Stiles smiled softly as he saw Isaac's eyelids droop with his head drooped on his shoulder. Stiles gave his little brother a quick kiss to the head.
''Okay, kiddo, let's get you more comfortable''.
Isaac nodded tiredly.
Stiles unzipped his jacket, folding it into a pillow on his lap and guiding Isaac to rest there and swing his legs across his former seat. It didn't take long for him to get comfortable enough to fall to sleep. He rested his own head back against the train cabin wall.
Sat across from them was an elderly woman, Marjorie, who they had introduced themselves to when she joined them earlier that afternoon. She was a plump, old, dark woman wearing a flower-patterned dress and white spectacles. She had her greying hair tied back.
They had been talking at the station, initially she thought they had lost their parents and offered to find them. Stiles laughed and told her it was just them. She refused to leave their side.
What kinda person would I be if I let you two young boys travel alone so late at night?
Stiles felt oddly touched and didn't see her as a threat so he let her. It was nice to have someone care for them.
She looked on at the brotherly scene with an affectionate look on her face. Stiles noticed and gave her a polite smile in return.
''Reminds me of my own boys. I have four of them so they all looked out for each other, I can tell that's the same for you two''
Stiles looks down at Isaac and strokes his head gently so as not to wake him. Isaac curls up further into the jacket.
''Yeah'' he replied absently.
He noticed she was still staring at Isaac and felt overly protective. He knew there was no harm in her but growing up with their father, lingering stares were a bad thing. It was the reason he was so uncomfortable with eye contact, which usually led to him babbling or keeping absolutely quiet. Of course around their father, it was best just to remain silent altogether.
''So why are you going to Beacon Hills?'' he asked.
That seemed to have jolted her out of thought abruptly and she looked back up at Stiles.
''Visiting my grandson, Vernon. I haven't seen him in a few years but he's so big now! I've left it too long since I've visited him but life get's in the way, doesn't it?''
He smiled, ''That it does''
''What about you, dear? What are two doing?''
''I don't know'' sounding a lot more lost than he intended.
This seemed to alarm her and she started rooting around in her bag for something, when he realised it was her purse, Stiles put a stop to it immediately.
''No, no! Marjorie, that's not necessary. Trust me, we're good enough on that front''
She narrowed her eyes but put it back.
''Then why you so lost child?''
He shrugged, ''Sometimes a house isn't a home. You know what I mean? The last place I remember having a home was Beacon Hills. I guess it's just a shot in the dark''
That was a lie. He already had somewhat of a plan in place. Hell, it wasn't concrete but if there was one thing Stiles Lahey always had, it was hope.
''And what about him?'' she added, nodding in Isaac's direction.
''I'll keep us together if I can but if I need to let him go...'' his breath shuddered'' ...then I will'' he added, voice cracking.
She cooed, ''Oh child''
She put her hands on the table separating them and motioned for him to take them. So he did. It was an nice bit of comfort. Physical touch often made him flinch, expectant of that first punch or kick but this was warm and nurturing. It made him already feel like leaving that house, as scary as it was, was a good thing.
''Whatever you do, wherever you go, whatever happens, God is watching you. He knows when your real life will begin and I have a feeling that today is that day young man. Now promise me you won't let that out your grasp. Promise me now'', she added softly giving his hands a little squeeze.
He gave a teary laugh. ''I promise''
She stroked her thumb over his hand. ''Good''