilt and somehow making it up to each other. Isaac, Boyd and Erica were also his betas he needed to take care of. Peter’s the only family he has left and also happens to be a well of information(sometimes). Breaden’s mission is to get him his money back. 

But the one person who he gets nothing from, who he has no tie to, who he really doesn’t need to give a crap about but actually cares way too much for, enough to make them his anchor? Stiles. Whatever relationship he has with Stiles, he chose to have it.

Now Stiles- he’s more obvious about stuff especially in season 3. Taking down Derek means losing the game against the nogitsune. Losing Derek is unlike the other loses, he’s essentially put Derek’s survival through this game as equivalent to his own. The nogitsune(or Stiles somehow manipulating the nogistune) led the Sheriff, Chris, Allison, and Derek to Derek’s loft. Why there? What’s so significant to Stiles about this place. Go is about overtaking territory- the places the nogitsune had captured were the Sheriff’s station, the school, the hospital- and for some reason, the loft. Wouldn’t his home be better? Or somewhere else where he spends his time? It’s clear that Derek is important to Stiles(More symbolically, we get confirmation of sorts for Stiles being bi in Derek’s loft...hmmm......this is so sus). 

Here’s the thing though; I doubt either of them are aware of how much they care about the other, Derek’s whole “I don’t deserve happiness” shtick+ trauma from how horrible all his other relationships went and Stiles’s possibly crippling PTS+ train-wreck of a relationship with Malia(the girl can barely empathize and she’s just adjusting to human society why the fuck are you putting something as huge as a committed HUMAN VERSION of romance on her??? Why is this relationship even a thing it has all the makings for a messy break-up). 

They’d probably come to their realization years later, outside of the canon timeline and it’d probably be unlike any former relationship they’d have. Stiles has seen the worst of Derek(that’s the starting point of TW, Derek was a villain), and Derek probably knows a lot of Stiles’s flaws because he isn’t putting up a pretense. 

The Teen Wolf canon feels more like building blocks and puzzle pieces for their relationship than the whole picture tbh, which is fun, because we get to envision whatever we want. 

[peachicicle]

Hey ❤️❤️ I'm actually really interested by 2. Fear he is a Liar 👀❤️❤️

Ask me things about my WIPs

Hi <3 I'm so sorry for the late reply, I just have the craziest day today.

Thank you for the ask

2. fear he is a liar: true mate!sterek but derek and paige are in a relationship

So this is the idea I talked about with @fanfics-fix. Basically, Derek and Stiles are in the same age range and went to high school together, the Hale fire never happened.

The first day they meet was like boom, instant attraction, so they began a secret relationship. Why is it a secret? Because Derek and Paige were currently in a relationship at that time.

The Paige incident did happen but she didn't die because Derek save her somehow (tbd). And now people think they're the power couple of the school but Derek only stays with her because he feels bad for what he had put her through and Paige feels like she owes him for saving her life.

So secret relationships never last, feelings are bound to be hurt and hearts are bound to be broken. After high school, Stiles and Derek have stopped talking to each other.

Scott still got bitten, got his own pack and Stiles become his emissary. Three years later, something dangerous has come to Beacon Hills and threatened them, and Stiles as the McCall pack's emissary and Derek as the Hale pack's alpha have to work together to deal with it.

[stickykeys633]

I haven't been engaging with the antis since the last time @princeescaluswords went off the rails and I've been good about ignoring links, but after his notable quoting of Mein Kamph, I was told Prince has now moved on to Birth of a Nation to sloppily prove his points.

Whatever, he's deluded himself into thinking he's right and that his wild rearranging of the canon is right and universal, but in the interest of actual knowledge, I'd love to provide a little clarification on a few things in paricular.

If, as you state in no uncertain terms, werewolves in Teen Wolf are a racial allegory, which obviously I don’t believe, I have to say it is simply among the worst racial allegories in the history of racial allegories.  Because if it were a racial allegory, it would imply that the oppressors (the Argents and the other hunters) have a basis for their fear and hatred of the people they are persecuting, and that simply doesn’t work very well if you’re trying to make a point that racism is wrong.

So... in order for something to be a racial allegory, the oppressors need a valid reason for their fear and hatred? So you're saying that Africans did something to provoke White people into hating them? You're saying prior to hunter's attack, the Hales did something to provoke the Argent's wrath?

This is the problem with White people. Because only White people think that "they must have had a reason" is ever really applicable. A reason outside of baseless hatred that is.

Shall we talk about the Hales as a secret power in Beacon Hills?  How they founded Beacon Hills, were extraordinarily wealthy, and had enough influence to conceal their secret vault underneath the high school?  If you’re going to make the victims of your racial allegory influential and powerful, that’s not really an effective means of portraying them unless you’re writing a new edition of Mein Kampf.

Are you really under the impression that Africans were all poor, powerless and destitute before becoming slaves? That we didn't have our own wealth and royalty in place? Do you think that's what Africa still looks like? The Argents decimating the Hales of their power and status is key to it being a racial allegory. And upholding the idea that racism either doesn't happen to or isn't deserved by people who hold power/wealth is part of the systemic gaslighting that allows people to hold on to these baseless conclusions.

Shall we talk about Paige Krasikeva?  She was a human girl whose terrible death at the hands of werewolves was completely covered up.  Derek Hale went on to be a star on the high school basketball team and Peter swanned his way through life having, at the minimum, both having possibly committed involuntary manslaughter at the very least.   If you’re going to make the victims of your racial allegory abducting and transforming innocents into their number, that’s not really an effective means of portraying them unless you’re writing a remake of Birth of a Nation.

So... onlly model minorities get protection? If we can be faultless and prove we're "the good ones" then and only then are we worthy of empathy?

Intercommunity conflict is a thing, it doesn't mean that someone gets to use our faults to execute us. This sounds just like people who make excuses for why cops CONTINUE to kill unarmed Black people. They had a warrant, they had a knife, they looked like they had a gun, they were there. Here's the truth: Model minority is a lie. We're never going to be "good enough" to not shoot. And that's racism for ya.

If, as you insist, the werewolves of Teen Wolf are a racial allegory, then it’s a racial allegory which comes out and says that the oppressed share some of the blame in their oppression. And that’s bullshit.  

You're soooo close! Because it is BS, but the BS part is that you believe that's the conclusion of your weird and ignorant set of parameters. You don't see the Hales as being "good" and therefore they earned the speciesm they received. This is BS and it's racist and it happens to POC every single day.

Scott wasn’t on the hunter’s side.  He wasn’t on the Hale’s side.  As he stated later, in a humorous moment, “I’m on everyone’s side.”  And he brought them together.  I guarantee you that Derek and Chris wouldn’t have been friends by the end of the show without embracing Scott’s value system.

Again, so close to the point, but missing it completely. Chris had to change. Derek had to change. Both of these transformations had little to do with Scott except he did happen to be caught in the middle. This is actually something that's fleshed out in fanfic all the time. Scott definitely did skew more towards the hunters because at the time it was more advantageous for him to do so (Allison). However, as the hunter's true colors came out, Scott re-considered his allegiance until he found a good spot. If you can't relate this to the experience of a bi or multiracial person, then you're not even trying.

You're extreme ignorance has caused you to be blinded by racist thought processes. Seriously, there's a way to make your point without generalizing and dimunitizing the opinions of people of color. I don't know you enough to say how "good" you are, but you're better than this.

[child-of-of-the-sunshine]

The Eldest Stilinski

Chapter Two

“Actually I saw it on the field earlier during lacrosse tryouts. He was good, like really good, better than me who has some werewolf abilities.” Reese said crossing his arms as well

“Great not only do have Mr. Grumpy over here have my brother's best friend who is going to a party after a scrimmage on Friday.” Madeleine said running a hand through her long hair

“Fridays a full moon.” Reese said looking at Madeleine

“I know, Lydia invited us so I guess we will go.” She said not wanting to go to a party

“You two better get home, you both have school tomorrow.” Derek said now taking an older brother role with both of them

They both hugged Derek before, they both went to her Jeep and went home, when Madeleine got home her dad was up waiting

“Madeleine Claudia Stilinski there is Curfew for everyone including you.” Her dad said looking at his daughter

“Sorry me and Reese lost track of time.” She said it wasn’t lie but it wasn’t the truth either

“Madeleine go get dinner and then we will talk about whether or not you're grounded.” The sheriff said

Madeleine went and heated up dinner and ate before going and talking to her dad

“I want you home before sundown.” He said looking at his daughter

“Dad I’m witch I can take care of myself just fine.” She said before going up to her room and going to bed, it was Friday and Mr. Stilinski was finally letting Madeleine stay out past sundown, she got ready and picked up Reese from his house before they head to Lydia’s for the party. Reese and Madeleine starting kissing but broke apart when they heard Scott’s name being called and they ended up running and seeing Allison talking to Derek. Madeleine and Reese ran to her Jeep and drove to Scott’s knowing Stiles wouldn’t be far behind them

“How do we tell your brother about well?” Reese asked as Madeleine stopped her car. Madeleine didn’t turn off her and ran in as Stiles pulled up yelling for his sister and her boyfriend to stop

Madeleine started banging on Scott’s door

“Scott if don’t open this damn door I’m going to use my powers, now that could kill me.” Madeleine yelled through the door

Stiles came up and started banging getting Scott talk but once they heard nothing, Madeleine used her powers to unlock the door which drained her energy causing her to clasp into Reese arm

“Stiles go make sure Alison got home.” Reese yelled at Stiles

Stiles ran to go check on Alison while Reese had to Madeleine to her and home before her Curfew. Reese got Madeleine home before her curfew and stayed help Madeleine change

“Reese stay please.” She said from her bed as Reese reached for her bedroom door knob

Reese walked the short distance from the door to her bed and layed down with her pulling her into his they both fell asleep cuddling together until the next morning. Madeleine woke up first with Reese’s arm wrapped around her waist

“Reese, you have a game today.” Madeleine said patting his arm

“Five more minutes.” Reese said moving his head into her neck

“Reese.” Madeleine said trying to move away from her boyfriend

Reese got picked up by is foster mom and went home to get ready for the game tonight, Madeleine got ready herself before heading to the old house to go find Derek. When Madeleine got there Derek was on the porch waiting, Madeleine got out of her Jeep and walked up to him

“So there a another alpha?” She asked sitting next to him

“Yep.” He said with no emotion

“I miss when you had a spark in your eye.” Madeleine laughed remembering before Paige and before Kate Argent

Madeleine hugged Derek tight he returned the hug back immediately

“I missed you Maddie.” He said into her hair

“I missed you Der.” She said pulling away and smiling at him

“I tried to talk to Scott but-“ Derek was cut off by the sound of sirens coming

“Maddie go!” Derek almost yelled as Madeleine got up and started running back to her Jeep and driving away from the house before the cops showed up. She later learned that Derek was arrested for the murder of the girl in the woods and that Scott and Stiles dug it up. Madeleine was pissed at them both for it and she couldn’t bring herself to tell Reese either. The came and Madeleine sat with Lydia and Alison instead of her dad she cheered Reese as well as Jackson. She saw things happening Scott with so as soon the game ended she ran down to the field and tried to find him but couldn’t so she walked over to Reese

“You did good out.” She said smiling at her boyfriend

“Well I have an amazing cheerleader.” He smiled before kissing her

“I got to go grab my stuff and I’ll meet you at the Jeep.” He said kissing her again

“I’m going to pick up Scott’s stuff so meet me back here.” She said before he walked with thumbs up

She saw Scott’s glove on the ground and ran to grab it but Jackson grabbed it and left. She saw someone standing and watching before they walked away

[blissfullylostinarabbithole]

Duckling Pt. 8

Pairing: AU!Teen Wolf x Reader x AU!Avengers, Derek Hale x Reader

Word Count: 3k

Summary: Reader’s friends need to pick up some last minute supplies before their camping trip. Luckily, Stiles knew of a new shop along the way.

A/N: Plot requester didn’t remember the name of the film this is based on, so if you recognize it, let me know!

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Despite them still having to get through a week of school before they were off for spring break, Shuri already had her bags packed. She’d rubbed how much fun she was going to have in her brother’s face, since he was going to be stuck practicing lacrosse for the upcoming semi-finals.

T’Challa told her he hoped the Rogers’ forget her in the desert, and she sent Peter a playful glare when he laughed in response.

The chatter died down when Natasha unexpectedly sat at their table, hardly looking up from her tray of food. They all turned to Peter, who looked even more confused than they did. Shuri’s cousin, Erik, stood abruptly and left, followed by a couple of others, leaving their lunches behind.

Clint laughed nervously, pulling their food toward him. “More for me! Hey, Nat.”

“Hey,” she croaked.

It didn’t go unnoticed by Peter how both she and Brock had dropped in popularity since their breakup. He did fail to notice, however, that they seemed to have fallen to the very bottom of the hierarchy. He realized she hardly went out anymore, and he couldn’t even remember the last time he saw anyone speak to her.

“Shuri was just telling us that she’s all set for our trip, weren’t you?”

She picked up on his pleading tone, and nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, I’m looking forward to it!”

Little by little, the conversation picked back up. Peter kept glancing nervously at his sister, hoping she wouldn’t be upset with him for forcing her inclusion. When she looked up at him, her lips twitching into a soft smile, he breathed a sigh of relief.

When the bell rang, signalling the end of lunch, Nat left without so much as a goodbye. Peter watched her leave, worry evident on his face. When he turned to look at the people who remained, they all turned away quickly.

After walking Shuri to her class, he headed toward his own, stopping when he heard Nat’s name coming from somewhere ahead of him. He recognized the voices as belonging to Clint and Erik.

“You didn’t have to be a dick about it!”

“I didn’t see you rush to extend your hand in friendship after!” Erik hissed. “Brock’s got a target on his back now, and-”

“Oh, come on!” Clint scoffed.

“AND so might she by association.”

“You don’t actually believe that crap, do you?”

“I believe what I know, and what I know is that anyone who crosses Hale ends up dead.”

“You don’t know that, that’s ridiculous.”

“Are you certain there’s no truth in it?” Erik challenged, and Clint didn’t respond. “Brock attacked his girl on that field. You know as well as I do it wasn’t an accident.” He shifted his backpack and walked away, Clint leaving soon after.

Instead of heading to class, Peter went to the nurse’s office. He was feeling a bit faint, so he was given some water and told to lie down while the nurse called his mother.

Peggy was there in a minute, and after failing to get any answers from him other than ‘I’m fine’, she called Steve to pick him up and instructed him to stay rested for the rest of the day.

He told his father his head was hurting, only to keep him from asking the same questions the nurse and his mother had already asked. Instead, he thought about Nat. He wondered if that was why people seemed to be avoiding her, and if she knew. Did she think her days were numbered, just like Erik did? Should he say something?

As concerned as he was, he somehow thought that would only make everything worse. He knew his family would take it seriously, and Shuri said herself they were only rumors, and not everyone believed them. 

Maybe he could talk to the Sheriff? He seemed nice. But what if he told his parents?

He groaned in frustration, leaning his head against the window.

Steve gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze, assuring him they were almost home. 

Both his parents insisted he stay home the following day, and he didn’t have it in him to argue. He ate his breakfast in silence, and headed back to his room. Peggy asked if he wanted her to stay, but he’d said no, and she headed off to school with Natasha. 

Steve and Bucky asked if he wanted to go to the shop with them, but Peter said he wanted to nap and do homework, and that he’d be fine alone. They got the twins ready and headed out, reluctantly leaving Peter, staring at his window.

At first, he’d thought to try to sleep in, but as he’d had such a restless night, he didn’t think it was a viable option. He then took a page out of Shuri’s book and began to pack for their trip south. It didn’t take him long, though, and his mind went back to imagining the worst in no time.

Part of him knew his imagination was running away with him; how could so much death surround one person, and that person be let to walk free if he had been involved? That rational part of his brain fell to the back burner as the more gruesome thoughts took over, and unable to bear it any longer, dug through to the back of his closet where he kept his personal laptop hidden.

His parents thought he was too young to have his own computer, but Tony disagreed, and bought him one one day when he was visiting.

Peter turned it on now, biting his bottom lip as he silently urged the machine to boot faster. When it did, he began his search. 

First he started with a broad search of the crimes in Beacon Hills. Needless to say, he was a little surprised by the results. With the exception of a couple of names here and there, only recognizing the Sheriff’s, it was a dead end. Then he began searching by name, recalling the people Shuri mentioned.

All he found on Matt were lacrosse and yearbook photos, and that he’d drowned. There were no traces of drugs or alcohol in his system. There was no foul play suspected, and the accepted answer was that he’d fallen and knocked himself out in an unfortunate spot. There was no mention of Derek, or his girlfriend.

He searched Y/N Lang next, and there was even less to be found about her: a mention on a story about the lacrosse state championship, and a “Best Friends” photo in the Beacon Hills High yearbook.

Derek Hale brought him the most results, but it wasn’t anything related to the information he was after, and he didn’t know whether to be relieved or frustrated. He wasn’t explicitly mentioned the news about the fire that claimed the lives of most of his family, nor in the story about his sister’s death. 

All he found were several articles surrounding his achievements in athletics, and a “Cutest Couple” photo in the yearbook with a girl named Paige. They looked to be about Peter’s age in the picture, and he couldn’t imagine someone so young being capable of taking a life and getting away with it.

He thought about how he would feel if he lost Shuri. Not just her, but his whole family. The loss would change him, that was for sure, and he wondered if that’s what happened to Derek. And if the rumors weren’t true, he imagined that would’ve only made everything worse.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

You kissed Derek goodbye as he dropped you off at Stiles’ for your camping trip. He couldn’t go because he had baseball ‘camp’, which only meant the team had to practice during spring break while everyone else got time off. It was unfair, but as Derek enjoyed it, he didn’t mind. Thus, you learned not to mind, either.

Scott was already there, trying not to laugh at the speech Stiles was getting about being responsible with his things.

None of you were sure why you even took fishing equipment in the first place, since you never actually caught much. When you did, you would release it. It was more about relaxing and talking and splashing around in the water. A string tied to a stick would’ve served the same purpose.

Still, Noah reluctantly handed over the tackle box and rods, wishing you a fun and safe trip.

You packed all your things into the back of the jeep, recently cleared of the usual clutter of lacrosse gear, and waited for the others to arrive.

Stiles nearly choked on air when Allison pulled up in her dad’s SUV, and saw Lydia sitting in the passenger seat. Scott pat him on the back, urging him to keep it together. Apparently, the only way Allison was going to be allowed to go, was if Lydia went, too. 

He rambled on and on about how he was finally going to get his chance to impress her, and it only got worse when you made a pit stop just before heading into the forest.

Scott was in need of a two person sleeping bag, and when he ran into the new shop that had opened not too long ago, Lydia had called shotgun on the jeep before heading into the store herself.

Before Stiles could panic, or die of happiness, Kira and Isaac appeared, asking to squeeze into the back with you, stating they didn’t want to bear witness to all the cute, couply stuff between Scott and Allison.

You moved your stuff to the back of the SUV instead, and had Isaac sit in the very back of the jeep. He complained a little, but Stiles threatened to send him back to Allison’s car if he didn’t shut it.

Lydia arrived, sending Isaac an apologetic smile as she handed Scott her new tent and inflatable mattress to store in the car. You thought Stiles’ face was going to split with how wide he was grinning. Unfortunately, his joy only lasted as long as it took for Lydia to start gushing about the hot blond behind the counter.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

It was only Bucky at the shop today; Peggy had taken the twins to the academy’s pre-school, while Steve took care of preparations for their trip. Bucky, Peggy, and the kids were already packed, and Shuri’s parents offered to drive them to the airport, so all that was left to do was for Steve to pack and make sure they weren’t going to leave anything in the fridge to spoil.

Though the trip was for the kids, Bucky couldn’t help but look forward to it. He wasn’t a fan of crowds, but he would enjoy the smiles on the kids faces. Sam was meeting them there as well, and though Bucky would never admit it, he was looking forward to seeing him again, too. Mostly, he was glad that even Nat’s mood lifted considerably as the end of the week drew closer.

He looked up as the door opened, and the sheriff’s son stumbled in, looking a little panicked.

“You lose the lures again, kid?” he asked, not waiting for an answer before pointing him in the right direction. He would have laughed at the offended look the boy sent him, but his attention was caught by the laughter of two other kids standing in the doorway.

He saw the second boy’s lips moving, but he didn’t register his words. His focus was entirely on the girl smirking at the sheriff’s kid, who was now making his way toward the fishing section of the shop.

“Hey,” the other boy waved a hand in front of his face. “Are you alright?”

Bucky was snapped out of his trance, looking at the kid in front of him. “Huh?”

“You kinda look like you’re gonna be sick.”

“Scott,” you hissed. “That’s kinda rude.”

Scott grimaced, mumbling a feeble ‘sorry’. “I’m gonna go help Stiles.”

Bucky watched you watch Scott go, hoping his eyes weren’t playing tricks on him. When you faced him, he took advantage of your close proximity to match your features to those of the little girl he missed so dearly.

The likeness was uncanny; too close to be a mere lookalike. At least, that’s what he hoped.

When you frowned at him, he realized you’d said something, and were waiting on a response. “I’m sorry, what was that?”

“I asked if that was your bike outside,” you repeated, worry still etched on your face.

It took him a moment to gather his thoughts. “Oh, right, yes. Do… do you ride?” He sincerely hoped not, which he knew was a bit hypocritical.

“Nah, my dad won’t let me,” you lamented, your face relaxing again.

Dad? he wondered. Who the hell is your ‘dad’?

“Well, um, that’s good. They’re dangerous, ya know?” He chuckled nervously at the unimpressed look you gave him. “So you an enthusiast or somethin’?”

“Not really, I just have my favorites.”

“Oh? Do you drive at all?”

Bucky thought he might faint at the way your face lit up. “Yeah, I have a ’53 Skylark.”

He couldn’t believe it. “The yellow one?” he asked. They’d lived in town for about six months. For six months you’d been right under their noses.

“Mm-hm. She was a gift from my boyfriend.”

“Boyfriend?” His voice grew more strained as the conversation continued. 

“Yeah, he fixed her up for me for my sixteenth.”

“No,” he blurted. You wouldn’t turn sixteen for another couple of months. When you frowned again, he tried to play off his outburst. “No way, that’s… that’s a great gift. My nephew has a Chevelle SS we’re fixing up.”

“Nice!”

He saw you cast a glance toward your friends, and became worried that you’d join them. He wasn’t ready to say goodbye yet. “Yeah. Original parts aren’t as easy to find around here, though, so it’s uh, it’s slow going.”

“Have you tried Hale’s?” you asked, bringing your attention back to him. “They have a salvage yard behind the shop, and Peter’s always bringing in new stuff.”

Bucky actually hadn’t considered it, and made a mental note to check the place out. “You think they’ll have what I’m looking for?”

You considered his question and shrugged before pulling your phone from your pocket. “Only one way to find out.”

He watched you in awe as you scrolled through your contacts, barely registering the ringing until it stopped and a voice answered.

“Hey, Beautiful. Are you back from your trip?”

Bucky’s stomach tightened, and his heart broke a little at the way you smiled bashfully at your phone. He’d missed so much. You were so little when he’d last seen you, and now you were a young woman, possibly in love and with a life of your own.

“Not quite. Stiles lost his dad’s fishing stuff again, so we’re trying to replace what we can before heading home.” You giggled at the annoyed groan that came from the other end of the line, and Bucky bit back a sob at the sound of it. It was just like he remembered. “Yeah, anyway, I have someone here who’s looking for parts for a Chevelle Super Sport.”

“What year?”

You looked up at Bucky expectantly, and he had to swallow a few times before he found his voice. “1970.”

“What do you need?”

You smiled at Bucky, and he smiled back as he began listing the parts he needed. When the guy on the phone asked for his name to hold what parts were available for him, he watched you for any sign of recognition.

There was none.

The two boys ran up to the counter, placing handfuls of items down to be rung up. He didn’t catch the last bit of your conversation with your boyfriend, but he did manage to catch the odd looks the boys were giving him.

The sheriff’s son said something about not telling his dad, and Bucky agreed. He rung them up, quite carelessly, paying no mind to the items on the counter. He wouldn’t enjoy taking inventory later.

He didn’t care, though. The only thing that mattered was that you were about to walk out the door, and he didn’t know what to do.

“Duckling?” he whispered pleadingly. 

He wasn’t sure why he said it; a last ditch effort to get a reaction, he supposed. But you stopped. When you turned, you looked his way, but it was like you were seeing through him. The confusion on your face told him you didn’t know why you stopped, but he hoped deep down, part of you remembered.

“Y/N!” One of the boys called, pulling you from your thoughts. 

With a final wave at Bucky, you walked out and over to a blue jeep. He watched you climb into the back, missing the concerned looks the two boys exchanged.

He fought every instinct to run out and grab you and bring you home. To quell the feeling of dread at the possibility of losing you again, he reminded himself you lived in town, and unless your so-called ‘family’ moved, you shouldn’t be difficult to find.

Family. His body filled with rage at the thought of the people who’d nearly destroyed his, happily pretending you were part of theirs. He stormed to the front door and locked it, flipping the ’OPEN’ sign over.

He pulled his phone out to make a call, and stared at it. Should he call the police, or should he call Steve first? Somehow, neither option sounded like it was the right move. He settled on a contact and dialed. When no one answered, he hung up and tried again. After the fifth time, he decided to leave a message.

“Sharon, I need you to drop everything and call me back right now. Don’t tell anyone, alright? I think I found her.” He took a deep breath, knowing it was going to be hard for them to keep it from the others. “Look, I don’t wanna get anyone’s hopes up, and I need a second opinion.  I need to be sure I’m not losin’ my mind here.”

Permanent -  @melconnor2007 @ria132love @psychicwitchphilosopher @sireennotsiren @silence–in–the–library @thefridgeismybestie @hymnofthevalkyrie @abbybills22 @mvasquez492 @ek823 @nicky10876 @sophiealiice @madeof-ink @dugan365 @magnitude101999 @way-ward-whale @i-am-the-fandom-warrior @seabasstiantrash @eden-the-human-garden

Duckling - @lgkoval@charmed-1998 @broco8 @sailor-earth-1 @sincerely-kizzy

If I missed you, let me know!

[theplumlady]

Meet the Coast Family

Rosemary met her late husband, Derek, in high school. They fell in love in 10th grade, and were inseparable. But everything changed when Rosemary found out she was pregnant in their senior year. They were both shocked and terrified, but determined to do this together and raise their child.

Straight out of high school, they were married, and Derek got a job as a firefighter. Rosemary then became a stay at home Mother to their new daughter, Paige. Derek adored her, playing with her everyday when he got home, even though he was exhausted from work; He always made time for he beautiful wife as well.

As time went on, the money became more stable and they even got a small house together. Paige was in school now, so they decided that it was time to try for baby #2 at last. The only problem was, Rosemary kept having miscarriages. They were both devastated, especially Rosemary. She loved kids and had always dreamt of a large family. Derek had suggested they try to foster a couple kids to help heal her depression.

After going through the process, Rosemary and Derek greeted their first foster children, a set of twins named Indie and Ivory. They both fell in love with the twins instantly, they knew if the moment ever came for them to be adopted, they wouldn't be able to let them go. So they adopted them!

Two new additions to household made things a bit hectic, but also multiplied the love this family shared. Paige didn't even flinch when she became a big sister. She loved them like they were her own blood.

However, tragedy struck this family once again. On one dark night, Derek was called into the station to help out, since they were shorthanded. They were sent to a fire that had engulfed an apartment building Downtown. Derek went inside to see if anyone was still inside the building, but he never made it back out.

Rosemary's live was shattered. Her husband, high school sweetheart and father to her children was gone. Paige, being so close to her father, retreated into herself, trying to remain strong for her Mother and siblings.

As much as time stopped for them, life still had to go on. They are still grieving, but learning to go on with their lives.

[rachmmb]

WITCHY WOMAN: INTRO

WITCHY WOMAN

Derek Hale x Stella McCall

Series summary: When Stella receives a call from her younger brother Scott asking for her help, she comes back to Beacon Hills and is met with memories from her past, specifically memories of Derek Hale.

(takes place in season 3)

SERIES MASTERLIST

I’ve always seen Stella as Phoebe Tonkin, but you guys can imagine whoever :)

INTRODUCTION

Stella's background:

Stella is the daughter of Melissa Delgado and Avery Daniels, a mortal and a warlock, Melissa wasn't aware of Avery's powers until after their child was born, shocked and confused Melissa left. A few years later when Stella was three, Melissa came back, realizing the mistake she made, wanting to be a part of her daughters life even if it was different and scary.

When Stella was eight her father left, telling Melissa that he needed to find a place to teach Stella how to control her new coming powers. After a few years, Melissa lost contact with him assuming he lied and just up and left, she moved on with her life, meeting Rafael McCall an FBI agent, she married him and had a son, Scott. Stella was ecstatic about having a sibling, but she was also unhappy, she was told to conceal her powers, which wasn't a problem because she had no idea how to use them, but she missed her dad, she missed having someone to talk to about magic and the supernatural.

When she was in high school, she met Derek Hale, he was strange and mysterious, but kind and handsome. They became best friends and trusted each other with the biggest secret they each had, Stella was a witch and Derek was a werewolf.

They hung out everyday and would tell each other their biggest fears and hopes and dreams. He was the first person she ever did magic in front of, even if it did result in a small fire. As they grew closer, their feelings for one another deepened, they fell in love. But when Derek went to tell his mom, well let's just it didn't end in a warm welcome.

Talia Hale knew Avery Daniels, they went way back, but it wasn't a good story. Avery didn't just leave to find Stella a training space, he fled because he told the Argents the Hale's were in Beacon Hills. Talia forbade Derek from seeing her, but young love right? It always finds a way.

They snuck around and would meet each other any chance they got, but Stella saw how much Derek hated lying to his mom and didn't want to be the reason for a strain on their relationship. So she broke up with him and told him if it was meant to be they'd end up together in the long run.

Paige was one of Stella's best friends and she introduced her to Derek, not knowing what the outcome would be.

When she was 16, her dad came back, Rafael and Melissa were already separated and Scott was five. He came back pleading to Melissa to let him take Stella to a coven he found in Virginia, explaining to her that she needed to learn how to use her magic properly because a threat was appearing and the coven needed their help. Melissa refused over and over until Stella told her it was okay, she felt like she needed to go. Wanting to say goodbye to her friends she told her dad she had to see them one more time, but he told her there was no time, and they left immediately.

As her dad drove away, she looked behind her, waving goodbye to her mom and Scott. Waving goodbye to her school, her friends, and her life in Beacon Hills.

When they finally arrived in Virginia, she knew something was wrong, she felt a surge of what felt like power and then sadness and she called her mom asking what happened, Paige had died, she wanted to go back, but her dad wouldn't let her leave, telling her the threat to the coven was more important then the death of her friend. That's when she figured it out, her dad didn't come back for her, he came back for an asset that the coven could use. After the threat was gone she left, not telling her father where she was going, and changed her last name. She was 19 and wanted her life to be normal again or as normal as it could get, so she enrolled into college, going into the Pre-Nursing program wanting to be a nurse like her mother. She was fully in control of her power and life, so she went back to Beacon Hills and visited her mom and Scott, she hadn't seen them in 3 years, she explained to her mom about what was happening in her life now.

That's when Stella asked the question her mom dreaded answering. The atmosphere in the room changed, it was sadder, Melissa watched her daughter as she explained what happened to the Hale family, telling her she wasn't sure where Derek ended up, but reassuring her that he was alive. Stella just sat there, processing what her mom told her, hating her dad even more.

Stella kept in touch with her family, when Scott turned into a werewolf and his mother finally found out, she urged him to tell his sister, explaining she had a secret of her own. Stella and Scott confided in each other over the difficulties they both faced. He told her about an alpha he was helping, not telling her it was Derek (Scott didn't know about Stella and Derek) she helped him as much as she could over the phone.

But one day he told her that she had to come back, he needed help, help that couldn't be given over the phone.

A/N: So in this story, Stella is Derek's first love, Derek did love Paige, but not as much as he thought he did, she was someone to help him get over Stella, even though it never really worked. This might be a slow updating story I am in college and struggling ahaha :) I hope you guys liked it <3

[teenwolffan-with-nolife]

Don’t Compare

Word Count: 1,139

Characters: Derek Hale, Scott McCall, Stiles Stilinski, Reader, Peter Hale, Malia Tate, Kate Argent, Berserkers

Pairings: Derek Hale x Reader

Warnings: Angst, some fluff

A/N: ..... enjoy ig (it sucks)

Masterlist

You sighed deeply, ignoring your phone ringing as you laid on your bed. You knew who it was already.

As you began to close your eyes, you heard harsh banging on your door.

“Dear God!” you exclaimed, jumping up.

You opened the door, glaring at Stiles and Scott.

“What the hell do you want?!” you barked.

“We’ve been calling you for hours!” Stiles exclaimed.

“Yeah, I know!” you rubbed your head.

“We need your help! It’s Derek.” Scott said.

“Guys…” you sighed.

“Please (Y/N),” Scott begged.

“I haven't talked to him in two years,” you said.

“I know, and I wouldn't come if it wasn't an absolute emergency. Please (Y/N).” Scott begged.

You gave them both a look before you sighed.

“Fine. What happened?” you asked.

“It’s better if you come with us.” Stiles looked to Scott.

“Fine. Give me a minute.” you quickly grabbed a jacket and some pants and left.

-----

“So where is he?” you asked, standing in the police station.

Stiles opened the door, as your eyes went wide. It was Derek, but he was 16?

“(Y/N)!” he ran to you, giving you a tight hug.

“Derek,” you said.

“I missed you so much!” he said.

“Y-Yeah I missed you too.” you had nothing against this Derek, he doesn’t know what happens.

“Wait a second.” he looked at you.

“You’re taller,” he said.

“Yeah, it happens,” you said.

“Who are all these people? And where is my family?” he started asking a lot of questions.

It looks like he didn't remember anything either.

“You can trust them,” you said.

“Where’s my family?” he asked again.

You debated whether or not to tell him the truth. You knew that he could hear your heartbeat, but Derek wasn’t good at that yet.

“There was a fire…” you started.

You saw the hope in his eyes fade.

“But they’re all okay, they’re all safe.”, you lied.

Derek looked up, looking slightly happier.

“Everyone’s safe?”, Derek asked.

“Yeah, and we’ll take you to them,” you said.

He nodded. You looked back to Stiles and Scott, telling them to come in.

“So what are we gonna do now?”, Scott asked.

“Well, first, we have to take him somewhere safe.” you started.

“How about the loft?”, Stiles suggested.

“No, it’s not safe.”, you said.

“What about my house? I don’t think anyone’s gonna be there, and you can just go upstairs before my dad comes home.”, Scott offered.

“It’s kinda risky, isn’t it?”, you said.

“Well, yeah, but, nothing’s gonna be safe. It’s Derek.”, Scott replied.

“Okay, Stiles and I will take him to your house, and what will you do?” you asked.

“I’m going to talk to Peter. I need to know what Kate is up to,” he said.

“Kate? She’s alive?” you asked, surprised.

“Yeah, she’s the one who did this to Derek.” 

Great, just great.

--------

After leaving Derek's loft, and getting annoyed by Peter, the four of you headed to the school, where Derek and Kate were. As close as you and young Derek were, he always hung out with Kate more. Pretending it didn't hurt you only made it worse.

“(Y/N), you with us?” Peter asked.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Let’s just get this over with.” you sighed.

“Shh, do you hear that?” Malia said, turning around.

You and Scott turned around, looking at the creature walking towards you.

“Oh, crap.” Scott sighed.

You raised an eyebrow.

“Berserkers.”

-----

You shot your gun, straight through the berserker's heart. It looked down before growling at you, with no effect. It barely scratched it.

“How do you kill them?” you yelled at Scott.

“I don't know!” he yelled back.

It started running at you, as you put your hand up, attempting to push it back. Unfortunately for you, your hunter skills weren't strong enough. The berserker took its blade, sticking into you as you let out a loud scream, falling to the ground.

-----

Derek lifted his head up, looking around.

“Tell me, Derek,” Kate said as Derek was up against the wall.

“Did you hear that? It was (Y/N)!” Derek exclaimed, recognizing your voice.

“Tell me!” Kate yelled at him, grabbing his shoulder harshly.

“I-I don't know! And I don't care! (Y/N)’s in trouble!” he pushed away from Kate, running to the sound of you.

-----

You woke up a few hours later, taking big breaths. You looked around, realizing you were in Derek’s loft. You looked down to your stomach, it stopped bleeding, and there were bandages on it. You groaned, sitting up.

“(Y/N).” you heard Derek’s voice from behind you.

“D-Derek. You're you again.” you looked at him, standing up carefully.

“Yeah,” he replied. You could feel the tension in the air.

“Well, I think I should go now.” you gave him a small smile before starting to walk off.

“Wait.” he gently put a hand on your shoulder, holding you back.

“You helped me. Why?” he asked.

“Because…. I still care about you, Derek. We might not be friends anymore, but I still care about you.” you said softly.

“Oh” was all he replied.

“I’ll see you around.” 

“Wait, (Y/N).”, he placed his arms on your waist, pulling you in.

“Der….” you started.

He gently placed his lips on yours. You pulled away from him.

“(Y/N)” he started.

“Derek, no. It’s been so long, it’s been too long.”, you shook your head.

“I still care about you too. It was a fight. A stupid fight and we let it get in the way of years of good memories.”, he said, holding onto you.

“No, Derek. I was tired of this. You always put me second, and I always stayed by your side. I missed you, so, so much, but it was good for me.” you said, your eyes watering slightly.

“(Y/N), that’s not true” he tried to speak.

“It is. First, it was Paige, then it was Kate, and everyone in between,” you said.

“Don’t compare yourself to them. They’re different. The didn’t know me like you, I don’t know them like I know you. And I’m an idiot for taking so long to realize, but you were my anchor, (Y/N). You were there for me after Paige, after Kate. I know, I’m an idiot, but please. I love you.” he said, practically begging you.

“I-I” you started.

He looked down at you.

Your mind went flashing back to the memories, forgetting all the bad ones. Remembering all the good ones.

You took a deep breath, looking up to him.

“I love you too.” you finally said.

He gave you a smile, letting the tears fall freely.

“Please don’t hurt me again,” you said softly, burying your head in his chest.

“I swear, I’ll never hurt you again.” he rested his head on top of yours.

“Never again.”

[when-they-write-stuff]

Quick ficlet that is dedicated to @foreverthemomfriend because she mentioned a prompt that got into my head and refused to leave.

Word count: 2.2k

Pairing: Sterek

Warnings: Slight violence, not graphic.

Summary: Prompt here

The thing is, Derek knew his soulmate was an idiot.

Laura told him to stop grumping and just be happy that he had a soulmate, but Derek begged to disagree. Because his soulmate was a literal idiot and Derek couldn’t put into words how often he felt like he was covered in bruises, or scratches, or other miscellaneous injures.

He was a werewolf. He wasn’t supposed to wake up in the morning and feel like he’d been hit by a truck. It was clear his soulmate was a disregardful spaz because he was always wounded and in return, Derek was always feeling it. 

And he was so done with everything years before they’d even met.

Derek decided he could go his entire life without ever meeting his soulmate. He— she— they— them— whatever, sucked. Derek woke up one morning with what could only be a black eye and he knew he’d gone to bed perfectly fine. Which means his soulmate was doing stupid things.

Again.

Laura thought it was hilarious. And sometimes… sometimes, Derek was okay with that. Because she didn’t find many things hilarious since the fire.

But then again, his face hurt. And it was all his soulmate’s fault.

“Clearly, they’re going to get themselves killed before we even meet,” Derek said in a growl, as Laura touched a cool cloth against his left eye; which felt far more painful than it looked. “And then I won’t be able to kill them myself for putting me through so much pain.”

“You’re acting like a baby, Der.”

“I’m a werewolf,” he growled, not caring how babyish that sounded. “I’m not supposed to be healing at the rate of a stupid human. I’m not supposed to be hurting at all.”

“I think it’s kind of cute,” Laura said teasingly. “You falling for a little human.”

Derek was quiet at that, hit with a sudden onslaught of grief. Because he didn’t think it was cute at all. He’d fallen in love with a ‘little human’ before and it hadn’t ended well. It never ended well.

He pulled away from Laura’s gentle touch and stalked into his bedroom. Closing and locking the door behind him, Derek glared at the opposite wall for a long second and tried not to think about her words. Tried not to rest on the fact that yes, he’d thought he’d fallen in love with a ‘little human’ before. 

When Paige had sore fingers from practicing cello all day and Derek could’ve sworn he did too. When Kate showed him the callouses on her hands and Derek thought he had ones that were similar. But it’d all been a lie.

Growling, Derek clenched his fist and drove it into the wall. 

And over in Beacon Hills, Stiles felt the first shot of pain from his soulmate that he had since he’d been twelve years old. 

-

Because see, Stiles had felt something once. His dad had been called away to take care of a fire and Stiles felt such pain, that it didn’t even feel like an injury. It felt like a broken heart. It felt like a torn soul.

He’d stayed under his covers all night whimpering. He couldn’t think straight. Couldn’t make it go away. He stayed curled up in a ball all night trying to just breathe.

And by morning, he was able to move again. He stopped feeling like he was on the verge of tears. Later that day, his dad said there’d been a fire in the preserve. 

Stiles didn’t see the connection.

- 

The thing is, Derek was oblivious. Stiles was an idiot. And long after Derek Hale returned to Beacon Hills and Stiles Stilinski developed a crush, neither of them actually realized… things. Which really should have been expected.

Derek realized it first.

He felt it like an assault when they were trying to track down Jackson as the kanima. Hit by both surprise and sudden pain, he dropped to his knees and brought a hand to his face, gasping in pain. He could feel a blow, then another. He felt like his lip had been split and then like someone had kicked him in the ribs.

Among the chaos, the conflict, and the fighting, Derek wasn’t sure anyone else noticed. He didn’t stop feeling the throbbing or the onslaught of pain until he was aware of Scott catching him by the neck and dragging him toward a waiting Gerard.

Then the rest of the night was a bit of a blur. 

Derek wanted— he wanted— he didn’t know what he wanted. He needed to be somewhere far away. Away from the feeling of blood on his lower lip, the taste of Gerard in his mouth, or the feeling of Jackson’s flesh underneath his nails.

But then Stiles showed up. Stiles, with a split lip, bruised face, and black eye. And Derek realized that no matter where he went or how far away he got, he’d never escape.

Stiles’s tongue darted out to trace the cut on his lower lip. Derek felt his own sting.

He turned away from the boy and didn’t look back.

-

It took Stiles a little longer.

He didn’t even linger on his possible soulmate until one day during school, when Stiles was doing his best to stay awake during one of Harris’s lectures. The last thing he needed was another detention, even though he felt like he hadn’t slept in weeks.

At one moment, he was blinking tiredly at Harris’s powerpoint. During the next, he felt himself drifting off. And then all he knew was pain.

It felt like someone had stabbed him straight through the back. Stiles convulsed and slipped out of his seat, hitting the floor hard. But he didn’t even feel the pain of that, too wrapped up in the waves of agony that crashed over him. He heard the sound of startled shouts, felt Scott scrambling toward him and taking his arm, leeching some of the pain away. But then the boy made a startled noise and yanked away, brown eyes wide.

“Stiles—”

Stiles barely heard him. He clawed at his chest, certain he’d feel blood or torn flesh, or something. But he was okay. He was intact.

His soulmate wasn’t.

“They’re dying,” Stiles said in a gasp, his throat tightening to a painful level. “Scott, I think they’re dying.”

“Who, Stiles? Who’s dying?”

But Stiles didn’t know. All he could do was writhe, feeling the foreign object twist in his chest from somewhere unseen. He squeezed his eyes shut and heard Harris bellowing something to those around him. Felt calloused hands on his shoulders, trying to drag him up. Stiles gasped and struggled, and tried to breathe.

And then the feeling was gone.

Like a breath of fresh air, the pain was gone, the burn was ebbing away, and Stiles dropped like a rock, pressing hard against the classroom floor. He gasped for breath, aware that his face was streaked with tears but not remembering when that happened.

All he could think was his soulmate was dead. There was no way someone survived that much pain and then walked away healed. Turning his face away from the classmates that stared, Stiles bit back a sob. Scott touched his arm again. This time, there were no black streaks. No pain to be taken. Nothing other than the hopelessness Stiles was feeling.

They didn’t talk about that day again.

-

Allison wasn’t Scott’s soulmate. When they first met and she shot him, she didn’t feel a thing. When Stiles was possessed by the Nogitsune and the Oni stabbed her, Scott said there was no pain.

She’d said the same thing. But in a different way.

- -

Derek felt the Nogitsune like a headache that never left. He couldn’t be around Stiles but all he wanted to do was stay close. To take care of him. To say everything was going to be alright.

Then Void threw him against the wall of his loft one day. Derek’s back cracked against the cornered stone and Void jerked in pain. Then his eyes snapped to Derek and a sick smile curled across his features. Derek felt like his world was crashing down around him.

But Void didn’t say a word.

And afterward, Stiles either didn’t remember or didn’t want to talk about it. Derek couldn’t be sure but he was too scared to press it. So instead, he stayed quiet.

Eventually, the nogitsune was killed. The pack retreated into themselves to mourn. And Derek never visited Stiles in the hospital.

Then Kate shot him in the chest. 

-

Stiles knew what he was running from.

He watched Derek struggle for breath with Braeden’s hand wrapped around his arm and knew that if he turned away, there wouldn’t be any coming back. There was blood trailing down Derek’s lip and a hole in his stomach. Stiles was leaning heavily against the jeep and he barely felt like he could move himself. And he didn’t want to.

But then shattered grey-green eyes met his own and Derek jerked his head with a faint ‘Save him’ leaving his lips and Stiles knew that if he turned away, there wouldn’t be any coming back.

He still turned away. He knew what he was running from.

Stiles only looked back once. 

- 

When Stiles arrived home four years later, he expected to see the grumpy-looking werewolf sitting on their couch that faced the door. The man had an open book in his lap but wasn’t paying it any attention and when he met Stiles’s gaze, he didn’t look happy.

Stiles still put on a bright smile. “Hey, Der! You, uh, waiting up for me?”

“Did you have a good day at work, Stiles?”

“Oh yeah,” Stiles said, forcing himself to stay cheery. “Just fantastic. You know, the little things.  Spilled some coffee on myself this morning and ended up drowning in paperwork sometime around noon. I missed lunch though. Got anything on the stove?”

Stiles tried to scoot around him and head for the kitchen, but Derek was there in an instant, cutting him off. Stiles sunk his teeth into his bottom lip and silently cursed, glancing up at the man’s narrowed eyes.

“So is that a ‘no’ on having something on stove? Because that’s fine. I can order in.”

“Paperwork and spilled coffee, Stiles? That’s all?”

“Um, yes?”

Derek’s eyes flicked to the bandages wrapping around Stiles’s shoulder and his face tightened a fraction. Stiles noticed with a pang of guilt the small ice pack that was bandaged to the man’s own shoulder. It looked like it’d melted hours ago. “So you weren’t shot in the shoulder earlier, then?”

“Oh yeah,” Stiles said, ducking his head. “I forgot about that.”

“You forgot?”

“I would have called,” Stiles joked weakly. “But I figured you already knew. And I really didn’t want to get yelled at.”

Derek’s face softened. Calloused fingers reached out and found Stiles’s own, and Stiles couldn’t stop a small sigh from leaving his lips as Derek threaded their fingers together and leaked away some of the pain. The werewolf leaned forward and touched his lips against Stiles’s forehead. “I was just worried about you.”

“I know,” Stiles said softly. “I’m sorry.”

“One of these days, you’re going to get shot when I’m doing something public. Like buying groceries. Or making conversation with the neighbors.”

“And today?”

Derek’s face tinted red, the color going all the way to the tips of his ears. Stiles tilted his head up and studied the man’s face before barking out a laugh.

“Oh my god, were you on the toilet again?”

“I was in the shower.”

“Oh,” Stiles said, rolling his eyes. “Well, then it could’ve been worse.”

“I was so surprised I slipped and fell, Stiles.”

Stiles barked out a laugh, unable to stop himself. Derek growled lowly and Stiles chuckled, leaning forward to press a quick kiss against his lips. “Sorry. Let me make it up to you? I am starving.”

“There’s no food on the stove.”

“I was talking about something much more edible.”

Derek’s eyes flashed blue and he hoisted Stiles up, throwing him over his— uninjured— shoulder. Stiles yelped and tried to struggle, only to go limp as they entered the bedroom. He was grinning when the man dropped him onto the bed and lifted his arm, stripping off his shirt. The look in Derek’s eyes was nothing other than predatory.

And maybe a little soft too. 

The man leaned forward and kissed him hard, before dragging his lips to the shell of Stiles’s ear. “I always knew you were an idiot, you know.”

Stiles shivered. Derek’s tone dropped an octave.

“Care to make all those years up to me?”

“Oh please,” Stiles managed to get out. “I’ve made it up to you plenty of times, big guy.”

Derek growled again. Stiles couldn’t help grinning as sharp teeth skated down his neck, nipping here and there, and then latched on above his collarbone. Derek smelled like pine and aftershave, and his lips were warm. His presence was heavy and it was warm.

When one finger slipped beneath the waistband of his jeans, Stiles couldn’t help jerking. He slammed his hand up against the headboard and barked out in pain as one of his fingers popped. At the same time, Derek let out a startled grunt.

For a moment, neither of them moved. Then Stiles dissolved into a fit of giggles and Derek buried his face into Stiles’s shoulder, sighing heavily.

“Idiot.”

Stiles didn’t even try to argue with that.

[tw-anchor]

32. The Tragedy of Derek and Paige

Anchor

Stiles Stilinski x Original Character

Episode: 3x08; Visionary

Word Count: 3,809

Warning(s): Mature language, sad stories, grief

Author’s Note: I will never stop saying that Derek deserved better. I hope you enjoy the chapter. Make sure to reblog, like, and tell me what you think!

Masterlist in Pinned Post!

Olivia hadn't been home in two days. Fortunately, Natalie didn't ask any questions about her sudden desire to sleep over at Derek's house, and Lydia also covered for her when she did start to get suspicious. She was glad that she could stay with Cora, Isaac, and even Peter while mourning Boyd. She and Cora supported each other through their loss of a packmate and friend, while Peter, surprisingly, took care of them.

Honestly, Olivia wasn't doing so great in the aftermath of Boyd's death. With Erica's death, it didn't affect her as much—she had a suspicion is was because Erica and Boyd had left Derek's pack at that point, and after Erica died, Boyd joined the pack again which led to a better connection. But's Boyd's death really hurt. Losing a pack member really did feel like losing a part of yourself, and the added guilt about helping with the plan that eventually was a part of Boyd's death didn't add any relief.

After all that Boyd had gone through, he deserved way better than what he got.

But grief wasn't the only thing going on in her mind. Olivia was the anchor of the pack and that meant that she had to live up to the name. Her mind was constantly distracted, bouncing back in forth from Isaac's mind, to Cora, and then all the way to Derek, who was grieving by himself in the distillery just outside of town. They weren't in danger of turning because of their sadness but she was able to help anyway, sending out calming vibes through the tethers that connected them to her.

Currently, Isaac was the hardest to calm down. Due to his upbringing, he was more emotional than Derek or Cora were and he had been friends with Boyd since elementary school. She kept close to him, wanting to help him however she could, and after a night full of restlessness, he was finally napping on the couch, his feet laid in her lap.

"...Peter brought Derek to a cellar in the woods," Cora was finishing up the story of when Peter and Derek had to hide from the Argent hunters years ago. "They were there for two days, waiting, hiding. That's what we're taught to do when the hunters find us—hide and heal."

"Okay, so is two days standard then, or are we thinking Derek's on, like, some extended getaway?" Stiles asked Cora from his seat next to Olivia on the couch.

Despite his impatience about Derek and his leave of absence, having Stiles at the loft helped Olivia more than he could know. It was like he was her anchor. He gave her strength to stay strong for the pack.

Cora turned away from the rain-splattered window and narrowed her eyes at him. "Why do you care?"

"Why do I care?" Stiles repeated sarcastically. "Let's see...because over the last few weeks, my best friend tried to kill himself, my girlfriend has been going crazy trying to keep all the werewolves calm, Scott's boss nearly got ritually sacrificed, Boyd was killed by the alphas...I—do you want me to keep going?" he raised an eyebrow at her. "'Cause I can, all right? For, like, an hour—"

"All right, Stiles," Olivia murmured, resting her head on his shoulder.

"You think Derek can do anything about that?" Cora asked grumpily.

"Well, since he's the one everyone seems to be after, it's more like he should do something about it, yeah."

Olivia wished Stiles would give Derek some slack. Yeah, Derek needed to step up and help out, but he was also going through something horrible. He had just lost two betas, one which he killed with his own claws—which wasn't his fault, but Derek wouldn't see it that way—and the alpha pack was also trying to kill him. That was more than the average person could take. Maybe Stiles wasn't very sympathetic because he couldn't feel what Derek was going through, but Olivia could. And if she was going through what Derek was at the moment, she wouldn't be able to get out of bed each day.

"I don't know," Cora mused, walking over to the table full of books. "There's something different about him now. He wasn't like this when I knew him."

That's because you skipped out and made everyone think you were dead, Olivia remarked mentally. And Derek shouldered the guilt of the Hale House fire—even though Kate Argent raped and manipulated him into giving out the house's whereabouts and members of the pack—taking care of himself, visiting Olivia every few weeks with Laura, taking care of Peter's medical care, Laura's death, and Peter's time as a crazy alpha—not to mention everything that went on before the fire, including what happened with Paige.

"What was he like?" Stiles asked.

The sound of footsteps coming down the stairs caught their attention. Peter slowly descended from the second floor and answered, "A lot like Scott, actually," he walked over to stand by Cora as he elaborated. "A lot like most teenagers—unbearably romantic, profoundly narcissistic, tolerable really onto to other teenagers."

"So what happened?" Stiles looked at Peter expectantly. "What changed him?"

"Well, the same thing that changes a lot of young men," Peter answered. "A girl."

Stiles scoffed. "You're telling me some girl broke his little heart?" he asked in disbelief. "That's why Derek is the way he is?"

"She wasn't just any girl," Olivia gently picked up Isaac's feet and got up, laying them back down on the couch. She wandered over to her father and cousin, Stiles following shortly after.

"Mm," Peter nodded in agreement before addressing her and Cora, "Do you remember Derek before he was an alpha and had blue eyes?" Olivia nodded; it had only been half a year since Derek became an alpha. Peter turned to Stiles now. "Do you know why some wolves have blue eyes?"

Stiles shrugged, shaking his head. "I just always thought it was, like, a genetic thing."

"If you want to know what changed Derek, you need to know what changed the color of his eyes," Peter declared. "You know the story, don't you, pumpkin?"

"Some of it," Olivia twisted her lips.

"I'll fill in in some places."

"Okay," Olivia inhaled deeply and started recalling everything that Derek had told her from that part of his life.

Derek was a sophomore when he met Paige Krasikeva. He was popular, one of the younger members of the varsity basketball team whilst being one of the stars. He was different back then. Derek had a charming personality and he used to be one to tell jokes and make friends with everyone.

One day, while Derek was missing around with his friends in the hallway with a basketball, they disturbed Paige's cello practice. According to Derek, Paige was sassy and quick-witted despite her shy nature and when she stormed over to confront them, Derek was immediately intrigued. He showed off with the basketball, doing some tricks he had picked up on the court, and when Paige was unimpressed, Derek gave her an offer: if she could get the basketball away from him, he'd bring the ball and his friends elsewhere.

Paige took the dare, but was unable to get the basketball away from her. He happened to show off even more in the process. His cockiness unimpressed Paige and she ended up walking away. Still intrigued by her, he followed her back to the music room and apologized. She brushed him off, but it didn't discourage him; he ended up asking her name. After a little tack, in which Derek had to play a triangle for whatever reason, Paige ended up sharing her name with Derek.

"Okay, so if Derek was a sophomore back then, how old was he?" Stiles asked when she came to a natural pause in the story. He pointed at Peter and added, "How old were you? How old are you now?"

"Not as young as we could have been, but not as old as you might think," Peter answered; Olivia's lips twitched as she rolled her eyes.

"Okay, that was frustratingly vague," Stiles sighed, exasperated, and turned to where Olivia and Cora were sitting. "I know Livvy's sixteen. How old are you?"

"I'm seventeen."

"See, that's an answer," Stiles pointed at Cora. "That's how we answer people."

Cora burst his bubble, hiding her smirk. "Well, seventeen in how you'd measure in years."

"Are you serious?!"

"They're messing with you," Olivia told him with an amused smile. "Peter's thirty-five, Cora's seventeen, and Derek's twenty-five. He was sixteen when he was a sophomore."

"Okay, I take back my previous statement," Stiles gave her a grateful look as he threw his arm over her shoulders. "That is how we answer someone."

"Says the king of sarcasm," she told him with a light laugh.

"Don't bring me into this," Stiles nudged her head with his own. "Okay, so, what happened to Derek and the cello girl?"

"Her name was Paige."

"Right," Stiles stated after Olivia corrected him. "What happened with Derek and Paige?"

"What do you think happened?" Peter raised his eyebrows at Stiles. "They were teenagers. One minute, it's 'I hate you, don't talk to me,' and then the next minute, it's frantic groping in any dark corner they could manage to find themselves alone for five minutes."

Olivia and Stiles glanced at one another; they knew what that was like.

Peter continued, narrowing his eyes at Stiles. He may not be overly protective of his daughter but he didn't want to know what she and her hormonal little boyfriend were getting up to in their private time. "Their favorite dark corner was an abandoned distillery outside of Beacon Hills."

Olivia turned away from Stiles to give her a father a questioning look. Why on earth would he know Derek and Paige's make-out spot?

"All right, hold up," Stiles interjected, thinking along the same lines as Olivia. "How do you know all this? You just said that they were alone."

Peter leaned forward at his seat next on the couch, bracing his elbows on his knees. "Back then, I wasn't just Derek's uncle. I was his best friend, his closest confidante. That's how I know."

Peter filled in some of the blanks where Olivia hadn't known the details. Mostly, she didn't know about these because Derek either forgot or he didn't know what was going on behind the scenes.

One day, while Derek and Paige were having alone time in the distillery—the same distillery where Derek was hiding now—they had to leave because Derek caught the scent of some unknown werewolves. Peter explained that it wasn't just any random werewolves, but they happened to be three different packs—Ennis' pack, Kali's pack, and Deucalion's pack—along with the adults in the Hale pack. They had gathered together to discuss one of the werewolves in Ennis' pack who was murdered by the Argents.

The three packs argued with each other, mostly on Kali's side—which didn't surprise Olivia—until Laura spoke up about working together. Deucalion sided with the Hale pack—apparently he was a sort of peace keeper back in the day—especially when Talia Hale, the Hale pack's alpha and Derek's mother, stepped in. The four alphas discussed what they were going to do about the Argents, and Ennis insisted on war. He declared it with a swirl—the mark for vengeance.

"Our mark for vendetta," Peter, who had walked over to the steamed-over window, drew the swirl, much like he had down when he was an alpha.

"Man, you guys really take that revenge thing to, like, a whole new level, don't you?" Stiles commented, folding his fingers together while he watched Peter skeptically.

"It's not just revenge," Cora told him firmly. "Losing a member of your pack isn't like losing family. It's like you lose a limb."

Stiles looked over at Olivia for confirmation and visibly softened when she nodded in agreement with Cora. He unfolded his hands and took one of hers, squeezing it tightly. It was a silent apology, one that Olivia instantly forgive. How was he to know what it was like? He wasn't a werewolf or, in her case, an anchor.

"They wouldn't even let Ennis see the body," Peter informed them. "Some deputy had to escort him out of the hospital."

"I don't get it," Cora shook her head. "What does this have to do with Derek?"

"Everything," Peter turned away from the window and walked back over to them. "It's never just a single moment. It's a confluence of events. Personally, I looked at Ennis' circumstances and I saw a profound loss. Derek saw something different. He saw opportunity."

Olivia bit the inside of her cheek. Peter wasn't just telling Derek's story now, he was elaborating. A lot. Derek had told her himself that it was Peter who gave him the idea to have Paige take the bite, not him. Peter was lying, manipulating himself into someone better than he was.

"Opportunity?" Stiles wondered. "To do what?"

"To always be with her," Peter told him. "The thing was, he had this constant fear. He was obsessing over it. Thinking about it all night, all day, always on his mind."

Although Peter gave Stiles and Cora his version of the story, Olivia knew better. Derek had told her how Peter had shown up to his school and spoke to him about Paige. Peter told him that Paige would run away from him if she found out lycanthropy and manipulated him into turning her so they could be together forever.

"I kept telling him not to do it," Peter said passionately; Olivia looked over at Stiles and Cora, hoping that they weren't falling for his shit. Luckily for her, she had a smart—and hot—boyfriend, who glanced at her and rolled his eyes, mocking Peter behind his back. "Every day the more he thought about it, the more convinced he became."

Having dramatically turned away from them, Peter faced them again. "You know teenagers," he acted like he was sad. "I bet he even blames me. He's probably convinced himself the whole thing was my idea."

Again, Peter gave his side of the story. He left out the fact that he had gone to Derek's basketball practice and told him about the werewolf who died in Ennis' pack. He spoke about the opportunity Derek had, where Ennis could turn Paige and she be in his pack.

After that, Peter moved on. He shared the story of how he, Laura, and Talia went to the animal clinic to meet up with Dr. Deaton, Deucalion, and his second-in-command. They spoke about Ennis and his frowned-upon decision to wage war against the Argent hunters. Deucalion wanted to extend a treaty of peace, but Talia and Dr. Deaton warned against it, citing that the Argents had a matriarchal chain in command and that Gerard Argent was a psychopath. Deucalion didn't listen to them, and instead set up a meeting between his pack and the Argents.

"Hold on," Stiles interrupted. "What's an emissary?"

"They go back to when werewolves just started shifting," Olivia explained. "It was thought that druids knew how to shapeshift and could help the werewolves turn back to their human form. They give the alpha advice, knowledge, and keep packs connected to their humanity."

"They're a secret in the pack, though," Cora added. "Sometimes only the alpha knows who the emissary is. We had no idea about Deaton."

"Or his sister, Morrell," Peter tacked on.

"She's an emissary, too?" Stiles raised his voice, totally shocked about Morrell. Olivia, herself, was shocked; she knew about Morrell being Deaton's sister, but she hadn't know that she was an emissary.

Peter nodded. "For the alpha pack."

Olivia's eyes widened in surprise while Stiles' voice became even louder. "Our guidance counselor?" he burst out; Olivia rubbed his back to bring him some comfort; the poor guy had spent an hour a week with Ms. Morrell since he started high school and he was bound to be betrayed. "Why the hell don't you people tell me any of this stuff, huh? I shared some really intimate details with her."

"And did she give you good advice?" Cora prompted, looking unimpressed with his outburst.

Stiles paused. "Actually, yeah."

"That's what they do," Peter reminded him. "That's what Deaton used to do for Talia."

Stiles sighed in frustration, just wanting to get the rest of the story over with. It wasn't that he was bored, he didn't want to admit it, but the story was actually interesting when Peter wasn't putting on a show that all of them could see through. "Okay, so what happened with Paige?"

"I went to Ennis on Derek's behalf and told him about a girl interested in the bite," Peter stated.

"Ennis?" Cora asked with pursed lips, disappointed with Peter's choice of alpha. "Why would you choose him?"

"Why not?" Peter countered. "Ennis needed a new member for his pack. Paige was young and strong. Doing a favor for Derek meant that Ennis would be in good with Talia. Back then, everybody wanted to be in good with her.

"He doesn't remember it was Ennis, does he?" Stiles spoke up.

"I don't know," Olivia said with a small shrug of her shoulder. "I didn't even know until Peter told us that he was the alpha to bite Paige. If he does remember, he kept it to himself."

"So, then what happened?" Stiles looked between Peter and Olivia for an answer. "Did he turn her?"

"Almost," Peter was the one to speak; all Olivia knew was that Paige didn't take to the bite—much like Jackson didn't before he turned into the kanima—and that she was in so much pain at the end that Derek had to kill her to make it stop. "They were at the school at night and Ennis came for her. Derek heard her struggling and came at Ennis. A fifteen-year-old boy against a giant. There was no reason for him to fight. She'd already been bitten."

"So, did she turn?"

"She should have," Peter told Cora. "Most of the time, the bite takes. Most of the time."

Stiles perked up, remembering what Peter had told him right after he bit Olivia and before he offered to bite him. "When you offered it to me, you said, 'If it doesn't kill you.'"

"If," Peter nodded in confirmation. "Derek took her to the Nemeton, the cellar where Derek and I hid from the hunters when Ennis' beta was killed. I went to them and he asked me what was happening to her. He knew the answer, though. It didn't matter that she was young and strong. Some people just aren't made for this."

"She fought, though," Olivia said sadly, thinking about the utter sadness on Derek's face when he recalled the last moments he had with Paige. "In the end, though, she was in too much pain. She begged Derek to help her."

"You mean...?"

Olivia nodded at Stiles, making him press his lips together in empathy.

"I remember taking her body from his arms, into the woods, and to a place where I knew that it would be found..." Peter did seem genuinely sad about how Paige's life ended. "another in a long line of Beacon Hills animal attacks."

Olivia blinked back tears as Cora asked, "And what about Derek?"

"Taking an innocent life...it takes some from you as well. A bit of your soul, darkening it, dimming the once brilliant, golden yellow to a cold, steel blue," Peter explained. He flashed his werewolf eyes as an example. "Like mine."

-

Olivia played with the fingers on Stiles' free hand, rubbing her fingertips over his nails, down the knuckles, and to the freckled back of them. She kissed his palm every so often, her mind swirling around in a dark place.

She thought about Derek and Paige's story and how she would act if she and Stiles were in their place. If she was in the exact same situation as Derek was in—the Hale pack was still alive, her mother was alive, the war against the Argents, and if she had been an actual werewolf and not an anchoram—maybe she would have done the same thing. The thing was, Derek didn't mean any harm to Paige. He loved her so, so much.

Her heart hurt for her cousin. He had to mercy kill the love of his life and honestly, she didn't think she would survive if she had to do the same thing with Stiles. Derek was one of the strongest people she had ever and will ever know. He was basically one of the people she admired the most because of his strength.

"What are you thinking so hard about?" Stiles asked her as he stopped at a red light.

"Derek and Paige," Olivia murmured, looking over at him and just...she was so lucky that she loved someone like Stiles. He was so funny and sweet and handsome and smart—he was everything she would ever want.

"I was thinking about them, too," he admitted. As the light went green and he pressed on the gas to move forward, he added, "I don't believe Peter. I mean, you know how we're reading Heart of Darkness in Ms. Blake's class?"

Olivia nodded and hummed.

"It's in first person, it's Marlow's perspective," he expanded, though he knew she already knew what he was talking about. "The thing is that he's an unreliable narrator. You know the details of it have changed, you know, just because of his perspective."

"I know what you mean, and you're right," Olivia informed him. "All that stuff about how Derek was adamant about turning Paige? It wasn't true."

Stiles raised his eyebrows at her, glancing at her quickly. "Derek told you?"

"Yeah, I was eleven or twelve and I asked him why his eyes were blue," she shared. "He told me about Paige and how she died. Peter was the one to orchestrate the whole thing, he manipulated Derek. He and Derek were hardly close."

"Your dad's a dick," Stiles scowled. "I mean, I'm not Derek's greatest fan, but Peter takes the whole fucking cake."

Olivia laughed lightly. "Yeah, I know," she hesitated and continued, "I know Derek's not helping out as much as he should, but he's going through a hard time. He lost Erica and Boyd, and everything that happened reminded him of all the pain he went through with Paige."

"All right, I'll cut him some slack," Stiles gave in, only for her. "but only because if we were in that situation, I'd be devastated."

"Me too," Olivia pressed her lips to his palm once again. "I love you, Stiles."

"I love you, too."

[sterekshaven]

Some things never change

Yesterday was @pale-silver-comb‘s birthday, so I wrote a little thing for her. It’s short and quick and just a little thing, but it’s something, and I really hope you like it! Happy belated birthday Em! ♥♥♥

Some things never change  ao3 - pillowfort

1189 words | Gen  characters: Stiles, Derek  tags: Childhood Friends, Pining, Getting Together

 When Stiles was 4 he wanted to marry his mom, as many children do. She was the best ever, and he always wanted to live with her.

When Stiles was 5, he didn’t want to marry his mom anymore. She was still sorta the best, but not as best as Derek was.

Derek was then 8 years old, a really big boy, he had gone to school forever, and when he could, he visited Stiles at preschool. Everyone was envious of Stiles for having such a cool friend, which, yeah. The coolest. What they didn’t know was that he was actually even cooler, because he was a werewolf, which was the most amazing thing ever.

Stiles never really stopped wanting to marry Derek. He was funny and kind and he played with Stiles despite being older than him, and when Stiles’ magic started to show he was fascinated and encouraging. He was the best.

Then, when Derek was 15, he met a girl, Paige. She was nice, Stiles met her a couple of times, but Derek acted weird around him when she was there, like he was too cool to hang out with a little kid—which, Stiles was 12, not a little kid—and Stiles didn’t know how to feel.

Then Paige died and Derek stopped showing his wolfy eyes and became sad and withdrawn. Stiles tried to be there for him, tried to comfort him, and Derek accepted it, let Stiles in. He even talked to him about it sometimes, told him why his eyes had changed.

Derek also started to talk about the woman who was flirting with him, how it made him uncomfortable but also excited, because she was older and wanted him of all people.

At that time Stiles was 13 and the son of a cop, so he talked to his parents about it, and then a lot of things happened. Derek got mad because Stiles had told, then the woman, Kate, tried to kill his whole family, she only failed because Claudia and Stiles came to visit. Kate was sent to prison for attempted murder and statutory rape and Derek was… he wasn’t the same.

He forgave Stiles though, even thanked him for telling his parents so they told Derek’s parents. But he was scared, and he didn’t trust himself.

Time kept going though, and it wasn’t long until Derek left for college. Stiles did well in high school, and a few years later it was time for him to go to college.

He didn’t see Derek much at all during those years. They hung out in the summers and they met when they both were home for breaks, but it could be months between the times they saw each other.

Stiles met a girl at college, lost his virginity to her, and he liked her a lot. Then he went home over a break and told Derek about her, and when he got back to school and looked at her he didn’t feel what he had felt anymore. They broke up soon after.

He met a guy too, then another girl, but it was always the same. He thought he felt much more for them than he did, but he didn’t realize until he met Derek and they paled in comparison to him.

Yeah, Stiles still wanted to marry Derek. So badly. Derek didn’t want to marry Stiles, though, so he pushed those feelings down, but he stopped trying to date at college, it wasn’t fair to anyone.

Derek got his degree and moved back home, and a few years later Stiles was done with his degree and moved back home too.

It was still good to hang out with Derek, even if it wasn’t the same as it was when they were little. They weren’t kids anymore, but Stiles still thought Derek was the coolest, and he was his best friend.

”Remember when I started preschool and you came to visit during your breaks?” Stiles asked, and Derek’s smile was soft when he nodded. ”God, I was five and you were eight. You were so cool, and all the other kids were so impressed that I was friends with you.”

Derek laughed quietly. ”Yeah, such a cool eight-year-old I was.”

”You really were,” Stiles said. ”I told everyone I was gonna marry you because you were the best.”

Derek’s cheeks pinked up and Stiles’ smile grew bigger.

”I remember that,” Derek said. ”You kept saying that for years.”

”Yeah, well, you’ve always been three whole years older than me and the coolest,” Stiles said. ”Who could compare? I mean, not only were you older and nice, you were also a werewolf. How could I possibly resist that?”

Derek chuckled softly. ”Things change.”

Stiles laughed. ”They really don't,” he said, and when Derek looked at him with big eyes he cringed. ”God, sorry, I’m making everything so awkward. I just, you know how I feel, it’s…” He gestured vaguely towards Derek, who furrowed his brows.

”I… how do you feel?” Derek asked.

”Well, I mean, I’ve always wanted, God, you know? I love you, like, as a friend, yeah, but like, I always have?”

”You always have?” Derek asked. ”No, but Madeleine? And Jack and Holly?”

Stiles furrowed his brows at him. ”I… what?”

”Your exes,” Derek said, and Stiles rolled his eyes, he knew who they were. ”You dated them?”

”Yes?” Stiles said. ”And then I saw you and…” He shrugged.

”Oh,” Derek said. He frowned. ”Oh.” He looked at Stiles. ”I didn’t know that.”

”Oh.” Stiles cleared his throat and smiled awkwardly. ”Well, in that case, I really shouldn’t have said anything. Sorry, can we just pretend this never happened?”

”What? No, why?”

”Uh. Because I like some dignity occasionally?”

”You know the Christmas break I turned 22?” Derek said, and Stiles frowned but nodded. ”Yeah, you… I saw you and it hit me. I don’t know how I hadn’t known before, but… God, you were so—the way you looked, you were laughing at one of dad’s bad jokes, and then you looked at me and smiled and it hit me so hard. I haven’t loved anyone the way I love you.”

He moved closer to Stiles and carefully put his hand on his cheek.

”Derek?” Stiles asked.

”Do you want to go out?” Derek asked. ”On a date?” Stiles nodded, at a loss for words, and Derek leaned in closer. ”Can I kiss you?”

Stiles nodded again, and Derek pressed their lips together. Stiles groaned and fumbled his hands to Derek, to his shoulders, then the sides of his neck, and Derek moved his lips in a slow and careful kiss.

”Oh, God,” Stiles groaned against his mouth as he kissed back, and Derek grinned.

”Just Derek is fine,” he said, and Stiles dropped his forehead to Derek’s shoulder to laugh.

”Wow,” he said, and looked at Derek, his smile so wide it barely fit his face, ”you really are the worst.”

Derek’s smile was huge, his eyes twinkling. ”And you still love me.”

Stiles grinned and pressed their smiles together. ”I still love you,” he said.

[wheredidhiseyebrowsgo]

hello!! hope yall are doing well :) do you have any fics where stiles works with the hale family, but hes older than in the show? maybe like 20-30 years old? im thinking of one in particular, stiles works as like a medic maybe? and derek is really into him but stiles refuses to acknowledge the feelings because of dereks age. i remember when i was reading it, that i thought it was really good, so i was wondering if you knew any similar ones?

Sure, here’s younger!Derek and older!Stiles. - Anastasia

Weave Soft Spells Over My Sight by AgnesBlue

(2/2 I 51,424 I Mature)

Derek had blossomed steadily over the past year, growing into his ears and turning even more handsome, if that were possible. But instead of going out and melting the panties off the girls, suddenly he was coming to Stiles all bashed in, demanding that he patch him up like Stiles was some freelance nurse. It was a familiar pattern by now.

AU in which Stiles has been living with the Hales for a few years as their assistant and friend. He needs to deal with Derek, who keeps coming to Stiles with bruises and cuts to be treated, while trying to figure out what the elderly alpha of the Hale pack is up to.

***

Paige's Cousin is Derek's Type by JackalPinesOfHouseEvergreen

(2/? I 2,828 I Teen)

Stiles lands in an unfamiliar time and place, though with a nagging thought of how familiar everything is. But he only remembers his name(and nickname). The local coven that finds him takes him in and gives him to a host family until answers can come forth. In the mean time...it's a waiting game.

Derek can't help but be attracted to Paige's cousin.

Take You Down Another Level (Get You Dancing With the Devil) by Robomantic

(1/1 I 4,067 I Explicit)

Derek is tired of being seen as Laura's good little baby brother so he doesn't back down when she issues him a challenge. She sends him to the sheriff's son to buy weed, but Derek ends up breaking the rules in ways he never expected once he gets there.

I Can't Live Without Your Love by Val_Brown

(1/1 I 4,898 I Not Rated)

Derek stared out the car window as the green trees of the Oregon Coast highway rolled past. Every summer since he could remember they would head to a resort just outside of Bandon, Oregon. This was the last summer before he began college. The last summer before he had to start his future. He was going to make the most of it.

Returning from Then to Change the Now by Nimpalous

(1/1 I 6,027 I General)

Having turned the light on he went behind the counter to leave his jacket in the staffroom… only to blink at the confused form turning to him and staring with wide hazel green eyes. Even after all this time Stiles would recognise those eyes anywhere, even if they belonged to a boy he technically had never met. How had he gotten here, why was he here? Was it some spell gone wrong again? Wouldn’t be the first time.“Derek?” he said softly… earning a slow nod. “What are you doing here?”

Mr. Stilinski by alisvolatpropiis

(1/1 I 6,461 I Explicit)

But he’s never really forgotten Wade or those guys from college, definitely not Brayden, the motorcycle-driving musician who devastated him senior year. He hasn’t forgotten the way a fuck-it-all attitude draws him in like a moth to a flame, speaks to his own rebellious nature that has always manifested as abrasive sarcasm and clever manipulation of rules and half-truths. And even though he’s never really forgotten, he’d thought he’d gotten over the bad boy thing, had grown out of it.

But then, in his last class on the first day at his new job teaching English at the high school he graduated from fifteen years ago, Derek Hale walks into his classroom and Stiles feels like he's out in the parking lot back in 1995, nearly tripping over his own feet with stunned attraction, immediate and shockingly powerful. His lust is tinged with the familiar but long forgotten thrill needing to get closer to that mysterious cool, compounded infinitely now because this dangerous-looking bad boy is his student.

Knot So Typical by KnottheWolf

(2/2 I 9,868 I Mature)

Sure, Derek has a boyfriend. But he keeps it a secret, not because he's embarrassed he's dating an older Alpha man, but because he knows the moment his sisters find out it'll be hell.

Holding On Too Tight by Green, ohfeelya

(3/3 I 10,133 I Explicit)

(AU branching off from S2) A darker and desperately broken Stiles attempts to find a way to save them all.

Mischief Inc. by MereLoup

(1/1 I 17,210 I Teen)

Stiles has a thing for the hot teenager who keeps coming into his tattoo shop.

can you hear me howl? by lscar123

(4/5 I 24,654 I Mature)

An overbearing sister, a hot waiter, an anonymous club make out session, and multiple decapitated bodies.

This was not how Derek expected his Freshman year of college to go.

Poking Around by Mythological_Compendium

(9/9 I 26,183 I Explicit)

I was just really surprised that no one wrote a fic named 'Poking Around'.

[ellewritesathing]

So Close - S.S. XIII

Summary: The universe has a funny way of putting the things you want right in front of you, but just out of reach. Stiles and Y/N have been best friends ever since Scott brought him home, but when Stiles realizes that he might want to be something other than best friends, she leaves to go to some fancy private school up North. Now that she’s back though … maybe he’s got a shot? A Teen Wolf AU in which the reader has always been so close to Stiles and yet so far.

Prologue - S2E1 Part 1 - S2E2 + S2E3 Part 2 - S2E4 + S2E5 + S2E6 Part 3 -  S2E7 +S2E8 Part 4 - S2E9 + S2E10 Part 5 - S2E11 + S2E12 Part 6 Part 7 - S3AE1 Part 8 - S3AE2 + S3AE3 Part 9 - S3AE4 Part 10 - S3AE5 + S3AE6 Part 11 - S3AE7 + S3AE8 Part 12 - S3AE9 + S3AE10 + S3AE11 Part 13 - S3AE11 + S3AE12

Word-count: 3.7k+

A/N: I’m starting to feel like three seasons of slow burn is getting a bit much but I’m super excited for you guys to experience the angst that is 3B. For now though, I really hope you guys like how I wrapped up 3A!! Let me know what you think :)

Oh and there’s like one swearword in this part if you guys need a warning

When the alarm woke you up, Stiles had already left. He left a post-it note on your phone with his reason; that he had to go tell Lydia what was going on before school. He found your mom’s keys and left them on the bedside table for you so you could drive yourself to school. How chivalrous.

The rest of the day wasn’t much better. You didn’t have the same classes as your friends, so you only saw them when the lunch bell rang and you found them in the hallway. You were on the phone with Isaac when you did and he was telling you that Blake had taken Chris in the bank vault. You weren’t really focused on what he was saying anymore because you were watching Lydia drag Stiles into the bathroom.

“Allison and I are heading to school now so-”

“Uh, Isaac? Don’t come to school. I’ll grab the others and meet you at Deaton’s. I’ll call you back once we’re on your way.” You hung up before he had the opportunity to argue with you and shoved your phone into your pocket. Something didn’t feel right.

Ignoring the pit in your stomach, you pushed the door open and went inside. It took you a second to find them, and it felt like your heart was being ripped out once you did. They were kissing. In your hurried attempt to leave, you knocked over a trash can. Stumbling out an apology, you rushed out and ignored their calls after you.

“Hey, Y/N! Y/N, will you please slow down?” Stiles caught your wrist and pulled you back. “That wasn’t- it wasn’t what it looked like.”

“So, what, Lydia was just helping you out with your algebra homework?” you asked, shaking your head. “Stiles, it’s not like we’re dating. If you wanna make out with Lydia, that’s your own-”

“I wasn't making out with Lydia.”

“So what were you doing?”

“I was-” Stiles sighed. “Look, she kissed me, okay? I didn't kiss her back.”

“You didn’t exactly pull away either.” You pulled your hand back and got ready to start walking again, but Lydia made you stop. She had that weird look on her face again.

“Has anyone seen Ms. Morrell today?” she asked.

---

You filed away your anger as you, Lydia, and Stiles rushed to Morrell’s office. When Danielle said she didn’t know why Morrell was late, you all agreed that if she wasn’t on time for a session, then she was probably missing. Stiles started digging through her desk for clues.

“Those files are private,” Danielle told him.

“Yeah, she’s kind of right,” Lydia said. She looked uncomfortable, but her discomfort faded as soon as Stiles started handing out files.

You’d been seeing Morrell when you transferred to Beacon Hills, and when Stiles dug out your file, your curiosity got the better of you. You only managed to skim a few phrases - problems expressing your emotions, defensive, in a sense of denial of why you’d been kicked out of Willow Creek - before Stiles and Lydia started talking again. Lydia’s file was full of her tree drawings.

“It’s the same one I always see you drawing in class,” Stiles argued.

“It’s a tree. I like drawing trees,” Lydia said simply.

“No, but it’s the exact same one.” Stiles came closer and you closed your file so you could be more involved. Stiles grabbed Lydia’s notebook and started flipping through the pages - they were all littered with drawings of the exact same tree. It reminded you of when you used to draw the wolves.

“Okay, you can have my session! You’ve got bigger issues,” Danielle said as she gathered her things and headed for the door. You would’ve laughed if the situation hadn’t been so eerie.

Lydia was breathing heavily with tears in her eyes as she stared at the pages in front of her. “What is this?” she choked out.

Stiles flipped the book around slowly. What you all thought had been the top of the tree, from this perspective, was now a dense root system. Like the one in the woods that Cora told you about.

“I know where they are,” he said.

“Well, are you gonna tell us where they are?” Lydia asked.

You and Stiles shared a look before each grabbing one side of her and beginning to walk outside. “It’s the nemeton,” you explained. “That’s where they are.”

You barely made it ten feet before you heard someone yelling for Stiles. This time it was your dad.

“Alright, look, go to Derek, okay?” Stiles told you and Lydia. “He and Peter have been there before. They’ll know where it is.”

“I’m not leaving you with him,” you said. “Lydia, tell them it’s the root cellar, okay?”

Lydia nodded and walked away quickly, which left you and Stiles just enough time to plaster some smiles on your faces and turn to face your dad.

Rafael nodded at you before turning his attention to Stiles. “Did you know your dad’s car is in the school parking lot and has been since last night?”

“No,” Stiles lied. “What does that mean?”

“It means he’s officially missing.” Rafael looked down and sighed. “Can I talk to you in private for a minute?”

“Actually-” you put on the sweetest smile you could muster and reached for Stiles’ hand “-I have this really big geometry test Monday and Stiles said he’d tutor me, so we’re just gonna head out if that’s okay with you.”

“Actually, Y/N, no. No, it’s not,” Rafael said. He sounded like he hadn’t slept in a few days. He looked like it too. “I’m going to talk to Stiles, and you’re going to wait in the hallway until I come out to get you.”

You started protesting but Stiles said it was alright. He shook you off and went to speak to your dad. Alone. In private. You mumbled a good few profanities before slumping down in a chair outside the classroom they were in.

You almost didn’t see Deaton through the haze of annoyance you were in, but you stood up as soon as he opened the classroom door.

“Fine,” Rafael said. “But I don’t want you going home alone. Do you have someone you can stay with tonight? Someone who’s not my daughter.”

“He’s with me,” Deaton said.

---

When you and Stiles got to the animal clinic, pretty much everyone who wasn’t kidnapped or playing secret agent with the Alpha Pack was already there. You sat on one of the countertops and bounced your leg while Stiles spoke.

“It has to be on one of the telluric currents - or maybe even at the axis of two,” he explained. “Or where they all intersect.”

“It’s where Derek took Paige when she was bitten,” you added.

“My dad and Gerard were there once. But Gerard said it was years ago and he couldn’t remember where it was,” Allison said. She ran a hand through her hair. “And my dad obviously isn’t here to tell us now.”

“Yeah, mine either,” Stiles said softly.

“Then how do we find this place?” Isaac asked, always asking the relevant (if un-answerable) questions.

“There might be a way,” Deaton said after a moment. “But it’s dangerous.”

“When is it not?” you asked, pushing yourself off the counter.

“And we’re gonna need Scott.”

“Why?” you asked. “We’ve been trying to find him since he left and he’s not answering any of us.”

“This is important. He’ll be here,” Allison insisted.

“And what if he’s not?” you asked. “Then what? We just let our parents die?”

“Actually, Y/N,” Deaton’s gentle tone and thoughtful expression sliced through your angry exterior. “Now that I think about it, you should work just as well.”

---

Deaton explained what you’d be doing beforehand: you’d be surrogate sacrifices for your parents. If it went right, you would only be dead for a few seconds. By doing so, you’d give power back to the nemeton - which would make it a beacon for the supernatural again - and the darkness around your hearts would follow you for the rest of your lives. And if it went wrong …

As cheery as the explanation left you feeling, your heart somehow managed to drop further when you stared at the ice baths in front of you. You clutched onto the necklace in your hands as you watched Isaac empty out another bag of ice into the tubs.

“Alright,” Deaton said, “What did you bring?”

Stiles brought Noah’s badge. It looked pretty banged up, but Deaton assured him that it would work fine as long as it meant something. Allison brought a ceremonial silver bullet that her dad made.

“Y/N?”

“My mom, uh, got this necklace from my gran when she turned sixteen. Said it was the nicest thing she ever got growing up. She just about cried when I spilled nail polish on it one day when I was little,” you explained quietly. “But, um, looks don’t matter, right?”

“No, they don’t,” Deaton smiled. “Now, the three of you will get in and each of us will hold you down until you’re essentially … well, dead. But it’s not just someone who will hold you under. It needs to be someone who can pull you back. Someone that has a strong connection to you. A kind of emotional tether.”

You and Stiles looked at each other while Deaton was talking, but you looked away quickly. You were still upset with him, and you both had to go under so it wouldn’t matter anyway. You hoped.

“Isaac?” you asked softly. He nodded and put an arm around you. Lydia and Allison were already holding hands in a corner.

“Well, Doc, I guess that means it’s you and me,” Stiles sighed. “And Scott, you know, if he ever shows up.”

Stiles was the first one to stand in front of the tubs, and Allison was the first one to get in. Judging by her reaction, the ice bath was going to be - unsurprisingly - absolutely freezing. You took a breath and then stepped in, slowly descending into the icy water. Your feet were the first to go numb, and then your hands even though they were still above the water. Were you shaking? You couldn’t tell.

You looked over to find Stiles sitting in a pretty similar position to you, except he was staring at you. You couldn’t help but laugh. “What?” you asked when you were done.

“Nothing. You just look …” he didn’t finish.

“Yeah, well, I know this is serious and all but I just-” you looked down. Your anger felt silly now. “Are either of you surprised by just how fucking cold this is?”

“Yes!” Allison laughed. “Like I get that it’s an ice bath but-”

“Are you ready?” Deaton asked. “If we’re doing this, we should really get started.”

The laughter died down and the three of you nodded gravely. You felt Isaac’s hands on your shoulders and took a deep breath. He asked you something, but you didn’t hear it properly. You just nodded. You were ready. You had to be.

The cold was smothering as he held you under and you thrashed to the surface, even though you knew you had to be still. The ice swirled around your head and you watched the last few bubbles of air in your lungs float to the surface. One … Two … Was that three? Should you be counting the groups of bubbles? Did any of it really matter?

You guessed you were a stronger fighter than you thought, because the next thing you knew you were crashing through the surface, gasping for air. Only, you weren’t in Deaton’s clinic anymore. You were in a big, white room with Stiles and Allison. None of you spoke as you got up and out of the water.

You were the first to go to the big tree stump that felt like an eternity away. The nemeton. The eerie silence only added tension to the situation, but none of you were brave enough to break it. Stiles was the first one to reach for the roots, and the sound of you begging for him to stop was deafening. He didn’t answer. Allison reached out next. Now it was your turn.

You kneeled in front of the tree, closed your eyes, and touched one of the roots. Taking deep breaths, you counted how long you could stay still before waking up. You stopped as soon as the silence broke.

Water was running nearby in a steady stream you could hear the birds in the distance. But what really shocked you into opening your eyes wasn’t the feel of the breeze or the smell of the damp leaves, it was the sound of laughter. Children’s laughter.

“Guys,” you heard a little voice whine. “It’s getting dark. How much longer are we gonna be out here?”

The kid in front of you looked about nine years old, definitely not older than ten. He had the same goofy haircut that Scott had at that age. And his ears were also slightly too big for his face. And the same little-

“Well, we would’ve been out of here an hour ago if you knew your lines.” The little girl rolled her eyes. She was in a tiny white, flowered dress. You had the same one when you were little. She was holding hands with another boy, who could barely contain his laughter.

That was you, Scott, and Stiles. Getting married on top of the nemeton.

“Okay, fine! By the power vested in me-”

Everything went black and you clawed at your throat. Air. You needed air. You reached up and pulled yourself to your feet, ignoring the pounding in your head as you gasped for air.

“I know- I know where it is!” You looked around desperately, needing someone to hear you. You were back in Deaton’s clinic. Scott stood up and rushed over. He picked you up, out of the tub, and wrapped you in a towel. “When did you get here?” you asked.

Stiles and Allison were busy telling the others about what they saw and where the nemeton was, but no one was answering. They all looked like they knew something you didn’t.

“What?” Allison asked. “What’s wrong?”

“You guys were out a long time,” Isaac said.

“How long is a long time?” Stiles asked.

“Sixteen hours,” Deaton answered.

“If we’ve been out sixteen hours then-” you looked at Scott desperately. “The full moon rises in like three hours. Scotty, she has to still be alive. She has to.”

“I know, I-” Scott took a breath. “We need a plan.”

---

“No!” Stiles argued. He was mostly dry now but you knew he was still cold in his bones. “Dude, you are not going back with them.”

“I made a deal with Deucalion,” Scott said.

“Does anyone else think that sounds a lot like ‘a deal with the devil’?” Stiles asked.

“What does it matter, anyway?” Isaac asked.

“He doesn’t think we can win without them,” you said. “Right? I mean, they killed our friends but it’s whatever so long as they kill her too, right?”

“Y/N, it’s not like that.” Scott sounded so defeated and you knew you were wrong to snap at him like that. He didn’t like them any more than you did.

“Circumstances like this,” Deaton started wearily, “Sometimes require that you align yourself with people you’d normally consider enemies.”

“So we’re gonna trust him?” Isaac asked. “The guy that calls himself Death, Destroyer of Worlds? We’re gonna trust that guy?”

“I wouldn’t trust him, no,” Deaton answered. “But you could use him to your advantage. Deucalion may be the enemy, but he could also be the bait.”

It was quiet enough for you all to hear the sound of the door creaking in the entryway. You heard one of the twins asking Deaton if they could speak to Lydia.

“What do you want?” she asked.

“I need your help,” he said.

Stiles stuck his head out to glare at him. You felt Isaac squeeze your hand lightly to distract from the overwhelming feeling of jealousy that spiked. “With what?”

“Stopping my brother and Kali from killing Derek.”

---

The plan that formed after that was arguably not your best plan, but it was the plan you were going with nonetheless. Lydia and Ethan went to the loft (Hale Duty); Allison, Isaac, and Scott went to her apartment (Weapons and Cavalry Duty); and you and Stiles went to find your parents (Rescue Duty).

“Will you cut that out?” Stiles asked, annoyance in his voice.

“Stop what?” you asked, still sounding annoyed.

“Bouncing your leg like that and ripping apart my seatbelt,” Stiles answered. “I get you’re mad at me for the Lydia thing but-”

“You think this about you and Lydia?” you asked and rolled your eyes. “Stiles, we are driving through one of the biggest wind storms I have ever seen to save our parents from getting ritually sacrificed. Sorry that I’m a little jumpy.”

Stiles sighed and slowed down slightly. “I’m sorry, alright?” You didn’t answer. “I didn’t know she was going to kiss me. You’ve gotta believe that I- that I wouldn’t-”

“Tree branch!” you yelled. In the time it took Stiles to look back to the road and swerve, you’d already been hit. And when he swerved, he lost traction underneath and the Jeep crashed into the tree in front.

You recovered quicker than he did, but you could feel the blood running down your forehead. As long as you could still move, you didn’t really care about the other injuries you might have. “Stiles?” No answer. You struggled to unbuckle and moved his head off the steering wheel, laying him back in his seat. “Stiles, I need you to wake up.”

You got out of the car and rushed to his side when he didn’t respond. You threw open the door and laid the seat down. “Stiles, can you hear me?” Nothing. You cursed and climbed on top of him, checking to see that his throat was clear. Time for CPR, you guessed. You didn’t know what else to do.

“Okay, listen to me, you little-” you bent down to give him air “-I don’t care that you made out with my best friend. I just-” air “-Need you to wake up. Okay?” Air. “I can’t lose you. Stiles, I- I love you-” air “-and if you die, I’m gonna kick your ass. Alright?” Air. It wasn’t working. “Come on, Stiles, please. I need you to-”

“Ow,” he groaned. “What the hell are you doing on top-”

“Oh, my god. There’s no time!” You pulled him up so he was sitting. You were still in his lap. “Can you see? How many fingers am I holding up?”

“Uh, three?”

You looked at your two fingers that were up in a peace sign and sucked in a breath. “Good enough. We need to go.”

The two of you started stumbling, rather messily, to where you thought the nemeton stood. Stiles made you stop to get his bat out of the car and you grabbed your baton from your bag. The ground was collapsing around the nemeton, and it took you guys a minute to find your way inside. Isaac was struggling under the weight of it all. Stiles shoved the bat into the space to give some support, and you did the same with your nightstick.

“I always said aluminum was better than wood,” Noah said. Stiles pulled him into a hug, but their celebration was short-lived. The rubble was quickly filling what was left of the cellar around you.

Melissa pulled you close before you had the opportunity to say anything, and you felt the tears fall on your cheeks. Your mom was whispering all these things about how you were together now and that everything would be okay, but you weren’t listening.

“We need to get out of here,” you said. “Isaac, can you-”

“The eclipse’s started,” he said. “I can’t do anything.”

Turns out, he didn’t need to. In a few seconds, the wind slowed to a stop. The rubble wasn’t encroaching your space.

“Is it over?” Allison asked.

You all slowly took your hands off what was left of the roof, and Stiles reached for the phone in his pocket. “Scott? Yeah, we’re okay. We’re all okay.” He smiled at you, and for the first time all day, you smiled back. “How about you, you okay?” He paused, listening for an answer. “You think you can come get us? Oh, and, uh, bring a ladder. Please.”

---

“Listen, uh-” you looked up to find to Cora standing in front of you. Even though the world as you knew it had pretty much changed forever last night, Cora coming into the library to find you was the most surprising thing today. “Derek says you and Stiles are the only reasons I’m still alive and, um, I don’t know how much of a help he was so I, uh, just wanted to say thank you.”

You moved your bag over so she could sit. “Well, I mean I was the one that technically saved your life. He just kept us from being mauled by the twins so …”

Cora gave you a small smile and sat down. “I’m not really good at this,” she confessed. “Making friends, I mean. But you seem like a good first time.”

You were going to make a joke about promising to be gentle, but you didn’t think she’d find it funny so you kept quiet.

“I know this is sudden but Derek and Peter are going away for a little while.” She looked down. “I was wondering if I could stay with you until they get back. I- I can stay on my own, if it’s a problem, but I didn’t really want to be alone again.”

“It’s not a problem,” you promised. “But we are going to have to ask my mom.” Cora nodded. “And she’s going to make you go to school.” She paled. “But I’ll help you! Seriously, anything you have a problem with.”

“I guess-” she took a deep breath. “That’s a part of being normal. And the only reason I’m not going with them is that I want to be normal so … when can we talk to your mom?”

Part 14