Chapter 4: Binding Tendrils of Despair. (Car Rides are Bonding Times.)
After practice they go back to the Camaro to go on the long travel back to Beacon Hills.
After a few minutes of awkward silence Stiles begins to speak. "Thank you Derek, it was very nice of you to remember how much my dad and I love baseball. Also, thanks… for coming back I thought I might never see you again." Stiles states down casting his eyes near the end sounding more muted than he intended to be.
"It really wasn't a problem. I just wanted to say thank you… for … for helping me." Derek says trying very hard to properly word his thoughts to not offend Stiles.
"Well, it was pretty huge to me. That was pretty damned expensive, and I know you probably had to think about whatever it was that you were going to do for like forever because you are too emotionally unable to decide on anything without a huge amount of truly pensive thought."
"Yeah, I was trying to apologize and thank you… for everything"
"Well, I accept. Especially since it means I will probably get to keep you. And, I honestly kind of need to talk to someone about my problems and since I will be helping you with yours you will be getting an ear-full of mine. I have a lot of things to talk about and I know you do too Derek. We've both taken huge hits."
"I miss them a lot. It hurts to breathe sometimes when I'm not careful with their memories."
"Yeah, losing our parents affected the both of us a lot. Your mom was so great to me and I know how much you cared about mine. I just miss her and them." He says breaking off tears starting to form in his eyes and slowly descend down his cheek. "Sometimes, my nightmares make me rewatch her death over and over again, most of the time it makes me wake up crying."
"Me too, I find myself waking up to dreams of the fire still; the smoke and death clouding my lungs. And, Laura, what they did to her…" Derek stops.
Stiles leans into Derek's space and rests his head on Derek's shoulder. "Thank you, Derek."
They settle into a comfortable silence and Stiles begins to doze as they return home.