AN: This is a musical TW episode taking place immediately after the season 3 finale. Each song is set to the tune of a song from the musical episode of Buffy, "Once More With Feeling." You can find the original songs on youtube, or look for this story on AO3, where in-fic linking is possible. You can also find my demo-style recordings on soundcloud under the same name.
And now... *takes seat as curtains open on a shellshocked Derek Hale*
Nice Day (to the tune of Going Through the Motions)
Derek:
It's another night of pain and angst here
And the fifth full moon since June
That wouldn't be strange, except it's August
Is this monologue
Coming out in tune?
I don't share my angst, these little pranks
Are never funny, thanks
Can I just finally have a nice day?
Do I have to beg
Is that wolfsbane spreading through my leg?
Does this inner rhyme prove that I'm dreaming?
I'm not sure that I'm awake
Am I out of time? Should I be screaming?
Kate has to be fake
Stiles:
You're starting to shake
Derek:
(dryly)
Sorry, my mistake
Stiles:
Must be a nightmare
If you came here,
But jokes aside, I swear
I just wish you could have a nice day—
Wait, is this a song?
Dude, there's definitely something wrong
Derek:
Stop being so self-aware, Stiles
I don't even think you're here, Stiles
Stiles:
Can I help you cope—?
Derek:
I'm scared, Stiles.
Stiles wraps his arms around Derek.
Exhausted, Derek leans in to the touch.
Derek:
(drowsily)
No, this isn't real...
I just want a nice day
Where I'm not the creep
I always fail awake
Maybe it's time to take
A chance to catch a break
Asleep...
Derek closes his eyes. The world around him goes white.
Kate smirks down at Derek's unconscious body, the thin line of purple heading for his heart. It's only a matter of time.
I'm Gonna Save Her (to the tune of I've Got A Theory)
Scott:
I'm gonna save her
I am the Alpha
Like Derek did it, I'll just sacrifice my power
Isaac:
I wanna save her
But she is gone, Scott
It's not like Cora, she's been dead and cold for hours
Scott:
I'm gonna save her, I can bring her back
Not gonna waver, I'll be brave, she won't fall through the cracks...
Stiles:
You could ask Peter
But he's still Peter
And this particular
thing probably fits perfectly
into some evil plan he has, so why don't I just
Stiles:
(in a small voice)
...shut up,
pretend I never said a thing.
Everyone exchanges glances with everyone besides Stiles.
Ethan:
I want to save her
But where is Danny?
Everyone stops staring at each other to stare at Ethan.
Scott:
I'm gonna save—
Ethan:
Danny isn't stupid, he can help and in the meantime
He should get more storylines and a whole hell lot more screen time
He's really good at hacking
And why are bad guys attacking him every day?
Danny, Danny, we need more Danny!
Ethan:
(as an afterthought)
...Or let's bring Boyd back
Isaac:
I still don't get why he is even here
He helped kill Boyd and torture Derek, why does no one care?
Scott:
I'm gonna save her, I am the hero...
I don't care what you think is fair, oh
Red eyes and all this facial hair so
Shit hits the fan
I've got a plan
If I can't save her, no one can!
I don't care if it hurts another
Some were who wants to be my brother
He'll take it hard
I'll leave him scarred
Honestly, that's
it's own reward!
I don't care if it's not heroic
The plan may suck but I'll stay stoic
No matter who it hurts...
Ethan:
(nodding)
Unless it's Danny.
"Stiles, are you okay?"
"Oh, super," Stiles says, swiping at his eyes. "I'm just having a weird little dream where everyone is singing all over the place and being uncharacteristically candid with some definite author bias. But don't worry, that might not mean I've started murdering people again. It's probably just a really fun thing my brain is doing to distract from how completely insane my life has become."
"It's probably just aftereffects or something," Scott suggests, looking uneasy. "Am I, uh, singing now?"
I Swear, We Got You Out (to the tune of The Mustard)
Scott:
I swear, we got you out!
Ethan and Isaac:
(halfheartedly)
We swear he got you out.
"Isaac and Ethan are doing really terrible falsettos," Stiles says, trying to remember how to breathe. "Hey, remember when I said our lives were boring? You ever get the chance to relive that moment, do me a favor and hit me with your mom's baseball bat 'til I stop moving."
Scott looks at Stiles worriedly. "Maybe you should stay with my mom for a while."
On The Side (to the tune of Under Your Spell)
Stiles:
I've never been the hero, usually sit out the game
The jersey number's zero, under a mystery name
The role of MVP
Is not the play for me
I'm stuck on the side
Cheering from the crowd
Don't be bitter, just be proud
I learned the moves, I tried
Tried to scream out loud
Trapped inside these rotting shrouds...
So now you say I'm rescued
Leave me behind while you fight
"You stay, I'll do the rest, dude
Make all the wrong you did right.
You don't even need to obsess
It's me, it'll be a success..."
I'm stuck on the side
Helpless and alone
Waiting for news by the phone
Your story, you decide
I'm fragile skin and bone
Haunted by an evil clone
So I'll watch you leave...
True Alpha, whatever that means
The cover of Were magazine
I'm s-stuck on the side
Stumbled as I spoke
Guess I'm not in on the joke
I'm not okay, I lied
I can't shake what I've seen
Can't even do anything
A number in a seat
A number in a seat
A number in a seat
A numb—
"—Stiles! Oh thank god," Scott says as Stiles blinks at him.
"Please tell me you didn't hear that," Stiles says.
"Hear what? Was there more... singing?"
"No," Stiles says firmly.
"Has anyone seen my nephew lately?" Peter asks, his dramatic entrance effectively distracting from one of the most potentially humiliating moments of Stiles' life.
"Derek?" Stiles asks, seizing any opportunity to change the subject.
"Of course, if anyone would know, it would be you," Peter says cryptically. "What is it now? Body swap? Mind reading? Soul bond?"
"What?"
"Where is he?" Peter continues. "Fixing your car? Doing your homework? Buying wine for your father?"
Stiles raises an eyebrow at him. "I have no idea what you're talking about," he says slowly. "Non comprende. He's your nephew, anyway. Can't you use, like, werewolf SONAR? Howl or something."
"He's not part of my pack," Peter bites out. Stiles smugs at him.
"Good for him. Our pack's about a thousand times better."
"He's not part of Scott's pack either," Peter says, as if Stiles is an idiot. "Haven't you realized? He's—"
"Completely alone," Stiles realizes.
He'll Never Know (to the tune of I'll Never Tell)
Stiles:
He's just a were I prefer to refer to with dumb pet names
It really sucks how his luck is so fucked, his life up in flames
Do we make a good pair? Well, honestly, Matt, I don't care
That isn't here or there—He'll never know.
Kate:
He'll never run, he'll just wait till I'm done, he knows that I'll win
Back from the grave for the one I must save—my sweet Allison!
It's always been his fate—They won't find him till it's too late
Besides, his little mate—he'll never know
Both:
If there's something to know...
Stiles:
He's straight
Kate:
He's dying
Stiles:
I find him terrifying
Kate:
Ally won't know I'm trying, but the code is a drag
Stiles:
What you're implying—
Kate:
(impatiently)
You idiot, stop lying
Stiles:
I don't need love advice from a sadistic hag
Kate:
What is
this instrumental?
Stiles:
Oh I'm sure it's accidental
Kate:
Or a sign you're going mental
Stiles:
Jeez do you mind being gentle if you're not gonna go
Both:
Yeah clearly he'll never know!
Stiles:
He kind of hates me
He barely tolerates me
He's never gonna date me in a thousand years
Kate:
May take a while
'Cause you're both in denial—
Stiles:
Hi, no, it's Stiles.
Kate:
I give up, I swear.
Stiles:
Are we dancing?
(impromptu dance-off)
Both:
Oh no
Kate:
You must be joking
Stiles:
Are we both smoking?
Kate:
This can't happen, this protection
Not 'til they both show affection
Maybe even an—
Stiles:
…?
Kate: (hurriedly)
—save Allison!
Stiles:
That's so—
Kate:
Was so fun
Stiles:
—Said absolutely no one
Kate:
And he'll still never know until I've done the deed.
Stiles:
Know what? We're mated?
Like he and I are fated?
We haven't even dated! Are there books to read?
Kate:
You need to stop denying
And speed
Up all decisions and just go
Stiles:
Can I trust you when you're in my head?
Kate:
Well, if you don't, your boy is dead
Stiles:
How can I even hear you,
Does that mean I'm somewhere near you
Kate:
Can we end this song already
Longer, we'll be going steady
Stiles:
I can't stop it
Kate:
Well, you started
Are you really that—
Stiles: (spoken)
Whoa whoa whoa!
Stiles:
And why should I even care?
It's not like I'm the hero
Kate:
It's clear that you'll never know!
Stiles:
I swear that he'll never know!
This isn't real
Kate:
If you say so
Stiles:
This is a dream
Or a nightmare
Both:
He'll never know
Scott's staring at him again.
"What?" Stiles says, trying not to freak out. "What, was I singing?"
"No," Scott says worriedly. "You said 'He's completely alone,' and then you stared into space for like four minutes and one second and wouldn't even answer me."
"Oh. That." Stiles picks at a scab on his wrist casually. "That's—Where's Peter?"
"He went to find Derek," Scott says.
"Oh," Stiles says. "I should do that... also. Maybe." He rubs his eyes.
"I think you should stay with my mom. Or ask Deaton what's going on. Or Chris."
"Chris!" Stiles shouts.
Scott starts.
"Yeah, let's do it, let's see Chris! Chris'll... I mean, Derek saved his life, right? And he'll, I mean, if anyone..."
"Stiles, you're kind of freaking me out, man. Are you—I mean—"
"Am I me?" Stiles' relief sours immediately. "Gee, Scott, I don't know, am I? You'd think you'd be the expert, considering you've known me longer than anyone who didn't spend four years avoiding me, but apparently not, huh?"
"Derek spent more than four years avoiding—"
"I meant my dad!" Stiles snaps. "God, why does everyone assume Derek and I are some kind of weird—couple or something? I talk about things other than Derek all the time! My life does not revolve around some stupid angsty werewolf with overcompensation issues and really ridiculous amounts of clearly purely cosmetic muscles—and what is that? If he's so built, how come he keeps needing me to save him? I mean, have you seen me? Have you seen him? How the hell am I supposed to save the guy from whatever's got him when I can't even—" He stops, shakes his head. "This is bullshit, you're coming with me. You've got the super sniffer, c'mon."
"Lydia's missing," Scott says. "I have to find her. And I'm gonna bring Allison back—"
"Well then you need Chris anyway," Stiles says, feeling weirdly irritated. "Doesn't he have Allison's body?"
Scott stares at Stiles, eyes narrowed.
Then his face crumples.
"Shit," Stiles says. He's actually human garbage. "Shit, I didn't—Where do you wanna go? We can go anywhere, I don't care. I'll stay behind if it makes you feel better. Or I'll just shut my mouth, okay, that's it, my lips are—"
"It doesn't matter," Scott says, lip trembling. "You're right. Isaac's right. It's too late."
"No, no no, don't—C'mere, c'mon." Stiles pulls Scott into a hug. He's the absolute worst best friend in the world. "Where is that scarf stand anyway? What does he know about anything?" Stiles pulls back, looks Scott in the eyes. "You're Scott McCall. You're a True Alpha. There are legends about you. Legends, man. Who else do you know who can say that? Even Derek brought someone back—two people, actually—and what, do you really think there's something Derek did as alpha that you can't?"
Scott's starting to look less like an abused puppy. It's heartening.
"I guess not," he says.
"For sure, are you kidding me? He couldn't even—" And now Stiles is feeling shitty all over again. Why does his conscience give a fuck, huh? Derek was a terrible alpha! Literally no one could argue that! So why does he have to say, "I mean, his sister was murdered, and then his uncle turned out to be a serial killer and general megacreep, and then—You'll be better, is the point. Okay? It's all gonna work out."
"Okay," Scott says.
"Okay, champ, what's our next move?"
"We'll talk to Chris," Scott says, voice getting more sure by the second. "About Allison, and about—the singing."
"That's probably nothing," Stiles says reassuringly, patting Scott on the back.
"Then you should stay here."
"On second thought," Stiles says, "It's definitely not nothing. I think—"
Danny's Song (to the tune of The Parking Ticket)
Danny:
Ethan, just tell me, did he, uh
Say anything about Lydia
Or what is going on?
Why doesn't anybody say?
Do they think I'll get in the way?
Just promise me she'll be okay
I'm more than just a pawn
With some love interest role to play
A cardboard cut-out of a gay
No one gives me the time of day...
"Stiles!" Scott is shouting, waving his hand in front of Stiles face, gripping his shoulder.
"I just heard Danny and Ethan fighting in my head," Stiles says. "Danny's a soprano."
"We're going to Chris," Scott says firmly. "Now."
"Actually, I can't," Stiles says. "You go. I'll be fine."
"What are you gonna do?"
"I don't know," Stiles says. "I just have this feeling I need to stay right here."
The feeling lasts all of fifteen seconds after Scott takes off.
Stiles finds Derek shivering alone in the woods. Kneels next to him, lays his hand on his cheek; he's freezing, pale as anything, looking like he's seen a ghost, which at this point isn't far from his own reflection. Stiles tries to help him up and Derek latches on, holds on to him like a life vest.
"C'mon, let's get you inside, huh?" Stiles says encouragingly, trying not to freak out. Derek is not okay. Derek is so far from okay he's practically okay again. "C'mon, I've got you, just lean on me, that's right."
Derek looks shell-shocked and half-dead, and Stiles wants shake him, or demand to know what the hell happened, or punch something.
He goes for option B.
"What the hell happened?" Stiles asks. Derek is too soft despite the muscle, pliant in Stiles' hands, eyes unfocused. "Are you hurt? What's wrong?"
"Cursed," Derek says soberly, and staggers until Stiles' arms are tight around him.
"With what, a Jelly-Legs Jinx?"
Derek actually snorts, swaying against Stiles' side. Stiles pats his back gingerly.
"Easy, big guy. Almost there."
A few steps later, Stiles tries again.
"So, this curse," Stiles says. "Is it time-dependent? You're not gonna turn into a pumpkin, are you?"
Maybe the most worrying thing is Derek's sudden sense of humor. It's like he's drunk.
Wait.
"Dude, are you drunk?" Stiles asks. Derek's grin cuts off, goes south. Stiles is the worst.
"Can't get drunk," Derek says. "Werewolf."
"God, you really are cursed," Stiles says sympathetically.
Derek huffs out a laugh again.
"It's a joke," he says. He's still smiling a little, eyes bright. "There isn't a solution."
"What?" Stiles refuses to accept this. "No, there has to be. C'mon—"
The song comes back to him like a kick in the head.
"This is gonna sound crazy," he starts, "but what do you know about mates?"
Derek's face goes dark.
No Such Thing (to the tune of Rest In Peace)
Derek:
You think
This can be fixed with love
Anyone can be saved if they try hard enough
But life doesn't have Disney cures,
It's made of Grimmer stuff...
You're smart... You must've come to learn
Some people live this every day,
Their luck just doesn't turn
There's nothing anyone can do
When they finally burn
I know,
It's hard to let it go
Keep thinking you can make it right, get the hang of the show
But that's just a charade, okay, it's time you came to know
That there is no such thing
There is no such thing
There's no happy end
Not for the shades-of-gray antagonist
And not for the best friend
If he keeps on risking his life
To soothe a non-stop sting
Stiles, there is no such thing
This joke
Where you go find my mate
All that stuff about destiny, and fairy tales, and fate
Where that road leads I'll never need, Stiles, that road leads to Kate—
So there is no such thing
(quietly)
I know
its a blow
But you don't want this theory to be real
Look, it doesn't matter how you feel
A mate isn't love, it's a cold hard deal
It's a helpless lust that you can't conceal
A naive trust, and it will steal
Your family
There is no such thing
There is no such thing
No perfect bond just waiting, no
Invisible red string
So no, a mate won't help me heal
And we'll just have to sing
'Cause there is no such thing
Stiles I swear
There is no such thing
Lydia's Lament (to the tune of Dawn's Lament)
Lydia:
Am I even part of this story?
Do I even get another—
Lydia screams as the Stiles-faced Nogitsune grabs her and forces her onto his shiny black motorcycle of evil. They speed off, entire streets of windows shattering from the assault.
Hard To Explain (to the tune of How You Feel)
Nogitsune!Stiles:
Oh, don't break my heart
It's just getting good
I'm about to start
Explaining why I'm
Misunderstood
I know I scared you when I was scheming darkly
But now I'm getting a sweet redeeming arc, see
That's my favorite part—
I always knew I would
You like Stiles, right?
But you never had
Him over the night
And you'll like him better bad
Malia will get
the sweet kissing
But you have me, there's not a
Thing you're missing
And the jealousy—
Oh it'll drive him mad
We both have so much pain, love
It's so hard to explain, love
"You're not a good guy," Lydia snaps. "And I don't want you near me."
Nogitsune!Stiles:
You can protest now
But then come next year
We'll be cheek to cheek
The director
Doesn't care
Love, your choice is down in the sewers
We'll be the two to bring in the viewers
My so-still gold eyes
And your flaming red hair!
Dub-con must be
Jeff's top fantasy
The nightmare you live in
He'll make it hot
And repeat it a lot
And he'll be forgiven!
We both have so much pain, love
Lydia:
I don't buy
This nice guy
How did you earn redemption
Nogitsune!Stiles:
Hard to explain, love
Lydia:
At least try
Tell me why
All the guys get exemption
Nogitsune!Stiles:
Well I know, but won't bother telling
Maybe men are just much more compelling
Lydia:
Monologues
Stiff as logs
But they're still reinstated
Nogitsune!Stiles:
You're just looking at coincidences
By any chance, are you on your mense—
Lydia:
—I am done
It's been fun
But this shit's overrated
"You're leaving?" the Nogitsune says, looking offended.
"Why would I stay?" Lydia asks.
"Because," the Nogitsune says easily, "you don't get a choice, love."
Nogitsune!Stiles:
That was our first fight...
It wasn't too bad.
"Lydia Martin," the Nogitsune says slowly. "I like you."
"What a surprise," Lydia says sarcastically.
"You have a certain, a certain—"
"Je ne sais quoi?" Lydia suggests.
"No," the Nogitsune says. "No, I don't know what it is. There's just something about you. You're ...special."
"I'm really starting to get sick of the creepiest men in the room telling me that."
"No, no, no," the Nogitsune says. There's a musical little flourish from nowhere. "Sweetheart. Haven't you heard a word I've been singing? I'm not creepy anymore. You see, a long time ago—"
"You were innocent and something terrible happened to you or someone you loved," Lydia says, before the instrumental can get any bright ideas. "Forcing you to possess Stiles and murder—" She shudders once, forces her face furious again. "My best friend. You don't deserve redemption," Lydia says evenly. "And you're not going to get it."
"Stiles!"
Stiles snaps out of it, shakes his head. He could have sworn Derek really was singing, but the only person he can see in the woods with him is Scott.
Shit, Scott.
"You lied to me," Scott says. He looks like Stiles is hurting him all over again.
No, Stiles can't think about that.
"I wasn't lying," Stiles lies. "I mean—I didn't know I was lying at the time. Exactly. There was just all this singing, and then Derek was—"
"Of course," Scott says, like it's so suddenly clear. "If it's about Derek—"
"Whoa, okay, that's not it," Stiles snaps. "That's completely beside the point. I just need to do something, alright? Except sit around and, and remember—"
"Stiles," Scott says, eyes wide with apology.
"But I get it, you're better off without me," Stiles goes on. "Without failed sidekick Stiles dragging you down, so fine, I'll just—"
Pushing You Away (to the tune of Standing In the Way)
Scott:
How can you think I'd
Rather be alone?
When I can't handle
This life on my own
Stiles, you're the best friend
That I have ever known
And I—
You've been there for me
Through too much this year
Through near-death close shaves
Every single scare
And you're still the person
Standing with me through nightmares
And I—
Stiles, there's no way I'd ditch you
'Cause you're my brother, man
I wish you'd stay behind and
Just stay safe like I planned
Just let me say
It so you understand
I'm not pushing you away
I lost my love and
I've now come to find
Too much of this dark
You lose your mind
I never meant to
Leave you, my best friend, behind
And I—
I dream of a day when you're gone
And I can't even breathe
I try to sway you from harm
I don't want you to leave
And I just pray
There's nothing up a sleeve
When I stop pushing you away
I'll stop pushing you away...
Be Okay (Stuck On The Side/Pushing You Away Refrain)
Stiles:
I'm still on your side
And I get it dude
Clearly, either way, I'm screwed
All the stuff you implied
Or I misconstrued
Point is I am monster food
Unless I just leave...
Scott:
Believe me, I'm just running blind
Stiles:
You just don't want to watch me lose my mind
Scott:
Can we rewind?
Both:
Just let me say...
Stiles: I'm weak, I know, but it's a blow to hear Scott: (Stiles there's no way I'd ditch you...)
Stiles: Even so—I gotta go Scott: ('Cause you're my brother, man)
Stiles: Look, you're my bro Scott: (I wish you'd stay behind and)
Stiles: But I'm going solo somewhere so Scott: (Just stay safe like I planned)
Stiles: I'll be okay Scott: Just be okay
Both:
Just be okay...
Just be okay...
Just be
Okay...
The next time Derek sees Stiles seems just as unlikely as the last. That's the only reason he gives into it, the tug at his skin, the look in Stiles' eyes, like all he needs is for Derek to tell him what the hell is going on.
It still doesn't come out right.
Kate told Derek, after, walked right up to him in his own smoke-stunk, half-burnt house like he couldn't kill her in a moment.
Because he couldn't.
"I can't imagine how you feel right now, but baby, I just had to test a theory."
She stepped closer, laid a finger on his cheek. He just stood there, terrified, paralyzed.
"I thought so," she smirked. He stared at her, uncomprehending.
"You don't get it, do you?" she said. "Little pet doesn't even begin to understand how absolutely fucked he is. Derek did a bad, bad thing," Kate crooned. "And now we're mates, sweetie. or didn't Mommy ever teach you?" She grinned.
Derek couldn't even look at her. Couldn't tear his eyes away.
His vision blurred.
He could still see her too clearly.
"I'm sure you can find some alpha to explain it to you," Kate said. "Of course," she added slowly, "they'd want to know who your mate is. And when a wolf starts asking too many questions about mating with a hunter—well. Alphas don't tend to like that very much. Especially coming from an omega on the run with a burned up family behind him."
Derek couldn't breathe. Couldn't breathe her in, would rather run out of air.
What was the point, anyway? What was the fucking point? She owned him. She'd chase him down, she'd keep chasing. And everyone who ever gave him a chance—
"I'll just catch you up on the most important points," Kate said breezily. "You can't hurt me. You can't hurt my family. Your wolf won't let you. Humans are so fragile, you know. And you cant just get a new mate if you break your first. This is what you've got, baby. Forever. And because I'm it for you, forever, when I'm fucking someone else, and actually enjoying it for a change, you're gonna know. And you're going to hate it. You're going to wish it was you, and you're gonna try to find me, and if you do, you're gonna beg. And I'm going to lean in, real close, like this." Her lips were too close to see, but Derek could feel her breath, soft and even, on his skin.
She leaned in. Derek closed his eyes.
Against his mouth, she whispered, "And I'm going to leave you waiting for me. And you'll never stop waiting. Like a dog, watching the door till mommy comes home." She stepped back.
Even as relief rushed through him, Derek's skin went cold.
"Stay," she said. She was leaving. She was just leaving him alone. "Stay. Good boy."
His hand found the wall. He stepped back shakily, slid down it. He just sat there, eyes shut tight, trying not to breathe, trying not to feel, trying not to give in to the part of him screaming to run and bring her back.
He refused to join a pack. Refused to meet anyone, see anyone. He stayed alone, where it was safe, where everyone else was safe from him. When Laura decided to go back to Beacon Hills, he let her. Let her go home, rebuild.
Until he felt the last thread of pack bond snap.
Curled on his side under the weight of a wolfsbane bullet and the unbearable truth that the only thing that'll heal him from it is the one who put it there, Derek closes his eyes. Beside him, Stiles groans.
"It doesn't have to be like that," he says urgently. "What if she was lying?"
"She wasn't," Derek says. That day fit itself under his skin, kept up a steady itch for six years. Nothing is going to undo that now.
"Well what if she was wrong?" Stiles demands. "You can't just give up, man, you need to—"
"It's over," Derek says. "Go home. Be safe."
"You know what? I am so sick of everyone trying so hard to keep me safe," Stiles says. "I guess if I'm the one left holding the bag—which is probably gonna be full of all your ashes, by the way—then that's fine, right? Good ol' weak human Stiles, safe as fucking houses. Because that worked out so well so far."
"Stiles—"
"Shut up," Stiles snaps. "You're not gonna just give up. You're not gonna leave me—" He swallows hard, hurriedly adds, "—and Scott to deal with this bullshit on our own, that's—bullshit."
"I can't fight her," Derek says. "I literally cannot fight her, Stiles. What am I supposed to—"
"I'll do it," Stiles says. "I'll bang your heads together, okay, you just kiss her for a second—"
Derek shudders.
"Or, new plan, I'll just get you whatever bullet she used, we can—"
"That's not going to work this time," Derek says, jaw still set tight from the thought of kissing Kate. "It has to be a mate, she made that unflinchingly clear."
"Unflinchingly, right," Stiles says. "What if we—"
"Stiles," Derek says tiredly. "There isn't anything. Let it go."
Fighter (to the tune of Walk Through the Fire)
Derek:
Stiles, I can't fight her, so just let it go
This is the end for me, my fate
And all it takes is all my old mistakes
But thank you, you were great
Maybe I'll see
My family
Maybe someday they'll take me back
Maybe its hell,
I guess that's just as well
Maybe it all goes black
But I am done playing fighter
It only makes things worse
I am done playing fighter
It's just a—
Kate:
(driving to Allison's grave)
This road I'm on, this code of yours
I'll follow it to stop the song
That doesn't mean
My conscience isn't clean
Or what I did was wrong
Nogitsune!Stiles:
(serenading Lydia while speeding through the streets of Beacon Hills)
Since I'm no longer a fighter
I'll say I'm sorry first
It is no fun to fight her
It's just a—
Scott:
(following Stiles' scent)
I never meant to reject him
I just wanted to protect him
Should've known he'd never just lie low
Stiles:
(pleading)
Derek, c'mon, you can bite her
Peter:
(appearing out of nowhere to lean down and caress the side of Derek's half-slack face)
No he can't, he's not a fighter
Stiles:
(snarling)
Get away from him before I blow
Lydia:
(struggling in the Nogitsune's iron embrace as he drags her off the bike and toward the graveyard where the others are already gathered)
Don't just give in
It's not fate if you let her win
You can become your own writer!
Derek:
This story ended long ago
It's time I stopped dragging it out
I tried to say
'Someday I'll be okay'
But there was always doubt
Stiles:
Derek, please, she's just a person
Just try getting through this verse and—
Peter:
Let him go, there's no reason to wait
(Can I have a nice day)
Stiles:
There's an answer, just keep fighting
Nogitsune!Stiles:
My god, this is so exciting!
Stiles:
I think that I'm your mate
All besides Derek, Stiles, and Kate:
How obvious, now will you stop talking and kiss?
Lydia:
Like I said—be your own writer!
Peter:
Before we need a hearse
Scott:
You see, you don't have to fight her
All:
To break the curse
Break the curse
break the curse
BREAK THE CURSE!
Derek stares at Stiles, stunned unmoving, then surges forward and kisses him.
Absolutely nothing happens.
"Oh, sweetheart," Kate says mockingly. "Did you really think that was going to work?"
"Shut up," Stiles snaps.
She leers at him.
"How sweet," she coos. "And how disappointing this must be for both of you. You know he only kissed you as a last resort, right?"
"You know he only kissed you because you're a sociopathic murderer who lies all the time, right?" Stiles retorts.
"Of course, he does have a type," Kate admits. "Lucky for you, you now fit all qualifications."
Stiles goes cold.
"No, no, no," the Nogitsune says, dragging Lydia closer. "That's me. Was me, I mean. I'm reformed now. But I understand the confusion. We do share a face."
"So you're the thing that killed my niece," Kate says coldly, refocusing her attention. "I'm going to enjoy destroying you."
"Naturally," the Nogitsune says amicably. "Of course, I am reformed now—"
"You've got a hostage," Kate points out.
"Lydia? Oh no. No, no, no. She loves me. She just doesn't know it yet."
"We are never going to happen," Lydia says, struggling in his hold. The Nogitsune smiles at her.
"I've got a plan," he says, winking.
"This looks familiar," Isaac mutters.
"No one asked you, hatstand in a poodle-fur wig," Stiles snaps, but he's visibly disturbed.
"Enough," Kate interrupts. "I'm going to bring my niece back. Anyone want to stop me?"
"How?" Scott asks, despite himself.
"Well first of all," Kate says, putting a bowl down by Derek's side, "mate's blood—"
Stiles snarls and tries to push her away, but she's supernaturally fast, claws shining with Derek's blood, more of it sloshing in the bowl. Stiles kneels by Derek's side, tries to stem the flow with his balled-up hoodie.
"You're not human," he says, shaken. "After all the speciest shit you pulled, you're not even human."
"The more you know," Kate says, and goes back to ignoring him. "True alpha's claws—"
She shoves Scott's hand into the dirt over Allison's grave, holds his wrist tight. He doesn't struggle.
"And, of course, light from the full moon."
"We've already had two full moons this month," Lydia says pointedly.
"Listen to the words you're saying," the Nogitsune says patronizingly, pointing to the sky. The moon is round and full.
"It's the lunar cycle!" Lydia snaps. "How is it constantly wrong here?"
"Do you want Allison back or not?" Kate says impatiently.
Lydia swallows.
"'By the light of the silvery moon, I—'" Kate chants.
"Oh, I finally know one!" Peter says. "'By the light of the silvery moon, I want to spoon—'"
"That's not it," everyone cuts him off as one.
"It doesn't matter," Kate says, staring down at the grave.
Absolutely nothing is happening.
"It's not working," she says, and drags Scott's hand out of the dirt. "Why the hell isn't it working?"
Stiles thinks quickly. "You need mate's blood," he says.
"So?"
"So Derek's not your mate."
Kate shakes her head. "That's impossible. He couldn't fight me. I walked right up to him and threw it all in his face and he just stood there and took it." Her eyes are bright and sharp as needles. "That's a mate's bond."
"He was scared of you," Stiles says. "That's not a mate's bond, that's a fear response. He was a kid, and you took his whole life and broke it. You made him blame himself because you're psychotic, and you don't understand how mates work—"
"And you do?" Kate challenges.
"I bet any kind of thing like that wouldn't even go through," Stiles says. "Or are you really saying in all those complicated mate rules there isn't something about consent?"
"He wanted it," Kate says. "He said so. That's a bond."
"Informed consent," Stiles clarifies, glaring. "Or do you think he'd still have wanted you if he knew what a psychotic bitch you really are?"
It dawns on Kate's face slow and steady as sunrise.
"Still," she says, recovering, "It doesn't matter. So he doesn't have a mate. It's not you, and it's not me. I should have killed him years ago. Finished the job clean."
"That still leaves me, princess," Peter says, stepping out of the shadows very dramatically and grabbing Kate's neck. "It's been too long... since I slit your throat."
Breathing labored, skin milky-white, Derek rolls his eyes.
"She's not your mate," Stiles whispers hurriedly. "And I don't want to get you excited over nothing, but I just had an idea."
"Stiles..." Derek says. The name is a distant susurrus between his shallow breaths.
"No, shut up," Stiles says. "I mean—save your energy. Listen. Consent is the key, right? That's why Kate didn't count. And because she's—" He shakes his head. "Not the point, forget it. The point is, there has to be full consent for a cure. So it can't just be you kissing me when you really don't want to, or just for a cure's sake, it has to be—"
"You really want me to?" Derek breathes. "And not just—"
"Yes, you idiot," Stiles says, and kisses him.
Life's A Metaphor of Some Sort (to the tune of Life's A Show)
Lydia:
Life's a moon
Ours doesn't make much sense
The timing of events
Is way out of sequence
Stiles:
Our age
Sometimes even our names
Dismissed like silly games
i guess it's all the same
A recurring joke
Lydia:
Error in the script
Props guy got it wrong
Stiles:
Just never addressed
At all
For years
Lydia:
Where are the answers? When
Will we know how Peter is back again?
Don't write us wrong
Don't write us wrong
All:
Write us better, or write us out
Write us better, or write us out
Lydia:
Life's a tale
That needs you to be bold
Tell how it should be told
'Til every tape has rolled
Directors
Can set you up with dicks
Good thing there's always fics
To get an easy fix
Don't need to be saved
Whole plot lines hand-waved
All the shit I braved
Till some writer caved
Gave in and gave
Me something else to do
Besides scream and wait for you
Don't write me wrong
Don't write me wrong
(quietly)
I've got a brain
I'm pretty smart, but I've got a heart
I'm human
And all this disdain
It isn't real
It's just how I deal
I'm human
Remember that I'm human
So write me better or write me out
Please!
Write me better
She struggles against the Nogitsune's grip and breaks into an amazing tai kwon do routine, knocking him to the ground. As the frenzy builds, she starts to smoke.
Scott runs to her side, but she grabs on to a tree trunk and holds on even as her legs keep kicking.
As he begins to sing, they finally go still.
Scott:
Life is a gift
Gets better and worse
But that's not a curse
That's living
Derek:
Everything shifts
As quick as a kiss
You'll make it through this
Still living
Stiles:
And suddenly you're living
Scott:
Just try to keep on living...
Lydia steps away from Scott. "There's something I have to do."
A jazzy trill starts up. Everyone groans.
...Except the Nogitsune, who grins slowly and stands up to sing.
Foxfire (Hard To Explain Reprise)
Nogitsune!Stiles:
You've got fire, love
You've got me in heat
A live wire love
Just the spark I hoped to meet
I'll be yours however you want me
Say 'gone', I'll go, though it'll haunt me
I'm no liar, love
You make me com—
"Leave," Lydia says firmly.
The Nogitsune pales. It's not the sting of rejection—he literally pales, going smoky and translucent.
Nogitsune!Stiles:
(as he vanishes)
Com—plete!
"Is he really gone?" Stiles says shakily. "First Kate, and now—How are we doing this?"
"Are we doing this?" Isaac ventures. "Because I did not write the lyrics to my song."
"You had a song?" Scott asks. "What was it about?"
"Oh, um—Nothing," Isaac says, suddenly fascinated by the ground in front of him.
"Either way," Stiles says, "Is the music—"
As usual, Lydia answers his question before he can finish it.
How Do We Break This Spell? (to the tune of Where Do We Go From Here?)
Lydia:
While that went pretty well
How do we break this spell?
Stiles:
My clone is gone but we still sing on so there must be something else
How do we break this spell?
Scott:
Is there someone to tell?
Ethan:
Is Allison in hell?
Scott:
What the—What?!
Isaac:
Just ignore him Scott
He hit his head when he fell
Ethan:
When I—?
Isaac punches Ethan out.
All:
How do we break this spell?
Are we just all unwell?
Stiles:
Yeah, screw this.
Derek:
(coming down from a cartwheel)
What happens when we y—
Derek:
(spotting Stiles as he leaves)
Yeah, okay.
All else:
(as Stiles and Derek take off)
The bad guys split
So that can't be it
Are there CDs we can sell?
How do we break...
"Hey, are you okay?" Stiles asks, when they're far away enough from the madness to not get sucked back into it. "Things got pretty dark there for a minute."
"I'm fine," Derek says. Coming down from a pretty rousing musical number seems to be hitting him hard; the smile is just slipping off his face. Stiles doesn't like it.
"Kate's gone," Stiles says, stepping closer. "And the nogitsune, which still doesn't sound like a real thing."
"Yeah," Derek says vaguely.
"But the singing's still happening, which I don't even begin to understand. Honestly, this whole day feels like a really weird—"
"Dream."
"Well I was gonna say trip, but sure, that fits."
Derek looks even worse now, his whole face just shutting down.
Slowly, something starts to dawn on Stiles.
"I don't know," he says. "It would be pretty disappointing just waking up like nothing ever happened, if you ask me."
Derek maybe shifts just the tiniest bit from solid stone to something Stiles can read.
It's enough.
"Yeah," Stiles goes on. "I mean, we broke major ground, closure wise, chased the bad guys out... and there was this other thing."
"This other thing," Derek repeats.
"Yeah," Stiles says, grinning. "So I'm kind of hoping it was real, y'know?"
"Because—"
"Because of the other thing," Stiles says. "Honestly, I was pretty sure the rest of it would be sorted out eventually."
Coda
Derek:
I couldn't fight her but you wouldn't go
(You think)
You brought me back before too late
(This can be fixed with love)
Now I know why
(Anyone can be saved)
You make me want to try...
It's hard to say who starts it, but then they're kissing, easy as breathing.
All else:
How do we break this spell?
"Wait," Peter says as the final flourish sounds. "I never got a song."
Lydia rolls her eyes.
Peter looks around expectantly, as if waiting for a spontaneous case of chromesthesia.
Absolutely nothing happens.
"It could be an a capella number," he says, after a while. "Let's see..."
Peter:
(warbling tunelessly)
Uh...
There was a... I really...
This uncanny...
Why can't...
Well...
Grr, aargh...
There's so much... I deserve—
"Go home, Peter." Lydia says tiredly. "It's over."
"So that's it," Scott says quietly. It's just him and Lydia now, sitting on the tree trunk that started it all. Without the spell's fanfare, the silence echoes like a sound. "Allison's gone. She's not coming back."
"She's better off where she is," Lydia says. "Safe, and happy... and away from this whole crazy mess."
"You really believe that?" Scott's eyes search her face desperately.
Lydia nods. "I have to."
"It's like that Buffy episode," Isaac says after a while.
Scott starts; Lydia pulls away from him quickly.
"You're still here," Scott says, guilty-eyed.
"Of course I'm still here," Isaac says. "You're my ride."
"What, on my bike?"
Isaac's ears go pink. "I don't have one," he says defensively. Quickly, he adds, "I mean the Buffy episode with the singing. And Buffy confessing that while Willow thought she was pulling her out of Hell, she was actually—"
"We've all seen the episode, Isaac," Lydia says.
"Because we were singing," Isaac says stubbornly. "And we didn't—"
"Yes, we get it, thank you," Lydia says.
"I can't actually remember biking over here," Scott says.
Lydia sighs.
"C'mon, boys," she says, getting to her feet. They follow her obediently—or at least Scott follows her obediently, while Isaac follows him—to the Nogitsune's abandoned motorcycle, its curves dappled with the unabashed light of the month's third full moon. "I'll drive you home."