Always A Thursday

By LilyAurora

Chapter Three

o-o-o-o-o

The sound of movement from the bathroom, had Stiles fully alert within seconds. He stood quickly making his way towards his, bat before the memory of yesterday filtered into his mind.

Isaac.

By the sounds of it the wolf had decided to stay, something that shouldn't really surprise Stiles in the least. The curly-haired boy was always the first to hug and touch you, when he knew something was wrong. Even being brave enough to ninja hug Derek on those rare occasions he would catch him off guard.

Stiles shook his head.

Nope, not going there today.

He made his way towards the kitchen, flicking on the kettle before pulling mugs from the cupboard and food from the fridge. He beat the eggs in a leisurely pace, mind drifting to places he had refused to think about in a long time. Seeing them yesterday, it brought back too many memories. Some he wished he could forget.

"Eggs?" Isaac whispered from Stiles' shoulder. Causing the boy to jump, spilling the contents over his shirt.

"Damn it Isaac, you scared the shit out of me." Stiles grumbled, placing the bowl on the counter before pulling the shirt over his head.

The sharp intake of breath stilled his movements.

"Stiles." Isaac's voice soft as his fingers tips gentle ran over the scars.

"Shit." Stiles quickly pulled the material back down covering the evidence. He turned to look at the wolf, hands braced against the counter as he waited for him to speak. They knew they were there. All the pack did, but only Derek and Scott had seen them. Seen what had happened to him that night.

"I didn't know. Jesus Christ Stiles, was this... was it from that night?"

"I don't want to talk about it Isaac." Stiles tried to move, but Isaac boxed him in.

"Was this what happened when you went up against the twins, Stiles?"

The refusal to answer was everything Isaac needed to confirm what he already guessed.

"And you still saved us, even when you were torn up, shredded like that? You still came back and saved us all."

Stiles was staring at him now. Seeing how the pieces were beginning to fit together. The understanding was there of why he had to leave. How loyal he had been, how selfless.

"He made you leave after everything you did for us? For him!" Isaac roared.

Stiles shook his head. "It wasn't like that. I chose to leave, I had too."

"Then what was it like Stiles? You explain to me what Derek said to make you stay? Did he beg you? Tell you how much you meant to him? How much he loved you?" Isaac voice broke at the end. The emotions too much for him to control.

"It doesn't matter any more." Stiles shook his head.

"Yes it does."

Stiles laughed. "It really doesn't. I've come to terms with what I was to Derek, Isaac. And that was nothing compared to what he was to me."

"Why did you leave? You didn't have to. I still would have been there for you, so would have Scott."

Stiles smiled running a hand across Isaac's face. Isaac nuzzled into his palm, scenting him.

"Don't you remember?" Stiles asked sadly.

Isaac just stared at him, large blue eyes confused for a moment until realization settled.

"He told us... he told us to give you space. To let you have some time. After that night we knew you were hurt and thought you just needed some time, that you asked for it. So we did, we stayed away giving you the distance we thought you wanted, we took what he told us as gospel, but he was lying wasn't he? You weren't the one to ask us to stay away, it wasn't you who wanted to break ties? How could he have lied to us."

"He lied about a lot of things." Stiles added sadly. Isaac whined at the scent of loss and sorrow coming from Stiles.

"I won't leave you again." Isaac promised.

"You will have too. Derek will want to return to Beacon Hills, and you can't stay away from Scott."

"You could come back."

"No way." Stiles shook his head. "You seen how I reacted last night after just bumping into you all. There is not way I can come back now, plus I still have a few months of college left. I am not dropping out early, my dad would kill me. You met him right? The Sheriff."

Isaac rolled his eyes, finally moving out of Stiles' personal space.

"I'm serious, come back home. Erica would love to see you, so would Boyd."

"Now, I know you're lying." Stiles laughed. "Erica hates me."

"No she doesn't. You saved her Stiles, her and Boyd. You don't know how much trouble she got into after you left. She screamed at Derek for a week to go and, "drag your skinny ass back." She was livid when he refused. Wouldn't go near him for weeks. Even refused to shift."

Stiles was stunned silent. He couldn't believe Erica had been like that. Over him. He never thought she of all people would give a rats ass what happened to him.

"Then Derek Alpha mojo'ed her into shifting." Isaac shrugged.

"Yeah he's good at bossing people around." Stiles spat, scrubbing a had through his messy hair. "Look Isaac you have to understand, even if I did come back." Isaac beamed at this. "If, I said if... focus would you, Jesus. It wouldn't go back to the way things were. I can't do that to myself again. I gave so much to you all. I would have died protecting you, nearly did actually." Stiles chuckled. Isaac whined. "I'm fine now." He tried to placate the wolf, rubbing a hand across his face, before curling his fingers around the side of his neck.

The shrill sound of Isaac's phone broke them from their discussion.

"It's Scott." Isaac explained, eyes sad as he read the message. "I told him last night you weren't up for any visitors. Except me because I'm your favourite." He smiled softly.

"You forced your way in." Stiles chuckled. "But just for the record, you were always my favourite. What did he say?"

"He told me to tell you that... and I quote. "You suck ass!"

Stiles rolled his eyes before making his way over to the table. Two cups of coffee in hand.

"I don't know if I'm ready to see him yet." Stiles spoke softly as he handed Isaac his coffee.

"Scott will understand Stiles. Whatever you decide. He loves you, you're his best friend."

Stiles pulled his legs underneath himself as he sat on the one side of the sofa. Isaac on the other.

"Will he? I mean will he really understand? Because quite honestly Isaac, I don't think I even know what happened. One minute I was happy and in love, the next... well not so much." He shrugged taking a sip of his drink.

"He loved you Stiles, you have to believe that?"

"I don't." He snapped at the other boy, causing him to flinch. "Sorry, shit I didn't mean..." Stiles scrubbed his hand across his face. "Seeing you all yesterday nearly killed me Isaac, I haven't had a panic attack for a few years now, and feeling like that again, vulnerable. I didn't like it and if that's how I'm going to feel around you all again, then I'm sorry I just... I won't do it to myself. I deserve better."

Isaac whined, placing his cup on the table. He moved forward into Stiles' space, taking the cup from the others boys hand, he placed that next to his, before curling himself around Stiles, his face pressed up against the expanse of his neck. Taking in deep greedy mouthfuls.

"I'm sorry Stiles." He whispered. "I wish none of this had happened. I wish Derek wasn't a fucking idiot."

Stiles carded his fingers through Isaac's hair, scratching at his scalp.

"I'm not the same person I was Isaac, I wouldn't even know where to begin, to be him again."

"Who said you have to be anyone, other than who you are right now." He replied nuzzling into Stiles' chest.

Well fuck. Isaac was not supposed to be the voice of reason and maturity.

When the hell did that even happen. Stiles takes in Isaac's content, happy form and just... crumbles.

Well his father had hinted enough on the subject. If this was going to happen he would have to speak to Scott. He needed too. There was no way he was going to return without sorting things out with him first. Everyone else could go screw themselves.

Unless it was Erica, and she had a carburetor.

Fuck.

Why now, why did they turn up now. He was happy in his ignorance. Avoiding all kinds of weird activities. As far as he was concerned there was no such thing as the supernatural. But let's be honest, who was he trying to kid. From the moment Scott had been bitten, Stiles was in it for the long haul. He may have fooled himself for a few short years, but he was always going back to Beacon Hills. He would always go home.

His majors were in Norse mythological and astronomy. As well as a few other lighter courses. So he knew he would always be a part of the supernatural life. He just didn't expect it to be so soon.

"I'll think about it." Stiles whispered, causing Isaac to make this pleased little noise in the back of his throat. And Stiles? Well Stiles was thinking of the best way to avoid Derek. Forever.