Stiles drove, not paying attention to where he was going. When he took in his surroundings, he realized he was driving to Derek's old house. It was out of habit, he guessed. Whenever he and Derek used to have a fight, whichever one left first went to cool down and the other went to the house. They always knew where to find each other. He found a small part of him hoping that Derek would try to come find him, while the other part was horrified at the thought. Stiles came to the house all the time. On the anniversary of the fire that almost completely burned the house down, killing Derek's whole family, excluding his sister, Laura, and uncle, Peter. On the anniversary of Laura's death. On the anniversary of Peter's death. Everyone knew not to look for him when he disappeared on those days. He wouldn't leave the house.
Those were also the days he spent with Derek here. The first time Stiles woke up at 4am in a cold sweat, his first instinct was to call Derek. Derek didn't answer the call, but sent a text saying "At my house." Stiles knew which house he meant. Every year on those days Stiles would wake up at some odd hour before sunrise and go to the house.
The past two years Stiles went there on the anniversary of the breakup. Their relationship had died, and no matter how much time passed, no matter how much he tried to convince himself that it didn't, it still hurt like hell.
Stiles climbed out of the jeep and started to walk towards the front porch. He stopped, staring at the front steps. That was where he found Derek the first time, on the anniversary of the fire. Derek was lying on his side, facing the house. Stiles could tell he was crying, however silent he was. Derek hated to show weakness around people and the fact that he was willing to tell Stiles where he was, knowing that Stiles was going to see him crying, meant more to him than anything else ever could. Stiles had walked over and sat down behind Derek. Stiles reached up, running his hand up Derek's back slowly. Derek was shaking. Stiles just wanted to throw himself on top of Derek and cuddle him to death, but instead he settled for threading his fingers through Derek's hair and massaging. It was what Derek had done for him when his mom died.
It happened three months before the fire. He knew it was going to happen. She had cancer and the treatment wasn't working. Stiles had bawled when he found out and ran out into the woods. Derek followed him and found him, sobbing and shaking, curled up next to a tree. Derek had scooped him up and carried him all the way to the Hale house. Derek's mother had cooed and fussed over him, bringing him hot chocolate and cookies and candy and anything else she could think of while Derek held him on his lap. One arm was wrapped around his waist while the other was threaded through his hair. He had a buzz cut shortly after in honor of his mom. Every time he came to this house he was flooded with memories. He felt tears streaming down his face.
"How could you do this to me, Derek? I had just gotten used to not having you and then you come back." Stiles choked on the words. The day was clear in his head. It was his graduation day and he was the valedictorian. Derek came to graduation and while Stiles was giving his speech everyone couldn't help but notice the pride in Derek's eyes. No one could have guessed that after the party Derek would take Stiles out to the Hale house and break Stiles's heart.
"Stiles, I can't do it anymore." Derek had said.
"What do you mean? You can't do what anymore?"
"Us. I just… You just graduated high school. You're 18. I'm 23. I think it's time we move on."
"What do you mean you think it's time we move on?"
"You're so young Stiles. I need someone closer to my age. I mean it was fun while it lasted, and I really do care about you, but I want someone more mature."
"You just freaking told me yesterday that you love me!" Stiles protested.
"I care about you, Stiles, but I don't love you. Maybe I did at some point but I just don't feel it anymore." Stiles stared open mouthed at Derek. He felt like his heart was ripped out and Derek was just standing there emotionless. He felt tears starting to well up in his eyes but he refused to cry. "I'm moving to Brooklyn in two days. I have a job there and I already sold my apartment here. Stiles I'm so-"
"Don't you dare say you're sorry. You've obviously been planning this for awhile. Well you know what Derek? Screw you. I'm going home." Stiles turned and started walking towards the woods.
"At least let me drive you home." Derek pleaded.
"I wouldn't go with you if my life depended on it." And those were the last words Stiles said to Derek before Derek left.