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gah-who-are-you · 3 months ago

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Thinking about you... (Nanami Kento x Female Reader) -SFW- [ANGST]

So I had this idea of where you and Kento are sorcerers and after the Shibuya incident only Nanami and Yuji remain. (As well as the other sorcerers it's just you know I'm focusing on how they deal with your loss, mainly focused on Nanami) This is him dealing with your loss. You've been his wife that worked as a jujutsu sorcerer. This story also has Yuji, where he see's you as his mother figure. Reader is female and is said to wear a dress. Okay let's get into it and see if I end up crying writing this. (´∩｀。)

-----Start!------------------------------------------------------------------

Nanami saw, saw when Mahito killed you. When he hit that finishing blow. You had been fighting Mahito, despite the burns that covered your body, despite the blood you lost, despite everything you knew you had to fight. Yuji, yuji can't handle this alone. You thought to yourself. Yuji doesn't have to bear with all of these curses. You thought as you fought Mahito. That was your first error, allowing yourself to think. You had gotten distracted with your thoughts, leaving yourself open. Mahito hit you with a hard punch to your side, sending you flying into a wall, you slump weakly onto the ground. Damn it... Damn it this isn't good. You thought to yourself as you tried getting up, but couldn't. Your body was giving out on you. A laugh could be heard, a laugh that surrounded you, overwhelmed you.

There stood Mahito losing himself in his amusement. "I thought you'd be more entertaining." He said and sneered. Mahito walks over to you about to take the finishing blow, until he saw Nanami enter, alongside with Yuji. Mahito could only smile in amusement. After all this was entertainment for him. He could see the way Nanami's soul shook in fear seeing you so defenseless before Mahito. Mahito could only smile in glee. Kento looked your body from afar. He saw the way you tried to support yourself up, your arms shaking, weak. A side of your face covered in scars and burns. The blood falling from your mouth. The body that he kissed, that he loved, that he would caress at night. Now having been marked and tainted with scars, burns, and blood. Kento called your name desperately and started running to you. "Kento don't!" You shout shakily.

Yet Kento didn't listen he ran towards Mahito, anger showing on his face, his brows furrowed, his heart racing, his soul trembling. Trembling in fear for you. "Kento, Stop!" You shouted and used your technique. Releasing a big rabbit shikigami, that ran into Nanami and held him in place. It took all the strengths left of you. Yuji tried running for you as well, but the shikigami grabbed onto him as well and embraced them in a tight hug. "Mrs.Nanamin!!" Yuji yelled out to you shakily, tears threatening to spill from his eyes. He tried and tried to pry himself from your shikigami, but instead caused it to hold onto them tighter. "Kento..." You say shakily as you lay there on the ground, blood dripping from your mouth. "Go to the beach for me..." You say, coughing out blood, as you try to crawl weakly to him. Yet you felt the sharp pain of something pierce your leg. You screamed in pain, tears falling from your eyes. You looked up and saw a sneering Mahito, his arm morphed to that of a blade, that's now driven into your leg.

Mahito only laughed and mocked your expression. Faking a cry and wiping a fake tear from his eye. You looked at Kento and tried to smile one last time for him. "Kento take care of Yuji. Take him to the beach again with you instead of me. Make Yuji enjoy his life. I love you Nanami Kento, with all of my-." And there before him Mahito placed his hand on your head, exploding it there before Kento's eyes. What was left of your dropped limp to the ground. Your blood coating the floor. Your Shikigami then disappeared releasing Yuji and Nanami. "She talked too much." Mahito said and huffed. "I was getting bored." He said with a yawn and stretched. Nanami's eyes widened, tears spilled from his eyes. Nanami was mad, no, he was furious. His heart, his love, his soul was dedicated to you. The very person who held him. Who traced the scars along his arms with love, who kissed him so gently and lovingly that it had him wanting to cry of joy. She who made sure to love him until her last breathe. He lunged forward to Mahito, a cry unlike anything was heard. A cry of anger, a cry of loss, a cry of despair for the one he loved. The one who he had planned to devote himself to until they both let their last breathe together. And there beside him ran Yuji. Accompanied with the cry of a son, the cry of someone who lost someone they saw as a mother to them, the cry of someone who lost a person who had seen him as her son.

-time skip-

The sound of keys jingling can be heard from outside your house. The doorknob twists and from there emerges Kento. His steps slow as he enters the house. He takes his shoes off, placing them next to a empty spot where your shoes usually were. Matter of fact your clothes are still hanging from the sweater rack. Your hats hanging there, alongside with the scarf he had gifted you once on your birthday. He walked into the living room, looking at the picture frames, photo's of you and Yuji, you and Kento, you, hanging along the walls or decorating the tables. He looked at the sofa, the sofa where you two would fall asleep together, watching movies until sleep overtook your two. He then raised his eyes. He sees his reflection on the tv. Half of his face having burn marks. His shirt loose on his body to prevent from hurting him from the burn marks that cover half of his upper body. His eye looked solemn, distant, and lonely. He turned away in disgust from his reflection and walked to your shared room.

He looked at the room and walked up to your nightstand. His hands gently tracing the perfumes you had and the different jewlery hanging from small hooks. He started to pick up one of the perfumes but quickly put it down. He didn't want to move it, wanting to leave it where you had left it last. Making it seem as if you had used it this morning. as if you were still here.

He then rummaged through his pants pocket, his burnt hand then holding up your wedding ring. He remembered how Yuji and him fought Mahito. Nobara having interjected and helped the two of them fight. After defeating Sukuna, Nanami walked back to where your body rested. Endless tears spilled from his eyes, as his hands reached down to pick your body in his arms. His hand held onto yours, your wedding ring coated in your blood. His face buried in your chest, muffling the sobs that escaped his lips. Your shirt drying the tears spilling from his eye. He held onto you desperately. He didn't leave your side, not until yuji found him holding you, cradling you, whispering how much he loves you. His body shaking as tear after tears, cry after cry, left him. Only then did Nanami let you go, Yuji prying him away from you. Hugging Nanami tightly, as he too cried. He hugged Nanami tightly from behind as he tried to pry him off of you. As tears spilled from his eyes, his face pressed against Nanami's back, not wanting to face your dead body, not wanting to face Nanami. A part of both of their heart staying there with you.

They left the station, holding one another's hand, their faces stained with tears, Nanami's body covered with your blood. Your wedding ring hidden between his fist. Yuji holding onto Nanami's other hand, in search of comfort that he knew Nanami needed desperately. That they both needed.

Nanami then snapped out of his memory, his mind focusing on his burnt hand holding your wedding ring. Reminding him that it was all over. He placed your wedding ring on your nightstand where you'd usually put it when you'd go to sleep. As he was about to turn away something caught his eye. It was a camera memory card. He picked it up gently and then walked over to the rooms closet. He rummaged through and pulled out a camera you used to use. He took in a sharp breathe and shakily placed the memory card in. The screen of the camera showing a video. The light reflecting upon Nanami's eye.

The sound of waves crashing is heard along with the chatter of someone in the background, slightly muffled. It's at first completely dark, but the sound of shuffling can be heard. Soon a pair of hands enter the frame, picking up the camera and moving it to face her. "I think it's working." A woman's voice can be heard through the camera. The lenses of the camera adjusting and showing a perfect image of her. A image of you, a sun hat resting on your head, a nice light dress covering your body.

You then gently place the camera down on a rock. You then turn around, away from the camera, walking towards the shore. The sea crashing against the sand, offering a beautiful rythmn. The sand offering a warmth to your feet. You look down at your feet, moving you toes slightly, allowing the sand to coat your feet. A small hum of satisfaction leaving your lips can be heard faintly. Meanwhile the blue sky is clear, welcoming you to look at the white pure clouds decorating it. The sun smiles down at you offering a warm hello to your skin. Then the sound of a man calling out your name can be heard. You in response turns towards the sound and a wide smile can be seen gracing her face. You run towards the man. The man before you of blond hair, sharp features and with the biggest hug anyone can offer. He catches her in his arms. She wraps her arms around his neck, her legs instinctively wrapping around his waist. Hugging her tightly, holding her close. A warm smile on his face, a smile so warm and gentle that it'd melt anyone in a instance, a smile that put the very sun that's shining down at you to shame. He then places her down gently.

A energetic voice can then be heard, and a blur of pink hair can be seen, soon a familiar face is shown, Yuji. It seems he's standing behind the camera, his back curved as he's looking at it upside down. He then disappears from view and enters the view again, crouching down in front of the camera. "Yo!" he says with a big grin and waves at the camera. He then hears you calling his name. He turns around and stands up straight. "Mrs. Na-Na-Min!" He shouted enthusiastically and ran up to hug you. A laughter can be heard leaving you as Yuji quite literally almost tackled you in a hug. "Glad you could make it." You say and ruffle his hair. Yuji grins and then looks at Nanami. "Yo Nanam-!" He was saying but stopped as he sees the serious stare Nanami was offering him. Nanami then starts to scold Yuji, telling him how he could've hurt you. Yuji scratched the back of his head and smiled sheepishly at you two. He then bowed and apologized. You chuckled lightly and then hugged him tightly. "You're good don't worry about it." You say with a grin. Yuji looked at you, a little shocked but nonetheless he couldn't help but ease himself into your arms. Hugging you back. "I promise I won't do it again." He said and looks at Nanami who couldn't help but smile in approvement. You then pull away from Yuji. "Okay who wants some watermelon!" You asked excitedly and turned to the two. Yuji hand quickly shot up. "I'd like some Mrs.Nanamin!!" You chuckled and looked at Nanami. "I'll have some please." He said and kissed your forehead gently. You nodded and walked out of the frame.

Soon a white haired man flew into the frame splashing into the water. "Oh come on! That's no fun!" he shouted. You then walked into the frame. "Well you wait for you watermelon they asked for some first. You can't sneak up on me and expect me to not react." The response earning a pout from the white haired gentleman. "Be glad I didn't react with the knife in my hand." You say and huff. Nanami could be seen holding in his laugh. Meanwhile Yuji let it out, clutching his stomach as pain coursed through his body from the laughter that erupted from him. "Sensei! You went flying!" He said as he tried to stop laughing. You sighed in response and walk over to Yuji and Nanami. "Here's your watermelon and remember, sometime has to pass before you decide to swim so your food can pro-" But you were caught off guard with Yuji handing you back a empty plate and running into the water to tackle Gojo. "Let's see if he ends up throwing up." You said with a amused tone and turn to Nanami. Nanami sighed and handed you the plate marching into the water to drag Yuji out. Yuji protested distracting Nanami, causing Gojo to then tackle Nanami into the water. You could only laugh, tears forming in the corner of your eyes as you saw the three tussle in the water. You then looked over to the side and waved. Shoko entering the frame now, alongside Nobara and Maki. You hugged each of them and offered some watermelon. Maki and Shoko declining. You nodded and handed Nobara some watermelon. Yuji perked up from the grasp of Gojo and waved at Nobara. "Nobara hey!" He shouted before being dragged by Nanami out of the water. A pout forming on Yuji's face.

Nobara waves at Yuji. "Oi, what'd you do this time?" Maki asks and looks at yuji with a raised brow, a amused smile gracing her face. Yuji shrugs and stands up, once Nanami let's him go. Gojo follows short after, trying to bring Yuji back in the water to play with him. Then a small hey can be heard. "ME-GU-MIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII" Gojo shouted and ran to Megumi. Megumi quickly averted him, causing Gojo to stumble and fall face flat. "Sensei!!!" Yuji shouted and walked over to Gojo who got up slowly, wiping a fake tear from his eyes, clearly hurt on how Megumi avoided his embrace. Megumi glared at Gojo and then turned to Yuji. "Hey" He said, Yuji responding with a hug and a energetic "Hey!". They both then walked over to Nobara and Maki, sitting down next to them. Gojo then walked up to you, hunched over. You chuckle lightly and patted his back gently. "He's just not used to it Gojo." You say with a amused smile which causes Gojo to sigh. He then straightens his posture and walks over to the students ready to annoy them yet again.

You could only look at them amused and turned to Nanami, who seems to already be tired of the antics of Gojo. "Remind me why we decided to do this again?" He asked and turned to you. "Well everyone needs a break dear." You say with a hum and wrap a arm around his waist. He responds with a hand resting on your back. He nods his head softly. "You're not wrong." He says and sighs. "Here let me help you put sunscreen on." You say with a hum. "Call Yuji over so he can get some on too." Nanami nods and kisses your cheek gently before turning to the direction of Yuji. "Itadori! Come over here so you can get some sunscreen on." Yuji turns to your direction and walks over. "I'm here Nanamin!" He said happily and placed his hands out. You then grabbed the bottle of sunscreen and placed some on his hands. You then put some on your own hands and spread it on Yuji's back. "There, you should be fine now." You say with a hum. "Thank you!!" he chirps happily. "Now Yuji remember, don't go too far out! You may be strong but I sure don't want to have to get Nanami to go and fish you out of the water." You say seriously and poke Yuji's nose. "You're just a child after all." You say with a soft smile. Yuji couldn't lie that the comment you made caught him off guard. Yet he couldn't deny the small smile that was forming. he nodded his head. "Thank you Mrs.Nanamin." He says and hugs you.

Nanami then looked at Yuji. "Don't go out to far." He said with a serious tone, making sure it gets through Yuji's thick skull. Yuji nods his head and turns to Nanami, surprising him with a hug. "I promise I won't" He says softly and then turns away, running off to the ocean, Nobara following close by, with Megumi walking towards them. Gojo appearing and running to Megumi and picking him up, ready to throw him in the water. Megumi shouting at him and trying to pry away from him. You and Nanami looked upon the sight a smile graced on your face, meanwhile Nanami could only sigh but didn't hide the smile forming on his face. "He's gotten quite fond of you." He says and squeezes your shoulder lightly. "I can say the same for you Kento." You say with a hum and squeeze his waist gently. You then turn to Nanami and spread sunscreen on his back. Over his arms and shoulders. You hands lingering over scars on his body, tracing them gently and pressing a small kiss to them. You then turn to Nanami with a smile. "He's a good kid, I feel like he forgets that at times." You say, a small frown beginning to form on your face. Nanami notices and cups your face gently. "He'll have us there to remind him." He says softly and kisses your lips gently. You smiled against his lips and kissed him back.

A loud "OOOOOOOOH!" breaks through your moment. Nanami looks up, slightly annoyed but that only grows as he notices Gojo being the one who said that. Gojo grins and starts to make fake making out noises, clearly trying to instigate Nanami. Nanami's brows furrow and his jaw clenches, veins appearing on his arms. "Nanam-" You say but are being cut off as he takes of his sunglasses and places it in your hands. "Hold this for me dear." He says and kisses your lips gently. He then marches over to the water seriously and grabs Gojo. The two now starting to tussle and wrestle in the water. "ow ow ow!" You can hear Gojo say as Nanami holds him in a head lock.

You look at the scene wide eyed, but couldn't help but burst into a fit of laughter. Nanami doesn't usually act like this, maybe Gojo finally got on his nerves. But you knew he wouldn't do any harm to gojo. You then see Yuji try to join in, tussling with Gojo and Nanami. Megumi tried to inch away from it not wanting to get involved, but soon getting dragged in by Yuji. Meanwhile Nobara cheered on, Maki just watching amused with the scene. Shoko snapping photos, ready to make fun of them after. You then started walking to the camera and picked it up, the lenses focusing on you face. You smiled at the camera. "Chaotic much huh?" You ask the camera and chuckle. "Quite the family we have." You say with a hum. "I wish time could freeze when moments like these happen." You say as you set the camera down next to you, pointing it to you. A sigh leaving your lips. "I'm glad I was able to record this, it really show how close everyone is with one another. Others more distanced, others more bonded" You say and look ahead, where the camera isn't showing. Your dress flowed with the wind. Your hat moving slightly. You looked down at the camera a smile forming on your face. "I hope to be able to make our own little family soon. A daughter or son. Maybe both. And then Yuji." You say with a chuckle. "He's quite the burst of energy." You say and look back up. "Yuji!! Make sure to put on more sunscreen later!" You called out, a distant energetic "okay!" responding to you.

You then look down at the camera, and look at it for sometime, as if you're thinking of what to say. "Hey kento." You say softly. "I love you, I hope you see this video soon and remind yourself of this day. I hope it was a day you enjoyed." You say and pick up the camera. You then kiss the camera and hug it against you chest. "Get your sleep, eat well, and make sure to take care of yourself when I'm not around. I hope that's not anytime soon though, as selfish as that sounds." You say gently. "I want to be the one taking care of you, till the end of day, till I breathe my last breathe, till my body gives out. I love you Nanami Kento, I love you with all of my being." You say with a smile and reach out to the camera. The video ending.

Nanami stared at the camera screen, your smile still showing. The screen light shone on Nanami's face. Soon the light dimmed, the screen going dark, and there reflected was Nanami's face. He hadn't noticed but he was crying. Tears spilled from his eye, his hands trembling as he held the camera. He looked at the burn covering the side of his face. His hand reaching up to touch his face. He then imagines, imagines you're there. Your hand tracing over his scarred face, leaving kisses all over it. You fingers tracing hearts over them. He swear he hears you. He can already imagine the things you'd say.

You'd call him beautiful, as you'd kiss his burned hand. You'd press his hand against your face, and trace with one hand his face. You'd tell him how much you love him. With burns and all, with a heart that's been stomped over, you'd love him no matter what. You'd joke that his heart is yours and Nanami would nod. He'd nod and burry his face into your neck. He'd cry in joy for having you with him now. He'd hold you tight. He'd kiss you, he'd show you how much he loves you. But now his heart doesn't beat, his heart is gone. That very light that ignited his heart has diminished, leaving it cold. Nanami cried, his body trembling, shaking, as he pressed the camera to his chest. Maybe deep inside he was hoping time could freeze like you had said. So that he could go back to that day. Back to the day he was annoyed with Gojo for being a idiot. Back to the day Yuji surprised him with a hug. Back to the day he held you close to him.

His body heaved. His heart crying along with him as he pressed his face against the camera. "I love you." He said shakily again and again. He digged the camera into his chest, as far as it could go. He wanted to merge with it at this point. Wanting so desperately to feel you. Not caring if his scars opened, not caring if it hurt. He spent the rest of the day like this. Holding the camera close to him, and flipping through the different videos of you. Imagining as if you were sitting next to him, as if your head was resting against his shoulder. As if you were there pointing and laughing at certain parts of the videos or photos you took. Soon night arrived and Nanami had fallen asleep with the camera tightly in his arms, enveloped in the blankets of your shared bed. Your scent surrounding him, comforting him.

The next morning arrived and Nanami woke up. He noticed the camera wasn't in his arms anymore, instead laying neatly on his night stand. He slowly got up from your shared bed. He walked into the hallway a sizzling sound heard. He turned the corner and found Yuji standing in front of the oven staring at a cooking egg. Yuji then picked up the cooked egg and placed it on a plate. Yuji then turned around and placed two plates on the table. He looked up and noticed Nanami standing there, surprised from having seen Yuji cooking in his house. "How did you?.." Nanami started asking but soon remembered as Yuji pulled out a copy of the house key.

Not long ago did you end up gifting Yuji a key to your house. Assuring him that if he needed anything he could pass by. This led to Yuji passing by at times to join you in dinner, or would just want to be held in your arms. Sometimes you and Nanami would be sitting on the couch watching a movie and you'd hear the sound of the door opening. Yuji would appear before you two and greet you cheerfully. He'd sit down between the two of you and watch the movie along with you. You usually noticed something was bothering him, or that he'd be tense. You'd help him relax, wrapping a arm over his shoulder and nudging his figure over, causing his head to rest on your shoulder. Meanwhile Nanami would wrap a arm behind you two, or would ruffle his hair.

Though something that would happens at times is Yuji would end up falling asleep, his posture would shift and he would lay against Nanami. Nanami wouldn't move him, wouldn't wake him up but rather shift him slightly to make him comfortable and would rest his head on Yuji's. The two falling asleep then. You saw them once like that and sneakily took a photo of the two of them. Making it as your home screen wallpaper.

Nanami nodded his head. "Right." He said and walked over to Yuji. "I made us breakfast, I hope it isn't a bother." Yuji said quietly. Nanami reached out and took a plate from his hand. "Thank you." he said softly, his voice raspy from how much he had cried the day before. The two sat down in silence. The sound of forks clinking against the plate breaking through the silence. Nanami looked down at his plate, staring at the egg, looking at each detail, the crisp. Trying to get his mind off everything. When the sound of sniffling can be heard. Nanami looks up and sees a crying Yuji. A Yuji who's face is staining in tears. A Yuji who looks so heartbroken. Nanami stood up and walked over to Yuji. He could see Yuji's body trembling, heaving, as tears flowed down his eyes, as sobs broke through his lips.

Nanami reached over, his arms wrapping around Yuji tightly. Yuji's cries grew louder, sob after sob being ripped from his heart. He clinged to Nanami, and turned to face him, hugging him tightly. His fist curling to tug at the back of his shirt. Gripping onto him as his life depended on it. "I miss her." Cried yuji, his voice muffled slightly. "I miss her so much." He said shakily as a sob broke free. Nanami hugged Yuji tighter and buried his face in his hair. "I know." He said shakily in response. "I do to." He said as tears also started to spill from his eyes. "I miss my mom." Yuji said, shakily, hesitantly, as if afraid to say it. Nanami tensed up slightly but relaxed, he was grateful. Grateful that you had meant so much to Yuji. Grateful that Yuji had come to love you as his mother. For you had come to love him as your own son.

Nanami then stroked Yuji's hair gently. "I'll be here, I'll carry with you her love." Nanami said shakily, his voice cracking as he started to lose his composer. Tears spilling from his eyes as well. Yuji nodded his head as Nanami wiped the tears from his face. Nanami then scooted his chair next to Yuji. And they sat there. Tears falling from their eyes as they ate in silence, but now with the comfort of one another. The occasional sound of a hiccup heard. The occasional sound of a tear falling and sounding against the table.

They both lost something that day.

For one of them a wife.

For one of them a mother.

And for both of them a piece of their heart, having been left behind with you.

--------Author's note-------------------------------------------------------So I may kind of have um gone a little over board. Not gonna lie thinking about this and writing it out made me shed tears. But yeah I hope you like it. -I'm sorry if you cried (｡Ó﹏Ò｡)-

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mrspasser · 8 months ago

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After the snap - chapter 1 - Sterek fanfic

Another fic from a while back that didn't get put on Tumblr. Well, it's here now. Please keep some tissues nearby, I'm told they're needed.

The werewolf across from her shifts in his seat. It's always a bit like pulling teeth with him, getting him to share his thoughts. At first, she was convinced he would give up on therapy. Truthfully, even after almost four years of it she still wonders every now and then if he would just stop showing up some day. Yet, he keeps coming to their weekly appointments. They're short, only thirty minutes, and sometimes no more than ten words come out of her client. However, she has learned to listen to what isn't being said, to read between the lines. It’s how she knows that getting therapy is a promise he made to someone important, before The Snap.

Find it on A03 and Wattpad

After the snap - Chapter 1

Melody Brooks looks over her schedule for the day. She has five clients today. Two in the morning, two in the afternoon and one in her evening slot. After that, she has a short session with her colleague, to evaluate their day. Or, to just unload all the worries her clients have bestowed upon her that day. It's not unusual for them to do it over a glass of Bordeaux, after all, they're just human. As are all of her clients too, even though some of them are a little more than human.

It's something the world learned after The Snap, or The Blip, the euphemisms used to describe the annihilation of half the people on the planet. Most churches stopped using the phrase "ashes to ashes, dust to dust" after that catastrophic day, as it was too painful for their congregation to hear. Melody tries to see the irony in that, believing that humor can be a healthy coping mechanism when deployed appropriately. It's one way to deal with it, as there are many ways, not all of them healthy or right. Still, each person has a right to deal with it in their own way, to act as they see fit. She is just there to help them along the way, if they want her to.

The people suffered from the loss of their loved ones, some to the point of being no longer able to deal with those losses. Suicide rates had gone up after that day, and now, almost five years later, they're still higher than before. Melody lost clients, some of them even after years of therapy. Others, she was able to help pick up their lives again, to live on with the memories. Everyone's progress is different, some are faster than others. And with some, the pace is glacial.

"So, Derek, tell me. What's new this week?"

"The old fox burrow is in use again," he says, his gaze locked on the coffee table between them.

"Oh? Just one fox? Or a family?" Melody actually quite likes the information Derek Hale shares with her about the animal life in the Preserve that surrounds most of Beacon Hills. With his heightened senses the werewolf can discern more than others. It's his job too, he's been a park ranger for two years now. Getting the job was cause for celebration, to her surprise the man had even hugged her, momentarily overwhelmed by emotions.

"Two. I think there'll be a family soon." He smiles a little then, looking up from the table. The Snap had affected all living creatures, animals and man alike. To see nature finding its way again is important beyond measure.

"That's good news!" Melody acknowledges, before moving on to a new subject. "Did your shipment of timber come in yet?"

Derek nods. “Not all of it, but the large beams are there, so I can start on the framework.”

In the past two years, the werewolf had torn down the charred remains of his old family home in the Preserve bit by bit, meaning to build a new house in its place. Melody had once happened upon the old house when hiking the trails. She was not a native to Beacon Hills, but her friend was, and he had told her about the Hales and the tragedy of the fire that took the lives of most of the family. Of course there was more to that story than the average townspeople knew, as it all happened before people were privy to the existence of werewolves and other supernatural creatures.

The alien invasion in New York proved that they were not alone in the universe. And after The Snap, people discovered mankind wasn’t alone on Earth either. Or rather, that mankind was more diverse than they’d all thought. And The Snap had affected everybody. Werewolves without pack, witches without their coven, forests that were suddenly bereft of their protecting druids, the list went on and on. One good thing that came out of The Snap was that mankind bonded together, reaching out to the people that remained. And, to some people’s surprise or even anger, that bond also extended to the people that were a little more than human. People were so happy to see their neighbour survive that they didn’t even care that their neighbour went furry each full moon. Melody’s parents, who had both miraculously survived that dreadful day, discovered that their neighbour from across the street was a druid. Her father just said it explained a lot about why Ted’s rose bushes were always the first to blossom.

Derek is more at ease with the older man than with the younger, she knows they get together a couple of nights a week, drinking beer and playing cards, or watching a game. She has met the sheriff a couple of times and admires him strongly. He lost his son in The Snap, a boy in his early twenties, and most of his deputies. However, out of a strong sense of community, the sheriff kept on going. It is mainly thanks to him that the town pulled through the way they did.

Besides a werewolf, Melody also has a witch as a client. William Johnson is the retired head of the local elementary school, always dressed in a sweater vest, with his dark, bald head shining like a bowling ball. He was one of the most positive people she’d ever met, but he’d lost his wife and almost his whole coven in The Snap, and that was more than enough to rattle a man.

Derek Hale also lost his people, his pack. For the second time, as it turned out. The man had experienced trauma upon trauma and he was most certainly not ready to rehash all that. So they work on the little things, on moving forward, one step at a time, to keep on living. He is not totally alone, that helps a little. There is another werewolf, an Alpha like him, and there is a human, the father of one of his lost packmates. The three of them have formed a new, makeshift pack, even though a pack usually has only one Alpha. Melody knows the new house will have rooms for them, even though they don’t live together now and maybe never will.

After Derek has told her about his work on the house, she asks about his pack. “How’s Scott? Did you talk to him this week?”

Over the years Melody has learned that Stiles, the sheriff’s son, held an important place in Derek’s life. There were Boyd, Erica, Isaac and Jackson, all connected to him through the bond between Alpha and Beta. There was Scott, who was a rather reluctant member of Derek’s pack, which explained their rocky relationship in the present. And there was Stiles, not a werewolf, yet maybe the most loyal member of Derek’s pack nonetheless. Of the pack only Scott remained. At first there was Scott’s girlfriend too, but she had moved away with her family to Europe after The Snap and Derek had mentioned them breaking up not long after.

Derek scoffs quietly. He doesn’t always see eye to eye with the other werewolf and they often have little spats because of it. At first, Derek was bottling everything up inside, afraid to lose yet another pack member. In time, he’s learned that he wouldn’t lose his friend just because they argued. It is slow learning, heavily influenced by past experiences. He had to learn that he was not the only one that needed the other, that his friend would never truly leave him, even though they might not speak for a couple of days because emotions ran high between them.

“It was different… with Stiles,” Derek had once said in one of his rare moments of transparency. “We argued all the time, but he always stayed, even when I didn’t want him to.” A wistful smile had crossed his face. “He was always there.” For me , was left unsaid but still heard.

“Scott has been doing that speed-date thing again,” Derek answers after a short pause. “He wanted me to come too.”

“It could be nice, meeting new people?” Melody knows to tread lightly when it comes to this subject. There are names in Derek’s past, Kate or Jennifer for instance, that have done a lot of damage. And there is one name he still holds on to, long after his disappearance.

“I don’t need to sit down at a table to do that.” It sounds bitter and Melody knows the reason behind that. Derek is a handsome man, beautiful to most standards, even with the white hairs that have appeared in his short beard. It’s a face that makes people look twice, even though most days he doesn’t carry the most friendly expression. It’s a face that makes people approach him, has women - and some men - give him their number or outright proposition him.

“People at a speed-date event tend to be looking for a relationship instead of a one night stand. It wouldn’t be the same.”

“Don’t care.” With that, Derek closes off again. Melody makes a soft sound of acknowledgement, knowing the werewolf can hear her. She’s not judging and Derek knows that by now. It’s another thing he’s learned.

“It’s almost time,” she says, closing her notebook. “Will I see you next week?”

Derek nods, getting up from his chair. “I’ll be here.”

***

“Thanks, son,” Noah says as he takes the beer from Derek. “God knows I could use a cold one after the day I've had.” He has been out and about all day in the California summer. He’s grateful that Derek’s loft is nice and cool, partially thanks to the dark curtains in front of the large window.

“Dinner’s ready in twenty,” the werewolf informs him, taking a seat at the kitchen table across from him. They always sit here when they’re in the loft; they have their own seats, their own routines. Derek’s kitchen table is a comfortable place to be. The table is handcrafted from wood from the Preserve, made by Derek himself. The chairs are a fairly recent addition to the loft; comfortable seats that invite you to sit in them for long nights filled with good food and interesting conversation.

“Smells good already.” Noah takes a long drink from his beer, washing away the dust from the day. He’d spent most of the afternoon directing traffic, when a truck with live cattle went off the road. Only one of the cows was hurt bad enough that they had to put her down, the others came away with minor scratches and a good scare. At his age he wasn’t going to run after escaped cows anymore, he’d left that to his young deputies and had taken it upon himself to direct traffic around the area of the crash. He likes doing that, most of the people waving a hello at him when they move past him.

“I used one of Claudia’s recipes,” Derek says, drinking from his own beer.

“The beef casserole,” Noah nods, “I already thought it smelled familiar.” Between the two of them Derek is the best cook; Claudia’s recipe books are in good hands with him.

In the comfortable silence that follows Noah looks idly around the room. Over the years the loft has become more homey, with Derek adding furniture, carpets and drapes to the industrial open space. He knows a lot of it was Stiles' idea, his son urging his Alpha to make a more permanent home for himself. Stiles hasn't been around to see how much of his suggestions Derek has actually followed, with most of it happening after that disastrous day that cut down the world's population by half. Still, it warms Noah's heart to see what Derek did - and still does - to keep the memory of his pack, and Stiles foremost, alive.

One of the walls is covered in photographs, most of them taken from the phones of the kids. Stiles is in a lot of those photos, often smiling. There is one picture that he loves best, one that was taken without Stiles knowing. If he remembers correctly, it was Erica who took it. She was responsible for the lion's share of the pictures on the wall, on account of her always taking pictures with her phone. In the photograph Stiles and Derek are sagged out on the sofa, sitting shoulder to shoulder and both with their socked feet up on the coffee table. Stiles is throwing up a piece of popcorn and Derek is tracking it through the air with his eyes, his mouth already partially opened to catch it. In the corner of the photograph is Lydia, her bare feet wedged underneath Stiles' thigh. She is watching the tv outside of the frame, snuggled comfortably underneath Jackson's arm - the only part of him that is visible in this particular photo. Noah loves how relaxed they all are in the picture, the way you can see how close they all are.

Just one of the kids in that photo survived. The sofa is still here too, yet nobody sits on it anymore. Scott has urged Derek more than once to get rid of it, to get rid of the painful memories it contains. Derek refuses, a recurring point of strife between the two werewolves.

***

The sofa is a silent memorial to those who were lost, sitting smack dab in the middle of the Alpha's living room. Stiles was sitting there when he turned to dust, visiting Derek during his break from college. Derek had just gotten up to make them coffee when it happened, his claws raking through dusty flakes a moment later. Noah had covered the desperate claw marks with a throw spread that had been in Stiles' dorm room, something that Derek allowed only because it smelled like Stiles.

Maybe it isn't healthy for Derek to have such a monument in his living room, to hold on to the sliver of hope that they would return some day; to think that there would be a day that Stiles would sit there again, throwing up popcorn for Derek to catch. Maybe it is unfair of Noah to like that Derek keeps the sofa untouched and waiting. Maybe. But Noah will never be the one to take it away.

"That's good. She sounds nice," Allison says in her soft voice. "How's Derek? And Noah?"

Allison smiles at him from the screen, her cheeks dimpling in that familiar way he loves. It used to ache to see her, but not anymore. They are in a different place now, one where they can be friends and look back fondly upon the time they had together.

Scott tells her about the date he had with the girl he met at the speed dating event the week before. They'd gone out for coffee, to get to know each other. "I was the first werewolf she ever met, but she seems cool with it. I think I'm gonna see her again."

"The sheriff's been well. Still not thinking about retirement though." Scott grimaces a little. Noah isn't getting any younger, but he doesn't want to hear of stopping. "Derek is… well, Derek." He shrugs. "We've got most of the framework up for the new house. You can really start to see how it'll be when it's finished. You should visit us when the house is done, we'll have a housewarming party or something!"

“What?” Scott is a little confused. Just a moment ago Allison was talking about the representation of supernatural entities in the government of the European Union, and now he doesn’t know what she’s talking about. “What are you on about, Ally?”

"You know what, I think I will!" Allison smiles jovially and continues by telling what she and her father have been up to in Europe. They have ties with what remains of The Avengers, the supernatural branch of it at least. Scott doesn't really know much about it. On the one hand Allison doesn't tell him much - or isn't allowed to tell. And on the other hand it's something that Scott doesn't want anything to do with. What happened in The Blip was horrible. He lost his mother, his best friend and many other friends and family members. But it also brought good things. He feels as if the world is closer knit together than before. He doesn't have to hide his supernatural side anymore. So he tries to look forward, to see the good things. There is nothing to be gained from getting stuck in the past.

“Things are happening, Scott. I can’t tell you about it, hell, I don’t even know much about it myself, but there is something!”

“Thanos! There might be a way to defeat Thanos!”

Scott frowns. “I thought he was gone? Like, gone off to some far away planet where nobody can find him?” It had taken him some time, but eventually he’d accepted that Thanos was in a whole other league than their usual monster of the week . There were other people to deal with him; real life superheroes, who had gadgets and weapons and who worked with the U.S. government. Sure, he wanted to kick Thanos’ ass just as much as every other human being on this planet. But he couldn’t, being a werewolf did not make him a match for the Titan, far from it. And besides, he wouldn’t even know where his ass was to begin to kick it.

“I’m telling you, Scott, there might be a way!”

***

It happened on a monday, May 21 in 2018. The date is engraved in Derek’s memory, like the day his family’s house burned down or the day Laura died. It’s the day he lost his family for the second time.

It happens on a normal weekday in October, 2023. Derek is sitting at his kitchen table, enjoying a cup of tea after dinner. He’s reading an old novel, one from the James Bond series that his father used to love. Derek has seen most of the movies, the newer ones at least, and he rather enjoys the novels too.

The sound from the street reaches him first. The building his loft is in used to be abandoned and run down, but it was the first project he undertook when his life settled somewhat. Now, all the apartments are lived in and the street sees some light traffic. It’s a quiet street, yet outside there’s the sound of screeching tires, followed by confused shouts. Derek rushes towards the window, looking down at the dark street. There’s a car shoved halfway up the sidewalk, the driver’s door open, with the driver shouting at a person who is standing in the middle of the street. The person, a man dressed in stained overalls, is looking around himself in a dazed way. He clearly doesn’t know what’s happening.

Derek is about to dismiss him as a drunk, when there’s a small noise behind him. Something like the wind blowing through the leaves, only there is no wind and there are no leaves.

“D… Derek?”

His heart falls through his stomach and his knees buckle in the same moment. Derek crashes to the floor, his eyes locked on the phantom vision in the middle of his living room. There, on the sofa, dressed in the grey University of Berkeley hoodie he was wearing when he disappeared, is Stiles.

The young man makes a noise of distress when Derek hits the floor and rushes over to him. The hands that grab his shoulders feel real, solid.

Change washes over him involuntarily, his fangs lengthening, his nails sharpening and his vision washing red. But the man at his side is not deterred. “Derek? What’s happening? Derek?”

He grabs the grey hoodie with both hands, his claws piercing the fabric. “You’re not real,” he wrings out of his closed up throat. “You, you can’t be.”

Yet everything is telling him the boy is real. His hands are firm and warm. His breath is coming rapidly, his heart beating even faster. The hands close around his wrists, holding them but not pulling them away. “Derek? What is this?”

The werewolf sags against the boy, burying his face against his chest. Stiles barely manages to stay upright, catching him in a tangle of limbs. “You’re here,” Derek says breathlessly, “you’re here, you’re here.”

“I am,” Stiles answers, voice wobbling slightly. He wraps his arms around Derek’s shoulders, holding him against him. “I’m here.”

Derek can’t say how long they are sitting there like that. At some point Stiles pokes and prods them into a different position, complaining about pins and needles in his leg, but they keep holding each other. He has his face buried in Stiles’ neck, breathing his scent in over and over, to keep reminding himself that apparently this is real. Stiles is really here.

When his phone rings in his pocket, he knows it’s Noah. It’s the only reason he picks up, the only reason he takes one hand off Stiles to take his phone out of his pocket.

“Derek?” The sheriff sounds like the way Derek feels. “Is he…?”

“Yes,” Derek croaks. “He is.”

“At the loft?”

“Yes.” It’s all Derek can get out.

“I’m coming.”

Derek puts the phone away. From this close, Stiles was able to hear the conversation even without werewolf hearing. He doesn’t need to repeat it for him. Couldn’t, even if he tried. He doesn’t have the voice for it.

Stiles doesn’t ask for it either. Doesn’t ask whether that was his father on the phone. He just lets Derek burrow back against him, keeping him as close as Derek does him.

“Huh,” Stiles says after a moment, his fingers scratching idly in the short hairs on Derek’s nape. “You put up curtains.”

Chapter 2

#long post #chaptered fanfic #sterek #sterek fanfic #marvel au #derek hale #stiles stilinski #Thanos snapped his fingers #Derek got left behind #happy ending #tear jerker #ilse writes fanfiction #derek x stiles #teen wolf #teen wolf fanfiction

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